WhiteLightning91

Update from Colorado's practice: Things just keep getting worse for the Dives. I was hoping this would be a hard fought series, but right now it is anything but because of all the injuries to the Dives. Oh well, as long as we get to the next round I'm sure I'll get over it!

That is on a long-term contract; 4-5 years long-term. Kronwall got $3M/season last season over a 5-year deal, so what makes you think Filppula can't get 2.75 over a long-term deal?

That series also featured an Avs team that had Sakic, Foote, and Floppa all 10 years younger. Most importantly, Roy was their goalie. Sheesh, they sure are looking for a silver lining.

Same with Dallas...

First off, Drake and Hasek retired. Samuelsson and Lebda are traded for draft picks. Lilja is not re-signed. 2008-09 23-Man Roster Pavel Datsyuk 6.7 Daniel Cleary 2.8 Valterri Filppula* 2.75 Henrik Zetterberg 2.65 Tomas Holmstrom 2.25 Kris Draper 1.583 Jiri Hudler 1.015 Johan Franzen 0.941667 Kirk Maltby 0.883333 Darren Helm 0.597667 Darren McCarty* 0.55 Aaron Downey* 0.55 Mark Hartigan* 0.55 Tomas Kopecky 0.5 Nicklas Lidstrom 7.45 Brian Rafalski 6 Niklas Kronwall 3 Brad Stuart* 3 Chris Chelios* 1.2 Jonathan Ericsson* 0.65 Derek Meech 0.483 Chris Osgood 1.416667 Jimmy Howard* 1 Cap Number 48.520334 * = Projected Salary (Chelios' includes bonuses that are the same as this season) 2008-09 Line-Up Zetterberg Datsyuk Holmstrom Filppula Franzen Cleary Maltby Draper Kopecky Hudler Helm McCarty Abdelkader Hartigan Downey Lidstrom Rafalski Kronwall Stuart Chelios Ericsson Meech Quincey Osgood Howard Berkhoel Italics = Playing in Grand Rapids

The Sharks board is a thing of beauty right now Get the golf clubs polished and the dockers ironed, it's the off-season for you Sharkies! Way to go experts! (Yes, I know this series isn't over, but Ron Wilson has never been able to motivate his team out of the hole in the playoffs)

Those games were lost because Hasek couldn't stop a beach ball and our defense was non-existent. Z and Pavel being split up was just a coincidence. If Floppa does play, that means we have to defend against not only his line, but Sakic's line as well. Sakic's or Floppa's line can be stopped by ZDH, but not Filppula-Franzen-Samuelsson. Put Z or Pavel on the 2nd line and we are able to neutralize them with 3 lines, the other being Drake-Draper-Cleary.

I think you have to split Pavel and Zetterberg if Floppa is going to be playing, especially since the Dives will have last change. Quenneville will definitely be trying to get Sakic away from Z and Pavel; he has been almost non-existent up to this point in the series. I do not think you have to split Lidstrom and Rafalski though. Kronwall and Stuart can defend well enough and can also move the puck out of their zone just fine. Filppula - Datsyuk - Holmstrom Franzen - Zetterberg - Samuelsson Drake - Draper - Cleary Hudler - Helm - McCarty Lidstrom - Rafalski Kronwall - Stuart Lebda - Chelios

10 wins away!!!

Get this -- Helm was actually our leading hitter out there today. He and Datsyuk (Who'd a thunk it?) led the team with 4 hits each.

I love the Canadiens, one of my favority non-Red Wings teams, but the chance at a Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh/NYR series is too good to pass up. Would love to see them play the Rangers if I have to choose one.

Chalk up another steal for the Wings through great drafting.

That's only game 3, sdogg1m. We can't close this series out until Thursday at the earliest.

Love the Mule! But, I'm worried about what kind of contract he is going to get next year. Kenny needs to get him signed long-term. He could easily get $4M on the open market after this season, especially this post-season.

Oh yeah? Care to explain why?

Samuelsson's play this post-season has led me to believe he gets a hard on to give-aways at the opposition's blueline. Dallas is really surprising me. I had the Stars out in the first round because the Ducks were playing so well down the stretch, even though I questioned Anaheim's ability to score, and Dallas was in a downward spiral ever since February for some reason.

That defense is downright laughable...considering Kronwall apparently fell off the face of the earth as well. Re-sign Stuart and offer Lilja a contract of no more than $1.5M. I hate to say it but maybe this should be Chelios' last year with the team, he has been looking his age out there in the last couple playoff games. Lidstrom - Rafalski Kronwall - Stuart Ericsson - Lebda/Lilja

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=235804&amp...s=headlines_nhl

Franzen will be a UFA. Offer sheets will not be an issue -- he can sign wherever he wants without us being able to match.

I don't know how both refs from last night Washington/Philadelphia game are still in. Just proves what a joke the league's stance on refereeing is.

Western Conference DET/COL: in 6 SJ/DAL: in 7 Eastern Conference MON/PHI: in 6 PIT/NYR: in 7

Hmm...alright. Chris Elliott's reaction at the end kinda said it all: "Wow, this really wasn't as funny on TV as it was in person." Kinda lame but at least the Rangers are getting some exposure in the Big Apple. Great place for hockey. They just want a winner.

Of course we thought it was physical. We're Red Wing fans! We've been used to non-hitting, no fighting games since the lockout. But in comparison to the rest of the series, outside of the Minnesota/Colorado series, as pointed out, it was a hug fest. Still, I don't mind, we're moving on to the 2nd round and that's more important to me then being able to say "Hi, my name is Marty Brodeur, and I was involved in the most physical series. What's that? No, I am not going to playing in the 2nd round."

Beautiful and absolutely hilarious!!!

This sounds pretty official to me... Here's to hoping Bettman will be a cheapass :beerbuddy: