McAwesome

I like the possibilities that our forward depth affords us, primarily to have Datsyuk and Zetterberg back together as it should be, also with Filppula getting a real shot at regular top-6 minutes. While I think that a 2nd line of Franzen-Filppula-Hudler could be deadly, I agree with the posters who have said that Bertuzzi rounds out that line better being the guy down low, not that Franzen can't do it but he is better utilized as a shooter than a screener/corner player. I can't wait for the season to start, it's time to get back to being able to score at will and hold leads late in the game, that is Red Wings hockey.

Wow. Just Wow. I don't think you are a loser, but I am honestly surprised that there is someone out there that has not seen any of the Star Wars movies. Did you make a conscious decision to avoid them? How about Chris Chelios as Lando, a scoundrel that later became an ally and a valued contributor to our cause.

Good stuff, except of course for the fact that I just saw Crosby's ugly mug twice

No, he's Wing. Sorry, I couldn't resist Edit: For the record, I'm with you on this. While I am excited for what Modano can bring offensively, it would have been nice to land a player that can do what Asham does for so cheap. It would have been pretty sweet to have a 4th line of Abdelkader, Eaves, and Asham, that would have been a bear to play against.

I agree, as long as they do not change the size of the opening, why shouldn't they make the net shallower. I also like the idea (I think it was in another thread about this topic) that on a delayed penalty the offending team must clear the zone (kind of like offsides) and then possess the puck, will lead to more 6 on 5 play.

Agreed. Lebda may be younger, but that's the only advantage he has. About the only thing Lebda does better than Salei is suck. Also, he says Salei has a Stanley Cup ring, when did he win that? In 2003 with Anaheim? I'm pretty sure that's the only time he's sniffed the Finals.

Thanks, I didn;t really plan it that way, but I saw that the Wings would be in Tampa that preseason and I really wanted to go, and my wife wasn't too enthusiastic because she knew nothing about the game, so I had those 2 DVDs and asked if she wanted to watch them to learn more. Boy am I glad I did, now she shows my son the Stanley Cup DVDs (2002 & 2008) and one of his first words was hockey.

Before we were married, my wife pretty much knew that hockey was playing on ice and they use sticks, but that was about it. About 1 month after we were married, I sat her down and we watched Miracle, then the 2002 Stanley Cup DVD, then a week later I took her to a preseason game in Tampa, and she was hooked. She watched the entire playoffs with me, even called out of work for game 5 of the Finals, and would have done a victory lap with me had she not been 6 months pregnant. We took our son to another game in Tampa when he was a month old, and she is as excited for the season to start as I am, she has been teaching extra piano lessons to save up to go to the Wings@Lightning game this year. I really lucked out.

Great read, and while I agree with the OP about omitting Sawchuk in favor of Lindsay, I cannot fault the author's reasoning. I literally got goosebumps reading the section about Stevie Y, I knew how incredible he was but to see his accomplishments and sacrifice described so well in such a succinct manner is impressive. I am now and will always be proud to be from Detroit and a Red Wings fan. Now, the Lions on the other hand...

Thanks for the info. Someone mentioned the jinx and how bad it would be if a team that has been in a long Cup drought had this happen, and Versteeg instantly popped into my head. Too bad, that would have been a colossally epic fail if he did what Byfuglien did.

Has Versteeg had his day with the Cup? Could you imagine the backlash if he wore a Leafs jersey while holding the Cup?

PP1=pretty obvious 40/13/96 5/28 PP2, more open to interpretation 93/51/26 with 11 or 44 rotating in 90/55 PK1, should be 43/17 5/? (only because I don't know what number Salei will wear) PK2, again rotating 8/51/11/40/13 55/23 If we are ahead, I think Abdelkader plays on the 2nd PK unit for the experience alongside Filppula or Cleary, but if we are trailing late in a game then I think Z or Dats get the 2nd PK rotation for the scoring threat. Kronwall & Stuart will likely be the 2nd PK pairing, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Ericsson play significant PK time, although it would be interesting to see whose time he takes, Kronwall would be the obvious choice but last season Ericsson and Stuart were horrible together.

