Bring Back The Bruise Bros

Yeah, I used to. Short redheaded girl who reminded me of Donna from That 70's Show. Mmmmmmm...err..back on topic, yeah, she came out a few years back. We still hang out sometimes, but just as friends. The person below me is fond of a certain hair color on the opposite gender and will reveal this color they are fond of.

Tobias Enstrom Zach Bogosian Anton Volchenkov Rob Regehr Keith Yandle (Although Filppula + Smith is overpayment) Buffalo has a plethora of defensemen. Wonder what it would take to get Regehr?

Man, Dallas is looking pretty soft these days. Anyhow, good pickup for the Oilers. Looks like he'll be the replacement for Andy Sutton (Who is likely out for the year, and possibly his career). I wonder what this means for Theo Peckham.

For better or for worse, Cleary will be a Wing until he retires, in my opinion. At this stage of his career, I think it would be beneficial to the Red Wings if they let him go, but something tells me he'll play another couple years. I just can't see Detroit letting him go. He's 34. His production slipped last year. Love the way he plays, but it is becoming clear that his style of play is starting to beat him down. Maybe he'll bounce back this year. I surely hope so.

"Thank You Fans!"

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="GMRwings1983" data-cid="2339980" data-time="1358181365"><p> Like I'm giving those idiots any of my money. Nobody should pay it. Even if it was $5.99. </p></blockquote> This. So much of this.

I have not. The person below me has a long list of books they want to read.

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="F.Michael" data-cid="2339172" data-time="1357875373"><p> 30 years old...Seems like yesterday when he was wearing the "rouge blanc et bleu" for the Canadiens.<br /> <br /> He's a prime example of somebody who should've stayed in Montreal where he was playing well, and generally liked by the fans.</p></blockquote> "Rouge blanc at bleu pour les Canadiens de Montreal" But yeah, I've always admired the way he plays. Sucks that he took the money and ran from Montreal.

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="F.Michael" data-cid="2339162" data-time="1357869604"><p> My guess is that unless Komisarek can play like he had while a Hab - he'll get bought out.</p></blockquote> Yeah, I agree. He just hasn't been the same kind of player since coming to Toronto. I think when he first signed with the Leafs, he was given too important of a role on defense. He just needs to get back to playing his game- Blocking shots, killing penalties, and clearing the crease. The occasional point would be beneficial, as well. He's only 30 years old. Not like he's an aging vet quite yet.

The new Leafs GM will have quite the challenge with a roster looking something along the lines of this: Lupul-Kessel-Bozak Van Riemsdyk-Grabovski-MacArthur Komarov(?)-McLement-Kulemin Brown-Steckel-Frattin Phaneuf-Gunnarsson Gardiner-Liles Komisarek-Holzer Komisarek better play his ass off. I have a feeling he's on thin ice with the Leafs. He could find himself out of the top 6 D if someone up from the Marlies impresses (Fraser, Gardiner).

This thread needs more Ryane Clowe.

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="evilzyme" data-cid="2338894" data-time="1357768916"><p> <br /> When he ran Conner-Helm-Cleary that line was insane!!!!!!!!! I loved it... then he threw bert in there when conner got sent down. Babcock will switch up lines like Bowman, even when there doesn't need to be a change. I think he just likes a new environment to keep the opponent on their feet, because we've had some insane lines with awesome chemistry only for them to get disassembled due to other lacking areas or injuries and then never thrown back together. </p></blockquote> Yeah, I agree. Lines are so unpredictable these days that they're hardly worth focusing on. Coaches experiment all the time and you just never know who will be with who. Edit: Something needs to be done about replying on mobile. All sorts of messed up.

Sounds like me lately. The person below me needs a rest.

A third line of Bertuzzi, Helm, and Cleary sounds good to me. Babcock used this combo early last year and I wish he would've stuck with it. From what I remember, it was a good hard-working energy line that was a respectable threat offensively.

I always liked the teams he put together, too. Very balanced, in my opinion. Wonder if he'll find a GM stint somewhere else.

