Opie

You and I don't agree much but this one we see EYE TO EYE! Sammy is a free agent, last chance to get paid, in Det Sammy is worth 1.5 mil up to 2 mil( if Hossa is gone) open market he gets closer to 3 mil. Flip, not saying I hate him or he isn't worth the money, but I would rather spend that money on Hossa + Abdelkader/Leino/Helm. However I see that situation as being very unlikely, and next year the team going with Dats Flip Franzen (If signed), Z Homer Hudler. As much as we have pined to see the young talent come up from GR, I think that stockpiling of talent could make a Lids, Dats, Z, Ralf, Hossa, Franzen team possible, unlikely but possible. EDIT: Forgot this, Hudler, much like Flip, is a player I would love to keep around long term, unless it makes signing Hossa possible. Players like Hossa are much more rare than Hudler currently, now Hudler could turn into Rocket Richard #2, or he could be a short Micheal Ryder, or he could be the next St. Louis, or he could be the next bust, I think the latter is unlikely, but I still sacrifice his long term positive to the team for Hossa's short term impact. I am like the US gov't, I sacrifice the future for the present!

He was bulls*** about the fact that the actual champs were on TV representing the league they are actually the champions of!

What he said!!

A deserved nomination but I don't see it in the cards for him, hasn't he been nominated for this like 3 years in a row? Gotta think it would go to Bergereon.

OK so why is it that you can find every other friggin' episode of Rome is burning on ESPN.com but you cannot find the Lids one, maybe it takes a day or two to get it up there!

A bonus so he could buy himself out of a contract, is that the first time a player bought himself out of a contract in any sport? I know in soccer teams do it all the time, but I have never heard of a player doing it.

Based on your join date I am guessing you missed the joke that I made. That line is pretty much a landmark on these boards hence the © . It comes from back in the days of Bobby Lang, basically insert any player, team, word and follow it with "is lazy and sucks" © . Probably still not funny to you, but to some of us it is.

The only very small issue I have with his celebration was location, doing it right behind the net was a little bit too close for my liking, but as someone who likes to score 5 -hole and then run around with my 5 fingers between my legs, I say this celebration was tame. If you don't like him celebrating behind your net or after he scores on you, I have an idea don't let him, oh wait he is too good for you to stop him, too bad. The only way to shut this kid up would be to stop him from scoring, hitting him to hurt him is going to be very very difficult, not saying he will never get caught with his head down. But part of what makes him so gifted offensively is he knows where everyone is on the ice, he is very alert of his surroundings, it would have to be a very dirty, very unclean hit to hurt him, and the league would absolutely crush the hitter. BTW the TD celebration reference was a good one, because fans love TD celebrations, except that is when it is your team being scored on, then it is brash and rude, but when your guy does his look at me dance what are you doing, looking at him, high fiving your buddies, cheers-ing with beers! If AO was a wing and did this people would be loving it!! The kid (he is a kid) is young and full of piss and vinegar, let him have fun, he brings energy to the game, an energy that I feel needs to be in the game. From Selanne celebrating his 54th to Cam Neely's fist pump Celebrations are all over the game's history and never has it been so scrutinized as it is right now. It dancing or what AO did next to the net any different than a bunch of guys hugging and laughing right next to the net, does it offend Malone when guys tackle each other after a game winner (or loser from his POV)? This kid just scored 50 for the 3rd of 4 years. What on earth does Malone or Cherry know about that. Until they can score 50, I don't care what their take on it is. Malone had his feelings hurt because AO celebrated, WOW how did he feel when Malkin did it to them on 2/4 when he did the AO in to the glass jump? name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>&"> name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /> EDIT: Spelling and clarity!

NO Cheli?? Am I missing something?

83-84 Oilers are lazy and Suck ©

I was waiting for some one to bring this up, Cam Ward's year that is being discussed now is much more similar to Ozzie's season last year (not numbers wise, but reg season numbers mean poop in the postseason) not this year. It wasn't until after the post season that Carolina made Ward the starter officially, he basically assumed the job in the post season!

Just about to post this, what a frickin' riot!!! Did the guy think the messages would get delivered to Mason during the game. TWEEEEET! Referee - "Stoppage in the game due to a phone call for Blue Jackets goaltender Steve Mason" "Game ON!"

Holy crap the one and only time I have ever rooted for the Preds and I don't feel vile and dirty! NO OT either, WOW that was great thanks Preds for doing what the Hawks couldn't!

