hockeysattva

Also, if you've ever read anything about how Yzerman ended up a Red Wing you know that luck has everything to do with our draft picks.

If found this comment particularly interesting. " I've been saying the same thing about Detroit for a while. They seem to do very well in the mid to late rouns of the draft, but they aren’t doing much to make them a zillion times better than anyone else in the early rounds. I do have to give them credit for selecting so many star caliber players though. I said it here, and here. The other thing that needs to be pointed out with Detroit is that their development system is so good because players take a long time to make the NHL. If Kronwall, Filpulla, and Hudler had been playing for Florida, all three would have over 300 games in the NHL by now, and players like Mowers and Helm would have been in the NHL a year and a half ago. They take it slow and it works, but it also negatively impacts on the stats you’re examining. "Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Sir Winston Churchill I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs. by Steve@Leafs.HockeyAnalysis.com on Jun 22, 2009 11:11 AM EDT" The heres: http://leafs.hockeyanalysis.com/2008/06/23...s-drafted-dumb/ http://leafs.hockeyanalysis.com/2008/05/15...ft-discrepancy/

Its too late for that, and I presume the Wings would still like him to consider their offer. Posturing is a big part of negotiating, and I suspect both sides have done some.

The title of the thread doesn't fit with the article. Rumors suggest that Hossa has been offered something. This is a far cry from having actually happened, especially considering that Holland has been so clear about having to wait on the cap to do anything.

What if sports outcome: Detroit Home Advantage: Osgood vs. Barraso 91-92 Pens win 7 out of 10 games against 96-97 Wings Hasek vs. Barraso 01-02 Wings win 7 out of 10 games against 91-92 Pens In Pittsburgh : 5 and 5 02 wings vs. 92 pens 92 pens win 7 of 10 against 97 wings My initial opinion was that the 02 Wings (not a stated option) were the best, and these results were consistent with that, but WhatIfSports is only so good. I think its hard to judge from 92 to 97 though, its like judging before and after the lockout -- and it literally was. My money says the Detroit D could contain the Pittsburgh offense at that time, but just like this year, anything can happen during the second season. [Edited to add: the 95-96 Wings totally smoked the 92 Pens 7 out of 10 away and 9 out of 10 at home.]

"In any given year, there can be a maximum of four players, two builders, and one referee or linesman. " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_membe...ey_Hall_of_Fame

No chemical free mind thought there was a chance in hell that Malkin was going to be suspended, that rule hasn't been enforced whatsoever. Buttman is a ******, but say so for the correct reasons. He didn't hand anyone the Cup; the Wings blew it.

Not true, he was busy hugging teammates when he could have joined the line and there would have been no problem. I've seen lots of excuses floated around, but none of them hold any weight. The only thing the media did wrong was to give the appearance he only shook hands with Osgood and Babcock, but the interviews were finished well within reason for him to make the back of the line in time to shake hands with everyone.

They just got beat. Maybe if they had the extra week off there would have been gas in the tank...

Not even close.

I'm going to leave now before there are too many what ifs. I just don't believe it right now.

You could try using google: Answers.com: Question: What is the criteria for a player to get his name on the Stanley Cup? Answer: The Stanley Cup is the only trophy in pro sport that bears the names of players, coaches, management and staff from the winning teams. Prior to 1977 only players who had completed the Stanley Cup playoffs were eligible. Today, players appearing in 41 regular-season games or one Stanley Cup Final game for the championship team have their names engraved on the Cup. The NHL makes exceptions for players who do not meet the standard because of injury or other extenuating circumstances. That's why Jiri Slegr was the luckiest guy in the NHL in the spring of 2002. Acquired by Detroit at the trade deadline, he played just eight regular season games as a Red Wing and did not dress for a single playoff game for the first three rounds. But he was called on to play game five of the Stanley Cup Final in place of Jiri Fischer, who had to serve a one-game suspension. So Slegr got his name on the Stanley Cup, and has a nasty Fischer cross-check to thank for it. NHL.com: (a section called cup facts) To have one's name engraved on the Stanley Cup certain requirements must be met. A player must have at least 41 games played with the club or one game played in the Stanley Cup Finals. However, in 1994 a stipulation was added to allow a team to petition the Commissioner for permission to have players' names put on the Cup if extenuating circumstances prevented them from being available to play. not a difficult search...

Why not bump one of the threads that already says exactly the same thing?

