frankgrimes

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=730840 Burkie going all out on truculence, it gives them a chance to McDavid and will make sure that Monahan, Johnny Hockey and Baertschi can focus on hockey plus the Flames fans will see a very entertaining product. Not a bad idea at all. This team is going to kick some serious ass Bollig, McGrattan, Yonkman, Gillies, Ferland, Wolf ... god I wish Torts would still coach in Vancouver just to see his face when Hardley sends his "top 6" out

This story will be over come october, Babs already said he will not be talking about it by then and just go to the next question. I'm very sure Holland will do the exact same thing.

Same here I've just listened to Blashill and it's unreal the guy sounds 100 % like Babcock, even his phrasing is the same amazing.

Nah that's not what I'm trying to say but I really understand what Burkie is trying to do here. He knows his team won't be even close to playoff contention so he goes out and brings in a bunch of tough guys not only for entertainment but also for protection (Gaudreau is heavily undersized and the rats would have taken advantage of him) but now there are some big SOBs looking over his shoulder :-) . It's year two of their rebuild and let's be honest players like Eichel and McDavid aren't there every year so I can understand why teams want to get them. Is tanking something to be proud of ? Of Course not -at least not for me- but the league is making it harder and harder for teams like the Wings to ice a great roster. And yeah personally I'd rather be a bottom 5 team than one that barely misses the playoffs and get's some midrange picks.

ESPN more than enough to skip the whole article

I don't like Boudreau but seriously what did he expect? Teemu numbers were way down, you did lose another step and simply couldn't keep up with the speed of the game. The ducks had to overplay Getzlaf, Perry in order to make up for his short comings. Just enjoy retirement, your awesome restaurant and the tons of dream cars you own Getzlaf seems a bit disappointed about all the locker room talk...

And a chance to draft Eichel or McDavid

Sucks for the guy but I doubt he would have made the team. So let him get healthy and start in the AHL. Injuries will happen and Mantha should get a few callups here and there. Get well soon this Sucks!

Just don't rush the kid if he misses day 1 so be it

I would prefer being the next Don Cherry

Personally I believe Babcock is the type of guy who badly wants to win every year and he absolutely hates the stand still. Even after the back to back losses against the Sharks or against the predators he pointed out the record and said :"we are not going in the right direction here "and this was a few years ago - seems like forever - when the wings still had Lidstrom plus a fairly young Z... Babs saw the decline coming hence why he was so pissed that the wings missed out on Burns. If Mario offers him equal money - which the pens for sure will - he gets to coach two superstars in their prime, a guaranteed playoff berth every year and the chance to compete for Lord Stanley.. This opportunity doesn't come very often and I wouldn't hold it against him if he grabs it. Another example are the Blues if Hitchcock doesn't get the job done this season he will be sacked and Babcock could coach one of the toughest teams in the league with superstars like Backes, Pietrangelo (23 years!) , Statsny some of them not even in their prime. It might be a tough pull to swallow as a wings fan but teams like the mentioned ones are offering a much better mid term perspective. At some point Babcock will be fed up with getting no help while teams like the Bolts and Stars are making things happen. Teams would probably start a bidding war for his services and let's be honest some top teams have more to offer in terms of superstar quality and ufa attraction. Whatever he decides to do he is the best coach in ice hockey and had nothing left to prove.

Just like Sproul, Marchenko and Mrazek are the next Lidstrom, Pronger and Dominators *g*

There is no way in hell that the Bruins are going into the season without an enforcer, they either have someone to replace Thornton from within or have to sign a guy very soon.

Great reply thanks and something I thought, athletes are hiring so much experts it's better to pay them instead of having to pay ridiculous amount of taxes. Personally I would use some money to create a small company with some other players so I can write off lots of stuff and then have my lawyers, accountants take care of the other stuff. But in order to do that a player has to be a somewhat established one.

I don't think that's even in consideration right now. I think the team will wait and see how all of this plays out for Alfie and if things are going well he might get signed. But really that should not be important now the important thing is Alfie getting healthy and being able to enjoy a pain free life.

Same here thought he could get as much as 4 mill aav he is obviously worth it if you are looking at some of the other contracts. Anyway glad he is signed and will be part of the team for at least another 2 years.

Wow that's a lot of taxes thats why you need a bunch of tax lawyers if you are that rich. If Alfie's back doesn't hold up anymore he should not risk injuring it further and just hang them up nothing against him, my favorite Senator of alltime. Will be interesting to see if Jurco is ready to take the next step this season (I doubt it). don't like that quote at all screams cocky

A lot less than I thought also now it's quite clear what cost the delay - lowballing. If the guy continues to play this well his next contract will be a huge one that's for sure if he wants to stay. Danny gave a huge hometown discount here just so he can attend the camp what a player what a person.. So now he should be good to go for the camp book him a flight + room and let's start training camp.

Exactly I would go as far and say that in 2 years tops he is going to be our best defenseman if he continues his amazing progress. The problem with Holland is he is overpaying for the false guys and low balling the players he should overpay (including top UFAs ).

Exactly, this off season has been the worst in almost 2 decades if Danny has to sit out now and god forbid miss training camp, the defense will take a huge hit.

Don't forget the Illitches they will for sure have to say something about this too and I'm very sure they'd pay whatever it takes to keep him here. But Babs is as driven as they come the guy wants to win - because let's be honest he is a proven winner - and the change to not coach a prime Crosby, Malkin or guys like Pietrangelo, Backes, Schwartz will for sure factor into his decision. If he leaves because he doesn't believe this team will win a Stanley Cup soon (which is more than realistic), I wouldn't hold it against him. But man oh man playing against a Babcock coached teams with superstars good luck to the rest of the league *g*

Playing hardball with the future of your defense and a local boy wow Good do I miss the Holland of 2001 and the late 90s that's was a GM deserving the titles mastermind and best GM in all of hockey

Babcock has nothing to prove he got a very bad wins team into the playoffs. If the offer isn't good enough for him - which could easily - happen he will take Mario's offer and coach a prime Malkin, Crosby, Letang and Maata to another Stanley cup while the Wings will struggle to make the playoffs, that's the reality and the truth. In Tennis I would say advantage Babcock.

Over 6 million this summer are saying otherwise but whatever Babcock is the best coach in hockey and he is trying to keep a rapidly declining team in the playoffs, all while his GM didn't help him out the last few years. This is an original six team so run it like one who cares if other coaches demand more? In fact this whole thing is really simple Holland had 2 weeks to get it done or Babcock is gone because other teams will line up for his services and pony up the amount of cash he wants. Personally I'm sick of terms like fair contact, hockey deal and kicking the tires he is paid to get the job done, period. If the wings lose Babcock they also fall further down the top ufas list! This negotiation should be damn easy give him a blank cheque and be proud to have Babcock!

It was just an example maybe he ends up at 2,8, 3 or maybe 4,5 we will never know it. I mean all those sums are speculations although by reputable sources. As for Carlyle I'm a bit shocked given how much pressure Toronto has and the big $ machine that is MLSE one would expect a huge contract.