egroen

Micah is about the only one to consistently bash him -- calling Lidstrom a "*****" and a "horrible Captain" and would take Chris Pronger any day over Lidstrom. I laugh every time I think about that.

This line would be a scary defensive liability. Helm is literally the only guy who could be bothered getting back. I'd rather have Holmstrom on the 1st line and Cleary down, than see a line like that iced.

I was actually scared for Havlat there... those skates were coming awfully close to his face.

Holland's been pretty busy stocking up Grand Rapids. Williams, Newbury, Abdelkader, Delmore and Janik have all done decently in the NHL. Oulahan, Ritola, Pare, McGrath and Kindl (and Kolosov - I hope!) all have a chance of seeing some games as well.

Being an attention-seeking imbecile with exceedingly poor taste?

I agree that if Holmstrom is not only on a scoring line, but also a defensively responsible scoring line, he is virtually useless outside of the power play and may as well never play at even strength. Assuming he is recovered from injuries, he should still be effective on the first line with Zetterberg and Datsyuk. I could also see him do well from time-to-time on a line with Filppula and Cleary/Franzen -- as those guys can cover for Holmstrom defensively, and benefit from the space he creates offensively. Outside of those two lines, I would not want Holmstrom on the ice at even strength.

Between Williams, Bertuzzi, Maltby, Draper, Leino, Holmstrom and Eaves - Babcock will probably have a healthy rotation going for his doghouse.

I got over the Bertuzzi incident quite some time ago -- before he ever joined the Red Wings the first time. He's never been a particularly dirty player (heck, this team did employ Ulf Samuelsson and Ted Lindsay who were both FAR worse). Moore certainly did not deserve it, just like no player really deserves a career-ending accident, and no one will ever convince me Bertuzzi meant to end his career.

This team now has a pretty incredible amount of depth (literally the only thing to get the Wings as far as they did last post-season, with all the injuries). Say what you want about the likely-hood of this happening, but you are now looking at a team with almost 10 possible 20+ goal scorers: Zetterberg, Franzen, Datsuk, Holmstrom, Cleary, Filppula, Williams, Bertuzzi, Leino, Eaves With Abdelkader, Newbury, Oulahen and Jeremy Williams all borderline guys currently sitting in Grand Rapids -- Holland has the forwards stocked up to the gills with depth. Plus Kindl, Delmore and Janik on defense.

That would piss me off like few other things... and it happened all the time. It was the strangest thing with Babcock - like he was trying to prove a point or something. "I would rather lose than admit this little mongol might have some value." I was actually shocked he could not prevail upon Holland to go after Kopecky and Samuelsson over Hudler.

Lost in translation? It could simply be that he means he was relied upon to carry the offense on lesser lines with lesser linemates - which he was. I just think Babcock really liked having a potent offensive weapon on his bottom lines, but he rarely rewarded Hudler with more minutes, and certainly never gave him a 'tryout' on the 2nd line for any significant stretch, like he has with many other players (Kopecky, Samuelsson, Filppula, Cleary). Not exactly the best comment though

The US Junior Development Camp is in Ann Arbor. The NHL prospects' tourney is in Traverse City.

My final piece of evidence to submit before the jury: Lidstrom never slept with his sister-in-law.

I respected his game on the ice, but man that guys is a dips***. I'll never forget him penning a ridiculous article in the Calgar Herald calling Datsyuk, and of all people - Lidstrom, "spoiled brats" and "wimps" over not showing up to the all-star game.

Yeah - it was actually strange. Here you have someone who comes back from a car accident that barely killied him; must have literally worked his ass off to get back on the ice in a year, which was unbelievable; and then shows up for his big chance in the shape of a sloth. Maybe he simply felt like he had done enough? Regardless - it sucked. Grigorenko was one of the highest rated prospects out there and was an absolute steal for the Red Wings with his development before the accident. He was putting up Malkin points and his game resembled Ovechkin. Russian prospects should have their drivers lincenses revoked the second they are drafted by the wings.

Chara faced consistently better opposition than Wideman - and Bruins fans will almost unanimously state Chara had a better season. Here is a site you can go to check out who they are playing against: http://stats.hockeyanalysis.com/200809players/index.php Click on the player and it will give you his even strength minutes with both teamates and opponents. Gonchar has really improved defensively -- there are a lot of defenseman who would fit into that 10-20 spot. Really 5-20 as beyond the top handful there are a lot of defenseman all in that pool. Post the list later if you have the time - I'd be interested in seeing it. I have to imagine Conklin was the #1 goalie and Osgodd the #2 - based on their stats (regular season)?

The KHL is getting a lot of these skilled 2nd-tier guys that are just plain fun to watch. Kinda sucks. http://www.rds.ca/hockey/chroniques/280160.html English translation: Nikolai Zherdev will cross the Atlantic in his turn. The former player of Rangers accepted a new contract with the team of Salavat Yulaev Ufa in the KHL. Zherdev will evolve/move in particular with Alexander Perezhogin and Alexander Radulov.

Conveniant! His real agenda was to rub it in....

Not yet, not last year. Chara was not only outscored by Lidstrom but had a worse +/- on a team that gave up over 40 less goals than Detroit (almost the exact same goals for). Lidstrom was also in front of the statistically worst performing goalie in the league, while Chara was in front of the Vezina winner.

One person I would consider is Mark Streit. I have not watched too many Islanders games so am not fit to comment too much; but 56 points and +5 on a team that gave up 78 more goals than it scored is pretty damn impressive. In fact, he was the only player on the entire team to finish with a +. He led the team in points, with Kyle Okoposo next with all of 39 points.

Heh... I was agreeing with you stating earlier he was "underrated". Before the season he was overrated and I think his Norris runner-up was a joke. Phaneuf had not only an offensively 'off' year, but defensively as well. Calgary fans were ready to string him up. I am of the opinion that one year is not indicative of his overall play, just like a Norris runner-up is not either -- somewhere in the middle. PS... it is always easy to criticize these lists, so kudos for actually taking the time to put one together.

Phaneuf went from vastly overrated as a defenseman to vastly underrated in the course of one year.

Thornton's a better and more willing fighter -- the most important attribute you can possess.... according to some here

The KHL currently allows each team to sign one "star" player over the salary cap. They will soon be amnding their CBA to allow for two players over the cap per team. Translated: http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y...history_state0= The KHL recognizes they exist in a competitive environment, something the NHL refuses to acknowledge to this point.

I agree that Keith is seriously underrated around the league - though he really did not impress in the playoffs and was largely outplayed by Seabrook. It is not unusual for a player to have a less-than-stellar first playoff experience so it does not bring him down in my mind too much yet. I do think Chicago will be a legitimate challenge this year - one year of post-season experience does wonders for young players.