Jake Ryan

I love you.

Funny how the NHL talks about expanding in Europe before they do in Canada.

anyone got a site for a live stream on this game?

I would disagree with you here. Holmstrom can be used effectively (Power Play and time killer when we're up big). However, he has single handedly sent Datsyuk into a 50 game tailspin by not being able to open up room or keep up with the play. Datsyuk needs speed on his line to open up the ice for him. He can't get that as long as Holmstrom is playing alongside him. I wish everybody would just understand that I'm not against Tomas Holmstrom. I know what he's good for, and I do believe he can still contribute. I just don't think he should be playing with Datsyuk or Zetterberg. I think his lack of speed and 5 on 5 ability bring those guys down.

I understand this. FORTUNATELY (or unfortunately if Holland screws the pooch), Lidstrom and Holmstrom are at the END of their contracts. If Holland is wise, he'll sign Lidstrom to a 4 year, 4 million per deal and let Holmstrom retire or move on.

We DO have the most NHL teams.

Lidstrom - 5 mil Rafalski - 3.5 mil Holmstrom - 1 mil Those are their values TODAY.

Frolov and Armstrong are building blocks. Teams don't trade building blocks unless they're planning on winning it all that year with the player they get in return. The chances of Frolov getting away from the Kings are the same as the chances of Datsyuk leaving the Wings. Jokinen - 3 years, 12 million Kariya - 3 years, 9 million

Don't say this. You could get banned. Holmstrom plays at the speed of a 9 year old, but you can't say that he's slow. You have to call him a "demolition skater" or "heavy skater" or something like that. When we're getting torched all over the place and Holmstrom is standing at the blueline waiting for an outlet pass, that's good for the team. Just stick your fist in the air and yell "HOMERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!" at the top of your lungs. It's what everyone does around here.

Why not Ovechkin? Let's make it a tripple sweep! Again, these guys are not going anywhere.

Ok. I'll try your approach. I would take Martin Brodeur, Zdeno Chara, Joe Thornton, and Sidney Crosby. The guys you mentioned aren't going anwhere, Shaman. So as "horrible" as you think pumpkinhead is and as unmoveable as you think Kariya is, they are the two players most likely to get dumped and reacquired at a better rate.

I think the Wings are going to go after Jokinen and Kariya Franzen-Datsyuk-Jokinen Cleary-Zetterberg-Leino Kariya-Filppula-Abdelkader Helm-Draper-Tatar I would like to see that line-up.

The only thing I'm worried about with Lidstrom is next year and his contract. If the Wings want to get better, Lids and Rafalski have to lower their salaries. 13.5 mil for those two is ABSURD right now. 2 years ago, I'd say they were worth it. Now, I don't think so.

Yah. I've been watching Lidstrom go pointless for quite a few games now. I have him on my fantasy team, and he's produced next to nothing this year. Am I saying he's going to do that on a permanent basis? Hell no. I'm just saying that for 7.5 mil, the Wings should be getting more. And that's just a comment on the FUTURE. Not the past. Lidstrom has been a treasure in years past. I'm not discounting anything he's done. I just want to see the Wings have more cap room, and that can't happen if you have a defense pairing taking up 13.5 million when they should only be taking up 8-9 million.

You can say what you want, but I don't think Lidstrom is worth 7 mil plus today. 2 years ago, I thought he was worth whatever they wanted to pay him. His game has slowed down considerably over the last year. The Wings would be in a lot better shape right now if their top 2 defensemen were making what they were worth right now: Lidstrom = 4.5 mil, Rafalski = 3.5 mil.

I could live with that! HDH line would be pretty bad ass.

I know. There are a few contracts that are killing this team (Holmstrom, Rafalski, Lidstrom).

True. But Holmstrom got off to a great start. We need to have him playing at that level again.

If Canada had close to half the teams in the NHL, then I'd give it to Canada as well. But the fact that hockey would starve if the USA didn't back it makes the USA my number 1 choice.

Hudler wants you to take it easy on him, Carman.

Italy didn't make it? WTF? They always have the coolest jerseys.

Crosby is NOT overrated, and he is worth every penny of his 9 million dollar salary. The guy is the face of the NHL whether you like it or not. He's exciting and will be a great ambassador of the game for many years to come. He hasn't gone through his Steve Yzerman/Scotty Bowman moment yet, and that's keeping him from being the greatest player in the game on a consistent basis, but he's only 22 years old. Give him some time, and he'll add that to his game as well. Is Zetterberg a better all around player? Maybe. The coach yanked Crosby's even strength minutes away from him in the last two games of the finals last year because he realized that Crosby was getting owned. But that doesn't mean that Crosby isn't worth his salt. The guy has one aspect of his game to improve (defense/back-checking), and he'll be by far the best all around player in the game.

Hudler doesn't fit in here. He's not going to be welcomed back with open arms.

I'd like to see a team in Seattle

I sure am glad they didn't take that same approach with Franzen.