calfan

It will be interesting. No doubt they win the trade deadline deal of the year award. They have all of the ingredients to be the best in the west and they have played really well down the stretch. But there's still that niggling past history of playing below expectations. Will this be the year? We'll know in a month's time.

They didn't play big in the big games. 2007 Playoff clutch scoring I don't think my opinion is ignorant. I spent some time researching what they did and the fact is they didn't contribute as much as you might think. Go look at the stats and form your own opinion. But don't suggest I don't have an informed opinion.

Sorry - I was using last year as an example. I think the Ducks, the Sharks and the Flames all have the ABILITY to play more physical than the Wings. I know the Ducks will and the jury is out on the other two. I'm less sure of the Stars cuz I haven't seen them this year at all. Avs/Nucks would be even physically, but it wouldn't play to their strengths to try and pound the Wings. My original answer to the original question is still no. The Wings can get to the SCF. I don't think they will and if they do, it won't be because they were more physical than other teams. It will be a combination of other factors.

Nobody does this year. You couldn't have read the article if you think the Herald was picking Dion. They just discussed the possibility. The only thing coming out of this article is that Nick wins hands down. It wasn't a homer article at all

Here's the article. It's an interesting read. It does more than discuss Phaneuf vs Lidstrom, it also briefly analyzes the other contenders. Norris Trophy Candidates

I agree that the Flames and Sharks didn't look physical - that was the problem. The Flames are not the physical team they once were. As a team, they no longer punish players for touching the puck. And my comments last year on the Sharks were that if they played big, fast and physical (which they are as a team), then they should beat the Wings. If they don't, they won't. They didn't. If there was ever a team that doesn't play to its strenghts, its the Sharks. It will be interesting to see if they can find that style of play this year. Last year was not all that different. The playoffs is a grind and injuries always play a role. Bigger players punish smaller players. Size and speed wear you down. Grinding in the corners wears you down. That's what makes the Ducks so good. They have the size to play the game on the boards and they have the speed and the playmaking dmen to play the game up the middle of the ice. They'll beat you either way. That's how they beat the Wings last year, that's how they will try to do it this year. Beating the Wings is a simple strategy. Play tough against Datsyuk and Zetterberg and take them out of the game. Dump the puck to the corners and get on the Wings d and hurt them. Force them to turn and pound them into the boards. Force the game to the boards and grind. Simple strategy, but execution is key. The Flames and Sharks couldn't do it. The Ducks did. It's the key again this year.

Yep - ya wanna be more specific? Are you talking about the Flameout, the play of the Ducks or the play of Henrietta and Pauline?

We're still not in. I want 6th or 3rd. I want the Wild in round 1. If the Flames get the Wild, then the Flames should get through to round 2. If the Flames get the Sharks or Ducks, I'll get to see one playoff game live and then I'll concentrate on golf. If the Flames get the Wings, I might see two games. OR the Flames actually play like the team that has just dominated games at times this year and we have a long run. (I don't think that happens personally). How bout you? Gonna make a trip to see a game live?

But we're not talking about the Flames, we're talking about the Wings. We're not even talking about the Flames playing the Wings. And to the comment that the Wings are light on skill - what team have you been watching. The consensus all year has been that the Flames are a very skilled team that should have won far more games than it did. The consensus is also that this is not the physical team it used to be and the way to beat the Flames is to wear on them physically. Keenan even benched Juice because he's "too soft" in big games. Nobody is going to say that Iginla and Phaneuf aren't gritty and they are certainly very skilled. Both are top 5, maybe top 3 in their position in the league. Kipper is still one of the best goalies in the league and if he still had the 04 Flames in front of him would probably have the best GAA in the league. The skill is there - I have no idea why they can beat anyone in the league on any given day and be beat by anyone in the league on any given day. There's an intangible there that just doesn't make sense. Back to the Wings. Playoffs is a funny time and the Wings certainly are a contender to win it all. But from a physical standpoint, just about all of the other Western teams can play more physical than the Wings. There are bigger, stronger and faster teams out there than the Wings. The biggest problem for the Wings is a signficant part of their offense comes from two players who don't play well in big, physical games in the playoffs. I don't see why this year will be any different. Cleary and others are going to have to step up and make up for the drop-off in scoring or the Wings will exit yet again. There's a reason why Getzlaf et al ran over the Wings last year - bigger, stronger, faster. Add to that being one year older and there's no reason to believe they won't do it again.

The Calgary Herald did an article last weekend as to whether Phaneuf could get some consideration for the Norris this year. They listed a bunch of stats and Dion is top 5 in most of them and #1 in several. Lidstrom is clearly #1 in pts and +/-, but didn't show up in the top 5 in a lot of the other categories. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing when one of the categories was penalty minutes. They discussed whether Lid's time off this year hurts or helps his status. Lastly they did a straw poll of western sportswriters (the guys who actually decide the winner). Consensus was Lidstrom is still the best dman in the league and will win yet again. But there was a strong feeling that his run is going to end sooner rather than later.

