mmamolo

Something to keep in mind about Ebay. If you read through Ebay's bi-law sections you are protected for fraudulant auctions of over $25 (i think). Meaning if the auction description claims the jerseys are real, you buy them, find out they are knock offs, you can file a claim and get at least most of your money back. Plus, what you can also do is if you pay with your credit card and it turns out to be a knock off is file a fraudulant claim with your CC and because they are insured out the ass you wont have to pay for it either. Read the auction description carefully, print it, save it, keep copies. If or when it happens, do your research, don't rip tags etc and file your claims and you'll get yoru money back. It happened to me with an item that I bought on ebay and it ended up not being as it was described so I filed a frauduant claim with my CC and their insurance covered. I ended up keeping the item and not paying a penny for it. Only problem is then you try and leave negative feedback for the ebay user so they'll give you negative feedback so there is no way to punish them but you can take it up dierectly with Ebay. As I said, just do your research, keep files and be smart about it.

That's absolutely a good point. In a travel cost perspective, if I were Mike Illitch I would have been so pissed when the Leafs were palced in the East while the Wings got stuck in the West when the initial realignment occured just because of all the Western travel expenses he'd incur. You make a very good point.

Award for Best Thought Out Post goes to the Octopus Kid "– Money doesn't mean anything. I wanna go to a club that can have patience with me and believes in me. Best for me if I get a proposal where they show they believe in me." Also, I'd like to point out that for MZA to point out that he is looking for a club who will have patience with him should imply his willingness to have patience in that clubs system as well. This kid has a head on his shoulders and seems to be looking for the best fit and the best run franchise out there. From everything I've heard from this kid I'd be shocked if he decides to go anywhere but Detroit because the Wings will provide him with the absolute best chance at success in the NHL.

I totally agree with your idea in princple but there are other factors involved that I dislike and the NHL (and franchises) probably dislikes them as well. For one, the increased cost of all this additional travel. Yes, it's fair that everyone would travel more and an equal amount but travelling more equals more money spent and for a league that is still rebuilding financially increasing spending (even somewhat marginally) isn't necessarily a great idea. Now, you might say that's not a big deal, and I'd even agree with you in a lot of cases. But to me, the second problem I have with this is the biggest. The increased fatigue on players league wide the increased travel would bring would bring down the quality of games throughout the course of the season and especially come playoff time. I know, these are professional athletes, but sooner or later everyone gets tired and the more travel the sooner ppl get burnt out. I think it would bring down the on ice quality and we'd see a drop in product. Agree or disagree with those points I'd imagine those would be two major sticking points for league executives to dispute such a league realignment.

I dont care what they name that line but I just cant wait until Bert grows his sick beard to match Hank's. Then when Hank gets tossed out of a face off, like he does so often, you'll have two of the best beards in the league on the wings with the biggest babyface in the league in the centre.

The fact he said money isn't an issue is a good sign and everyone knows Detroit's track record with being patient with players - especially when compared to some of the other teams mentioned there. This kid definitely sounds like he wants to take the right path to the NHL and if he understands that a small short term financial gain (going to the AHL) can equate to a much larger long term financial gain and succesful NHL career then this kid should want to end up with a team that understands how to develop their players - especially european players. I, for the life of me, can not understand how he could possibly end up a team like the Rangers.

Florida's season is in the tank so he should obviously sit the season out. It was a perfectly clean, North-South hit while Booth had his head down. It was a shoulder to the chest that partly caught his chin and nose since his head was down. It was entirely Booth's fault. I feel bad for the guy but these are the hits that we want to keep in hockey so in no way should anyone be demonising anyone but Booth for not skating with is head up.

Personally I think Cleary fits best on the 3rd line (despite his $2.8M/yr hit - which is too high for a 3rd line guy but Cleary brings a lot to the table) because as a 3rd line guy his production looks great. When Cleary plays in the top six his scoring is looked upon as sporatic and inconsistent - which it is. When he's on the 3rd line his scoring is looked upon as above average and timely - which it is. His production doesn't necessarily change all too much depending on his role but what does change is what he can bring in his role. He'll bring leadership and responsibility to that third line and shore them up while if he were playing second fiddle to Zetterberg he was only cast as a supporting guy. If he's able to chip in some points here and there, play responsibly in our zone, and bring intensity to that line then I think he's doing his job. I think he'll bring out the best in Miller and Williams and our 3rd will be that much better for it. He'll do to for Williams and Miller what Zetterberg is doing for Bertuzzi and Filppula.

