RedSea

Just curious, where'd you get those numbers from?

Hopefully the Norris voters don't pay attention to the Red Wing-hating Versus crew. All they talked about was Chara vs. Green with maybe a small mention of Lidstrom. Hands down, Lidstrom is the best one on one defensemen in the league. Chara is good all around and Green is banking on his ridiculous scoring ability. I originally thought Chara would win it, but I could see it going to Green. But that would be a damned shame, because this isn't about who can put up the most points, but who can shut down the opponent. And Lids does that game in and game out. The one thing hurting Nick is that he has less average TOI than both Green and Chara (especially Chara) and that shows the voters that Washington and Boston are relying much more heavily on their top d-men. Oh well, Nick has plenty of Norris trophies. He would probably have to build another case if he won anymore.

He is so much happier in the second version.

Hah, nice one. Keep 'em comin! I plan on posting at least one more later on tonight that I think you guys will like.

Thank you! I'm glad you guys appreciate the time I put into making that. My girlfriend was yelling at me to do something productive, and I was like "Hey, I'm entertaining people. That's productive!"

Thank you! LOL, thanks! There are some gems in this thread. I was wondering if people would notice them hiding in the corner.

Can't believe some people don't agree with this. We just signed a guy with Hossa-like stats for at least 2 million less than what Hossa would demand. Just because he doesn't have the track record of Hossa doesn't mean he can't keep the pace goign. I think this contract is right for both sides right now, but I hope we're not regretting this in the future when we're dishing out 10 million for two players in their late thirties (Franzen and Zetterberg).

I had told people about Ericsson's willingness to fight and bam he goes out and does it when necessary. I absolutely love to see that in a Wings game, especially this year. So many times I have been frustrated by Franzen's and Sammy's unwillingness to fight. Not saying they have to fight to please me, but why even get into this glove punching scrums if you're not going to drop them once in a while (Sammy's last "fight" was absolutely disappointing and embarassing)? Franzen especially disappoints me because of his size. If he just fought some scrubs at first he could eventually handle his own against the middle-weight pests that the Wings face so often. But back on track, I'm glad Ericsson will be around for a while. I'll never expect him to take out Laraque, but hell, he might surprise some big fighter someday when he has a healthy hand and more experience. I don't need a fight every game, but there have been many instances this year when the Wings needed a fight to either get some momentum going or to send a message. At least with Ericsson in the lineup next year the Wings will have that presence for the whole year. Maybe with the roster attrition that is bound to happen after this year, some forwards like Downey and Abdelkader will see more time and the Wings won't be so far in last place for fighting majors. Did anyone see that guy throw some glove punches at Lidstrom before Ericsson got in that fight? I was really hoping somebody would go after that ******, because you do NOT punch Lidstrom. Ericsson was thrown in the box and Downey is in GR, so my hope was slim and of course nothing more came of it. But I guarantee you there would've been one more worth while fight had the Wings had somebody willing to fight in the lineup. And what did happen to Kopecky? They always show that one clip of him wailing on somebody (I think from last year), but yet he hasn't even come close this year to stepping up for his teammates. I remember one game he was flat out challenged and he just skated away while the time definitely called for a fight. Bah, I miss Drake.

Hossa has 8 more points than Franzen and has played in 5 more games. Franzen has a better shooting percentage. Franzen has almost 20 less penalty minutes (we'll consider it closer to 10 since Hossa got that 10 minute misconduct for the fight). Franzen has 22 more hits than Hossa. Franzen is close to a year younger than Hossa. They both see time on the power play and on the penalty kill. So what I'm getting at is that some people are dying to pay Hossa 2-2.5 million more compared to another forward who is producing near the same level. Franzen even excels in the physical department by registering more hits than Hossa. Sure, Hossa had one mediocre fight, but Franzen seems to mix it up more (unfortunately, Franzen won't fight when the time asks for it). I won't lie, at first I was all for signing Hossa over Franzen. But throughout the season, as the stats have proven, Franzen has been a damned fine player who can easily play on the top line like Hossa. Franzen just doesn't have the exposure and long track record of success of Hossa and therefore Hossa costs more. As of today, I would much rather take that 2 million saved from signing Franzen over Hossa and put it towards Hudler and Leino. Part ways in a respectful manner with Hossa because we simply afford him. We'll be thankful we don't have a crapload of guys making 6+ million once the cap (supposedly) goes down in 2010. I hate to lose Hossa, he's one of the best forwards in the league, but we have to face salary cap reality. You've got to put talent on every line these days and that means sacrificing the top end. And hell, I wouldn't consider signing Franzen all that much of a sacrifice. Ever since Homer went down last March, Franzen has been on fire and we would be mistaken not to sign this guy for a long term discount while he's still under the radar. But if Holland REALLY wants to keep Hossa, then I could see us trading Filppula and maybe Kronwall to make room for Hossa, Leino and Ericsson next year. But I have faith in Kenny to do the right thing, and that right thing is to sign Franzen first and let the pieces fall into play in the offseason. Maybe Hossa will sign for one year at $3 million so we can see where the cap goes next year (I can dream, can't I?).

I'm looking too. None of the usual places seem to have one up yet.

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20..._news_on_a.html Sad to see. Never thought I'd be bummed out by a Lilja injury, but he's been solid this year. At least we still get to see Ericsson play. The article also mentions Hossa might return Thursday against the Flames (we'll need him).

I don't know about the stanley cup finals on ESPN. I just don't see how that would boost ratings compared to NBC. But everything else sounds great. I'm just doubtful it happens. What stupid hockey jokes would Sportscenter, PTI and Around the Horn be able to say if the NHL aired on their network?

Forgot about that. Maybe Kopecky will step in and include it in his newly-found game.

The scouting report on Big Rig says he fights when necessary, so maybe he'll muster up the confidence to beat the crap out of some Flyer (the team I'm most worried about).

If Ericsson can work on getting that 6'5" frame into the shooting lane then he'll lead the team in blocked shots by a mile.

I'm going to the game and I'm really hoping to see the Z-D-H lamp-lighting line in full action.

Moore to Chi on NHL Live. No word on what's going back the other way.

Switch Sammy and Hudler and you have mine.

Let's trade Fippula + Lebda for Leopold and Laperierre. Throw in a pick or a prospect to the side that is getting the shorter end of the deal (don't know much about Leopold's and Lappy's value). D-Z-H Hudler-Franzen-Hossa Cleary-Helm-Sammy Maltby-Draper-Lappy (Leino/Kopecky) Lids-Raffy Kronwall-Stuart Lilja-Leopold

Thanks for the appreciation! Go Wings!

I didn't realize second seed was on the line. That's awesome. Should be a great time.

Thanks. I won't be able to see if my predictions come true until I watch the game taped because I'm going to the last UM home hockey game of the season. It was hard to take a night off the red wings but I've never been to Yost so I'm looking forward to it.