unsaddleddonald

Serious question: what were Orr's actual defensive abilities like? My impression of him as always been he was a forward who played defense (Sergei Fedorov). Was he a Karlsson/Letang?

Their scuffle in game 3 (?) made me wonder this. Both are big parts of a successful hockey team. Both have skill, grit, athleticism, and an edge. Personally, I would want Marchand. He seems to have more refined skill than Shaw does. Although Shaw is an all-around good player offensively, Marchand seems to have a better shot, is a better passer, skates faster, and has more discipline. Shaw still seems a bit too immature. Thoughts?

Filppula slew foot.

LOL what?! The score was like 5-0 at that point and there was no scrum beforehand. It was in the middle of the play. It made no sense to fight at that point....

Well, there is video on Youtube of him diving everywhere. I haven't seen him do much of that in this playoff season, but he does have a history. Also, there was a game in 2010/2011, Detroit @ Boston, right after the Boston-Dallas brawl game. The Wings were blowing out the Bruins, and Marchand dropped his gloves and tried to fight Patty Eaves. Eaves just looked at him, shook his head, and skated away.

It's that damn 2nd half slump. His stats were there in the playoffs, but if you go by the eye test, he was still getting push around a bit (GRANTED, he looked more like 1st half Brunes than 2nd half Brunes). Andersson and Nyquist seemed to make him look pretty good at times. He was the "worst" of those 3 in the playoffs. Again, even though the stats say otherwise. My primary example is his OT goal against Anaheim: Andersson made the pass, Nyquist caused the commotion, and Brunes was in the right place at the right time to clean up the garbage. There is something to be said about being opportunistic though. Brett Hull made a career out of it....

This is huge for free agents considering the Wings.

I'm not saying that I personally have a solution, but I know what we already have and what we need. Like Clarkson or Horton as was mentioned.

I agree with everyone leaning towards the idea that we already have enough smallish forwards who are pass first. Give me size and goal scoring before Weiss

If Mike Babcock were fired, you would see 29 subsequent NHL head coach firings and 29 NHL GMs trying to hire Mike Babcock.

Does anyone else have the feeling that Philly is going to buyout two bad contracts in order to sign one more bad one? What is the difference between Paul Holmgren and Glen Sather (Rangers, not Oilers)? Nothing.....

I don't understand Doug Wilson. He hasn't changed anything in, what, 5-6 years? They haven't won and they haven't really even come close. I don't consider getting to the Conference Finals two years in a row with a 1-8 record being close. I remember when there were supposed to be big changes when they were eliminated from the Ducks in '09 in the first round. They aren't going anywhere. With the Pens, they have had better teams since '09 and they haven't really threatened. Granted, I think the only team in the East that could have beaten them last year was the Flyers and this year was the Bruins, but Bylsma's inability to adjust in a 7 game series is very telling. He is Erik Spoelstra of the Heat without the results...

Cash strapped Devils needs to buy him out first for me to think about that...

Ahh, but factor in that they do not like to spend and have been (and still are I believe) in financial distress.

I just don't see how you can part ways with the 2nd best player in the world. Like was mentioned, IF he doesn't like playing behind the best player in the world, then things could get interesting. From the Pen's perspective: 2nd best player in the world or a top 5 D-man with defensive deficiencies? Easy choice in my opinion...

Not sure what you guys are looking at, but their cap space before anything happens for next year is $2,094,872. 6 of their current roster players are set to be free agents.

This is a really good point as they have a handful of guys in contract years next year that will get raises (Crawford, Shaw, Bolland, Hjalmarsson) and guys who will get raises in two years (Kane, Toews). They may take one more run with Hossa next year and then buy him out. I think, for this year, it will come down to Bickell vs. Hossa. I don't think they can have both. They have to resign Leddy and Krueger and I'm sure Stalberg will be walking. They have $2 million available right now. That will probably go up to ~$5 million if (when?) they buy out Montador at $2.75 million.

It's funny to me how we are cheering them now, but Boston may turn out to be our biggest rival next year.

I'm a sucker for professionalism. LOVE how the Bruins are handling scoring goals. Just going about their business...no flashy celebrations. By the way, how much is Horton increasing his value for free agency?!?!? DAMMIT!!!!

I'm not necessarily attacking anyone here as much as I'm attacking the media who continue to bring this up (plus I was listening to the podcast on Wingin' It in Motown where one of the guys shared the sentiment). Corey Crawford OWNS....OWNS the Red Wings. Career record since taking over in 2010-2011 (including Game 1): 12-1-2 1.77 GA .943 Save % Wings scored more than 2 goals only 3 times (all wins) in those 15 games. He may not have a Stanley Cup, but he isn't a weakness for them. Especially against the Red Wings.

This. I trusted his slap shot over everyone's at the end there.

LOL, when is Glen Sather supposed to be fired? This is his 3rd coach that he has hired and fired. He has a bigger rap sheet of bad signings than ANYONE!!!!! How many Cups? 0 (zero) He is the Matt Millen of hockey.

I can't get over how much more excited I am for the future than I was even 2 months ago. Things will get better....soon.

A finisher. A goal scorer. A guy who can put you up 2 goals going into the third. No one on the team in particular is to blame, but that situation displays something that we desperately need.

I stand corrected.