joshy207

Bettman is disliked/hated for a lot of reasons, some of them justified, some not. While the lockouts SUCKED, the second one was vital to the survival of the league. Bettman and the owners knew that but Bob Goodenow (ex-NHLPA head) couldn't see it, or refused to. Goodenow was of the belief that money grows on trees and the owners could continue to pay the players upwards of 75% of their total revenues. Ultimately it was Goodenow's refusal to budge on the Cap issue that cost the NHL a season (as well as his job). Bettman did what was necessary for the league to continue to exist as we knew it. Perhaps Bettman's biggest fault was not demanding the NHL and NHLPA start negotiations sooner than they did--like by a year or two. Bettman gets blamed for the lack of quality marketing, poor TV ratings, obscure TV networks, rules changes, short suspensions for major incidents, Detroit's geographical location in relation to the rest of the league's clubs, questionable franchise locations, schedules, the economy, the weather, and the war in Iraq. Some of these things he can control. My biggest beef with Bettman is for not having enough "hockey people" in his ear and for not fearing alienating the base of loyal, longtime hockey fans. It seems for every step forward the league takes, it also takes a step backwards, along with a lot of sideways movement. Placing NHL teams in warm-weather cities that liked cheap-ticket, fight-filled minor league hockey wasn't a well-thought-out move. Eliminating divisional playoffs--THE key to "rivalry" hockey--was a backward step. Moving to VS from ESPN? The league did get a lot more money from the deal, as well as top billing on that network. Unfortunately there was no major push from the league office to get cable networks nationwide to add the channel. So now nobody sees the product. Signing a deal with NBC with no up-front money for the league? Well, nobody else was willing to show games, you have to try something. Keeping Detroit in the West? Look at a map, but first, mark each NHL city with a big X. Count the X's east of Detroit, then the X's to the west. Detroit is West by NHL standards, and as long as the league has been truly geographically split, has always been in the western half. Detroit should not "go back to the east where it belongs". I'm not a Bettman fan. I can't blame the guy for trying to grow and improve the league, but he has to try smarter. Not harder, smarter. Do what makes sense and listen to the people who know and care.

Hockeytown is a trademark, nothing more, nothing less. It also refers to the Red Wings, not the sport of hockey in general. And while the Wings have been THE model franchise for all of pro sports for the last 15 years or so, most of you seem to have forgotten that they went through their lean times too, from the early 60s to the early 80s. Had salaries been like they are today, the Wings would not have survived. Remember that Ilitch had to give away a car at EVERY home game to get people just to show up when he bought the team? They were drawing well under 10,000 per game. Should the Wings go through another tough stretch in the standings, especially before our economy recovers, the same thing could happen. Detroit's a fickle town, just ask the Pistons and the Tigers. College Hockey at the Joe draws well for Michigan or Michigan State, but that's about the only other show in town that does. Wayne State folded their team because they couldn't even draw 700 people... the Whalers play to about 60% capacity (less than 3000 fans) in Plymouth... we can't even support a Jr. A team, the new Motor City Machine will struggle mightily in Brownstown... minor pro teams last a couple years then close up shop... basically, Detroit supports the Wings (as much as we can with a brutal economy and high-priced tickets) but not hockey in general. I don't mean to piss in everyone's Cheerios, but we can't just look at one side of the story.

2010, Lidstrom and Holmstrom will probably sign on again. Lidstrom for 2 years at a reduced salary, Holmstrom for a year (and will go year-to-year until he's done). As for Maltby, I don't think he should have even been offered a contract when he got his current 3-year deal and I'd be VERY disappointed if Holland tries to bring him back at that point. I don't think he will have anything to contribute to the team by the end of the 09/10 season. 2011, both Draper's and Osgood's situations will depend on who else is coming back and on cap room, not to mention their abilities at that time. If both are able, I can see them signing 1-year deals for lower salaries and playing bit roles. If they can't still contribute, I wouldn't want to see them back. Besides, by 2011, Howard and Larsson may both be ready for NHL duty, so Osgood could be obsolete here.

Yeah, he probably is, at least on the "current" roster. He could be a second-liner there and Grier could drop down to 3rd line. On the all-time team, we haven't produced a defensive-minded or a tough-guy center to go between Bylsma and Cummins. Legwand kinda gets shafted there, but Carson was a 50-goal scorer and Weight and Modano are bona fide top-line centers, so... But Legwand still has plenty of career left to improve his overall standing. And the defense on the all-time team is better than any state or province except Ontario, and we could give them a run for their money!

Well... that's the best our state has to offer! In a tournament against other regions from the US, it would do pretty well.

My all-time Born In Michigan team: Mike York - Mike Modano - Brian Rolston Pat Peake - Doug Weight - Wayne Presley Ryan Kesler - Jimmy Carson - Mike Grier Kelly Miller - Kevin Miller - Kip Miller Dan Bylsma - David Legwand - Jim Cummins Kevin Hatcher - Al Iafrate Mark Howe - Brian Rafalski Derian Hatcher - Gordie Roberts Ken Morrow - Craig Wolanin Shawn Chambers - Adam Burt John Vanbiesbrouck Ryan Miller Tim Thomas Brent Johnson Note-- this only includes Michigan-BORN players, therefore I've left off LaFontaine and Knuble and included Grier again.

Anson Carter is from Toronto, and that Bob Johnson isn't THE Bob Johnson. "Badger Bob" passed away years ago, and the Bob on the list is Brent's dad. Man, you're just a pup!

