Hank

Kocur's situation was entirely different. There was a spot for him and he was good at what he was asked to do. Can anyone here say the same thing about McCarty? Is there a need for a player like him? In my opinion, no. We have 14 forwards that can do more than him and we don't have to worry about paying someone to be on the IR for the rest of the year. And lets not forget one very important ingrediant - it's been reported that Ken Holland was going to keep McCarty on the roster after the lockout ONLY if he quit Grinder. McCarty refused and he was bought out. McCarty is STILL WITH GRINDER. Why on earth would Ken Holland pick him up now (when he's years older and even worse as a player) if he's still associated with that gang of drug addicts and low-lifes? Also lets remember why McCarty is with the Generals - Draper is one of the co-owners. In my mind, this was nothing more than a personal favor by Drapes to help an old friend get back on his feet. Sure, it's up to McCarty if he can get back into shape and have any semblance of NHL talent, but I don't see that happening any time this year. This train is rolling along with nobody even close to catching us. So I ask again, why would anyone disrupt that unless the part being replaced was head and shoulders above the current peices on the track? I'm not even sure a 2004 McCarty could crack this lineup. How could a 2008 version of him do it? It's time to let this dream die. There are hundreds of players in the AHL and ECHL that are better than McCarty and could be had for next to nothing. The only thing McCarty has over them is fond memories of triumphs from a decade ago.

That's one of his main issues. When is he ever healthy? Ted Lindsay could probably skate in more games without injury than McCarty right now. I'll say it again, McCarty can't help this team in any way except at the box office. He couldn't even get a freakin AHL or ECHL tryout for crying out loud.

Sorry, my final point. If Mac has so much to give, why on earth haven't the other 29 teams (some of which are character and leadership starved) taken a chance on him? So if some of the worst teams in the league don't want him, why on earth would the #1 hockey team on the planet?

However, Downy gets to play in maybe 1 out of every 6 or 7 games. And it's only when there's an injury or someone needs a break. Even if McCarty does get into NHL shape, who's job does he take? Look up and down our roster - every single player can skate and has decent enough hands to bury chances. McCarty doesn't fit either bill. His whole game is grinding - you can't even say fighting anymore. So which player off our our starting 12, who can already skate, check and score is McCarty, who can only check, going to transplant? Not to mention the chemistry issue? How does Holland or Babcock tell a player, who's worked very hard to make it in this incredibly competitive lineup, that they're sitting for a 35 year old has-been who's as brital as glass, can't fight, has no hands and can throw a body check here or there. I'm sure Kopecky would love to heat that. Especially since he, and everyone else in our lineup has helped race the Wings to the top of the standings - and quite easily. And lets not forget that even though he might get back into physical shape, what about his mental state? Is he still hanging out with that group of drugged-up losers? I'm sure that'll be great to have around the dressing room. Drapes - "Hey Mac, we're going to catch a flick and some pizza, you coming? Mac - "No, I'm going to do a line of blow off a $10 hookers ass with my buddies from Grinder" The point is, McCarty will help this team with nothing. He has ZERO value to this team. We already have an abundance of wheels, size, hands, leadership and grit. Simply put WE DON'T NEED MAC. At all. What on earth can he possibly provide that the team needs? The only thing I can think of is nestalgia and ticket sales.

Visors must be mandatory in the "I" eh?

The US's record is just as silly. As of two days ago I believe they were 2-0 with both wins coming via 11-0 scores. I hope this is the last time they do this. The 3 nations Cup is already ridiculous as it's always Canada-US in the final. Womans under 18 is even more useless. Why don't the Olympic squads just play a 7 game series once a year while the rest of the world catches up (if they even care).

I have absolutely no problems with Sammy being on our 3rd or 4th lines. But when he's up on the top 2, he's not very effective. And with a Cap situation, I can see a prospect doing just as much as he does with half the pay. There are certain players on this roster that act like glue. Sure they don't score 40 goals or produce on the PP, but they're great in the locker room and seem to keep the team gelled together. I simply don't see Sammy as being one of these types of guys. Out of all our regular playing forwards, I would say Sammy's departure would have the least impact. I don't care if he's on the roster, but keep him on the bottom 2 lines. And if Holland or Babcock thinks a kid in GR could do better, then by all means bring him up and dump Sammy. I really don't care about him either way.

