Zetts

Number one should have been Crosby.

Aside from Markov and Chara, there isn't even anyone on that list that I really want at all. Neither of those two could even come close to Lidstrom's level either. Not that I actually expected anyone to be able to replace him, but that list is sad. We're in a lot of trouble if Lids chooses next season to retire. If we poach a good RFA, we'll be giving up a LOT of high-round draft picks. We were able to find replacements for Yzerman and Shanahan (Z and Dats). How have we not drafted a #1 or 2 D in 20 years?

Oh for... Here's an idea: See how he plays this season, and then decide if we want him back and at what price.

I find it bizarre that there's so much discussion over a fourth liner. It took most of the summer for the guy to sign a one year 700k contract. Obviously he's not a highly sought-after commodity and he wouldn't make a big difference to this team. He hasn't broken 30 points since 2003. Looking at hitting he had 92 hits in 72 games last year on a team whose culture is supposedly based around physicality. Jonathan Ericsson had 93 hits in 10 less games, and the guy barely hits at all. Asham's 92 hits actually puts him in a 5-way tie for 206th in the league for hitting last year. How inspiring. I swear, someone on this board a couple of years ago just started pushing for him enough and this got some momentum. We're fine without him. Also, it would be great if people could stop commenting on others' perceived intelligence, children, mothers, dogs and whatever else. Just stick to the topic.

The NHL is now considering withdrawing the registration of existing contracts, specifically for Pronger, Hossa, Savard and Luongo. It feels these contracts are similar to Kovalchuk's and are now investigating. http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2010/08/kovalchuk_rulings_bottom_line.html Of note, is that Zetterberg and Franzen aren't mentioned, but that doesn't mean they're home-free. This could get ugly.

Looks like whatever happens to other teams the Wings are getting off free. http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2010/08/st_james_nhls_not_asking_the_r.html

I remember one period (I think it was actually 2 seasons ago, not last year) where our defense was decimated by injuries to the point where Meech was getting top-pairing minutes for a few game stretch. I thought that he played incredibly well during that time.

Better than Lemieux?! I may be wrong, but before coming out of retirement, didn't Lemieux have the best points per game average in NHL history? Lemieux was pure class. Crosby will never compare in any sense. Also, Crosby made the Penguins and their fans douches - the franchise was fine before he got there.

I don't by any means think that Miller is useless, but you are right that if they want to dump him there's a decent chance that he'll have to be waived.

In a trade for Miller, we'd probably get a random prospect or a late pick.

We need to because Meech will almost certainly be traded. There were some articles a while back that Holland talked with Meech and they agreed that if he can't crack the top 6, he'd be traded so he could get more playing time elsewhere. So, as he will almost certainly be traded, we need another defenseman. Also the steadying presence thing that others already mentioned. What I find frustrating is that we have far too many forwards yet there's issues with cap space. Ditch a forward or two, particularly if Modano signs, and we could sign a bit of a better d-man for the third pair.

The Hawks did well to get a goalie of Turco's caliber for that cheap. He might not be great, but for that price it's a steal. So it's a good move for them. However, from our perspective it's even better. I'm going to love playing against the Hawks this year.

So, looking at Tampa Bay, they're near the bottom of the standings again. They've already got some young players who should be pretty good. Strangely, I haven't heard anything about Hedman this year though. Since they'll be getting yet another high pick, I was wondering if people think they'll have a similar path to teams like Pittsburgh and Chicago, and be dominant in a year or two.

I can't fathom how Holland would consider trading him, unless we sign another defenseman. What happened to defensive depth? If we signed nobody else AND traded Meech, we'd be in a boatload of trouble if any injuries came up.

Kirk Maltby? I want some of what you're smoking.

He was a great contributor during the glory days, but those times are long since past. Even at that, I'd be much more on board with this if we didn't have a boatload of redundant 3rd/4th line players already. FML

As long as we're posting videos of Hawks losses: I like seeing the Hawks lose as much as anyone, but as a fan of hockey, that was embarrassing to see.

"It seems" is often used to mean "it is understood as true". Thefreedictionary corroborates this. So, "it is understood as true" that the Russians scored because they had too many men on the ice. And yes, I imagine Brind'amour didn't notice the goaltender at the other end of the ice, he was focusing on the play. That doesn't make the goal valid. I'll answer anyways. The net was off the moorings. There's no reason for Canadian highlights to show Russia's illegal goals because nobody cares about them. The correct rulings were made. Anything else?

Um, no. A little bitter? Random goal from 14 years ago? THIS is why: So no, the Canadian formula is not cheating. Their formula is outplaying the Russian team. Edit: Source

This is why I loathe the +/- system here. If there's a feature that actually hinders the one thing that this board if for - discussion - then I say ditch it. But anyways, I do want Modano, although I'm not as excited about it as I initially was. I think having a third line that can score a bit like in the '08 and '09 seasons would make us much more competitive. And in terms of gritty players, I don't see a whole lot of particularly attractive third/fourth line options.

Just some further information on how bad the draft next year should be: http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/24538-A-Scouts-Life-2011-draft-looking-weak.html So maybe Chicago's picks won't be that good. That would be hilarious if they were all busts.

Next year's draft is, in fact, supposed to be terrible.

He'd still have to clear waivers. Maybe he'd clear, but really, it's time to start using some of our younger players. His time in the minors should be done. Unless of course, he can't cut it in the NHL.

...you voted 7 times from a nice breakout pass?

Still fourth. Chicago, Toronto and the NY Rangers are all ahead of us. Edit: If you meant for defense that is.