Opie

Re-read your own posts please!!!! So me a link to something anything that shows Hossa signed and extension, go ahead I will wait!

Brad Stuart, heard of the guy, he wears 23 for the Wings? I am calling Holland smart because year after year he has this team in the hunt for the cup without mortgaging the future. And I think he did improve the roster, you don't, but when/if Detroit wins the cup isn't that the ultimate goal? So if the wings win the cup will you still post that he wasn't smart at the deadline. BTW when was the last goal Lapointe scored in the Playoffs, where is Lapointe right now, how about Fedorov? Nevermind, I just realize you don't know much about hockey!

Actually I would rather win the cup!!! And seeing as the Wings are winning with the line up they have, YES I would rather have Mac than Lapointe (especially) or Fedorov. But what you are forgetting is that both of those guys game from the same Central division that the wings play in, do you know how many times inter-division trading happens?

Marty Lapoint?!?!?!?! You lose credibility this guy hasn't done s*** since he left Detroit. Why would the wings need another Maltby? Man up, suck it up, whatever you want. We can what if and Hypothesize about what Holland could have, should have, would have done, however what is not hypothetical and what is actually provable is that the moves Holland did make or didn't make has this team in the Stanley cup final with a 2-0 series lead and they haven't given up a goal and scored 7. How on earth does Marty Lapointe change that for the good? I don't want you hypothetical situations either, give me some stats or facts from Lapointe's last 3 or 4 years in the playoffs. Plus were you with Holland and Co all day on the trade deadline? Do you know for a fact what Holland offered for what players, or do you know what the other teams told Holland they wanted in return for their players? Do you also think that maybe just maybe teams don't want to trade within the division? OR that no one wants to help the best team in the league who also happens to be the most successful team in the NHL the past 12 years? Do you get extra points for winning 2 cups as a GM? Or does he have to wait for the third one. Listen we all want to defend our own opinions, we always want to be right, but some times you have to admit your opinion was wrong. I don't know what you were saying during the trade deadline, but if you were doubting him or slandering him, like most posters on here (that were dogging Holland) you will probably not eat crow, because you have your little 4-5 mil cap space argument. BIG FRIGGIN' DEAL!! It should be more impressive that he did it with cap space left over! The first knock on Holland was that Det buys their teams, now the team is under the cap well on its way to another cup (his 3rd as GM 4th total) and if Holland had spent more money... I don't even know how to end that statement, he is on the verge of winning the cup, and it turns out the one move he did make as sure up this D, and made what was one of the best D is the league to the best in the league. All of you that were waiting for the wings to bomb out in the first round because of what Holland did need to admit you were wrong! Pull a Pettite not a Clemens!!

I am sorry but Lilja had what 3 blocked shots in the first Period alone, he lost an edge once, no harm no foul. People you really need to learn to sit back and enjoy the ride, all of this bench so and so, I watch player x all game and keep track of all of their mistakes and he made x mistakes. The Red Wings have allowed exactly 0 goals in the Stanley Cup finals. Enjoy it, because this is the hardest trophy in Professional North American sports to win, and the Wings are on the verge of winning their 4 in 12 years (11 seasons) and 11th of all time placing them 2nd in the history of the NHL. Success the likes of this are not seen very often, sure the Pats had a streak better than this recently (3-4 years) but who else in all major sports has one more championships than the wings since 96? Babcock knows what he is doing, he knows if Cheli is 100% or not, he knows who struggles against the Pens style of play, he knows who can keep up with the Pens speed, he knows who can hit and who should shoot, who should pass and who to play on the PP. Let him coach the team, you watch the games and enjoy watching your favorite team make another run at a cup!!!

I wouldn't say we ALL wanted Hossa, but yes 95% of us did, and the rest of us just hoped for him!!! :beerbuddy:

If Malkin is to become an elite player he will need to Cherry pick less and play a little in his own zone. There is no denying the two are all world offensive talents, but IMO, to be one of the best in the game you must play D, the game is not as wide open as it was in the 80's. Every player needs to play sound D in order for a team to be successful!

A lot of people on this board should atone for what they posted about Holland making it to the SCF is a pretty god damn good accomplishment. But they won't, neither will they atone for the things they said about Sammy, Lilja, Lebda, Ralf, Dats, Kronwall, Z, Stuart, etc...... everyone except Lids at some point in time this season got ragged on, yet for the most of the year this team has been one of the best offensive and defensive teams in the league.

My G/F, who knows very little about hockey (but loves the hitting and fighting), was all into that. When the scrum started I was pissed and yelling, then Lilja started the show and everyone piles in, she is yelling in excitement about a fight, I see Dats start swinging at Roberts. She is all into Dats punching him, wants him to swing away more. Me I am swearing at the TV, THAT IS PAVEL DATSYUK, ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS IN THE WORLD WHAT IS HE DOING!! Which quickly became this guy is my favorite player now, he may not deliver Probie-esque punches or Kronwallian hits, he may not be the fastest skater or the best in the corners, but after this post season I have seen Pavel Datsyuk do everything you can ask of a hockey player. He has scored down low, at the dots, forehand, backhand, one timer. He checks, forecheck, backcheck, stick check etc..... You get my point, but you can also add to that long list of things he does, STANDING UP FOR HIMSELF AND HIS TEAMMATES!!! There is the toughness that a lot of people on here complained the team was missing. Great game BTW for the whole team. I missed Saturday nights game but can only imagine it was this game just with a couple of more goals. The Pens are down to whining and running the Wings players. The funny thing is they are taking runs at Mule, the biggest forward the wings have, and Ozzie the most padded (granted he stuck his arm out at Roberts) player the wings have. The Pens are starting to show why experience is so important, if the poster that asked that question is still around, the Pens are going to start trying to win this game on an individual basis. And granted they could have the best individual players on their team, but this Wings team is the best in the league!!! Here's to the wings keeping it up!!!!! :beerbuddy:

I would love it if in 10 years we all were still on this board saying Krowall lived on the edge of Dirty and clean for his career, however at this point in time he is hitting on the edge of clean and dirty. When you are a young player it is called questionable hits, when you are a respected vet that is known for hard border line hits, it is called a greater hard hitter. If in 10 years we are comparing Kronner to Stevens (more than just saying he is doing what Stevens did) I will be very very happy, in my book Stevens is HOF!!!!

