mmamolo

Although it's true once the playoffs start I think there are still legit cup contenders. With how well NYR did last year and now adding Nash and having a healthy Marc Staal they have to be considered legit cup contenders/favorites. I'm not even the biggest Nash fan in the world but when you combine Lundqvist, their stacked D and a forward corps that should be able to score pretty well I'd say they're legit contenders.

Let's not present certain stats as meaning something they don't. Emmerton was in 71 games, this is true. But in those 71 games he averaged 8mins of ice time per game - by far the lowest of any regular player. The only semi regular, Jan Mursak, who had fewer mins per game was Jan Mursak who only played in 25 games. Emmerton played as often as he did this year because the Wings were intent on playing both Fil and Abdelkader on the wing as much as humanly possible this year which left them with little depth down the middle. I'm not trying to pile on and say Emmerton is worse than he is but he certainly was not strong last year. With the glut of forwards this year, assuming Emmerton some how made the roster, he would not see consistent ice time as Abdelkader will be centering line 4. This of course is assuming no trades happen.

Surprise, surprise, Burke's tie is undone as to make him look frazzled and as though he has been working his butt off...

I think Ericsson will surprise the most. That doesnt mean that all the blind haters will ever admit it but I think he has a shot to prove to be a legit top 4 this year.

Thanks I dont know what's going on though. I registered months ago and then a couple more times since it was announced they were being released(last week). I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens. Thanks anyway

Any one else still struggling to get the email? I havent gotten the email nor am I able to find a way to purchase tickets. Any help any one can give me would really be awesome. Thanks

Granted, by matching, NSH owes Weber the initial $13M signing bonus but they are still able to trade Weber this season if, and only if, it is to PHI. Some may say Holmgren was dumb to Offer Sheet but it could end up working out none the less.

Personally, I dont really care what ESPN says about the Wings prospect pool. The way I see I, along with a lot of other people, felt the Wings had a strong propect pool before this article came out and now that the article is out I still think the Wings have strong prospect pool. Nothig has changed except we are now aware of someone else's opinion. To me, it's not news.

Take a look at PHI's capgeek page. Add in the potential Weber signing and they are essentially cap compliant (with Pronger's cap hit counting). The only LTIR limbo Pronger is in is whether he will ever get healthy enough to play again.

Maybe PHI does end up moving one of their D but all Im really saying is that they dont HAVE to. They may feel that's the best way to go but they definitely don't have to do it.

None of those players will sit. Pronger will, at a minimum, start the season on LTIR. Not only does that (temporarily, until he comes off LTIR if ever) remove his cap hit from PHI's cap structure but it eliminates their need to sit one of those names you listed. NASH wanted at least one of B Schenn or Couturier in any Weber trade. PHI refused. Couturier will not be moved. Also, just because the money is more for Pronger, compared to Lapperiere, doesnt mean PHI isn't capable or willing to do the same for Pronger (eating the money). As far as who sits just look at the above comment. Pronger is NOT starting this season on the active roster.

Pronger's cap hit will NOT count against the cap. PHI will eat his salary for the next five years by paying him to stay on LTIR and not retire until the contract has concluded. They did the same thing with Laperriere. Also, there is zero chance Couturier gets traded. PHI has been going all in for the last couple of years. Honestly, I hate to shoot everyone's fantasies down but what I said is true. I'd like a Coburn or Meszaros or whatever as much as any one else but it's not realistic. But good video buddy

Even if VAN felt Edler could not be re-signed I can't see them taking away such a strong player off their roster at the deadline...let alone trading him to the Wings. But I do think you're right, the Wings will have interest. I just can't see it actually happening. Enstrom would be the more likely of the two, in my opinion

a million is actually more than sufficient for injury replacements. Sure, most teams would like more than that for security but until last year a lot of teams carried a million or less in previous seasons. Pronger's LTIR relief has no affect on the Weber deal. LTIR cap relief constraint is only for during the season. It has nothing to do with the Weber deal. Plus, Pronger is all but done. He also will not officially retire until the duration of his contract is up. The Flyers will gladly pay him the money so they can have the cap space. Pronger's money will not affect their cap hit. Also, the Flyers are cap compliant as of today WITH Pronger's money on the books. Once they put Pronger on LTIR then they have plenty of room to re-sign Voracek, drop Lilja and be done. This Weber deal does NOT ensure the Flyers move a defenseman. I'm not saying they won't do it but they definitely do not have to do it. Also, for those thinking PHI is going to be out of the Ryan sweepstakes I think you're mistaken. Once Pronger is on LTIR PHi could use one of the d-men everyone is talking about and some of the depth at forward as pieces to get Ryan.

Some people may be surprised how little this list dwindles by next summer depending on how the CBA works itself out. If the cap drops (which is definitely possible) and there is a limit on contract duration etc. some of these players may be with teams who just simply dont have the room to offer full value. Plus, if signing bonuses and front loading is gone by the new CBA these players will be taking a lot of different factors into consideration (when compared the the rash of long term signing with teams over the last 4-5 years).

