frankgrimes

If I'm Howard I'd be very! upset The playoffs aren't the time for testing rookies. Sadly I'm starting to wonder if Howard did rush back too early Howard is a huge reason why this team has made the playoffs he deserve done reward even if his play dropped off after coming back

Going into the playoffs with a shaky, inexperienced goalie against a far superior team oh boy.

Jets in 6 Ducks will need superb goaltending. Man the hangar will be by far the loudest arena Jets fans will also takeover the Honda center.

Same Phaneuf would provide some much needed help. Sure, Wings would have to give up a bit but neither Jurco nor Pulkinnen would be that big of a loss for an established, physical defender guy has been around and knows when to chip in and when to play defense.

When I'm t hinking of prototypical hockeyplayers guys like Backes are coming to my mind: big, mean, nasty, incredible talented and humble = total package. Jackman may not be as talented but that guy is a pain in the ass to play against, the Wild won't be able to match the physicality and just like the Hamburglar at some point Dubnyk will come back down to earth.

Hamburglar versus the Priceinator should be a goaltending matchup for the ages, defense on both teams isn't that good but I'd give the offensive edge to the Senators, especially if Pacioritty isn't ready for the first round.

According to TSN Shanahan and Hunter have now fired over 25 people. I hope that cocky, non experience pos is sleeping well tonight... I feel bad for every GM who is going to accept that role because now it's clear a guy with no experience but an inflated ego - Chelios has been right in his book! - plus a young (but very talented) mathfreak are running the team now, so this is only a GM in title only position. I've always thought the job of a VP would be to give advice and run the business side of things.(.ie. Burke + Treliving, Linden + Benning).

Wow I'm not shocked but now that front-office has 0 people with GM experience at the NHL level. Nonis is not a bad GM he will find a new job soon, they've also extended him last season so Leafs are paying him for 4 years from now on wow. Leafs are going to offer Babcock a ton of money plus a Roy like situation but he would tarnish his legacy because that team, ownership, media circus is something else.

Even if it's soccer that's a great summarize. I'm with you in terms of soccer I just can't support that crap anymore, leagues are owned by corporations, dictated by the UEFA/FIFA mafia and clubs are selling out to the suits and idiots that don't care about homegrown talent, tradition or integrity tl:dr I hate that sport.

As good as Dubynk has been - great story happy for him! - the Blues are big, tough team and with Statsny, Tarasenko, Schwarz and Backes they also have some firepower plus obviously Pietrangelo...so Blues in 6.

Basically they can't fall out of the top 2 at worst they are picking 2. So 1 bad year grants them a ~ 12 year fix for a first line center position not bad not bad.

They're put up a good fight against the jackets but lost 2:4 Even if they win tomorrow and Arizona loses Buffalo has less rows so congratulations you are getting one of the 2 phenoms. With that pick plus the deep pockets of Pegula this is going to be a very scary team soon and their fans deserve it. Enjoy McEichel

Exactly I still like the guy a lot I mean, Z will play through anything if its possible guy has set the bar sooo high so expectations for him are often - fair or unfair - different. Pasha and Z are the two last remaining (super)stars on this team and I would have loved seeing them get another cup or at least not having to stand up for themselves.. As far as Howard goes, before the injury success after that so-so.

The modern nhl SUCKS and is turning into soccer, european hockey. Laffs how creative...I'm sure it's just coincidence that they've had their by far best season when guys like Orr, Frazer McLaren and Mark Frazer played for them in the lockout shortened season. Anyway thankfully most people showed claass and Orr received the respect a man like him deserves.

Fully agreed the new format simply sucks but I'm not surprised the NHL front office contains too many bad apples. Montreal will go as far as price can take them. Hammond is hot right now and the Sens are high flying this series could go either way...if course hoping for a Sens win soooooo happy for Murray.

Who would have thought that letting a ton of leadership and toughness go plus not replacing your best goal scorer who fit in perfectly could lead to this ...guess everyone save for Chiarelli guy will get fired tomorrow. The Seguin and Boychuck trade will hunt him forever. Maybe Loooch becomes available now

Just like Babcock I didn't think this team had any business of making the playoffs. Now they did so I'm positively surprised. That being said the team has fallen of a cliff in March and their reward is now playing a far superior team in one of the deepest drafts ever. Tatar had a great season, Nyquist a good one, Danny and Sheahan great season. Also nice to see that Abdelkader is finally using his frame. Disappointed: Z, Kronwall, big E, Smith.

Thread is called do Leafs fans deserve better? Orr is a leaf and some people appreciate his contributions. Despite what the annoying anti enforcer crowd believes guy still made the NHL so he is an NHL player.

Not surprised that some people aren't giving him the respect a man like him deserves. Too bad some can't even keep their anti respect for enforcers bulls*** of for a day of celebration. May not have been the best player ever but guy has heart and tremendous work ethic and made around 10 million playing the sport he loves! Much better option than turning hockey I into soccer .. I'd trade our joke of 4 line for 1 Colton Orr every day and twice on Sunday!

Huge kudos to the Senators but I'd rather play them than Tampa, Rangers or Montreal I mean, if first round exits are good enough for Holland then so be it..personally I don't think that's wings style..clicking through that gallery made me realize how great this team has been in the late 90s and early 2000s

Well it's THN this site isn't worth the webspace anymore. Not surprised that their "writers" don't understand the importance of a guy like Orr or basically anything hockey-related, I mean this is the same site that has this political-maniac writing articles that have nothing to do with hockey. Orr freaking deserves this and I for sure will watch it, the guy has played his heart out for this team and is one of the last true warriors reminding other players but better clean up their act, or else someone sneaky is coming around the corners. tldr: f*** THN and hats off to #28 Colton Orr

I know this was more of a general assumption on what I understand under the term real fan. Personally I couldn't care less if others believe I'm a real fan or not. It's well know that I think the team is way too soft, doesn't have the right mixture between Euros and NA players and Holland - for my liking - has been way too passive after Hossa basically offered himself to play here. BUT like a lot of others have said some players on this team have provided me with so much joy over the years (sadly only 3 are remaining and one has completely lost his physicality...) and Ilitch is the best owner in all of sports so I'll for sure stick through the bad times, although I would at least hope for a more entertaining product because this Wings edition is playing a very boring style of hockey..almost Chicagolike just with a lot less skill.

To me it's very simple a real fan is someone who is sticking with his team through thick and thin, the good and the bad times. The problem is, some people are confusing the term real fan with fanboy but they aren't the same. A fanboy will go out of his ways both verbally to defend every move his chosen does make or doesn't make while a real fan will look at things more rationally and also criticize some moves if he feels it's justified. So basically a real fan is the opposite of a bandwagoner.

Thanks corrected it now

Just rewatched the game that penalty of Abdelkader was stupid as hell what is he supposed to do ? Let the puck hit him in the face ? seriously. Anyway, these two clubs might meet again soon.