LeftWinger

Honestly, with Ott being a pending UFA, it may not cost a player at all, but I can see maybe Andersson at most when it comes to your suggestions. Pukkinen is way to good compared to Ott when it comes to his potential and Almqvist is also a top prospect and would garner a better return that just Ott. That being said, I would love Ott on this team for the playoff run and even re-signing him...

I've watched every game that Russia, Canada, Sweden and USA has played...Canada struggled against Norway early and late in that game and was nowhere near what was to expected of Team Canada v. Team Norway... but thanks for trying to discredit... Let me re-state the fan position. Canadian fans aren't the worst, but was just saying that during the Olympics they are worse than Av's fans... I am sure the same can be said of the USA fans on the opposite side of the coin too! manx...so what you are saying is I have no idea what kind of team Canada is because when a Canadian puts the sweater on they have more pride that a USA player? Please, instead of telling me I have no idea, enlighten me so I do have an idea what kind of player a Canadian player is compared to an American player...because other than where they were born, I don't see much of a difference between a team full of American's NHL players and a team full of Canadian NHL players... They are all part of the top 5% of hockey players in the world, so please enlighten us American's on what the difference is...

I have no idea what kind of team Canada is? It's the same kind of team as the USA is, a bunch of All Star NHL players...putting a Canadian sweater on Ryan Getzlaf doesn't make him any different of a player when he has a Ducks sweater on. Same can be said for Cam Fowler fort the USA. You gave up two goals all tourney thus far, true, but you barely beat Norway and Finland. We gave up 2 goals to Russia, arguably the 3rd best team in the Olympics. You gave up 2 goals total to Finland and Norway (snicker) all while scoring 11, 6 of which came against Austria (snicker snicker.) We only gave up 4 total and scored, ready? 15 all against NHL laden teams with NHL goaltenders... This is all meaningless, but it was one of your fellow Canadian fans who first posted that the reason Canada has struggled is that they have played higher ranked teams...which its obvious that that excuse has been blown out of the water. Team USA and Team Canada are basically the same team. So to say I don't know what kind of team Canada is, is just wrong on all aspects. Team USA just seems to be gelling better and that could be the factor that makes the difference this year.

Son of a Wing: I can see your point a bit, but something tells me that if the roles were reversed and Canada scored all those goals and played NHL talent teams as good as the USA did, then the USA struggled with offense and barely beat a Finnish team AND a Norwegian team. I think Canadian fans would be stating post after post how dominate the Canadian offense was so far in the tourney... Also, just how funny would you find it if the USA barely beat Norway? Fact is, Canada was given an easy ride so far and they made it bumpy. Bring on Friday is what I have to say. If USA is lucky enough to not get upset and make it there that is. It seems you guys are already waiting for us there, even though you haven't played the quarter final game yet...do you want the IIHF to just cancel it because it's pointless to play anyway? It's post like yours that makes me laugh with glee when Canada loses. No team is entitled to the Gold, not USA, not Russia and in no reality or alternate reality especially not Canada. If USA and Canada meet on Friday, your guys better play better than they did the first three games, or it won't even be a game...that is all we are saying. To put it simply, so far, the USA has played better than expected and Canada has played worse. Simple. Unless you are saying Canada just coasted through the prelims and now the real s*** comes becomes now it means something...bring it. Here is a guarantee, if USA beats Canada, the tears and excuses will fall for the next four years, if Canada beats USA the sense of entitlement will grow more than Bill Gates' bank account... I think back in the 90's a question was asked is there any fans worse than Av's fans....yep.

Cheers to that! But, in no possible scenario would I ever wish Canada a win...I compare that to routing against Colorado back in the day to lose every chance they get...especially if it were an upset! (that being said, I am sure there are plenty of Canadian fans who feel the same about the USA) Nothing wrong with either fan, that is just country pride! BTW, I find it very hard to root for the players on team USA because of who they are and what they mean to me in the NHL, but I so feel the need to root for the USA. That also being said, if you go back and look, I did pick Russia to beat the USA in the Gold Round.

I realize it sounded like I just compared him to Feds and Nash.... shame on me if I made it sound that way. I was just stating the situation was the same and compared it. If Boston wants him and if Anaheim wants him, it should cost Boston more because of the division aspect...

marcaractac - I don't think that anyone is saying that Canada has no chance against the USA, but to say Canada has played better teams in the prelims is in fact crap. No way Finland is better than Russia, Austria better than Slovenia or Norway better than Slovakia... The USA most definitely had the harder schedule and performed much better than Canada did against their opponents... that being said, Slovenia beating Slovakia and Canada struggling against Finland proves that anything can happen. Canada absolutely has a chance against USA, but what is being said is that you better sharpen up your game because the USA are **** and ass better than anyone you have face yet and it isn't going to be easy beating them...if I were you I would worry about getting past the Swiss and their lights out defense ad goaltending before you just assume you are playing the USA. That is if Swiss advances, if Latvia pulls an upset, then you should have a cakewalk right to the semi's where hopefully the USA will join you, but as good as we are, we aren't looking past our next round. Czechs' are great and the Slovaks will be looking to avenge the earlier 7-1 route... That being said, the Czech-Slovak game should be great! Talk about playing for country bragging rights! everyone hates a winner...only when that winner thinks they have entitlement and everyone else is not worthy of even playing the sport in the same rink as they... Finland was a wake up call, get your act together or you will not be leaving Sochi with as much as a Bronze... then the tears and excuses will flow!

