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I'm not ticked off, just genuinely interested. A lot of sports guys blow hockey off, compare it to soccer and ridicule it. I am sure there are a number of reasons contributing to this: Harder sport to follow. Definitely helps if you have played the game; the puck is hard to see. Europeans - it is still difficult for many americans and canadiens to get behind european stars. Low scoring, though this is not as much of a problem any more. Lack of exposure. Lockout was rough and no ESPN really does hurt. Despite all this, I still find it hard to believe someone can watch even *one* hockey game, if they are a sports fan, and not come away impressed with the speed, skill and intensity of the sport. For goodness sakes, there is even fighting!

Being a great coach does not necessarily translate into being a good executive. Bowman was the greatest hockey coach ever, but Devellano, Nill and Holland are better running the show. Bowman still has a lot of say with Babcock, though, to Babcock's credit. Especially nowadays, I do no think anyone can be an effective coach while a GM as well.

I largely agree with this, although Datsyuk has a lot of lower body strength as well... especially over the past few years. When he skates, he has such an incredibly low center of gravity, with a wide stance, which has made him go from someone who was backside on the ice a lot to someone who is almost impossible to knock off the puck, despite his size. (I think him being bow-legged helps a bit, too)

I don't think Holland will let it go to arbitration, but if it does: $1.7 million awarded to Filppula Holland will sign him for $1.85 per year for 2 years. I think Filppula's camp will want a short term deal in this case, as his numbers are not that impressive yet.

Are you seriously assuming Zetterberg, Rafalski and Holmstrom are leaps and bounds better than Kozlov, Larionov and Fetisov? Are you forgetting where Sergei was at 30? He was scoring 60-some points a season. Fedorov had an incredible peak at a young age with two incredible seasons (one was one of the best seasons ever) and three really good seasons. After '98 he had only one really good season where he was better than a point a game, and numerous lackluster seasons. Datsyuk seems to be only getting better at 30. He just followed two great seasons with an incredible season. I am a huge Fedorov fan and have been in favor of bringing him back at the trade deadline andl as a free agent this year, but his "off" nights or seasons (and there were many of them) were simply not better than Datsyuk. Datsyuk is not in the same rink skating-wise as Fedorov, but he is a better stick handler than Sergei ever was... and Sergei was very, very good.

Now you are short-selling Larionov and Koslov, as well as Konstantinov and Fetisov! The Russian 5 was arguably better than Datsyuk's lines of the past 3 years. And I do not think Zetterberg is necessary for Datsyuk to produce, as whenever Zetterberg has been out Datsyuk's production has increased. I have no problem with you praising Fedorov's talents; I fully agree. I just strongly disagree that Fedorov was "so good" that his off nights, or even off seasons were better than Datsyuk's best... they clearly are not.

In the past three seasons Datsyuk has scored 97 points and 87 points twice. You do realize Fedorov surpassed those totals only twice in his entire career? I think you just severely sold Datsyuk short to make your point there.

I was just listening to the Jim Rome show driving to lunch, and someone other than Rome was on and a caller asked about the hockey schedule. The guy admitted he had not looked at it, then proceeed to cover up by mocking hockey for the next minute... "Yeah, hockey... is that still a sport? Is Favre going to play in the NHL this year.... yeah, hockey... whatever." It really does amaze me how such a fast, agressive and dynamic sport is not only overlooked, but openly mocked and ridiculed by many sports personalities. I can see how soccer is mocked by American sports guys, but hockey is a different beast altogether. Just is strange to me.

Or possibly their second Cup... IMO. Few teams are ever able to repeat and the "I Believe" was a huge motivator.

He definitely gets overshadowed by Howe and Lindsay for the Red Wings -- but all those guys were arguably the best at their position in their generation. Delvecchio was definitely behind Beliveau, Mikita, Richard and possibly even Keon. Delvecchio is comparable to Abel in the overall scheme of things, though Abel had a better prime (won a Hart), even though Delvecchio played much longer. But both are great two-way centers and leaders.

