LeftWinger

Well gee wally, Chelios was a ****** too, did you like him on this team? Bob Probert while still a member of Detroit fought Kocur while still a member of the Rangers, did you welcome Kocur back during our back to back titles? Why do you think Ryan would be much easier to get? He is younger and scores just as good if not better than Perry. ****** or not, if Perry were to become a Red Wing, it would be awesome...

Ok, this is gonna get radical, and of course it won't happen but follow me for a minute or 20. Three Conferences, Two Division in each, Ten teams in each. You could make the schedule 76 games, which wold give you a home and home out of your conference and 4 games against your conference. Within the conference the top 5 point getter's are in the playoff's, then you take the next four teams with the next highest point total's and play three games (much like the Olympics minus the Bronze Medal game) to determine the 16th spot in the playoffs. The teams won't be playing any more games and it won't delay the playoffs because you have shortened the season by 6 games. They would be sorted by points of course. Then once the top 16 teams are determined, seed them 1 thru 16 with 1 playing 16, etc... (no matter which Conference you are in) and then after every playoff round, reseed them accordingly. If you wanted to award the two division winners with a playoff spot (which I think is dumb) that is fine, but having four teams battle it out for the final playoff spot would generate extreme excitement among the fans much like when the Rangers and Flyers played that 82nd game to see who went. Along with much competition between the rest of the league to battle for that 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th regular season position in order to try to attain that 16th playoff spot. Of course in this one game playoff among these 4 teams, they would be seeded 16-19 with 16 playing 19, etc... Now for the Re-alignment part: Eastern Conference: Division A (for lack of a better name right now): Boston Islanders Rangers Senators Canadiens Division B: Devils Capitals Hurricanes Lightning Panthers Central Conference: Division A: Maple Leafs Sabres Flyers Penguins Red Wings Division B: Blue Jackets Predators Blues Wild Blackhawks Western Conference: Division A: Winnipeg Avalanche Stars Coyotes Oilers Division B: Flames Canucks Sharks Ducks Kings ...I know it splits up Calgary and Edmonton as a division rival, but remember you are playing your own CONFERENCE 4 times, the division just sorts it out a bit better, you could actually eliminate the division all together if it would help. (much like they did with the 4 conference format) I realize with the two games against other conferences it still poses a East coast team travel issue (babies) but the playoff issue is all but taken care of with half of the teams in each conference making the playoffs, then having an exciting weekend of three games of hockey among four teams (16-19) to determine that last playoff spot. Then just group them all together 1-16 and you will get the absolute best playoff's and the two best teams, regardless of their conference will meet for The Stanley Cup... Radical, I know, but what else can we do?

I think it would be absolutely hysterical if one day after a particularly horribly reffed game, Babcock would walk out to the post game podium with a $100 bill wrapped around a wad of money sized paper and set it on the podium and say something like, this is just in case I slip up when you ask me about lack of power plays...

Pronger and Crosby, for health reason's. Brodeur because he is old and no longer the best at his position, it's not like his name is Lidstrom. IMO, Lidstrom could play 2-3 more years. He is in just as good as shape as Chelios was at his age and IMO Chelios played a year too long. I really wish Yzerman would have played ONE more year, I think he had it in him, plus to hit that 700 goal mark would have been awesome! I think Roloson's swan song is over and he should move on as well.

Well all I can say is thank goodness for DVR! I am not sure which one I will be DVR'ing but there is no way I am missing either of these games! For one, when is the last time Detroit was in Toronto and with the news of the realignment not happening, it may be ten years before they are there again... ...also, when was the last time the Lions were in the playoffs, 12 years ago, I hope they upset the Saints and get a rematch with either the Pack or the niner's (not sure which one) and if they lose, again it may be ten years before they are there again... So, gotta watch them both, because it may be years before both are in this position again!

Don't get me wrong, I am a HUGE Union supporter and wish people like Dave Bing didn't exist. I wish I was still in a Union at work and I respect the rights of all workers that are represented. I just want to see what the PA has to propose after this rejection. Usually when a Union rejects a contract, for example, they have a counter offer. I am all for something that is more equal for a playoff format, but let's see it then. What can be done with 30 teams to make it even? I am not bashing Union's, just want to know what the PA has as a counter offer...

Ya, don't get me wrong, I wanted the Bettman realignment and wish they had approved it, but something has to change, Winnipeg cannot stay in the Eastern Conference so there has to be a solution somewhere...

