StevieY9802

I have Johnny Bower and Frank Mahovlich on a Leafs "Center Ice" sweater. Osgood on a single pic and Draper on one. Also have this: http://www.hittheice.com/pics/8x10s/9083.jpg, thats not my actual pic. Also my ex a long time ago got me a signed puck of Stevie plus my dad and I share a framed poster of the front page of the Detroit Free Press from 97 signed by him as well. I also have a pic of me with Adam Oates and Steve Chiasson signed by both when I was just a few years old.

The only deal I see the Wings making is for a backup goalies. That's it. And even that probably won't be until after the 1st of the year so the cap hit is smaller. Other than that I don't see them really doing anything at all this year.

this guys gets hurt every year doesn't he?

I'm with you on the likely moving teams, or teams that are on the list to be moved. Phoenix is obviously #1 and then #2 for me FLA and ATL are tied. I still believe CBJ can be successful they just need to win and more people will start to show. TB has shown they can at least draw fans in. I still don't know why they felt the need to put two teams in south FLA virtually at the same time. As for Hamilton, yeah it won't happen even though I think it should. EK, while being full of it, said in the blog that Southern Ontario is still very possible but just probably not Hamilton. Whatever article I read it in made a great point, that going back to Canada to Quebec and/or Winnipeg would help the league get rid of that "we hate Canada and like the southern US more" label they have right now.

Anyways back on the topic a little bit. EK, who we know is full of it most of the time, posted an interesting blog today. http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Eklund/The-...ain-but/1/23770 "It is no secret that 32 teams is a magic number of sorts. The NHL would get 4-eight team divisions and the return of divisional playoffs that are a win/win for the league." "If the NHL were to expand to 32 teams I also got the impression that the other team would come down to Vegas, Winnipeg, or Portland, Oregon." While I like the idea of divisional playoffs again I'm not about expanding to other markets like Vegas or Portland just yet. I've said it 1000 times fix what is here first. Someone earlier said don't relocate teams? Why not? Florida, TB, Nashville, Atlanta and Phoenix are bleeding money and the Jackets aren't doing so hot either. And most of those teams have had very little, to no on-ice success. Relocated to Winnipeg and Quebec City and then go from there. Florida and Phoenix would be my top two teams to move with Atlanta right there. I hope we get a team back in Quebec. I think that would be just huge.

I'm sure if Conkin was here and was playing last Saturday the Wings wouldn't have shut down in the 3rd and wouldn't have had that terrible line change that caused the 3rd Avs goal. Osgood hasn't started well but it's far from his fault, especially this last game.

Bettman needs to go. That's #1 priority right there. But I don't see it happening because it would make too much sense.

The Habs fans part was right on too. They will eat people alive and it's not always deserved. Carey Price in the playoffs last year when he was getting booed and fake cheered in that last game against the Bruins, most of those goals, maybe all I don't remember but I know most, were not his fault. And to sarcasticly cheer him like that was stupid. If you are such smart hockey fans you should know that.

Well to Eaves, he hasn't done anything because he hasn't played. Will be interesting to see what they will do with him. Try to send him down when Helm is healthy? If they are putting May in infront of him I'm guessing May will stay with the club. As far as lines you are probably correct. Would be nice to have two centers on the ice for that line when Helms back.

This has been my arugment the whole time and too many people look at me or other like me as anti-fighting because Iw ould rather have a non-fighter who can play rather than Aaron Downey. And all the people who said the Wings should have kept him and yet don't wonder why he couldn't even make it with the Coyotes? I like the May signing a lot. He can play that Dally Drake role and fight.

I can't argue against any of these really. I'm all for #1. Let's blame everyone else except the team. The Steve Bartman one really gets me. I actually had a conversation with someone who said if Bartman wasn't there no one else would have touched the ball. You mean other than the 3-4 other guys who were going for it at the same time he was? Yeah you're right. The article said it best, how about the pitching staff?

I'm with you. If Abby's not getting regular minutes here it's not worth having him here. As for Malts he's played well the first two games. But if he gets back to playing like last year I could see him being out quick.

