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Remember, Yzerman played much of his prime in the high-scoring 80s, while Sakic played much of his prime in the dead-puck era. That said, yes -- Yzerman at his prime was better offensively than Sakic (though not by as much as you think just by looking at points without considering eras). Sakic maintained a higher level for longer than Yzerman, however. Yzerman's offensive numbers came down a lot once he learned to play defence, while Sakic has always been very responsible defensively (enough to get second in voting for Selke) and continued to put up big offensive numbers. Do not be so sure Yzerman will go down as a better captain and more popular player -- Sakic is just as popular and considered an incredible captain as well. Yzerman has been in the top ten in scoring 10 times -- Sakic 13 times, in less seasons. Sakic's playoff performances have been better as well (184 points in 166 games for Sakic vs 185 points in 196 games for Yzerman), plus Sakic's 34 points alone in '96. I would not put Sakic anywhere close to them... ... But you would put Yzerman in the top ten??? Is that just for centers? Forwards? Or for all hockey players??? All-time, all-positions I would have them both in the Top 30-40.

I'm sorry, but any way you swing it, Hasek is a much better hockey player than Sakic and Yzerman. Even ignoring all the hardware, Hasek lead the league in GAA and SV% way more than Sakic or Yzerman ever lead the league (which is never, and only once if you eliminate Lemieux and Gretzky). He was competing against Roy, Brodeur and a Belfour, who in his prime was one of the best ever, as well. Winning a Vezina does not have much to do with whether your team is good or not (like a Jennings trophy would)... it has more to do with pure goaltending. Yet, Hasek won both those awards, the fact he was on a crappy team for many of them makes it all the more impressive, not less. If you assume Hasek won the Hart and Pearson both years because he was merely the "best player on a crappy team" you have another thing coming. Hasek had some of the greatest seasons ever, for any goaltender or hockey player ever, those years. He was the best player in the world those years. Hasek is not better than Roy just because of individual awards. There are more reasons than that He's not an idiot, in fact he is dead-on correct. Though it does sound like he is obnoxious.

That is fine... but anyone not factoring in how "great of a guy" Sakic is, will readily admit Hasek will go down in history as a much better hockey player. I know it is tough to admit when you really like a player. I am just recently having to accept Sakic will end up in history as better than Yzerman (though not by much)... and that really hurts me to admit!

Yzerman and Sakic would have ONE scoring title between them if Lemieux and Gretzky never existed (Yzerman in 1989).

There are two other active players who could currently compete for that title with Hasek: Lidstrom and Jagr. Sakic is not in that echelon.

It's pretty easy to compare the Vezina to the Art Ross trophy: Hasek = 6 Sakic = 0 They both compete for the same Hart and Pearson trophy (though it is admittadly tougher for a goaltender to win): Hasek = 2 each (nominated 3 other times) Sakic = 1 each First Team All-Star: Hasek = 5 Sakic = 3

Actually... it is really easy to compare them. Hasek is arguably the greatest goaltender ever (right up there with Roy, Plante, Sawchuk and Hall). In recent times, only Roy is comparable and once Hasek entered the NHL Roy never won a single Vezina trophy (while Hasek was also winning Harts). Roy may have more playoff success but overall I do not think it is even that close. Is Sakic thought of as one of the best forwards ever? No.... not even close, really. He is an excellent, excellent player who will automatically go into the Hall of Fame. But he will have to win a few more Harts and scoring titles to come even close to matching Hasek's accomplishments.... and while Sakic has remained very good for a long time, I do not see him rising to the top of the league again. Hasek is a much better overall hockey player than Sakic. I do not even think that is debateable. That is no slight, mind you... Hasek is also a much better hockey player than Yzerman (whom I have very close to Sakic overall).

I'm pretty sure the buyout option was only for immediately preceding the season after the lockout. It is no longer an option.

Would it ever be possible to see Flip and Hudler *both* on a hot streak at the same time? I swear, if one is hot then the other is guaranteed to be cold.

His agent spoke on a Vancouver radio station and said it was pretty much a done deal, and they had the most contact with Nonis... this set them back but they were still hoping a deal would get done. He was not "guaranteed" top 6 minutes, that he would try out at camp for it, but maybe get 3rd line minutes. Still a better deal than a one month tryout with the Wings. I am personally happy Babcock is not out there making *any* sort of guarantees. The idea that some of these guys are "entitled" to the NHL, and that the AHL is an insult, is laughable. Often times, the AHL is just what they need to get acquainted with NA hockey, before being thrust into it at the NHL level. I think he will still go to Vancouver. It's obvious where his priorities lie.

Holy crap... do you see the look on that guy's face from the front??? Exactly how I have always pictured Nashville fans.