With all apologies to "Major League"... NHLer: "Fedor, what are you doing back here?" Fedor: "Aw, I couldn't cut it in the Russian League." I'm surprised to see this. I figured he'd make a lot more money in Russia, and get more icetime as well...

Hey, I went there too! Class of '93. I saw Lindros around school a lot during the few months he was there. Even at 16 he was HUGE. My Team Michigan, current version: Mike York - Doug Weight - Brian Rolston Ryan Kesler - Mike Modano - Mike Grier* Andy Hilbert - David Legwand - Adam Hall Dave Moss - Jim Slater - Chad LaRose Extras: TJ Hensick, David Booth Brian Rafalski - Tim Gleason Derian Hatcher - James Wisniewski Matt Greene - Jeff Finger Extra: Andy Greene Ryan Miller Tim Thomas *Grier was born in Detroit but his family moved to MA when he was 5, so he's not Michigan-trained.

Maybe he's going to be the new janitor. Or the coffee fetcher.

The A isn't photoshopped or computer generated, it's a red letter with a white backing. It looks funny on a white jersey. Here's a link to the Wings' roster for their 2002 Prospects Tournament. Zetterberg was #15. That picture is from a game during that tourney. http://www.griffinscentral.com/hist/pros02.html

It was probably a Prospects Tournament game played in Traverse City before the Wings' regular training camp. I don't remember them wearing their game-style jerseys for training camp scrimmages. That would explain both the number and the A.

If you notice, prospects are usually assigned high numbers (40s and 50s) for training camps before they make the team. Once a guy has cemented his position in the organization, he'll usually switch to a lower number.

With NHL players in the Olympics, I think the NHL and NHLPA decided that was enough international hockey. I haven't heard any plans for a WCOH anytime soon. If the KHL takes off in Russia and throughout Europe, and if players begin staying on their home continents more, maybe then we'll see some more international events. I'd like to see the WCOH return in the summer of 2012, but instead of Germany, I'd like to see the 8th team be an IIHF team made up of players not from Canada, USA, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Czech Rep, or Slovakia. There are a few good players that get left out of the tourney because they're Swiss or Latvian or some other nationality. An international team would be far more competitive than Germany, also.

Nice going. The Islanders are the 2nd-worst major pro sports franchise behind the Lions.

EDIT--Nevermind, it's a done deal.

The NAHL is a very good league, 2nd-best Junior league in the US, behind the USHL. While the NAHL doesn't have many NHL draft picks anymore, it does provide a lot of players to the NCAA. It's a viable route to pro hockey.

Exactly what I was thinking!

I do see your point, but when they're talking about re-signing everyone, forwards and defensemen, they're possibly bringing 10 guys in for 8, maybe only 7 spots on defense. They'll have to move up to 3 of them. Ericsson may have to sit in GR because Lilja, Chelios AND Stuart come back? If Babcock said he was NHL-ready last year, why not put him in a position to play regularly in Detroit? I guess I just don't see the huge advantage of having Lilja back (other than experience) and I think Chelios would coach and not play until later in the season if they asked him to do that. The only way Meech, Quincey, and Ericsson are going to get better is with icetime. Not 8 minutes this game and 10 minutes 3 games later... regular, solid icetime. If the experiment does not work, bring back Chelios--refreshed from a long break--and trade for another guy who can handle #4 minutes.

In the division, Chicago is definitely on an upswing. Kane and Toews are only going to be better, as is the rest of their young core. Plus, they gave the Wings fits last year. I'd have to agree with you on Dallas. Unless San Jose or Calgary can finally put everything together. Pittsburgh hasn't fallen apart. They will lose some of their pieces, but they'll rebound just fine. Montreal will challenge them for East supremacy.

Where the hell did that come from??? Just because they sign a veteran guy to a one-year deal (which is probably what will happen) doesn't mean Howard is done. This is not his now-or-never training camp. I'd like to see him make the big club too, but if he doesn't, he isn't finished.

I don't see the reason the Wings need to sign Chelios now. Why not try the younger guys--who have stepped in and played well when called upon--and if there's a need to bring Chelios back at mid-season, do it. He can still be on the ice in practice as a coach, still be around the guys off the ice. Right now, they run the risk of losing at least one of the younger defensemen to trade or waivers. Then what happens if a couple D go down during the season? Where's that depth? Gone, and what's left is inexperienced.

While I agree with your first point, they're not tanking the season before it begins--especially because of the draft lottery, there's no guarantee for the #1 pick--apparently you haven't heard of John Tavares. He IS the next Ovechkin/Crosby. The OHL amended their rules to allow him to play in their league a year early (age 15) and he was a star. 2nd on his team in scoring and 9th in the league in goals. At 16, led his team in scoring (2nd in the league behind Kane), led the league in goals and was 7th in assists. Last year, he was 3rd in the league in points and 2nd in assists. He would have been the #1 pick this year had he not been born 5 days after the deadline. I think the only reason there hasn't been more hype about him is that everyone's busy watching Crosby, Ovechkin, Malkin, Kane, Toews, Jordan Stall, and all the other under-21 guys already starring in the NHL. Now, if it was January, the Leafs were languishing at the bottom of the standings, and decided to dump a bunch of players... you could say they might be throwing in the towel. But now, 14 weeks before the season even starts... you're right, they're not.

If he's not under NHL contract, why couldn't an NHL team sign him?