Here we go Preds here we go!!

I think he is legit, 4 years of steady improvement, putting up decent points for 2 years before this year, and a really big year this year.

I agree, and those are the guys I want on my team, the guys that just want to win Championships. Hossa has made more than enough money to live the rest of his life with no job and plenty of Money, what has he said he is missing, a championship and a home, lets hope both of those are in Det!! Tough decisions, I agree, but if I am looking at it from a fan perspective, Hossa over those three is easy for me. I have stood by Sammy for a long time, but Sammy or Hossa, please!! Hudler will be a very good part to a team, you put him on the wing of Crosby, Malkin, Thornton, AO, Kovie, etc.... you get my point, he may not be your go to guy, but having him out there will create opportunities, and he will score. Flippula, again going to be really good, the question is, will he be Marian Hossa good? I don't think so! However if Hossa has to leave, I will gladly keep all three of them, but if it is them or Hossa, hello Leino and Helm and Abdelkader and you very low salaries!!!

I guess my point would be that Z would have received at least 9 mil a year if not more, and long term deals like Dipietro are not that unheard of. (Malikn and Crosby both at 9 mil) Lids could get 8 in todays market, Brian Campbell got 7.1 and not even close to the defensive game Lids has and has 0 Norris. So I guess that one you are right it is only really another 550k. Dats at this point and time regardless of the time signed currently is a huge discount, could easily garner 8 mil a year if not 9. (Malikn and Crosby both at 9 mil) Hossa was offered what 9 mil or was it 10 from Vancouver? If he signs in Det it will be for less than 7 and probably closer to 6, that is ridiculous. Ralf, With Campbell going for 7.1 I see Ralf as that same tag if not more, I think Campbell is overpaid, but Ralf should easily make more than him. I get that some of these are long term deals and the risk exists, but what also exists is the probability that Z is done playing at age 36- 38 the Wings have just circumvented the cap by signing a player long term, using those long term numbers to rig the cap, and then never have a player paid through those years that drop the cap. As he signed the contract before 35 when he retires the cap strain retires with him. Z left potentially upward of 4 mil on the table, and signed in the midst of his prime, Hossa could sign at the peak of his career and carry through his prime, 6 years at 6 mil (I know cap wise would be tough and I don't know Hossa's numbers) that takes him to age 37 (by the end of the 6th year), if they offer him 9 years 50 mil, with the last 2 or 3 being 1 mil seasons they could have Hossa long term small cap hit, in years that he may not play. And he could make 8-9 mil in a couple of those seasons. I am not saying that as it stands now the league would have a problem, but if year after year they continue to do so, the league may want to take a look at it, I don't want them to, but I don't think Burke in TO would be super happy to watch the team across the Hudson take top shelf talent for middle shelf prices. He may make a stink or too about it.

Unless Marian Hossa attends the All-Star festivities, then the Prison sentence is suspended!!

How long will the league/players association allow this to keep happening. I mean trust me I am happy as all hell players will sacrifice 2 mil a year to be on the team I root for, I am not saying differently. HOWEVER: If you are a league hell bent on parity, and players year after year are willing to sacrifice to go to that team (Pats only had 2 guys sacrifice pay to go/stay there so they don't matchup with the Wings, and the Steelers have never been known for player relations) and that makes that team successful year after year. It is not like the C's were a couple of guys at the end of their careers decide to eat a few million for a championship. The Wings have Z, Lids, Dats, Ralf all at below market value, they have the potential to add Mule and/or Hossa for well below market value. The Wings reputation is circumventing the cap. Now if I am a player, personally, I value a championship way more than money (Like Hossa, Lids, Z, dats, Ralf, etc...) but if I am the league I don't like that (remember I am all for parity if I am the league) or a GM trying to build a team and I know before negotiations even start that I have to find away to compete with a team that a guy is willing to sacrifice 10's of millions over the lifetime of the deal, that is without a doubt being behind the 8 ball. I love it because I am a wings fan, but holy crap if they get this guy long term!!!!!!! Matt have the OMG its Hossa .jpg ready if Holland gets this done long term. BTW: I think it bares repeating, if Hossa signs long term he deserves just as much credit and love for buying into the team, as a guy like Z who has been here years and years, I am not saying that puts Hossa on the 'C' list, but it shows as much as Dats, Lids and Z he is buying into this team and the example set by one MR. Y!

lol I am not sure there is an announcer out there that would get that one right.

