puckloo39

Dom won't leave, he likes Detroit. But I am not surprised there are other offers for him. My only worry is if he feels the team in front of him isn't a contender, he might make a move elsewhere. That's not the case in Detroit. Losing Schneider and Bert (who never played well, due to injury) and Calder (who faded in the playoffs,unfortunately) even losing Markov if it comes to that -- those losses do not effect the core of the team remaining.

You really want to take me on where Hasek is concerned??? That whole thing has been SO overblown, it's completely hilarious. the truth about the "called shot" in 1997 "Owen Nolan's third period goal happened on a breakaway; as he closed in on Eastern goaltender Dominik Hasek, Nolan pointed in Hasek's direction in an imitation of Babe Ruth's called shot and then fired the puck high to the glove side to end the West's frustration from not scoring all period despite peppering Hasek with shots. Nolan would later admit that his point wasn't in fact a "called shot", but that he was basically asking Hasek to give him a break after missing two breakaways earlier in the period. " So much for the myth of Nolan beating Dom. Hasek let him. End of story. Nolan was a prick in San Jose, they were thrilled when he left. I hope he never sets foot in Detroit. That's all.

Selanne is one of my favorite players, but he won't be coming here. He'll retire a Duck, if not this season then next. Nice thought, though. And I hope Mac is OK, but I don't want him back. I am nostalgic at times for the 2002 crew, but we are OK without him. I hope he has a better year this season in Calgary. He remains one of my favorites.

Never liked the guy, never will. It's fine with me if he never comes anywhere near Detroit. He messes with chemistry in the locker room (San Jose) and is hurt all the time. No thanks.

I love Lindros, or rather the idea of him, in Winged wheel. He was very unimpressive in Dallas, however... for whatever reason. Sorry, Big E... love ya, but I don't know that I want you in Detroit. He is huge, however... so if that's a criteria, he's got that covered. ..decaf... heh~

Hey, Rock. I think it was more the fact that the Wings were a triage unit before the inglorious end. Terrible "bounces" and officicating. I don't call letting an opposing player push the goalie into the net with a puck he saved, and then calling it a goal, a "bad bouce." It's just bad hockey. The Wings were worn down and injured, the Ducks were given the upper hand at crucial points in some of the games, and the result was predictable. It still took them six games to figure out how to beat the Wings. Imagine if just a few things had been different -- Pronger never tried to kill Homer, Schneids had been healthy, Bert had been able to play up to his potential. We will not win or lose because of Bert's presence, JMO.

from your fingers to God's ears... may Burke and his Yuckies not make it out of round 1. Retire, Teemu. You got your Cup, now get the hell outta there.

well. I think I will miss the "idea" of Bert more than I will miss the actual player himself. I wish he had stuck around long enough to prove that he still has it. Hope finds what he really wants with the Yucks. And good luck putting up with Burke, Bert. I honestly won't really miss Lang or Bert all that much, I don't think. We have good players who will step up and play Red Wings hockey. We can beat Anaheim, Calgary and the Sharks... yes, we can!

Bye, Bobbert... I'll miss you. Hope you do well with your new team. Except when you play us, then turn the puck over a lot in front of your own goalie. Seriously, Langer is a great guy, I wish him all the best.

Well, that's nice, Tommy's back in sunny California. I would have liked to see him in Detroit, but oh, well. Ottawa didn't want him anymore, I guess? Good deal for the Kings.

latest Hasek, who earned a base salary of $750,000 last season, is likely to receive a deal in the neighborhood of $2.5 million, plus incentives. Bertuzzi is seeking a long-term contract, but the Wings are only offering a short term. He made $5.3 million last season, but won't make nearly that much with his new deal because of uncertainty about his surgically repaired back. Holland said he has about $8 million to spend on four players -- Hasek, restricted free-agent forward Jiri Hudler, a top-six free-agent forward and a depth defenseman. Defenseman Danny Markov rejected a contract offer from the Wings last week at the entry draft in Columbus and is not expected to return. Holland will continue exploring the market for a second-tier forward. Players still available as of Sunday night included former Wings Slava Kozlov and Brendan Shanahan, Michael Nylander, Dainus Zubrus, Alexei Yashin, Ladislav Nagy and Petr Sykora.

History often does repeat itself.

yep. We posted at the same time. See above for Gleason's take on this... I meant I felt sorry for the Sabres' fans.

Bucky's take on loss of co-captains in Buffalo Bucky Gleason, Buffalo hockey journalist, has no sympathy for the Sabres management: "Here you go, in four words: The Sabres blew it. It will be interesting to see how Regier spins this one. It’s become tiresome listening to him say how leaving ultimately is up to the player, a shallow attempt to take the organization and its owner off the hook, when blame actually falls on them. Drury more than any player in any sport in recent memory personified the values of this town. He showed up for work, gave an honest effort, embraced his job and led by example. Of course, that didn’t get Michael Peca very far before they traded him. And once Dominik Hasek realized what happened with Peca, he bullied his way out. See, players pay close attention to their teammates. No matter what Ryan Miller says publicly, the Drury-Briere saga can’t be going over real well in the Sabres’ dressing room. We’ll check back with Miller in a few years, before he signs with Detroit."

good. Zubov is worth every penny.

I do feel bad for Buffalo. With their club's history of hard knocks, they're resiliant, though.

I am sure that's what is going on. Dom is waiting to see what Kenny can put together and then he will know what the range of dollars that's available. $1.5M or $2.5M, both are cheap for what the Wings are getting from Hasek.

why should he?

Bert, Dom and Markov could fit under the sum Kenny has left. If they want to play for Detroit, they need to be reasonable. Bert hasn't proved that he can play up to speed yet, and Markov ... well, do you want to go back to Phila-hell-phia, buddy? Or be a Red Wing? Hasek had proved he can play, and played for a ludicrously low sum of money last season - that alone should indicate that money isn't his sticking point. I will expect to see some of you come back here for a serving of crow when it turns out Hasek hasn't signed yet, because he's waiting to see how much money Kenny needs to get the team solidified in front of him.

I think you're right, all the way. I like Rafalski and am glad he's coming to play for a team where the Cup parade will not be held in a parking lot in NJ.

just my opinion, but I think Dom has been around long enough that he knows how to play the game -- in terms of salary, I mean - the hockey thing is a given. Some think he's holding out for more money, but I seriously doubt it. Dom and Kenny are in cahoots, betcha. Has it occurred to anyone that maybe he's not signing because he's waiting to see what resources the Wings need to commit to kepp Bert and Markov? Forget Schneider, he was never going to sign with the Wings. He wanted money. He got it. So. I think Dom will definitely be back with the Wings, and will agree to whatever salary Kenny can afford, once Dom thinks he has the players in front of him he needs to win. Dom should be signed for at least $2M, with bonuses. Last year's salary was more of a statement and to prove a point than an actual cost-for-worth salary. That's what I think.

are you kidding?? I sure hope not, 'cause you just made my day! Hockey kharma is a harsh mistress, I tell ya! :rotflmao:

I know what you mean, RR. I have friends in Buffalo who are die-hard Sabres fans... I can't help but feel bad for them, and for the team. I think they will be contenders again next season in the East. But '99 was their real shot at the Cup, and Bettman and Co. took that from them.

You heard it here. Or there ^^^ to be precise. I agree. Not sure what the Sabs don't like about Briere, I think he's great. Stuff happens and players move on. Some team will be very happy to get this guy.

I couldn't possibly agree more... and thank you! It seems I am not the only one here who feels this way.