clutchngrab

I would not sit Kpoecky on he 4th line. That means either Downey or Drake should sit - and I think we know who that should be. Actually, it is very good that you have essentially Maltby, Downey, Drake, Kopecky and Ellis competing for 4th line spots. That should light a fire under Maltby's overpaid ass.

Sorry, Grigs ass will be back in Russia by Nov. 1. Try again next year after hiring a trainer and a language coach. The guy has had 6 years to learn rudimentary english? Everyone including his agent knew he'd be under a microscope and there was how much prep? zero, nada (or whatever it is in russian)... very disappointing. Props to Ellis and Downey for working their asses off. Now grigs knows what it takes.

That's because he was basically s***-canned out of the Wings organization.

Saw the Grigs goal and first I've seen of him this year. Good hands, nice move and a hell of a long stick.

Are you kidding me? Sammy on the point was the stupidest coaching move of the year for Babcock.

It's a COMMUNIST PLOT designed to attack you very moral fiber! What? Oh yeah... well nevermind.

Dear eurotrash, Next time one of our franchise player misses 19 games due to a cheap x-check across the back let me know how you feel. We need at least one 4th line guy that can skate and fight and be bumped up to the first or second line if you know what I mean.

Its funny after so many years of not trusting the youth that the Wing's brass is so ready to put so much faith into young players. Don't get me wrong, I am more excited about this season than any in recebt memory because we have so many good young players ready to explode and the mystery of how they will do is exciting - especially after some playoff seasoning. Flipper: Mini zets w/out the finish. He might develop that but Draper never did, so go don't bank on it. Huds: Can he skate and play both sides and score w/ more ice time? Mystery Franzen: IMHO, the most sure fire bet to improve his stats dramatically. He could be a great young power forward after this year. Anyhow, even though I want all these guys to get ice - we still need one goal-scoring winger to complete the picture and I'm pretty sure that's a vet to be acquired and not grigs

At his age there are no "gears" anymore. He has to be in top shape all the time because as you age (I know for experience) it is extremely hard to get back into shape once you lose a bit. Why am I saying this? Because Chelios is in the same shape now as he will be in April. Therefore he will kick ass in the pre-season, because he knows he can't use the preseason to get his 45 year old ass into shape. It already is in shape. So for now he has a leg up, but come regular season he will be playing his normal role with the normal points associated with that role.

Thats not tired. Thats the normal mildly pissed at the world Chelios look.

Isn't there a groupie thread somewhere? Just kidding - just the diff between pst and est - you est people get sloppy.

LOL - some guyfrom GR gets his pantys in a bunch when some guy fom Detroit says he lives in a cultural wasteland. You can't script this s***.

Really, you think Kronwall is "amazing"? I haven't seen it yet - though this year will be the make or break. To be the #3 dman on Detroit has a bit of pressure that Kronwall has yet to handle.

I agree, he has all the basic skills and great mobility. However, I have been a little disappointed with some of his decision making and offensive production. Once he consistently figures out the NHL game as opposed to the International game, he should be good - providing he figures out how to go get pucks without getting plastered. The new NHL is not kind to defensemen that don't have a good sense of self-preservation. Have you researched how many nerve endings are in your ass?

Bulls***, his playing weight has been listed at around 205, and apprently he's around 220. Don't give me that Russian Super League vs. NHL speed crap. The RSL is the 2nd best league in the world - the guy is pulling a Tzachuk without ever having made the team.

Lang motivational speech at the end of the 2nd: "All right guys, if we oull this one out, pizza on me."

Can anyone explain why Maltby and Drake on the same team is a progress? Sounds like Babcockian obsession with "grease" to me. This team desperately needs someone that can shoot the puck and score especially on the PP. I want Yashin... Plus he can inherit the lazy and sucks trademark which this board so desparately needs. Lang was not better than Flip in the playoffs and I agree I hope there is another top 6 forward signed.

With salaries this off season I think 7+ long term. Z is a franchise player more so than dats for example.

cmon, we got rid of Lang - who is next to get the lazy and sucks moniker if not Yashin? C'mon Kenny this board needs you to come thru with a player to hate.

Apparently you didn't watch the playoffs. Schneider, Lang and Calder had little to do with advancing to the conf. finals. Having said that, we need another top 6 forward and thats about it. Don't forget contracts must be structured for more than this year so as to keep some key core players like Zetts, Franzen, Flip, etc. in the next couple of years. Some of you pessimists need to realize that teams are not built year to year, but over a stretch of years focusing on some key players. Holland (and every other GM) knows this, but some of you don't get it at all.

As far as swapping Schneider for Refalski - its hard to not to like - especially considering 33 vs. 38. As far as 5 yr at 6 mil... Not sure about that - but I think it makes the most sense for what the wings needed to do at this time. We do however need another power forward and we will get one sooner or later. Ideally a top 6 power forward, but don't forget we are loaded at D w/ lots of young talent waiting to get in - especially if Markov is resigned. Some of these may be used for a trade. Actually I would to see Holland make an RFA offer to Penner. Burke has to be chaffing at the cap by now...

Arrg matie, yar've been spending too much coin in "Ye Olde Grog Shop" if ya thinks Roenick is better than shark chum.

I'm all for expansion if they start playing 4 on 4

Don't blame the Ducks. I give Burke 100% kudos for banking on the fact that the new NHL has its head up its ass.

Any solution to the state of the game CANNOT rest with officiating. The only consistency they have shown is incompetence and incosnsistency. The answer is in creating a game environment where obstruction cannot as easily take place. That could be bigger ice or playing 4 on 4. Possibly eliminate offsides and other radical approaches. I know any of those changes would be radical and controversial, but face facts - the game is imploding right now and officiating is not the answer.