NeverForgetMac25

This is going to be one of the most interesting off-seasons we've seen in years. Even though Hossa supposedly isn't thinking ahead, or of anything other than the games right now, he sure seems to be buying into the Wings' system. Who knows what will happen around mid June.

Prototype power forward? The guy is only 5'9", 172 lbs.

*After* awhile of drinking his english would get f'd up? I would imagine Dats would start to make perfect sense after a few. He certainly has a "way" with English currently!

That lady is/was awesome! I remember the Red Wings 97 (or perhaps 98) championship DVD where they showed her and she kept saying, "They're not gonna do anything...they never do anything" in reference to the team the Wings were playing. Classic!

For players: Lidstrom Management: Holland What I wouldn't give to pick the brain of these two uber-intelligent hockey minds.

WTF am I doing this year? I'm so confused compared to my performance the past few seasons.

Read further.

5 years isn't long enough to get the "home-town" discount Kenny will be looking for. Offering up 7-8 years (which is what I think he'll sign for) gives Kenny a little more bargaining power to keep the amount somewhat in check.

I don't mean to nitpick and I most certainly don't mean to come off wrong. I'll give you Lecavlier, but Staal has a ton of upside due to his age. His new contract was based on his scoring exceeding what it did the past season due to his maturation. Draper, isn't a high-end offensive player which is what I was referring to, which is why I shouldn't have gotten into this given that Upshall isn't either. I get your point (and of course agree with) # of points not equaling value, but when it comes to guys like Gomes, Drury, Vanek, etc...while some GM's may pay them for their points, I wouldn't. Like you, I'm looking for more than that out of a player. Perhaps that got lost in my intial posts and the point I was trying to make.

Crosby was injured and only played 53 games last year. It's early and Ovechkin is coming off a 62 goal season. He'll come out of it and net his points.

My point is in this cap age no high-end *offensive* player regardless of how good a leader or solid a defenisve forward they are is worth $1 million for every 10 points (especially when they are 1 of 7 players occupying 2/3 of a teams salary).

Upshall doesn't play defense. Lidstrom does.

I would assume this was a joke but just because someone plays for a team you don't care for doesn't mean they suck. Joe Sakic is a prime example of this.

No, he really doesn't. Sundin is a + player 9 of his past 10 seasons. Atleast 5 of those have been on a s***ty TOR team. On top of that, his only minus season of the past 10 he finished -2. Not too shabby on that poor of a team. Through play or players? The Red Wings don't need to add any defensemen...the current boys just need to tighten up. That also goes for our offense forechecking harder and committing to better defensive play. The fact that the Wings are giving up way too many shots and goals is not *all* on the D.

Franzen Expected to Return for Tuesday's Game

Thanks SWF....great article. It's always so interesting to hear the inside stories on situations such as this:

Friday: Ottawa @ Carolina Montreal @ Columbus Atlanta @ Buffalo Dallas @ Anaheim Saturday: Buffalo @ Boston Montreal @ Toronto Pittsburgh @ NY Islanders Tampa Bay @ Philadelphia NY Rangers @ Washington New Jersey @ Detroit Calgary @ Columbus Nashville @ Colorado Florida @ Phoenix Minnesota @ Vancouver Dallas @ San Jose St Louis @ Los Angeles Sunday: Atlanta @ Carolina Calgary @ Chicago Edmonton @ New Jersey Florida @ Anaheim San Jose @ Phoenix

While I'm not getting into the fantasyland that is Sundin signing with Detroit, please tell me how you come up with Sundin sucks. Logic proves otherwise.

That would make sense given that that was one of the main reasons he initially signed with NYR.

TBH, I just can't see that. Shanny, while old is still a capable every day player who can help lead a young team and pot goals. Cheli is pretty much along for the ride at this point.

mindfly FTW!

TBH, I hated that. I was so happy when they went back to the WC/EC matchup. Even though the game is a publicity stunt its entertaining to see where it ends up.

Why? Do you realize how many LGW'ers alone would kill for those tickets. Hell, I'd give you $10 extra per ticket if you registered and got your name pulled.

I bet Lilja could beat the hell out of any LGW member that talks trash about him. No joke.

On top of the early antics...that was a quality fight. Murray got more quality shots in early and probably won the fight by Nystrom got a decent one in there at the end.