haroldsnepsts

I do think it has to hinder development that he can't take what he's learned at the NHL level and continue to work on in it the minors. Sometimes Holland's "overly ripe" philosophy doesn't always work out.

He scored 23 points in the playoffs in 02. And others are mixing up "most HOFers" with "best." To me "best" is mostly likely to win playoff games and the Cup. That doesn't necessarily mean the same as talent level. Like I said, the 97 team won again in 98, minus their top defenseman. That's a pretty strong team.

Easy choice for me, and not just because I'm agreeing with Stevie and Shanny. I'll go with the team who had the burden of 40 years of losing on its back when it won the Cup, then came back with basically the same lineup and won it again the next season after tragically losing their top defenseman. '02 was ridiculously stacked with talent and was basically an all-star team, but 97 was talent, heart, guts and grit. If we're talking about not just who had the most talent but who was better, it's 97 all the way.

I don't really follow prospects, but isn't this coming draft a crappy one?

Oh, ok. For a second I thought I was losing it or something. Cuz I doublechecked Fugly's stats. As for Raf, I think I'm one of the few people who don't think that contract is gross overpayment, and remember that at the time he signed, it was a good deal.

He's on pace to do it this year, but he's never actually scored 55+ points in a season. He's had three seasons where he put up 31-36 points. Now this season he'll probably hit 55ish. This contract is basically on a prayer that he continues to develop and not that he's already peaked, at least offensively. Defensively he still has plenty of room to grow.

Agreed. It's great that he's been playing well, but he's still replaceable by younger and cheaper guys. Maybe he can work in the organization as the faceoff/beard-growing coach (until Z retires).

Whoa! The forum is wearing the away jersey!

His comments may have been about this specific type of game, but they were also about player safety and the integrity of the game so, yes, employing Cooke is absolutely relevant. And Cooke is much worse than any of those other current players you listed. He has a career full of incidents where he deliberately tries to injure players. We're not talking about a Bertuzzi moment, or a questionable hit or two. He's done it over and over and over. It's not just that he plays for the Pens (though now more people are probably exposed to what a dirty player he is). He was a famous knee on knee artist in Vancouver. And honestly, I don't hate the Pens, or Mario, or even Crosby (shocking on this forum, I know). But overall Mario comes off like a drama queen for threatening to leave the league. And when you re-sign Cooke, it's going to taint the message when you're lecturing the league on how they should protect players.

It absolutely pertains to Mario's comments. Mario releases a sanctimonious statement about protecting players and the integrity of the game, then he walks into his office and signs Cooke's paycheck. The Pens lead the league in major penalties. They lead the league in PIMs. It's not that his comments were wrong, they were just hypocritical and melodramatic ("I'm taking my puck and going home!"). If he wants to improve player safety and the integrity of the game, start by not giving dirty players like Matt Cooke a job. Use the Pens franchise as an example of how to improve the integrity and safety of the game, rather than sitting from on high and chastising the NHL for it and threatening to quit (again).

Probably both? Though honestly, I don't even think he's a douchebag anymore. The guy plays on the edge, and sometimes over it, for sure. But as my hatred has faded and I could stand to hear him talk, he's actually a really smart hockey player. A season or two ago he wrote an article on the playoffs and his level of analysis was surprising. He sounded like a coach. Plus like I said, he seems really humble and having a good time in interviews. And I would absolutely love to have him on the Wings. Imagine Pronger and Lids on the ice together as a defensive pairing.

I know most people here hate Pronger and think he's nothing but a cheapshot artist. And yes, in the interest of full disclosure, maybe I've had a ginger ale or three. But his post-game interviews are often entertaining. Don't you hate some of the stupid questions sportswriters ask? Well Pronger often makes them look stupid for asking it and has fun with it. In the game against the Kings tonight, he got hit from behind by Stoll in what definitely should've been a penalty (and I was rooting for the Kings). Here's his post-game comments. the guy clearly enjoys what he does for a living and doesn't take himself too seriously. http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?&id=97603

When Howard has a .941 SV%, he can kick out all the juicy rebounds he wants.

across the boot. he could've gotten off the ice.

Exactly. I don't get why people are on E this game. He's been solid. Raf and Salei on the other hand make me nervous every time they have the puck.

It is too bad for his development. Sitting in the press box is not going to help his progress. Overall I think he's been ok for a rookie.

I'd like him to be more physical too, but otherwise I think he's looked great out there, especially considering he's paired mostly with Rafalski, who isn't exactly a stay at home defenseman who will cover any mistakes.

If you want to make yourself feel better, remember that the 7th defenseman could be Lebda.

What makes you say that? He's having a good sophomore season.

wohoo! where has that Kronwall been?

Agree on both counts. Great pass by Lids. And who the hell is teaching Drapes and Helm to finish like that?!

It honestly wasn't dirty in my opinion. Just typical hockey play. Z went down, Chara shoved him as he was trying to get back up. Shoved him again, and Z went down awkwardly. Was it nice? no. But it wasn't an unusual play. just happened to time out where Z was in an awkward position.

c'mon Raf. Could you telegraph that pass any more?

Agreed. in the 1st period I thought he was blindly icing the puck from beside his own net, but it was a tape to tape pass to a Wings player breakout out at center ice. When he's playing confident, he's very poised and has a great first pass.