wings4thecup06

I disagree with the notion that we need a 2 year filler on the back end because we'll end up with a scenario similar to this season - kids stuck in the minors who need to play in the NHL because there's some cagey veteran who's actually breaking down and holding up his spot. Not to say that signing the likes of Boyle or Mitchell would be a bad thing, I'd happily take either on a 1 year deal, but 2 years? Meh.

Expansion really is just a cash cow for Bettman and the league. What they should really be focusing on is moving teams in crappy markets that are losing money due to the stupid nature of the cap being linked to league revenues. Florida is a prime example. Phoenix shouldn't be there either. Luckily they managed to realise these things in Atlanta and moved them to a solid hockey market. Kansas City would definitely be a mistake IMO, and Seattle I'm uncertain about. The NHL never should have left Quebec city really and that's the first place they should look to go, while having another team in the Toronto area would be a massive win for the league in terms of $$$$. The Leafs might be pissed, but they'd get over it.

I don't care what happens after, just as long as Chicago loses.

Not to get too technical, but the hole in the heart is very fixable by surgery these days. I don't know whether Letang did or is scheduled to have surgery, but I wouldn't be surprised if he did, because its a lifelong risk without some kind of treatment .

Exactly. The PP stunk at the best of times this year. But in games 4 and 5 I thought they looked really good, were generating some dangerous chances once Z and Pavel were both in the lineup. I doubt having Renney back there was the cause of our decline.

I reckon he'll get a head coaching job elsewhere. I can't help but laugh at the Sharks constant playoff failures though. I know I shouldn't, but I just can't help myself.

That's not exactly true. Erat was not and never has been considered a two way forward IMO (correct me if I'm wrong) and he's to be relied on as an offensive minded guy. The reason the Caps got fleeced was not only because Forsberg is a top prospect (and by that I mean if you added him to any team he would be right up there if not at the top of most teams prospects) and the fact that Erat has scored a grand total of 8 goals in the last 2 seasons. Legwand is a trademark 2 way forward who can chip in offensively at times but is strong and responsible on the back end. While I don't think it was a great trade by any means, it was necessary, and I feel he helped get this team in. At the very least, it sent a message to the guys in the locker room - almost if to say - 'here's some help, now get it done'

McGratton looks like an absolute beast in that video, just manhandling everyone! Earned my respect in that incident for trying to hold the fort

Hmm I think he should spend the next year in GR getting to grips with the pro game. That way, if he's lighting it up then we can add him. I think I'd rather that, and have him gaining confidence in a man's league and then heading up the NHL rather than trying to learn it the hard way in the NHL, struggling (potentially) and then having to be demoted. Obviously this is all hypothetical, but it makes me excited as hell to think what he could turn out to be.

Now that I've had a chance to sleep on it, looking back at the play by Datsyuk makes it even better. It's so sick that shouldn't be legal. That whole game was utterly fantastic, and the boys deserve so much credit. Boston simply couldn't handle the speed. Really really hoping we can steal game 2 sunday and put them in a real hole.

holy crap. I literally had my heart in my mouth the entire game. Holy smokes. I cannot fathom what might happen if we can win game 2. Great job boys, keep it up!

I agree. While he screwed up on the PP, he's been throwing his weight around and getting involved, driving the net. Just gotta put the puck in the net. Wings are playing well, and that was a terrific period. PP sucked, but still, the Bruins came out hard at the start but we pushed straight back. Big 3rd coming up now, we gotta find a way to get one.

Fingers crossed but a good all round first period IMO. I thought the wings let themselves get a bit hemmed in early doors but recovered nicely. Here's hoping we can keep it up!

Frankly I'm really hoping we kick the Bruins tonight where it hurts, if only to shut up all these idiots in the press saying that Boston will wipe us out. Secretly though I think that's a good thing but it'd be nice for once for this team to get the recognition they deserve. Hopefully that'll happen fairly soon

I'm really getting quick sick of these two. I'll happily watch NBCSN if it's Dave Strader and Brian Engblom, but this is getting tedious. Praying that gamecenter live gives us the FSD stream. Desperate need for some Mickey. LGW!

Because the last couple of games in the regular season Jurco has been playing with Alfie and Helm, and the kid line has been Nyquist/Sheahan/Tatar. Practice lines from Khan yesterday also had these. Also, I am super pumped for this game tonight. I'm really hoping we can take it to them. My feeling is that as long as the boys show up and play solid, then we'll have a chance. LGW!

This is my way of thinking - I can't see Glendening sitting. Sure will be interesting to watch.

I think anytime you get to witness a player hoisting the cup for the first time it's special. I remember back in 02 the jubilation of Hasek, Robitaille and Duchesne. Even Dallas Drake in 08. Priceless.

I thought the last few games the Jurco-Helm-Alfie line has played pretty well. Still it all depends on what happens on the top line and if we can get Frazen going. I'm really praying he wakes up a bit and plays like he did in the 08 playoffs because this series will be very very interesting. Who do we think is going to sit when Z comes back? Ansar Khan reckons Glendening but I don't see him coming out.

I reckon they'll put Glendening out there against either Bergeron or Krejci's lines just because they can play that suffocating, shut down style. But we'll see. In all honesty, the first game will most likely be slightly tentative as both teams figure each other out.

Its good though that no one is picking the wings, and everyone is ready to hand the Bruins the series in 6. It basically means all the pressure is on Boston, and if we can steal a game on the road, this is going to get really interesting. I think they all might be pleasantly surprised after this weekend.

I was hoping that Val D'Or got eliminated by now so we could see Mantha in GR too. Guess we'll have to wait another round.

Made all the sweeter by how much I hated Phaneuf back then. not much has changed since.

$10 million?

Yea those were some awesome hits, even from the likes of Maltby and Draper. I think it's a product of how much faster the game is now that we're not seeing quite as much of this. Who knows, it always ramps up in the playoffs though.