b.shanafan14

Like most people, Yzerman was the first to really get me watching hockey, but at the time I was lightyears more casual of a hockey fan and was more interested in what the Chicago Bulls were doing in basketball. Later on I really became a Wing-nut with Yzerman, Shanahan, Fedorov, Brown (who didn't love Dougie Brown?), and Osgood. Now I hate basketball, especially NBA and here I am chomping at the bit for hockey season to start.

I love Mac as much as the next guy, same thing with Chelios, would I love to keep them forever and ever, sure. But I also would have liked Steve and Shanny and Doug Brown to stick around forever. I think its time for Mac to try his opportunities elsewhere and hopefully someone gives him a full time NHL spot. Good luck whereever, Mac.

this whole thing of shifting blame is bulls***, neither should be in the league anymore, not as much Crawford because one, you can't prove he was calling for it and two, either way Bertuzzi is a grown man who can make his own decisions. Bertuzzi shouldn't even be allowed in the league after the incident, so the fact that here we are 4 or 5 years later still talking about what should happen is ridiculus.

Sweet stuff, god we better own hardcore this season...

Can't argue with that, but you know what I mean. He would need a pretty good center to set up his shot these days, and I don't think he should go to a team with no chance and instantly be their marquee player. He was on a decent tear for the Rangers his first season there, then he had that freak accident collision and when he finally got back from his concussion he hasn't been nearly as effective, save the first round series he put up in 2006-2007. Wherever he goes, I think they should at least have a good chance to make/compete in the playoffs and I hope he has an amazing last season individually. One of the games true class-acts is on his way out and the NHL will be slightly less for it. Thank god for AO

Severe case of man-love for Shanahan. On one hand, I would love to see him play more often, instead of going out of my way to watch the Rangers. On the other hand, I would have preferred Shanny end his career with higher production or possibly with the Wings (not saying I want him back, so don't flame me for nostalgia). I don't want Shanny to end his career as a new Tkachuk.

My thoughts exactly.... got to it before me. Fedorov was never NOT greedy in my eyes. Was the guy instrumental in 3 cups? Hell yes. Was he ever a team-first kind of guy? I highly doubt it. Feds was always so sure he could squeeze an extra million or two out of the Wings just by waiting, with no regard for anyone but himself, never bought into the system. The last time he missed the boat, and since then the Wings have been doing just fine outside of a early playoff exit or two. Hows Sergei been doing? I wouldn't put Fedorov on my list of players I'm glad didn't win it again, but I certainly don't blame anyone who would.

Don't get the Shanny hate.... oh well, prolly Lang, definately Bertuzzi

Dats! Grab the Cup and run for the border! Don't get stuck over there

Sweet video. Nice to hear Emma speak English for the first time, lucky bastard

I saw this video yesterday and debated making a Topic about it, glad someone did. I saw it as Avery being Avery, trying to stir the pot and work the media. He is like Burke and the "any news is good news" school of thought. Its funny because Hossa called the Wings "the team with the best chance to win the cup" this year, but Avery went straight for his previous team not being good. And I did enjoy the comment about the Stars-Wings series would have gone different. As others have said, Different? Yes. Changed the outcome? Hell no. In the end, I think its Avery being Avery and I think he has gotten to the point where he loves his own celebrity and plans to make everyone but the team he plays for hate him.

Something we've all known and discussed to great length, great to FINALLY see someone in the press speak the truth. What is the mystique of Burke? I really don't get it, I mean the guy has done nothing, certainly nothing worthy of being repeated called the best GM in the league. He isn't even in the top 10 really. I just don't get it, its like "OMG Burke is great cause burke said so"... someone explain that

My thoughts exactly.

I don't believe thats what everyone is saying, and I doubt many are saying Cam Neely wasn't a great hockey player, I believe they are making a case for Sundin who many think to be overrated by comparing him to Neely who always seemed to be praised as being better than he actually was. Once again, not a knock on Cam Neely, just saying you could basically make a top ten list of why most of those in the HHOF shouldn't be there, doesn't mean they shouldn't. Then again, because of their infamy and general pleasure to watch, my mind always wanders to why guys like Probert aren't in

Looking for a hitch, but all seems right where it needs to be, career wise among those not officially retired, Lidstrom and Chelios are definately the best defenseman and Brodeur is a no brainer, and Sakic and Shanahan are in good spots at the top of the forwards. Tempted to move up Selanne, and even Pronger (note: i hate Chris Pronger more than anyone currently living)... and its hard to get my "Fedorov is GOD (though greedy as hell)" side of the 90s-03 to get along with my "Fedorov is over-priced and lack luster" side of the past 3-4 seasons to agree enough to set his career that high... so I won't mess with it...

