Travis

I'd personally love it if they didn't choose something classic rock or nu-metal but that's never going to happen.

Much in the same way that people around here can't fathom rooting for the 'Hawks, I feel the same way about the Flyers. I like Danny Briere, but that's where it ends. They're the Flyers. And if that weren't bad enough, they add Pronger. Effin' a.

To be fair, when you say 'players flourish' you're talking specifically about Leino and Quincey. Neither one of them showed us anything, so what would you have Kenny do? Sometimes you need a change of scenery and it's worked for both of them. Quincey plays a much bigger role on a much younger team and - without a doubt - wouldn't be as good had he stayed here. He just wouldn't have the same responsibility or ice time. Leino is still a wash to me. Sure, he's doing well in Philly (obviously) but you can't deny that he was horrible here. It's not a matter of him not being treated fairly or him not getting ice time with offensive powers - he wasn't even trying. He regularly gave up on plays and showed little-to-nothing that would warrant putting him in the top 6. Let's not forget that he's doing all this against the bottom of the East. Had we kept him he would have been just as useless as he had been before we traded him. I can't imagine how you can rationally say that they won the cup despite Holland's efforts, either. Did the players organize themselves into a team without him or something? Were we not hands down the best team in the league? You're right. Holland probably had nothing to do with putting that team together. As far as this past Summer goes, retaining Hossa was a near-impossibility and the Hawks will be paying the price for offering him such a large contract this Summer. Sammy had his house on the market like two days after Game 7, and Hudler isn't the only player to test the lucrative waters of the KHL. If you really want to be bitter that Leino has finally decided to try now that he's in Philadelphia, then knock yourself out - but don't try to act like he was some really promising young talent we had that we gave up on; and the last thing you should try to do is act like Holland isn't arguably the top GM in the NHL.

That plays into what I was saying earlier, though. New York is not hosting a game this year because of the bowl game at New Era Bowl game at Yankee Stadium - that eliminates those two Rangers games. Senators / Leafs would be worth looking into, but that would be a game for hockey fans, you know? It's not a blockbuster match-up. I'd be really surprised to see Oilers / Flames. The worst team in the league taking on a team that didn't even make the playoffs. It's a tricky spot. I think that Penguins / Capitals is definitely an emerging rivalry. They're close in proximity, they're competing with one another for position at or near the top of the East, and of course they have star power. Sure it might not be what we think of when we think 'Classic' but, it's fitting. Additionally, I don't feel like the NHL really pushed the Classic until the Detroit / Chicago game. A lot of new fans and casual fans likely slept on Pittsburgh / Buffalo. I keep going back to the idea of Colorado. Would be tons of snow, they have a good outdoor park to play in; but can you really picture the Winter Classic having a match up like Colorado vs. Minnesota?

New York lost it's bid because it's hosting a bowl game at Yankee Stadium and - being that it's on NBC - Canadian teams aren't too likely to host it, though Toronto might pull it off. Minnesota is a nice point, with Target Field - but who do they play? These are typically rivalry games, do they even have an opponent you could call a rival? Don't get me wrong, I'm not stoked on this idea - but it raises a great question.. If not this match-up, then who actually gets it? Knock out the Western and Southern cities because you need snow. Eliminate weak franchises. Who do you have left that hasn't already been involved? lol

Yeah, Shanahan mentioned it, too.

'If you've ever dreamt of telling a woman to shave while playing professional hockey at the highest level, then you must follow @NHLShanny' - Will Arnet (arnetwill) edit: Anyone else see that Shanny's new Twitter background is all Winged-out?

I think the biggest reason why the U.S. / Canada Olympic match-up is so special is because it only happens once every 4 years. You aren't going to get the same energy and excitement if it's a yearly event. As far as the WC being at Heinz Field goes, I get it. It's a ratings boom for the NHL. Obviously, us as fans would much rather see it played elsewhere and I personally believe that there are a large number of teams that should get the Classic once before anyone gets it twice.

I'm with you. This Hawks team is absolutely rolling at this point, I don't know that the Wings would've been able to take them down. I enjoy watching the Hawks play, so it's nice to not have to see them play at the expense of the good guys.

I have absolutely no idea why Stern's name is in quotations here. The NBA as a league is a joke, anyhow. With all the bickering, rule bending, and talk in circles. I honestly have a hard time understanding how someone finds basketball interesting. I was thinking about the NHL thing the other day. They touched on the scheduling miss cues on Power Play while Esposito was on the show. Obviously, a lot of it comes down to scheduling at these arenas, but it seems almost criminal to play the Eastern and Western Conference Final games on the same night when they should be alternating. They also went onto say that there will likely be another back-to-back set of games in the Stanley Cup Final this year. Esposito said it doesn't matter. He said these guys should be capable of playing 4 games in 6 days and that they would play back-to-back all the time in his day, so-to-speak. At least we know we can put the tinfoil hats away. It's not just us getting hosed on the schedules!

Is Plekanec an RFA? I'd imagine Montreal might give him a slightly higher raise than 3.5, but I wouldn't mind seeing him in a Winged Wheel. Even if he is ugly is all get out

The Sharks and Hawks are the top ranked teams in the West, how do you figure there's a lack of talent left in the playoffs?

It's impossible to say, really. A team or a goalie could get hot, injuries, desire, etc. On paper, though? I can't even see how it'd possible.

So awesome

Kill the Switch - Circle Takes the Square

I'm with everyone else, it's really a matter of price / drive. When he was on his game he was a valuable asset to the team - especially when he carried us through a portion of those injuries. When he wasn't though, it was brutal.

Mother Mary - Far

Just unreal.

I'm relocating the Atlanta Thrashers to Plymouth, Mass. - renaming them the Pylons and wiping the slate clean. The first two contracts I take on are Jason Williams and Brian Campbell.

DVR didn't record, so I missed the 1st pitch. Apparently he threw a strike. Holstrom and Lilja joined him on field - Howard was there, too. http://redwings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=529075&navid=DL|DET|home I would love to get my hands on a Tigers jersey like Lids wore. Lidstrom and #5 on the back, with a 'C' on the chest.

Yeah, I wasn't trying to sound offended - if that's how it came across. Just by observation, I can see that he wasn't handing out any A's for their season.

Eaves got a C- for being injured? Hard to disagree with the grades, I suppose - since no one from an eliminated team can get a mark higher than a B, apparently.

Agreed. I was thinking of this the other day, actually. Like you said, it was once a necessity to have an elite goalie to get you anywhere in the playoffs. Obviously there will be guys like Halak who come along and steal the show entirely, but others like Rask, Neimi, and even Howard have shown that you don't need to be in an elite class of goaltenders to anchor a team.

Having finally watched the highlights from last night's game, I think Fleury needs a lot of blame for Game 7. 9 saves in an elimination game? Harsh.