egroen

Without following the links, I'll take a stab at it -- Incentives Incentives on entry-level contracts (like Chicago, especially, has) and veteran contracts can actually be rolled over into the next year. It's a large part of the reason why Chicago will really be hurting next year (though quite honestly, Campbell going on LTI has really helped them in that regard).

I dislike having Holmstrom and Franzen on the same PP line - the 2nd PP unit has obviously been struggling. I'd prefer ZDH and then Franzen anchoring the second unit with possibly Bertuzzi and Filppula.

Holmstrom sometimes gets under-appreciated around here, but he is really having a great year - almost surprised to see him make plays away from the crease! That tip tonight was just a thing of beauty, and a great example of why he is still the best man in the NHL in front of the net. Here's to Holmstrom's 5th 20 goal season!

There will be a lot of outraged fans around the NHL when Jimmy wins the Calder, but he will absolutely deserve it (the writers just might get this one right).

Lord willing (no more injuries) we'll have the same lines rolling as we do now, with Ericsson being my preference for the playoffs, but Lebda there if he gets lost again. While the top 2 lines might be a bit watered down from years past, they really have a strong 4 line unit right now.... just need the 2nd PP unit to click.

Nashville is literally the only team in the NHL I hope the Wings can avoid in the playoffs... they just always give the wings fits. Hats off of to Trotz, the most underrated coach in the league.

Girl, You'll be a Woman Soon - Neil Diamond

I'm not sure Holmstrom would even have a job in the AHL, if not for this one particular talent.

Yeah - Howard is already too high to ignore, but that would really help. Also consider, only 7 players in the history of the NHL have won more than 30 games as a rookie (Hasek, Roy and Brodeur are none of them). The last to do it, Mason, won the Calder.... which, may, or may help Howard (what with Mason's struggling sophomore season all but impossible to ignore).

Just to get some conversation going - who's better in front of the net? Ciccarelli or Holmstrom? Ciccarelli scored a heck of a lot more goals, and he was certainly better than Holmstrom at getting to loose pucks in front of the net, but I'll argue Holmstrom is a better net-front-presence. The reason being I don't think there has ever been a better screener. His positioning is better than half the goaltenders in the league, and if you watch over-head replays of goals, his anticipation is actually often quicker than the goalie when the play shifts. How many "assists" has Holmstrom missed out on, simply by making what would be a routine save an impossible one, due to his derrier plastered in front of the goalie? So often, there has been no better "assist" on those goals. Ciccarelli can, and did, score in many other ways, he simply was a much better hockey players, but I think Holmstrom is better in front of the net.

Agreed - stick with ZDH on the 1st PP and let Franzen set up in the crease on the 2nd PP unit... which has been a virtual nothing all year for the Wings.

If he is not nominated the NHL is a complete joke... he'll be nominated...... But at this point it is between Howard and Myers, with Myers up on the current hype edge, but if Howard keeps this up and the Wings keep on winning, the hype machine could easily swing the other way.

The reason I ask about a youtube clip is there is such a dearth of Holmstrom highlights, and I want to post a video in the future when I talk about Holmstrom and his value!

I was actually hoping Huet would find a way to keep the starter role.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=313303 I like it.

I'll say no, but I really hope he does.... especially if he can keep his play as of late (he seems to be finding more confidence).

Not so fast, Speedy...

Stay Puft made it as far as the local Fat Camp right outside of town. He never stood a chance....

Baby ***** - Ween

A nice belt to hold those pants up, or to whoop their backsides when it isn't worn:

I knew it was over when I saw Filppula on the ice... really Babcock?

Ted Lindsay - Steve Yzerman - Gordie Howe Brendan Shanahan - Sergei Fedorov - Sid Abel Marty Pavelich - Henrik Zetterberg - Pavel Datsyuk Bob Probert - Alex Delvecchio - Larry Aurie Norm Ullman Other good choices: Mickey Redmond, Marcel Dionne, Marty Barry, Syd Howe Nicklas Lidstrom - Jack Stewart Red Kelly - Marcel Pronovost Ebbie Goddfellow - Bill Quackenbush Vladamir Konstantinov Other good choices: Paul Coffey, Flash Hollett, Chris Chelios, Bob Goldham, Leo Reise Jr Terry Sawchuk Chris Osgood Other good choices: Dominik Hasek, Harry Lumley, John Mower, Glenn Hall, Roger Crozier Tried to make a realistic team - with the third line as checkers and an enforcer on the 4th line.

I actually think Lemieux is a psychopath (not all of them are serial killers) - he really seems incapable of seeing anything wrong in his actions. I have seen interviews where he goes on to state that *he* was the one everyone should feel sorry for, because the hit gave him an unwarranted reputation, and that he ultimately did Draper a favor, leading to more money and fan appreciation. He's also expressed how proud he is that his son is also a cheap-shotting bastard (ok, maybe that is not a direct quote), despite being more of a skill player.

I'll agree with that - to a point. Without looking, I think Hudler was well within the Top 90 last year for a forward (ie. a first liner with third-line minutes) - and would have been a top 2 or 3 scorer on many teams. So his offense is hardly common. But you're right, the Red Wings are chock-full with solid defensive forwards, both on the team now and in the pipeline - but they do not have too many offensive wizzes like Hudler. In fact, I'm almost thankful Hudler is not all that strong defensively (or a hulking bruiser), because he would cost too much for the Wings to hold onto. There are enough one-way defensive forwards in the system - I'd like to see more one-way offensive guys.

A player with the offensive tools of Hudler is a much rarer commodity than a player with the all-around skillset that Filppula has shown. It's not a huge edge, but I think it is a decisive adge.