Wings added yet another superstar to their roster, which will be used against Lidstrom yet again in Hart voting.

Nahhh... he still does not really hold a candle to Howe. He is catching up to Ted Lindsay and Sawchuk though.

Heh got my Macs and Micks confused! I've been trying to remember Finger in that series... apparently he did play in two of the games and logged about 20 mins each. I must have been drinking a lot.

I actually think Hudler would be a better fit on that line than Filppula. Franzen and Hossa are more than enough defensively on that line, but Hudler is far and away a better passer and goal scorer than Filppula. You go from a great two-way line to a good two-way line but one that is explosive offensively.

Lidstrom (if it's only past 15 years he has been #1 w/o a doubt) Yzerman (intangibles easily place him above Fedorov) Fedorov (statistically better than Yzerman during the period, but just... not Stevie) Shanahan (missing piece to the Stanley Cup) Larionov (always a playoff performer) Osgood (easily the most important goalie over the past 15 years) Draper (shut down forward extraordinaire) Datsyuk (only two years of relevant playoffs, but an integral part of team for 6 years now) Zetterberg (one less Cup than Datsyuk, low on list as he is here only 5 years) Konstantinov (integral part of '97 Cup run; integral part of '98 Cup run) Holmstrom Chelios Murphy Hasek Brown McCarty Kozlov Fetisov Coffey Cicarelli Sheppard Maltby

Pronger, when he is on, is the 2nd best in the league.... but he is incredibly inconsistent and sometimes barely finishes in the top ten for Norris voting. Neidermayer is consistently better than Pronger. Phaneuf is a bit overrated, but if he continues to improve he could join that crowd as well as Chara and possibly Bouwmeester. Zubov and Gonchar (this past season) are there as well. Rafalski is a step below and Campbell is a step below Rafalski.

The authoer really devalued the extent of Emery's issues... I did too, until I actually took the time to read his wikipedia page. There's a lot more to it than "showing up late to practice" and "complaining about ice time", a lot more. Fact is, he was given three offers in the NHL despite his lackluster performance and issues -- there were still three teams willing to take a risk on him and give him a "second chance". But he could make a lot more in Russia so he bolted.

It seems every year there is a Cleary, Sopel, Johnson, etc... a "known" free agent who tries out in training camp and makes some decent waves. With the Wings being as incredibly deep as they are right now, do you think free agents might tend to stay away this year? Any one know of someone who might try out? Side note: I was chuckling about Sopel impressing in training camp, only to bolt 2/3 of the way through for Chicago for a less competitive job -- he could have been on the Cup if he stuck it our

Could we be seeing Robin Big Snake again??

I strongly feel it is incredibly hard to repeat... it just does not happen too often, no matter how good the team is. I do think Hossa will be a man on fire this year, especially in the playoffs, and that should have a big influence. I'd be disappointed with losing in the WCF, but that is still a success in the scheme of things. What I really hope does not happen is a 1st or 2nd round loss, and for the term "Choke" to be thrown around again.

Mac fought against the octopus thrower from the Avs... had to send a message

Does anyone remember the lines from preseason last year where Datsyuk and Zetterberg were split? Before Franzen was injured, I remember his particular line was doing really well - and I think he was with Datsyuk? It was the first hint of things to come with Franzen.

I like having an enforcer, but this is reaching... The Wings never had a problem getting the President's Cup, with or without an enforcer. Downey did not play a single game in the playoffs. I think there are about 1,000 reasons the wings won a Cup this year. Carrying an enforcer during the regular season might be 997. I like having an enforcer, but it is not needed. What is needed, is for the team as a whole to step up their physical play in the playoffs - something they did not do under Lewis, and something they have done under Babcock. That is about 100 times more important than carrying an enforcer.

In addition to Kopecky (once he is back), Downey, Mac and Helm you also have Leino and Abdelkader with outside shots to make the big leagues. Will be a competitive training camp on all sides - forwards, defencemen and goalies!

Fedorov better at: Goals, defense, speed, durability, cashing in. Forsberg better at: Assists, holding the puck, diving.