Emery is a major attitude problem. Insiders are reporting that he's not working hard in practice and generally acting like a spoiled primadona. Some are saying that the rest of the team is getting sick of his "Zoolander" attitude.

I think the only way you can make Sammy look better in a trade is to rename him Sidney Crosby.

Thanks for posting these articles and who's available. If I were running the team the only guys I'd be interested in would be Foote, Blake and Fedorov. The only problem is only LA is a lock to golfing early. If C-Bus is even close to making the playoffs, they won't deal anyone. And I don't blame them. They've yet to make the postseason and I highly doubt their season ticket base will appreciate pulling the schute if they're only a handful of points out of the race. But I'd love to get Sergei back in this lineup. I'll admit that I wasn't even close to being his biggest fan when he was here, but he'd be ideal for a playoff run. He can play every position and can still back up opposing teams with his speed. He'd be awesome on a 3rd line with Cleary and Drapes. And he'd still look good shuffling between the top 2 lines as well. I'm sure Flip would love to have him on his line. Dats-Zetts-Homer Hudler-Flip-Sergei Cleary-Drapes-Sammy Drake-Franzen-Maltby Not too shabby for some late spring hockey.

Scotty Bowman's been trumpeting this for decades and I agree with him. Why should a team that took a penalty be given an advantage? It makes no sense. P.S. I love what he said about some of the goalies in the league. And he's absolutely right. Why are some goalies allowed to wear the same sized equipment as guys who are 6" taller and 30 lbs heavier? It's a joke. I also think the league can shrink the goalie leg pads even more. Why is 11" the standard? Just because it was years ago? With today's technology a goalie can be just as safe with 8" pads. Heck, most skaters shin guards are more protective than the pads guys like Tony Esposito or Ken Dryden wore.

Toronto fans would account for 60,000 of those fans. There's a huge section of Leaf Nation in southwestern Ontario. From Windsor to London, there's at least 500,000 fans that would scrounge for tickets.

The top 10 markets to tune: http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/01/02/...-sacramento-re/ Detroit is nowhere to be found. I know that Michigan was playing in a bowl game, but I don't see how that should be an excuse when Sacremento and freaking VEGAS beat us out. Thoughts?

I'd like to see documented proof that his back is so bad that he can't perform to the level that he did before. All of the players you listed above had documented injuries and/or surgeries that prevented them from playing. As of right now, Samsanov is still cleared to play. I'm sure if I was him, I'd much rather go back under the knife or get placed on the IR than be placed on waivers and essentially wave the white-flag on his career. Another point is that Sammy's been garbage for two years. Essentially, he hasn't been an effective player since he was 26. You can't say that about any of the players you mentioned above.

This is a great point. While Kocur was in beer leagues he was still a clean living guy. He wasn't snorting or boozing with a loser band watching all of his talents and money flush down the toilet. As long as Mac is still associated with Grinder I don't want him anywhere near the Wings dressing room. The guy is still an alcoholic and drug user. Now, if he cleans up his act, and drops ties with these losers he's been making 'music' with, then I'll be the first in line to wish him good luck. I hope for the best for his kids sake. But the last time we saw Mac he was still supporting that band of drugged up losers. Not a good sign for someone that's a recovering alcholic and trying to get his career back on track.

Man has this guy plummeted to earth. A few years ago the CBC ran a 6 hour mini-series on the behind scenes of the NHL. The first episode featured the drafting of Thornton and what his first training camp and season were like. During training camp the Boston bigwigs loved Samsanov and were continuelly asking "what's wrong with Big Joe". Time and time again, Samsanov would impress while Joe would find himself in the press box. Fast foward 10 years and boy have things reveresed. Joe is one of the leagues premier players and Samsanov can't find a home. Quoting coach Chadwick from 'Youngblood' how did Samsanov get so horesh*t in one day? What's disturbing is this guy's only 28 years old and he's basically finished. With his skills, he should be dominating in the new NHL. I'm sure the Leafs will pick him up.

