LeftWinger

we have TWO early 2nds. It would've been nice to have three 1sts to go with them!

Fedorov is THE ABSOLUTE HANDS DOWN BEST RUSSIAN to EVER play in the NHL. Don't tell me Ovechkin, Malkin, blah blah, those two could tell you what the defensive side of the puck looked like even if their first name was Defense. Could you imagine Fedorov's numbers playing in the age these guys play in? He and Bure were #1 and #2 when it comes to Russians in the NHL. ALL these numbers should be retired! ALL OF THEM! I agree though, #40 should be the last of the 4 to go up!

The 09 Penguins do not beat the 00 or 03 Devils. I would have loved to see Crosby play his career against Scott Stevens. You may call me a homer, or whiner, but the 09 Penguins don't beat the 09 Wings in another 7 game series, nor do they beat them the first time if Malkin's suspension would've (and should've) happened.

I'm just going to drop this little tidbit here...

It is SO encouraging to see the kids taking this team over! Add Dahlin (or any of the top 10 this season) PLUS three more late round 1st picks, and we'll be on our way! PLUS be an attractive team for JT! SUPER HYPE! (visually as well!)

Sad thing for Jimmy is, he has NO NTC for next year. He could end up in the dessert. Let's start looking at which team(s) need a goalie. I am not so sure goalies are guaranteed to have more value at the TDL, unless a team gets the injury bug, but if a nice offer comes up over the summer, take it! Buffalo and the Isles are in need for a better starter than what they have. Arizona as well...

Nah still 6th. We have Columbus who will probably beat us, Montreal will try to tank it, but we'll out-tank them and then the Isles. Ironic, Tavares will play his last game as an Islander in the building he will call home come July 1.

It's no coincidence that as the closer we got, then eventually missing the playoffs, the more talented our 1st round draft picks got. The next two years drafting is going to define this team for the following 20. Sure there is always that sleeper pick that surprises everyone (this year it's Liam Kirk (hopefully one of our 6th(s) or 7th round pick)) but more so than not, you NEED a few top 10 picks to properly start a rebuild along with some shrewd drafting in the teens to 20ish.

Sportsnet March Rankings 1. Rasmus Dahlin, D, 6-foot-2, 181 pounds (Frolunda, SHL): Erik Karlsson, Victor Hedman and now Dahlin. Are you ready for the next franchise-changing defenceman from Sweden? 2. Filip Zadina, RW, 6-foot-1, 196 pounds (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL): The Mooseheads’ import factory strikes again and sends a high-end sniper to the top of the NHL draft. 3. Andrei Svechnikov, RW, 6-foot-2, 186 pounds (Barrie Colts, OHL): Led all scorers at the Five Nations tournament and has put up points at a torrid pace with the Barrie Colts since the world juniors (38 in 22 games). 4. Brady Tkachuk, LW, 6-foot-3, 196 pounds (Boston University, NCAA): Better than older brother Matthew? 5. Adam Boqvist, D, 5-foot-11, 170 pounds (Almtuna IS, Allsvenskan): A fantastic skater and playmaker who isn’t afraid to shoot. If you don’t end up with Dahlin, getting Boqvist is more than just a consolation prize. 6. Noah Dobson, D, 6-foot-3, 180 pounds (Acadie-Bathurst Titan, QMJHL): The secret is out, this righthand shot blueliner is legit. 7. Oliver Wahlstrom, RW, 6-foot-1, 205 pounds (USNTDP): Eight points at the Five Nations (tied with tourney leader Svechnikov) and a solid spot on the U.S U18 top line, Wahlstrom continues to produce big in his draft year. 8. Evan Bouchard, D, 6-foot-2, 193 pounds (London Knights, OHL): Despite his Knights trading away most of their vets, Bouchard has continued to excel in all areas. February’s defenceman of the month in the OHL is also a natural leader. 9. Quinn Hughes, D, 5-foot-10, 174 pounds (U of Michigan, NCAA): One of the most creative players in the draft. An outstanding skater who can create even in the most challenging situations. 10. Isac Lundestrom, C, 6-foot, 185 pounds (Lulea, SHL): As one scout told me “he’s the Swedish Patrice Bergeron.” A lofty compliment, but the comparisons are there. 11. Barrett Hayton, C, 6-foot-1, 191 pounds (Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds, OHL): Extremely focussed and hard-working, Hayton is the “all-in” guy every team loves to have. Nursing a small injury and the ‘Hounds are being careful with him. 12. Joel Farabee, LW, 6-feet, 164 pounds (USNTDP): Hard-working, skilled playmaker who is magical with the puck on his stick. 13. Bode Wilde, D, 6-foot-3, 195 pounds (USNTDP): Offensive defenceman who plays physical. Leads all USNTDP blueliners with 32 points. Hard wrist and slap shot from the point. 14. Joe Veleno, C, 6-foot-1, 195 pounds (Drummondville Voltigeurs, QMJHL): Has excelled since the trade from Saint John to Drummondville where he’s being coached by the excellent Dominique Ducharme. 15. Grigori Denisenko, LW, 5-foot-11, 176 pounds (Yaroslavl Jr.): Great passer who also boasts a good shot. Played on the top line with Andrei Svechnikov and Alexander Khovanov for Russia at the Five Nations tourney. 16. Ty Smith, D, 5-foot-11, 176 pounds (Spokane Chiefs, WHL): Speed and smarts, those are the calling cards of the first overall pick in the 2015 WHL draft. 17. Rasmus Kupari, C, 6-foot-1, 183 pounds (Hermes, Mestis Finland): Not the biggest guy on the ice by any stretch, but can create and finish. And does it all with great bursts of speed. 18. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, C, 6-foot-2, 190 pounds (Assat, Finnish Liiga): Physically he has everything you want – skill, speed, size and he keeps improving. 19. Jet Woo, D, 5-foot-11, 205 pounds (Moose Jaw Warriors, WHL): Has more than a bit of ‘old school’ in his game and isn’t afraid to throw the body around. 20. Rasmus Sandin, D, 5-foot-11, 190 pounds (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL): Even with the Conor Timmins (COL) injury the ‘Hounds have not skipped a beat on the blue line mainly due to Sandin’s work. Plays tough minutes in all situations. 21. Jared McIsaac, D, 6-foot-1, 195 pounds (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL): Good skater with offensive instincts and has just enough bite in his game to keep players honest. 22. Serron Noel, RW, 6-foot-5, 201 pounds (Oshawa Generals, OHL): Skilled yet raw power forward who keeps getting better and better. 23. Ryan McLeod, C, 6-foot-2, 200 pounds (Mississauga Steelheads, OHL): A slippery and skilled centre, McLeod has high-end vision. As one OHL GM told me “where his brother Michael (NJ) smashes down the front door to score, Ryan sneaks in through the side.” 24. Alexander Khovanov, C, 5-foot-11, 179 pounds (Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL): Great puck distributor with excellent vision. 25. Jacob Olofsson, C, 6-foot-1, 192 pounds (Timra, Allsvenskan): A reliable two-way centre who almost made the Swedish WJC team. Plays a lot with Canucks prospect Jonathan Dahlen. 26. Ryan Merkley, D, 5-foot-11, 170 pounds (Guelph Storm, OHL): Has top 5 skill without a doubt and can complete plays other blueliners only dream about, but other areas of his game have scouts concerned. 27. Benoit Olivier-Groulx, C, 6-foot-1, 192 pounds (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL): No surprise he’s a coach’s dream as a player since his father Benoit is one of the best CHL bench bosses of this generation. 28. Dominik Bokk, LW, 6-foot-1, 180 pounds (Vaxjo, SHL): Another great hockey story for Germany in 2018. 29. Akil Thomas, C, 5-foot-11, 170 pounds (Niagara IceDogs, OHL): Huge ceiling here that Thomas is only now starting to scratch. 30. K’Andre Miller, D, 6-foot-3, 206 pounds (USNTDP): Was outstanding and probably the top U.S defenceman at the U18 Five Nations. Great skating blueliner who isn’t shy about joining the rush. 31. Mattias Samuelsson, D, 6-foot-4, 217 pounds (USNTDP): Big, strong, and safe defenceman. Son of former NHLer Kjell Samuelsson. With this updated list, if we DON'T get #1, but still top 5, I don't think it matters Zadina, Svech, Tkachuk, Dobson, Boqvist, I think this is about a legit top 10 draft we've had in a long time! I think we'd be golden with any of them if we fall down the list! Then with VEG's pick (if its in the late 20's) I go with K'Andre Miller. If it's more near lates teens, I go with Serron Noel. We'll also have top HIGH 2nds that we could snag some actual late 1st round talent! Only Ken Holland could screw this up, lets hope he doesn't!

