zettie85

It doesn't matter. Anybody who hates Crosby already watches hockey. Therefore there is no need to market towards them.

The NHL refuses to market other great players if they play on mediocre teams. The NHL is trying to get new fans and no new fan is going to go watch a s***ty team because of one good player. Toews and Kane are beginning to get marketed now because the Hawks are a good team and they are young players. New fans can follow these guys and the team for years to come. It is the same with Ovechkin and Crosby. They are young and will be around awhile. Stamkos will be next if Stevie pulls the s*** together and Tampa and can crank out some more wins. That is unless Gary has realized Florida is a lost cause for hockey. If you look at the Sharks for example, what big young super stars do they have? They have zero all of there superstars are to old to market to new fans. It is all about sucking new fans in for the long haul and not just until there 35 year old favorite player retires. I, and the rest of us here, already watch hockey so why is it a big deal how they market it to others?

I would love the Wings in the NE division and send Boston to the Atlantic. Leafs and Habs rivalries renewed.

It has been to long since I last saw one of these threads. It may only be pre-season but hockey is back *******! :siren:

You must be pretty pleased with that performance.

I picked Doughty. He is the youngest and a number 1 defenseman who is tops in the league is hard to pass up.

Abby for under $800 000 for 2 years? That is greasy! Like many have said before. DROP THE PUCK!

When does the Yearbook hit news stands? I have been looking but can't find it yet. I know subscriptions are out but new stands are what I'm looking for. Anyone?

Is this guy like a Selanne?

Hockey use to be a pure sport, only implementing rules when needed. They are trying to turn it in to a circus. I liker the hybrid icing rule and the area around the benches for line changes because they are necessary. Nothing else is. Face off circle in the middle of the ice in the zones? Why? They just have to stop trying to change a great game.

Honestly I love Shanny as a player but these ideas are getting ridiculous. The faceoff dot in the middle of the ice? No line change on offsides? No icing the puck on PK. Seriously I hope none of these ideas ever enter the game. I'm losing respect.

Fixed. Sign Markov from the Habs when Nick leaves.

Arencibia is just a triple shy of the cycle in his major league debut! This kid is good. It's only the 5th, there is still a chance.

I agree. Those are the only ones that would actually improve the game. They are beginning to treat hockey like some experimental sport. I hate it.

You guys all give Janik the gears for being a career AHLer. Don't forget that nobody gave two s***s about Dan Cleary 6 years ago. He didn't pan out the way he was supposed to and everyone gave up. We took a chance. It worked out. Give Janik a shot. All teams have to do when he is on the ice is play dump and chase and we are defenseless. Positionally he is horrible. He will not go in the corners. He allows the forechecker to get the puck and then tries to defend him which he really can't. He gives up possession in or end on purpose multiple times per night. How on earth is that acceptable? He is decent offensively which is what he is there for but really to play in the best league in the world you have to be able to defend at least a Bantam level in my book. He fails miserably.

False. His defense has dropped significantly and his play with and without the puck in the defensive zone is abysmal. He is probably our 4th best defenseman with regards to overall ability. He is overrated by too many people.

Probably the funniest thing I have seen in awhile. Thanks. :lol:

In my mind signing another player pushes us to close to that ceiling. Deadline I think would be the only time I want to be that close. Rafalski is one year older and will probably be 10x s***tier this season. That has seemed to be his rate of decline since we got him. I really hope I'm wrong though. We have about 3.7 left to sign 3 players, Modano, Abey and Helm. It just doesn't seem warranted right now. Signing Modano may well seal the deal on no defenceman signing.

Lidstrom Rafalski (fewer minutes) Kronwall Janik Stuart Ericsson/Kindl If they do cut down on Nick and Rafis ice time it can easily be balanced out with these other pairings. Kronwall and Janik would be interesting. Stuart is a solid vet that can be given the responsibility of settling down the younger guys. Only other option would be to break up the top pairing but I don't see that happening and I don't trust Rafi with anyone other than Nick nowadays. Edit: As far as Meech goes, if Ericsson and Kindl come out of camp looking good I would ship Meech out of town for whatever we can get. If we run in to injury trouble, I guess then Kenny would be forced to make a move. As of now I think we are solid at the back and still need to lock in Abey and Helmer so I really could care less if we signed another D-man until we have to.

Disaster waiting to happen.

I have had it for a while and I love it. The games in Canada weren't the best because we took them way to lightly. The series just gets dirtier and dirtier as it goes on. lol Have you ever watched the CBC movie about 72?

There is lots of time but like I said before, make up your mind Modano. You either do want to play in Detroit or you don't. It is that simple. Sign a contract or f*** off, so we can move forward.

Why on earth does he think he is worth as much as he is? I think he is a tad delusional. Is he going to be another Yashin?

The only thing I'm worried about is that if we wait to long to sign them, the market gets thinner and thinner. Thus making it easier for teams with more space to write offer sheets that we can't or will refuse to match. A team that needs that PK improved plus have plenty of cap space probably wouldn't mind offering more than he is worth at this point in time.

If that is the case then I say screw Modano. He is a decent enough player but really he should jump at the chance to play here. We shouldn't have to wait on him. There is obviously plenty of time left but I'm sick of guys holding out with no decisions. Maybe it will be another Sundin and Neidermyer situation. If it is I hope the Wings cut off talks with him. Sign our future now. I don't like waiting on people. Just make a god damn decision.