Although we can never go back to the way things were Stevekrause all I can now do is try to move on and rebuild. It'll be tough but I'll have to dig down deep and somehow pick up the scraps of my life that you've left behind. At least I have my Red Wings to comfort me in this time of need.

I know the thread was made in jest and I was only messing with you. I hear you though, I personally would lvoe to see him out as commish. As much as I am a fan of most of your posts as I think we share a lot of the same opinions, I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive you (despite your heart felt apology) for making me say anything in Bettman's favour. I need to go take a shower and wash the filth off of me now...you're dead to me Stevkrause, dead to me...

buddy, I love the math skills. Somehow we win 4-1 yet our guys get 5 goals added to their stats sheet.

AS sweet as it was to see having the Wings back near the top of the league in those rankings I'd say a 3rd place ranking is a little inflated. Yeah the Wings are playing really good hockey right now and yeah if I were any other team I'd hate to draw them in the first round but they still have a lot to do before I'd consider them the 3rd best team in the league at the moment.

I voted yes even though logically it probably wont happen and he'll end up close but I have faith. I'm happy to, at the moment, over hype Filppula's production in hopes of making the playoffs. Hell, while on the topic I have faith Bertuzzi ends up with 30 goals this season ha ha ok well maybe not

If my only options are death of more Bettman than, as much as this pains me to say, I gotta say more Bettman. Trust me, I hear what you're saying but to want some one to die for purely selfish reasons is too harsh in my eyes; especially when those reasons are just for how a sport is run. As much as Bettman's crap is annoying the NHL is still pretty damn entertaining and even as much as his s*** annoys me bitching and complaining about it is fun at times. There's always a silver lining. God, i can't believe I just made a case to keep Bettman in place....Stevkrause, what have you done to me?

personally, I'd just settle for him being ostracized from the NHL. The day he's out of the league will be a happy one for sure. But death, meh, I wouldnt go that far. Maybe someone to give him a good ass kicking or something sure, but death is harsh. Or even better yet, a good dirty scandal would be good. Some public embarrassment would be awesome. If he were publicly humiliated and then forced to resign from the league, that would be pretty awesome. That's my vote.

What a lame attempt at a come back by Crosby - Howard (just like any teammate) had just as much right to be there as any one else. As soon as you take liberties with a player you better expect someone to come back at you and that's what Howard did. Crosby should be happy that Howard didn't take cheap shot crosschecks on his back (like he did to Zetterberg). At least Howard met him face to face - albeit with a face wash. Crosby's comments were a weak attempt to save face after playing like crap, being minus 3, getting shut down offensively, trying to sucker Zetterberg into some s***, and then getting pinned against the boards and being made to look like a fool by a rookie goaltender of all ppl.

I'm all for scrums and ppl mixing it up (even players who I dislike) but repeated cross checks in the back are pretty nasty. If I saw one of the Wings that I lvoe doing that I'd be pretty annoyed by them so for all the Crosby lovers that wanna cry Wings biased about all of us who have an issue with Crosby being a sore loser after last ngiht's game well in my opinion that's tough s*** for them. I loved what Howard did but I think it's about time someone taught Crosby (and all the other players in the league that pull this kind of crap) a lesson. Next time Howard should one punch his ass with his blocker.

No way Cleary goes to the 4th. As much as I'd like to see Eaves and Helm get more ice time, especially over Williams at times, I think we're going to see: Franzen - Datsyuk - Holmstrom Filppula - Zetterberg - Bertuzzi Cleary - Miller - Williams Draper - Helm - Eaves All things fair, as much as Williams frustrates me with his uninspired play most of the time, I thought he played pretty hard last night and he actualyl threw a few hits and generated a couple of chances. if he keeps playing the way he played last night and you throw Cleary on the third line suddenly that line looks pretty decent. Persaonlly I actually think that third line would have some decent chemistry and they could grind it out and should work out decently defensively (at worst not be a liability). To me, those are the best line combos especially cause Fil and Franzen can be interchanged at anytime to mix things up if things arent working.

Not to sway the thread but every time it comes up it is depressing to think we chose Primeau ahead of Jagr, Hatcher, Tkachuk, and Brodeur. Ok back on topic.... Actually, just to go off the grid and go opposite of the topic (A transaction that I hated the Wings made and was thrilled that failed) was CORY CROSS

Stuart's Cap Hit - $3.75M Hudler's Cap Hit - $2.875M Total= $6.625 Even if Frolov signed for something insanely expensive like $5M that leaves you an additional $1.625. That being said I personalyl don't think we should get go after Frolov at the expense of Stuart and Hudler but Im just saying you're argument wasnt exactly fair. On a related note, does anyone know exactly how the Hudler situation works in terms of how much control the Wings have. If Hudler up and opts out of his KHL contract can he just flat out say, I'm coming back or do the Wings have to approve him coming back. They have a contract in place so I'm wondering can the Wings say hey look we want you to wait another year before you come back or would their hand be forced into taking him back whenever he feels like coming? Any one know?

