RockyMountainWingGal

Turns out the lady was a psychopath. Looks like he had a nice family too - very sad he ill-fatedly choose a maniac for a girlfriend. Nobody should pay with their life for a stupid mistake. Can't really say I wish for her to RIP since she murdered someone and took a father away from a bunch of kids.

Maltby's job was never to fight, it was to be a pest, and he's been a damn good one. He's great at drawing penalties (even if he is diving to do it). Note how much he frustrated Crosby - got his foot whacked after that game. Hell Crosby is an even bigger wuss than Maltby if you ask me. Anyhow, he's played his role well on the 4th line for the Wings, but sure he is past his prime and when his contract runs out he'll be done here. And right now I'd even keep Maltby over Williams. Please Kenny rescind the offer!

True. Rather keep Malts. He may be old and slow and glides around the ice for a few mins per game, but at least he helped us win 4 Cups. Sundin is old and slow and glides around the ice and helped the Leafs ____ ????

Sigh. Wasn't a Williams fan the first go around - was glad he was traded. Why bring him back? I hope he declines. Of course not that Sammy is gone, Wings fans do need someone to be the lighting rod of criticism.

If the Wings were going to sign an underachieving superstar I would have just rather kept Hossa......

I don't see this as that big of a deal unless the shoulder problem lingers long term. Should be able to fix the rotator cuff though. Mixed bag here. I certainly don't wish injury on anyone, and have nothing personal against Hossa now that he's gone (although the disappointment in his PO performance will linger for some time). However, now that he's a rival in our conference and even moreso in our division, can't say I will root for him to be too successful either....

^^ Great points. I don't see how Hudler would ever be a top 6 forward on the Wings - on other teams, yes. Maybe other people see things that I don't. I personally think 3 mill is too expensive for a small forward, likely 3rd line. Consider Franzen makes around 4 mill average per year I don't see how Jiri is worth 3, but that's just my op. I agree let the arbitration go through it's motion then let him play in Russia for a year and see what happens, if he comes back or not.

Well I was in Michigan for over a week so I did get to see some games. Other than that I did buy the Iphone MLB app for $9.99. Allows live streaming of all games with video highlights. This is better for me than the online stream pack because I don't want to sit by my computer every evening or haul a laptop around. The only bummer is the streaming burns through the battery pretty quick. Pretty cool app for any Iphone/Itouch users who are out of market though...

Actually i would like to see the NHL implement something that balances the top picks between the conferences. The East blows and gets the top pick almost every year. Why should misrun organizations like the Lightning keep benefiting from stinking? That would have meant the Avs got to pick first this year, but so be it. Some kind of rotation/lottery is in order. The NBA did that so teams wouldn't tank on purpose to get the top pick - makes sense. I hate that bad organizations benefit from stinking and teams like the Wings never get a top pick....but hey I'm a Wings fan I'm biased, I admit.

Let's hope the Hawks are stupid enough to retain Quenneville. I doubt Scotty will coach again - he's almost 80. The NHL doesn't need its own Joe Paterno.

The man who single-handedly brought boring hockey to NJ, then Minnesota. The Devils have never really been able to shake that - so it's fitting that Lemaire returns. Lemaire did OK with what he got with the Wild, but pretty excruciating to watch. Yes I hope the Wild get better - I would like to see them on top of the NW division. p.s. There should be an asterisk next to the '95 Cup because of the strike, but noone seems to remember that now. And yes, there should have still been an asterisk had the Wings won.

I like how it's time to panic in early July because some players left as we knew they would. The Wings are the same team that won the Cup in 2008 minus Sammy and Huds - two third line guys. Everyone always talked about how they couldn't wait for Sammy to leave - but now his point total will be sorely missed?? I'll toss in Drake and Hasek retiring after the 08 playoffs and it's still essentially the same team, plus a few guys who have excelled from GR (Helm, Ericcson). The main concern is the same team that's two years older with alot of wear and tear. And we should suddenly fear the Blackhawks, who have a coach that couldn't beat the Wings if we had to play the whole game 5 on 3. Personally, a little competition from the Hawks will make the regular season a bit more interesting... I suspect the OP will be wearing a Hawks jersey come next April....good for him.

