A.T.Hun

To paraphrase Darth Vader (and who doesn't like to do that from time to time): "Preseason predictions do not concern me."

If he would have added "and Lord knows I wasn't in one last year" then there might be something article-worthy in there. As it is, it's a tempest in a teapot. Lest we forget, he's not a native English speaker either.

The other issue re: Homer's "effectiveness" is how the refs call things next year. It seemed like too often when he was in front of the goalie, the refs used the mantra "When in doubt, throw him out." I'm not saying it's all the refs' fault. What I am saying is that when you're constantly trying to figure out what's a penalty and what isn't, you're not going to be able to concentrate on doing your job.

I'm concerned about this coming season for the following reasons: 1) Two straight years to the finals == lots of mileage on those legs 2) Compressed schedule because of the Olympics 3) The Wings' best players will be playing in the Olympics 4) Starting the season in Sweden Now note that I said, "Concerned" not, "Crying like the 'Leave Britney Alone' person." It's hard enough to win a Cup. These things just make it that much tougher. Obviously, if they can avoid injuries, everything will be fine. If they can't, all bets are off.

Sammy scored some big goals, but it's not like he is irreplaceable. If the $2.5 per figure is correct, there's no way Kenny should have/could have matched it. This is in keeping with his strategy: identify your core players (Zetts, Datsyuk, Lids, Mule) and build around them.

That's it right there. I applaud them for going all-in for next season. When's the last time the 'Hawks made a serious push for a Cup? Even if they didn't sign Hossa they were going to be in cap Hades at the end of next season. Might as well strike while the iron is hot! The fly in the ointment as several have pointed out is Huet. It's expecting a lot for him to guide them to the Promised Land when he hasn't so much as won a single series in the playoffs.

Preach on!

And, out of that group, the only one that vaguely concerns me is Chicago. They're going to have issues of their own when Kane and Toews come up for new contracts. Having said that, I'm all for them getting what they can while the getting is good. Of course, there's that issue with their playoff goalie not being on the team anymore. Everybody who would be happy about Cristobal Huet being your playoff goalie when you have Cup aspirations, please raise your hand. Didn't think so. Toronto got better only because they couldn't get much worse. Meanwhile, the Red Wings have fundamentally the same team that won the Cup in 2008. Don't forget, Kenny made a big deal earlier by signing Franzen long-term. With some of the cash that's been thrown around today, that deal just keeps looking better and better.

That contract is insane, especially coming off a 17 game season. I'm going to say a little extra prayer of thanks tonight that Kenny Holland is sane.

Agreed. And hey, anything that adds to the Wings vs. 'Hawks rivalry is all good in my book.

I was really worried about back-to-back games on short rest. I don't care if you call the wins ugly, lucky, or whatever. I call them what they are: wins. The Pens had a glorious opportunity to steal at least one game in Detroit and they blew it. Now they absolutely have to win game 3. If you think they were out of their minds on Sunday, just wait to see what happens if they get down by a goal or two on Tuesday--especially if Fleury can't remember how to use his glove.

My only complaint about the fight was that Malkin needs to learn to fight better than his 12-year-old sister. Way to go after noted heavyweight Zetterberg too. Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

I bought a conference champion t-shirt in '95. We all know how well that worked out.

The fact that Kronner got a major is a joke. The fact that he got a game misconduct defies words. I want to hear from someone in Toronto about this. The Vs. guys are talking about Havlat being out--what about Detroit being without Kronner for the rest of the night? I've never been this p.o.'d at an official in my entire life. This level of incompetence in the conference finals is utterly inexcusable. I'm going to go find something small to strangle.

Walker is a punk. That's not toughness. That's stupidity. If you're going to fight, man up. The bad thing is that the Bruins can't afford a major to get proper payback. If the next game gets out of hand someone needs to send Walker into next Saturday.

That "not even a second" quote was utterly ridiculous. The puck was long since gone. Without a whole lot of difficulty, the puck could cross the entire ice surface in less than a second. Having said that, the previous poster is also correct. Hudler needs to be more aware than that. I'm sure he will be now. I guess I'd be surprised if there is any suspension. Pronger has gotten away with worse and he's got a rap sheet as long as your arm.

Is everybody insane in this series? In a series this tight Avery, Tortorella, and Brashear now all pulling this remarkably stupid stuff? The NHL needs to put the smack down on Brashear for that. A blow to the head on a player in the middle of the ice with the puck far away? TSN is reporting that Betts has a broken orbital bone and is out for the remainder of the playoffs.

Apparently they ran out of prospects with ties to organized crime, so the Habs have signed suspended MSU "enforcer" Andrew Conboy to a three-year deal. Apparently it goes something like this: 1) Slash a prone player in the neck 2) Get suspended by the NCAA 3) Profit!

A little research on this topic also turned up this nugget: at this time last year Red Wings T.V. ratings were up a whopping 50%. So even with this drop, the viewership would be substantially higher than two years ago. Perhaps this is all much ado about nothing? I also like the questions that were asked on this site Back to this thread: Obviously you didn't study statistics in school. Also, trying to gauge the pulse of the average fan by what is posted on a fan site like this is foolhardy.

Lang may have been lazy and he may hack sucked ( letsgowings.com) but that's a terrible way to get injured. Hope he's back soon.

Judging from this thread, the Zetterberg signing must be everybody's personal Hell.

Only on this forum would people be freaking out about this. Good Lord. Let this thread serve as a reminder to take your prescription medication.

Not unless one of two things were also true: 1) It was one of the conditions set forth by the people who kidnapped my children. 2) I was told, "Wear this or we'll go all 'Deliverance' on you." Even then, it better be a Sakic jersey.

Those commercials are great. Man, it seems like an entirely different franchise with Rocky in charge. I would love to see a good, old fashioned, ugly Detroit v. Chicago series in the playoffs. It's been awhile since that rivalry really mattered. It'd be great for the NHL. Hopefully the Winter Classic can spark things too.

I'm just thankful that our problem is, "We have so many good players--how can we afford to keep them all?"