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Why are there so many left-handed hockey players, anyways?

At the awards show, he stated to the press the Penguins would have an easy time extending him for another 6-7 years, that he is easy to deal with and he does not need to make more than Crosby.

One of the largest stories of the Stanley Cup finals over the past two years was the West's dominance of defense over the East's offense. Two of the Wing's top 3 paid skaters were defencemen. Last year, the top two paid Duck's were defencemen. How does Pittsburgh respond? Going after Hossa, their top two paid players will be forwards next year. If they then keep Malkin... their 3 top paid will be forwards. Maybe even 4, if Staal improves.

I think Datsyuk, moreso even than other scorers like Zetterberg and Fedorov, forces many to rethink "defensive forward". Datsyuk is so lethal on his backcheck, I picture him as a blue shark out there (sleek, fast, very deadly despite smaller size)... I have never seen someone steal the puck like he can. Traditional defensive forwards and two-way forwards are better on the PK and downlow in the defensive zone than Datsyuk. Zetterberg is much better than Datsyuk at this (though Datsyuk is still very good). But Datsyuk almost single-handidly can destroy a team's transition game through his forecheck and backcheck. It is incredible. Even when he is not stealing the puck, you can visibly see how tentative the other team is bringing the puck up the ice when he is out there... and then they'll just make a bad pass or dump it. This was so evident against a young, inexperienced team like the Penguins. Pittsburgh was not *that* bad at transitioning, in fact, they were amongst the best in the East at it. Zetterberg and Lidstrom ate up their options, but Datsyuk literally scared them s***less. So Datsyuk can kill penalties very well, hits incredibly well for someone his size, had an outstanding +/-, wins most of his faceoffs, grinds it out in the corners like few others, backchecks and forechecks constantly -- that alone should get him noticed for the Selke... but when you factor in his steals, and the intangible chaos and disruption his mere presence brings to an opposition's transition game, you might have a winner. I think that got noticed this year.

Montreal fans are all but convinced they will be getting either Sundin or Hossa. I'll chuckle when they get neither, but end up with Naslund.

Zetterberg has said in a couple interviews now he would take less money to stay in Detroit. Fortunately, Detroit has a long history of players taking much less money to stay with a competitive team year-in and year-out. -- This is the only real, consistent way to "cheat" the cap. Datsyuk is at $6.8 million and Lidstrom is at $7.45 million -- my guess is that he signs for closer to Lidstrom, but does not go over it. The cap is higher than when Datsyuk signed and Zetterberg has done nothing but improve over that time, though I am sure that is where the Wings will start. How awesome would it be if he took exactly what Datsyuk is making, though?? The only thing really keeping his salary down for other GMs would be his history of injuries (and it is significant that he has never played a full season in the NHL)-- so I do not think anyone would make a Crosby/Ovechkin offer similar in years or salary, but your $8- $8.5 million guess seems about right for a GM determined to make a significant splash. Could definitely be overpaying, especially if Zetterberg's back starts keeping him out for more of the season.

Great news and hopefully means Lilja will not be offered another contract. Whether Stuart stays or leaves, I think our defense will be just fine. I would never want Ericsson to be an enforcer, but he shouldn;t be completely discouraged from dropping the gloves. Fischer was awesome after he took his lessons from Kocur and put the hurt on a few guys (Hartnell). Shanahadn was obviously valuable to have out of the box, but guys like he an Iginla, when they fight, it is a huge motivator for the team.

Pittsburgh will be fine for a couple years (because they will continue to have talented, cheap prospects to play), but if they are saddled w/ over $25 million to 3 forwards with no-trade clauses... this will be a struggling team. I was not trying to be "sneaky" with the OP - maybe I am out of line, but I think the East values offense more than defense, unlike the West. The West has won the past two Stanley Cups in a decicive manner and has a significant advantage in regular season games played vs. the East over the past 5 years.

