LeftWinger

Look at this bust of a draft for the Wings, 1988! 1988 NHL Entry 1 17 Kory Kocur Saskatoon 1988 NHL Entry 2 38 Serge Anglehart Drummondville 1988 NHL Entry 3 47 Guy Dupuis Hull 1988 NHL Entry 3 59 Petr Hrbek Sparta Praha, TCH 1988 NHL Entry 4 80 Sheldon Kennedy Swift Current 310 49 58 107 -15 233 1988 NHL Entry 7 143 Kelly Hurd Michigan Tech 1988 NHL Entry 8 164 Brian McCormack St. Paul's (High-NH) 1988 NHL Entry 9 185 Jody Praznik Colorado College 1988 NHL Entry 10 206 Glen Goodall Seattle 1988 NHL Entry 11 227 Darren Colbourne Cornwall 1988 NHL Entry 12 248 Donald Stone Michigan Yikes! Followed up this dandy of a draft, 1996! 1996 NHL Entry 1 26 Jesse Wallin Red Deer 49 0 2 2 -5 34 1996 NHL Entry 2 52 Aren Miller Spokane 1996 NHL Entry 4 108 Johan Forsander HV-71 Jonkoping, SWE 1996 NHL Entry 5 135 Michal Podolka Sault Ste. Marie 1996 NHL Entry 6 144 Magnus Nilsson Vita Hasten, SWE 1996 NHL Entry 6 162 Alexandre Jacques Shawinigan 1996 NHL Entry 7 189 Colin Beardsmore North Bay 1996 NHL Entry 8 215 Craig Stahl Tri-City 1996 NHL Entry 9 241 Eugeny Afanasiev Detroit L.C. Midgets 20 players drafted, 2 players to make the NHL with a total of 359 games played. 49 goals 60 assists for 109 points with a -20 rating! 1997 wasn't that amazing either! 1997 NHL Entry 2 49 Yuri Butsayev Lada Togliatti, RUS 99 10 4 14 -13 28 1997 NHL Entry 3 76 Petr Sykora HC Pojistovna IB Pardubice, CZE 12 2 2 4 -1 6 1997 NHL Entry 4 102 Quintin Laing Kelowna 43 1 6 7 6 10 1997 NHL Entry 5 129 John Wikstrom Lulea, SWE 1997 NHL Entry 6 157 B.J. Young Red Deer 1 0 0 0 0 0 1997 NHL Entry 7 186 Mike Laceby Kingston 1997 NHL Entry 8 213 Steve Willejto Prince Albert 1997 NHL Entry 9 239 Greg Willers Kingston ...the draft is fun to watch, I remember being so pissed for the 2005 lottery (fixed) draft with the players they skipped over and selected. Kindl has yet to break in, but I am fairly happy with Helm and Abdelkader!

I certainly hope he takes McCrimmon's place! If not, then Thanks for everything Cheli! Not only did you bring strength and professionalism with you. Thanks for 10 years (already?) and two Stanley Cups! And two awesome restaurants! I hope they stay here after you leave, and I hope you come back to visit once in a while! I guess if he goes elsewhere, we'll hear just how Babcock treated him for real!

Thanks! Yeah, I started looking around at about 11 pm and finished sometime after 4 am. I noticed that there was a lot of views coming, but no replies. I guess something like this doesn't really warrent any replies, just a read to get away from the pens and "if I ould have a UFA" toipics. It was fun, but yeah it was a lot of research... glad you enjoyed it.

he probably means, getting rid of McCrimmon and makin Chelios assistant coach.

LIDSTROM Gonchar? Seriously? Gonchar? Crysby? 3 point Crysby? Please see the pic post above for the effect Crysby had on us, and how he is perceivd around the NHL... It's only Epic to you because Pens won, was it epic for you last season? Doubt it... EPIC? The only thing Epic about this year is the Epic luck and Epic Bettman rules the Pens had... Here's a reminder of Master Cindy: Oh, and the special Bettman Instigating rule for the Pens: And while we're at it, so much for penalizing players for stick swinging at heads: Oh, and for all of you that say Talbot's spear on Osgood was a tap, look at the bend in the stick, pretty hard tap...

