Yzersyukstromberg

You are right on that one! He was one of the stars of the past in Windsor. I'm not cheering for him right now, as his club is battling the Wings...but you have to admit the guy is a solid NHL coach.

Oops...double clicked 'post'...sorry

I'll admit that I chuckled a bit...but... What's the point in even writing and sending a letter with that type of language and threatening tone. He could have probably gotten alot further by keeping it clean, and sounding a bit educated. I agree with what the point of his letter was, but think the way he went about it was ridiculous. Won't even be read beyond the first line at the league office. And I agree, anger management wouldn't be a bad idea.

They have plenty of other banners to hang at the WFCU Centre...this isn't their first championship...just their first Memorial Cup Championship. They've won the OHL Championship in the past, but this is their first time as Canadian Major Junior hockey champions. The season they put together was one of the best in history. Congrats Spits!! You made Windsor proud, and gave us something to rally around in one of the toughest times in the our city's history!

They need to dump 'Jumbo' Joe right now, and move on to another cast of superstars. The guy is a career playoff choker...Boston realized and moved him out of town. Also, what the hell ever happened to Jonathan Cheechoo. Talk about a collapse...or maybe he was more of a 'one year wonder'. Overall though, I am loving every minute of their demise.

Here are my picks: SJS/ANA 4-3 DET/CLB 4-2 VAN/STL 4-3 CHI/CAL 4-2 BOS/MTL 4-1 WSH/NYR 4-2 NJD/CAR 4-3 PHI/PIT 4-2 Western Conf Champion: DETROIT RED WINGS Easter Conf Champion: CAROLINA HURRICANES Stanley Cup Champion: DETROIT RED WINGS

Wings in 6, but it'll be 6 extremely tough, close games. This series is going to have us on the edge of our seats, and could really go either way.

Here's my first round predictions: EASTERN CONFERENCE #1 Boston Bruins vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens (Bruins win series 4-1) -Montreal seems overmatched in this series, and the second half of the season has been one to forget for the Habs. The Bruins have everything clicking right now, and should dispose of Montreal in short order. #2 Washington Capitals vs. #7 New York Rangers (Capitals win series 4-2) -Rangers have a hard time scoring goals...and the Capitals don't. #3 New Jersey Devils vs. #6 Carolina Hurricanes (Hurricanes win series 4-3) -This is my Eastern upset special of the first round. The Hurricanes are smoking hot right now, while the Devils have stumbled down the stretch. This is going to be a long series, and something tells me that the 'Canes will come out on top, although it will likely take a toll on them moving toward the next round. #4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Philadelphia Flyers (Penguins win series 4-3) -The battle for Pennsylvania. Pens have the experience, and are a hot squad right now, but it will take the full seven games to move past a hungry Flyers squad. WESTERN CONFERENCE #1 San Jose Sharks vs. #8 Anaheim Ducks (Ducks win series 4-3) -My Western upset special. I hate the Sharks, and I want them to lose....that's my thinking here. Might be a bit of a stretch, but Anaheim has played some solid hockey down the homestretch, and with the addition of Beauchemin, this is a team to fear in the postseason. #2 Detroit Red Wings vs. #7 Columbus Blue Jackets (Wings win series 4-2) -The Wings will have their hands full with the Jackets, but in the end, playoff experience will win out and the Wings will advance to the next round of the playoffs. #3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 St. Louis Blues (Canucks win series 4-3) -The Blues are riding high on emotion after an amazing second half of the season. One has to wonder, though, when will the tank run dry? Something tells me that Cinderella's glass slipper falls off here, but it'll be an exciting series to say the least. #4 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #5 Calgary Flames (Blackhawks win series 4-2) -The Hawks have owned the Flames this season, and have found their game again late in the season. The Flames, on the other hand, have 'flamed out' of late, and should be ripe for the picking.

The Red Wings have never, ever worn a black jersey in an NHL game. That was a promotional jersey only. It never made it to the ice.

That'll be a huge boost to an already dangerous Ducks team heading in to the playoffs. They'll be about the best team to be a 7/8 seed in this year's playoffs. I hope the Wings don't draw them in the first round...too much travel, and they'll leave you beaten and battered even if you do get through them.

The one they've been playing all season just before the players take the ice is 'The Little Things' by Danny Elfman.

I was at the practice on Saturday and got a chance to see this first hand. What a classy thing to do by Lidstrom and the Wings. I was so happy for that young man, knowing only that he must have been through some very tough times in his own life, in order to get that opportunity. Must have been the greatest moment of that kid's life. Good for him. Hopefully he'll also remain in remission and enjoy and long and healthy life as a Wings fan.

I'm with the rest of you...the division title is a sure thing at this point anyways...whether or not they win it tonight or next week is irrelevant...so, for now LET'S GO HAWKS...beat the Sharks and get us closer to the much more important WESTERN CONFERENCE TITLE.