I said 40 to 1 or 97.5% chance of winning 43-18 overall doesn't sound nearly as impressive as 11-2 at home this series... though the point is taken. The Pens have snapped before and I expect will do so again. This isn't a matter of chance -- Detroit is the better team -- its a matter of all the things the would have to go wrong (unexpectedly so) for them to end up losing. PS. I think my number is very realistic.

Best in hockey today I think but, the 01-02 Wings and the 94-98 incarnations were probably much better on paper. 2002 was the only year I absolutely knew who was going to win the Cup in October. 1996 was when everyone was wrong. 97 and 98 were Bowman's teams, it would be interesting to see how Bowman and Babcock would go head to head. I will give you this, I think the current Wing are the best cap era team.

ReggieDunlop is also a great Pens poster here (hope I got the name right). You think any of Babcock rubbed off onto him when he was his player? Or is it like Babs has said, when you start you don't know anything? I surprised you didn't say more about the D though. That's where most people start. I think its cool that Helm is getting noticed.

Every time I have actually made a bet on the Wings its been a jinx. I literally mean every time, so I have stopped. Tue Jan 20, 2009 Red Wings Coyotes 3 - 6 L That one had money riding on it a few different ways, and I was looking to be $300 richer, but ended up $60 poorer. So, like I said: I'm done. PS. It would probably cost you at least 20 bucks just send the money to me, and it would be missing when it got here.

While the are the best team in hockey, playing on home ice, and for the most important trophy in all of sports you are correct. I'll give the Pens a roughly 1 in 40 chance of coming out on top, but I can't get any more honest than that, and as for lucky bounces didn't you notice the two or three lucky ones the Pens got today. Why would you think they are due any more? I am friends with some Pens fans, and I know even more people who would like to see them lose, but Friday isn't the day.

I haven't even though I was commended for being a good sport last run, they just didn't want my kind around there anymore.

Not to mention that those inflammatory remarks in no way follow the thread as described. Didn't he say, "No one wants it more than Crosby." Though I suppose its possible he meant to say, "No one wants this to be over more than Crosby," or something like that since he hasn't really specified the "it'" to which Crosby wants. Either way, I'm sure I've already give the troll more than he deserved.

Nothing in your post can even be remotely compared to a "logical assertion" (which it would seem you don't know the meaning of) but is instead opinion -- in its entirety. To think you can suggest for even a moment that there is a way to prove "who wants it more" is beyond ludicrous, though I have problem with the fact people speculate about such subjects; I do have a problem with the way in which you have tempered it. How about these logical assertions: Detroit is the best hockey team in hockey today, check. Detroit has outscored the Pens 10 - 2 on home ice, check. The last game in Detroit the Penguins unraveled into a team not worthy of the playoff, much like they were most of the season. I hope you stick around after your team loses, but I seriously doubt that would happen. I was banned from the Pens board I joined last year, because I complained nobody wanted serious discussion of hockey there anymore. If you don't want to be perceived as a troll, post some proof; as it stands you are one.

I already give the Pens respect it is your post that I find inexcusable. One simple question: is it possible for you to say, "you guys have done great: nobody thought you would even make the playoffs, and now you are within one game of winning the Cup" and "your play in game five disgusted me" (for example)? I can give them all the kudos in the world, but there isn't a chance in hell that they are winning the Cup. I didn't say if this, or that, or... there is no chance that they win the Cup, period!

Alright everyone: please don't feed the troll.