He should have pulled out the Teemu ***** shooting his own glove celebration, that would have been the BALLZ!!!! EDIT: name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>&"> name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" />

I apologize I did confuse you with another poster! (D'oh shutoutking, I did the same thing I gave you crap for!) Sure those things are what you think, but the only one in the world that knows what Tootoo was thinking is Tootoo, the rest of us are using inferences to decipher what we think he was trying to do, based on his past history I think he was trying to find away to avoid a fair fight. The fight in Dallas where he sucker punched Robidas, he initiated that fight as well, did he not. I think his intentions were to get revenge on Staubitz, not to have a fair fight, that didn't work so he back peddles 50+ feet then has a fight. You don't care how long he back peddled or if he skated to the moon, you think he fought he can't be chicken s***. Persepective man, I have a different one than you, I don't find Tootoo any different than Downie other than he doesn't use his stick. I have very little use for either of them in the NHL and could care less what skill set they have. My take on the situation, I welcome yours. I also find it funny that the guy gave him the opportunity to remove the tape, and then Tootoo lunges at him when the guy is still trying to catch him, but you probably see that as good strategy. Tomato Tomahto. My opinion of Tootoo is that he is not a big fan of a fair fight, does that cloud my judgment on this incident, you are damn straight it does and I never said it didn't. You tell me the last guy that traveled over 50 feet to remove a piece of equipment before a fight? If he moved that far because he was afraid to get punched while removing tape, IMO, that is his own fault, if his rep wasn't to be a cheashotter, if his rep were that he were a stand up fighter he would not have to worry about getting sucker punched unless it is Tootoo he is fighting. I find it funny that my opinion is so annoying and bothersome to you all that you must keep this going. I stated why I think he was running away, it doesn't make sense to you, it doesn't have to.

Water break!!! Right so, if that tape had come off the shift before he would have been in the locker room getting it re-taped right? Sure no way in hell he could play without that tape? So that means the tape was holding his finger onto his body???? How on earth did he manage to fight with such a severely damaged hand, you are right wow we should be a Rocky-type statue with him and his tape to show how much he persevered through to fight Staubitz, his hand must look like Sakic's coming out of the snowblower! [/sarcasm] Was his finger falling off when the tape came off?? He couldn't play the game of hockey without a piece of tape on his finger, yet he can get into a fight with the same hand? Right! Now it all makes sense First off, I never said I wouldn't defend my position, but you weren't questioning my points you said I was being stupid. Fact he had tape on his hand/finger. Fact he started the fight. Fact he could have taken the tape off when ever he wanted to, first period, 2nd shift, between periods, after shoot around, whenever, he was going out there to start a fight, he doesn't reach for the tape (IMO) until the blue line, some 50 feet later (right 58 feet from goal to blue line) really, well how come other fighters are able to remove gear without leaving the same 5-6 foot area. Maybe if he didn't cheap shot people so often (not everytime) he wouldn't have to worry about it. You are saying he had no time to take the tape off, until the blue line, fine that is your take on, I have used ample evidence as to why I think he was skating away from the fight. I think he wanted to sucker punch Staubitz because he got boarded by him, but Staubitz got right in his face after the drop of the puck. Whether or not that is Jordin's take, your take, Saint Stephens take, I don't care that is my take on what transpired.

Great so you and I henrik 40have a difference of opinions. See how easy that was. I didn't have to post that we have a difference of opinions, but I am proving my point, that you can have an opinion and I don't have to attack it! I know this will upset many of you [/sarcasm] however I have big project at work that starts at noon. laters gators!

No I laughed at him and called him chicken s*** and then people started questioning my posts, I didn't take it too far, people have questioned my opinion and I have defended it. It is a discussion of opinions. HE COULD HAVE TAKEN THE TAPE OFF AT THE BENCH, that is my point in bringing in Crosby. Crosby was challenged, knew that if he left the visor on Savard would s*** on him all night, and that if he took it off they would go at it (Savard bailed). Tootoo got boarded, he wanted revenge, he doesn't need to wait until the face off dot to take his tape off. The odds of him being on the ice with Staubitz again would have been highly likely. The situations are the same in the fact that they both knew a fight could happen, one who is not a fighter knew to take a piece of equipment off, the other a fighter, couldn't remember to take a piece of tape off, please! I should have been the bigger man? Good reasoning! I could have done something different, you're right, and you could have been respectful from the start, you weren't so why expect something from me you are not willing to show me?