MadMan Mark

Prostitutes = STD's Go get that shot quick, Jiri, before things start falling off.

In a hockey-related TSN story http://www.ctvolympics.ca/hockey/news/news...html?cid=rsstsn Pierre McGuire already has his #87 kneepads on and is sucking harder than a vacuum cleaner. Does it ever end with this guy? F-in Crosby got shut down by the Wings in the Finals and somehow he still skates 3 inches above the ice and does no wrong. Oh well, looking forward to watching many Wings games.

I have to agree with the 1 year scenarios. I'm thinking $4-5M max. Also, I think Holmer's time is done after this year. If he's relegated to 3rd/4th line status, no way the Wings bring him back at the price he's getting now. Holmer has redefined the position in front of the net, but a body can only take so much for so long. Say bye to Maltby and Lilja after this year, too.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writ...ings/index.html I just don't get the continued love affair with the Pens. . . the writer, Allan Muir, lists them as #1 and then talks about their deficiencies. Sharks at #2 is a laugher now that they are over the cap with a no-name backup and a total of 19 players signed. I find it hard to understand how a team that dumped in the first round (again) and didn't address their problems is ranked higher than the defending Western Conf champs.

I don't think anyone is leaving the Sharks at this point. If Marleau and/or Thornton were to be shopped, it would have happened already. True, losing one of those two would shake-up the team AND free up much-needed cap space. Last time I looked they had 19 players signed, a no-name backup (I didn't recognize it), and $300K OVER the cap. Sharks have no problem in the reg season. If I recall, they are the winningest team in the reg season over the past 5 or 6 years. SJ will dump in Round 2 at best this year. With no backup, Nabokov gets over-used AGAIN and runs out of gas in the playoffs. You may see a Thornton or Marleau move at the trade deadline.

Thanks, that clears up the SJ at #2 garbage. . . just another Shark fan trying to erase last year and insert them into the WCF for the upcoming year.

I was thinking the Bruins, not many changes to a team that will be hungrier and more balanced between offense and defense, unlike the Pens who are offense heavy and holes in the D with Scuderi and Hal "Interference" Gill gone.

Hudler's size will always be his disadvantage. All too often he would get knocked around or puched off of the puck. He was good at finding the open ice and being in the right spot for a pass or shot. I was bummed to see him go, but I don't think where he's going will improve the skills he needs in becoming a better NHL player. Upon his return (if), he'll still be relegated to 3rd line status.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/hocke...0,3795528.story There's the latest. . . he said all the right things from a Bettman scripted apology.

Yes, but that experience will be on the bench until Dec (I say Jan). No chemistry will be developed between Hossa and his linemates (whoever they may be). Just ask yourself this question. . . with all that Chicago has done in the off-season, where have they REALLY improved? I'm not saying this as a Wings fan, but as a hockey fan. My answer is they replaced Havlat points, did nothing to improve their mediocre (my opinion) D, and downgraded in the net. To say that this team has done what is necessary to dethrone the perennial Central Division Champs and current Western Conference Champs is ridiculous. I will never understand the Hossa signing since the team is now handcuffed for future signings. I really don't know why they signed Kopecky to $1.2M/yr for 2 yrs. . . he brings nothing other than one hit every 4th or 5th shift. But after that hit, he's on his butt becasue he rarely ever stays on his skates. Match the top 2 lines, offense and defense of Det and Chi and tell me the Hawks CAN even stay on the ice with the Wings. Now factor in goalies and continue to state your argument. Wings will finish first, Chicago is still the red-headed basterd stepchild of the Central.

[quote name='martyrme19' date='August 14, 2009 - 04:31PM' post='1766131' I think SJ is still a force to be reckoned with and will finish 1st. They have a chip on their shoulders and they are still GOOD. Thorton can't be held out of the playoffs forever either. I think SJ will have a mediocre reg season. That may be the best thing that happens to them. When the focus is on how great they played in the reg season, they trip on their own dicks in the first round. However, SJ has only 18 players signed, no cap room, no backup goalie. I believe they have over-used Nabokov in previous seasons and he runs out of gas. Also, the league apparently knows how to play Thornton and Marleau in the post-season. Best finish for SJ is a 2nd Round exit. Wings still win the West. I think their toughest matchup is Calgary. . . keep an eye on the Wild. They are the big question mark this year. Not saying they'll win it, but no one knows what kind of game they'll play this year minus Lemaire

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha Oh, had to catch my breath on that laughfest. . . Yes, your D core is THE BEST. . . THE BEST at turning it over and having games decided in the WCF. Huet may have shown he can win in MTL and WASH, but if I remember correctly, he's not there any more. The icing on the cake is you are stating that minus Havlat's 77 points AND Hossa's 71 points, the Hawks have one of the BEST? offenses in the league. Now, be honest, who's smoking crack? If you think Hossa is back in Nov, keep hitting that pipe. Hawks better do something this year, because the team falls apart next off-season and you get to swallow 30% of the cap with Huet, Campbell, and one-armed Hossa.

