zettie85

At least I would imagine.

You do realize that the team that made it 9 of 12 years was built in Winnipeg? They may have played in Phoenix but that core was put together in Winnipeg so that's not a great argument. If they would have stayed in Winnipeg you could have added those nine playoff appearances to their record. Anyways Winnipeg has to add maybe 2000 seats to a brand new building and they have a possible corporate sponsor deal now if they were to make it back to Winnipeg.

Hockey is popular when there is history and wait list for season tickets. Not when it's a novelty.

Well where I am from everybody hated the Wings because of there success. Nobody jumped on the bandwagon unless it was the hate wagon.

He explains why and partially answers your own question by mentioning it as his first post. He wasn't here when it happened and wanted opinions. This isn't even half as bad as hearing about Crosbys day to day life everyday.

Exactly. Lilja gets high marks for not trying to play above his abilities. Rafalski doesn't go in the corners and basically hands the puck over to the other team. It was worse earlier on in the season when we would be trapped in our end for 2 minutes at a time. Being smnart with the puck and making smart plays in the defensive zone goes a long way for a puck possession team. Something that isn't Rafalskis strong point.

I definitely see what you mean but really looking back we never needed to sign him. He has been OK but not worth 6 million. I can compare him with Lebda because Lebda has talent. He really does as much as ppl bash him. He is not a smart hockey player though and that is his downfall. If he was a smarter player he would probably be a permanent fixture on the roster. Just because Schneider was on his was way out did not mean we needed a guy like Rafalski. We would have been fine with another Stuart type player. I just think he is a waste of money. On this team he shouldn't be making 6. If that's what the market had him at then they should have passed. Let Atlanta pay him 6 mil a year.

If you are going by offensive stats Raffi plays 9 more minutes a game and more games period. More time on the PP by far and only a 28 point difference. There is no defensive upside to Rafalski. That alone in my opinion doesn't warrant you more then $3.5. I'm sorry just my feelings.

Like I said he shows flashes of good play now and then(Olympics). Was decent with the Devils but there is no cup in NJ without Stevens or Brodeur. They could have won without Raffi. He has looked good for us in the playoffs but mainly offensively. He used to have speed. Now his age is caught up to him and he hasn't made up for it by playing smarter hockey.

This doesn't even make sense. Turn overs don't matter because we are winning??? What happens when those meaningless turnovers end up in the back of our net and we aren't getting the W's anymore. I would rather it be addressed now before the playoffs and not in overtime of game 7 when it's too late.

Welcome to LGW, I didn't get to watch game 7 because I had to work nights. I never saw the papers and never saw Crosby lift the cup. Basically in my mind it never happened, just a bad dream that you can't even remember details to. Pens/Wings 3? Bring it on, Howard will eat Crosby.

He used to be decent. Not 6 mil worth but better then this. He lost a step and makes bad plays with the puck. He should be the next celeb on dancing with the stars, at least when he gets danced around it will be a good thing. He gets all his minutes with arguably one of the greatest defensemen to play the game and spends a lot of time on the ice with the likes of Z, Dats, Mule and Holmstrom. You pair Raffi with Ericcson and you will see why he is not a top d-man in this league other than getting points. Defensive ability rankings. Lidstrom Stuart Kronwall Lilja Ericsson Rafalski Hockey sense rankings. Lidstrom Kronwall Lilja Stuart Rafalski Ericsson

Rafalski is over paid. Nobody is redrafting their teams and he is not getting any younger. Even if they were to redraft I think Offensive D-men(minus that *** Green) would not be drafted high. Every GM you hear from, every coach, basically any hockey person will tell you defense is the key. That is why McCabe was booed out of Toronto and Jovonoski was booed out of Vancouver. Rafalski has won cups because of the team he was on not because of his defense. His faults stand out to me more because I look for defensive deficiencies when I watch hockey. Every player shows them. Datsyuk is no exception, although it is very rare. Rafalskis hockey sense is average. He is the same player as Lebda minus the offensive ability of Rafalski. They are both dumb hockey players that shows flashes of brightness now and then. 28 more points and the same defensive ability does not warrant a $5.35 million difference in salary between the 2 players.

I don't give a s*** about his offencive production. If you aren't solid defensively I don't want you on my team. I could care less about those other guys because they don't play for the Wings. Offence should be a bonus for a DEFENCEman.

Thank you! 3.5 of that 6 mil would be better off spent somewhere else. Maybe towards Lilja`s new contract.

Listening to the Fan today and they were discussing goaltending this year. The only goalies they say are reliable going into the playoffs this year is Bryzgalov, Luongo and Kipper if they can squeak in. They said that Craig Anderson could not be grouped in with them but still should not be grouped with the likes of Howard, Rinne, Nabokov, Quick and Huet. I listen to these guys daily and they aren't Flames homers for the most part but to say Jimmy has not played well enough to be acknowledged as a top goalie in the West I think is pathetic. If Jimmy's play drops off next year I would not be completely surprised(sophomore slump) but for what he has done this year alone he has earned the right to be known as reliable. Is it just my bias towards the guy or are these guys right? I for one don't believe it and I think Jimmy is in the zone and can do great things this playoffs but just hearing them talk about him like that irked me and I had to share. Thoughts?

Iginla? A guy who has devoted his entire life to that ******* team. He may not being playing great but seriously he needs a genuine centre. f*** that s*** with Jokenin and Stajan. Iginla is probably sick and tired of the Sutter system. They have never given him anyone to play with. Calgary has become a career killer franchise. Kipper stays, Iginla stays. The rest have to go. Blow the team up and get some good picks for Bouwmeester while he is still worth something. Hagman is the best player on that team right now. Stajan can develop a bit more but he's no allstar and him being there isn't going to help the team. Sutters out Risebrough and Hitchcock in.

Only basketball I ever watch. So far some decent upsets. Georgetown goes out first round to Ohio. Murray St. downs Vandy. Just watched Villanova get bounced by a dominant St. Mary's team. Murray St. looking good against Butler at the half. Ohio is hanging in with the Vols. I dislike basketball but March Madness. Is that weird? Northern Iowa upsets #1 seed Kansas. Great game!

I think even in the Olympics he looked OK. He was nothing like Miller. He had a great team that clicked in front of him. If it took as many games to win the cup as it does a gold medal, do you think Luongo could have pulled it out? I don't know.

I some what see their point but Bryzgalov and Luongo have never proved themselves in the playoffs either.

I hope he is good for next year but wow does he ever need a lesson in playing with your head up and being aware.

Exactly. It shows how efficient a goaltender is. All I can say is Howard may very well have saved Babcock's job. I don't know how in jeopardy it was but I do know that even I used him as a scapegoat this year at times. Jimmy has been our one consistent thing all year and he deserves every bit of praise he is getting. Our team gave Hasek and Ozzie the chance to play as well as they did in the playoffs. This year Jimmy is giving our team a chance to play well in the playoffs by getting us there in the first place.

Getting excited.

The Kessel part was pretty good.

Don't forget we have to win too. They need to win 2 games out of 8. That of course would be only if we dropped 9 straight. I don't see it happening but the Flames are 2 wins out. If we keep playing well and winning they don't stand a chance. \let's hope our play continues.