Asia13

I noticed alot of people talking about Andy Sutton. Really Andy Sutton? This is the guy that deliberately tries to injure other players and when he has to back it up, he walks away. He also tends to pick his spots alot when fighting such as fighting Eric Brewer instead Georges Laraque or more recently fighting Olli Jokinen. Does anyone remember when Andy Sutton tried to take out Mike Green of the Capitals? To cap it off, he rarely fights anyway. Does he hit? He sure does. Are they clean? Let's just say he has a reputation for dirty hits. Here's a guy that hasn't been mentioned so far. Jim Vandermeer of the Chicago Blackhawks is a rough and tumble type of player that will take on all challengers and is a heart-and-soul type of player. He also has a little offensive flair and is good defensively. Chicago seems to have a logjam on defense with Cam Barker coming up. Scott Hartnell I would oppose getting because 1) rumour has it he wants 3M and the Preds are only offering him 2.5 M? I don't think he's worth 3M 2) Edmonton is aggressively pursuing him because he's a hometown boy and I don't really see us realistically getting him, so why waste time? 3) Like Andy Sutton, Scott Hartnell has a tendency to injure other players. Most recently for sticking out his knee on Cheechoo. I suggest getting a players like Raffi Torres, Arron Asham and here's one that hasen't been mentioned, Dave Scratchard. All 3 of these players hit, fight and have some sort of hockey ability. I think for this team, Asham and Scratchard would work best under Babcock's system and would probably thrive as well. EDIT: Just noticed this was a DMAN thread..my bad

There were rumours going around in Edmonton that he went out with news reporter and slept with her or something..don't know if there's any truth to that though..just a rumour.

How so? I mean, not to take anything from Niedermayer but he could just as easily wear out as Pronger could. The Wings wore out SJ players like Guerin, Marleau and to an extent, Thornton and Michalek. Guerin, Marleau and Michalek are all fast players that were worn down eventually against Detroit and that cost them (too lazy to get back on play, lazy back checking, etc). On another note, all 4 of the players I mentioned are bigger and stronger than Niedermayer. Players like Cleary, Franzen, Bertuzzi, Maltby are going to and WILLING to finish their checks on Pronger and Niedermayer. So you can expect that to occur as the series progresses.

I don't think this was mentioned yet and I don't feel like looking up 11 pages so here's my 2 cents. As good as Pronger and Niedermayer may be, the Ducks rely too heavily on them. In other words, as ironic as it sounds, the Ducks bright spot could potentially be their weak spot. Think about it, Pronger plays 31:13 while Niedermayer plays 29:45. If we can tire those 2 players out like we did against SJ and Calgary, it could be their downfall, achilles heel..whatever you want to call it. Consistently hitting them in every corner and forechecking the Ducks defence WILL wear them down. Bank on it. PS: GOO WINGS!

I'm sorry guys but if you think grit is all it takes to win the cup then you are sadly mistaken. A good playoff team IMO has a good combination of grit+ good coaching+ skill+good health+ good goaltending. The latter being the most important. At times the goaltending can be the only major factor (with a little from the others, ex. Buffalo Sabres of 99 playoffs). To those who think grit can get you all the way well..let's look at this years Phoenix Coyotes. A couple gritty guys there in Nolan, Boynton, Jovo-cop, Doan, Scratchard and Laraque to name a few. What do they lack? Well obviously coaching and maybe health(arguable). if Mike Babcock was coaching this yotes team, I guarantee you that the yotes would 'be in the playoffs right now and probably with a few other additions as well. If the wings were to fire Babcock that would be a horrific decision and another team would ****** him just like that. That's my 2 cents..to sum it up, don't fire Mike Babcock until you give him the team he wants.

As most have stated, great move by Kenny Holland considering how high Guerin and others got (Dupius got Alex Bourret, ALEX BOURRET). I just hope Bertuzzi's back hold's up, and somehow finds chemistry with someone and becomes the dominant power forward we been lacking this whole season.

Well all I can say is everyone in Edmonton is PISSED off at the moment. Than again I'm calling it right now that Ryan Smyth WILL RESIGN in EDM this summer. Someone from Edmonton might be dealt just to fit him under the salary cap but I really believe he'll come back. If Snow doesn't resign him, he got the short end of the stick for this one.

What I don't get is why was Hussey called up? I mean Calder will just take Williams place..does this mean a trade is still in works? or does this mean that Hussey is just playing tommorow's game against Chicago because Calder can't make it to Detroit in time? That means we might play against Williams tommorrow..hmm an automatic 2 points! i know, i know..i probably jinxed it

tsn.ca The Chicago Blackhawks have traded a 3rd round pick and Lasse Kukkonen to the Philadelphia Flyers for Kyle Calder and the Blackhawks flipped Clader to the Detroit Red Wings for Jason Williams. Details to follow

I don't know if there's any truth to this but...reading the forum over at Eklund (take it for what it is). 3-way trade announced on Habs game radio broadcast. PHI gets prospect D Lasse Kukkonen DET gets Kyle Calder CHI gets Jason Williams I support this deal but I don't know if it has any credibility. Scroll down on Page 4, 4th from the bottom. HockeyBuzz.com EDIT: Sorry I can't seem to get the link to work..its about the Bill Guerin deal over at Eklund's page

