Grim

Drake, I know you are respected 'round here but this crusade to suggest that Rick Nash equates to Johan Franzen must end. Howson could very well be off his rocker, but Nash is Columbus' franchose cash cow. He was the most highly sought-after trade target at the deadline; he is highly sought-after now.

I was happy to see Conks sign here last year... but his play clearly withered with the way Babcock wanted to use (or not use) him. Sure MacDonald heroically outplayed Conklin when called upon. Doesn't mean much.

Folks need to stop uttering Nash. Ken does not have the pieces to orchestrate that trade.

ho hum. either wings or preds will get thrashed in the second round.

The Kings have been playing some awfully intense hockey in this series... they will be tough to beat by any team if they can keep this up.

VAN/LAK: 4-0 STL/SJS: 4-3 PHX/CHI: 3-4 NSH/DET: 4-1 NYR/OTT: 4-1 BOS/WSH: 4-1 FLA/NJD: 4-2 PIT/PHI: 4-2 WC Champion:VANCOUVER EC Champion:PITTSBURGH SCF Champion:PITTSBURGH

what it comes down to is: Q: in the near-term, did the Canucks and Sharks get better at the deadline? A: yes they did.

Gaustad and a 4th were had for the Preds 1st rounder. we got Kyle Quincey for our 1st and Piche.

no tradeable assets and now no first rd pick. I doubt Kenny will be able to bring anything further than Quincey.

Cherry is harmless. I love his rhetoric but lately he's gone too dinosaur with his bruiser talk. He needs to find a new topic otherwise he;ll end up like the original HNIC theme song.

Its not like its a french word or anything

Wings need to finish top two... otherwise it will likely be a second round exit again.

well the dynamics certainly have changed... no Datsyuk. The Wings most likely have an excuse to lose the next two games.

2 points is 2 points... but lets not forget the "game" within the game. Detroit doesn't blow up the Habs in Dec 2, 1995; they don't giftwrap Patrick Roy to our rivals the Avalanche. We must respect the Canucks for what they are... an already very talented formidable team. Them Canucks also seem to have the Sharks number. An ugly outcome for either team on Feb 23 may spur a turning-point trade.

This is a scenario that I'd certainly like to see. might even inspire Bert to play tougher.

curious about the timing... was it absolutely necessary to waive Conks now? does Kenny need the roster spot... i.e. does he expect to add someone??

While its comforting to see this team has no glaring needs... things may change come may/june. Sure would be nice if Kenny can get someone that can contribute; especially if it can be done cheaply.

I still feel some of these contracts are constructed to be so distasteful that no team can match it... regardless of the player's output. I bet the devils could put Ilya Kovalchuk and his silly contract on waivers and it will likely pass.

maybe someone can correct me... but i distinctly remember that teams had to include the cap numbers of waived AHL or overseas players at some point just before the start of the season. if so, this means its not really a perpetual loophole. an aside; while I am ALL for punishing franchises that agree to silly contracts... I don't agree in punishing the individual player. waived players imho should get off scott-free and available as unrestricted free agents (unable to sign with waiving team for 1 year of course) no cap hits attached. of *course* this might bring up the notion of collusion, especially if there is a trade/signing in principle. they might have to let waived players stew out of the league for some arbitrary time.

Nik really should have taken even a slight cut... this probably seals it that Ken will go after quick and cheap geezers in free agency.

For as much as I'd love to give Vancouver credit, I can barely stomach the fact that our Wings were ousted twice by those heartless, gutless Sharks. Sorry Kenny, but this team needs changes if you want to win.

verdict is out on Hudler. If Babs wants Hudler in his lineup at all, its hard to believe Kenny would go through the trouble of buying this guy out.

Kenny no longer has the cajones to make a trade. Huds will either be offered an extension or simply dumped in free agency once his contract expires.

I think they are harmless... but they should really stick to home games. they might incite a brawl. h

someone send in the memo... you don't often score by noodle-ing the puck toward the net. please take honest hard shot... niemi is beatable.