Cicada

yes, but he seemed to have some heart back.. he's been coasting through seasons leaving the wings.

add to that he was stellar for the caps down the stretch

for the intangibles he brings to a team with some young russians, i'd say he's well worth it

i'm amazed tbh.. i never thought that he'd play again

yes, but he had his seizure wearing #2

hmm.. 3673 miles.. think i can make it in time?

he unretired it, though it's not in circulation.. He actually made sure that all the books, hhof etc didn't list it as retired. I believe it's because he's not in the HHOF also vladdie's 16 is not available, and no one has worn #2 since Fischer, though they'res not confirmation if it's available or not... it's far to early to say if Z or Dats will be retired but considering that we've had 2 great era's on our history, to get 5 retired from the 1st and only Stevie and Lids from the 2nd would be a shame. Still you can't retire Homer, Drapes or Maltby's jersey because they're just not those guys...

the Stars lost Norstrom (retirement)

Cuba Gooding Jnr is actually often at Kings games, not that that would give him any understanding of the Stanley Cup

a lot of teams have great offensive games though. Just look at Pittsburgh, San Jose, Washington, Montreal. What seperates us is not just out defense, but our defensive game. The way ALL our fowards backcheck so agressively, the way we can transform from a puck possession team to a dump and chase team to a trapping team to a forechecking team in a heatbeat. The amazing adaptability of our teams defensive game is what won us the cup.

good chance, but you never know...

i'd argue the 'talent' point as well.. Crosby, Malkin yes.. but the other 3 are scrubs

the guy was after a big payday, but instead he gets a little one. of corse he's 'floored'. His holiday home in maui probably needs a new coat of paint or soemthing and now he can't afford the extra special shiny metallic gold fleck finish or something...

thats actually a fairly weak powerplay considering they'res no screen there. Malkin is scared to get physical and the other 4 are most perimeter players.. i'd take our 1st and 2nd unit over them anyday

as long as the NHL team doesn't directly pay the buyout then it's legal as by the CBA. But then the player can only sign an entry level contract and if he has to give some of that up as a so called 'buyout', he can be fairly poor. it's really not worth it for those player unless they're guaranteed NHL money. If they get sent down and make AHL money they might actually find themselves at a defecit. AHL salaraies are what? about 100k. Frogren apparently paid 200k to buy himself out. He better hope he doesn't end up on the marlies.

in terms of european players: players are only eligible for the entry draft wo turn 18 by September 15th and are not older than 20 by December 31st are eligible - Every European player older than 20 who isn't drafted automatically becomes a UFA. the right of unsigned but drafted players from europe are a bit hinky because of the lack of the IIHF agreement. It's not known wether the teams who drafted them hold their rights as 'defected players' or if they're available as UFA's. No one has made a president yet. if i'm wrong someone correct me, because i could be. i have a fairuly loose understanding of the situation the reason Bunnstrom and Leino can be signed is that they're 23/24 years old. Tavares and Hedman are 17/18. and yes, i know Franzen was drafted at 24, but that was under the old CBA, which had different rules for European players. European players HAD to be drafted to play in the NHL then.

i'm fairly sure they'res also some rule which prevents players being signed to a new contract immediately after signing a 1 year deal. Kenny H was talking about how he can't negociate with Hossa till the 1st of January, even though already got 1 year remaining. I guess it's so GM's can't get around cap issues by signing a player to a cheap 1 year deal and then extending it with a monster deal two days later.

who the hell could pick up longdongo with his stupid salary. then again, Chicago could do with another goaltender

if the canucks offer 2.5 we'll match in a second... i think the canucks will over 4+, and we'll let him walk. Vancouver is a draft lottery team with or without him, so hello top 5 pick.

if he gets an offer sheet in the 4mill range we'll find out who he really is. If he signs it he know we'll have to make some sacrifices.. it'll tell us if he's a life long wing or not... the fact remains though, he's never going to be superstar in this league, and he hasn't made his money already like some, Hossa, etc. He'd be a fool career wise to turn it down.

remember that the player actually has to sign the offer sheet. Flip may not sign it. He seems to have his head screwed on straight, and why would anyone actually choose to play for the canucks?

gotta say no... our "Drake" replacment is Kopecky, if he can get healthy

i gotta think Stamkos.. the Tampa PP is going to be strong and you gott figure he'll be on it

i'd move Florida to Winnipeg, Nashville to Seattle. Wings to the EC

anyone know the situation on our affiliates next year? obviously Grand Rapids will be the AHL afflilate, but since Toledo still doesn't have their ECHL team going do we know whats going on. I was under the impression our deals with Port Huron and Flint were only one year. Have they been expanded or might we get an ECHL team for a season?