I don't know Monk. People thought that of the Oilers a few years back and look how that turned out. On paper and logically the Wings should easily move on to the second round. But hockey is a funny game when it come to confidence, desire, etc. One of the last teams I want to play if I'm the Wings is the Hawks if they squeek into 8th. Imagine the high that team is on in that situation. They have nothing to lose, they've owned the Wings this season. In fact, they have to beat the Wings on Sunday to get into the playoffs. They would have a 6-2 season against the Wings and will have beaten them twice in a week to get into the playoffs. You think they're gonna be scared of the Wings? Nope, don't want to see that as a Wings fan. That just sounds like an early exit. But not to worry. They are too far back. Vancouver will beat Calgary on Saturday and the Sunday game won't mean a thing to the Hawks.

It's interesting you're so confident about that. Not that I necessarily disagree, but of the teams in the top 4, the only team more beatable than Detroit is Minny. Sutter is probably scouting the Flames' potential first round matchup, not second. He'll have plenty of time to scout the second round matchup once he knows what the possibilities are out there. Calgary can still finish 3, 5, 6, 7 OR 8. Two scenarios play out for the Flames playing the Wings, not just if the Sharks catch the Wings. And besides, with the way the Flames have played all year, there's no point in worrying about a second round matchup when its unlikely they get past the first round. I'll probably say it several times today in several different threads, but the question "are the Wings tough enough to win the Cup" isn't the biggest question. The biggest question on this team should be "are the Wing's strong enough in goal to win the Cup". Despite any stats or anything else you want to put out there, in a conference that has some of the best goalies in the league, the Wings don't want to be in a goaltending battle - they'll lose. The Sharks, Ducks, Nucks and Flames have better tenders. The Avs, Wild and Stars have guys who can be incredibly hot and steal games. The Wings will need to rely on the other 5 guys on the ice to limit the chances on goal. The Wings win as a team - their goalies steal nothing. Don't be too surprised by last night's result. The Hawks have not been eliminated yet. They believe they can make the playoffs and they are playing playoff hockey. Of course they're gonna thump the Wings. They're gonna beat the stuffing out of the Preds too in all likelihood although the Preds are still trying to make it to the dance as well. The Wings have nothing (really) to play for.

Of course. :judge:

No - nuf said.

I'm with you on this one bud. I think he's done a good job and would be top three. Within the top three its a bit of a pick'em. And don't forget, the Ducks have been more successful in recent playoff history than the Wings. Holland has to take some of the blame for the early exits since the last Cup win. And if someone wants to rag on Burke for his cosy relationship with the NHL brass, well kudos to him - wouldn't you want to see Holland have that pull with Gary and the boys? That's also part of good mgmt. Lastly, while the season series was close, the edge has to go to the Ducks on pts and goals for and against and I believe the Ducks will beat the Wings if they meet in the playoffs.

Another good year: Calgary Flames 1984 Gary Roberts (12) - still playing Paul Ranheim (38) - played from 1988-2003 Brett Hull (117) - you may have heard of him Jiri Hrdina (159) - only played 5 yrs, but won 1 Cup with the Flames and 2 Cups with Pittsburg Gary Suter (180) - Rookie of the Year 1986, played till 2002 out of 12 picks in total.

eh, don't think so. 1979 the Edmonton Oilers draft a total of 6 players, amongst them, Kevin Lowe (21), Mark Messier (48) and Glenn Anderson (69). 1980 the Oilers draft a total of 8 players, amongst them, Paul Coffey (6), Jari Kurri (69), Walt Puddubny (90) [i know, but he did have a reasonable career] and Andy Moog (132). I'd take either of those two draft years over the Wings in 89.

Agreed. I can't believe the number of people who are trying to insinuate that Simon's action was worse than Pronger's. My reaction (at the time) to Simon's suspension was that it seemed like a lot of time for a halfhearted stomp on the top of a guy's skate. However, knowing how dangerous skates can be, if that was the standard the league wanted to set, it was fine by me. If Simon's actions occurred in a "rage", Pronger's were pre-meditated. He looked down and then stomped on the guy over a play that happens game in and game out. And to do it on the guy's calf when one of the Canucks missed a significant amount of time with a sliced calf muscle and to do any such thing after Zednick's injury is inexcusable. To try and suggest Pronger and Simon are any different when it comes to stupid acts is debatable as well. Perhaps Pronger has never swung his stick at somebody's head, but his elbows are dangerous enough. The only real difference between the two is the length of the suspensions they are awarded. The handling of this whole incident is a joke. If the league truly wanted to send a message to the players, it would have suspended Pronger for the rest of the season and the first two rounds of the playoffs.

