rick zombo

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="GMRwings1983" data-cid="2338012" data-time="1357513168"><p> What about Vancouver?<br /> <br /> They're a great regular season team and have won the last two Presidents trophies. </p></blockquote> Yup. Also I think Schneider was one of the few goalies that played through the lockout.

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="rrasco" data-cid="2337928" data-time="1357499355"><p> <br /> Carlo is injured from the Spengler Cup. Will miss 2-3 weeks as of now.</p></blockquote> Ugh. Really? Is that what we have to look forward to? Captain Injury.

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="irishock" data-cid="2337686" data-time="1357372338"><p> Red Wings players head to Phoenix to practice and prepare for potential season<br /> <br /> <a href='http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130105/SPORTS0103/301050326/1128/rss16'>http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130105/SPORTS0103/301050326/1128/rss16</a><br /> <br /> <br /> So Pavel is in Russia, Filppula is back, Zetteberg and Brunner in Swiss, now Kronwall, Howard, and Cleary are starting to practice... Hmm, which important Wings player is missing?</p></blockquote> Organized practice and European/KHL leagues aren't "fun" enough. That's my only guess

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="stevkrause" data-cid="2337527" data-time="1357262563"><p> Some of these suggestions are clear indications that a LOT of posters here live in make believe world... No team eats a MASSIVE amount of money, JUST to get under the cap, wastes their buyout on a guy who has an expiring contact before the cap goes down, or a guy that has a modest contract... the only obvious ones are Gomez, Thomas or DiPietro (if he were on a normal team, but it's the NYI, so they'll probably give him a bonus)<br /> <br /> Honorable mention to Leino, Redden, Jagr...</p></blockquote> How does a team with 68M on the books get down to 60M without buying out one massive contract or two modest ones. Not trying to be argumentative, just wondering what your thoughts are on this.

Can someone please explain how these buyouts would work on a timeline basis? Say a deal was signed in 8 days. Does this mean: - buyouts happen right away? - no bought out players can be picked up by a new team until that team has reached cap compliance (ie- bought out their 2 players)? - when do these transactions happen? Basically, last time the new CBA allowed buyouts in 06, teams had plenty of time to do this, and sign new players. This time, it would be approx. one week between the signing of a new CBA, and puck drop.

LOL

Parity is awesome. But not watered-down parity. Get rid of 6-8 teams, spread the talented players out amongst the remaining 22-24 teams and keep the parity, while increasing the quality of hockey and promoting more rivalries.

He's has his moments, but Don Cherry is mostly a pig-headed idiot. Signed: A very very proud Canadian and huge hockey fan.

Harsh. I think you're trying to stir the pot. But I'll bite because my counter is in line with this thread's topic. Howard is above average. Maybe even great at some point. But he's not elite. And he was never an elite prospect. Neither are Smith and Nyquist, or any players below them on the prospect depth chart. But then again, who's to say how any of these guys will turn out. Was Yzerman the last Wings superstar that was "supposed" to be a superstar, according to draft rank?

Yup. And then there's Jarnkrok. I'll stick my neck out and guarantee that he's at least a 2nd line centre in 2-3 years.

And Howard was something like 0-5 in his first bunch of call-up games with the Wings. Listen, I'm not saying we're ever going to see McCollum establish himself as an NHL regular, but he's playing really well in GR right now (check out the 31 save 2-1 shoot out win on the weekend) and I'm not ready to throw him under the zamboni just yet. Also, since we're talking about prospects, it's worth pointing out that Ferraro (finally healthy) is 4th in GR scoring, only 5 points back of Nyquist. He kills penalties like a mad-man too. He and Andersson have Red Wings written all over them. Super cheap future 3rd liners. I think the problem with Detroit's prospects is that there are very very few elite players knocking on the door. This maybe the source of most of the LGW cynicism.

Not sure if you're serious? I actually haven't given up on McCollum yet.

Hudler's replacement? Me? Snoopy? John C. Reilly? Lincoln's Remains? Doesn't matter. May as well be talking about who gets the penthouse suite on the Titanic. Enough. Give me some godddammmhockeydammit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hear everyone's wife wants to live in St. Paul.

They both sucked this past weekend.

This would kill at least 6 teams and, ultimately, be the end of Bettman. Sign me up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There's been debate in this forum not that long ago about how much better the Wild's prospect are than Detroit's. I think that's Dirty's point maybe. But the fact that Detroit have two players on the team speak volumes about the organizations ability to make the most out of weak drafting positions. How many Islanders and Blue Jackets or Oilers prospects made the team? Agreed. I doubt he'll play much. But if he was picked to be groomed for next year's team then that is something to be excited about.

You'd have to think with the way Z and Brunner have been playing that Babcock will at least give that pair a shot, assuming there's a shortened season. Samuelson - Datsyuk - Franzen Filpulla - Z - Brunner Nyquist - Helm - Cleary Bertuzzi - Abby - Tootoo But, of course, Brunner and Nyquist will be on a short leash, and with potential injuries, Miller, Emmerton, and Mursak (and Andersson and Tatar) will all be lined up to take a roster space. Plus, with a condensed schedule, I can see Babcock subbing lots of guys, to keep the legs fresh and the compete level high.

Jake Patterson made the cut and will attend as one of three goalies. Ryan Sproul was one of the final cuts this evening on a very deep defense and he could have just as easily made it, so good for him. Which makes Oullett's inclusion as a lock in the top four quite impressive. Exciting. 2011 was a good drafting year for the Wings, picking up both Oullett and Sproul in the second round.

+ his Jr stats were pretty sick in 05/06 I believe. Not as sick as Lemieux, LaFleur, or LaFontaine though. But pretty sick.

Don't look now, but the much maligned McCollum is starting to play some consistent hockey too. He got the win tonight (4-2) after posting a shutout on Friday. 6-3-1 2.47GAA .909 SV% Just pointing this out. Nice to have two steady guys in GR.

Justin Schultz. Currently leading the ahl in scoring for a rookie D-man. Pretty impressive.

Not military no. "Posted" was probably a poor way for me to put that. But yeah, we have the Prince Edward Island Rocket - part of the Q. Soon to become the PEI Islanders

Sweet. Keep us posted. I'm assuming you live in Halifax? I'm currently posted up in Charlottetown.

He did it in 2005. Odds were in Anaheim’s favour.