motorcitykid

Well Nash does have a point a game the last 14, including 6 goals, but I go with the last 4 or 5 games stats wise, in referring to someone as "hot" [not literally though ]. "Yesterday was a good day for Zetterberg. That those good days are often followed by bad days of back pain and limited mobility, however, mean that the team isn't risking putting their first-line center back in game action just yet. "I'm still going to have a few more days before I'm back," said Zetterberg. "Some days it's better. Some days it's worse. You just have to work a little harder on those good days. Today was good. I just wish I had a few of these days in a row." When asked if tonight's game was a playoff game would he be on the ice, Zetterberg said that he would. But then he added that he wouldn't know if he would be healthy for the next game or the game after that. "The difference between me and Pav last year is that he wasn't skating before and I've been skating for a few weeks," said Zetterberg. "So that's a big difference. It's getting closer and closer now to playoffs. I'll be glad if I get in one before."

It's not too far a stretch to figure there might be some dissention among teammates or a coach. It was said if Babcock and this team don't fare well these playoffs, he could easily be fired. That was the word earlier this year, anyway. Plus the fact he doesn't have much ties to the organization as well. Firing him, if done, management doesn't have to worry much about bad PR. As for Pavel, all that can be said for sure is he wants big league money this summer. Anything else out of his mouth, his agent's or Holland's should be taken with a grain of salt. Until a deal is actually done, no-one knows for sure where all this is going to end up.

Hate Avery. But after seeing him knock Mother Tucker to the ice last night ... I mean who didn't have a smile on their face? But back in Detroit? No thanks.

Un. Friggin. Real. Dude just can not catch a break. If it's not a knee, it's something else. Here's hoping Kyle can pick up the slack, and ... umm, ugh! Lilja.

I know. And to some around here, Spector is like GOD? Not to say i'd mind Holland actually doing that if Pavel disappears again this April.

OK, so let's say we don't have Datsyuk. Would there not be another guy brought in here to take his place on the roster? I don't mean a call-up. I mean a bona-fide star player? [Assuming Holland did his job]. Now if you're saying we minus Datsyuk out of here and didn't sign someone else to fill his spot, of course, there'd be a big hole to fill. You're not making sense. Datysuk is NOT worth 7 million! Actually, give a GM 6 MILLION to spend, and he could easily find a few guys worthy of such a contract. Just when the hell did Pavel become the best deal in the NHL? AT 6 or 7 million? That's funny. If the jury is still out on Luongo's worth as a "franchise player" and a 7 million dollar tag, then it sure as hell is still out on Pavel's. I bet there's more than a few GM's who would take #1 over #13.

Rather play Calgary than San Jose. Yeh, we meet the Sharks, we CAN win, but they're physical and damn near amazing at every other spot. Calgary is no pushover, but are ripe if we get a quick 2-0 series lead. They are surely not the team we lost to a few years ago.

Well put. I'm diggin' this lineup. Ssh don't tell Babs you left Sammy out.

Bertuzzi doesn't need to be on the first line, to make an impact [as many have assured the rest of us he indeed will here]. If he's the be all and end all some are guaranteeing, he can do just as much for this team on another line. In no way, shape or form does he take over Homer's spot on the 1st line. That's ridiculous. Hot hand. Chemistry. What got us here. Seems pretty simple. Now if that line isn't scoring then, like any other line, you look at changes.

You draw blood it's an automatic double minor. It was a high stick. It was a PENALTY. What the hell is this? A Maple Leaf fansite now? Because Bertuzzi is a Wing now the refs get blamed? What a joke.

I know. I laughed too. I just don't know what the hell HOH said I said about Yzerman.

Hahaha. What?

Not much point in bringing another young guy in. Holland fumbled the ball last summer when a guy like Luongo was on the market. Apparently the best young, up & coming goalie in the game didn't even merit a look because management is fully confident Jimmy Howard will be just as good and should get his shot.

Too bad? Not everyone thinks that's a bad thing. Ahh ... clarity. But then, you'd never see Pavel score. Again: You want big league money? 6 or 7 mill per season? Show up when it matters. It ain't like having a great year when you're entering free agency is a new thing. The list of GM's "wishing" ahead and being burnt is long. I wonder if Holland is gonna add his name?

Exactly. The Leafs are a pathetic team on a good day. Oops, I might mean their fans & the Toronto media. Either way, when a team talks as much smack as the Leafs have done and DON'T do something, well yeh, you gotta laugh at that. Keep you're mouths shut! Anyways, what the hell are them & their fans worrying about Janssen for? They should be looking to win games. Oops, missed again - why bother? They'll miss the playoffs yet again this year.

I wish someone could explain the word "patience" to Holland then, cuz he's about to sign Pavel to big-time money. A smart GM, especially knowing Pavel's history, would wait until after the playoffs before determining his true worth to this franchise. We're talking 6-7 million dollars! There is zero reason in rushing a deal, unless your his agent. Of course he'd be in a hurry to get this deal done BEFORE the playoffs, knowing what another dismal showing will do to his client's stock.

Considering what prices were thrown around in the summer, pretty close to that 4 mill. And make no mistake, Brendan was looking for a new challenge or Holland would've easily overpayed for him. I meant bringing him back HERE at that price. But OK, I digress. Let's say Brendan is worth 4 million. How do you figure Pavel is worth 6 or 7? 12 assists. 42 playoff games. Unless some of us missed something here, exactly what else is Pavel being paid to do?

Yup, let's knock Stevie, with his pathetic point a game stats in the playoffs. As for Shanny, who wanted him back, OVERPAYED as Holland was about to make him, after his last few playoff showings? As I recall those people were few and far between. What IS he talking about? I can't believe he just tried proving his point by bringing up Shanahan & Yzerman's name. WOW.

Hey I bleed red AND WHITE and I love seeing Hank & Pavel's name up near the top of the league stats page. But for around 6 million, or close to it, i'd rather spend it on a player, a power-forward type, who can compliment Hank the same way everyone in here feels Bertuzzi would do given the chance. Now if we're talking maybe 4 million ... i'll type out the contract myself. That's what Pavel is worth. Anyways, Ken Holland and conversations about "premier" or "power-forwards" don't really go together anyway.

Gotcha. I'd like Holland to earn his paycheck instead of doing the easy thing and begging to overpay guys already here.

Yeh but your implication was almost like "oh well, so what". My point is simply this: if we're going to throw 6 million at a guy, how exactly is the name Pavel Datsyuk at the TOP of Holland's list? Because we drafted him? What. A. Joke. A franchise guy like Hank .. well ok, that's an easy sell.

Since when has a GM blowing huge wads of cash - wasting it - been cool?

He seemed to be saying best lineups right now. If you're building a team, you start with Luongo and build on out, including Dion after him. Don't tell Holland that though.

No thanks. Playoffs: 05-06: 3 PTS 0 GOALS 03-04: 6 PTS 0 GOALS 02-03: 0 PTS 0 GOALS 01-02: 6 PTS 3 GOALS Bottom line: he does not produce when the games matter, yet he wants to be paid like a player who does. What exactly has you confused? Again 3 career playoff goals in 42 games. It ain't like reality much matters to Holland, but spending 5.5-6 million on a perrenial no-show is in most books, inexcusable.