rick zombo

*L* I think Grigs will end up being an Andrei Kovalenko type player. A 20 goal scorer. Which is better than a kick in the rocks.

So will Howard back Ozzie up tonight? So Dom can rest and not have to dress.

The best way to analyse Babcock's success is to compare his performance to Scotty Bowman's tenure in Detroit. Bowman had a much better team. He lost in the first round in 94, the cup finals in 95, and the conference finals in 96, before finally winning the cup in 97. The key is, management contimued to tweak the roster until Bowman was happy. As Ryan Barnes! says, it would be a mistake to let Babcock go, even if Detroit lose in the first round to San Jose. Babcock is slowly forging a new identity for this Wings team. Keep tweaking the roster until it works. Keep Babcock.

Thursday, April 5th.

Anaheim lack depth, on paper anyway. It might be their downfall.

Of course. And mac had the hat trick in game 1

Oh yeah, he was Lidstrom's defensive partner in the 2002 playoffs. He scored the game winner in like double overtime against the Avs in game 2 of the WCF. edit: It was a long slapper from just inside the blueline that (I think) deflected of an Av and beat Roy.

One of the most misunderstood players in NHL history. The prototypically "weird" goalie. And I man-love him.

Lang - for his drop passes, turnovers, and lazy hooking penalties Sammuelson - for shooting too much and his salary Datsyuk - for not shooting enough Zetterberg - for being injured Holmstom - for being too streaky Calder - for not being here longer and for his stupid soul patch Hudler - for not being two inches taller and 20 pounds heavier Filpulla - for not being as skilled as Hudler Maltby - for slowing down Draper - for not being able to buy a goal with Bill Gates' Visa Franzen - for not being just a little faster Cleary - for sometimes being a boring hockey player Bertuzzi - for making it possible for Vancouver to get Luongo Schneider - High and Wide 24-7 Chelios - his nose Lidstrom - for his inability to clone himself Lebda - see hudler Kronwall - those cross ice passes and anemic offence Lilja - his salary among other obviousness Markov - hasn't been hitting as much lately Osgood - for letting in terrible goals Hasek - for letting me believe his leg could fall off at any time.

With the abysmal team management of Chicago and Boston, the Rangers (who haven't done much sonce 94) and The Leafs, who are, well, the Leafs, it's hard to justify picking on Montreal. Detroit Red Wings, Original Six represent!!!!!!!!!!!

during the regular season

Does anyone think maybe Datsyuk's playoff game was poised for a breakout last year until the late regular season injury? Remember, he only played four games against the Oilers.

During the regular season.

I say go Nashville. Let them play Calgary. And let Detroit take their chances on the Wild-Stars-Canucks-Sharks lottery. At least their is one or two teams in that soup that may be a nice matchup for Detroit. Rather that a sure-bet matchup with the Flames, which could end in disaster. Again, let the Preds have 1st place. For real.

But he still gets paid correct? And that contract is still outrageous. Don't get me wrong though, I think Rick is a marvelous goalie.

I remember that game. Yzerman getting the boot. He was pissed.

14 years left on that contract.......................

And now he wants a watch

Scotty eh? What else did he say?

I don't condone Maltby's spot in the line-up simply because he's been a key player in the past. All players should be evaluated on their current level of play. I would start both Maltby and Samuelson. But make it clear that it's not a free ride for either player.

Babcock must be salivating at the potential depth and hunger to win, and also seemingly griity upgrade on both offence and defence when compared to last year's playoff squad. Plus Dom.

you need "balanced" scoring in the playoffs. not the "best line in hockey". But if Babcock plans on playing Bertuzzi on Lang's line when Zetterberg returns, you wouldn't know it. He has seen very little ice time on the 2nd line so far.

exhausted subject matter. but, sit sammuelson until one of the rookies seem like they can't handle it.

Well Babcock will have maybe two whole games with a healthy line-up to figure all of this out before the playoffs start.

Games played Backstrom - 36 Hasek - 51 (edit) Brodeur - 71 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!