NomadFromKazoo

He gets hurt in that by Datsuk. I definitely think as good as Z is as a defensive forward that Datsuk is better. Particularly with steals. And they're just going to be hesitant to go with 2/3 from the same team.

In more ways then one... Sure, any of them who'll sign for a mil would be cool, but other then Modano why would they be interested? Winning a cup and home town discount is one thing, but signing for what to them is a nominal sum I don't see them doing other then for personal reasons like Modano.

I'd propose they split the load and the hot one goes into the playoffs as the starter.

I love Howard, but if we could convince Nabby to come here to try to win a Cup and screw the Sharks for a cut rate salary then I saw we take it in a heartbeat. With Jimmy and Nabby sharing the load, we go into the playoffs without running him into the ground like the Sharks did every year. Ozzie was great, I'm not with those who hate him and run him down, but his time is passing and Nabby and Howard would be awesome.

Actually the article doesn't say that. It says Maltby is more likely to return. In addition to assuming they would demand the same salary and length and cap hit, Maltby's a forward and Lilija's a defenseman which means you have to factor who is their competition. You also have to assume their desire to stay is the same when actually Maltby would do anything to return and Lilja's talking about his role, not money. To say you can deduce we picked Malby over Lilja without considering any of those factors is just a stretch. One other odd thing in this is just recently I was arguing against those who said Lilja sucks since the concussion that we shouldn't give up on him in his first year back. All of a sudden that issue seems to be gone. While I argued the keep him side, I'm not sure I agree it's actually not a concern at all either. You combine that with our incoming youth at D, his desire to be top 4 and get top four minutes and it makes a case we need to move on if that's what he wants. Um...didn't we have a bunch of guys return during that period?

Hopefully we'll be too deep to need him, but an option is better alive then dead until you're 100% certain.

Yep. There's reason to be both optimistic and pessimistic. He's young, talented and had injuries. On the other hand, eventually you get tired of saying those things and his not getting it done. I hope really hope this is his break through year. What an addition that would be to the team w/o an additional cap hit. I'm optimistic, but want to see it happen now.

That is a persuasive argument...

I don't think it's just you, I think it's everyone. Does anyone say we're not good enough? A lot of people wouldn't pick us as their favorite. But I can't imagine anyone who follows the sport saying we can't because we don't have the talent.

A lot of people without a connection to the team would dump them if we sucked no matter what they claim. But not all. I switched from the Lions to the Redskins in 1981. I did live in the DC area then, so I guess it's not "no" connection, but I'm still a solid Wing, Piston, Tiger and Wolverine fan. Then again, none of those are the Lions. No one in my family ever actually questioned me about that, why would I dump the Lions? But I've never waivered in being a Skins fan even though I haven't lived in the DC area for almost 15 years and the Skins have sucked for a while. So there are permanent switches.

As a Michigan native growing up a fan of the team, I'm with them unless they leave Michigan

Check and mate...

I agree with you that he's certainly not ready to be our third line center, but you're exaggerating the other way just as much. Abby's a solid up and coming kid.

He's done everything we can ask. If we get this done with the FO extensions and our best players signed forever we're looking good for a long time to come. If the economy comes back and the cap starts actually going up, we're going to be in great shape to get some serious depth like the pre-cap days. There's a reason good teams are good, and it's not just having more money. Though having more money is better then not...

Yes, he can just say it's an accident, he just was trying to check someone, flew off the ice into the stands, fell up 4 flights of stairs, through the ajar door into Bettman's box and knocked the crap out of him. Sort of like a foul ball into the stands in a baseball game. I'd buy it was an accident. Really...

Unfortunately whatever endless shots to the head Bettman took isn't going to get undone by more. You're right. But that said I'd like to see him take more shots to the head just for the fun of it.

Now that's what I'm talking about. I'm so sick of diving and I agree that's one that should be assessed after the game. I'd like to have them review tapes for dives during games, but in reality it'd just be too onerous. Goalies as well. So did Hasek. He should have been called for some dives in his time.

I agree, I don't see how they're going to get an upgrade.

I agree, it's a silly discussion. Unfortunately there's not likely to be much to discuss the next couple months though so this is going to be pretty much the sort of discussion we get until September.

They do, the question is when they count I heard they could take it off the cap by sending him to the minors. I was thinking it can't be that easy. I realize you can't necessarily do that for a player that you want to keep because someone would claim them, but if it's that easy to just dump a guy in the minors you can't trade and just take him off the cap, it seems like it'd happen a whole heck of a lot more.

I'd rather Hossa win then Pronger or the Sharks. I've lived in San Jose and used to like them, but over time they annoy me more and more for a team that never won the Cup to have more and more of an attitude. Another upside besides Hossa over Pronger is now the Leafs have gone the longest w/o a Cup. One of the few I'd rather say that about then the Hawks...

I agree on last year, but I'd give him another one before writing him off. He was playing well before it happened and at first he's head shy, but second year back he could go back to playing well. I'm not arguing for or against us signing him, Holland should look at the options and he's obviously good at doing that. I'm just not ready to write off Lilja yet.

Well, that was cap hit, it was heavily front loaded. But ironically your conclusions says my point. He said he was staying, we offered him everything we possibly could and more and he turned us down for what he knew when he said he was staying. Is Bert staying? I'll believe it when he signs.

Hossa said it would get done too. Kenny busted the bank for him and he left anyway.

Please. After three straight Mays and two straight Junes we were devastated by injuries, had a first year starting goaltender. Yet we get 100 points and lose in the second round by four 1 goal games to one of the best teams in the league. Clearly we are good. You're just spoiled with all the success we've been having. If Lids comes back, we are getting the favor. Pay him whatever he wants and let's give this team with more rest and a more experienced goal tender another go at it.