BerkeleyWingsFan19

Heatley....riiiiiight. I'm holding out for Ovechkin and Crosby.

While ESPN has horrible hockey coverage now and does not treat it on par with other major sports, I don't think it can be denied that hockey would be better off on ESPN. ESPN has transformed American culture over the past quarter-century. It has brought sports into a new popularity like never before. I bet you could find a lot more people who can talk more intelligently about sports than they can about politics, science, music, etc. Sports is a huge factor in American culture today and that is largely due in part to ESPN and the sports coverage it has provided. That being said, the NHL would be fools not to jump on a chance to get back on ESPN. I was amazed they signed with OLN (now Versus) post-lockout. ESPN provides exposure and has the equipment and resources to put together a much better program than a small network like Versus. Factor in to the equation the fact that Versus does not come standard in many cable packages around the US, and you have a lot more exposure with ESPN. ESPN's Sportscenter is also one of the most watched programs on TV these days. If it had a reason to promote hockey that was being shown on its network, it would. I believe Versus is part of NBC so why wouldn't ESPN turn a blind eye to hockey? That's just competition and smart business. It would be in the best interest of the NHL to get back on ESPN and off Versus IMO.

I am not a robot.

good pickup, although I think for a bit too much money and over 6 years too... we have, what, $10 million in cap room left? Sign Hasek for $2.5 mil and make a bid for Smyth at $5.5 mil. Let Quincy or Kindl come up and be the 6th/7th defenseman. I'd say at this point let's go for quality over quanitity and let some young kids in the system make an impact. f*** Schneider though, although I suppose he probably likes southern California.

Great effort towards the end there from the Wings. It's been said in this topic already, but there was a lot of heart shown and a lot of promise next year. I'm real proud to be a Redwings fan now. Sometimes the bounces just don't go your way but the Wings just kept going at it. We have a great young core and if we stay healthy should be able to give a strong run next year. Believe.

I'm not too keen on resigning Bertuzzi, his play this postseason hasn't been that great and we'd have to fork over another 1st rounder if we resign him. I'm a big fan of Smyth though. It seems the trend of surrounding skill players with hard-nosed guys is really working for Detroit and it fits in with Babcock's style. Look at the impact of Holmstrom on Datsyuk and Zetterberg and Cleary with whoever he's playing with. I think the front-of-the-net guys are pretty golden. We should be able to create a fair amount of cap room considering we lose Lang (thank god), Calder, Bertuzzi, and possibly Schneider (I think he'll be a Ranger come fall). Drury would be nice, but I think he'll cost too much, especially with Zetterberg due a raise in a couple years.

Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Zetterberg (if they still have the chemistry they had before) Calder-Lang-Hudler/Samuelsson Cleary-Filppula-Bertuzzi Maltby-Draper-Franzen I'd say keep the Maltby-Draper-Franzen line together for their forechecking and ability to go against the other teams top line. If Bertuzzi comes back as an average player, I'd say keep him on the third line, but if he comes back and starts to play really well and is a force, then get him someone to pass to him. Cleary-Zetterberg-Bertuzzi Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Samuelsson Calder-Lang-Hudler/Cleary Maltby-Draper-Franzen I think a lot depends on the team we match up against in the playoffs. If we face Anaheim with Neidermeyer and Pronger, we'll have to split up the talent across more than two lines. I think a lot depends on what kind of player Bertuzzi is when he comes back, he can fill a solid checking role with some offence, or he can be a go-to guy when paired with one of our great passers, Datsyuk or Zetterberg. Also, with the injury problems we've been having, I wouldn't be surprised to see at least one forward out come playoff time. Nonetheless, I'm liking this Wings team more and more. Lots of skill and lots of grit. Tough defense, great and clutch goalie, and an attitude to win. And Babcock may be a hardass, but he's a playoff style hockey coach. Go Wings!

Not a bad deal but at least gives a bit more depth. Cross is a slight upgrade over Cross, although Kronwall will probably play over Cross come playoff time. It's odd for a trade deadline without a major wings deal, but that's the new NHL. We're topped out cap wise and there's really not much need to drastically change the team. We're first in the West and as long as we go into the playoffs healthy and playing well, that's all that matters. Carolina has certainly put themselvse in playoff mode though. Sure, Recchi is old, but on a good team any vet can rekindle the flame.

I'd love to have him here, but that'd never happen. If Ottawa trades him, it'll be to a non-contender, perhaps for fast, gritty forward and a depth defenseman? I bet they'll keep him though.

I got to thinking after I read that Sheryl Swoopes came out today, what might a hockey player, perhaps even a high-profile one go through if he were to come out? While I'm heterosexual myself, I fully support whatever lifestyle people choose and I'm impressed with the courage Swoopes has shown. I don't think it would be as easy for a hockey player to come out though, in a sport where many still consider those who wear visors to be "*******". What do you all think on the matter? Would you think any less of Stevie Y if he turned out to be ***? (I think he's married, but just for example).