NeverForgetMac25

You're right in saying that loyalty is one of the components that makes the Wings great year-in and year-out, but it is just *one* of the many. When Maltby starts to hold people back and his skill level isn't up to what a comparable player making half as much is making, then you need to start looking ahead rather than just behind. While Kenny is great at being loyal, he's also not stupid and willing to put someone out there for the shear sake of being loyal. Bringing Mac back was great on his part, but Mac still needed to earn his roster spot.

You're lucky. I remember when people started calling Mr.Sandman, Sandy. That's gotta suck!

Absolutely it has, but the point I was making is that right now the only thing Maltby has on Sammy is the fact that he still can be an instigator, which Sammy is the furthest thing from.

Glad to be of assistance, Susie.

Not that its my place to say, but GMR was defending Holland for keeping Maltby.....not the other way around.

No one, but that wasn't the point. GMR was putting words in my mouth if he feels I was in any way stating that Maltby was worthless. I never said any such thing.

Holland keeps him around, but not because of the things you initially listed. Loyalty is a big part of it, his salary not being outrageous is another and he's still a valuable part of the ES shut-down line (which I don't know how you missed that, but I stated that point in the post of mine you quoted). Here are the points you stated: Maltby does things out there that Sammy can't do with his defensive game and his occasional checking game, Still, Maltby doesn't make stupid meaningless plays which take scoring opportunities away from other players. Not to mention, hardcore Wings fans want to see him in the lineup as a crowd favorite. Needless to say, Sammy is not a crowd favorite. BTW, Maltby is still a PK man. Aside from the last one, none of those have anything to do with what you just stated in your last post (loyalty, Pk) so I responded to them. At the same time you didn't refute any point I just made in the initial post you quoted me on. All you said was "why do you think Kenny keeps him around?" and then stated loyalty/penalty killing as reasons Kenny keeps Malts. In all seriousness, why don't you respond to the comments I made and the questions I posted to you? I never said that Malts was worthless, just that the initial points you made, I feel are inaccurate. If you disagree, please respond to the actual comments I made. Anyway, his effectiveness on the PK is starting to dwindle as he's beginning to age and with the emergence of Z and the rest of the skilled PK'ers on the roster. While I don't share Opie's seemingly disdain of Maltby, I do feel his usefulness/effectiveness on *this* roster is starting to really shrink, and no ill-will intended, but I question your judgment if you can't see that.

Plenty of S/N's on LGW don't make sense anymore. Take mine for example or the multitude of Shanny type names. Besides, Williams plays for Atlanta now....not Chicago.

Like what? Sammy's defensive game is stellar, and I seem to remember his check directly leading to his second goal of Game 1 in the finals. No doubt that he's not as much of a checker as Maltby, but he can be physical. If you wanted to bring something up that Maltby brings to the table the Sammy doesn't, being an instigator would've been more valid. While I don't argue with this comment, I will reply by saying Maltby doesn't create the scoring opportunities Sammy does either. It goes both ways. That's not a valid reason for a guy to be in the lineup. Of course he is, but full health or not, do you honestly believe he'll be on the number one PK unit this coming year? Guys like Z, Dats, Drapes, Hossa, and others will be in there before Malts.

I haven't posted in this thread for a couple years, but here's a recent one of Shelly and I.

Nope, I'm with you. While I still feel he brings an important ingredient to our shut-down line, his role is becoming increasingly less important especially when you consider what forwards play the PK now.

Looking forward to avenging last years' disappointment.

The first offense and defense looked great. Obviously you can't tell too much from the first quarter of the teams' first preseason game but both sides of the ball looked solid. Brohm needs to settle down and quick. If he's going to be the Packers second string QB he needs to learn to not lead his receivers into dangerous areas. I'll chalk this first appearance up to nerves, but hopefully Brohm will be better on Saturday at determining when its ok to throw to an open receiver and when its not. If not, our receiving core is going to be uber-banged up for the season opener.

I'll be at the Preseason Opener Tonight against the Bengals. Even though the game matters for naught you still gotta love MNF!

And Z had more GWG's. What's your point? Why are hits more important than GWG's?

Not even to mention his similar 5-3 PK kill in the clinching Game 6. If the OP wants to use the discrepancy in hits as reasoning for Dats to win the Conn Smythe Trophy over Z, one could then point out that Z had 4 GWG opposed to Dats' 1. Point being, that's not why Z won, and why the fact that Dats outhit Z didn't result in a Conn Smythe win.

And what exactly has "the wonder that is Kitna" done? In all seriousness.

There could be solid debate between who's better right now between Kane and Modano. Kessel....Please.

You need to read the entire initial post before hitting the respond button. See bolded comment below: I could make an argument for Vinny right now, but his defense isn't anything to write home about. If you're gonna make that comment about Crosby, than why don't you put your money where your mouth is and put down a Canadian you think is better than him *currently* in the NHL.

So that means Yashin is out....Damn. Daigle for Canda? Damn, again. If were going by they still have to be playing in the NHL: America: Mike Modano Canada: Sidney Crosby Russian: Alex Ovechkin (Dats in second) Sweden: Nicklas Lidstrom Slovakia: Marian Hossa Czech: Jagr (But obviously he doesn't fall in your criteria, so I'll say Robert Lang ) Finland: Olli Jokinen (Miikka Kiprusoff in second) German: Olaf Kolzig Austria: Thomas Vanek France: Cristobal Huet

I was absolutely gonna quote this. Perfect ending to a truthful article regarding the "success" of Burke's career.

This just in, Avery is humble. Talk about an overinflated sense of self-worth. Why people like him is beyond me. There's a difference in being sarcastic and humorous. Avery is just an ass who somehow mindboggingly fits his enoromous head into an NHL arena.

While I completely agree that Lidstrom's abscense will be felt noticeably, don't you think the other injuries on the blue line had plenty to do with that record as well? Lidstrom played in the Wings lineup *through* February 18th and the Wings lost plenty in that time. That's not a shot at Lids, more so the ridiculous amount of injuries on the blue line, which was the culprit for all those lost games.

Gofigure, it was his first 8 NHL games. What did you expect.....Lidstrom-like calmness? Ericsson may or may not be 100% ready for the big show this year, but to say he "won't be as amazing as people think" is a pretty loaded statement seeing as that you only have an 8-game sample size.

Do you even realize how big of a bargain Kronwall will be in a couple years? If he continues this level of play (which there's no indication as to why he wouldn't), he's already a bargain for the amount of money he makes. His level of play this season was exactly what was expected of him (if not a litle better) and he looks to become one of the better Dmen in the league in the next few years. Not to mention, he may not be a kid but he's only 27. Besides, why would the Wings (who are a cup contender) want picks/prospects for an incredibly sound, young defenseman? Christ, Jeff Finger just signed to a Cap hit of $3.5 million per which is a half a million more than Kronwall's. If that doesn't put things in perspective, I don't know what will.