Bruins - Cam Neely Sabres - Dominik Hasek Canadiens - Vincent Damphousse Senators - Radek Bonk Leafs - Wendell Clark Devils - Scott Stevens Isles - Pierre Turgeon Rangers - Brian Leetch Flyers - John LeClair Penguins - Larry Murphy Thrashers - Slava Kozlov Hurricanes - Steve Chiasson Panthers - Scott Mellanby Lightning - Tim Taylor Capitals - Peter Bondra Flames - Theo Fleury Avalanche - Stephane Yelle Oilers - Craig McTavish Wild - Mikko Koivu Canucks - Markus Naslund Blackhawks - Tony Amonte Blue Jackets - Geoff Sanderson Red Wings - Steve Yzerman Predators - David Legwand Blues - Al MacInnis Ducks - Sammy Pahlsson Stars - Mike Modano Kings - Luc Robitaille Coyotes - Kris Draper (Dollar Menu ) Sharks - Igor Larionov

I think the league could support as many as 32 franchises, but they have to explore moving teams out of struggling markets BEFORE they consider expansion. As many on here have said, and I agree 100%, teams should be moved from Phoenix, Atlanta, Florida, Nashville, and put them in Winnipeg, Quebec, etc. where the fanbase will support them until corporate sponsors can be found. I also think that the NHL should be trying markets such as Kansas City, Seattle, SLC, where junior and youth hockey are strong and the league can draw upon the existing grassroots efforts and generate real interest in a potential franchise (besides, if you moved a team from the east to any of these cities, then Detroit could be moved to the Eastern Conference where they would dominate ) Bottom line, I agree with the OP that there is enough of a talent pool to support expansion, but I also think that the league has to cut their losses and get teams out of struggling markets and improve the financial position of the league as a whole before they should think about taking on any more franchises.

I am getting very excited about this season, first we land Modano and make arguably the most potent 3rd line in the league, then we go out and get exactly what we were looking for in a 3rd-pair defenseman, someone who hits, clears the crease, and can actually mentor Ericsson/Kindl and fits our budget. Once we get Darth Kader's contract done we will be all set, let Meech, Miller & Ritola battle it out for the last roster spot, and bring Lord Stanley back home.

Shibby!

I said 8, if everyone stays healthy there is no reason to think our top 6 won't all hit 20, and I can see 2 of our 3rd liners and/or a defenseman hitting 20 as well. This whole Modano thing gives us such incredible scoring depth, I cannot wait for the season to start.

Originally, American football began as a modified form of rugby, where kicking is a much more frequent occurrence but still not as much as soccer. In fact, up until the 40's and 50's, there were just as many points scored by 'drop-kicking' as place-kicking, where a player could drop the ball and kick it once the ball hit the ground or bounced. American football underwent multiple evolutions to make it to its current form, but at its birth it was still essentially a game where most of the scoring was done with the ball being kicked through the goal. I guess it would be kind of like if soccer players began using their heads to score most of the goals and kicking became an afterthought, in a hundred years everyone would associate headers with scoring and people would wonder why it is still called 'football' by some.

From reading Babcock's comments, it looks like he is saying that he thinks if Modano comes here for a year, he will renew for a second, not that the Wings are looking to sign him to a 2-year contract. At least that's how I read it, and I hope so because signing any player over 35 to a multi-year deal is risky, and once you hit 40 there should be a law against signing a multi-year deal. I hope Modano does come here, he instantly gives us one of the most dangerous 3rd scoring lines, though I would probably put Hudler on the 2nd with Franzen & Filppula and Bertuzzi with Modano and Cleary, but either way no one else can touch that kind of offensive depth, and having Abdelkader/Helm/Eaves as a 4th line is nothing to scoff at either, 3 wrecking balls who can all put up 10 goals and shut down defensively. Now all we need is a 6th defenseman and we're all set, and with each day that passes guys like Sutton depreciate in value, so we may just get lucky and snag someone on the cheap that fills the stay-at-home shot-blocking fighter role that we so desperately need.

Wow, that's awesome.

I liked the Danny DeVito one, where he is flailing away at a drum set. That last one was just too creepy, looked like breakfast at Rick James' house.

Motion seconded, pleased get rid of that disturbing thing.

Osgood will be turning 38 this November and his contract is up after this season, so it is no surprise that people are already speculating that he will retire. I don't remember reading anywhere about Ozzie himself mentioning retirement, but he really doesn't have anything else to prove, other than perhaps wanting to win another cup before he retires. I hope he earns more playing time this season, he has a realistic shot at passing Grant Fuhr and Glenn Hall on the all-time wins list, and if he splits the starts pretty evenly with Howard, he may even catch Tony Esposito, pretty much guaranteeing himself a place in the HHOF.

Wow, I totally didn't see this coming. How sad for his family, but I guess if you have to go, better to be surrounded by those you live the most. RIP Probie, you will be missed. I wonder if the team will do anything to honor him this season, like a patch or something on the ice or taking #24 out of circulation for a while.

Really? Bob McKenzie just reported that Gonchar signed with OTT for the exact same numbers. Edit: Nevermind, it looks like you edited it.