Matt

That's apples and oranges. Those goaltenders don't even compare. DiPietro has shown flashes of promise but he's best known for his consistent inconsistencies (har-har) and injury issues. Luongo is a proven franchise netminder in the prime of his career. You're kidding, right? What does ego have to do with it? He is -- by FAR -- the best player on that Canucks team and, IMO, the person best-suited to be a captain. I don't have a doubt that those players look to him for leadership in the lockerroom, and I'm not one to think that it's taboo to be a captain if you strap on pads prior to games. Do some research. Until his recent groin injury the last time he missed any extended period of time was nearly seven years ago when he missed the last 14 games of the 2001-02 season due to an ankle injury. Other than that the most games he has missed consecutively has been four in 2001. If Luongo has proven anything it's that he's a franchise netminder that can steal you games and start 70+ games in a season for you. They don't exactly grow on trees and if the chance to acquire one comes along you take it.

The Wings would have to move some signifigant salary to make such a trade. Right now, if Backstrom was theoretically dealt to the Wings at the trade deadline, they only have the space to assume $1.7-million of his $3.1-million salary. Detroit would have to move, at minimum, around $1.5-million in non-prorated salary. (I moved this back to General Discussion as it is NOT a rumor -- just the opinion and speculation on the author's part).

I'd absolutely do it -- but I also say that with a good dose of bias considering Luongo is my favorite player not wearing the winged wheel. I recall (not) fondly of the Red Wings losing out on him before Keenan shipped him off to Vancouver and honestly -- this is pure speculation on my part -- that he may get a case of Hossa-itis if he hits free agency: he'll spurn a more lucrative contract offer for the chance to play with a proven winner. The Red Wings are known to covet him and there were reports (out of Boston, I think Kevin Dupont penned the article) that said a person with "connections with the Red Wings" (Dave Lewis?) that Detroit was prepared to send Luongo an offer sheet as soon as he hit restricted free agency. Obviously the trade to Vancouver happened just prior to that deadline. If it was true or not who knows, but it was definitely food for thought. I think that -- as others have mentioned -- Detroit would need to find out what they have in Larsson first. Howard hasn't really been given any signifigant time with the big club but I think it's safe to say that Larsson has shown the most promise in making the jump so far.

Just heard on WDFN... Details to come. http://www.wdfn.com _________________ LGW.com member 13dats, who manages Datsyuk's official web site, actually reported this here FIRST last night: http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=41627 Thank you for the heads-up, 13dats!

FWIW, no crow eating here. Although I didn't post it in this thread back in the day (I have in others since), I'm still sticking to my Hank-will-get-$7.3/yr prediction.

Why didn't Grossman get called for holding onto the puck a shift or two ago? Ugh.

Did I really just see that?

NHL On the Fly actually cut to go live to this game for a few minutes last night and they actually had that tussle live. At first the commentators thought it was beause he banged the back of his head on the ice, then they saw the replay... ... ouch.

I think either day would work out just fine for me.

Apologies for the delays! (Better late than never, right?) Click Here to Go to the Download Page Enjoy!

Theoretically speaking, if the Red Wings' current active roster remains unchanged until the NHL trade deadline they could add (roughly) $1,734,932 in full-season salary. Roberts would fit as long as those numbers are accurate.

Click Here to Go to the Download Page Enjoy!

Because Canada isn't a market where Bettman is focused.

I'd be surprised if it's in Canada. I'm thinking more along the lines of New York or Boston...

It's juvenile, sure, but I couldn't resist. This series needs more vitrol.

Imagine that... A period of 5-on-5 hockey and look what happens. Who woulda thunk it?

I 'd

Posting quick between faceoffs, but it looks like Byfuglien is the one with the "missing logo". From what I could see, anyway...

Which is surprising because I generally consider McCreary the best referee in the league -- but that first 20 minutes were abysmal.

Even though Lilja didn't seal Eager (probably worried about another call), that goal was ALL Conklin.

Tons of time left. Although the game started slow, when the sides were even strength I thought Detroit carried the play. A couple of posts/crossbars in that first period. Just need to keep the gameplan simple. I don't think the conditions allow for a lot of pretty plays, so it's got to be kept simple: get the puck on net, look for rebounds and finish ALL of your checks. (I grimaced in the first period when Havlat set himself to get plastered along the penalty box but the Wings' forward turned away at the last second -- a missed opportunity.)

That call was brutal. If he's going to call that shove on Lilja he's got to make the same call at the other end of the ice when a Blackhawks player did the exact same thing after a whistle. Of course, I'd rather they don't call that at all, but if you're going to set the precedent -- follow through with it.

The ice isn't "crappy" and both teams are playing on it. Blaming that is an excuse. I'm not blaming the officiating for the Red Wings' deficit after 20 minutes, but it sure would be nice to actually play a damn hockey game. The best action of that period was when it was 5-on-5 -- rare as though it was. Boring to watch a segmented game due to penalties being called to both sides every other shift.

I must've missed the part where any Detroit players were taking "runs" at Chicago players. Finishing your check -- as rare a thing that has been this season for this Red Wings team -- is NOT "running" a player. Kane wasn't "run". Campbell wasn't "run". Toews wasn't "run". Kane was run no more than Datsyuk was when when Byfuglien checked him along the bench in the third period. As far as "manning up" to accept a challenge to fight -- why on Earth would a Wing oblige? Why give the Blackhawks any other emotion than pure frustration? What would Detroit have to gain from it? Nothing. Take your spanking, go home and we'll meet on the ice again Thursday.

Oh -- and Meech looked great tonight in the minutes he got. He looked a bit -- for lack of a better term -- "scattered" at times on the power play but always seemed to recover and make the right play, even when he pinched and crashed the net. Too bad he can't get more time in there. I thought he provided a nice shot in the arm to the 4th line tonight.