Yes, the Wings had turnover, but the loss of Hossa from the Wings is negated by his absence for the first part of the season (I really don't think he'll be on the ice until Jan). Huet has never won anything and the Hawks made no improvement, zero, to their most glaring problem. . . their D. Wings only need to shuffle a few players. They still have two solid lines of O and D. The 3rd line will be fun to watch with Helm and whoever plays with him. As I said, a quick start sets the tone. I also believe issues within an organization begin at the top. And with ALL the Hawks need to address next off-season, some of that turmoil may filter down to the ice. . . especially when your name is Toews, Kane or Keith and you start hearing you may not be back with the team (Personally, I think Kane should be the one, but since they made him the face of the Hawks, they'll keep him and probably let Keith go) If Huet screws the pooch early, the headhunters will be out in Chicago bitching about the Hossa signing because that money could have been better spent on improving the D, thus helping out Huet. . . no too far-fetched, IMO. I don't have my blinders on, I am just not convinced that the Hawks improved enough to SERIOUSLY contend with the Wings.

If Babs has this team come out of the gate on fire (Oct and Nov) and they can put up 30+ points, Wings coast to the division title. Hawks will be playing catch up all year. I see it too often that teams are not prepared to start the season. Hopefully, Wings take both in Sweden and then slap the boys from Chi-town at the Joe to set the tone. Hawks may score a lot this year, but their D and goaltending will give up more, especially when playing Detroit.

I had to laugh at the #2 ranking for the Hawks. . . mediocre D and a drop in goaltending and somehow they become the darling of the West. I guess having Hossa for half of the year and Kopecky for a full year jumps them above the Wings. As I recall, the Hawks were dispatched in 5 games. Then it gets better. . . the Canucks at #4. The media swing to talk up ANOTHER year of Roberto Luongo has officially begun. This guy is the most successful goalie according to sportswriters between Aug and the start of the reg season. Then somehow he disappears into mediocrity. The Sammy addition vaults them above the Wings too. Give me a break. These rankings are comical, starting with the Pens. I'll say it now, Pens will not get out of Round 2 next year. A true Cup hangover will be on display in Pitt this year. They did nothing to help their average D.

Does this smell like the NHL PR machine is gearing up now? Gotta make the cabbie look as bad as possible. . . kind of like Nobama's people bringing up s*** on Joe the Plumber. How I hope Kane hears it in every arena this year. Question is, how many games until he flips off the crowd? NHL PR machine will step up and say he was telling everyone he's number 1, not offending anyone.

Have to agree. . . as pissed as I still am, I was even more pissed when I saw how flat the Wings came out in Games 6 and 7. A lot of bounces went against the Wings but the Wings controlled their own destiny after drubbing the Pens in Game 5 and they didn't complete the task. I hate that we lost, but I hate it even more because Cindy and Vaginy were the Champs (chumps!)

Never happen. . . he is too one-dimensional. . . and not very smart either

Was it just me or did the coverage seem a little thin regarding the Wings. The reason I'm saying this is when Chicago was featured, every tab was Chicago related. Wings only had 2 of the 5 tabs and one of the others still dealt with Crosby jerking off with the Cup. You mean to tell me there is more info on one player with the Cup than an entire team preparing for the upcoming season? Traning camp and the reg season can't get here soon enough. I expected more info.

Since I'm not sold on Howard, I would like to go after Hiller. I agree that I think Holmer hangs it up after this year. Lidstrom would be nice to have back, but if we win the Cup, he may be done also. I would steer clear of Marleau. He would cost too much to see if he would fit in. Kovalchuk would be great, but he will be too costly. Frolov seems to be a name that jumps out on that list. Then again, all speculation. I'm sure Holland will know early on what Lidstrom will be doing and that will help determine who they go after.

Maybe Carolina can get Patrick "20 Cent" Kane to do the new rap song and re-spell the name of the team to HurriKanes. . . sorry, I love kicking this dead horse.

I wonder if EA Sports re-thinks the cover for NHL 10

You may be right, I always assume "Minor" refers to pre-18. He's adult in the eyes of the law at 18. My guess is it would be called underage drinking. I'm no lawyer, so what the hell do I know.

You are correct, I misread and misunderstood initially. I stand corrected. . . he is a Top 3 D-man in Chicago.

Not a minor at 20