haroldsnepsts

like I said, it comes down to interpretation of the award. To me, his leading the team in points shouldn't really factor in, as it's about embodying the defensive aspects of the game. The takeaways are crazy good. And his plus minus is great obviously, but he plays on a strong defensive team on a super talented line. For me things like PK are a huge factor. Dats is strong on it, but not even the go to guy on his team. Like I said, I'm happy got recognition because he's a great player, but I just personally think the takeaway stat got too much weight, when there's more to the defensive forward than that.

Agreed. I'm not totally sure on Hart versus Vezina, but definitely Conn Smythe first then the Pearson. As you said, being picked by your peers is much more meaningful than by journalists.

Just finished watching the rest of the show on DVR. went mostly as expected. You could make a strong argument for Babcock winning, but I bet he'd rather keep the hardware he got this season. oh, and actually the one surprise for me was Brodeur for Vezina. Not a shabby pick, but I thought it would go to Nabokov.

Agreed. I'm happy anytime a Wing wins an award, but honestly based on regular season performance, I think the Selke should've gone to Madden. I guess it comes down to your interpretation of the award. Dats is clearly one of the best in the league as a two-way forward, though he's not even best on his team. His astronomical takeaway stat was probably a big influence on his winning it because he's such a pickpocket. Everybody can feel free to flame away. I'll say it again, I think Dats is near the top of the league, but not number one. Still it's good anytime a Wing gets recognition because most of them don't get enough, Datsyuk included. EDIT: And I honestly hope Dats doesn't win the Lady Byng next year. I loved seeing him muck it up and throw punches at Roberts.

Tucker is definitely not one of my favorite players, but he does have value. I'm not dying to see him here ,but it wouldn't kill me. And he is cut from the same cloth as Drake. Suddenly Drake has become a stand up guy around here because he's wearing the winged wheel, but I don't think people felt that way when he went headhunting on Lebda last season as a St. Louis Blue. Mainly though I don't see this happening. For starters you can't trust any rumor coming our of Toronto, and Tucker coming to Detroit seems like an extreme longshot.

Actually the NHL employs at least one guy who is actually in charge of the Cup at all times. Maybe you're joking, but I can't imagine any NHL player seriously telling another one not to touch the cup without it being a total d*ck move. Ozzy has no more right to say who can hold the Cup this year any more than Pronger, O'donnell or any of the other Ducks did last year.

It's Ozzy's job to police who touches the Cup? Besides, both Parros and O'Donnell won the Cup with the Ducks last year. I think the not touching superstition is mostly for the guys who've never won it or are in the midst of the playoffs.

I wonder if the Kings already have someone lined up to fill the spot.

As someone who hates Marc Crawford, and would also like the L.A. Kings to one day have a respectable team, this makes me very happy. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=240278&amp...s=topStory_main

If Barry Melrose has a job coaching in the NHL, something tells me Crawford will find one. Hopefully he'll replace Therrien, and bring Cloutier with him.

I don't know exactly. I've always kind of liked the Kings for some reason. They've got some good young talent, but then I knew they were screwed when they brought in Crawford and Cloutier. They also seem like the Lions of the NHL. Many promising seasons go down the crapper, and the problem seems to go way up to management. I also think part of it is I would much rather the Kings have a good team and the Ducks be a suckfest. Phase 1 is the Kings having a good team.

Oh no! Another player branded with the Lazy™ tag! Lilja isn't the most talented guy and makes some incredibly stupid moves on the ice, but lazy play is not among his faults.

I wouldn't say he was horrible, but he did have some brutal moments out there. Of course, he had only been back playing hockey something like 6 months and was in the Cup finals. I'm not surprised he looked out of his depth. If he continues to get back in shape and stays healthy, I could see him filling a spot in the lineup. As for Chelios, honestly I wish he would just retire now after winning the Cup.

I'm guessing you meant "instrumental?" And as everyone else has already said, this is a ridiculous idea.

I was a big Fedorov fan when he played for Detroit, and am not bitter about him leaving, but I don't really see why the Wings should bring him back. As great as he was, he's a 38 year old center on the decline and is becoming more and more injury prone. Besides, people can no longer use the "no Fedorov = no Cup" argument.

Dom is a great goalie, but it's time. First of all, GAA is as much a team stat as it is a goaltenders. Hasek finished the season with his lowest save % since he's had since 1993, and behind a considerably better team. He was also starting to develop a lot of nagging injuries. But beyond all that, he looked mortal. The guy is one of the best to ever play the game, but it's definitely time. As for who's going to save us if Osgood falters, that's pretty much the situation with most teams.

I actually debated whether you were kidding or not. too deadpan for my radar apparently.

*sniff* *sniff* you missed the scent of sarcasm in Blak's post.

In spite of only playing 12 games, Lilja was third among defenseman in hits this postseason with 29 (behind Kronwall and Stuart). In the regular season, he was the leading hitter among defenseman with 133 in 79 games. Stuart had 118 in 72 games, and Kronwall had 93 in 65 games. Lilja played more games than those guys, but also averaged about 3 minutes less per game. Again, I'm not saying Lilja is a great defenseman, but he does have value to this team in his limited role. If someone younger and cheaper can take that spot, I am definitely all for it.

Lilja drives me nuts sometimes, but I do think people are underestimating how much Babcock values him. For starters, he was playing 12+ minutes in the Stanley Cup Finals. That says something. In the regular season, of the regular defenseman, Lilja was third for PK minutes per game, behind Lids and Chelios. He led the team in hits and blocked shots among defenseman in the regular season. That and he will occasionally drop the gloves, which none of the other dmen will do. Like I said, he drives me crazy with his bonehead plays, but I'm not sure Chelios or some of the other guys are a no-brainer over Lilypads.

I don't know if this has been posted yet, but a quick recap of some of Dom's highlights. 2 Stanley Cups (02,08) 6 Vezinas 2 consecutive Hart Trophies (98, 99) 2 consecutive Lester B Pearson Awards (98, 99) 3 Williams Jenning trophies (94, 01, 08)

Easily one of the best to ever play the game. It may not have looked like it as he flopped around out there, but I've always thought of Dom as a thinking man's goaltender. Always taking the calculated risks, playing the percentages. Truly one of a kind.

It's close, but I would take Z over Dats because I think he's a slightly better defensive forward, which is why he's the #1 guy out there on 5 on 3s instead of Pavel. He also takes more faceoffs than Dats and spends more time on the PK overall. Honestly though I think Madden is very deserving of this trophy too. If it went to what I think the spirit of the award should be, it'd go to Madden. Otherwise it's very close between Dats and Z. EDIT: All the other awards I agree with most of how people have called them. Though I have a feeling Babcock won't win, in spite of deserving it. Best record in the NHL and the Cup.

D-men definitely seem to go at a premium in the cap era. I would love for the Wings to keep Stuart. I can't see the Wings filling that spot with someone who is cheaper, better, and/or more physical. He and Kronwall make a formidable second unit. But as others have mentioned, there's definitely some obstacles. Fingers crossed...

1.4 sounds like a bit much there, but honestly who cares. Looking at that photo of downtown, that's a sh*tload of people! It was a great parade and a great day to be a Wings fan... And for those of you who need to feel superior to Ducks fans, by this time last year the stories about the Cup had faded and the coverage was all about Paris Hilton going to jail.