Dabura

Ban.

Hardly. The Sharks have a fantastic team that, in all honesty, should have won at least one Cup by now -- and I think most of the blame for that falls on Wilson's shoulders. Unlike the Ducks, they don't rely on brutality and enormous goalie pads to win games; they're just a very talented squad. Moreover, I think you'd be surprised by how supportive their local fanbase is -- and all throughout the season, not just when their team is deep in the playoffs (see bandwagon SoCal fans). Behind that bench is a great place to be. It's a huge step for Todd, and I wish him nothing but the best -- except when he's facing us, of course.

Sammy is a solid checking line guy with relatively good offensive and defensive upsides. He proved that when he was playing with Draper and Drake. Ideally, management/Babs realizes this, puts him on a shutdown line, and acquires a legitimate goal-scoring threat to take his place on the second line.

Honestly, if I were him, I'd probably pick NorCal. He'd get more money, he'd get more years, it would provide for a better family/living arrangement, he'd have an bigger role on the blue line, etc. The only real downside is the rainy season, which can be a *****. Small price to pay, though.

Oh man, I'd cry.

Yep. The big thorn in their side is the traveling they have to do, and that's a perfectly legitimate complaint.

My thoughts exactly. Then you add on those two disallowed goals -- can't imagine he was an especially happy camper this postseason.

I will miss his pepper hair. It was like a good luck charm.

Like I've been saying, I don't see the Wings signing any big names this summer, unless Stuart walks. Kenny's reluctant to make big moves even when this team gets owned in the playoffs -- so what makes anyone think winning a Cup (in convincing fashion, no less) is going to force his hand in that regard, especially when most of the current roster is locked up for at least one more season? Hank is priority #1; Kenny won't do anything big until Hank is locked up long-term. Franzen is the "big scoring winger" Kenny was looking for. Sammy's pretty much untouchable for reasons that escape me. Flip will be a Wing for a long time. Drake will probably retire, but that doesn't really leave an opening, as it will be Kopecky's spot next season. Mac has made Downey pretty much expendable. Helm will probably make the roster out of training camp. The blue line is more or less set. In net, we'll have an Ozzie-Howard tandem. I'd love to see a guy like Sundin in the Winged Wheel next season, but that's looking like a major pipe dream at this point in time. Stuart is the only question mark, as far as I'm concerned. I suspect he won't be back, as he just won the Cup and will surely want to focus on caring for his new kid -- i.e., he's going to want lots of $ and lots of years. Should he walk, Kenny will probably sign Brian Campbell.

Gotta love the A.O.

I don't get the sense this Pens team is tremendously tight, so I don't think cutting some guys loose will wreak havoc on team chemistry. Who knows, Malkin may even be bad for the locker room. Agreed.

I may be in the minority on this, but I don't think the Pens are "in trouble," as many people are claiming. True, they're at risk of losing a lot of players. But the thing is, a lot of those players are expendable. Management knows this, I'm sure, and I expect they're going to do exactly what they need to do, which is begin building the principle foundation for what they hope will be a dynasty. To that end, they'll look to cut off dead weight and become an increasingly leaner, hungrier, tighter unit over the coming seasons. I expect them to shop Malkin and get a huge return, tapping Hossa as his replacement. Sid may be the heart and soul of the team, but Hossa is pound-for-pound their best player right now and almost singlehandedly took the Wings to seven games. His defensive game will surely begin to rub off on Sid, and that will infect the whole team. Staal will be there for the long haul, Orpik will almost certainly be back, Fleury's a franchise guy -- the Pens will be fine.

I like Leino and think he has the potential to be a solid second-liner with this team, but I have a feeling he won't make the cut out of training camp this season. Abdelkader won't be ready. Helm will probably make it. Kopecky will take Drake's spot. Mac will be back and Downey will probably be let go.

I agree with everything you said here. As much as I'd like to see him return for a "discount" contract, I get the sense he's not too wild about the idea. Can't say I blame him, considering he just won the Cup and has a new child he needs to care for. If I were him, I'd want what he's almost inevitably going to ask for: lots of money, lots of years. As I said in another thread, if he doesn't come back, I would expect Kenny to sign Brian Campbell.

Nah, I reckon Ozzie just smacked him upside the head one too many times.

Depends on who we would've gotten in a trade. I agree with VM -- he's fine as long as he stays on the third or fourth line. There's a reason he did so well on a line with Draper and Drake: he's a checking-line guy. Ideally, I'd like to see management bring in a legitimate scorer to take his place on the second line. Sorry, but I don't think Hudler is the one for the job. Hossa will cost too much, which is a shame because he basically singlehandedly made the finals a series. Sundin will likely cost too much. Another shame. I've heard whispers about Corey Perry, and while I 1) don't think there's any chance of him coming here, and 2) think he's a colossal ******, he gets the job done on the scoreboard and would give the Wings a monstrous top 6. I hate to say it, but I really like the idea of bringing him in -- at the right price, of course. Drake will retire. Downey will probably be let go in favor of Mac. Flip will be back. Mule will get a raise. Hank will get something around $7 million. I get the feeling Stuart isn't too keen on returning; he's generally been pretty vague when asked about where he sees himself playing next year, which probably has a lot to do with the fact that he now has a child to support and is therefore going to be looking for as much $ as he can get -- which the Wings probably won't offer him. Hopefully he does stay a Wing; our top-4 is just plain sick. But should he decide to leave, I would expect to see Brian Campbell sporting the Winged Wheel in October. If Lilja's coming back, Lebda's probably coming back. Cheli will probably return. Now, the up-and-comers. Helm should get a spot straight out of camp. Leino probably won't make it. Abdelkader isn't quite ready. Basically, our forward unit is likely going to remain almost completely intact for the start of next season. We obviously have some great prospects on the blue line, but realistically, we've still got at least another season before our third pairing is sporting a new look. In goal, Dom will call it quits (at least with the Wings) and Howard will be Ozzie's backup.

The difference between the NHL of 25 years ago and the NHL of today on that front is it has little to do with disdain for European talent, but about access to, familiarity and a comfort level with players who have played under pro-style rules in Medicine Hat. - Terr Frei

:violin:

Hossa almost singlehandedly made this an epic series -- and he did it with class. More than ever, I'd love to see him on the Wings. But he's going to be asking for a s***load of money, and I think it's safe to say management has no intention of bringing in any new big names in the offseason.

And the Pens could have been called for about 57 obstruction penalties every game. But alas, it's stuff like what Hudler pulled near the end of game 6 that truly warrants discipline.

I can't imagine why!

Agreed. I don't think the "We want to get younger, not older" argument holds water; he's just one player, and Drake's going to retire anyway. And while we don't need another center, there were times during this run when I was wishing we were a little bigger and more physically imposing down the middle.

Mad man-love for Matt.

It always amazes me how many people here can't for the life of them look past Sundin's age. Old or not, the guy's playing phenomenal hockey; like Mack said, he's producing as much as he did ten years ago. Huge frame, top-notch veteran leadership, rock-solid consistency, loads of experience, hungry for the Cup, very tough to play against in the corners and in front of the net...Swedish -- he's a great package. I'd love to see him in the Winged Wheel for the right price. Two years at $14 million is pretty reasonable.

It was brutal in this series, and whether people want to admit it or not, it typically favored the Penguins. That's not a conspiracy theory; it's a fact. What this means in terms of "hidden agendas" and what not is up for debate -- but the notion that the officiating was lopsided and generally terrible is not. That many Pens fans feel screwed over doesn't change anything, as the proof is in the proverbial pudding.