We really are Hockeytown USA, greatest NHL franchise in the states, dedicated fanbase, and most importantly, we do all the winning.

Yeah someone is going to have to explain that one to me too...

I'm in Milwaukee, WI going to school and last season I got Center Ice Online because I'm on campus doing school work alot. I found myself using CI either on my arch studio computer or at home connected to my TV using an S-Video cable, but the black outs are inferiorating especially since Red Wings are the highlight of my day a lot of the time and sometimes you don't know its blacked out until the second you go to watch it. There were times with p2p I thought "why'd I even get CI" but about 25% of the time I was like 58m2j and furious because you either can't find a stream or its tremendously slow and s***ty so you get the audio with flashes of buffering video. I'll prolly end up getting CI online again this season since its convenient, you can watch already played games on-demand which helps pass the time, and p2p is unreliable if you want good quality games consistently. But as 58m2j says, try the free trial they have for the first week or two and compare it to p2p streams and make the decision then.

Overpayment now, but I'm more than happy about the deal in the long run. There are plenty worse players signed for more and I expect paying him this kinda money will see Filppula on the second line for good, which is great.

I thought that was a bummer too, but oh well, he'll make front row next year

Zetterberg has said numerous times priority one is staying with Detroit and it isn't a huge money issue. That said, he deserves a bundle, but I think you can appeal to his team first mentality and the fact that Datsyuk signed a HUGE discount compared to what any player comparable to him is making. I do see Zetterberg being the new standard on the team after Lidstrom leaves as far as highest salary, but until then he won't want more than Nick. Also keep in mind that Hank is going to be the next captain of the team without a doubt, has been around long enough to understand why the big red machine runs the way it does, and he has other irons in the fire so-to-speak considering things he does outside of hockey and being of celebrity status in Sweden. Realist number for Hank would be the same or just below Lidstrom, he deserves around $8mil+, but it would be an absolute dream if we could somehow get him to sign similar to Datsyuk.

haha glad to reassure everyone

I agree. There is no telling where Filppula's career could go. But this past year he wasn't on with a player that could score like Hull or a Calder runner-up in Zetterberg, he was playing with Franzen who had yet to find a scoring touch and Samuelsson who is in dire need of a compass. Val is a great two-way player, perfect for the wings, but really has spent a lot of time between the 2nd and 3rd lines, with Samuelsson hitched up to him. You have three players in the DZH line with plenty of talent and chemistry. You have two-players on the second line who are gaining momentum and have developed chemistry in Filppula and Franzen, don't tell me you think the Wings would be making a grave mistake by keeping it all the same with Marian replacing Mikael. Filppula will do fine, promise.

I think what you have to look at here is that Val is our most skilled center outside of Z and Pav, and is due to have a more productive season. Last year he was playing with Samuelsson and Franzen, both lacking a scoring touch until Franzen became Mr. Hyde at the end of the season. Having a full year with wingers of Hossa and newly dominant Franzen's caliber will have all three seeing career years. Filppula's lack of assists stems more from lack of finishing wingers rather than lack of playmaking ability. At the very least, I think we should start out with DZH and Franzen-Filppula-Hossa and see where the chemistry goes. I think it best if we're giving Filppula a long-term contract for him to keep getting the minutes and wingers of a second line center instead of keep demoting him to our second tier linemates on the third line.

I agree completely, I'd love to see Fil sign long-term ASAP and I truely believe him when he says money isn't the main concern, especially when you see Holland prolly offered him a two-year for the sake of fitting under the cap now and earning a bigger pay later, but instead Val is looking for long-term, and if Holland is interested its going to be for less I believe. I just hope our top two lines remain the same with Hossa replacing Samuelsson on the other wing on Filppula and Franzen's line, I think that line would be the top line with 90% of the teams in the league, and having them play equal time to the DZH top line would be a ridiculus scoring threat combined with equally ridiculus two-way play. Is it October yet?