As much baggage Bertuzzi may bring, it wouldn't be a complete utter mess if we acquired him. I'm leaning on the fence on this one. The fact is we have to look at the potential teams we may be playing in the playoffs. If the playoffs started today, it would be San Jose. I'm pretty sure everyone agrees that San Jose is a much tougher team than we are, if Bertuzzi is the only available winger for us right now, why don't we take a chance on it? I can almost guarantee you that guys like Scott Hannan and Kyle McLaren will be all over Datsyuk and Zetterberg in the playoffs, thus continuing the playoff drought. If we acquire a guy like Bertuzzi and play him on the wing with Datsyuk and Zetterberg, that just might twinker with whether there may be success or failure in the playoffs (I'm not guarateeing success). Don't get me wrong, I totally rather have a guy like Doan and maybe even Roberts but if Bertuzzi is knocking on the doorstep and the other 2 aren't, shouldn't we at least give Bertuzzi a cup of coffee before he leaves or even potentially stay (yes i know..horrible metaphor ). Also I completly agree with what betterREDthandead stated, he may just need only one chance, if he blows it than..

Fedoruk would be great! Holland has stated previously that he would love to have a tough guy with some skill..well here it is IMHO

Not to be a smart alec or anything but isn't Horton a Right Wing? Also I don't think Datsyuk would get Bertuzzi. Bertuzzi is one of the top power forwards in the game. He just needs to get over that mental hump and he'll be back to his old form. It'll be more like this: Datsyuk+high draft pick/top prospect (Flippula) for Bertuzzi

Many Leaf fans believe the only reason O'neill struggled last year was to due to the fact that he had lost his brother in an accident which is understandable. Also according to leaf fans (take it for what its worth) O'Neill has been working really hard over the summer to get back in shape. This sounds very promising and like you said he's the type of guy we could use if he gets back to form. I really think he can get back to form this season. I'm not questioning you or anything but isn't Kopecky most likely going to be a 3rd/4th line player this season? Just curious, thanks. PS. Like I said before, I'm all for O'Neill

I think O'Neill would be a good acquistion. He would for sure help our right wing since its pretty weak right now with Williams, Holmstrom, Draper and Samuelsson as our current right wingers. He's a good physical player and knows how to collect garbage goals. A decent replacement for Shanahan if you ask me. I'm all for him EDIT: On a sidenote I forgot that his brother was killed in a car accident last year and that might motivate him less or more..I'm not really sure. Either way I'm willing to give him a shot

Yes Maltby maybe ONE of the hardest working players..the key word word there is ONE. Like eva pointed out( thanks btw) We have Draper, Cleary, Franzen who are better than Maltby. How you say? Draper- Little more expensive yes, but good faceoff skills and good speed, fresh of a Selke Trophy 2 NHL seasons ago, versatile enough to play C/LW/RW, has more scoring ability than Maltby and can play on any of the lines if needed Cleary- younger, cheaper, had untapped scoring potential when young, more weight on him, just as good as Maltby if not better Franzen- bigger, possibly cheaper (RFA-we'll see when they sign), better than Maltby at what he does, has more scoring potential and seemed to have developed the ability to agitate the opponent. If Franzen does leave for Sweden, than fine keep Maltby if you want but as of right now all signs point to Franzen staying in Detroit. Why waste a spot for Maltby when you have cheaper, younger and most importantly HUNGRIER players such as Bootland and Kopecky? Also I didn't say trade Maltby and 3rd round pick for Antropov, I said trade either Maltby & 3rd round pick for Antropov & 4th round pick (a smaller pick if neccessary) or Maltby for a 4th round pick. Maltby for a 4th rounder I can understand why its not possible with the salary cap and all which is understandable. Just for the record, I'm against trading for Antropov, no more lazy players please. Thats my 2 cents..again

You know what, if this rumour is true, I say we spice it up a little bit. Maltby & 3rd Round Pick for Antropov & 4th round pick (or a smaller pick if needed) This way it opens up a spot for Bootland to play which also sheds a little bit of salary as well. If we're going to give Kopecky and Hudler a shot, why not give Bootland one as well? Assuming Bootland is good enough to at least play Maltby's role on the team. If we're just going to take Antropov for a 3rd rounder, than no thanks. We don't need 2 lazy players on our team. I will however, just do the Maltby trade. That's my 2 cents

I say sign him but just one question. Is there any speculation that Kenny will sign him? like rumours or sites saying Detroit wants him? cuz on a Sharks board they seem to like him very much so I can't see them letting him go. Anyway, he's definitely on my wish list.

No offense or anything but how reliable Ansar Khan..nver heard bout him. Love to have Witt, Souray, Salei, Rivet. But what would it take to aquire these type of players? a pick+prospect mayb?

"How to play Hockey" - Boyd Deveraux "The Secret of toughness" - Ken Holland "How to keep my Head up" - Eric Lindros "How to stay fit" - Brett Hull and Keith Tkachuk the wonderful duet "How to be a GM" - Mike Milbury