RedWingAbner

It certainly does-- players on LTIR don't count against the cap while they are on it.

Can someone confirm the salary issue? As I understand it, the Wings have about $4 mill in cap space, based on LTIR savings from Stuart and Holmstrom. TSN reports it's closer to $300k; their analysts say it's around $1.2 M.

Yes. I am sure Bill Ranford will tell us that one shutout means a goalie hasn't slipped to the point where HE SHOULD RETIRE.

The Fourth Period is reporting the Wings are looking at Chris Neil (OTT) and Blair Betts (NYR).

You know, I can't help but think that Mark Recchi could really help the Wings. I think that he's a guy who provides scoring depth if a guy like Hossa went down. I'd love to see Recchi, Laperriere, and a depth defenseman.

LA has re-signed Sean O'Donnell. So, scratch him off any depth list you may have had.

So, the Wings will not be getting Vokoun. Eklund sucks.

Trades usually start happening at about 11. For what it's worth, The Fourth Period is reporting the Wings are actively looking for a goalie; an update (and perhaps related) is that Montreal has recalled Marc Denis from the AHL. Could the Wings be looking at Jaroslav Halak? Not saying that I think it will happen, but just asking.

I think the team thing might be a decent point, but our system? A system for the goalie is "Stop the puck." It's not like he'll have to learn offensive zone positioning.

Yeah, Luongo sucks because he has 0 goals. Obviously I am being a bit extreme, but Zetterberg largely played on the 2nd unit for much of this year-- plus, he is a better defensive forward than most in the NHL. If you posed the question-- Who would you take to start a franchise-- Crosby or Zetterberg-- the answer would favor Zetterberg.

Crosby does not have "unrivaled talent." The reason he came into the league as a "superstar" is because he was hyped as one, not because he did anything amazing. Good. Not amazing. The top 10 players in hockey: 1. Alexander Ovechkin 2. Pavel Datsyuk 3. Evgeni Malkin 4. Henrik Zetterberg 5. Roberto Luongo 6. Nicklas Lidstrom 7. Zdeno Chara 8. Joe Thornton 9. Sydney Crosby 10. Tomas Kopec....I mean....Rick Nash

Is it just me, or is it becoming increasingly common for hockey fans to give nicknames to players--whom they don't know personally--and then refer to them by said nicknames? I think it's odd, because I don't hear the players, coaches, etc. refer to them by these--ie, the fan just makes it up and runs with it. Examples: "Hosser"--Marian Hossa "Leiner"--Ville Leino I can't really think of any more right now, but it really is driving me a bit crazy. Am I alone here?

Yeah, god, can't wait to see a guy like Malkin with him. Can you imagine the #'s he'd put up with Marian Hossa? If only for a few games, it would have to be like 4-5 points a game. Oh wait. Nope, just a good player. Nothing overly special. Not too flashy, but good. See Thornton, Joe.

Point missed. I am not saying that the players need to stop-- just non-team personnel (fans) inventing uncreative nicknames. Pain Train? good. Kopie? Lame.

Thank you topshelf. I completely agree.

Nah. Crosby is good. Ovechkin is amazing. No spectrums involved. Ovechkin is better than Crosby in every facet of the game, save maybe passing.

Osgood's poor rebound control creates alot of the chances against him. A play that Conklin stops can become a scramble quickly when Ozzie fluffs a pop fly meant for his glove.

I know there are legitimate nicknames-- "Happy" Hudler, "Drapes," "Ozzie." I am just saying there seems to be a slew of the invented nicknames lately.

Hopefully you know I was kidding. He's a boring, whiny player. Not really worth my time. Some people like him, some people know that Ovechkin's better. He'll be on team Canada.

Besides what you followed that question with, I would love for him to just admit that he's a bottom.

To anyone who says that trading Mikael Samuelsson somehow helps retain anyone, you are a moron. He's a UFA. By keeping him around, you have a depth forward. What good does trading him for a pick do? We get the cap space even if we hold him. Secondly, trading him to "save room" financially for Helm or Abdelkader is unnecessary. There is no salary cap in the playoffs.

Team USA 2010 Forwards: Paul Stastny, W Ryan Kesler, C Ryan Malone, W Chris Drury, C Joe Pavelski, C Zach Parise, W Jamie Langenbrunner, W Patrick Kane, W Dustin Brown, W RJ Umberger, C Phil Kessel, W Bobby Ryan, W Blake Wheeler, W Defense John-Michael Liles Erik Johnson Jack Johnson Mike Komisarek Brian Rafalski Paul Martin Tom Gilbert Matt Greene Ryan Suter Goalies Tim Thomas Ryan Miller Scott Clemmensen Reserve squad Dustin Byfuglien Jeremy Roenick Jon Quick

Neither of those American rosters have John-Michael Liles. Is this by design or mistake?

Obviously, they aren't out tonight, but does anyone think the TooToo whistles will follow him when the Predators leave Nashville/when he leaves Nashville?

This is the point where Osgood would let a trickler go through from 30 feet out. But Conklin is in, so it should be fine. Then again, Chris Osgood was 39-6 in 1995!