LeftWinger

my only point was proving that the notion actually exists, whether or not its true is not certain. Do I believe it? Well the more Euros that split for the KHL for more money, yes, I believe that to them, the Cup is just another trophy to win or lose and not (as most North Americans believe) hockey Holiest Grail. My point with the article was to prove to Shoreline that I didn't make up this notion and that it is out there. My comparison with Zherdev is exactly what that notion points to, and that is, like I mentioned a second ago, the Cup is just another trophy to them, will they compete their harest for it, yes, but the notion is they crave it less than most N.A.'s. Of course according to the article, Lidstrom obliterated the NOTION that they don't crave the Cup, but my point was that the notion existed, not whether or not it was true. Shoreline's point was he had never heard of this in all the 16 years he has been watching hockey, and said pretty much, I made it up becuase I am prejudice towards Europeans...

http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.ph...amp;pid=1765611 Pay close attention to the QUOTE from the article. Euros have ALWAYS te label that they don't want the Cup as much as North Americans it doen't mean they don't want to win whatever league championship they are playing for, but as ANY European born player which is more important the Stanley Cup -or- an Olympic Gold medal, ask the same question to a North American, you'll get a different answer. It doesn't change my view of them, hell, my all time favorite player is Fedorov, and I absolutely LOVE the makeup of our team right now, so you have failed at the attempt of pointing the finger of prejudice towards me!

http://www.detnews.com/article/20080605/SP...never+grows+old ...gee, I guess Bob Wojnowski must be prejudice too. Dude there's a reason people want to ignore you. 16 years eh? Why don't come back when you are out of diapers? ya, I am just making this s*** up, because I am prejudice!

Ya, because Homer has never played with anyone else BUT Zetts and Dats. Gee, how old was Zetterberg in 1998 when Homer was establishing himself as THE premier player in front of the net. His nick-name coming into the NHL was "Demolition Man" for his net crashing ability and prowess in front of the net while STILL playing in Sweden. But he owes all his success to Hank and Pav... I would take 100 Holmstroms over 1 Mike Grier in a heartbeat... (with or without Hank and Pav)

Well, this should bring diversity to Buffalo and generate tons and tons of new Black/minority fans too, now shouldn't it? What a great PR move too! Ya think Rev. Al Sharpton will personal show up at every other teams doorstep protesting the fact that they didn't sign Grier because he's....well...... you know... black? The NHL needs MORE diversty!

It would be nice to havfe Vermette, but it would've also been nice to have Moen and or Malhotra. Of course having all three would have been the best! But, we won't get Vermette either, so no use in getting my hopes up!

Nowhere in my statement did I refer to Euro's being worse or better than North AMerican's, so that is off-sides there. Again, Euro's have historically had the notion that they cared more about World Championships. The fact that these Euro's are bolting to another league to win and/or get paid just solidify's that notion a little bit. Even though ALL pro's love winning, not ALL pro hockey players covet the Stanley Cup as the holiest grail in the world. Most "World" players covet World Championships and Olympic Golds moreso. North Americans (for the most part) covet the Stanley Cup more than Olympic Gold/W.C.'s. And just because that theory holds a little bit of water with me, doesn't mean I don't like our team the way it is (hence the Swedish/Wings jersey.) I fully acknowledge the European (mostly Swedish) influence that has made this team a Dynasty., but to say the likes of Yzerman, Shanahan, LaPointe, Brown, Murphy, Osgood, Hull, Robitaille, Draper, Maltby, Kocur and most recently Helm & Cleary has nothing to do with our dominance either is way, way off base...

dude, re-read it. I simply said the Euro's have always had the stigmata that they didn't care about the Cup. I didn't make it up or say they didn't. I just said it solidify's that notion. SUre they want to win, all pro athletes do, but the notion was they cherished World Champioships and Olympic Golds MORE than the Stanley Cup, which wasn't/isn't a world Trophy. IT's a league trophy. Guys in GRR want to win their respective championship too. I am just saying (if you've been around the NHL long enough to know) the notion is Euro's just don't view the Cup as the ultimate nth degree championship as much as North Americans do.

