esteef

Totally agree here, we have guys that can hit and muck in the corners, but that usually leads to some scrapping, and no one wants to be that guy. Laraque would be great, because he can actually play as well as destroy people, but I just don't think he would be nasty enough for us right away when we need it. I definitely wouldn't be bitchin' if we got him though. peace, esteef

I think we're all in agreement that Marty is currently paid too much, but it's not like we'd only need him for this playoff run. Ill-tempered, good fighter, call him whatever you want, but he will stick up for his teammates. If there are better guys out there that are cheaper, like Fedoruk or somebody, I'm all for it. Just need a player of that ilk is all I'm saying. Are you saying playoff experience isn't important just because it didn't pan out for us last year? If so, I disagree. esteef

11 goals and 5 assists ain't too shabby for a guy who will play on the third or fourth line AND fight pretty much anyone. Plus Marty's a veteran player and has playoff experience. I'd do it. esteef

Good, because I don't want him to scare people, I want him to knock the s*** out of them. A few scraps and they'll start getting the message. He could definitely beat the s*** out of Conroy or that other turd that hit Zetts. peace, esteef

Right. I meant LaPointe would be the fighter to go with the power forward type player like Forsturd or Bert. If he chips in a goal here and there, all the better. LaPointe's "job" though would be to take care of anyone running goaltenders or star forwards, and also regulate some of the cheap s*** after the whistle. He's familiar with that role in Detroit... BTW, totally agree on the price issue, I just like LaPointe! peace, esteef

I agree, one guy can be the catalyst that starts the ball rolling. Just build on it like momentum. Also, it doesn't have to necessarily be a heavyweight, someone like LaPointe would be enough, but Fedoruk would probably be cheaper. Cheers! esteef

Agree. Markov ain't chopped liver and seems to be the only guy willing to do anything (besides Schneider's yapping), so I would definitely consider him as one of the replacements. But yes, a power-forward plus a definite fighter (like Lapointe) would go a long way. Any combo of the names being talked about would be great, some more expensive than others (Forsberg, Tkachuk, Guerin, Bert, LaPointe, Fedoruk, Doan (if possible), or hell I'd even take Nolan at this point!) Cheers! esteef

Tkachuk, Guerin, LaPointe...

Is this implying that Edmonton didn't man-handle us last year? Or even Calgary? Wow.

The more I think about us only getting Forsberg, the more I don't like it. I mean, he's a huge talent and is strong on the puck, but he does nothing to prevent guys like Dats and Zetts from getting run over all the time. In fact, he will just be another target. The only way I like it is if we bring in a guy who will scrap also. Doesn't have to be a heavyweight, just someone to do SOMETHING when goalies, star players, etc get run over or questionably hit. I think this team can compete with the heavy hitters as far as physicality (Markov, Chelios, Schneids, Kronwall, Franzen, etc), but matching teams in toughness usually leads to a few scraps along the way, and that's where we're lacking. Nobody wants to be the guy to have to fight. One guy that can hold his own against most of the league would go a long way towards bringing these big hitters we have out of their hiding places when we need them the most. So Forsberg + LaPointe, or even [insert power forward] + Lapointe is what I really would want. BTW, this is money issues aside of course! esteef

Ha! Ha! To vent of course! esteef!

My thoughts exactly. If anything, the last couple of games just showcase for Holland exactly what we need at the deadline. Let's hope he chooses wisely... esteef

I know I'm late but boy was that a Forsturd dive in full form or what?! some things never change... esteef

Good on Lilja for at least doing SOMETHING! Games like these make me want LaPointe even more. I know it's probably not the right thing to do offensive-wise, or even maybe salary-wise, but at least he can field guys like Conroy and Iginla. He's no heavyweight but most of the time we just need a guy to keep it from getting out of hand. Just take care of the extra bulls*** after the whistle type of thing. Ya know? Bring Back Marty! esteef

I agree on the +/-, it's just another silly stat that probably feeds into those ridiculous scouting reports. Also, I see Lebda quite often take the puck all the way to the other net and get a great scoring chance just by simply outskating everyone on the ice. (In fact, he did it last game against the Blues when the Wings were having trouble getting through the neutral zone.) Anyway, I don't recall him having trouble with outlet passing, at least not like Kronwall. esteef *edited for spelling

Agree. According to you, or the useless scouting report? esteef

See, here's that "potential" word floating around again, which basically means if they have been given a positive "scouting report" by who knows who in regards to their "potential", they should be given extra time and lattitude with regards to development than players who weren't so fortunate (for whatever reason) to be labeled as having as much "potential". Just admit it, it's a crapshoot either way. Who knows or can determine right now, (or early on when these guys are usually scouted), how good Kronwall, or Lebda for that matter, will become based on someone's personal opinion of what they think the player will achieve. Talk about a glass ceiling! And, what if Lebda turns out to be the better player? What does that say for the criteria used by these "scouts" to determine "potential". Just seems silly to me. peace, esteef

I hear ya man, I just laugh at the relativity of those reports and analyses. I mean, aren't most guys scouted when they're young and underdeveloped? *edited for clarity.

These kind of comments make me laugh. Not about the comparison, but about the assumption that Lebda is already destined to only be so good. Like he's too dumb to figure stuff out, or lift weights, or learn from experience or anything. And size? There are smaller, successful NHL defensemen than him. Who determines potential? esteef

Agree. I can't stand all the "Lidstrom Jr" and "The Next Lidstrom" nametags hung around his neck all the time by the media. He is nothing like Lids. In fact, I think all that talk makes him think he is better than he actually is (at this point). He turns the puck over often when he's the last man back, he gets out of position trying to make big hits, and tries to stick handle through skilled forwards instead of using his defensive partner to move the puck down ice. Now I don't want to sound like a Kronwall hater, and I totally hope he develops into the player we expect him to be, I'm just not sold on all of this he's the best young defensemen and the next Lidstrom crap, cause he's got a long way to go. wurd, esteef

NFM: joke.

Good thing we got rid of that guy!

LOL!

It's just like continuing to judge a person based on one instance in time.

LAZY BASTARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!