Wings win this one, 6-4. Goals by Datsyuk (2), Filppula, Lidstrom, Ericsson and Kopecky.

Rather than debating how many Norris trophies he would or wouldn't have won, and whether not he was a talented hockey player on the rise, or one with questionable abilities...why don't we just be glad (as most of the posters on this thread seemingly are) that Jiri Fischer didn't die on the Red Wings' bench at Joe Louis Arena that night, and that he's still around and able to be a part of hockey in whatever way his heart condition will allow him. Jiri was a hard working hockey player who had his career shortened WAY too early, so nobody can really say what he might have become...the best years of his career were still way in front of him. I'm thrilled that Jiri made it though his nearly tragic ordeal, and even more happy that the Red Wings were a classy enough organization to find a spot for him within the club where he could make a career for himself in the game that he loved, but is no longer able to play.

Anaheim - hate 'em all Atlanta - Kozlov Boston - screw them Buffalo - Miller Calgary - Cammalleri Carolina - Rod the Bod Brind'Amour Chicago - too big of a rival to like anyone Colorado - Sakic Columbus - Mason Dallas - nobody Detroit - Datsyuk, Zetterberg Edmonton - nobody Florida - who cares Los Angelas - Quincey Minnesota - a team full of no names Montreal - I hate the Habs Nashville - hate the Preds too New Jersey - not a big fan of the Devils NY Islanders - Islanders suck NY Rangers - so do the Rangers Ottawa - Alfredsson Philadelphia - Gagne Phoenix - Doan Pittsburgh - I hate Crosby the most on this team San Jose - I really don't like anyone on San Jose St. Louis - Tkachuk Tampa Bay - St. Louis Toronto - the Leafs suck Vancouver - the Sedin brothers Washington - nobody

I hate getting ahead of myself like this...but I wouldn't have a problem with the Wings bringing out the Winter Classic jersey for a game or two if the matchup you mentioned above actually became reality.

No, 'Fire on Ice' was the regular season slogan last year. The playoff slogan was 'Are You In?'....and the song was 'Just One' by Hoobastank. I liked it actually.

No offense, but this is way off. There's now way in hell Franzen will sign for $2.5 million/yr. He's 29 years old, and coming in to the prime of his career. This will be (maybe) his only chance to cash in big time. He's going to take advantage of it. Plus, his agent is a proven douchebag, and was difficult enough to deal with in negotiating his last contract...there's no chance he'll let him sign for that little. He's going to see offers in the ballpark of $5 million/yr elsewhere. As for Hossa, I guarantee you that there is absolutely no chance at all that the Red Wings will offer Hossa a contact for that kind of money. First, it won't fit the cap situation, and second, they just paid one of their 'home grown' superstars an average of $6.08 million over 12 years...why would they even consider giving Hossa an extra $1.5-2 million above that?? Makes no sense. That would be an insult to both Pavel and Hank, both of whom have done more for this team. I wouldn't write off Dan Cleary. He's just signed a nice contract extension, and he's proven to be very valuable to the Wings, on the PK, second PP and some very solid minutes even strength. He's going nowhere. Filppula could be solid trade bait, but the organization is very high on him, so I'd be surprised if they let him go elsewhere, via trade, unless they were forced to move him because of cap restrictions.

He'll stay hot, and make it to 100 points, in my opinion. I'm guessing he'll hit about 102. And despite that, he'll still get shunned in the Hart Trophy voting.

Congrats to Chuck Norris on another great achievment.

Wings come out flying tonight.... Wings 7 Flyers 2 Wings scorers: Datsyuk 2, Holmstrom 1, Zetterberg 1, Hudler 1, Franzen 1, Rafalski 1 Flyers scorers: doesn't matter

I'm not sure if I'm the guy with the 'lack of Wings knowledge', but in case you're basing that on my type-o regarding Hudler's UFA/RFA status, I'm completely aware that Hudler is an RFA after this season. I was typing a little too quickly for my own good, and noticed the error this morning when I was re-reading the thread (see edit). I'd actually consider myself to be quite knowledgeable when it comes to the Wings, but when it comes to this (signing free agent), nobody really knows what's going to happen. That's all I was getting at when I said 'what the hell do I know anyways'. However...if that comment wasn't directed at me, you can rewind back to the beginning and pretend I never posted in the first place. Cheers.

No, the current salary cap is a 'hard cap', so you must be cap compliant every single day of the season. During the pre-season and off season, you can be up to 10% over the cap (approx), but you must become cap compliant by the first day of the regular season, and remain that way each day throughout the season. That's information I heard directly from Ken Holland the other day at the Red Wings' Corporate Seminar. Not sure what the deal is with the Rangers.

I predict that: - Hossa signs first - Franzen doesn't sign at all - Kopecky re-signs - Leino re-signs - Samuelsson is gone - UFA - Hudler is gone - RFA (but we end up with some solid picks instead) but what hell do I know...? *edit - Hudler RFA ...oops!*