T-Ruff

Definitely think the Predators are finally getting out of the first round in this one, and it will be well deserved. The Preds have far better goaltending, defense, and coaching. Two different styles, Perry/Getzlaf/Ryan/Visnovsky/Selanne vs Rinne/Weber/Suter/Trotz and I like defense in 6.

Defenseman: Drew Doughty, I believe he will be the Lidstrom of his generation. That is, always clearly ahead of the other talents of his time. Honourable Mention: Shea Weber, Erik Karlsson, Brent Burns Forwards: Jason Spezza, #19, great personality, flashes of elite talent that he has yet to fully demonstrate Honourable Mention: Teemu Selanne, Ryan Callahan, Loui Eriksson, Nic Backstrom, Mike Richards, Shane Doan, Daniel Alfredsson, Ilya Kovalchuk, Marian Hossa, Joe Pavelski Goalies: Tomas Vokoun, so underrated and one of the best in the league, he could do big things with a good team IMO. Honourable Mention: Pekka Rinne, James Reimer, Martin Biron, Antero Niittymakki

Overpayment.. You'd think they'd have some more bargaining power for a guy who just went a month without a point. It's the Thrashers though so their fans will be pleased and its pretty key for them to keep their stars going forward

Only players that played in Europe (or any non NHL pro league) to start the season have to pass through waivers.

$1m pro-rated according to Adrian Dater

Good for him.. I hope it works out for the rest of the season, he deserved better. Looking forward to seeing him out there again

As some of you know I'm a hobby video editor and naturally have made some Wings' videos. Some of you may have seen them at the time they were made, but I won't pass up this chance to re-post them I made this pre-finals in 2008 as sort of a Wings perspective pump up video (my best IMO): This one was made pre-playoffs 2007: And my old

If I had to choose I'd say Garth Snow, but I don't really hate any of these people... My vote would go to Matt Cooke

If I'm betting I'm going with Pittsburgh, it's a team he would want to go to of course, there's the nostalgic factor, and he could find some magic with Crosby or his countryman Malkin. The Pens are pretty tight on the Cap though. I mentioned Montreal because the fans loved him there and they certainly should be in the playoffs, but it's a question of whether management would want him back. LA does make some sense if they are in it... Other teams I would guess Nashville or Atlanta (desire star power to sell tickets) but if I'm Kovalev I don't waive to go to those teams unless I know Pittsburgh doesn't want me first.

Agreed on Gonchar but I am quite confident Kovalev will be traded, there's no reason for him to want to stay for a few more months, and he only has $1,102,151 remaining for the rest of the year at the trade deadline. He won't command much of a return either so I'm sure a team will make a low risk move for some secondary scoring.

Pretty much what I expected... I would hang on to Spezza and Karlsson (maybe Regin too) and try to move anyone else. I'd love for the Wings to get Alfredsson as he would fit right in here, but considering how much Alfie has meant to that franchise I doubt they will actively shop him unless he asks them to (he also has an NTC). Alfie still has 2 years left after this one so he might not be moved till next year or the after that, but I would love to see him get a chance at a Cup, even better if its with the Wings Gonchar will be hard to move after his terrible season so far and 2 more years left on his contract Phillips (UFA) will garner them a nice return, a team like Washington or San Jose could really use him Kovalev is probably the biggest lock to be moved, I would expect Pittsburgh, maybe Montreal. He has an NMC but it probably won't be an issue. Mike Fisher would definitely have value to other teams (1 year left) as would Neil (2 years), Michalek possibly (3 years), Ruutu (UFA), and Foligno (1 year) As a 2nd team Sens fan, I do hope they blow it up (and maybe Pierre will the man to do it :wink: )

A team that wanted to keep him away from Detroit could just claim him, suspend him for not reporting... and leave it at that, still keeping Detroit from getting him... Wonder whats gonna happen

Unfortunately we'll never find out who else put in a claim, it could have been every other team between the Isles and the end for all we know. I don't think, if the Isles waive him, it goes by whoever put in a claim the first time. Rather, it starts all over and everyone (including NJ) will get a 2nd chance to put in a claim if they want. Nice post but one correction: being sent to the AHL has nothing to do with whether you have a 1 or 2-way contract, 2 way contracts simply mean that you make less money in the AHL. There are lots of examples of players sent to the AHL on one-way contracts [e.g. Wade Redden, Jeff Finger makin bank riding the bus].

