StevieY9802

Well for contraction there would be the opposite of an expansion draft and then teams could buyout other players. And what you said is righ, too many teams in non-traditional markets. I'd keep Tampa and get rid of FLA and keep LA and get rid of the Ducks. You don't need two teams in LA. The NHL was stupid back in the early 90's. they saw hockey working in LA with Gretzky and said hey it'll work in other places. Yeah if you can make 4 more #99's to play in those markets. Everyone who said the NHL won't contract is right. The PA won't let it. Expansion is stupid though. The rumor of 1/3 of NHL franchises could be up for sale in the next couple of years should make them think twice about expansion. Fix what we have first.

I understand the idea too but I think we're over-expanded. Two teams in South FLA only 4 hours apart? That's not his fault but is stupid IMO. 4 teams from Nashville to Miami is dumb as well. I get the idea of Nashville. No NBA there so they thought that would benefit them. It hasn't. Dallas has shown they can do ok when playing well. But in terms of TV, no one seems to watch when it's not Crosby, Ovie, the Wings or the Hawks. When the Ducks, a team from one of the biggest TV markets, was in the Finals we had the worst ratings ever for the Cup Finals.

If that's the case it would be about the same size as Jobing.com arena but people will actually show up in Winnipeg. I really hope I'm not getting my hopes up with this. It makes too much hockey sense for it to actually happen while Bettman is commish. That's what I keep thinking in the back of my head.

Funny you should say that. http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2010/05/11/mb-nhl-winnipeg-coyotes-winnipeg.html?ref=rss

While I think Hamilton could support it, I don't think the league will do it before of the Sabres. Second team in TO or somehwere else in Southern Ontario would be nice though and could happen one day. The rest of what you said I agree 100% with. My plan would actually be Yotes back to Winnipeg and Thrashers to Quebec. Then contract Nashville and FLA. I think fewer teams would be better for the on-ice product. I would too. I'd be so psyched. So if this were to happen what division to they play in? I think the Northwest and they move the Canucks to the Pacific. I think you have to try to get the Flames, Oilers and Jets in the same division. BUT knowing the league they'll keep them in the division and have them jumping time zones within their own division like they do with the Stars.

That just means the NHL will give them another 10 years before they get contracted or moved to Puerto Rico. In saying that I think CBJ could be an ok market if they could just put a winner on the ice.

I have nothing to write about, because the team I cover fell flat on its face this year, so I will write about another team. I wrote a blog about it the other day that laughed at all the people saying they were old and it's the end of an era and whatnot. They said it in 99, 2003, definately during 04-05 lockout and again in 06 and yet here they still are. Almost 75% of this team is 30 or younger with some young kids coming up in the next few years. Losing Lidstrom, whenever that happens, will hurt but they have enough talent to carry on without him too, although it will be hard. (Yes I'm leaving that one open to jokes)

Both were great but the Vladdy one almost made me cry.

Yeah. McCarty from 97-03 or so, yeah. But wouldn't want the current McCarty on this team.

All games except the two NBC games will be on FSN. Thank god for no VS exclusive national coverage in round 1. http://foxsportsdetroit.com/pages/wingsschedule

Western Conference 1. San Jose Sharks vs. 8. Colorado Avalanche San Jose in 5 2. Chicago Blackhawks vs. 7. Nashville Predators Nashville in 6 3. Vancouver Canucks vs. 6. Los Angeles Kings Kings in 7 4. Phoenix Coyotes vs. 5. Detroit Red Wings Red Wings in 6 Eastern Conference 1. Washington Capitals vs. 8. Montreal Canadiens Caps in 5 2. New Jersey Devils vs. 7. Philadelphia Flyers Devils in 6 3. Buffalo Sabers vs. 6. Boston Bruins Bruins in 6 4. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 5. Ottawa Senators Penguins in 6 The only upset I see as of now is the Kings over the Canucks. The Avs will be done quickly, their youth as caught up to them I think. In the East, there will be a few tough ones but nothing that scares the top 4 teams.

This ^ I thought they would be too far out when everyone got back in February and even when they came back and they were only in 10th, I didn't think they could put a run together that would move them up. Calgary was playing well right around the break and so were LA, Colorado and Phoenix so I didn't think they would do it. Mike Babcock said he was more impressed with December than he was with March and April because of all the injuries and I kinda am too. The western trip to start the new year was probably biggest thing to me. 3-1 on that trip against the Coyotes, Ducks (loss), Kings and Sharks. Ozzie was a surprise too. Had they not had so many injuries and wouldn't have been fighting for their playoff lives I think they would have worked him in more and try to help him find his game but you couldn't risk it. Congrats to Jimmy. Now I hope he doesn't pull a Manny Legace and have a good regular season and then a below average playoff.

I love that one. Great job.

I crapped my pants. I was like "oh no. here we go again." I keep checking mlive to see if they are actually hurt and won't play tomorrow. They can't afford to lose anyone right now.

Jim Playfair.

I like the Ray Bourque one. I hate the Avs but I still get chills watching Sakic hand him the Cup.

Not surprised totally. Wouldn't have been surprised had he not been suspended either cause well it's Colin Campbell. I think the injury helped make this a suspension. Had Campbell come back during the game or the next game the major and the misconduct would have been it.

This is how I feel. I've done that in the past and ended up regretting it. Whoever they get they get. Out of those 3 I don't think I want the Canucks, they seem to be playing well and I still keep thinking the Sharks will do it eventually. The Hawks can't hold onto leads, they (as of right now) have some injuries and their goaltenind is a huge ?. Wings need to get there first and tonight is their chance to take a huge step towards that.

They won't buy him out or release him I don't think. He could retire but we'll see on that. I still think he can be solid #2 for this team. Maybe better but it's hard to tell when you can't get him into more than one game because you need the wins so bad.

I don't see the elbow out but it sure was a shot to the head. Cooke has been suspended twice this season already so he's obviously not learning.

I have to ask who would want a 28 year old UFA #6/#7 defenseman? Anyone really think they could have moved him? No one would give anything up for that.

The problem though it's hard to say what the needs exactly are when they've lost around 300 man games already this year. Franzen, Filppula and Williams healthy all year I think changes things a lot. You have to trade players off to bring guys in. Lebda or Meech would be traded but how much would you really get back though? something that is for sure better and will help?

If people really believe there is going to be any moves other than ones like this they really don't know anything. At best Wings get a depth forward but even that might a stretch. They have $200k in cap space. A lot of value with players that make that?

http://www.tsn.ca/columnists/darren_dreger/?id=289357 The NHLPA is a total cluster f**k. I actually thought he seemed like a good leader for them. Guess they didn't feel the same.

I would not give up Filppula. He's played well lately and just to get Kovie for 2-4 months? Fil will be here for at least 3 more years. 3 years or 3 months? Sorry no way. There is almost no way they can sign Kovie long term either unless Lidstrom retires and he himself takes less than some team with cap space would give him.