Is it me or am I the only one that thinks the last thing those for want to see is boobs, well maybe man boobs! Especially the two to the right!

If the wings win I will compliment the Pens, if the Pens win I will compliment them, there are many people like me on here, and there are many who will blame Bettman, the league, Hype for Crosby, etc. But not me. I have a question, do you have to deal with all of the whining and *** Crosby jokes all the time? I have only had to put up with it for the past couple of days and it is killing me!! Originality people!!

I have got to tell you I have a hard time with the Greedy Russian thing. Think about the Russians that first came over, they pretty much gave up everything in their family's lives to come over here to play hockey. If they went back to Russia they were considered traders. If you were willing to give up your life you would want some financial security in return. Yashin was not a greedy Russian he was just greedy, had he been from NJ but had the same personality he would have still just been greedy, because he came from Russia doesn't make him worse or any different. BTW there is a massive difference between a former Ross winner(06), Hart Winner(06), 5 time all star asking for 7 mil (a definite discount, regardless of your playoff opinion of him) and a guy who has won no awards, been an all star exactly 1 time asking for 10 mil. Especially when it is arguable as to whether or not he is even the best player on his team. I get your point about Malkin not being greedy but you chose a bad example!

I know you were joking, I was joking back with you, I may or may not be a stoner , but I was just having a little fun back with you!

Actually it is no secret that about 80% of the league needs that!! Maybe Staal is that and I will see it, or you will see the defense the forwards of Det play and realize that Staal needs a little more refining. The beauty of it is in a couple of days we will all know the answer to these questions! HEY BTW: Thanks for coming to the board and not being a complete troll or tool bag!!!!! It is always fun to have the opposing team on here, well at least when the good guys are winning!

Hey!!! We stoners are a nice group of people, we are usually very passive and easy going, it is those of us that take the hippie mentality too far and forget to bath regularly and get stinky you need to watch out for. But they are easy to find, just look for the pigpen like dust cloud!

When I said they needed a solid defensive defenseman I should have said a #1, I apologize for not being clearer! I'm sorry but Orpik nor Gill are what the Pens need, Orpik may become that, but currently is not. Hal Gill will look like a pylon when Dats, Z, Flip, Huds are flying by him. Just like if he played for the Wings Crosby, Malkin, Hossa would be flying by him. If you are really pinning your hopes on Hal Gill being your #1 defensive defenseman you should ask the fans of Boston and Toronto how that worked out for them! But the Pens need a Pronger, Phanuef. Lidstrom, Neidermayer type defenseman. There just aren't that many out there. Jordan Staal, again when I say shut down forward I mean a Kris Draper, John Madden type guy. Jordon Staal again is not that, he may become that, but is not that. He may be 2-4 years away from that, but by that time Pit will be a shadow of what they are now, UNLESS they can draft really well late or make some really good trades.

WOW!!! I knew they had a lot of UFA's I didn't realize it was that many! After this season they have a total of 16 UFA's after this season, between the Ducks and the Pens they could form an entire team with the UFa's they will have. Most of Pit's are forwards and most of ANA are d-men!!! The Pens should be able to sign enough guys to be competitive but I think if they are going to win it all with Crosby they need to get him one or two (NFM that was for you) solid defensive defenseman and a shut down checking line forward.

100% the most accurate and appropriate post of the day!!! So glad my office keeps beer in the fridge!!!

Why would Bettman care if the NBA is stealing fans away from watching games, he is an NBA guy to start with, he was a Lawyer for the league (or adviser can't remember) and David Stern endorsed him for the NHL position.

Maltby same as before. Believe it or not Mac has outplayed Maltby, even with some bone headed penalties. I don't think you mess with what got you here, Flip Mule Sammy, Huds Helm Mac!

Side note, IF the wings win, does Lids take the first lap with the trophy or does he pull an Yzerman and hand it to Drake the vet that hasn't won the cup yet? I should say that if Lids takes the lap himself he deserves it as the first Euro born captain to win the cup, so I don't want people thinking I am saying Lids has to give it to him or if he doesn't he is a bad leader or whatever other negativity can be derived from my original statement. I personally think Lids with 3 cups already hands it to Drake with a huge smile on both of their faces!!! Drake then hands it to Z, the next most deserving player! But that is just what I hope to see.

NO boston homerism, not a B's fan in the least!!!!! My opinions are usually based on this year and this year only, unless we are talking top 10 of all time, but then you would have to change that with top 10 careers of active players, or talking about a specific player over their career. I think Chara did more with Less, and had a better offensive year by a long shot. And even though this was Chara's best year he has had comparable years in the past. Again I don't like the guy, he is the biggest guy on the ice and always seems to pick on the smallest guy on the ice!

IMO: The only d-man in the top 15-20 of the league is Lids. Pronger is probably the 3rd best right now(Lids, Chara*), but soon that will be Phanuef. I hate Pronger as a hockey player but you still can't argue he is top 3 in the game! *I dislike Chara almost as much as Pronger, but he played a damn fine d for a subpar Bruins team this year!

WOW, this thread just doubled in positivity!!!