Dude, if you don't agree with him 100%, then you are wrong. Learn it, live it, then ignore him...

after Howard has a garbage season, the Wings will look to shore up that position. Hiller or Turco. Lids re-signs for $5M... Holmstrom/Maltby/Williams retire, Abdelkader is here full time, maybe re-sign Eaves if he works out and bring in Marleau and or Vermette...

This is just solidifying the notion that has plagued the Europeans forever. They just don't have the same love and drive for the Stanley Cup as the North Americans (particularly Canadians) have. The Euros holiest grail is on the world front, not the NHL and a trophy that plays third fiddle to World Championships and Olympic Golds... They started arriving here for the money (not the Cup) in the late 80's throughout the 90's and early 2000's. Now, they are leaving for the money, not really caring if they win a Cup or not... edit: Of course how long until we start talking NHL/KHL merger?

meaning at least one player from every other team than Pitts and excluding Detroit. (for the record, I couldn't find someone off Dallas, I'd choose Crosby over any of those guys...) Anaheim - Ryan Getzlaf Atlanta -Ilya Kovalchuk Boston - Tim Thomas Buffalo - Ryan Miller Calgary - Jerome Iginlia Carolina - Eric Staal Chicago - Toews or Kane Colorado - Paul Stastny Columbus - Rick Nash Dallas - None Edmonton - Sam Gagner Florida - David Booth Los Angeles - Alexander Frolov Minnesota - Niklas Backstrom Montreal - Brian Gionta Nashville - Shea Weber New Jersey - Zach Parise NY Isles - Unproven but John Tavares NY Rangers - Marion Gaborik Ottawa - Heatley or Alfredsson Philadelphia - Simone Gagne or (like him or not) Chris Pronger Phoenix - (without a doubt) Shane Doan San Jose- Milan Michalek St. Louis - David Backes or TJ Oshie Tampa - Victor Hedman or Martin St. Louis or Lacavalier Toronto - Mike Komisarek Vancouver - either of the Sedins Washington - Alexander Ovechkin so not only 29, but how about 34 other players I'd rather have than Crosby, and i didn't even count your crappy team. IF I had to count your team I would most definately take Staal over Crosby. Crosby may be talented, but he is BY FAR NOT the best player in the League... Much less the world!

Exact same thing I said about Probert when he got arrested for smugling coke over the border! "Ah, he's Canadian,what else would you expect?"

Interesting Story.... two issues though, not that I don't believe him, but maybe some pictures to prove it woud be nice, I could make up te same exact story and just change the team, but it could've happened. Two: This really shows us just how safe our beloved players are from stalkers! After this story came out (if it is true) the NHL should adopt a "Family Credentials" program to where you need special ID to get on the ice. This guy could've done some real damage...

Why are these idiot Pitts fans still here? Dude, I can think of at least 29 other players I'd rather have than this pole smoker! He is onlyt cleaning the cup to suck up to uncle gary some more, because he knows along with the rest of the free world, he didn't earn it! OR need we remind you what SHOULD result from instigating a fight in the last two minutes of a game? I know we dont have to remind you of this:

Everyone complaining about not having a grittier 3rd and 4th, lets look: 2008-2009: Sammy Filppula Hudler Maltby Draper Kopecky (Meech) 2009-2010 (possible 3rd and 4th) Eaves Helm Cleary (or Leino either or can be 2nd or 3rd line) Maltby Draper Williams Oulahen (McGrath) I guess for those of you who have been clammering about North American style Hockey, those lines should moisten you up!

I am thinking Holland is loving next off season no matter what happens with Chicago! Right now we have $16M available before we sign anyone. Looing at the list of RFA's and UFA's there shouldn't be too many high dollar guys. Even if you automatically give Lidstrom $5M, that is still $11M to play with. (barring a drop in Cap) Helm will probably get $1M, as will Abdelkader. If Eaves works out, he may get $1.5 to $2M, that STILL leaves $7M to play with! I don't think Holland will throw $5M of that (or more) at Toews, give Holland $7M and he'll give you a Stanley Cup! Again, if Holland offers ANY one of the RFA's from Chicago a contract, it'll probably be someone like Ladd, and that ONLY if Chicago is less than $3M from going over their cap, if not, Chicago will match.

