e_prime

I do not think we are far from that announcement.

They also made it there with Khabi between the pipes... Not Huet. No denying that. I just can't believe that folks think the Flames have dropped off so much. (Not a shot at you T-Ruff, TSN has the Flames #17 in Power Rankings...) EDIT: Clarification.

1. Certainly true, offensively they are not as good. Losing Cami was big, and Bert is now here. Roy is a vet, but not a huge loss in scoring. They filled in with some pieces, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Sutter go after another offensive piece. (If they can keep their cap in line this year.) Current Forward lines: Moss - Jokinen - Iginla Bourque - Langkow - Dawes Glencross - Conroy - Boyd Nystrom - Prust - Sjostrom Jaffray 2. The same could be said for Luongo, but I'd take Luongo/Raycroft over Kipper./McBackup. No doubt. 3. This is a team that should go after Manny Fernandez. Sign him to a one-year deal and they'll be that much more in contention from the defensive/goaltending side. They'll have someone that they can depend on in goal when Kipper needs some rest.

I'm not so sure about them "cruising" to the division title. I think Calgary is going to give them a good run for their money, again. Calgary only finished two points behind and have certainly added some pieces in the off-season. I'll take Sutter as coach over Keenan any day... Bouwmeester not too shabby. It'll will also be interesting to see if Jokinen and Iginla on the same line for a full season will be fruitful. I too think their only real question mark is in goal. Kipper is great, but they need McElhinney to either step up or get out. Maybe they just need to play him!? GP 14 GAA 3.59 SV% .889 1-6-1 (seven starts? am i reading that stat line correctly?)

So, I noticed this little gem in a video clip on TSN. http://www.tsn.ca/window/oneclip_nhl_playoffs.html# (If this just links to their video player it's the video entitled Canada Day) It gets interesting at the :51 mark. "Meantime Habs GM Bob Gainey also indicated he will not attempt to resign any of the teams unrestricted free agents... and that includes Saku Koivu." Gainey on Koivu: "The fact that we weren't able to present something to him looking forward... was a message to us that it was time we could move on" (So this greenlights the Koivu brother connection in Minny.) ...and the rest of the cast-offs: "There's lots of good players in that group that were here last year... and they'll be dancing with someone else... and I hope they find a good partner." So the Habs sign: Cami, Gionta,Spacek, and Gill Aren't going to attempt to resign: Bouillon, Brisebois, Dandenault, Denis, Kostopoulos, Kovalev, Lang, Schneider, and Tanguay... amongst others. I realize that they have other players under contract, but who the hell is going to play for the Habs? ...or is Gainey talking out of his ass? What happens from the player perspective if you're approached by Gainey later during free-agency after he's thrown you under the bus? EDIT: wanted to add the idea of Koivu going to Minny, as speculated.

Help Me - Joni Mitchell

Not that anyone here takes anything that ESPN analysts have to say as gospel, but only Hradek is picking the Wings to win the Central. None of these clowns has the Wings even winning the West, let alone making it to the SCF. http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/preview2009/...tory?id=4515849

'Mr Blue Sky' by ELO

Walking Backwards - The Futureheads

Sweet Jane - The Velvet Underground

God forbid the Wings brass put a little extra pressure on the kid. When was the last time they did that? Besides it seems as if it's what he wants. As mentioned by others, I'm sure they'll keep a close eye on the kid and if they see his not having success they'll fix the situation.

Vampire Blues - Neil Young

Broken E-Strings - Unwound

That's exciting. For a prospect who was looking to play with men, to prove his worth and get a shot in the AHL. That's great.

Very Nice! Took me a good ten seconds to realize that "The" was the repeated word. LOL! Bad Timing - Lords of the New Church (Stiv Bator RIP!)

Love Is The Drug - Roxy Music

I'd take the eight before I took Jon or ole possum head. Bon Jovi or Def Leppard

The Stone Roses - (Song For My) Sugar Spun Sister

Shack Up - A Certain Ratio

My Sharona - The Knack

Laundry - Once a week. Jersey - Red Ice Cream Sandwich or Popsicle

World In My Eyes - Depeche Mode

Granola Bars... especially if they're Nature Valley Peanut Butter. Starbucks or Caribou.

New World Order - Ministry

Little Green Bag - George Baker Selection