Malkin maybe, but Cindy would never makeit on this team. This is a hard working, blue collar team, points evenly spread out, no egos, no special treatment, no crying women... Sorry, but if Detroit had that lottery fixed for them.....err, I mean were lucky enough to get that #1 pick, Holland would've probably traded it... or drafted Bobby Ryan (of course then that would've meant Anaheim would've taken Crysby, another reason to hate them! I would've liked a shot and Jordan Staal though the next year...

Has he called Lidstrom yet to apologize for the misunderstanding? Decent? Respectable? No Excuse to Hate him?

My point being, if the Wings went up 3-0, then they probably don't get passed game 5. Sure the Pens earned the other voctories the got, the bounces weren't going our way after games 1 & 2, Players, other than Crysby actually played with heart and desire (Scuderi, Talbot, Fleury, Orpik, Kennedy.) The injuries were too much to overcome, yet we still only lost by one goal in game 7. That doesn't make Pit ANY better than Detroit, if anything, Detroit is still the better team when 100% healthy. I commend Pits defense (although Scuderi will be gone the July) but in the end, Pit was given every chance to win by the NHL (I don't mean 100 powerplays either) and they were luckier, healthwise and crossbar/post-wise... You got to be lucky to be good, and good to be lucky, but this OP needs to come down off the pedastal. Comparing this team to the Islanders and Oilers? I wouldn't even compare this team to the 91 and 92 Penguins who had REAL superstars. Not crying women... Anybody and their brother would take a Mario and Jagr at 21 over Cindy Crysby and Beano Malkin EVER... Add to that Kevin Stevens, Mark Recchi, Paul Coffey and Larry Murphey and the 2009 Penguins look like the NanTucket Ice Roaches...

Possible? POSSIBLE? Haven't we all been told already by you guys that the Penguins are going to win every Cup from 2009 to the end of times? My God! They have Master Crysby, Malkin, Staal, Fleury, Scuderi (oops, only til July), etc... They are the only team to beat Detroit at home in a game 7! (except of course for Toronto and San Jose (most recently).) They ***** slapped us by beating us by one goal in game 7! They have the NHL in their back pocket (proven by NOT suspending Malkin, thus giving Pitt the BEST chance to win(even though the rule is cut and dry and he did try to send a message.) This team is never going to lose again! Oh yeah, forgot that we were also told by a pens fan that if they had the likes of Franzen, Lidstrom, Hossa, etc... on their team, they could've have gone undefested the entire season! Wow! Dude, GTFO! Your team was handed the Cup by the dabbling of the NHL. If Malkin doesn't play game 3, Detroit goes up 3-0 and we'd be talking about the chances of a three-peat. Face it, Crysby choked worse than Hossa in the finals. Bettman allowed Malkin to play in a game he shouldn't have, where he had the primary assist on ALL three goals. That fact alone taints your Cup. IF the roles were reversed and lets say our guy didn't get suspended, oh lord, the controversy! You and your fans are the ONLY ones thinking you could repeat the Islanders feat of four in a row. The 1997 and 98 and 2002 Wings were 1000 times better than your young core, yet he 90's Wings couldn't win more than 2 and the 02 Wings couldn't even repeat. Get a life, get a clue and get real. Often people complain to us because wear the rose color glasses, well look in the mirror and give me back my glasses!

Chara? Norris? Thats a laugher!

