Wings_Toledo

Since the tent is outside I would assume that most of the folks coming for the beer special aren't necessarily attending the game. Either way, at least it will bring people to a hockey game in Florida.

It is a little worrisome that Lids has been out so long, but as long as he's back in time for the playoffs, that's all that really matters. At this point it may be best to try to lock down 4th place and just get healthy going into the postseason.

Not really. The point of the cap system is to make the traditionally lesser-spending teams more revenue. Those teams make more money by winning more games and therefore there is parity in the league. My point wasn't really about parity, but that a rapidly increasing salary cap creates an artificial over-inflation of player values and makes the league look silly by annually having to adjust the cap to compensate for spendthrift GMs. Granted, the cap has done some good overall, but needs to be re-worked in the next CBA.

Exactly. It's obvious that the hard cap is not working. Sure, there is more parity among the league, but these inflated contracts are getting out of hand. A soft cap with a luxury tax is by far the best alternative to just completely removing the cap altogether (of which I am in favor).

I know the Wings are missing quite a few key guys in this one, but honestly, Columbus just traded away Vermette and Carter so who's going to score goals for them other than a (who I expect to be, at least) completely unmotivated Nash? I still think the Wings come away with the win because of the new guys and being hungry for a win on the road.

The problem is that teams have figured him out and he refuses to change his game even slightly to create more offense. Combine that with his "me first" attitude and you can see why he's not putting up the same numbers that he did several years ago. You can't blame Washington for signing him to that contract with the way he was playing for the first couple of years after he joined the league, but it's definitely becoming an issue now. Trade him to a team that knows how to properly coach/manage its players and he might turn things around.

It almost makes you feel bad taking Joey out now that Howard is ready to go again. The guy's attitude and compete level are amazing and he deserves any starts that he gets. Looks like the #2 goaltender position is his to keep.

They'd probably trade Ben Bishop before Halak or Elliott, but they could package him with someone like Chris Stewart or David Perron and a couple of picks and that might be a starting point. The Blues definitely have the cap space to make it happen.

Nash probably shouldn't have re-signed with Columbus and just gone to Free Agency when his last contract was up. I imagine a more competitive team would have given him a slighter bigger contract than what he has now. Plus, now any team he's traded to will have to give up quite a bit of depth to acquire him, thus slightly decreasing their playoff chances. Basically, I just think he was too loyal to a bad organization and now he and the Jackets are kind of in a tricky situation.

It'll be good to have him back. The team has played very well without him, and Joey MacDonald filled in admirably, but Howard needs to get back into form for a (hopefully) deep playoff run.

Lepisto is Finnish, not Italian. His name would be pronounced with emphasis on the first syllable, like LE-pisto, so it no longer sounds Italian anyway.

Believe me, I'm all for trading for Selanne. I just don't think the Wings can outbid other teams for him. I hope I'm wrong, though.

I love how everyone assumes Hudler and Kindl are the asking price for any team's star offensive player. Selanne won't be a Red Wing, and please, no more lines threads...

Kovalchuk has always been a tough player, most people just don't give him enough credit. He's also been one of my favorite players since he entered the league. He's never shy to stand up for his teammates, as you can see.

Get rid of the instigator and I bet you'd see more guys on the current roster drop the mitts. The Wings are just coached not to take unnecessary penalties and I think people calling for Holland to get a "tough guy" for the 4th line tend to forget this at times. The only real need I see for this team is a consistent goal-scoring winger for the top six, but I'd rather Holland wait until the offseason than give up too much to get one extra piece. Oh, and Don Cherry still thinks it's the 70s for some reason. He has no real grip on hockey in the modern era.

Columbus needs to completely overhaul their player development system and that may start with getting rid of Howson. Also, they need a coach who will be willing to bench guys who are floating.

I think anyone with half a brain would agree with Totorella's comments about the refs. It's a shame that professional referee is the one profession where you're protected from being called out on doing a s***ty job. That call on Callahan was one of the worst I've seen in years.

Try the videos section of hockeyfights.com. He gets in a few decent shots but looks like he takes one and falls down at the end. A pretty short and even fight overall.

It would be nice if NHL officials started making calls in his favor like they do for every other goalie in the league. We all know Holland won't trade for an enforcer.

Can't complain when it's free.

I don't know how you take calling the Sedins "sisters" out of context. Just another D-bag Blackhawks player running his mouth.

I think those defending Crosby are looking at the situation a bit askew. He adds an excitement to the league when he's playing, but to say it would be a huge blow to the NHL if he never played again is reaching.

Didn't really look like much of a dive to me. Looks like Ovie's blade caught him right where the padding stops and I don't care how tough you are, that hurts. I think the ref should have either let it go or call both players, but not just the dive.

Nope. I was watching the Wings' game.

2 penalties, no points and only 1 shot on goal so far against the Blues. Funny how he doesn't look so awesome when not playing one of the worst teams in the league...