I love the FB comment saying the guy licked his girlfriends ***! Well, it's all fun and game until a *** gets licked! I have been to plenty of "events" where drunk girls are whipping out there **** for one reason or another and for the most part they are accompanied by their boyfriends/husbands (or girlfriends, hey it's 2012) and there has been plenty of questionable touching, squeezing and yes licking. Not that it is alright to do this, but it happens and it happens a lot. Would he have reacted the same if another female licked her? Doubt it. So in a way I say he was a drunk idiot, but in another way, if this indeed happened maybe he was defending his girl in some manner. Maybe it wasn't about a Rangers fan vs. a Flyers fan, maybe chivalry isn't dead? I don't know, but I do know women like to expose themselves at celebrations for some reason and they have to expect certain things to happen in a drunk crowd. If the boyfriend is encouraging it, he has to expect it as well, but when the line gets crossed and at that point your woman feels violated then it was time to step up, and I have a feeling that this guy in the Rangers sweater wasn't just standing there not saying anything to the Flyers fan. It my woman even got touched in the wrong fashion, I don't care what sweater the guy was wearing, he is gonna get hit. First by my wife, then by me, if he is left standing after she hit him... At least the guy defended his girl, it would have been sad if the Rangers fan got to lick the *** and then beat the hell out of the boyfriend... I am not defending the violence, but I am just saying that if the licking happened then the Rangers fan had a beating coming...

Ya, and that is where the talks would end for me then. But if we could just get Perry for Franzen and some other commodities, I would be all for it! When I said here is Holland's chance to make up, ya it sounded like the trade was proposed already, sorry, my bad, I should have said something like "this would be a chance if offered for Holland to make up for..." Anyhow, I feel he made a mistake by keeping Hudler and Franzen over Hossa and if Perry becomes available, I would certainly hope that Holland gets in line first with the best offer we can tender! Starting with Franzen & Hudler and then adding from there. If they mentioned Dastyuk or Zetterberg then call it off. I would even balk at Helm going to Anaheim...

Someone, somewhere posted this realignment suggestion which to me and most of the world would make sense, except for Columbus who would be stuck in the West: Western Conference: Vancouver LA Phoenix SJ Anaheim Edmonton Calgary Colorado Winnipeg Dallas Minnesota Chicago Nashville St. Louis Columbus Eastern Conference Detroit Toronto Montreal Ottawa Buffalo Philly NJ Boston NYR NYI Pittsburgh Washington Carolina Tampa Florida

Either add two teams or get rid of two teams, neither of which is gonna happen so they best come up with something better because I for one am tired of not seeing all the teams in the NHL and all the late night games and playoffs I as a fan have to endure...

Ok, fine, but what do you suggest then NHLPA? Keep Winnipeg in the East and Detroit and Columbus in the West and instead of evening out the travel schedule for all, lets just continue to punish a few teams that travel more than any other team in the league! I am waitng PA, let's see your proposal, if you didn't like the NHL's, then show us yours....simple. Unless you have something better, you are taking away from the fans who I do believe were 99.99999% on board with seeing every team in the league for the first time in a long long time. I'd like to know who the whiny millionaire players who were concerned about their personal travel were? You play for the fans and the team, the more fans you make happy, the more money you get....cry me a river. Not as sick as if Bush were still around or if Obama gets re-elected... Also, why doesn't the NHL just do what my place of business did when they had issues with the Union? They just did what they wanted and then dealt with the grievances later (which they won most of the time anyhow) and now I don't have a Union as these acts eventually broke the Union and now they just do what they want...Use the Dave Bing tactics.

No, I already stated earlier that I was thinking in EA Sports Land and in no way was saying that this would happen for sure. I was just using the what if scenario and presenting argument why either or both of them would make Detroit better than they are right now and that Franzen would be worth giving up for either of them. And BTW, you will be surprised when Perry gets traded somewhere for far less than Datsyuk.

Never...Who was the last Red Wing to win it? Fedorov in 1994. With the likes of Ovechkin, Stamkos, Perry etc... in the league, franzen will have to score 60 goals among 120 points to win the Hart...

This I believe. The NHLPA is going to try to get rid of the Cap and lower the UFA age. I think they should push to get rid of the waiver rule, if a player is willing to come to an organization and play in their minor's for a chance to play for their favorite team, then why punish them to the Island when they get sent back down? The NHL will also try to get rid of the "life-time" contracts that circumvent the Cap.

Extra travel? Playoff structure? What do they want, all the teams to make the playoffs? I don't get what their concerns are?!?!?

Well, what now then? Does Winnipeg just stay in the Eastern Conference? Ya, that makes sense. If it aint the NHL screwing around, it's the NHLPA! I am a Union supporter and member, but I really would love to hear the explanation behind their rejection...not unless there was some small print that we as fans didn't get to see. I don't get it. It was a good realignment and everyone plays everyone twice outside of your conference. Really less travel for the most part. You would think that the players wouldn't care, you would think it would have been the owners in the East that wold oppose this yet they approved it. I guess they are gonna have to go to plan B and screw the fans of seeing all the NHL teams at least once in their home arenas. Thanks NHLPA. ...yep and after reading the article, Winnipeg stays in the East. WTF NHLPA, what do you suggest for a re-alignment then? Let's hear it, because I for one was pretty excited to see a Detroit/San Jose SCF next year...

