Lou_Siffer

Well, imo Pronger and Beauchemin were integral pieces, i think the possiblity is there that they couldve signed a defenseman through FA and still won without trading for Chris....but we'll never actually know that. So i think you have to give Burke credit for the two key moves. I completely get what your saying. There definitely are alot of people who've done just what your saying. In my case though its always been a toughness issue as well as a lack of any predominant North Americans at the forefront of the team. They did play pretty gritty last year, i cant deny that, but looking at it on paper its still not a gritty, physical team by any means. For that reason i have to consider it somewhat of abberation until they do it again. I mean, many of the same guys were here against Edmonton in the year prior and they didnt play that way. So until i see it again and theres a consistency im not sold. I had hoped given the way alot of the unphysical guys during the regular season for the most part stepped up that area that management would see how that style of play worked and would look to add naturally physical players to the roster. Drake's ok, but i mean, as the only addition in that area (especially when considering losing Bert) i was highly disappointed.

I got free tickets to the game tonight and went. Anyone who tells me its not the product/players that is mainly responsible for the lack of fans at the arena is completely fooling themselves. These were free tickets i had so it wouldnt take much for me to have a great time, but to be honest the game really bored me. Myself and my dad had more entertainment making a bet on who could find someone wearing the oldest Wings jersey (i eventually spotted a Ciccarelli and won). I think i counted about 10 hits between the 2 teams. Also its funny how you see SO many Yzerman, Shanahan, McCarty, and Chelios jerseys, ...but very few of the likes of Zetterberg and Datsyuk. These are the key figures on the team, yet i spotted about 10 jersey total between the two. Thats nothing against either of those guys, but its just a fact. Also of course zero Samuelssons, zero Hudlers, zero Flips. I think this perfectly illustrates the point that the plethora of european players being the main guys on this team just doesnt sell to the fans...sorry. Without their Yzerman, Shanny, and McCarty the interest isnt there anymore. The team is in desperate need of a couple North American stars. Thank god Matt Ellis played though to entertain us all. North American stars as well as fighters i should say...

Absolutely! That was the greatest draft of all time, bar none! Even that Yzerman guy turned out ok!

LOL! What an oversight on my part

How so? Drake/Markov is a wash. Bertuzzi is gone...so unless Downey is in its actually been downgraded.

Im agreeing that Burke had alot fall into his lap like Holland, no denying that. im just saying he had more of an impact is all. So while similar, its not quite the same. The fact that Holland gets so much credit is what makes me even firmer in my stance about him. I just dont feel its deserved. Im not saying he's horrible in all aspects....i just happen to believe that his philosophy will never lead to another Stanley Cup. Its the complete opposite of mine as you know, so its only natural id feel that way. He's going to have to prove me wrong in order for to change my opinion of him.

Stuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu Grimson

I give Murray the majority of the credit because of Getzlaf, Perry, and Penner, but I do think Burke did more than Holland in 97. Like it or not, and i know you dont, the Fedorov for Beauchemin trade was great and very key as was obviously the Pronger move. He had a team that got close, and went for the big move to put them over the top. Im not sure whether he was responsible for getting Moen or not, I think he was. He also had to pick a new coach and changed the style of the team into one built on a large amount of toughness and physical play. Holland had Bowman the whole time.

Come on, this is where you're supposed to respond "Samuelsson, Meech, and a 3rd" and i respond with the little laughing guy rolling back and forth. You arent following the script.

Ok, since you're calling people retarded...if you were Holland and wanted Rolston at the deadine what would you give up???

Sometimes you have to look deeper than the numbers, they arent everything. I get on Holland because i dont feel he's proven yet that he can build a Cup winner. Please dont bring up last years playoffs and say they shouldve won...they were closer to losing to SJ than to beating Anaheim. Over the last few years now has been Holland's time to show what he really can do, you and I both know that 2002 Cup was much more about money than great GM skills. Ive seen you rip on Burke a good deal, but since we're just going by the cold hard numbers, would you say Burke is one of the top 3 GM's in the league???

read the sig (its alot easier to just say that now)

Grimson scored in the Cup Finals against Jersey...an outstanding point eva!

Too bad...i guess this signing turned out to be a Swiss miss.

Well it was still just 2 seasons ago that Brashear walloped Boogard, so theres no reason for me to think he couldnt handle Koci who's still pretty unproven. Brashear is without a doubt on the decline, but he's still near the top and if Koci beat him it'd be considered an upset. I do agree on Koci's potential, but its not quite there yet.

Well I wouldnt say that. McGrattan could definitely beat him, and i'd have my money on him....as could Brashear, Godard, Orr, etc. Koci is extremely entertainining, but he's clearly not even top 5 at this point. Ah, i see you made the edit before i added my reply

He wouldnt fight him. Theres a massive difference between going with someone who's a legit heavy like Koci and fighting Wisneiwski and Perry. There is zero doubt Drake would get obliterated. And i dont mean to knock Drake, he's doing all he can and its nice to see.....but it wont keep up and theres only so much he can do.

Exactly, too bad theres apparently no need for that guy. Drake would never go with Koci regardless though and Lija if he did would probably turtle within 10 seconds or get annihilated.

and the homer award goes to....

If Michigan runs the table from here on out, and he's consistently great...then i'd listen to Heisman talk for Hart. But at this point, Michigan still doesnt look like a good team so theres no way he gets considered. Its going to take ALOT to overcome the Appalachian thing...that will be the first thing people think of when Michigan is brought up for the rest of the year. Hard to imagine a Heisman being handed out to Hart imo for that very reason...

I missed the game, but Koci was running the Wings??? Cool, i hope it keeps happening. How many times do we see a fighter throwing the body alot suddenly cool down after getting into a fight? Probably 90% of the time....a shame no one could fight him...

Wait, you mean moonster cheese isnt actually from the moon???? That damn bakery lied to me!

Nope... but the singer is hot (although i had to jump to the mute at the 10 second mark)

How about: McGrattan Laraque Boogaard Orr Godard Brashear Koci Peters Parros King shall i go on? I couldve just stopped at 5 but that was way too easy

How is Burke doing anything wrong with Niedermayer? If theres a not a comeback during the year scheme between the two (which in all likelihood there is), then all the blame is on Scott for not making up his mind.