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="The Axe" data-cid="2338883" data-time="1357764134"><p> <blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="Bring Back The Bruise Bros" data-cid="2338877" data-time="1357762903"><p><br /> We need a legitimate top 6 forward. I believe Ryane Clowe is a free agent following this season. Any chance we could pick him up at the deadline? Obviously it is too early to tell at this point, but if the Sharks find themselves out of the playoff hunt, they may be looking to deal him, especially if they think he'll bolt in the summer. <br /><br /> <br /><br /> Give Jim Vandermeer a look in training camp. He is solid defensively, clears the crease, kills penalties, and sticks up for his teammates. He's not flashy, but he knows his role and plays it well. <br /><br /> <br /><br /> Find a legitimate 4th line center.<br /><br /> <br /><br /> No way in hell do I trade Filppula and Smith for Yandle.</p></blockquote><br /> <br /> Im glad you offered some input. I agree with you that we are missing a top 6 guy/goal scorer. I think we also need a top 2 dman, tho. How can we get these without giving something up? We are trying with Brunner, but who knows if he pans out or not.</p></blockquote> Yeah, it'll be interesting to see how Brunner pans out. I agree that our defense needs an upgrade. Honestly, I don't know who is available that we could find at the deadline. Tobias Enstrom had a down year offensively last year. I don't know whether Winnipeg would even be willing to trade him, though. We may not be able acquire a top pairing defenseman this season. We may just have to hope that our current defensemen (Kronwall and White specifically) step their game up. The defense situation is a tough call, no doubt.

I don't think Franzen will be bought out unless he significantly under-performs. Samuelsson and Bertuzzi are guys that are most likely to be bought out, in my opinion. We need Colaiacovo for depth on defense, so I don't really see him being bought out.

We need a legitimate top 6 forward. I believe Ryane Clowe is a free agent following this season. Any chance we could pick him up at the deadline? Obviously it is too early to tell at this point, but if the Sharks find themselves out of the playoff hunt, they may be looking to deal him, especially if they think he'll bolt in the summer. Give Jim Vandermeer a look in training camp. He is solid defensively, clears the crease, kills penalties, and sticks up for his teammates. He's not flashy, but he knows his role and plays it well. Find a legitimate 4th line center. No way in hell do I trade Filppula and Smith for Yandle.

Weird. Ovechkin was seemingly the most vocal about never returning.

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="ogreslayer" data-cid="2338633" data-time="1357688142"><p> I'm about "this" close myself to canceling my Center Ice for the season. Even if I don't, I'm going to be watching far less NHL hockey than I have in the last couple of decades & the only live games I'll consider is when the Wings make the SC Finals in June....hopefully. I want to be there to see if I can boo Bettman the loudest.</p></blockquote> They don't care if you buy Center Ice and never watch a game, as long as you're buying their product. Bettman and company don't care how loud you boo them. You're still buying their product. The best and most effective greeting for Bettman when he presents the Cup is an empty arena.

1. Free Center Ice 2. Remove the instigator rule These are demands, not requests. Pretty simple. Neither of them will happen, so I'll just go ahead and say right now that the NHL won't get another penny from my pocket. No merchandise, no Center Ice, no tickets. This is coming from someone who has bought Center Ice year after year and owns multiple jerseys, countless shirts, hats, and tons of other merchandise (Bobbleheads, banners, you name it).

They can keep Kovalchuk as long as they keep the Kostitsyn sisters over there.

Rumor has it he could be trying out for Vancouver. I wonder if Vancouver is gonna have Jim Vandermeer at camp, too.

Samuelsson: A. No. The NTC makes it a bad contract. B. I think he'll bounce between the 2nd and 3rd lines. C. Benefits the team. You can never shoot too often. D. Meh. I don't know. Maybe on the 2nd PP unit. He's got experience. Helm: A. Absolutely. He's one of the most underrated players in the NHL, in my opinion. B. No. He's built for the PK. C. I think so. D. I'm not sure about 3rd, but he's a big piece to our team. White: A. Depends on how he plays this year. Around $3 mil/year seems about right. B. We'll see how he plays. I don't mind him. C. Yeah, although his play will suffer without Lidstrom, like everyone else. D. Doubt it. He spoke his mind. Who cares? Players should be allowed to criticize an idiot when they see one.

Wow. Caps off a horrible day for me. The end of a great era has come. Homer was an absolute warrior for us. Did whatever it took to win. Took the most abuse I've ever seen a hockey player take, and he always came back for more. An integral part of our team for the last ~15 years, Homer will be dearly missed. One of my favorite Detroit Red Wings ever. Enjoy retirement, champ.