is Flashy saying that American's were cheering for a Canada regulation win so we don't have to meet them in a medal round? Please.... I was rooting for a outright Canadian lose. I don't want the Canadians to win anything ever. I could care less if we have to play them or not, because nothing is better than watching the Canadian teams lose. I have already explained that the ONLY thing that scares me about the Canadians is their D. Their O is incohesive and their goalies are nowhere near as good as Quick/Miller... As it stands, if all "top" teams advance, it will be USA v. Canada to see who goes to Gold round or Bronze round. Nothing is guaranteed and the USA could possibly lose to a very talented CZE or a SLV team set on revenge. Canada is going to have fits with the Swiss if they aren't somehow upset by Latvia. But Flashy, to say the US is trying to avoid Canada is crap. I would love to eliminate them in whichever round we get to play them in, but like stated above, I want to see Canada lose all the time, against whoever, because it is great to see the crying that comes after and the whining... I hope to see them in the semi's, but they better get their O together because compared to the rest of their preliminary games, the USA is Omnipotent.... (not to be confused with omnipotent-hudler) and that, my friend Flashy, is the Juck ******* Pott...

I think he is saying that because those "other" teams rankings are such because of the "other" teams they played allowed them to have higher rankings. Those are actually "seeds" not rankings anyway. Lets break it down this way instead of using watered down seeding: Canada played Norway (3-1 win) Austria (6-0 win) and Finland (2-1 OT win.) Looking at those 3 team the only challenge should have been Finland, if you consider the amount of NHL talent on each of those team. As we can see, they almost lost to Finland and the only "non-challenge" was Austria. USA played Slovakia (7-1 win) Russia (3-2 win SO) and Slovenia (5-1 win.) Looking at those 3 teams, the only Non-Challenge should have been Slovenia (NHL talent-wise) yet they rolled through Slovakia pretty good, almost lost to a great Russian team and rolled through a Slovenian team that played out of their element considering the lack NHL talent on it. They upset the Slovakians who were well represented by the NHL. That all being said, USA had the tougher division NHL-talent-wise and outside of Russia (who should have given them fits anyway) pretty much rolled through the NHL talent. Canada had the easiest division of any of the top 4 teams (RUS, USA, SWE, CAN) and only rolled through 1 non-NHL talent team. They held their breaths against Norway and struggled mightily against Finland. Canada's defense scares me, but other than that, they don't pose a threat to the USA. Not that they have a team of non-talented players, on the contrary, but it's like the are having issues gelling at the moment. If they can get that problem taken care of, then they will be scary. Goalies are no contest, USA has, above and beyond, the better goalies. (as long as they don't have to play Howard.) So, to sum up the "rankings are crap" statement, considering the amount of non-nhl talent in Canada's division, they should have been 3-0 and outscored the other by 4 and 5 goals. USA had the hardest division and other than Russia (who we all expected to be a great team) pretty much had no problem winning and by large margins. Also, since there are only 12 teams in the tourney, I would say that could be another reason why he said those rankings are crap. I'd like to know which #2 ranked team Canada played though? Finland? No way were the ranked #2 out of the 12 teams...I give Finland a #5 and the other two #11 and #12. I give Russia at least #3 (at the start of the Tourney) and Slovakia is top 10 with Slovenia between #9/#10. Top four teams are by far: USA, CAN, RUS, SWE followed by FIN, SLV, CZE, SUI rounded out with SLO, NOR, LAT, AUS...SUI is actually has played better than a #7/#8 team and could cause some problems if they advance to play Canada on Wed. Hiller has a 0.00 GAA right now. They only allowed 1 goal by the top ranked Swede's. Their problem is scoring though. So Canada has played a #5, #11 and #12 ranked team, while USA has played a #3, #6 and #9...

I don't "know" that they are, I am just going by what pops up on here once in a while. Somewhere, someone said that it is rumored that they are interested. I am just going on that. If they aren't or if they do not want to overpay, then the Wings are no worse off... my point was, if Boston indeed wants him, why settle for underpayment? Tell them the asking price (Morrow or McQuaid or whomever) and if they do not want to pay it, oh well, their lose. after-all they are the ones asking for him, we aren't asking them to take him....if, of course, they are asking about him...

I agree on Franzen. I am one of, if not THE biggest Franzen haters here, but if his on ice problems are because of his head issues, and he takes the rest of the season off and over the summer becomes 100% again? I am all for seeing what a 100% healthy Franzen can do again. If he cannot come back 100% and we miss the buyout period, then he needs to retire. BTW, there is NO WAY you buy out Zetterberg. If he gets surgery or just stays off the ice until next season to get healthy again, you give him every chance to do so. If he cannot do it, then let him retire. No way you buy him out and risk him becoming healthy again only to sign in Pittsburgh or Boston or Tampa...