Right now, if Weber becomes a Flyer, PHI is cap compliant with 23 players on their roster. They will want to re-sign Voracek but they have ~700k under the cap plus Lilja will be bounced. So they'll have $1.5M. That won't be enough for Voracek but to me it doesn't mean they have to move a D. Plus, there are an awful lot of NTC's on that blueline.

I think the Conn Smyth is a bit of a tricky trophy. The easiest way for the masses (fans, media etc.) to notice a defenseman playing well in the SC finals is for that player to put up points. People have long said that Lidstrom was at his best when you didn't even notice him out there on the ice. I think that statement is generally true for defenseman (unless they are purely offensive d-men). You'll never see completely stay at home d-men win the Conn Smyth because it's not flashy. Goaltenders are in the spot light when they make huge saves. Forwards are in the spot light when they not only shut down opposing players but put up points themselves. I think the trend of not seeing too many d-men win the CS is more a product of the way the game is viewed, not player.

Im not sure who looks stupider, Tootoo with the Tee-Cup or the Pink pants dude

I wouldnt mind taking a flyer on barker as he is still only 26. The other player I wouldn't mind, and maybe prefer to Barker (if we're going with the yonger type UFA d-man) is Marc-Andre Gragnani. His AHL numbers are awesome and he has barely had a shake in the NHL yet.

Here is a press release indicating tickets went on sale: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman recently announced the highly anticipated specifics of the 2013 Winter Classic, giving hockey fans in Michigan and Ontario reason to rejoice. TicketProcess.com has decided to give the fans even more reasons to be happy by giving them an opportunity to purchase Winter Classic tickets from now until they are all gone. Ticket Process makes several guarantees, but the long-term availability of tickets to the Winter Classic is not one of them. In short, the only way to be sure to secure 2013 Winter Classic tickets is to visit the top-ranked ticket site right now. The annual outdoor hockey game will feature the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, January 1st. For the first time ever the event will take place at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. Otherwise known as “The Big House,” the stadium holds just over 115,000 fans, which is the most of any football stadium in all of North America. Even so, representatives from the NHL expect Winter Classic tickets to sell out very rapidly over the course of the upcoming weeks. The concept of playing hockey outdoors in not a new one, but it has been largely unpractical in the NHL, where many teams would be playing in driving snowstorms for the majority of their home games. When isolated to one day and given a flexible start time, the game becomes less of a meteorological risk and more of a celebration of the great sport of hockey in a fun and unique format. The Big House is sure to be rocking on New Year’s Day of next year, and only a small portion of the folks that have dreams of attending the historic event in person will actually have the guts and gumption to act in time. The Red Wings are perennial contenders in the Western Conference, and by the time the game rolls around it is likely that Mike Babcock will have his boys in contention for another Stanley Cup. Toronto also has a vast and proud fans base, and the heart of the Canadian capital is just a little over 400 miles from the stadium. Thousands of folks from north of the border will certainly be making the trip. The rosters of both squads are filled with a mixture of veterans and youthful players, and each one of them will be full of energy and adrenaline on what is sure to be a magical night. The site also offers great summer events such as tickets for baseball games and National Football League. Source: Malik Report Ticket Process Any one else find this odd? I've never heard of or used Ticket Process before. Is it legit? Any one buying tickets?

It's no problem with me. It's all in good fun

I was implying that captaincy was decided upon purely on seniority. Nor should it be. However, I think that the captaincy is given to those who deserve it. The way they end up deserving it is not only in their leadership abilities and characteristics but by being groomed within the organization (hence the seniority portion of the decision). It's one thing when franchises are in tough spots or trying to rebuild and they give the captaincy to a young player with whom they intend to build around. But it is a completely different thing when a franchise filled with leaders turns around and hands it to a newly signed player (which almost never happens).

That's a good point for sure. However, I felt it was worth pointing out the now proactive stance against personal attacks should be mimicked by a proactive stance against the type of trolling I alluded to. But thanks for pointing out a useful tool that most likely gets severely underutilized.

I understand what you are saying but from what I have seen on these boards lately most of the personal attacks are in reference to some posts that in themselves could be considered trolling. Obviously some personal attacks are random or unjustified but just as we should all refrain from making personal attacks in our posts there are some posters, in my opinion, who should refrain from pretty evident trolling. Personally, I would like to see those trolling posts disciplined just as personal attack posts will be.

I dont think you could be any more wrong - but that's just my opinion. I dont think the Wings work that way. Plus, despite your perceived decline in Zetterberg's on ice play does not hold any weight in considering his leadership skills. As I said, just my opinion, but I would be shocked if Z isn't the new captain and I would have been even more shocked had the Wings given the C, or even an A, to a newly signed player.