chaps80

Dude pulled a real dick move for sure. Holland didn't HAVE to move his contract either though. It's both their faults everything complained about in the article happened. Oh well, rebuild is on at least.

Mrazek def got his s*** together once Blash just let him play and work things out for himself. Too bad Coreau had to fall on his face for it to happen. It didn't need to come to that, but it did. Blash is an idiot.

He knows they need losses. Lol

Truth. Gotta be one of the s***tiest D corps I've ever seen play. Once an opposing player gets by the Wings forwards he's pretty much getting right to the net. "These guys are a ******* disgrace!!"

Nah I wouldn't. Couldn't care less, especially if it isn't Team Canada. Didn't bring up the World Cup did I? Not that it's the same, but ya. And I remember because I'm a Wings fan and Howard plays for them, not because it was the Olympics. I complain more often than usual because it's been a s***ty season (one that I know had to happen and was prepared for to happen, but still s***ty nonetheless), and I'm tired of the big money contracts that arent being earned by the vets that need purging so youth can fully take over, and Howard is one of them. I also complain a lot about Kronwall and Ericsson too.

The Flyers two back to back Cups in '74-'75 were won largely by grit and toughness, and intimidation and fighting prowess by Dave "The Hammer " (348 and 472 PIM in each season) and the boys, and of course some of the best goaltending ever seen by Bernie Parent. Even their most skilled guy, Bobby Clarke, was a tough gritty leader and probably the leagues dirtiest player. That team was purposely built by management to win that way. It would never work nowadays because the game has become so PC and all about skill and goal scoring and ass kissing the latest phenom to enter the league. The whole team would be suspended after two games.

Sure it's an honor to be part of an Olympic team, but wearing a suit or street clothes instead of equipment for anything except practices makes you pretty forgettable. Then again, that whole team became pretty forgettable after being shutout by Finland 4-0 in the bronze medal game. Lol Pretty much.

I agree Howard WAS a decent goalie a few years ago. I was a fan of his, even have his jersey. But the guy has been a mess for quite awhile now. Only reason he is still on the team is Holland couldn't trade him. Wonder why? You mention the 2013 playoffs. That was the year he blew a series after being up 3-1, no? 2014 he was benched for Monster in the playoffs, 2015 sat on the bench, 2016 lasted two games then benched for Mrazek. All Star Game? Third stringer on the US Olympic team? Did he even dress for a game? Those are his big career achievements, along with a couple first round playoff series wins? Amazing stuff. Howard just needs to go out to pasture and make way for the future in Detroit. He tried. Good effort. If only he had trade value instead of a bum knee...

Oh there were many times over the last few years that it was his fault. Like in the playoffs. But I forgot that he's redeemed himself around here with his stats in 15 games in between two injuries and beating himself up in the AHL on a "conditioning stint" that lasted two months.

HAHAHAHA

It's always Mrazek's fault they lose huh?

But but he's FAST!!

May as well. He shoulda went top corner instead.

Are the Wings winning? STOP IT!!

Oh. Thought he actually scored a goal there for a second.

They have more shots cause our D blows. Losing is good now. I want the highest pick possible. They're out of the playoffs, sold at the deadline. A high pick is all they have left to shoot for.

Eichel is alright. When I hear his name I think of how Buffalo deliberately and publicly tanked hard for McDavid, icing the worst lineup possible, trading their decent goalies for horrible ones, how their fans wore McDavids name on the back of their jerseys in electrical tape. And then how they lost the draft lottery to Edmonton, who claimed their fourth first overall pick in like five seasons. Hahaha that's karma.

Ben Bishop.

Yeah I was thinking he could come back as well. Would be cool. (Most of) One season wasn't enough. He and AA played great together..like to see a lot more of that. I just noticed in that article where the writer said Vanek might fetch a 1st, and he should get the Wings at least a 2nd, if not multiple picks. Seems like quite a few thought he'd fetch a much better return than than did.

Damn. Great way to say thanks to a GM who gave you a shot to turn your career around fresh from a performance based buyout on a pretty big contract. Those statements had to affect his trade value, possibly even more so than his past playoff performances. If Florida thought they had a shot at getting him on something like a 2-3 year deal at $4-5 million per, then he may have fetched a 2nd rounder or something instead of the 3rd and the throw in player.

Oh, I didn't see anything from Vanek saying he intends to test the market. Return makes more sense now. Too bad he didn't stay quiet about it till after the trade. Lol

True, and the Hawks did overpay for a guy who's shown nothing at the NHL level. What if he gets offer sheeted by Holland? Haha we all know he loves bringing back players he traded or lost. Vanek doesn't have to be a rental. I'm sure he'd stay in Florida for the right price since I doesn't look like teams are kicking in his door to try to sign him.

Hahaha

I'm not blaming him. I guess "fleeced" was the wrong term. He took what he could get, and no one can fault him if that was the best offer. Still disappointing. But, he did get a lot for Smith and Jurco, and a 6th for Ott, which were excellent moves. Maybe I got my expectations too high after those deals and all the talk of a possible first rounder. I wonder if Vanek and Holland ever discussed an extension? I know he liked it in Detroit, but probably wanted too long a deal for too much money. Too bad. At his age he'd be looking for one more nice payday, and there's enough s***ty long term contracts on the books as it is. If someone throws $5 million per season at him (which I don't doubt), he'll actually be making over $10 million per season. I know it's not a good thing career wise to have your contract bought out due to lack of performance, but it must be nice to know you have millions rolling in for doing nothing. If I were him, i'd just retire after this season and kick it. Haha But I guess it's hard to turn down more easy money.

Definitely. Especially the ease with how he scored goals in the shootout. Skates in and looks for the slightest opening and whips it right in. Goalie has no time to even react. Have to go back to Hossa for the last time I saw shots like that from a Wings player. Many thought he'd be the steal of the 2016 UFA market, and he was. Can't complain for $2.6 million. Too bad it wasn't a two year deal.