Im a big fan of Kesler's but to me $5M is a lot. It's true that in principle the Ken Holland did the same thing with Filppula. But you have to admit, a $3M/yr cap hit is a smaller gamble than a $5M/yr cap hit. PLus, it's one year shorter but that's nit picking. Kesler has higher offensive upside than Filppula but when you really compare the numbers, at the moment maybe not so much: 2006-07 Vancouver Canucks NHL 48 6 10 16 2007-08 Vancouver Canucks NHL 80 21 16 37 2008-09 Vancouver Canucks NHL 82 26 33 59 2009-10 Vancouver Canucks NHL 71 21 45 66 2006-07 Detroit Red Wings NHL 73 10 7 17 2007-08 Detroit Red Wings NHL 78 19 17 36 2008-09 Detroit Red Wings NHL 80 12 28 40 2009-10 Detroit Red Wings NHL 42 7 19 26 Kesler's emergence has shown over this and last season, while Filppula was pushed down the depth chart with the Hossa signing and was riddled with an injury this year. I am by no means saying Filppula is at the same level offensively as Kesler, or ever will be, and they are now being paid accordingly but I think the point is that their contracts are both gambles but to far different degrees. Both players have great defensive capabilities and both bring a lot to the table other than offense. Both have big game (Olympic) experience and both should be big pieces to the future of their franchises. Personally I'm more comfortable with FIlppula's cap hit but if I'm the GM of the Canucks I know I gotta sign Kesler. Plus, the one thing that you gotta love about those stats is the 26 goals Kesler has scored. He's a three time 20 goal guy and he's only going to continue to improve. Once he turns into a 30 goal 70-75 point guy who does everything else as well as he already does I think in a lot of ways he can be worthy of that contract. But a gambles still a gamble...

I know that everyone is a little on edge about tonights game but I can hoenstly tell you that I think we're witnessing the Wings turn the corner. I think we'll see the Wings hit full stride tonight and they're going to be rolling. I really see the offence clicking and the special teams continuing to roll. I think we win handedly 5-1 with our big line of Franzen - Datsyuk - Holmstrom being responsible for 3.

Even though Im too lazy to read or even know the rules: Detroit Datsyuk Franzen Lidstrom Edmonton Penner

Situations can be failures without blame being put on the player. You are absolutely right that Joseph should shoulder ZERO blame because he really did stand on his head. But at the end of the day things just didnt work out with him in Detroit. It really sucks because I was thrilled when Detroit got him and really wanted it to work out just to stick it to all the Leaf fans I live around (I live in Toronto). It's the same thing with Hatcher and Krupp (well, depending on who's fault you think his unjury is) but the point is that we were all pumped about these transactions and without blaming the player for the situation in one way or another the situation failed. The Hatcher, Joseph, Robitaille, Whitney etc etc etc situations are far different than the Leino situation. A lot of ppl were pumped for Leino but he failed because he didnt work and he didnt have the desire to be on this team.

I hear what you're saying. I wasn;t knocking the way Cooke handled because I think you're right, he manned up. As much as ppl may not like Cooke you gotta give the guy credit, he does take his medicine. I won't ever say he doesn't. My problem lies solely with the Bruins. To me the hit on Savard warranted more than just your everyday, run of the mill hockey fight that Thornton and Cooke engaged in. I think part of what bugged me was that it was basically a staged fight. Im not saying Thornton had to sucker punch him or anything but it shoudl have been more emotionally charged. He should have just grabbed him and pummeled him. Also, As I mentioned in my post, I think it sends a much louded message when someone like Chara goes after Cooke. Thornton was the guy everyone expected to fight Cooke and he did. Chara is the captain and although he's been in fights before he's the Bruins most valuable player so when he choses to engage in a fight you know how important it is. It's a rallying call to his teammates and it's a message to all of them that says 'if anyone f***s with us I'll protect all of you.' Personally I dont want to see anyone get hurt but that being said, I dont think Matt Cooke paid a big enough price for the hit he laid on Marc Savard and the fact that the Bruins have Zdeno Chara of all ppl on their team who could dish out the retribution and he did nothing is pretty weak in my eyes.