egroen

Personally - If given the choice of only one, I would rather have Backstrom for 10 years at $6.7m than Ovechkin for 11 more at $9.5m.

Another one of the myriad of stats the NHL does not post at its website. Only members of the media get those - and they are not the most sharing (I've tried).

http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/Defenceman+Chris+Chelios+cent+sure+will+retire/3018696/story.html#ixzz0nkHgIHqK 27 freakin' seasons!!! Thing is too -- he was good as late as the 2007 playoffs when he really stepped it up with the Wings' injuries and more than held his own. Runner-up for the Norris at the age of 40 is not too shabby either!

There were high hopes for Bootland and Barnes - similar players. Though Avery did pan out.

Does that mean Babcock might actually play Hudler... say in key situations where the Wings need a goal (as opposed to renowned goal scorers like Draper and Kopecky (last year)), and give him more than 2 games at a time on the second line? Because I just don't see Hudler, or anyone, scoring 70 pts with 12-13 minutes of ice time.

I think the NHL would be all over that and rightfully so -- absurd and clear circumvention of the cap. The NHLPA would also raise red flags, as they do not like seeing players being paid far less than what they are worth. But to answer your question - Yes, I would do that in a second (if it was even remotely possible)

I tend to agree - but who knows? Sometimes players will surprise you. That 'greedy' euro Selanne has taken a lot less money for almost a decade to be on winning teams. Conjecture at this point hinges almost solely on Lidstrom right now -- which makes it so freakin' hard to project next season's lineup. But here's the good news -- Lidstrom fired his agent and negotiated his most recent contract, which he is most likely to do again. Which means he is dealing with Ken Holland himself. This means a ton for the team because Holland can simply say, "We'll pay whatever you want, but if you accept $___ we can afford X and Y players." If Lidstrom comes back, it's pretty safe to say he wants to win. I'm going to be thrilled if he takes anything less than $6m, but it may not be crazy to think he might take closer to $4m in order to give Holland room to maneuver. Finally - just another reminder that Osgood and Draper are on the books no matter what next year (whether they retire or play in the minors) unless Holland trades them, which I highly doubt will happen. Let's just be happy if he lets Maltby go.

Remember, Kindl almost made the team 3 years ago after an incredible camp. I'm excited to see him play more regularly, but flat-out expect a LOT of gaffs on his part the first couple years. If only one of Ericsson, Kindl or Smith ever make it to a top-pairing defenseman I'll be happy. I'm really hoping Kolosov has a good year, b/c he has the potential to be a bigger, nastier Lilja.

0-5 in one goal games -- and that does not include at least one empty net goal against. That says it all.

Two PKs in a row... oh we had the man advantage there???

Rope-a-Dope Baby!

Let's hope the Sharks start to run out of gas and the Wings turn it up. Shut that crowd up.

It's been a while since a big name goalie has really put on a show during the playoffs. We were lucky to see Hasek and Roy when they were at their best -- they don't come around too often.

That cracked me up -- the way Pierre described it, PK was staring slack-jawed at Sidney Crosby ("greatest player in the world") on the bench. PK's response - a confused "Uhhh, not really."

No, no and no. I see the temptation, but the Niedermayer incident was an embarrassment that tarnished his reputation... Lidstrom and Holland would never do it. Assuming the Wings are humming all year (not in jeopardy of missing the playoffs) you might see him rested a few games, but that's it.

At the very least Osgood would need to find his way into the Hall of Fame to get up there and I frankly think that chance was lost last year against the Penguins. A third Cup and a Conn Smythe would have been very difficult to ignore.

Nice post, and I agree with most of it except a few alternate takes: would you be tempted, working in a foreign continent for say... Porsche, to move back closer to your home, for almost 4 times the money, for say... the Cadillac division?

Methinks Hudler will be buying the team a few of their meals upon his return.

I personally think that was worse than Hossa's hit.

LOL at Kopecky - 3 Preds down on the ice and a SLOOOWWWW pass comes right to him in front of the net, all alone, and he of course flubs it.

I still wonder how he is not scoring 40-50 goals a year. One of the best wrist shots in the league, IMO.

I think it was more akin to "star players are incapable of sending a message". Malkin was simply retaliating b/c Zetterberg offensively turned his back on him.

Making up a rule to single out players for carrying firearms onto the ice would make about as much sense. Having watched the review, Chara should never have been called for instigating on that play in the first place.

It's an utterly idiotic rule that has been rescinded more often than it has been enforced. Goons rarely play in the final 5 minutes, and if they do, by that time your star players are resting up for the next one.

No, it clearly says in the rules stars are exempt! .... no? But that's what they meant!