Lou_Siffer

Their obvious beer of choice...

Yep, Kopecky pisses me off too. Hopefully when he realizes a 4th liner is all he'll ever be he'll start scrapping some more. Guilty conscience? Sounds familiar...he's definitely been spending too much time with Lilja I thought Drake was supposed to be Kopecky's mentor or something, at least thats what we heard when he was signed. Yet Drake has 5 fights while Kopecky has only 1.

I wouldnt say it means nothing to them, but it without a doubt, generally speaking, means less. European players are all about international play first and foremost, as well as their own leagues. There is no way, after coming over here, that they are initially going to feel the same passion for Lord Stanley. I think that is something that needs to build over many years of playing in the NHL for them.

Without looking it up, I believe Drake's career high for fights in a season was 3....so you are correct, he's never been much of a fighter. But that was a role he assumed here because he was playing so poorly. After he fought Mayers i thought he might get back in the swing of things since his face is healed, but hes been a real letdown in the second half. Bertuzzi would beat Drake, wouldnt be an ass kicking as thats not Bert's style... he's much more of a grappler. Short fight with Bertuzzi landing a couple and wrestling him down.

Missed the game, very glad to hear Stuart was physical though.

Friday: Washington @ New Jersey Montreal @ Buffalo Minnesota @ Florida San Jose @ Detroit Toronto @ Tampa Bay Columbus @ Vancouver Calgary @ Anaheim Saturday: Atlanta @ Boston Philadelphia @ NY Islanders Pittsburgh @ Ottawa New Jersey @ Montreal Toronto @ Washington Tampa Bay @ Carolina Los Angeles @ Colorado Nashville @ Dallas San Jose @ St Louis Calgary @ Phoenix Sunday: Philadelphia @ NY Rangers Vancouver @ Chicago Atlanta @ Pittsburgh Florida @ NY Islanders Detroit @ Buffalo Los Angeles @ Minnesota Columbus @ Edmonton

Tootoo definitely wasnt horsing around with Mair in that fight... definitive beatdown

I have to completely disagree with ya there, Jarko Ruutu is far from a terrible fighter. For what he is, a scrappy middleweight guy, he does not lose very often and has laid out more than few whoopings. I'd go so far as to say he's not only not terrible, but is actually a pretty darn good fighter imo. You had better believe Janssen is itching to go with Carcillo in his debut!

Wow, B's fans were going absolutely nuts over Lucic's fight with Ruutu!

I predicted they would lose early, yes. Didnt think they'd beat Calgary, and definitely didnt think SJ. However one playoff year isnt going to make me completely change my tune. Do i believe they're gritty enough and big enough, as well as Canadian enough to get that far again? No. Gonna have to show it again and prove it wasnt a fluke if im to believe in what Holland has going on. I dont think its automatic they lose in the first round though like some are already proclaiming.. But at the same time, if the team were to flop in the first round, will YOU come out and say that Holland is f'ing up? It works both ways.

Bingo! If some posters here were correct in saying theres no credence to the whole North American vs Euro thing and it doesnt matter where a guy is from, why would Babcock even mention this? Happy to have Stuart!

Where in his post i quoted does it even say ANYTHING about the Wings losing early??? This is all about going through the same motions and hearing the same thing every offseason when we dont do anything. But since you brought it up for no reason whatsoever, yep, i picked those teams. I also picked Anaheim to win the Cup...I'd say that worked out. Thanks. The Winchester thing has to do with taking chances with players who can be tough and do have some ability to work with. You will never get those Chris Neil types unless you try to develop them yourself. You have no idea what Winchester would do if he were here.

Thats so spot on its scary....my prediction would be exactly the same as yours, even down to the quotes. Very well done!

Thats not good logic, you upgrade in any area you have a chance to. Just because they have "enough 4th liners", doesnt mean you cant and shouldnt get a better one. If theyre making accomodations for a washed up McCarty, there's definitely room for improvement in the bottom lines wouldnt you say? EDIT- and no, im not some McCarty hater....i just happen to think he's got nothing left (i guess thatd be a nicer way to put it than washed up..) Personally, I'd prefer having taken a risk with Simon if given the choice between the two.

Gratton i never actually heard any rumors about, in his case you'd just have to assume given his 1yr deal that Tampa wouldve moved him for a decent offer. Ryder was definitely available though.

Nope, definitely no complaining there! (well im sure there'd still be some, but i wouldnt be one of them) I would at least like to know if Hudler was being shopped at all...

Yep, thats just how i feel...definitely happy we got Stuart, but its hard to even be pleased about it considering we did jack s*** at forward. Like him or not, Holland deserves criticism from everybody for the way this all played out with the pointless cap space.

Actually, most people picked Anaheim last year.

Of all the excuses we've come across, this has to be the best one yet. Wow, ive truly heard it all now... I dont even think chrisdetroit used that one!

After finally seeing it, McCarty couldnt hang with McIver and looked very overmatched. It was a bad showing against competition he should at minimum be earning a draw with. Im happy for him that he's trying his best to make a comeback, but imo he just does not have it anymore...if he can prove me wrong then i'll be more than happy to give him his due.

I think that fight has a real strong chance of happening, Stortini seems to be fighting all the time these days. Stortini may open up like he does occasionally since Downey's not big, that could make for a good fight....but odds are more likely it'll end up being a crap draw.

Lebda absolutely should be the one to sit. With a healthy set of defenseman, there is more than enough offensive production on D with Stuart now in the mix. Lebda no longer serves a purpose, you have to go with Lilja by default for being big and occasionally physical to get a good mix. Lebda brings neither.

Definitely liked the Stuart addition, he was the defenseman i wanted. I'll credit ol' Kenny for that one. But the forwards were my main issue going in, there were at least 2 moves that needed to be made there. No size, no scorer, no physical gritty winger, (sorry im not counting DMac who i feel is washed up)...nada. Its as if Holland doesnt have the pulse of trading in the cap era. He saves cap room for moves that many of us knew he wouldnt pull the trigger on. He still tries to get the significant better end of a deal like when we were in the non cap era and he held all the cards, that counter offer i read of Kronwall for Campbell AND STAFFORD was an absolute joke if that was for real. If thats the type of deal he's waiting for, I dont what to say...

I said it in the offeason that there would be no reason to save all that room when Holland would never give up the pieces to acquire the big names that would fill it. Hopefully, next season people will stop getting their hopes up for the big names cause it aint happening.

Ha me Lou Siffer saying prayers, probably end up with Miroslav Satan now. F it, I cant win...