DatsyukownzU13

Fleury Downey vs. Fedoruk

Olcyzk Pang vs. Thorne

1. Filppula's diving goal 2. Zetterberg dangle/pass to Datsyuk for a goal against the Stars (game 4 I think..). 3. Dallas Drake owning two stars in one shift (game 5 I think). 4. Kronwall destryoing Morrow and Malone (ok it's two but they were similar hits). 5. Zetterberg lifting Crosby's stick on the pk to save the game. For all of you talking about Kronwall hits, here ya go...

Yzerman '98 Chris Neil vs. Kirk Matlby

Conklin Larrson or Howard

Pal Lemieux or Gretzky

Apparently the Senators are looking to deal him for a defenseman. We definitely have a plethora of D-men and could use a bruiser who would be an upgrade to downey or Mac. What do you think about trading Lijla, Lebda or Meech to the Sens for Neil? I think his salary is around 1 mil a year which is respectable for a bruiser that can actually skate and play hockey. Personally, I love Neil. He's 29 and can skate, fight, hit and agitate. Here are some clips: Hits and Agitates Fights Skates and Scores

A little update... Apparently the two main players for Chris Neil are our rivals the Blackhawks and the Predators. I sure hope that he doesn't land with either of them..

I like that idea. It would be nice to have Cleary, Maltby and Neil together. That would be a fast, hard hitting line.

That would be the main problem... I was trying to make up some line combos to further the argument but I couldn't really figure out where to fit him in. All I know is that the red wings desperately need someone that can fight with players like Datsyuk, Hossa, Z, and Filpulla getting pushed around. We all know Maltby will be quicker to turtle or cross check someone in the neck than to fight and back up his teammates (personally, I'm kind of sick of his little routine because he doesn't even really hit hard anymore). Someone come up with some line combos!

81 is a cool number. I have taken a new liking to the number 90 after watching Filatov... it's also a cool one. A lot of those upper 80/90's are sweet.

The KHL in Russia seems to be trying to sign more and more NHL players, despite a majority being either washed-up or NHL rejects. It seems like they are just trying to draw some publicity to their league with all these signings and the big money being thrown around. Think it's possible that the KHL could ever rival the NHL? List of NHL/North Americans that have left for the KHL this year: Salavat Yulaev: Radulov Lokomotiv: Vasicek Metallurg: Pilar Ak Bars: Dubielewicz, Kapanen CSKA: Khomutov SKA: Zyuzin, Brylin Dinamo: Rachunek, Tolpeko Severstal: Kwiatkowski, Krog Atlant: Emery Avangard: Grahame, Jagr Spartak: Baranka, Radivojevic, Ruzicka Amur: Lampman, Wanvig Vityaz: Simon Dinamo Riga: Hossa, Ellison Sibir: York Barys: Stumpel

Yes, that makes perfect sense to me and I completely agree. But I usually just go with it for the sake of the argument.

They are similar players. The major difference is that Zherdev was already a demanding player in the salary cap (well, only 2.5 mil but thats demanding compared to an entry level contract). Also, I question Zherdev's drive in the NHL vs. Filatov proclaiming that he wanted to come to NA and play our style of hockey. IMO, Filatov already seems like a better fit. Personally, I think Zherdev is a bit of a primadona. He hasn't really lived up to his hype and would rather make a pretty play than win a game.

68 games would be a steep expectation for an All-star team, let alone a plain old NHL-team (albeit, we are as close as a regular team could be to an all-star team). I would say somewhere in the range of 52-56 is probably expected and 58+ if the players all play to their potential and continue to mesh well. Those numbers are assuming that we are relatively injury free. Edit: Just noticed the second portion of the deal. Honestly, I'd say you are much more likely to lose the money than gain any... but drawing even is probably the most likely situation. The Jackets could surprise some people if their young talent impresses.

It will be tough for the BJ's to make the playoffs this year having to play 24 games against the likes of Detroit, Nashville and Chicago. They definitely have the young potential to pull it out though with players like Filatov, Brassard, and Voracek. It all depends on how these players develop in the NHL. They all have pretty high ceilings as far as potential goes. The Zherdev dealing was probably based on his lack of motivation as well as figuring Filatov would replace him so in turn dumping salary. They have replaced his offense with similar offense in Huselius and Umberger, but additionally their signings bring needed playoff experience and leadership (something they thoroughly lacked before).

Filatov looks pretty promising from the clips I have seen. Definitely depends on how he develops though and CBJ definitely has a tendency to rush their prospects (see: Zherdev, Brule, etc.). He could definitely develop into quite the hockey player and I have heard some AO comparisons. Here are a couple cool videos if you have no idea who were talking about:

Yeah, Nadal played incredible. Federer played pretty amazingly too. What an insane match. I played tennis with a buddy of mine after the second set had started and got back after playing 2 sets ourselves to see the game slowed by a rain delay and actually got to watch pretty much the entire match. It was epic. P.S. I agree with everyone on Ivanovic, I have been in love with her for a year or two now. She is perfect and fun to watch (for more than one reason).

You can move this if you desire because it is a trade rumor, but I just wanted to see what the general reaction to this trade would be and sometimes things go unnoticed over there. Probably not an entirely credible source, but a source nonetheless. Supposedly the Nucks would throw out the Sedin twins and possibly Bieska (or some other defensemen) to Atlanta for Kovalchuck http://nhlpa.wordpress.com/2008/07/07/sedins-for-kovalchuk/ Personally, I am not a huge fan of the Sedin twins so I think this would be a pretty big steal if Vancouver landed a superstar in Kovalchuck (possibly the gamebreaker they have needed for years to put them into realistic contention of anything). It amazed me to see Canucks' fans reactions at the HFboards. Many were arguing in favoring of shooting down this trade, which was a bit surprising to me. What do you think?

bow chicka wow wow

I agree... I thought of Toews the second I saw the thread title. Maybe Sam Gagner too? (I don't know too much about him thought)

1. Crosby 2. Ovechkin 3. Lecavalier 4. Zetterberg 5. Thornton 6. Datsyuk 7. Malkin 8. Kovalchuck 9. Iginla 10. Hossa

Nevermind... I thought they actually signed him, wont the Nucks just match this?

Canucks got owned.

I don't really see why not. I know I already said I thought it would be a steal for the Nucks but I'm kind of reconsidering. Especially if a d-man like Bieska is thrown into it. Kovalchuck has already stated his displeasure with the Thrashers organization after they traded Hossa at the deadline (and I don't necessarily consider Kovalchuck a highly motivated player to start with). The Sedins are a bit underrated and combined statistically they have produced more than Kovalchuck post-lockout (granted most of their points come from their significant other's goals). Throwing in a solid defenseman would get me past the fact that I was trading a superstar for two "above-average" players.