I would be shocked if Hossa did not get a no-trade clause if he were to accept that kind of discount. If Pittsburgh is able to sign Hossa now and Malkin next year (another no-trade clause?) I really believe they are screwed. I just do not buy that three uber-stars can carry a team of AHLers to the Cup... and that is where they are headed. It will be a revolving door for Pittsburgh, depending on young, cheap prospects to fill holes... if they improve, Pittsburgh can't afford them, and the Penguins, while still flush with good prospects right now, are not getting many new ones through trade losses, and simply finishing higher and getting lower draft picks as a result. This year, for instance, I think they only have like 4 picks and not a 1st round. Other holes will have to be filled by journeymen. I know it would be unpopular, but I would sign Hossa and trade Malkin as soon as possible. Malkin has a lot more potential, but you can gain a *lot* by trading him... whereas you gain nothing from letting Hossa walk.

Anaheim traded Bergeron to the Wild for a 3rd round pick... I'd argue Meech and Lebda are better defensively than Bergeron, and though having a different offensive skill set, can definitely jump in with the offense. I would love to see one of them moved, as they are very similar players.

Pronger is horribily inconsistent and has not come even close to averaging #2 behind Lidstrom. He certainly has talent, but he is more of a perennial #6.

I think too many are judging him by his play against Dallas, when he was obviously injured, and by his age. I make a habit of watching him each game... and he can still play 2nd line if he needs to... just like he did last year.

I completely agree with the above few posts... as the best route for Pittsburgh. If they end up retaining Crosby, Hossa, Malkin, Staal... you can write them off to a lot of Western "D first" teams.

Well, duh. $17 million in talent vs. $8 million -- but there is this thing called a "cap"

Maybe you're right... maybe the answer to the West is more offense. I personally think $25 million for your top 3 forwards, and probably close to another $5 million for Staal ensures you become a two line team with half the team at an AHL level. I personally hope they are able to sign all their top guys... easy pickings, in my opinion.

Hmmm.... since Holland appears to be focusing on Stuart, yet another high-priced defenceman, when he could be going after a bonafied 2nd line forward, I have trouble agreeing with you. At the cost of signing Hossa and Malkin, Pittsburgh will be letting Malone, and most like Orpik go -- two of their best defensive players. They are looking at two lines of defencemen at the $1 million mark and below. There may not be a plethora of elite defencemen out there, but there are plenty of good ones... and Pittsburgh is more interested in letting them go, than finding more.

Malkin said at the award show he is not interested in making more than Crosby ($8.7 million) and thinks they will come to an easy extension of 5-6 years. Hossa has hinted he would take a pay cut to be with a cup contender... I hope they keep both. $25 million on three forwards will ensure about half the team is made up of AHLers. Go Pens, sign them all!

He will only get a one or two year deal... if they do not sign him by the time it goes to arbitration. Allows the Pens more time to sign him and keeps the RFA offers away for a while.

I strongly feel Lidstrom continues to be the most valuable to this team. Others may have more impact during a given time, but Lidstrom is the foundation.

Neither Hank nor Pavel were the most valuable on their team.

They have all since changed their minds.... ... Crosby is the best

I can't stand Pronger as much as the next guy, but the Hart lost it's prestige about 80 years ago if that is the case. Same goes for all the trophies, including the Conn Smythe, with the possible exception of the Lady Byng... ... though even the Lady Byng went to Mikita, and he was one of the dirtiest SoB's to ever play... until his 6 year-old daughter once asked why he had to sit by himself across the ice from his team so often. He then went on to win the Lady Byng two years in a row.

Going off memory: Orr said Howe was the best. Howe said Gretzky was the best. Gretzky said Howe was the best.... and Lemieux. Lemieux said Gretzky was the best.

I agree... but the Smythe has the small added benefit of a Stanley Cup coming along with it. Now ask those same players what they would rather have: A Conn Smythe or the Stanley Cup? I think we both know the answer. Rewarding: Cup > Smythe > Hart Prestigious: Hart > Smythe > Cup

He will forever be remembered as a better goalie than Cam Ward and his Conn Smythe. Pronger was pretty much immortalized for that one frickin' year... believe me, it galls me to know end he won it. But looking over the results for other years, he is incredibly inconsistent and clearly benefited from one of the most low scoring years ever to win that Hart (barely). Meanwhile, Lidstrom has amassed 6 Norrises, despite Pronger's one great year. People are actually able to take these things into context.