BeeRYCE

If Bertuzzi plays decent, Ville Leino has a season like they're hoping, and Filppula does his job as a top forward well... All that along with Dats, Zetterberg, Lidstrom, Franzen, Rafalski, and Osgood all having good season, we'll have a shot. It might seem like that's asking for a lot, but really it isn't.

Let's get this thread back in the mix...

I can't wait for Evander Kane to burst into the league and pair up with Kovalchuk.

Yeah, I'd say by the end of next season he'll be more widely appreciated, probably to the extent of a guaranteed top 20 spot on any list.

Does anyone else find Thornton vastly under-appreciated these days? I mean I understand his playoff failures, obviously... But it shouldn't bring him down to the bottom of the list, he's still a perennial all star, and the cornerstone of a talented team like the Sharks. If he did at least a bit better in the playoffs, I think it would have a significant impact on his rankings bringing him to guaranteed top 5-10... But regardless, nowadays Thornton still deserves a spot in the top 15.

1. Crosby 2. Ovechkin 3. Lidstrom 4. Datsyuk 5. Malkin 6. Luongo 7. Iginla 8. Zetterberg 9. Parise 10. Getzlaf 11. Brodeur 12. Kovalchuk 13. Lecavalier 14. Thornton 15. Heatley 16. Chara 17. Hossa 18. Lundqvist 19. Alfredsson 20. Kiprusoff 21. Thomas 22. Spezza 23. M. Richards 24. Backstrom (WSH) 25. Phaneuf That's half of MY list (done in like 2 minutes), and I think a closer, more realistic view.

Everything except the physical gritty aspect, which does exist in Ilya's game anyway.

My favourite part about this list is Daniel Sedin being at #13 while Henrik sits at #31... THEY ARE THE SAME PLAYER.

Parise, I'll continue my support.

Nope, not bold, but I'd say Hank hits 50 and Mule hits 40. If Datsyuk does hit 100 points, I'd say he has a good shot of winning MVP, but it would be hard to contend with IF Crosby, Ovechkin, and/or Malkin crack 120+ each (which is possible too).

Decent players, but busts in my eyes, especially B-Mo. Morrison's college days were so unreal, yes he was drafted in the second round, but that was before he went to college. Dude averaged like 2 points per game, came to the NHL and had 3 DECENT seasons and I'd say only due to playing with Bertuzzi and Naslund. I guess Leopold is good for what he is expected in the NHL.

Bring him to a hopeless team like... Oh wait, the Coyotes already cut him. Damn, I don't know, hell, bring him back to the role he played here. Let him play on the Griffins.

Doesn't matter the amount exactly, but I'll predict less than last season (sorry for the pessimism).

List of Hobey Baker winners (best yearly college players as per Wikipedia): 1981 Neal Broten center University of Minnesota 1982 George McPhee left wing Bowling Green State University 1983 Mark Fusco defense Harvard University 1984 Tom Kurvers defense University of Minnesota Duluth 1985 Bill Watson right wing University of Minnesota Duluth 1986 Scott Fusco center Harvard University 1987 Tony Hrkac center University of North Dakota 1988 Robb Stauber goaltender University of Minnesota 1989 Lane MacDonald left wing Harvard University 1990 Kip Miller center Michigan State University 1991 David Emma center Boston College 1992 Scott Pellerin left wing University of Maine 1993 Paul Kariya left wing University of Maine 1994 Chris Marinucci left wing University of Minnesota Duluth 1995 Brian Holzinger center Bowling Green State University 1996 Brian Bonin center University of Minnesota 1997 Brendan Morrison center University of Michigan 1998 Chris Drury left wing Boston University 1999 Jason Krog center University of New Hampshire 2000 Mike Mottau defense Boston College 2001 Ryan Miller goaltender Michigan State University 2002 Jordan Leopold defense University of Minnesota 2003 Peter Sejna left wing Colorado College 2004 Junior Lessard right wing University of Minnesota Duluth 2005 Marty Sertich center Colorado College 2006 Matt Carle defense University of Denver 2007 Ryan Duncan left wing University of North Dakota 2008 Kevin Porter center University of Michigan 2009 Matt Gilroy defense Boston University My point being, college standouts don't necessarily always stand out in the NHL... The only standouts I see are Kariya, Miller, Drury, and Broten. I wouldn't bring him up as being an "all american in college" as an argue point.

I've been on this site for over 4 years now and since I stumbled upon this site we were all raving about how Howard was going to be some kind of phenom... I'm really losing my patience here, I know it takes a while for a goalie to fully develop, but god damn, DEVELOP ALREADY.

For a second there I forgot the Wings were playing games in Sweden and thought that Kronwall was leaving the Wings to go play there... Almost s*** my pants.

Considering this guy was the offensive and overall main piece of the puzzle with Brodeur gone a good portion of the season, I'm going to have to say Zach Parise...

I'm surprised he isn't in the KHL yet, he's the type of player that has KHL written all over him.

Okay... Now let me get my say out here... Afinogenov is a HIGHLY skilled player. He has amazing speed and hands, but some question his passing ability, and his finishing skills... But I think we can get him at a fair, affordable discount and benefit from it. He was a point per game player on Buffalo and at one point the league's point leader in 06/07 before he got injured. That being said, it proves he has the ability to finish, and to be effective. I think with our system, and discipline, Afinogenov would be a pretty good risk to take. I always liked him, and I honestly thought that 08/09 was his off year. I think at a cheap cost, Holland should sign him, and I really don't see the problem if it's at a fair price like 2M or even 2.5M. Afinogenov? #61 in a Wings jersey? Pass or take? Be reasonable here...

Good move. If Kaberle is included in this deal, NOT a good move.

Yikes, didn't even notice those players not being there either (Ohlund and Mitchell not so much).

I don't know, but Heatley deserves to be there... Don't know if you forgot him, but the dude is elite.

Zach Parise

Watching Leino play a full season.

Iginla.