Dabura

Last season, Hossa netted a hat trick against the Wings as a lowly Thrasher and then proceeded to almost singlehandedly take the Wings to seven games in the SCF. He's big, fast, physically imposing, hard-working, and classy (he was, if memory serves, the first -- and possibly the only -- Penguin to admit his team was getting owned not by "obstruction" or by "itself," but by the Wings' superior defensive play). He's one of the shiftiest puckhandlers in the world. He's one of the most defensively responsible forwards in the world. He's one of the most dangerous, consistent goal-scorers in the world. He's flat-out better than Joe Thornton. Bottom line: he's the complete package and will help make the Wings about as unstoppable as they've ever been.

Chemistry's overrated, imo.

Also, consider the fact that Sammy may be gone after this season. One less player for Hudler to "compete against."

Might as well hand the Flames the Cup right now.

Agreed. Crosby...Vinny...Iginla...day-um, son!

I don't mind Milbury. He lets his biases show a little often for comfort, but he's almost always making good points, so it doesn't bother me that much. ...Whereas a guy like Maguire is blatantly biased and moronic.

I don't.

Thing is, even if that top-6 (ZDH + FFH) doesn't flat-out steamroll the opposition, it will, at the very least, wear down the opposition like no one's business. Can you imagine being a defender -- any defender, I don't care who -- and knowing you have to face one of those two lines every shift? Can you imagine having to face that reality over the course of a best-of-seven series? Good luck with that!

Forget not the Luongo factor.

Fair enough. I got the sense, though, that he really wanted to stay a Leaf. Granted, if that was the case, he probably should have manned up and faced the facts so as to avoid the situation he's currently in.

ZDH is the most dominant line in hockey; there's absolutely zero need to break it up. Before Hossa was signed, the second line was not where it should have been. Now, with the addition of Hossa, Flip -- a playmaker by trade -- will be flanked by two monstrous goal-scorers. I don't think it's a stretch to say that line could be the 1b to ZDH's 1a; it would be fast, physically imposing, full of finesse, and defensively sound. Unless something weird happens, I see Hossa playing with Hank and/or Dats only on the PP and in very special situations.

Canada's got speed, moves, size, strength -- and absurdly absurd scoring prowess.

[sALARY ARBITRATION] Holland: Flip, at this stage in your career, we think you're worth no more than 3.5. Flip: Yes but *pops VHS into TV, puts SCF goal on a loop* Holland: ...OK, that's all well and good, but-- Flip: --*pumps up volume* Holland: -___- Flip: -___-

I've got to think ZDH + Mule-Flip-Hossa will be the standard double-whammy. And while I don't expect it to lead to any scoring titles, it's going to be one hell of a top-6. I mean seriously. That's just absolutely ludicrous.

Good pick. His rapport with Hossa is a nice bonus.

Canada, easily.

I should add: ...unless we're talking Dallas and/or SJ. Does anyone know if they've expressed interest?

I honestly wouldn't be too surprised if he took a year off. He's said he doesn't want to be a late-season pickup, and it sounds like he doesn't like his options for this season -- current and foreseeable. If he's thinking along the lines of "one last run," I could see him holding out until next offseason, when his suitors may very well be different than the ones he's looking at now (none of which will go all the way this year, even with Sundin's services).

The Art Ross is a big long shot; his back will probably flare up at some point, the Wings' scoring will be more spread out, and really: his game is more than mad-crazy point totals. It's the two-way game he focuses on, and I'm content to watch him do so.

I just don't like seeing people like him in positions like his. He's a quality guy. As a hockey player, he's still got a ton of fight left in him.

Yeah, that was cute. I initially thought it might be self-deprecation of some kind, but I think he's actually shooting straight.

To be honest, I kind of feel bad for the guy. Montreal, Vancouver, New York -- I'm sorry, but if he's in Cup-or-bust mode right now, he's almost definitely looking down the barrel of "bust" no matter which of his top suitors he sides with.

Basically. I like how his whole shtick is about having perspective and intelligence, but Hossa's decision on where he would play his hockey in 2008-09 was a strange one. I may just be out of touch, but I don't think Hossa's decision was "strange." Unconventional, maybe. But strange? Strange would have been signing a one-year, 7.4 deal with Columbus.

This.

I actually don't care much for him. But he's good for the team; he's almost never given "the benefit of the doubt," but he works hard and puts up solid numbers despite this. He's only looking at fourth-line duty here because this roster's so absurdly stacked.