Odd that Lidstrom has this equipment, yet I seen many others taking shots off the ankle and foot, the result of which has been guys limping to the bench, guys with broken bones, etc. Are you sure about your facts? Also, ever seen a goalie out of his equipment with his shirt off? My son played goal and he usually had bruises and red marks on his upper body after every game and he would be the first to tell you that no matter how good the chest protector, the shots still hurt. And he wasn't facing NHL shooters. Its like the Kevlar vests - they stop the bullet, it won't kill you, but its still going to knock you down and leave a welt.

They would be too small for you. My son was wearing 34's around the same size as you and when he took the same sprout, the pads became too small. Had he played another year, he would have been in 36's. Some interesting discussion on this topic. Some guys/girls who know a lot about goalies and equipment (love the comment about size of pads and style - a mobile goalie will give up some size to be quicker and more agile) and some who know squat (the five hole is between the legs, not over the shoulders, pads can't possibly be 2 to 3 times too big - at 38x11, thats 418 sq inches divided by 2 times too big divided by say 9 inches wide = 23 inches of height. My son was wearing 27 inch pads when he was 10. ) There isn't a goalie in the league who isn't making sure they are pushing the rules to the limit but at the same time making sure they don't go over the limit. Duh - they are paid to stop pucks. I don't see how Giguere is a lousy goalie who only makes saves because of his equipment. They can all use the same equipment. Does his size help? Of course it does. He relies on size and positioning more than (some) other goalies because that's what works for him. His practices and preparation are going to all be about angles and positioning. Because of his size, he can play further back in the net and move less. He doesn't need to be Dominic Hasek. Hasek needs to be mobile and however else you would describe his style and make all of these weird saves because he constantly gets himself out of position because he has to come out further, challenge more and react quickly. That doesn't make him a better goalie, just one who's more "interesting" to watch. Watch Kipper when he's on his game. His reactions and lateral movement are phenomenal and most importantly the puck seems to just keep hitting him in the chest because he is so good positionally. Those things work against him in a shootout - he's easy to fake out one on one because of how quick he reacts to movement. They've already dropped goalie pads from 12 to 11 inches wide. They could probably go to 10 or even thinner without creating injury risk. The height of the pads is largely irrelevant. The pad has to be high enough to meet the pant to cover the upper leg. Reduce the height of the pad, increase the length of the pants - nothing much changes. You might prevent the pads from touching in a butterfly, but goals don't go through the five hole once the goalie is down, they go through there on the way down and on the way down the height of the pads is irrelevant.

I have a different take on this: Teams I would rather play in first round than later rounds: Flames, Avs- both of these teams become more dangerous with a series win and some confidence under their belt. Teams I would rather play in a later round: Wild - they strike me as more of a first round winner than a second or third round winner. Sooner or later their European players will tire of playing for no money. Stars - this team is good for one series, not so sure they are good for two or three, especially if they have to play a hard, fast, fore-checking team. They don't seem to do as well in traffic. Yotes - is there another team out there that has first round upset winner written all over it in big bold black letters? Best to be avoided in the first round at all costs. Teams it just doesn't matter: Ducks - the road to the SCF is going to go through Anaheim. I guess if you're an owner, you want to meet the Ducks in round 3 so at least you got three rounds of attendance $$. Not saying they can't be beat, but they are definitely the team to beat. Canucks - with Luongo, they are good for a scare in any round. Just don't think they can win any round. Sharks - ya just never know what you are going to get with the Sharks. They can dominate a series and still lose. They can easily fail to meet expectations. They have the ability to win in four straight over just about anybody. But suspect defense and goaltending is never a winning combination. Preds - how many playoffs rounds have they won in their history? Team I would rather play in the second round: Wings - I think this team is skilled enough and mentally tough enough to avoid most first round upsets. Unless I'm Anaheim, I also don't want to see them in the third round - the smell of the Cup might be too strong. Ergo, I would rather play the Wings in the second round. That's my analysis of the 10 teams with a chance to make the playoffs.

You're kidding, right? Why should he feel guilty? Injuries happen, I'm sure he wasn't hoping to get injured. Also don't know why signing would be the "right thing to do". They knew what they were getting when they traded for him. He's a UFA, he can go anywhere he wants. They also knew injuries are a risk. All of that factored into their decision and Hossa owes them nothing except to do his best to get back and play well when he does. After the season is over, all bets are off. This is exactly why trade deadline deals are a poor way to improve your team, esp when rental players are involved. All y'all who wished Holland had sold the farm for some of these guys should now just shut up. And don't even point to Richard's first game - the jury's out their until the season is done. So far all he's had is one good game. He could be injured in the next. But again, he's not a rental, he can still be effective in the 2009 playoffs if Dallas wants to keep him.

That's cuz games in hand don't do much good if you keep losing.

Exactly - especiallly Westbrook. Poor slob, there's a Timmy's drive thru a block away - he needs to lighten up on the girly drinks.

Two suggested additions: ... and is it running? ...I need new wheels!