evil204

It's not so much the origins of the players, it's just that most of our foreign players never really bring their personality out into the open. Look at Holmstrom, for example. He's foreign, and still, although he's not a superstar, he's a fan favorite around here. He does lots of interviews, he's funny, and he works hard. That's why people like him. Now look at Datsyuk... I barely ever see him interviewed, and most fans probably know nothing about him. He just comes in, plays the game, and leaves. I think the player's nationality definitely has some importance, but the more significant factor is their personality. Datsyuk is not Fedorov. It seems he doesn't really want to be in the spotlight. He doesn't need recognition. He simply does his job, and that's it. Zetterberg could probably become a "hometown hero," kind of like Yzerman. For him, it might just take leading the team to a championship in the near future.

The last two minutes of game 6 against the Ducks. The most infuriating, however, was Lilja's giveaway in OT

There was one game I saw last year against the Wings where Fedorov was flying all over the place, making great passes, and I think he scored a goal or 2. I think he's definitely still capable of playing at a high level, and the main reason why his production has dropped off is his inability to stay healthy (I wish everyone trained like Chelios...) Fedorov is obviously not going to play the way he played the last time we saw him as a Wing, but I'd say he's still better than anyone we have on offense, besides Datsyuk and Zetterberg.

Well, I think next year will be the Red Wings' year. Shanny will lead his Rangers to the top spot in the East. Lang will help Chicago win our division, with Fedorov and the Bluejackets coming in second. Detroit, of course, will be 3rd. Schneider and the Ducks will win their division, finishing 2nd in the West after failing to shut down the unstoppable Lang in 4 games against the Blackhawks. Dang I'm good. I should work for Versus.

Logic would also unfortunately dictate that a Red Wing scoring 45 goals is bound to get injured right before the playoffs

Cujo should know.

I don't think any commissioner would want his own people trashing his league. It's not just Bettman... I doubt Hull cares anyway. He probably knew it wouldn't last...and he got a good laugh out of it. Anyway, it sucks that he's gone. I actually watched some games on NBC just to hear what Hull has to say, not for the game.

I never saw Murphy play, but he sure comes off as an idiot when he's on FSN

I think we need a sticky post for people to whine about Lang.

I miss Lang.

Really.... for how much?

I think they should play together. We had pretty much the same forward lines to start last season (plus Williams, minus Drake..). Babcock had Datsyuk and Zetterberg on different lines, and it just failed miserably. Both guys were really slumping for the first few months of the season, and as soon as Babcock put them back together, everything just clicked. They just have too much chemistry together to be broken up. We should probably give Filppula a chance to be the #2 center.

I don't get how any of you can say that our defense for next year looks good. Compared to last season, we actually lost size with Markov gone. Maybe you didn't notice how we completely got manhandled by the Ducks and (especially) the Sharks, with their big forwards being able to keep the puck in our zone for more than a minute at a time. Our defense is TALENTED, probably more talented than anyone else's, and we do have great depth. But with Lilja being the only guy who can play a physical style (without getting hit in the face with a skate), we completely lack toughness and grit on defense. Lidstrom's ability to shoot from the point and Lebda's end-to-end rushes won't help us get the puck away from Joe Thornton in the playoffs next year. We don't have to sign Markov, but we NEED someone who plays a similar style.

WMP opens it for me. I can see the entire disc.

I'm seeding right now. I'll try to leave it on for the rest of the day. DatsyukRules: you can open it in Windows Media Player.

But if we don't get Yashin, who's gonna be the scapegoat next season? Williams and Lang are gone, and Lilja is playing decent hockey (except that one overtime....). I'm thinking Samuelsson, but he isn't overpaid, so it's not like we can expect anything from him

It's not really overspending, it's how much players are worth now. I don't get how guys that weren't worth $6M before the lockout can get $8M now, but...oh well. We will have to "overspend" if we want a good team. We didn't do that this year because we didn't have the money to sign any of the top free agents. And we definitely don't have the best defense in the league. It may be one of the most talented, but the lack of size and toughness will kill us.

You're funny They should hire you to be on Coach's Corner with Don Cherry. I think I'm gonna go watch the Blue Jackets...

I know Selanne was productive last season, but he didn't look that great in the playoffs, especially against the Wings. I think that with Bertuzzi signed, Selanne is an acceptable loss for the Ducks.

I think the money left over after Hasek signs should just be given out to the members of LGW. Maybe then I'll be able to afford a playoff ticket.

I think we should sign Ben Wallace.

I think Babcock is more to blame for that than Calder.

Lang made a great choice signing with Chicago. He won't have to play past early April

If Hasek is smart and wants to win the Cup, he'll take a pay cut (with bigger bonuses) so we can sign Smyth. If you think about it, Hasek's salary determines whether or not we get a superstar that can help us enormously. It's all in his hands.

The big splash is going to be the Leafs signing Lang to a 4 year deal.