I was a Mrazek over Howard guy the entire time, in the end, I didn't care which one got traded (preferred Howard) just whichever one brought us the best return. I admit, I was deeply disappointed and WRONG about Mrazek being our future All-Star, Stanley Cup Goalie. Once you get past the Denial, Anger and acceptance of being wrong, you can admit it! Plus, that gives you a bit of gloat time when you are right about a thing or two! The last step is moving forward! After Jimmy is gone, who do we moved forward with? Perhaps this is best discussed in the other thread!

In all the years of Friday The 13th Movies, I did not know the mask was taken from a Detroit Red Wings mask...anyone have any clue as to who wore the inspirational mask?

Buffalo needs a goalie. OOOOOOh Kenny! Ring Ring...

We won 6-3. I guess buffalo is better at tanking than us.

There is a game tonight. Detroit at Buffalo right now Buffalo is winning 2 to 1. I did not see a game day thread. Is it wrong to root for Buffalo tonight?

...and he signs with LA. We lose out again.

If we got dahlin, JT, then Coach Q and Yzerman? Wow!

Dahlin this year, Hughes next. The stars are aligning!

another good Ralphie reaction would be after he waited for the decoder ring! "Son of a *****!"

fixed! it is just referring to the first 10 years of the 2000's.

It's Official: https://www.nhl.com/news/2001-02-red-wings-were-the-best-team-of-the-decade/c-510720 It's wonderful that the NHL gives us 2 of the top 5 PLUS the honorable mention as the best team that didn't win the Cup.

I don't know how to react to this. Is the teams problem more so Holland or Blashill? Blashill having the one more season on his contract, kind of makes sense, especially if Holland comes back. Maybe Holland gets this off season and next TDL out of the way, then moves up, and then Blashill does not get re-upped when new GM (BTW If Holland comes back for a season, then BOTH he and Yzerman's contracts WILL be up at the same time) is hired.

I won't get too excited about this. But if indeed it's down to us, Rags and Wild, we'd be the place to go for the most minutes.

Some word going around that Karlsson will be an 8 year sign and trade. So if he is extended and traded over the summer, some team will get him for NINE years. I am sure the return will be HEFTY and is NOT something I would be interested in doing.

Will there be certain things he would want to make a team more attractive, like as mentioned, 1st line Center, does he require being Captain, will he need to have the #91?