Kp-Wings

I certainly think he is. When healthy, he is extremely valuable to a teams success. Look at what happened to Buffalo during last years playoffs. They lost the grit and leadership of McKee, and never replaced it. He is an extremely good player, and in my opinion, is worth the money. Besides, it's like you said: If Markov thinks he's worth 4 million a season, McKee definitly is worth what he currently makes.

You wouldn't believe it? Why? Given Hollands track record, Niinimaa and Ekman are the exact type of players that Holland likes. Small, non-physical, offensive minded European players. I believe these rumors very much, unfourtantly. Now, if I could use my time machine on Niinimaa and flash him back to 5 years ago, I'd definitly take him. He used to be a great defenseman. Now he sucks though, and I advise against even considering the fact of signing him. Same goes for Ekman. The McCarty rumor doesn't surprise me a whole lot either. Holland has a knack from bringing back old, washed up players, especially if their former Wings.

I would take him.

Here's what I have on the two mystery names: Randall Gelech Born Feb. 2nd, 1984 in Elfros, Saskatchewan Height: 6'3 Weight: 200 Hand: Right Position: Center Draft team: Phoenix Coyotes 2006-2007 team: San Antonio Rampage NHL games of experience: 0 Garrett Stafford Born Jan 28, 1980 in LA, California Height: 6'0 Weight: 195 Hand: Right Position: Defenseman Draft team: Never drafted 2006-2007 team: Worcester Sharks NHL games of experience: 0 So, as I thought, these two should both be headed to GR.

I seriously hate it when people do this. Yes, let's compare Hudler to a list which features current all-star players, and potential HOF's.

I don't get why everyone has Datsyuk and Zetterberg broken up. Remember how awful they both were at the start of the season last year when not playing together? Personally I think the 2nd line sucks. Unless Hudler becomes the next Cliff Ronning (a very successful small forward in the NHL for those who don't know), he isn't going to make it in this league.

Why is this a big deal? I like the idea personally, since it teaches kids how to fight without hurting themselves. Besides that, over half of the NHL has gone pillow soft over the years. It's nice to see some people who still play the older (and much more entertaining) brand of hockey that Bettman is trying to destroy. Also: I think someone should tell Willie Mitchell to shut the f*ck up. That man is one of the biggest cheapshot artists in the league. The only reason he complains about fighting is because he can't do it himself. Any time he has actually fought himself he usually loses. By the way, is it out of the question that we send Kopecky there?

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Yes, definitly. The only one of those three that I think we even have a chance of getting though, is Ryder. I've heard that he and Bob Gainey don't get along, so Montreal may want to cut him lose. Hollands so apt of finding a top 6 forward: well, there's you're top 6 forward right there. I also definitly agree about Avery. I would love to have him back, but God forbid Holland signs a player that has over 100 PIM. Our highest PIM last year was 66, shared by both Lang and Schneider. None of those 66 came in fights either, so it doesn't count. If Holland really wanted to impress me, he'd go after one of these guys. I'm tired of hearing the trade dealine speech all the time. That's too far off, and this team really needs help on the 2nd line.

Winning the first of the three Cup's in 1997 was obviously my favorite. I remember watching the final game, and it was just amazing. I was 13 years old at the time, and was watching the game with the rest of my family. We all went crazy (in a good way) after they won, much as everyone else did. It was a hell of a run. My other favorites: Seeing Vladdy lift the Cup in 1998, the brawl, and Yzermans double OT goal in 1996. At the time of the ladder, we were still rivals with St. Louis. It felt good to put those smug bastards in their place, even though we didn't end up going as far as hoped by losing to Colorado. Another personal favorite was Dan Cloutiers blunder in 2002 against Vancouver. That totally turned everything around for us, since before that happened, things were looking pretty bleak. I'll post some more stuff later. I have a lot of favorite memories that take time to think about.

Exelby, Avery, and Ryder are on my want list.

Yeah, Laraque and Brashear are definitly the best. The only problem with them is like you said: both guys are getting much older and less willing to drop the gloves on a regular basis. Laraque especially.

Tampa Bay and Carolina both have a great fan base for each team. They definitly deserve to keep their team, Stanley Cup or not. Anaheim, on the other hand, is a total joke of a market. 15,000 is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard for a Stanley Cup parade. Heck, even the New Jersey Devils had more people than that at their parades. Hockey is second business in California. The day the Ducks won the Cup was the same day that Paris Hilton got out of prison. I think we can all guess what the bigger news was down there on that day, considering the mindset of most people from California. I personally do think people would care about hockey in California if the Kings or Sharks had won. Most people in SoCal are Kings fans as it is, and only rooted for the Ducks because they were good and the Kings were not. The Sharks have a great fan base, and have good support. California doesn't need 3 teams. It's not a big enough hockey area. The Kings and Sharks both have great fan bases, so they should stay. The Ducks, however, need to go. edited for grammar

I would love to have Avery back. He'd be a perfect fit on the 2nd line. Sigh... New York will probably sign him though...

I'm not hearing news on any teams right now. It's that time of the year when the roster movement really dies down, once the big name free agents are gone.

If only Markov wasn't being so stubborn about it...

My favorite fighter is Derek Boogaard. For obvious reasons, of course. But, you know, he just wouldn't fit on this team. It would never happen anyways. For the fighter that I would want, and be the most logical choice, would be Ivanans. He has some (not much, but some) offensive potential, and is a great forchecker. Not to mention he's an awesome fighter. Also, if it means anything to Holland: he is a European. I should also disgress that I would love a guy like McGrattan on the Wings, but again: it would never happen. Still would love him here though. He has a great personality, and is a great fighter.

That's something NBC and Versus should consider. I can't believe they still think the Wings and Av's are rivals. This rivalry has been dead for years now. Unfourtantly, the next one in line, sucked dick. I hate being rivals with Nashville. It was such a forced rivalry. No passion at all (or fighting).

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I agree, but I don't expect anything different this year. Hollands refusel to sign a tough guy, despite numerous good names avalible that aren't cavemen on skates and can still play the game decently, means it will probably be the same thing next year as it was last year. Oh well. Consider it a challenge for Babcock to get these guys to play tough.

Unless Boots buys the team, they are staying in Nashville. Balsillie, as I'm sure everybody has already heard, is done with that whole thing. You know, I could make a joke about how Bettman will side with Nashville because of his love for scrupulious and idiotic market teams (mostly the southern markets, surprise surprise), but it's late, and I don't feel like it. Plus I can't think of anything good right now anyways.

Osgood didn't win. Let's not be blind to the truth, Ozzie lovers. Osgood didn't lose. Let's not be blind to the truth, Ozzie haters. It was a draw. And I'm pretty intermediate about the whole thing, since I'm mostly lukewarm when it comes to Osgood. I'm not a die hard fan of his, but I don't hate the guy either.

You really are a closet Hurricanes fan, eh?

He can score just as many points as Schneider, and isn't horrible defensivly.

My secondary team is San Jose. Joe Thornton, for as much as a rag on him about his playoff vanishing act, is one of my favorite players in the league.