The Datsyukian Deke

Impressive, Mr. Ramo, impressive.

Actually I like almost any possible matchup in the East for some reasons, if we're halfway healthy. Shows you how much the East sucks - with that D of ours, even if everybody was on board, I stil wouldn't like our chances vs most West teams..

I don't think Monster looked awesome, actually pretty much below average, but "bad" is a little harsh considering the way those goals developed. I liked what I saw from Pavel. Needs to be seen how much is about conditioning and how much is about his knee, but his hockey IQ is so off the charts, he makes the teams better even if he's just at 70%.

All of that would've gone easier hadn't Jimmy given up that weak goal... ...oh, and the rest of the guys playing for three periods, of course...

Exactly this. Having all bottom six PKers in the lineup at the same time weakens our overall offense, because someone valuable gets left off. Plus, Z and Dats are great PKers when healthy. And greatness is what you need on the highest level. For example, look at Chicago...when it matters most, you can expect seeing Toews on the PK. And rightfully so. Why not send your best to the task?

With everyone healthy, use Dats and/or Z on the PK and don't waste a spot to someone with minor talent, just to kill penalties.

1st line initially looks great, but if you give it a second thought...3 creative guys on one line would be wasted. I'll go with: Z - Dats - Alfie Franzen - Legwand - Nyquist Tatar - Sheahan - Jurco Abby - Glendening - Helm With Miller the first to come in if anyone gets injured. If that top line doesn't work out well, it changes to: Z - Dats - Jurco Tatar - Sheahan - Nyquist Franzen - Legwand - Alfie Abby - Glendening - Helm Yes, Jurco. I wanna see that.

I agree with a lot of this, but...Abby on the PP? Seriously?

Damnit, Caps tied the game..

We are at least two in that Alfie-minority. And I agree on Jurco. Just get rid of Bert, Sammy and Cleary and we'll be fine..

Yup. And he will be in a role which is perfect for him, and not being asked to perform higher, where he lacks the talent to do so. Like last season, on first or second line. Dude is not a scorer and shouldn't play in a Top6 role. But having him on a shutdown checking line with Glendening looks like pure gold.

Hopefully some of them find their brains again, screw this nonsense and go back to the old formula..

Which is exactly what i just did. ... Fun fact: Been at home all week with the flu. No alcohol, not even for games - we lose three straight. Time to be superstitious again - ignore the illness, drink beer.

I'm already nervous...

Perfect, both Jackets and Leafs lose.

What i meant was..if the Sabres suck again, maybe they start selling out for less.

I'm not willing to pay that either, but it depends on their plans and how their season goes. Might be an option at the deadline, if they suck again like they do this season..

Ok. They all should've known better, though.

I'm still voting for an Top1 offensive D-Man. Like Ehrhoff, someone who gets this PP up into Top10 (or better Top5..) of the league. Le'ts say Mule, Hank, Dats, Alfie and Ehrhoff (or whoever you can get for that role..). That's everything you need - great point man, right-handed shot in Alfie, Mule as the netfront guy, perfect for rebounds with those hands..and Dats and Z setting things up. I'm freakin' out even imagining this... ...but it won't happen. At all. Thanks in advance, Kenny.

I can see us go even worse, the way Jimmy and our D continue to suck.. Actually the Leafs game is the most important game of the season. Win = possibly in, Loss = most likely out.

This. We could easily have at least 5 points more if Nyquist hadn't been buried in the minors because Kenny the Genius matched (!!) an offer by Holmgren (another genius..) for Cleary..

We won 5 of 13 shootouts, if i'm correct. So winning half just means 2 more points. Which I wouldn't mind, of course.

:yahoo: :yahoo:

Being the "stay at home"-guy fits Kronner better, too. That's why I would've preferred a trade for Ehrhoff to have that top tier offensive minded d-man. It's not that Kronner played remarkably bad on the PP, it's just not his trait. But why not try Smith a the point? He looks as if he's made for that..

I think Shanny fears to be suspected of favoring the Wings, if he handed out a suspension against a player from Detroits opposition. I'm convinced of that, actually, since that scrub Cowen went unsuspended after ellbowing Pavs in the head...