Franzen, Hudler, Kindl, Andresson, Ferraro, McCollum, Nestrasil, ANY of our D prospects. You just cannot pass on Perry or Getzlaf. I would acquire them both if I could. Ya, now I am dreaming in EA Sports land, but those two on Detroit would make us almost instant favorites, and face it, with the improvements Chicago and San Jose has done this year, Detroit needs to step it up and this would be a great move. We have the Cap space for both, they are signed through next season. The Wings are over their head deep in great prospects and could easily afford to give up a few of them. McCollum is NOT going to be backup to Howard, he is going to want to be a starter in the NHL and will probably leave as a Free Agent before Howard is ready to give up the #1 spot, so you could easily trade McCollum especially with how good Mrazek is playing. Next season you will be shopping or a #1 defenseman, not another #7 so Kindl and the rest of the prospects are fair game. You could go down the list of top 25 prospects in our organization and chose three or four that you could really live without, so if losing Franzen & Hudler and prospects in exchange for Getzlaf and Perry, I am doing it. You have to ask yourself, if this trade were in the works, which Detroit team has a better chance to compete with Chicago/San Jose and actually win the Cup this year or next, the one with Franzen/Hudler on it, or the one with Getzlaf/Perry? Holland made a mistake in 2009 by letting Hudler handcuff him by coming back and re-signing Franzen. He lost Hossa who said he wanted to stay and would take considerably less to do so. Here is Holland chance to make ammends on that mistake, get rid of Franzen & Hudler and make his team much better and tougher to play against in the form of Getzlaf and Perry. That is a blockbuster trade that will workout for both teams. PLUS it allows Holland to just focus on replacing Lidstrom next year instead of trying to find that power forward and sniper along with a #1 defender. I know it is hard to say goodbye to homegrown talent. Guys who have grown up in our system, but in the end, it's all about the crest on the front of the sweater. I hope Holland doesn't make the same mistakes he made in 2009 by passing on better players to keep Franzen & Hudler... EDIT: Also, ask yourself this, who you rather have these two or would you rather see Chicago, San Jose, Vancouver or worse yet Pitt or Toronto or Boston get one or both of them? If that happens then you not only lose out on acquiring two great players, but you also take two steps back from being on par with the elite teams in the NHL.

So if Anaheim says they'll give you Perry (or Getzlaf) in exchange for Franzen, you're not buying? If so, you are crazy. IF I am Holland, I am seeing what it'll take to get one of Getzlaf/Perry or Ryan along with Selanne for the Cup run... But that is just me, a 41 year old rental who scores when he wants and Perry the reigning Hart trophy winner. Getting rid of Franzen, Hudler and a couple of prospects and picks would be well worth they return. Especially if you can keep Perry around long term...

You have to give up something if you want something. In 2001 Holland traded away perhaps one of the best playoff performers AND prolific regular season scorer we had in order to get a goalie he felt we needed. He traded Kozlov AND a 1st for Hasek. I think an exchange that involved Franzen for either Getzlaf or Perry would be a great move. Franzen, Hudler and Kindl are three players from the big club who can and should be shopped come deadline day. If Holland could trade any combo these three plus prospects and get a Getzlaf and or Perry and or Ryan, then it is a no brainer...

Lidstrom came in at a time where our rookies didn't have to spend 5 years on the farm to develop. He came in 1991-92 along with Konstantinov and they BOTH were on the All-Rookie Team that season. Lidstrom had an immediate effect on our team tallying 60 points playing 80 games, most of those partnered with The Beast Brad McCrimmon. He was touted in the pre-season and praised the entire season and he has always given McCrimmon a ton of credit in helping him adapt to the NHL. I would assume that Nick had a big influence on him getting the Asst. Coach job a few years ago as well. Having Lids and Vladdy on the same team was unlike any other defense in the league. They were rarely on the same line together, but they together made this team nearly impossible to score on. You often hear that "My Gramma" could've been a goalie in Detroit, well these two were the main reason that line was spoken, and no offense to Osgood, but even Tim Cheveldae won 38 games playing behind them. I often wonder if Vladdy hadn't been injured, what kind of career wold he have had? He was up for the Norris in 1997 and odds are if he hadn't been injured, he would've been up for it a few more times. Would he be the one with 7 Norris'? Would both of these guys have even been here after the lockout? If Vladdy hadn't been injured, they both would've been commanding top dollar salary by 2004, so when the lockout ended, would both of them still be here? Would one of them had to be bought out? Because of his style of play, I wouldn't think that Vladdy would've have lasted 20 years, but damn it was nice having them together when we did. I remember Nick started his career wearing a visor and I am not sure at what point he took it off, and honestly I don't even remember the year he put it back on. I do remember a game I went to his rookie season, it was a particularly bad reffed game and as fans were booing and showing their disapproval of the refs a fan threw a "Red Drink" onto the ice and it hit Nick right in the head and the red was all over his face shield. It looked funny, but I also was like, man I hope he doesn't think someone threw it at him! Man, to have the early years of Lids back again and to have him for another 20 years. It will be a sad day when he is done, just as sad, if not more, than when Steve retired. Thank you Nick Lidstrom, thank you. ...yes, along with the Yashin "trade" that happened, then didn't.

