Chunkylover

Malts has been playing a little better lately, but not that much better, and not more than Cleary. Kopy can hit and Leino can't? If the Wings lose a game, they will swap these two and should they begin winning, or if Leino is very productive and can handle the intensity he'll remain in. This could also make it easier to let Kopy go in the summer. Whatever they're thinking, they're thinking with more clarity and wisdom than anything we can guess.

Yeah, that was written in a confusing way, but I remember that the Rangers were first in their division for half the season until everyone else caught up to them in games played. It makes me nervous for next year though. If the Wings have a deep playoff run, then turn around and start the season in Europe, and come out of the gate in the same way they did this season..., it could be a tough going next season.

Ottawa @ Carolina I don't really care about who wins this, but I suppose I'll go for Carolina in this since there's really no chance Ottawa could sneak into the playoffs. Florida @ Buffalo I'd like to see the Sabres make it to the playoffs, but again that is doubtful, so I go for Florida. I'd rather they make it in than Montreal. Minnesota @ NY Isles I don't care. Calgary @ Pittsburgh I normally cheer for the Western Conference in these matchups, but I want the Flames to lose for beating us the other night. San Jose @ Chicago Go Hawks! The Sharks have a lot of injuries and Marleau is a healthy scratch to be with his expecting wife. I still think they can easily beat the Hawks, though. Anaheim @ Colorado I'd like to see Anaheim make it so we can get a rematch (as long as we win) so I'm for them tonight.

I hope they show up before the third period is already half over tonight.

I deny that there is a problem with Detroit players falling down. Once the playoffs start they'll flip a switch and automatically be able to stay on their skates.

If the playoffs started today: The Wings would face Edmonton in the first round; I'd say they have a strong chance of beating them which would avenge their victory in 2006. Additionally Anaheim could sneak in to the playoffs and should they, and the Wings, make it past the first round they'd be set up for a 2007 rematch. Over in the east New Jersey is a heavy favorite to represent that conference in the Final and there are a few on this team who remain from the upset in '95. Other than LA, who beat us in 2001, are there any other teams who have unavenged series victories over the Wings?

I thought about the Leafs as well, and it appears the Ducks are on the trail to mediocrity Toronto has blazed for them. Perhaps in a few years in the tank Brian Burke will be called upon to resurrect the Ducks.

Even though we've avenged the '04 defeat, I think the Flames and Sharks have to be the two opponents who are still considered "better" by the media and beating them would be just as significant as a rematch with the Oilers.

This is what I usually say about anything concerning this team. You could also substitute Ken Holland's name in there.

Well, we did get them in '07. They were favorites that year so it kind of balances out. Plus we beat them in '95 outscoring them 24-6 to avenge the the loss in seven games from '94.

They definitely own the head-to-head post-season record. It would be nice to beat them while Hossa is here.

I'd say he can keep it up. Probably won't ever be #1 but easily could be in the top 10 for a while. He's been good since he started after the lockout, although the team was sort of underachieving for a while. However, I don't think he could be an Ovechkin/Crosby type player who could lead the league in scoring while playing on a non-playoff team.

True, although we swept them in '97 and '99. Still have to break that tie!

Neither Crosby, Savard, or Datsyuk needs to fight in order to prove their status as the best in the game right now.

I won't castrate you, your analysis is fair. He's on pace for a very respectable season and if he can replicate last year's playoff success I think he'll have earned a reputation as a solid performer. But you are right, he needs to keep this up for a few more complete seasons before he becomes an elite. It took until the 06-07 playoffs for Datsyuk to earn that respect.

I'd like to see all the central teams make it in, especially if the Wings are first overall. I respect what Nashville has accomplished in spite of their obstacles. They are one of the better managed and coached teams in the league. I like Dallas for the same reason, but having watched them play lately, they don't belong in the playoffs. In the East I like Florida and Buffalo. I could handle the Pens getting in so long as they don't get farther than the Wings.

I watched that TSN video with Bob McKenzie and I had no idea what he was talking about. It would definitely be good for teams if they could adjust the player's cap hit down, but it would devalue the contracts, and conversely, should the cap increase, players would want their salary to go up in proportion as well.

Does that mean that people who bear children are allowed to not make sense, or that they never do? Does this mean mother's never make sense? Esteef's comment was clearly ill-advised, as it implies being a woman (having a ******) is worse than being Jordin Tootoo. I'm as certain that's not what he meant as I am that you don't mean women are incapable of rational thought. One should be careful when applying prerequisites to free speech else that one might find his or her own speech restricted. How would you like it if the right to talk about hockey was restricted to those having testicles, scrotum, and penis? Not at all I'm certain. Anyone care to comment on Tootoo's recent scrap against Bradley, y'know, the reason I resurrected this thread? Does this change anyone's opinion of him? Is he still a dirty, cheap, cowardly fighter?

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I also don't want to just start a new thread for a simple counter-point. I've heard this from a lot of fans and commentators concerning many teams. Most recently a Sabres fan who said their owner is more interested in running the team like a business than winning. I don't see the two as being separate objectives. If that were the case Illitch would be a bad businessman because he wants to win! No, the difference between Illitch and Golisano, Wang, or any other owner of a struggling franchise, is that Illitch is better at running a successful business than they are. A good owner does everything he can to provide his customers (fans/advertisers/investors) with the best possible product. Many teams have their own self-imposed cap. That isn't an example of running a team like a business, that's an example of failing to run a business. I agree that it would be nice to ditch the cap, but I'm happy with the way the Wings have been run under its restrictions. Teams/broadcasters selling more ad time is the best thing we could hope for.

They have the same amount of commercial breaks as they had prior to this rule change, it just affected the rigidity of the commercial break. Previously, if there was an icing but they weren't in a commercial zone, they would go right to the face-off. Making money is a good thing. The more everyone is allowed to make (from their own effort), the better off everyone will be.

I don't understand why they are already scrapping it since it hasn't even had a full season of influence. I guess the GM's hated it unanimously!

What's interesting is Bettman wants to keep fighting in the game and the GM's are the ones applying restrictions. I don't think there will be any benefit from the changes the GM's have suggested. Because I didn't see the Sanderson fight, I can only guess that it wasn't a staged fight, but a fight born of the typical emotions of battling hockey players. This staged fight rule will be frustratingly arbitrary and won't last long. Should we ban slap-shots since taking a 100-MPH puck to the face can be lethal?

Anyone see the Preds/Caps game last night? Tootoo with a good hit knocks down Brashear, Bradley hits Tootoo from behind, Tootoo beats the crap out of his face. Also Belak knocks out Brashear. Just more evidence in defense of Tootoo. He ain't ALL bad.TSN Highlights Caps/Preds

Does anyone know what the League Champion Banners are for? They don't correspond to Stanley Cup years but are from the same period as the Cups of the 50's. In the photo they are just to the right of Howe's #9 and are fairly indecipherable. Anyone who has been to the Joe would know what I'm talking about.

I saw someone mention before that the Wings have some sort of agreement with the league to move east before Columbus, even though CBJ is further east than Detroit. I'm not sure I really want them to move to the Eastern Conference though. I think they'd be more likely to sink down to the level of the Eastern teams rather than maintain the high level they have from being constantly challenged in the West.