HankthaTank

I don't want him back and can't imagine he would be. Some want to maximize his potential, yada yada but that is actually what I want for Flip instead as he brings a much better game all around. Dump Huds, bring in some defense.

Absolutely. It was a freaking dramatic roller coaster ride from beginning to end. Hopeful to caustic. As always this site made the season more enjoyable for the awesome knee-jerk/overdramatic reactions (GDT). Had a great feeling going into game 7 that if we could have pulled that off, it was possible to take this all the way to June. Just glad this is our team and hope to see another amazing amount of moments to look forward to next year. Oh, and come back Nick!!!!!!!

Ericsson MUST go... There is no mistake about it. I won't lose sleep over it as I know we most likely will re-sign him but he is super replaceable. Mursak is an exciting part to this team next year though. We have to get better defensive depth.

So he could have been Joe Thornton? never!!!

Quick, name all of your players in 30 seconds... time's up

Let's seriously hope not.... I mean, no offense.

you're right.. ell oh ell

I don't know. How does it feel being a dick, dick? Oh, remember this too, your cute little franchise started the exact same year our consecutive playoff run started. A little insight there. I will hide behind all the possible past things I can But your team will get s*** stomped in a Conference Final again. So then you can tell us how that felt Sharks fans thumping their chests is also very very laughable. Look at your Captain. Represents about as much of that team as anyone can really say.

was not

Welllll, time to start really rooting for the boys of summer. Come on Tigers keep it rolling! Big series against the Royals starts tonight.

Even thinking more into this, I am not sure an entire thread dedicated to appreciating can express the appreciation we have for him. There, that seems to fit aptly.

Pav is simply the best in the NHL. If he gets better even into next season, what could we possibly see from him next? Just awesome.

Excellent thread. This is what I said all of last night. Just freakin' look at these guys still!! Without another solid performance by Niemi we could all be in here going ape s*** about one of the greatest comebacks in the history of sports playoffs. As it is, we just didn't do enough earlier in the series and last night's game to get it done. Still so so close though. Damn it, I love the Red Wings! Great run and can't wait for the next one in 2012

VAN/SJS: 4-3 BOS/TBL: 4-2

Pretty much this. I mean, Marleau??? FOR f***'S SAKE!!!

Would LOOOVE to hear people's reasoning behind the Eaves votes too...

For sure. Jimmy was a huge positive to take away from this playoffs. The kid has that competitive edge and ability to just brush things off. Having Ozzie mentoring him was the best possible scenario to prepare him to play goalie in Detroit. Way to go Howie keep it up into next year!

I think that's one of the things I'll be watching for in this series sadly. Joey T just might break down and cry if the green guys find some good material to insult him with

Nah, the guy can still get it done and the love of the game is absolutely still there. He'll be back and enough of what he will be asking for. He's Nick Lidstrom, people. I understand the cap space and all that but let's gain a little bit of perspective here.

I will be for sure. I like their collection of players, too. I am also a Bruins fan so this series could go either way for me but I will be hoping one of these teams lifts Lord Stanley when it's all said and done.

Right on. Wings in the East would almost guarantee a Stanley Cup Final. The games against Boston, Toronto, and Montreal consistently throughout the year would be just epic as well. Just not sure it could happen as we would be leaving Chicago as the only O6 team left in the West. Not that Uncle Gary gives a s*** about that part of it but just a factor that comes into play somewhere.

Sorry, people voted for Nick? anyyywwaaaaayyyssss I chose McCrimmon, sort of obvious there but probably wouldn't happen. I voted for Modano, Draper, Hudler, Ericsson, Salei, and Ozzie. The rest stay in my opinion. Raf's bloated contract is definitely a lot to look at right now but not much to be done there really. Modano's project simply didn't work as the injury sort of hampered any chance he had to help us. Drapes looked pretty damn effective out there at times this year and was just awesome in the 1st round against Phoenix as most were though. Hudler's overall game is something we have to navigate away from. He gets knocked off the puck way too easily and I am not one to have him be a whipping boy, but whatever we can get for this guy is definitely a plus. Ericsson is the most frustrating player on this team. Uses none of his 6'5" frame at any point out there. He could be knocked down by freaking Brian Gionta and probably has been. I just see no use for him and would like to see what Kindl can do or go out make an offer to Bieksa. Salei wasn't as bad as some on here would have portrayed. He was signed to be a 5th/6th dman and fit that bill. In year's past we had awesome 5th/6th dman and that made all the difference with this season I think. Salei came pretty cheap and was actually not that bad with Kronner but just too old now. We will see how it pans out.

We could have empty rafters with nothing but a President's Trophy banner hanging....

Yes, he is terrible. Has been on a considerable decline the entire since about November. He was very good at the beginning of the year but since has just disappointed. Last night, he hit an all time low blowing one of his biggest games. Him and Raf on that pair were just nauseating in their own end. Raf's contract seems like a joke, now. We need to be bold and let go of some of these "emotional" ties we have with players. They served their purpose, but it's time to start keeping up with the Joneses and get speed speed speed. Mursak makes this team next year, also. You heard it here first

Sooo the state of Pennsylvania gets 2 Winter Classics in 2 years. Symmetry at it's finest folks.