e_prime

Now you're limiting his time with Dats and Z? He's certainly less likely to score those 80 points if he's only getting limited time with them. Be real. Just because a guy has hustle and works hard does not mean that he's a first line forward. Whether you want to admit it or not, Holmstrom is a better fit on that first line and he has proven it. Whoever yells the loudest wins the debate, huh? ...and I don't trust the crowd or announcers to make my hockey decisions. I look to Babcock. Oh no you didn't.

Indeed. The only way I'd trade Rafalski for a tender would be if we were going to get back a decent stay-at-home defenseman in the deal as well. ...and I don't think I'd trade him to the Ducks, where we'd ultimately see him several times a year and possibly in the playoffs.

I don't think we could pull off the package deal!

Trading away Howard and Lebda would come pretty close to clearing that $1.4... or Williams alone, or Bertuzzi alone. If goaltending remains an issue. I don't see why it wouldn't/couldn't happen. I still want Howard to be given a chance though... and no, I don't think his previous outings nor one game into this season is enough time. Also, Where in the world is Manny Fernandez? EDIT: The Search Is On.

That's what I'm talking about!! Too bad this happened: http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nhl/news/story?id=4537372 Boston Bruins sign Milan Lucic to a three-year contract extension worth $12.25 million over three years. Not that we had ANY chance of signing this guy, but I certainly think a signing like this would satisfy most, if not all of the pro- and anti- enforcer crowd here in LGW. True or False?

Wait. Jake, all of a sudden it's okay to have Helm back on the third line? I thought he was your first line guy. Or are you just happy that someone else wants to limit Holmstrom's minutes? Does anyone else love the B-F-F line? I mean... how can you go wrong with the Best Friends Forever line? Except that Flip seems to have good chemistry with Leino... Oh the choices. Edit: for sanity sake.

If you notice, I'm calling for Tiger Woods to be fitted with some skates... So... who's all serious?

I'll probably flip. ...but I want to watch King's Ransom as well. The most hockey you'll see on ESPN.

lol! tiger woods, y'all... tiger woods, y'all... Get that guy some skates!

Oh right, silly me... I thought we were having a conversation in reality here.

I do believe that Holland did look into signing Neil. ...but as I mentioned, I think Neil had his heart set on staying in Ottawa and getting a long term deal. Obviously, the Sens see his value as well 'cuz they re'upped with the guy. I usually sit out the enforcer threads because I am torn. I do like fights. I visit hockeyfights.com every day. I'm not, however convinced that the Detroit Red Wings need a true heavyweight enforcer to police or win games. I don't want a guy who's main role is to go out for 5-10 minutes a game, chirp at a couple guys, and get the gloves dropped. But I do, certainly, want to see a guy who is willing to drop 'em when things like the aforementioned (and beaten into the ground) Lappy on Lidstrom hit occurs. The Ott on Neids action fits the bill too. I demand RETRIBUTION! ...but I don't want it at the cost of having a worthless pile of flesh sitting on the bench 95% of the game. Not quite ten pages, but very very close. Hell, this post might put it at 10.

Slice, Mayweather... whomever... I'd like to see any of these guys try to stand on skates, let alone skate, and then try to throw punches while on skates. Ridiculous.

The huge news is that sarcasm still flies under the radar of most LGW-ers.

Neil priced himself out of a Wings uni. $2 million a year for the next four years. He wanted a long term deal with Ottawa, he got it. I think there was little chance the Wings were gonna get him. Edit: clarity

I'm surprised with the hatred that you have for Holmstrom, that you'd have him on a line at all. I just don't think that Helm is ready (or quite possibly will ever be) for first line minutes. I'm quite surprised to see him being worked in on the second. The guy makes a huge difference on the third line and there is NOTHING WRONG with having him slotted there. B-W-L was ripped apart on this board due to the envisioned lack of defensive effort.

um. Williams?

I thought we were all over and done with this fuzzy math. Guess not.

I want him back in the line-up where he will make a difference. On the energy line. If chemistry is what the team needs, then we need to see some lines stay consistent for a bit. See what works and what doesn't. Two games does not give a good indication of the problems. EDIT: Removal of bordering on "baiting" comments

Yeah, but nobody cares if the Devils make the playoffs. Vancouver is 0-3. They're *certainly* not making the playoffs, right? /sarcasm

I know I shouldn't even touch this one but even worse than the grammar... McDonald? Who's that? Do you mean Joey MACDONALD? The goalie that is probably starting now for the Toronto Marlies? Who was last seen in the Detroit organization in 06-07? Don't be blinded by your ranting.

FACT: The last time the Detroit Red Wings did not qualify for the playoffs was the 1989-90 season. Would I be surprised to see the Red Wings not make the playoffs this year? Absof***inglutely. Do I think there's a snowball's chance in hell that we're not going to go to the playoffs? Simply. NO.

For those worried about Calgary's offense... no goals from the first line. Still get four goals. (Not counting the ENG.) ...and those high on Luongo... 3 goals on 7 shots in the first. I know it's early, very early, but as already discussed: Calgary's D has gotta play the whole game. Kipper was the only thing that kept them in the game, and this cannot be the norm for Calgary. They face each other five more times. These two teams battling it out is going to be fun to watch all season long.

Why isn't this being discussed in the Water Cooler > Video Gaming section?? It's a damn video game prediciton for chrissakes! :rotflmao:

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

I think Emery has got a lot to prove this year... and I think he's going to play solidly. I know this is not a popular sentiment nor a prudent statement, but I've got this feeling. My gut has spoken.