Bobby Mac lays out the whole situation and all possibilities here: Many Confused By Nabokov Waiver Situation Very nice simple summary

Pierre could write the Wikipedia page for almost any NHL player past or present and CHL players too, that's why he awesome... Add his encyclopedic knowledge to his entertaining persona and his undeniable passion for the game and I'm left baffled at the haters. I suppose they just don't understand him, once you get past the initial stereotypes and actually pay attention, you learn to appreciate him for what he is: one of the best in the business.

It's about time for Yahoo hockey pools

As a huge Pierre fan I would be quite torn about this. I would be very happy for him of course and would love to watch him take the helm of my 2nd favourite team and have success, but on the other hand we wouldn't get to see him on TV anymore EDIT: He finished 2nd place on the Minnesota Wild GM job

It's very close even on a replay, can't blame Pierre all he has is the real time viewing and his little TV between the benches. And it's not like he's ridiculously biased, he called one of Schenn's plays a dive and also a different penalty against the Czech's "a real chintzy call". Sometimes people just see what they want to see Laughable I know there's a lot of hate for Pierre but at least make it logical. (read: he's one of the most knowledgeable personalities in the game.)

Electrifying sequence

Who will win? Washington Over or Under 6.5 goals (not including any shootout)? UNDER Will there be OT? No Will there be a shootout? No Which Team Scores First goal? Washington Will Ovechkin Score a goal? Yes Will Crosby Score a goal? Yes Will Backstrom Score a goal? No Will Malkin score a goal? Yes Which team will have the most shots? Washington Will there be an Empty Net goal? No Over or Under 12.5 PIM? Over Will there be any fighting majors? Yes Who will have more points - OV or Crosby (or tie)? Crosby Who will be the three stars of the game (any order - 1 pt for each correct)? Ovechkin, Crosby, Backstrom Will there be any precipitation during the game? Yes

He's no Z or Datsyuk, but he's also no slouch and would easily slide into Detroit's mentality. (not that I think it's realistic at all)

Friday, December 17 Nashville at New Jersey Buffalo at Florida Detroit at Chicago Ottawa at Colorado Saturday, December 18 NY Rangers at Philadelphia Washington at Boston Anaheim at Carolina Phoenix at NY Islanders New Jersey at Atlanta Dallas at Columbus Buffalo at Tampa Bay San Jose at St. Louis Los Angeles at Nashville Minnesota at Calgary Toronto at Vancouver x2 Sunday, December 19 Dallas at Detroit Los Angeles at Chicago Washington at Ottawa Montreal at Colorado

I'd call NJ and NYI longshots considering the state of their team. They won't go back to one of the Capitals or Penguins for a 2nd straight year. Won't be Canadian teams. Chicago or Detroit, while good teams to feature, have both recently been in one which decreases the likelihood; same goes for Boston and Philadelphia. Minnesota, while deserving, aren't good enough at the moment. Colorado is a viable option, but they still have to prove themselves a bit. I could see Carolina get consideration if they make the playoffs this year and look good going forward. That said, my money is on Los Angeles @ New York Rangers. Makes the most sense IMO: LA is an up and coming team, NY is a decent team, and it features the two largest US markets.

Tampa players are being ridiculous lol. Especially St. Louis, he is the one who used to try that silly looking turn backwards shootout move all the time. Some people in this thread are just missing the point or don't understand entertainment. Of course there are many prettier shootout goals, but all things considered I don't think I've seen one as exciting. (And I was cheering against the Oilers that game, watched it live)

I absolutely love that he attempted that, even more that he was able to finish on the play. First NHL game, first NHL shootout, lots of hype based on a , at home with the game on your stick... and you try that? Electrifying