DickieDunn - That is my asking price for Quincey, especially an inter-divisional trade. Remember when Columbus wanted to rape Holland for Fedorov and again for Nash? Then accept way less from other teams outside their divisions? Well this is the same scenario...Holland doesn't HAVE to trade Quincey, Boston apparently WANTS him. Well if you want him, this is the price you will have to pay. If you "laugh" and think that is too expensive, then you don't get Quincey for your playoff run. This is one of the rare situations where Holland actually has the upper hand. Boston wants Quincey for their playoff run, they must pay. The only thing is I am not sure Holland has the brass balls enough to demand a higher price for Q. He may just accept a 4th round pick just because. But screw helping out an interdivisional rival if you aren't going to get well compensated for it... Quincey for Morrow or no trade...do I think Q is worth Morrow? Maybe. I am not a Q fan, but Morrow has yet to crack the NHL. He is a 1st round pick and a very good prospect. But he is already on his third team since he has been drafted and has yet to solidify himself as a top shelf enough prospect to not be one of those "unavailable" assets. For Pete's sake, Pitt traded him to Dallas for Brendan Morrow. If he is worth Brendan Morrow, he damn sure could be worth Quincey...especially if Boston is really serious about wanting Quincey.

Do we know if Hank is out for the season? If so, opens up a lot of Cap room for Weiss to come back and to acquire someone with a larger contract...whether it be a rental type player or even a signed player. Having Z's $6m+ cap hit available can help us out tremendously....of course I'd rather just have Z back, but for the better of his long term contract, if he has to have surgery, that is the smartest thing to do...

Slovenia, Swiss, Russia, Czech Republic Advance Sweden beats Slovenia, Russia beats Finland, Canada beats Swiss, USA beats Czech Russia beats Sweden to advance to the Gold Medal game USA beats Canada to advance to Gold medal game Sweden beats Canada for Bronze Russia beats USA for Gold ...of course I would love for the Swiss to upset Canada...Hiller is lights out!

I would trade just about anybody not named Datsyuk or Zetterberg for Ovechkin...

like I've said before, if Boston wants Q, I am asking for Joe Morrow in return. The B's may not do it, but that is my asking price. I still turn K over along with Almqvist for the best possible return. If I need to throw in our 1st to get it, I will...

take this for what its worth. Just talked to my buddy who plays drop in hockey with a Wings trainer and according to him, Kindl and Smith are being shopped... Don't know for what, but with Z going down our needs have become very apparent. With that being said, if Z is out for the season, it'll open up some cap space for a deadline rental...

I cannot stand the Cocky Canadian players...as a matter of fact I can't stand most the US team either...

Worse to miss their final chance at Olympic Gold? Worse than what, missing the rest of the Wings season? Screw the Olympics... Thank GOD for no NHL in 2018!!!!

No say it ain't so.... Back is toast...he needs to take the entire tourney off in order to heal up enough to come play for who puts his food on the table...

No goal....no goal...no goal...and of course Canada wins by 1 goal. .just look at Mens division...drawn from a hat my ass...

US women got screwed. Whistle blew....no goal.

Canada Cup....Super Series...didnt I say that pages ago? Makes much more sense.

I will taking credit for mentioning Robidas first! (especially if they sign him!) Just kidding! But, the bottom line is, either we need to make our defense better or get that elite goaltender to make up for it. We seem to be stuck with Average Jimmy© so we have to address the D. I think the O can hold it's own. I would LOVE a 40 goal scorer in here to play with Pav, but if this team can score 4-5 goals a game, they should win most as long as they have a staunch D. Whether or not Holland can address that March 5, or have to wait until draft day or July, who knows. If we are going to stay with Average Jimmy© , then IMO we need TWO pieces back on the D. A legit #1/#2 AND a legit #3/#4. I love Danny D, and he will be one of our best in the near future, but right now, he is an awesome #5. I also believe Kronner is a better #2 than he is #1, heck, maybe an even better suited #3. Big E can be a #2, but is moreso that #3/#4 guy. Laser is a #7 and is probably happy with his role on this team. #1 - Kronner Big E - #4 Smith - Danny D Laser that is what we need to keep our GAA down, because we have witnessed the past two season that Average Jimmy© doesn't make the timely save...he makes some big saves, but not at the right time. He hasn't stolen a game in about 2 and half seasons. But, Holland has given him that NTC and everyone seems to believe Holland will never trade him, so, we're stuck with him. Maybe he gets better, but we cannot take that chance with our current D. We need upgrades and we need it yesterday...

IMO, the NHL was more popular before 1998 than it is now...I understand the idea of promoting the NHL by putting the NHL players in the tourney, but as stated the sport of hockey is popular enough around the world that it doesn't change anything. Now, when the winter Olympics come back to the states, maybe having NHL players in the games would promote the sport more, like 2002. It is still my opinion that having un-signed drafted players and other U20 kids promotes the sport more in the States than having an All-Star game that mostly gets watched in NHL cities anyhow... ...if you want to have tournaments to promote the NHL, go back to having super-series' and Canada Cup's et al...over the summer. Sponsored by the NHL, paid for by the NHL and starring NHL players.