gcom007

...and I'd like to defend myself and others for a moment...just because we echo these sorts of sentiments doesn't necessarily make us blind Osgood lovers. I'm really not so much partial to Osgood so much as partial to the fact that we have far bigger problems than goaltending most years and it'd be nice if more people would start realizing that then pointing fingers at the obvious scapegoats.

I agree with the sentiments echoed thus far. Surprise for sure as well at the actual thread topic. Sometimes I do feel a little bad for him because he could easily start elsewhere, but it's really nice having a guy around who cares more about being part of this team than making money and getting all the glory. He knows he has a role here and he fills it admirably. I'm definitely not going to be upset should he get a chance to run with the starting slot. I've been saying it since we brought Hasek in for the first time in '02, in all these years, goaltending hasn't really been our issue. We've won when our team consistently scores and lost when we can't catch a break scoring. Year after year sans ONE year when we were sporting a truly mediocre goalie (Legace 05/06) in the playoffs has our issue been one that can be traced to goaltending. I'm not saying Hasek didn't help in '02, but I am saying with Osgood starting, we still win the Cup in '02. Any year Osgood, Cujo or Hasek has started has been a year where we were good enough to win in net and not good enough to win in the opposing teams zone. You can have the greatest goalie in the world, but if you don't score, unless your goalie is completely giving games away like Legace did when he got his shot, you've got a solid chance to win.

I'd take Kozzie over Bert...not so much going in the risk department and always a playoff performer.

Yeah, umm, well, it's already well documented down the page...it's cool, just saying...

No way...

I've got a feeling we'll see a Kozlov deal by the end of the day...just a hunch...nothing more...

He was pretty pissed when he was traded from Detroit, so I don't quite get where you're coming from in that regard. He also always put up mad numbers in the playoffs. Like Federov, it was a given that Kozzie would turn it on in the postseason. I'd like to have that around again. He's an old face worth having back for so many reasons. He's got loads of upsides. To suggest anything else given his numbers on weaker teams and his playoff experience is just silly.

I've wanted to see Rafalski in a Wings uniform for years. Great signing in a lot of ways, but I hope he doesn't trail off towards the end. I would've signed him for 3 if I could. Welcome home Rafalski!

The only reason I'm not totally pissed that he went to the Ducks is because I know he lives out in LA and they're the best team in the area and obviously have got the cash to pay. Definitely going to add to the bad blood though between these teams. This is a big loss for the Wings. The haters will realize that full well next year provided we don't make some big moves.

Seeing as he's restricted, I'm sure he's the least of Hollands worries right now. Both parties know this.

That's kinda what I'm expecting in a lot of ways. I mean, I'm not going to be super pissed as we never pull crazy hype moves but we still have solid teams. I don't need gimmickry and glitz so long as we've got a good team on the ice next year, and I don't doubt that we will one way or another.

I'm not worried as this is fairly normal. What really intrigues me is what he'll do with the leftover money. Will he sign some significant players? The last couple years he's been a lot of talk about this very off-season and setting himself up for it as there'd be a lot of talent available. It'll be interesting to see how much of that still rings true July 3...

I'm kinda surprised to say that I'd be alright with Kariya on the Wings. I liked him when he first hit the league, then I got sick of him, but I like him again lately. Granted, I really haven't followed him that intently, but he seems like a bit less of a pansy than he used to be. A little grittier since Scott Stevens almost killed him. Not gritty gritty, just not so much like "Princess Kariya..." If the price is right, it could be good. I think it'd be a better deal than Smyth as he'd likely be cheaper and it addresses an area we could use a bit more help in. Then again, the idea of having the two best netcrashers in the league is quite tantilizing...

I wouldn't pay Hasek more than 2 mil either. I'd gamble on Osgood and a young guy and put more stock in players. Once Osgood got past injuries he was playing quite well again. Historically speaking, he's not Hasek great but he is infinitely better than most view him as around here. Besides Manny, our problem has never been goaltending. Goalies can't score. Year after year, our problems have a hell of a lot more to do with scoring than anything. So with a pretty strong defense that tends to make any goalie look good, why pay a lot for anyone when it's going to really compromise your chances up front. Not a gamble I'd take. It's a gamble either way really, but again, I'd put my money up front before I throw too much at Hasek or anyone. Keeping Schneider should be of #1 importance. He's the only one I really see as being a must-sign. Too bad he's likely to be the hardest to sign, though he did surprise me when he resigned for two years. I bet Kenny is kicking himself for not locking him down until retirement now...