CALGARY, Alberta -- Tomas Kopecky intends to take a break from playing jokes on his buddy, Marian Hossa, and trying to get under his skin like he normally does. He can't risk disrupting his new linemate's concentration. "Now I have to keep him as relaxed as possible, make sure he's ready for the game,'' Kopecky said. He has known Hossa since they were school kids in Slovakia. He spoke to him regularly when Hossa was pondering where to sign last summer. Hossa stayed at Kopecky's house for a few weeks before training camp. But Kopecky never imagined he would ever play on the same line or power-play unit with Hossa, like he will tonight for the second consecutive game, when the Detroit Red Wings visit the Calgary Flames. It won't last long -- just until Tomas Holmstrom's back spasms subside -- so Kopecky is determined to make the most of an opportunity to play alongside a pair of superstars in Hossa and Pavel Datsyuk. "It's like a dream come true,'' Kopecky said. "He's so big back home, just a good player. Pav, the same thing. It's just so easy to play with those guys. Keep your feet moving, keep getting them the puck from the corner and just get open and have your stick on the ice, and go to the net and they're going to find you.'' With Holmstrom idled on Thursday, Kopecky scored one power-play goal because of his net-front presence and might be credited with another one, in which the puck grazed his pants, in the 4-3 victory against Edmonton. A fourth-line player with limited offensive opportunities, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Kopecky is responsible for providing energy and a physical presence by forechecking hard and battling in the corners and around the net. "Kopy is a real good hockey player with his skill and size,'' Hossa said. "He can skate, he played well in front of the net, he's not afraid to be pushed over. He's a big kid, so when he gets the chance, he has to make sure he uses it.'' Even before the last game, Kopecky started to feel more comfortable, which he anticipated would take some time after having surgery in April to repair a torn knee ligament. "It's like every player, you got to do it night in and night out,'' Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "Every team you're playing against now will be aware he's going to be net-front.'' Kopecky originally was credited with his team's second goal Thursday, when it appeared Datsyuk's shot glanced off his pants. It later was ruled Datsyuk's goal. "I hope I'm going to get it back,'' Kopecky said. "I talked to Babs and he said he saw it hit my pants. I don't get many opportunities to score two goals a game.'' He joked that he might need to take Datsyuk to dinner to convince him to call the league and have it changed. Kopecky said some of his teammates teased him about not being credited with the goal. "Homer told me I should mark my pants, maybe spray paint it black and show it to Pav that the puck actually hit me,'' Kopecky said. Said Babcock: "It hit his pants, we saw that.'' Datsyuk jokingly complained that Holmstrom has tried to take goals away from him before, and now Kopecky is doing the same. "Holmstrom or Kopecky, they always say, 'I touched (the puck),' " Datsyuk said. "I'm not their friend.'' Holmstrom didn't practice Friday and Babcock said he would not play tonight. "My left side and lower back is really sore, feels like somebody stabbed a knife in the back,'' Holmstrom said. Kronwall returns, Meech plays forward Defenseman Nicklas Kronwall practiced Friday and said his twisted right ankle has improved significantly. He will play tonight. Because the Red Wings have no spare forwards, defenseman Derek Meech will play left wing on the fourth line, with Kris Draper and Darren McCarty. Meech's skating ability allows him to make the transition. He played a few games up front last season. "It takes a little bit of an adjustment, more skating,'' Meech said. "I just run around and try to create some energy, keep things simple, get pucks behind their (defense) and make them tired. I feel I can contribute to the greater goal here, whether it's on forward or defense.'' Babcock said he'll start with four lines and see what happens. "If (Meech) can get on the forecheck like he did before, he's a real good skater, he's good with the puck and he's responsible,'' Babcock said.http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2008/11/red_wings_kopecky_thrilled_to.html

An honest look at the finals to this point: (Not saying anything about the night Z didn't shadow Crosby, which is worth mentioning.) Malkin -- 2 goals and 5 assists Zetterberg -- 2 goals 4 assists Crosby -- 1 goal 2 assists Crosby does not deserve any mention, has not delivered when it matter the most. Malkin may deserve a mention, as he has contributed in 7 of 10 of Penguins goals ( seven of nine if you don't count the empty netter). But, then there is Zetterberg who is only one assist behind Malkin (albeit he has only contributed in 7 of 15 Detroit goals) and deserves to take a fair amount of credit for shutting down Crosby in at least four games. Malkin and Crosby are definitely smart players who are actually under-rated for their defensive play (IMO) but haven't shut down Zetterberg (so who are they shutting down?). So, look at the plus minus ratings of the players, compare where they were at the start of the series and now, and you'll get an idea off who the two way players are. My second point is actually about the way the award is awarded. There seems to be a general bias towards numbers over moments, and later rounds over early rounds. Zetterberg's numbers are definitely comparable to last years. He had 27 points in 22 games and now has 24 points in 21 games. Ozzie has a .927 S% and 2.10 GA overal and 2.0 in this series. The only question in my mind is who has been important; Ozzie stopping a helluva allotta shots (despite fantastic play in front of him) or Zetterberg shutting down the single best opposing player series after series. If Crosby is really seen as being as good as people write it, you got to give it to Zetterberg, but if Crosby is over-rated, Ozzie deserves it.... All that being said, aren't we a bit ahead of ourselves?