About Stuart and rafi, I think more so people are looking for ways to fit Hossa and the griffins under the cap. a neat little note on Holmstrom, I flew to Chicago yesterday and got to sit with Homer. His wife and 3 kids were in first class and he was in row 6 right next to me! Didn't chat too much about the season (figured he didn't want to talk about the disappointment) just told him like, you guys had a great season, almost won it, shouldn't feel bad, etc... He was connecting to a flight to Sweden for a family trip back home. Very very nice guy, didn't want to tell him he should retire, I enjoyed the opportunity just to be friendly with him. Not a lot of people recognized him. The flight attendants knew who he was, of course a few others did, but they didn't bother him at all on the flight. Besides the few words we exchanged, he pretty much just looked through the inflight magazine with his headphones on. It was only a 44 minute flight so not much could be talked about. Cool guy, made the flight a little nicer sice we were packed in a little DC-9... Sounds just as funny in person as he does talking to the media. BTW, in reference to an earlier thread, he is also intimidated by the size of Katrina Hancock! LOL! But says she is a very nice person to deal with...

The Wings tried that once with a very physical/dirty but great player, and we see how that worked out. See: Derien Hatcher... Yeah he got injured, but it still didn't work out siging a once elite defenseman near the end of his career...

It comes down to coaching. McCrimmon needs to be let go. Hire someone like Lemaire. We'll be fine. As soon as the Wings sign a Adam Foote type d-man, the penalties will get called on us. Not like they aren't already being called on us and not on them. Ie. Zetterberg goaltender interfernece game 6, same scenario gmae 7, same ref, no call on pit. That being said, is Foote available?

I know, I only used them as an example of getting low balled for someone who is obviously worth more...

Bottom line, Bettman gave Pit a better chance to win by recinding Malkin's instigator that would've resulted in a game 3 suspension, in turn, giving Detroit an unfair advantage because Pit's leading scorer wouldn't be there to get three assists that night, one on an offside non-call and one shorthanded, directly after Pit should've been whistled for having six players on the ice and instead of calling the penalty, the ref simply yelled at the player to get off the ice for 20 plus seconds. As a result, Bettman and the refs handed the series to Pit. Considering that most experts say the non-call and short handed goal was the turning point of the series... Ilitch (and 28 other owners) sees the crap, and without saying a word, showed how disgusted he is with Bettman. He is watering down the league and ruining the sport. Not very wise Gary to get your voted best owner in sports on your bad side, who do you think the rest of the owners (besides Pussei Lemeiux) will side with when it comes time to vote on essential items? NUmber 1 being new ownership of the Coyotes, "oh Gary, we'd lke to keep them in Phoenix, but No!" Sale approved, back to Canada they go! Voila!

Ya, but Fedorov will make more than $1.9 million. And that is just too much for our wallet. Now, if Fedorov would come here for $1million or less, bring it!

The one thing about siging Hossa to a contract that would put us over that scares me is, now 29 other teams know we have to get rid of someone (trade or waive) and there will be no fair trade scenario's out there. We'd be getting offers like, a 4th round pick for Stuart or a 5th for Rafi, all knowing we have to get rid of someone... That being said, whatever Hossa signs for, we sill still need nearly $3 million left over to bring up Helm, Howard, Ericsson and re-sign Leino. If we re-sign Hossa for $4, then we would need $7 million in cap space. Plus, we'd lose Hudler, Kopecky, Sammy, Chelios & McCarty and Downey, without even a chance of re-signing any of them. If the Cap goes down, then are we gonna have $7 million left? Someone is going to be traded if Hossa signs, and that brigs me back to my original fear, 29 teams will lowball us knowing we have to getr rid of someone and even the best offer would be the worst offer if ourhands weren't forced... I am all for signing Hossa, since I really won't miss any of the mentioned players above, but I just wish we'd be able to get market value for the someone who will have to be moved. Is there some sort of NHL trade arbitrator out there to prevent this type of thing?

You see where that got Chrysler, eh? I wonder how much, if any, effect Hossa's two headers into the endboards at the end of the season had anything to do with his play?

of course maybe Malkin doesn't understand the rule. Every pic I see of him, it looks like all he can say is "Duh.... Gee.... Ok...."