Anyone complaining about bringing Schneider back is just out of their minds and living in la la land. He's still one of the premier offensive-defensemen in the league and a huge part of our success. It'd be silly to let him go without any sort of fight. Everyone loves to talk about these young guys, but give me a break, it's just silly. Let them continue to develop and when they're ready, they'll come. Remember what happened the last time we gave someone a chance who wasn't ready or up for it? Oh yeah, that was Legace and he was abyssmal for us in the playoffs on all accounts... "But he had a great regular season and a great start..." Yeah... HITTING HOME RUNS IN A LITTLE LEAGUE FIELD!!! Wow, he can play well behind a fantastic defense against bottom of the barrel teams in the easiest division in the league. Wow. Impressive. It don't mean jack. Give it time and let the NHLer's do their job in the meantime.

If I were the coach, Chelios would be my captain and Hank next.

Sad story...as if we didn't already have enough reasons to root for Ottawa...

I guess there always has to be a few stupid people in the world to balance things out...what an absurd thought. I know you didn't say he should be gone, but the fact that this even entered your mind proves you're just operating on the wrong level. Bad form.

See, in my opinion, operating on pure speculation, I think Chelios may've been the bigger man in this situation. There is no real respect left in the game between players and that's why so many bulls*** plays happen. Teams like Anaheim embody this mindset and I think Chelios being the old-timer that he is said no, I will not give my respect to a team that embodies what is polluting and destroying the game of hockey. Short run hit...long run gain maybe if people actually start thinking about it...if people start asking themselves why they're not worthy of respect...idealistic maybe, but Chelios is the Father of the league right now if there is one and he's doing what he can to leave it a brighter and better place for all future players. I can't help but think in some small way, this has something to do with it.

He's a toolbag...it's just speculation...I really should start a blog...it's not that hard to make idiotic statements and for some reason, America eats this s*** up...look at PerezHilton.com...if he isn't the biggest ****** in the world.................but man, the profit you can make just by being an idiot on the internet...get the views, get the banners, bing bang boom you're in business...I gotta hop on this...

Again, if anyone's got a good reason and if anyone can get away with this, it's Chelios. I think Chelios is on a level of thinking that is so far above anyone else in the game right now...he has the blood-hungry warrior side combined with the fact that he is indeed 45 years old and he knows his time to quit will come soon enough...he loves the game like few ever has and has utmost respect for it and its players as evidenced by how involved he's been in trying to secure a strong and respectable NHLPA...that said, I've just got to believe he had his reasons, they were good, and though maybe not the most commendable move, if anyone can get away with it, it's Chelios. If anyone can make that stand, it's Chelios. There is no way in hell I'm going to throw him under the bus for this. Anyone who is, well, quite frankly, you must be a pretty new fan. Hope you're enjoying your ride on the coattails of the late 90's Red Wings bandwagon...

Yeah right to all your player callouts...come on...you people need to get realistic...I'm not saying some things aren't partially accurate, but mostly it's so absurd, unnecessary and inconsequential that I don't know why you bother posting let alone taking the time to even think up these things...like getting rid of players we have signed and using Dom as a backup. Come on. Are you serious? You need to find a better use of your time if you're actually contemplating some of these things even in fantasy land...

Chelios has always been a win at any cost warrior more like the old days...the difference is he still has respect for his opponents and the game in general and doesn't make a mockery of himself off the ice. I certainly won't say he's a saint...anything but, but I also don't think you can really compare the two. Call it subjective, but before he was on the Wings when every Wings fan hated him, I said the same thing and I also wished openly that we would get him someday. I was shocked and overjoyed when it actually happened. But again, like I said, I was saying the same thing when it was cool to hate him in Detroit. He plays hockey like it's a war on and off the ice. He doesn't whine like a ***** when the game's over or when he takes the heat. He just takes it and goes...never stopping...he may be the last old time hockey guy in the league...

Typically, I would agree with you, however, in this case, I really don't think the Ducks deserve it. They played classless hockey, whined a lot and got a lot of really lucky breaks...they stole game 5...well, them and the refs...I commend them for finishing as it says something, but I don't think they were the better team overall in this series and they're certainly not better hockey players and men. Again, typically, I'm all for recognizing the reality in these situations, but the reality this year is a bitter pill to swallow and much like Chelios in that he didn't shake their hands (I'm obviously inserting my own interpretation here on that...) I'm not about to congratulate them and give them props. I hope they get pounded. I could care less that they beat the Wings. If I watched them play this kind of hockey against any team and pull all their stunts, I'd be saying the same thing.

The only deeply disappointing goal Hasek gave up was that one in the third...it's just one of those goals...when you're down and you're rallying, you absolutely don't give up a goal nomatter what...I don't think he made a smart play there and they scored? Other people at fault too? Absolutely. But man, that 4th goal was huge...just a backbreaker...of all the goalies in the world, I would've thought Dom would be the one to not let that goal in nomatter what it took...as a testament to him though, next year, I still believe that he's the one goalie in the world who would absolutely not let that goal in...