I'm not totally against the cap but it's sure hurting right now. Also Bruce McLeod's response to me on twitter when I asked if he thought May would go down when Helm was ready. RedWingsBruce @tmoore4075 I don't know. Sounds like May is here to stay, but he'll have to earn it. Right now, May seems ahead of Eaves.

I'm with you. I was/am really looking forward to seeing him here for a whole year. I hope he's not sent down but I could see it as being possible if they want May in the lineup. Stupid salary cap. Having both on the team would be great.

He shouldn't but reading what Babcock was saying about having a tough guy like May in the lineup I wonder. Because May would be sent down after what a whole game maybe?

After reading this closer I was somewhat correct. Helm was 20 when he signed his contract so he is exempt from clearing waivers for 3 years or 160 games. So I believe he will have to clear waivers begining next year.

you beat me to it.

I'm pretty sure Helm is still waivers exempt. He will not have to clear waivers if he is sent down. Not saying he will or should be sent down. Just saying he can be. Edit: “The waiver status of a player is determined by whether he has a 1-way or 2-way contract.” Answer: False. Whether a player has a 1-way or 2-way contract has absolutely no effect on his waiver status – it has to do with the number of years since the player signed his first NHL contract and the number of NHL games he’s played since signing. In fact, there are ten (10) players who have 1-way contracts for 2007-08 and are exempt from waivers. http://www.nhlscap.com/waivers.htm It also shows a chart of when a player is still exempt. Helm being 22 would have to have signed his first NHL contract more than 3 years ago and have played in 70 games. He ain't close.

Sad thing is I don't think it's anyone. It'll end up being May or Helm going down when Helm is healthy, maybe they will try to send Eaves down but I dunno. The comment below is why I don't think May will go down. I really think Helm might just because you can send him down and not lose him or anyone. This is why I think Helm may very well go down to GR. Babcock seems really high on having May in the lineup

Cap issues is exactly what it is. But trading Lebda gets rid of 600k so you can bring Helmer back up but then you only have 6 dmen. Which they won't do I don't think. They could but won't. One, I don't think anyone would take him and two if they did that the Wings would become every other franchise. And while they are loyal to a fault sometimes I want the Wings to remain the team that people look at and say they really take care of their guys and let them play out their contracts. It makes guys want to come here. Also though, the sad thing is, Maltby has been one of the Wings best players the first 2 games. If it wasn't fora great leg save by Conklin Maltby is the Wings leading goal scorer.

I like the way he plays more than his fighting. His fighting will be/could be a bonus. A gritty guy who plays tough. The way I liked how Drake played a year ago. I think May can fit that role. Malik's point about Helm is a good one. Babcock seems high on having May in the lineup so maybe Helmer goes down. I would hate to do that but might as well, while you can.

I dont like the penalty shot idea at all. As far as the let the penalty last the full duration....I dunno. Wouldn't be all bad really. Well for the Wings right now it would be probably cause teams would be scoring 2-3 goals on a 2 minute penalty.

The last part is what I was gonna say. The day he resigned ESPN showed a clip of this. Those SOB's can put these things together quick can't they? Now I think the NHL should have expanded and he showed what a great player and winning can do. but I think they expanded too quick. I think they should have let some teams take hold and see how they could do without a Gretzky on their teams. The early 90's expansion was all warm climate. one in fla and just one more in Cali to start should have been what happened. Just my opinion.

I am very happy it didn't happen because who knows where the team would be now or how many Cups they would have won. Gretzky won 0 Cups after leaving the Oilers. yeah we had to wait 8 years for them to win a cup but they won 3 in 6 years once they got the first one. While it's nice to think about I believe Yzerman would have been part of the deal to LA. Gretzky retired in 99 so I doubt there was a Cup in 02. He started slowing down in 99 so I don't see him playing until 02. So many things could have been different that maybe they win 0 Cups or maybe a couple. But I'll take knowing I've seen 4 Cups in 12 years.

Two guys who get so much crap in here, Draper and Maltby, having a pretty good game so far.