Yes exactly. why can't people see his time was done here and he got a good offer to go somewhere else and it's not the Hawks ;/ . Good luck to Jiri move on .. dot org. Wings will be fine - no need to 2nd guess Jiri or the Wings. Savor the happy Huds memories.

Agree with most of this. I was ambivalent about him coming back. I believe Jiri doesn't want to play for another NHL team and he knows he won't get paid much more here. I'm happy for him that he'll make some cash in Russia. Huds didn't make or break this Wings team. Wings always come up good replacements.

Welcome to the world of the Rangers. Seriously if there ever is a player that is past his prime, has issues, would be star in need of a home, they always wind up as NY Ranger. Bad signing methinks. Poor Rangers fans, Hossa would have been better for this money...

Disappearing act in the SCF/biggest series of your life - Hossa

The Hawks are an odd organization. First off they are copying our contract offers to Franzen and Zetterberg. I guess we are the leaders and others will follow.... Second they take two of our FAs, and two the Wings seemed only half-heartedly interested in (never felt like Holland was going all out for Hossa and I'm fine with that). Kind of cracks me up how some people suddenly think they are Cup contenders. ESPN even listed Kopecky as "Stanley Cup" winning and experienced. He missed almost all the POs last year, eh? Suddenly they are going to get "leadership" from Hossa. Huh? I don't think he's a bad guy, but he's bounced around so much I don't see him as a leader. Anyhow, as long as the Hawks have Quenneville coaching them, have no fear, they cannot beat the Wings. Unfortunately, he's bound to get canned sooner or later. This will make the Central interesting at least....

Agree on most. I'm glad I'm going on vacation so I can avoid the LGW meltdown. lol Not sure I'd go so far as to say good riddance to Hossa, but I never got the feeling all season the Wings would resign him. Then I thought there was a chance depending on the PO outcome, but that soured. Really weird how Hossa and Kopecky are following each other around - kind of like the Sedin twins but odder because they are not brothers. 3 players lost? I think not. Hossa = one year rental. Already made two very long term deals this year. Didn't exactly help us win the Cup. Kopecky = no loss at all. Would rather see the other youngsters from GR get a spot. Conklin = career backup. Limited PO experience. Did OK for the Wings last season, but time to test the GR guys. Not sure what people are expecting here. The Hawks are suddenly Cup favs because they signed Hossa and a 4th line guy? Ask Pens or Wings fans if that is a curse or a blessing.

I keep trying to point this out, but for some reason alot of posters on here think Huds is actually worth 3 million. Red glasses i tell ya. Nice third line player, been fun to watch, but my guess is he goes to arbitration. I'd be shocked (and pissed) at 3 mill.

If Hossa walks, the Wings may be able to literally afford 3 million on Hudler, but they definitely shouldn't. You cannot offer a guy like Hossa 4 mill, and if that falls through pay a guy like Hudler 3 million. At least that makes no sense to me. Best case is someone makes a good offer and we get the picks.

I'm thinking Bettman stuffed the ballot. lol Is this regular season? And just last year? Z didn't have a great regular season but he is far better than many of the guys ahead of him. Understatement. AO is better than Crosby today. See NHL awards. Right now today given the choice, I'd take Malkin over Sid. I like Iginla but he is too high. etc etc etc.

Yes other teams would want them but I certainly wouldn't want the Wings to part with them. Two of our best PO performers this year. Obviously it's easier to let guys like Sammy and Huds go since they are UFA,RFAs. If Hossa does somehow end up resigning it should not be at the expense of one of our core young players. Holland won't let those guys go....

^^This. The guy was extremely solid until game 7 of the SCF. Several analysts commented along the way how great Stu was playing. Unfortunate that he had some gaffs in Game 7, but with our offense a complete no-show would not have made a difference..... Really annoying how some people just pick a scape goat out of a hat.....

Hossa had a little more motivation to play harder than those guys you mentioned. Plus he was get paid over 7 mill to score more than those guys. Comparing Hossa to 4th line guys like Draper and Malts is ridiculous. Even Homer and Huds. I won't think any worse of him if he walks. His decision. If there were no cap, or it was higher we wouldn't even be discussing this. But alas, we are and I'll be surprised if he takes this big of a paycut to stay in Dtown. None of us would do it at our jobs....

Should have retired and gone out on top like Drake did last year. BUT an extra 2 mill in the bank talks.... I thought he was pretty much a non-factor in the finals anyways...