Mckinley25

Out of market is easy because you can use Game Center (except for the absurd number of blackouts for national broadcasts.)
Local when you don't have cable has been tough as there is no streaming that doesn't blackout all the games.

^ I think Weber only gets traded with a #1 defenseman coming back, which we don't have.

I remember though, the biggest complaint from non hockey fans as to why they didn't watch the sport was that they couldn't follow the puck, and remember the biggest TVs back then were like 26",(At least for the average person). They were trying to appeal to a larger audience and I think it was a good idea on paper but was more annoying than helpful in practice.

It has the opposite effect when you do it with a specific outcome in mind. 😀

I'm not talking about the people he did sign, I'm addressing the fact that Holland is accused of "sleeping on a free agent" because they signed somewhere else as if Holland had first dibs on every free agent.

Given the system that is in place (salary cap, draft order) it is incredibly difficult to build a team to a contender without a long and painful rebuild, which is also no guarantee of success (see all teams that aren't the Hawks and Pens haha).
I could be open to a full blown rebuild but I understand why they don't, it's just the nature of sports. I think there are likely better GMs out there, but it seems unlikely that anyone could have put the wings in anything but a marginally better position than they are now.

Given the system that is in place (salary cap, draft order) it is incredibly difficult to build a team to a contender without a long and painful rebuild, which is also no guarantee of success (see all teams that aren't the Hawks and Pens haha).
I could be open to a full blown rebuild but I understand why they don't, it's just the nature of sports. I think there are likely better GMs out there, but it seems unlikely that anyone could have put the wings in anything but a marginally better position than they are now.

Losing is kind of like getting into quicksand. You'll need something strong to pull you out and you should never willing get into it. People that think we should "tank it" for the sake of getting high quality prospects from the lottery should take a look at Columbus and Edmonton. Sure we'll get the best of the best from some particular draft, but the best of the best could be the next Alexandre Daigle, Alexei Yashin or Patric Stefan. Not to mention, if you're losing, its harder to draw in quality free agents. The Wings did a pretty nice job of building the 2008 championship team through the draft without being terrible for a number of years.

To be fair, we don't have a Stamkos or Hedman to take care of.

I'm not talking about the people he did sign, I'm addressing the fact that Holland is accused of "sleeping on a free agent" because they signed somewhere else as if Holland had first dibs on every free agent.

There's no guarantee these players wanted to come to Detroit, what is Holland supposed to do? The only leverage he would have is to overpay and look at the criticism he gets for that.

There's no guarantee these players wanted to come to Detroit, what is Holland supposed to do? The only leverage he would have is to overpay and look at the criticism he gets for that.

Debatable. You don't turn 30 and instantly decline, he may just need a new start in a new market. Stranger things have happened. He'd also probably sign for a shorter term whereas Nielsen is going to be signed for at least 5 years around 6 million.... I'd take Staal all day when considering that.

I assume he's puck handling in there.

Crosby has a much different personality now than he did then. No more whining or sucker punches (although him and Thornton went at it pretty good). No more acting like a petulant child. He's not perfect, but he's light years ahead of where he was when he played us, in terms of maturity, which is one of the reasons I was okay with them winning it this year.
While the Sharks were getting good pressure on the Pens last night, I noticed that a lot of their offensive pressure was a result of good passing. That's one way to get around relentless forechecking. Pass that puck around and wear them out, they can't move as fast as a pass. Then I thought, about the '08 Wings and how ridiculously well they could control and pass the puck around. If the '08 Wings played the '16 Pens, it would still be a good series, but the Wings would take it. The Pens wouldn't be able to do what they did throughout these playoffs against that Red Wings team or really any Red Wings team for that matter.
Hopefully everybody remembers this next year when they start complaining about how we have too many "soft players" and we need to get bigger. Bigger equals slower.
Film? Y-You mean... that wasn't... real??

I'm retired from posting on this board but I must make a brief return just to say this and then I'll be retired again...
Poel, you are a complete moron. lol Mike Babcock once called Darren Helm the best 3rd line centre in the league. So you know more about hockey than he does?
Seriously...Helm isn't even a good 4th liner? Do you even watch hockey? So you're one of those guys who thinks you're right just because you say are. Guess what? You're completely wrong. Why? Because I said so. See, I know everything just like you do.
If Helm is so bad, then why is he in the NHL? How did he make it? Helm gives the puck away all the time? When? Once when you saw him play? Guess what genius...every player gives the puck away. I don't care how good you are.
So if Helm gives the puck away a lot (which he doesn't) then it must mean that he has the puck a lot of the time, yes? Or are his opponents just letting him always have the puck? Maybe, he has the puck alot because...he is a good player? Nah of course not! He is useless right?
Helm is an excellent third line player. He has speed, grit, tenacity and is solid defensively. If he is so bad then why is he consistently used late in games when protecting leads?
Only Andersson was worse than Helm last season? So you're saying guys like Jurco, Pulkkinen, Miller, Richards were better? Lol How?
If Helm is so bad then why are teams willing to sign him as a UFA this summer? He will likely get between 3-4 million per season on the open market. I don't think Holland Will 're-sign him because his hometown Winnipeg Jets likely will offer him more term and money.
Anyway, I'm done now and will go away again. I just wanted to let you, Poel, know that your posts about Darren Helm are the most idiotic posts I've ever read on a hockey message board.
Congrats,
Yours truly,
Darren Helm

I agree, they are a ton of fun to watch and they've never won a cup before.

I don't know what everyone's problem with San Jose is. I'm a big fan of this years team
Pavelski >>>

Apparently Kazakhstan is not as good as Tampa Bay.

Apparently Kazakhstan is not as good as Tampa Bay.

Apparently Kazakhstan is not as good as Tampa Bay.

Apparently Kazakhstan is not as good as Tampa Bay.

Apparently Kazakhstan is not as good as Tampa Bay.

Apparently Kazakhstan is not as good as Tampa Bay.

Apparently Kazakhstan is not as good as Tampa Bay.