T-Ruff

I wouldn't dismiss them so easily, especially in Parise's case since he is from Minnesota. Aside from that they have one of the most modern and loud arenas, and the most consistently sold out arena in the US. If I'm a UFA Minnesota is always one of my top 5 destinations.

Semin will want a lot but I'm not so sure he will get it. I've heard it said and agree that the Wings are in the best position to take a gamble on him, it's the "safest" place for him to land. I wouldn't be surprised if he were to sign a one year deal with us for "cheap" like 6m if we happened to miss out on Parise let's say.

Here is why I think it's the hardest trophy to win: NFL: You play 16 regular season games, 4 playoff games in 5 weeks at the most. vs the NHL 82 regular season games and 2 months of a grind in the playoffs. Then consider the fact the roster is like 50 players and the actual playing time is barely over 10 minutes per 60 minute game. World Cup/Euro: You play like 3 preliminary games and then 5 or so playoff games? Yeah its hard to make the team, and the tournaments are rarer, but it's not a "difficult" tournament to win compared to the NHL playoffs especially. NBA: Close to the NHL but not nearly as physical or intense.

It will absolutely sell out, and I'd bet it would even if the cheapest ticket was $200. I don't think it's an exaggeration to estimate there are probably million people who are seriously considering trying to get tickets for this. I'm actually pretty pleased with these prices since I was expecting double that or more.

Haha I was so confused at the people on the front page talking about Dallas Drake, I was thinking "uhh he did in 2008" Mine has gotta be Robert Lang! Would have loved to see that goof raise it.

Don't want to trade Helm but would love to get Laich somehow. Lang was the leading scorer in the league at the time he was acquired, that trade is a far cry from a "raping".

Don't put it past Vokoun to steal the starting job. Fluery has been great at times but he's still defined by his inconsistency. Meanwhile Vokoun was one of the better goalies in the league before his off year with the Caps. I'd bet Vokoun is the starter by playoff time.

It's not a coincidence because one caused the other but it also has nothing to do with his political affiliation. Taking out the politics this is what he did: Made a controversial decision becoming a distraction for his team and justified his decision with public statements. He later refused to comment on these public statements, not helping the media distraction factor. Now he wants to sit out a season and it will cost the Bruins $5 million on the cap even if they suspend him (source) or send him to the AHL because of his contract. So again, people aren't hating on him because of his politics, they are because he's a dick. EDIT: as the original source says they Bruins will have the choice of "tolling" his contract making them owe them one more year if he does return, but in that case his $5 million will count against the cap in both seasons [source]

I got 54

Every team gets their breaks when winning a cup, only rarely does it diminish the accomplishment IMO. One of the biggest reasons we won in 2008 was that we never went further than the Central time zone besides two games in the Colorado sweep. I'm pretty comfortable saying the Kings and Devils are the best teams in their conferences this year.

I would submit that Bettman is also the biggest reason we still have fighting in the game and we don't have shootouts in playoff overtime. You know the NBCs of the world would love to not dedicate so much extra prime network time to a triple OT, but Bettman is a traditionalist in many ways. I'm sure that conversation already happened and Bettman wasn't having any of it. As far as fighting goes there are individuals and groups that are actively trying to eliminate it from the game but Bettman has consistently defended it on record.

Are you kidding me? It's absolutely absurd that anyone is "upset" by this. We sure are bored, it's nothing more than a comically weak excuse to hop on the Bettman hate train.

I would be ok with it, just to see his iconic #68 in a Red Wings uniform. If it's a good price and he has a worse season, whatever is a one year deal and we have depth, but there is more upside than downside. He thinks he can be even better? Great!

I see, certainly makes sense if you're going for size, I just think there is no way Burke ignores the skill of Yandle on those grounds. It would not go over well with fans.

On the contrary, I think Yandle is a top 2 American defenseman, right after Suter. He should easily make the 2014 Olympic squad, very underrated in Phoenix I guess.

Damn thats a solid pool of players. Imagine a Callahan-Backes-Brown checking line

I also missed the second round... That turnaround was too quick.. too bad I like this game. I would have had the Kings result right.. but so far very wrong on the Flyers/Devils and Yotes/Preds

It could probably be argued he's done a lot of good for hockey. But regardless, Bleacher Report doesn't have a shred of credibility or respectability so anything coming from there isn't going to be taken seriously.

Could never stop watching playoff hockey, my teams in the following order are now: 1. Preds (was hoping I could cheer for them this year but then we played them round 1), their fans, Trotz, owners, etc all deserve it IMO 2. Sens, my 2nd favourite team 2. Flyers, always been one of my favourite teams and they're playing the Pens 2. Kings, screw the Canucks 2. Coyotes, their fans deserve it and also down with the Blackhawks 6. Capitals because screw Boston 7. Panthers 8. Blues, new blood in the West.. but really don't care about this series either way

I was expecting him to be on the top 6 full time in the playoffs as well, but of course it wouldn't have turned the tide in the series... We'll see lots of him next year no doubt.

VAN/LAK: 4-3 STL/SJS: 4-2 PHX/CHI: 4-3 NSH/DET: 4-2 NYR/OTT: 4-2 BOS/WSH: 4-2 FLA/NJD: 4-7 PIT/PHI: 4-2 WC Champion: Wings EC Champion: Flyers SCF Champion: Wings

Nice threads, like having one for each series Lets go Cats! They are in tough though, New Jersey finished very strong, Florida is playing with house money though, no pressure, hopefully they can get it done

I was still in the process of really getting into hockey those days, and that year was the first year I followed the entire Stanley Cup playoffs pretty much... The most memorable moment for me was the 7-0 blowout of the Avs in game 7 of the WCF. So to pinpoint a play it would probably be the 4th goal in the 1st period (went to 4-0 at 1st int). Watching it on a little 13" colour TV, running outside to yell at my parents "the Wings are up 4-0 in the first period!" ... with all the stress going into that final game it was just too satisfying to crush our bitter rivals so decisively (and essentially "win" the rivalry as it has never been the same since then).

I'm not familiar with the NBA system, but whats the point of calling them a 4th seed if they're not getting home advantage anyway? might as well call them the 5th seed unless I'm missing something

Lidstrom seems to make too much sense here so it can't be him...