You know what type of fans are there when one of the pinned threads is: "How to Play the Game: Hockey 101" http://boards.nashvillepredators.com/index...?showtopic=2650 And it is not a link to something funny or sarcastic, but actually... how the game of hockey is played! That was literally the last thing I was expecting.

Every playoff team is concerned about secondary scoring. Every single one. That's parity. The Wings secondary scoring is not what it was when our payroll was over $60 million, but it is a heck of a lot better than pretty much every other team. The Wings have 6 players with 20 or more goals and a 7th with 19... that is great for the salary cap era. Lids, Rafalski and Kronwall also comprise so much of our offense, more so than any other team asides from Anaheim... and if you listen to Anaheim fans they are scared to death about secondary scoring... even since Teemu has returned. So sure, I am concerned about secondary scoring, but I think that is going to be an issue every single year under the salary cap, for every team... and comparitively, I am very happy with how the Wings are looking.

I would prefer not to pay top dollar for a goalie until Lidstrom retires. No current defenseman out there will make an impact like Lidstrom, but a goalie might come close. Give Howard a shot, but if he is not elite by the time Lidstrom retires, then the Wings should make a run for Luongo.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/1478...M-rankings.html Ken Holland is third --> But they take a dig at him for the Matthias for Bertuzzi trade. Yet Burke is #1 and no mention of him paying $4 million a year for the same person? *NOT* matching that proves in my mind Holland is a better GM. Whatever. Lou L. and Holland should be #1 and #2 (in either order) without a doubt in my mind. They have years and years of success and more cups. Burke has had recent success, but with a lot of foibles this year that for the most part have luckily worked out for him. It could have just as easily gone the other way and made him look like a complete moron.

Re: Holland and his early critique. That's exactly it. It was not that impressive for Holland to win in '98. Good job, for sure... but I never would have rated him in the top 10 of GMs in the league. 2002 -- ok, granted he had an open pocket book but he went out there and got those extra deals done and it paid off. I give Holland a lot of credit for that. But he has really proven his merit since then. Only Lou L., has been able to come close to matching Holland's success pre and post salary cap. It is not easy to maintain an elite team for 3 years, let alone the 10 Holland has managed.... and we are talking extremely elite. He has had three coaches and saw the entire face of the team turn a page. Yet the Red Wings have kept on winning. Maybe Burke has not been "lucky" with some of these deals and odd shennanigans... but it will be a while of sustained excellence before I am ready to include him in the highest echelon of general managers in hockey.

A lot of people underrate Chelios in Detroit... but this guy was winning Norrises in one of the most competitive time periods ever for defencemen. Along with Fetisov, Lidstrom and Kelly - Chelios is probably a top ten defensemen of all time.

Is he living in last year? I don't get it. Detroit struggled against the Central and beat up on the rest of the NHL this year. That argument has absolutely no relevance this year.

I am not disappointed with the trade deadline and the moves or lack of moves we made this year. I am disappointed we had all this cap space, which Holland could have spent, but did not. If we are no longer going to make a splash at the trade deadline, that is fine... in fact, I think it is smart. The Wings should not be trading away prospects and draft picks every year. Instead, spend most of that money at the beginning of the season on free agents... that we do not lose anything for. Keep a small cushion for a depth player at the trade deadline (for injuries and whatnot), but not enough for a high-impact player. Face it, the Wings are not in a good position to get those guys at the deadline. Low draft picks, not a ton of prospects and other teams raise their prices on the Wings. Accept it, and spend the money at the beginning of the season.

The Blues are famous for gooning it up against the Wings at the end of every season. Maybe by not dressing Downey he is hoping they will say, "Gee, they didn't dress their enforcer, I guess we better take it easy on them all night..." Yeah, seems like a dumb decision to me too.

The contrast between the #1 PP and #2 PP units is unbelievable. Most of the time, that first unit looks like it could be hosting a clinic against opposing straw dummies, just to illustrate proper PP mechanics.... so of course the second unit is going to look bad in comparison. I just believe it could be a bit better. I usually feel like I could get up and get a snack when the second unit is out there. Would have loved to see Fedorov back on the point.

Perhaps because he is so important on the PK, that Babcock wants him rested should we go a man down? I dunno... but Samy on the point grinds me to no end. I don't think he is the worst player in the NHL, like many on here... but he does not add anything to the point. I hated Williams being on there as well. Chelios has a hard shot and accurate (much more accurate than Samy)... he doesn't dink around with the puck before he shoots it from the point and he never looks lost out there like Samy does. Huh... I just do not get it. I would prefer Stuart there as well... but it seems like Babcock is adamant he wants a righty out there.

I still do not understand why Samuelsson is a better option than Chelios on the point of the 2nd power play unit. Sure, Samelsson is faster on his skates, but Chelios would make much less mistakes and would not need to rely on his speed. They need someone with a good shot, a right hand, good sense and someone to keep the puck in the zone. Why not Chelios again?

They only advertise during NHL games.

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