That would certainly be cool, and if he contnued along the career path he has started, he would be worth the draft picks, BUT, since there will be 28 other teams not name Detroit or Chicago also willing to give up picks, it is highly unlikely he will sign anywhere for a discount that is not named Chicago. IF he wants the payday, he'll have plenty of suitors lining up to pay him top dollar. They are going to have 8 RFA's next off season, most of which will be affordable to other teams, including Detroit. If you take away the top 3 of Kane, Toews and Keith, I would most certainly LOVE to see Detroit agressively pursue Andrew Ladd. I think Detroit could offer him enough to draw him out of Chicago (considering if the Hawks are able to fit the top three under their available cap space which sits at $14M right now, there won't be much left for the other 5 and Ladd could be the one to leave.) His currently salary is $1.5M and could definately see him accepting $3M or right up to the point where we only have to give up a 2nd rounder. Then again, like another user said, if they could somehow unload Campbell's salary, then they'll be able to resign everyone, and become a very good team or a long time. Keith would be an awesome attraction, especially if Lids hangs them up, but there is a premium on young defensmen like him in the league and he may get offers that just my be out of our price range. Again, I can only see him taking a discount for one team, and that is Chicago. Stranger things have happened (Hossa coming here for $7.45M) but Toews is just not what this team needs right now. Where would he fit? Second line center, then Filppula gets demoted and Helm get to be 4th line center. I guess that wouldn't be bad after Draper retires,so yeah, it's possible, and a bit attractive, but for the money we'll have available next year, Ladd or if a miracle comes our way, Keith would be a little more attractive to Hollan for this teams needs...

With so many line options, I doubt there will be FINAL lines. That is the one thing about this entire team, they can pla pretty much ANY forward position when asked. That being said, I don't think the final roster has been set yet. Ryan Oulahen and Even McGrath MUST pass through waivers to be sent down this year, so that brings up a nice little battle to behad at camp. Personally, I don't want to lose either of them, we have been developing them for a while now nad would hate to lose one (unless, of course one or both of them stink up Traverse City.) I don't really know the rules on rosters, but if they both impress, and if we can have 23 players, we could keep both of them up as reserves (if we remove Lilja's salary that is.) They could rotate around with Maltby and cover injuries. Here is my roster: (note line combos are not set and are subject to change, this is just a roster.) Holmstrom Zetterberg Datsyuk Leino Filppula Franzen Cleary Helm Eaves Maltby Draper Williams Ouhahen/McGrath Lidstrom Rafalski Stuart Kronwall Lebda Ericsson Meech Osgood Howard That being said, I guess that looks ok for a solid season, not stellar, but once again our biggest quetion mark is going to being goaltending. Which Osgood is gonna show up, and is Howard going to continue to blow his NHL appearance by sub sub par play? Hold on tight and lets go!

Or how about Williams at $1.5 or Moen at $1.5? Ya, me too!

Lighten up Francis! Just because it wasn't Grier you don't have to rain on everyones parade!

Holmstrom as the 13th forward

Tsk, Tsk, Tsk ad yu guys ***** about ME bringing up Hudler in every thread! Sheesh! He's GONE! Hopefully for a LONG, LONG time! With Eaves being a Solid 3rd or 4th line player, I think the Wings may look into a Solid 3rd and ocassional 2nd line player. If they can score one of those for $1.2M or so they will be happy. Whether or not Grier, Bertuzzi or Prospl would accept that is beyond me, but I think Holland really liked Bertuzzi when he was here and he would probably be his first choice to fill that role. I guess its whoever will accept what we have to offer. I would think Holland would like to keep some space open for GRR call ups this season (unlike last) so he will probably want to keep at least $900,000 open so he can bring up Abby sometime throughout the season. Lets say tey go for Bertuzzi it pretty much makes your roster: Cleary Zetterberg Datsyuk Bertuzzi Filppula Franzen Leino Helm Holmstrom Maltby Draper Eaves Oulahen (McGrath) of course lie switching will happen all season, so don't grill me on my combos...

Detroit is gonna sign another $1M or less UFA an let McGrath and Oulahen battle it out for the 13th spot. Now, who that will be, dunno!

Well if Detroit does moe east, there would definately HAVE to be an orginal 6 (minus Chicago) division: Detroit Toronto Montreal Boston Rangers That is what I am talking about!