Aeothe Kaear

Nick Lidstrom

And yet, as a Ph.D student, somehow I never meet any ice girls in academic circles. We do have lots of those attractive AND brainy irresistible types, though.

That's not what I said, now is it? But you're kidding yourself if you think players don't crank it up an extra notch when they're playing for a contract, and for a guy in his prime heading into UFA with questions surrounding his playoff performance, his play would have meant the difference between millions of dollars. The dispute over whether Datsyuk deserves this kind of money and cap hit largely concerns his playoff performance, no? Instead of letting him prove he's worth it, they just bent over and gave him what he wanted BEFORE the playoffs. What if he wilts under the physical play and puck pressure just like the previous seasons, and bombs again this year? Next year?

Not to mention his incentive to prove everyone wrong and land his one big chance at a huge UFA payday this playoffs is now gone as he'll be fat and happy with $47 million either way. Some negotiating. Could this deal have been done any more on Datsyuk's terms or at a time better for him and not for the team? It's not that I'm anti-Datsyuk, but goddamn, this contract is folly.

Minimum 10, I like that... even the Y man himself never put up 10 playoff goals in a year (although he surely would've in '99 if things hadn't gone horribly wrong).

Really going out on a limb there predicting a guy won't be able to pot 4 goals in a game, huh?

I don't even need to say it, do I? But many of you already have. Heh. That guy can't be gone soon enough.

I gave him the benefit of the doubt before he got a 3 year extension without ever having played a playoff game and then was TERRIBLE when he saw some action. Any Seinfeld fans? In addition to being a wimp, Samuelsson's also a chucker.

I've been out of town and missed the last three games, can't wait to finally see him in action.

The Samuelsson-for-pucks trade I was proposing (and got all kinds of s*** for) doesn't look so bad now, does it?

A guy of his offensive caliber is going to command more than $3m on the UFA market, methinks (and I wouldn't want him at that price anyway). Dump him, get someone who can skate and play defense.

Samuelsson = a giant gaping *****... even if he can put up respectable stats playing with Dats and Z, someone who'd rather fire a 60 foot wrister than come within 10 feet of a defenseman will never be useful in NHL playoff hockey. Hate this wimp, he's nothing but detrimental to our team.

Facewashing someone smaller than him after a whistle once every ten games doesn't make him tough. Watch how he skates, avoids the high traffic areas and shies away from contact, plays scared with the puck when the slightest pressure is applied.

He has size and some skill, but the problem is, he's a wimp. Anyone remember him in the playoffs once the games got intense? Floating up and down the boards, turning the puck over rampantly, shying away from the center of the ice, the slot, the front of the net... I don't care if he can put up decent stats in November playing with Datsyuk and Zetterberg, a guy like that will never be a useful player in the playoffs. I don't want the guy who shies away from contact and takes 50 foot wristers, I want the guy who takes a hit to make a play. Hudler is pint-sized by comparison but plays with 100x more balls.

Physical play? Samuelsson?? This is the same guy who would rather take wristers from the blue line all game every game than go near the scoring areas where a big mean defenseman might get in his way. He's a giant wimp despite his good size.

Don't worry, we're stuck with Mikael Samuelsson for a couple more years.

While I'm very glad I won't have to watch him on the point on the power play anymore, I do wish the best of luck to the guy.

Holy s***, I can't wait to see the reaction of the Vancouver fans that were so happy to be rid of this guy...

More is needed, of course, but this is a good move. to Holland for once (ya miserable bastard, haha)

Samuelsson for pucks

Why the hell would Anaheim trade us guys from their current roster? Modin is big, strong and goes to the net to score goals... that doesn't sound like the typical Holland anything to me.

There, now getting shutout by the Blues didn't cost us anything in the standings because they dealt Nashville the same, maybe people will stop complaining about it now.

I'm watching, but alas, I only got here for the 3rd.

Anaerobic means "without oxygen"... perhaps you meant aerobic?

Let me get this straight, they want Schneider for DEFENSIVE help, not offense from the blue line? Did nobody watch him when he played there? Or only in the offensive zone?