If you get flamed, then I am on fire with you! If this team had a chance to score any one f Getzlaf, Perry or Ryan, I would send Franzen packing in a heartbeat. Hey, Franzen may be our third best player right now, but he is in no way better than the fore mentioned Ducks. Perry just came of a Hart trophy for pete's sake! If we could package Franzen, Hudler and some prospects for two of them? Ok, I am gonna stop now because I am just getting carried away! I will bring the fired retardant clothes because trading Franzen for one of these guys would be worth the flaming!

of those four, I picked none. Since we really don't need those borderline players. Jokinen could've been had for nothing in the off season and although Gleason would be a solid, abrasive defenseman, he doesn't really address our need this season or next season. We already have very capable defensemen right now with the 7 we have and we need a #1 guy to replace Lidstrom IF he retires. The other guys are borderline top 6 and we have a handful of guys like that already.

Buddy, buddy, buddy... ...I mention Pronger because this whole debate is should be called the Pronger Affect. Why? Because just like then, you refuse to see what is happening right before your eyes and you make up your own story that you actually believe to make youself feel better. I am not saying Datsyuk didn't hit his head. I am saying Jackman tried to draw attention to it by flopping his head back and bouncing off the boards. It's right there in the video, plain as day, just as you see Abdelkader clearing the puck into the zone and trying to avoid Cole. If you can see that, then you can see what I see in the Datsyuk hit. Which still was not the initial point of contact and was not illegal and was not called a penalty and did not warrant a review OR a suspension. All of which Cole's did. You can have all the regular season wins you want, just like your boy Elliot can have all the stats and vezina's in the world, it means nothing until you actually win something. I am not gonna mention all the Cups Detroit has, but in 1997 Colorado won every single regular season game against Detroit except one, March 26th. Not only did Detroit win the Cup that year, but the also eliminated Colorado in the Conference Finals in 6 games, ah but being a blues fan, you stopped watching the playoffs after the first round after your boy Pronger possibly cost your team an upset series. I am sure the Avs fans were riding high on the hog when they were beating us in the regular season too, just like you are clinging on to meaningless games. But you can have them, I will take the 16 wins in the post season over 8 wins in the regular season. Dainty Datsyuk eh? I do agree with you a NHL hit is a NHL hit and these men are pretty strong, but despite that fact, players do embellish hits to draw attention from the refs, and sometimes the refs just laugh and tell the guy to take a seat(paraphrasing of course, I don't want you to think I talk to refs and know exactly what they say.) Just like they probably did with Jackman. So, keep convincing yourself otherwise from the facts in front of you and you will remain happy inside your little blues world. Just don't leave your city limits because the sun doesn't shine that color outside of your city. But it's your world there, you can place a happy little rock wherever you want. You can have your baby-steps too because like I said, regular season wins mean nothing in the big picture. But since you are mentioning games from the past and years prior in the regular season, just how many Presidents Trophies do the blues have again? One? I see...Detroit has 6. Oh and since 1991, how many times have the blues finished ahead of Detroit in points in the regular season? Once? And you guys still didn't get as far as the Wings did in the playoffs. That must chaff your ass when every year regular season AND playoffs you look up and all you see is Red & White. Sorry dude...I never realized it was that bad in st. louis. No wonder you are satisfied with a couple of regular season wins...since you are so used to losing to us, maybe I will let you win this debate so you can have a little joy this century.

Already giving Nyquist top line? Sheesh! Plus I see you are still trying to put Smith in there even though you know he won't be a permanent fixture until he is out of options...keep dreaming. Plus, you haven't watch the chemistry between Zetterberg and Filppula lately? Why on Earth would you suggest splitting them up? You amaze me... In my book the current lines are clicking better than most lines in the NHL. As long as Helm and Cleary stay together (when Helm returns) nobody can touch our third and fourth lines. I have a despise for Hudler and Franzen, but as long as they are scoring they can stay. But they will be my main bait on the trade deadline IF I am looking to deal, which right now, I am not. Unless an unbelievable deal presents itself, I am staying put with this team and then making changes come July 1 depending on how far they go into the playoffs...