Edit

I think I am the only one who gets the Irony of this post. But, its not really a good idea to get under the skin of the best owner in you sport Gary. It was only a matterof time until Ilitch started in on him. Gary, you may be the commisioner, but who do you think elects that position? Right... You have definately crossed the line this year Gary. You should've just kept Malkin suspended...

Dude, Tigers have seen it up close 4 out of the 12 seasons... Oh I forgot, you are not aware that the same guy owns BOTH the Tigers and the Red Wings.... Of course that would require you to be a knowledgable fan. Now go home nd put your Jersey away until the Pens re in the playoffs again, because we all know you won't wear it until AT LEAST the foorball season is over... bandwangon=pens fans

Yeah a regualr rostor spot on lowley Colorado. 1.2 million is too much to pay for him to be here. Downey would do sufficiant in that role. Give Downey a regular spot and he may get a few points too. I highly doubt Lappy is the answer to our penalty kill problems. McCrimmon needs to be let go and a REAL defensive/special teams coach needs to be hired... For the money Downey is better than Lappy. And Lemaire is better than McCrimmon...

LOL! This sounds like a lot of the stuff we were saying to you last season... You cannot deny Crysby's lack of professionalism both on and off the ice. Whacking the goalie in the second round, cheating? So, spearing Chris Osgood is legal? Dude, just enjoy your tainted Cup this summer, because another one of Bettmans kids will get their turn before you get back to the finals. (if ever) BTW, if you hate the Wings so much, THEN GET THE f*** OFF OUR FORUM! You don't see us in the pathetic pens forums do you? Bye Bye! There is nothing you can say to convince us that Bettman didn't help you by recinding the instigator to Malkin, thus NOT resulting in his suspension for game three in which he Wings would've won, now what, little boy? You have your Cup, just like Anaheim, Carolina & Tampa, enjoy it, it'll be your last. To me there was nothing impressive about it. You beat us by 1, one, uno, ONE goal in game 7. You almost gave up the tying goal with mere seconds remaining. Your so-called captain was exposed for the whiney, crying, diving little ***** that everyone thought he was! 3 points?!?!? 3 points!?!?! I spit at that! If it wasn't for Bettman, you'd be the one talking about losing in 5 games, because if Malkin doent play game 3, we come home up 3 games to 1. We're over it, we are used to being screwed around, we are used to losing once in a while, but you are so used to losing, someone gives you a bone, you think the Pens are the only NHL caliber team out there and the rest belong in the AHL. Go home, go suck each other dicks on your pens forum, and tell each other how omnipotent your team is, how everyone else is on the downturn and Pit will win the remaining Stanley Cup until the end of times. Every dog has their day and even fat chicks get laid once in a while, so Pit got their cup, a tainted one at that, enjoy it, you and the other 34,999 pens fans... Sorry to feed this troll, but I had to.... This guy doesn't even qualify as a troll... BTW, this wasn't even a thread about the Penguins, how the frick did this sub-troll turn it into one? You lose CupChumps77, Wings will have at least 2 more Cups before Pit gets back to the finals! Say Goodbye to Scudari! Don't be bitter, be like Sid and take it in the s***ter!

Sign Hossa, period. Brad McCrimmon should be let go and the likes of Jaques Lemaire or Guy Charboneau, Denis Savard should be offered the job. Hossa at $4 million highway robbery (for Holland) and it shouldn't cost us Cleary or Filppula. Just because Holland says the D is set doesn't mean he won't trade away someone, he just means he isn't looking to add anyone from outside of the organization... Hint Hint - Trade one of Rafi, Stuart or Kronwall and Ericsson steps right in to the lineup without having to waive Lebda or Meech. Of course you could always trade of one those two, but it wouldn't open up as much cap space. If Hossa signs for a cap hit of $4 million, it will cost us roughly $3 million to bring up Ericsson, Helm, Howard, Abdelkader and re-sign Leino. We will need around $7 million of cap space...