I think you nailed it on the head. While their D has been playing well they don't really have a strong stay at home type. And if they are going to improve it's on the blueline. Sather continues to drive that team away from a Cup. Instead of spending $7M a year on Gomez they should have kept Nylander for a fraction of that. He and Jagr had great chemistry and if this new Cup era has taught anyone (including fans) it's that you must keep peices, that are already meshed, together. Letting Nylander walk for a 60 point centre was rediculous and it's amazing that everyday-fans could see this, but Sather couldn't. I'm still in the camp that believes the Wings will deal for a defensman and it'll probably be a 5th/6th guy. I know that it was just reported that Blake will waive his NTC if it's to the right team, but I don't know what the Wings would have to give up in return. If I'm the Kings I know I can ask for a King's Ransom (pun intended) and I don't know if the Wings would or should part with players like Flip, Hudler or even Lebda. Lebda is the most expendable player on the team with guys like Quincy, Meech and Ericsson coming up. But Lebda is special in that he's a very dependable 5th/6th dman and at rock bottom prices. In today's NHL every team is basically building and spending around a small core of players and filling the rest with cheap younger players. Lebda fits that hole perfectly. Saying all of that, I wouldn't mind seeing Prucha in a Wings jersey. I don't think his 30 goal season was a fluke and I see him fitting in well with the top 2 lines. But I'd rather see the team get more physical on the back end. And if we're going to get rid of some key players, Rob Blake would be first on my list. He'd be tremendous in our lineup. But I wouldn't let Filp or Hudler go in his place.

Not sure if anyone saw this but the Mullet said that it's not even close - the Wings are the best in the league. He said that everyone checks, scores, plays defense, etc. I almost choked on a delicious salami sandwich topped with mouth-watering provolone cheese slathered in greek dressing and mayo.

Just for poops and giggles, our 23 man roster next year could have this many Swedes on it: Zetterberg, Holmstrom, Sammuelson, Franzen, (Dick) Axelsson, Brunnstrom, Lidstrom, Kronwall, Ericsson, Lilja. Yow!

Out of that list, probably not. But I bet Crosby and Malkin would do some serious damage themselves. And I think it would be a real chore for either Dats or Z to get the puck from Lecavailer. He's not only insanely skilled, but big and strong as an ox too.

Last night on TSN, Gord Miller said that this new idea is being thrown around the BOG and some of them actually like it. Below you'll see a pic of how they will add 2 more lines above the circles.. The dmen in the offensive zone, while the wingers covering them will not be able to cross that line. This will force more 3-on-3 hockey and stop zone coverages and collapsing defenses. This is the stupidest idea I've ever heard. Are these guys so high in their ivory tower they can't see that the most obvious change is the easiest - SHRINK THE GOALIE GEAR!!!

Considering how banged up our blueline was by the conference finals, yes, Jovo, in addition to that team, would have made the difference. Remember, Schneider was out and so was Lebda and Kronwall at times. Who's to say that Leilja's even on the ice at the time of the gaff if Jovo's on the roster? Even if Anaheim's weaker this year, other teams have gotten stronger. Any of the top 8 teams in this conference could win the Cup. Defensive depth cost us last year. I don't want the same thing to happen again.

Why on Earth isn't the NHL hiring writers to work with A.O.? Heck, you don't even need writers! This guy is comedy gold! "Girls, where are you?". I could write about 10 commercials right now about Pimp A.O. And the NHL wonders why they're left in the dark most of the time. How do they let this guy stay in the shadows?

On the heels over our Olympic sized rink debate: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/stor...mp;lid=tab6pos1

Me too. I would hope that if it came down to choosing between a hard, physical dman like Foote or Jovocop against a softer 2nd line scorer, I'd choose Foote or Jovo. The Wings probably have more balanced scoring now than they did last year in the playoffs (Calder was a bust and so was Bert while Hudler, Filp and Franzen have all improved this season thus far). But I have a feeling that if you added Jovanovski to last years spring roster we would have won it all.