Kp-Wings

Steve Bernier is the 2nd coming of Robert Lang. His work ethic in San Jose was atrocious. Not sure what they thought of him in Buffalo, but obviously not enough to keep him around. I know it's the common trend to pick him, but something has to give with Nathan Horton. He's the go-to guy in Florida now, and he needs to start living up to his lofty draft status potential.

Boston's defense is their real problem. They have a lot of guys that are great "supporting cast" players, if you will, that fit in perfectly as gritty #5-6 defenseman, but they aren't top defenseman. I like Aaron Ward a lot, but he isn't a top 4 defenseman, much less a top 2. He's a perfect #5, but given Boston's lack of defensive depth, he ends up being in their top pair. I think if Wideman and Stuart keep developing their offensive game, and become a little more well-rounded in the process, they'll have a pretty solid defensive core. Keep in mind they do have some other up-and-coming prospects in the minors, like Matt Lashoff and Matt Hunwick, for example.

As per TSN:

Stanislav Chistov ... ... ... ... ... ... ...what?

Took the words right out of my mouth. You'd think with the bitterness in this thread that a team like Florida or Nashville was hosting an outdoor game in the middle of July.

I don't see Jesus in your lineup (ala Mikeal Samuelsson).

I always pick the best days not to be online. Can't believe I missed all the fun! LOL!

More like a select few. If all the fans loved him, then there wouldn't constantly be a new thread almost every week that has someone doubting whether he can get the job done. Myself, I'm impartial to Osgood, as I usually am with goalies. I have confidence that he can do what he needs to do, much more so than Conklin or especially Howard.

I really can't see it being a straight-up deal. McCabe and Van Ryn are two very similar players, minus their salary differences, so unless Florida is really stupid enough to believe that McCabe is that much better of a player (which wouldn't surprise me, to be honest), then Florida would probably expect something else more in return (since this is basically a dump on Toronto's part). If it wasn't for the salary differences, this would still be a pretty fair trade. I'd still take Van Ryn over McCabe any day of the week, and twice on Sunday's, as my own personal preference, but as far as abilities go, these two both bring pretty much the same thing to the table. Their salaries are what really set them apart.

I think tickets go on sale around the time pre-season starts.

How many of these optional skates do they have? Training camp is still about three or so weeks away.

I don't know why guys even bother reading other teams message boards, because this kind of stuff happens on all of them, no matter what team it is. What do you really expect them to say? "Yeah, those Red Wings are awesome. I mean, even though I hate them and more than any other team, and hope they disband and move to Biloxi, MS, I still think their the greatest thing since sliced bread at the same time. Even their 4th liners should be in the HOF, because they play for the RED WINGS!!!!!!!!!!" The Lidstrom thing is ridiculous, but the rest of it is just basic homerism. Believe it or not, it actually happens on this very forum as well, so we're not all perfect.

Agreed, but you and I both know the Wings value this "veteran leadership" cliche like it's gold. Chelios will be here until he decides to quit, because Ken Holland isn't going to get rid of him.

Cincinnati is such a disaster. They might as well sign Pacman Jones just for good measure.

Jet - Get What You Need

It'd be great to see Zetterberg, Datsyuk, and Hossa all on one line. Unfortuantly, Holmstrom is useless when he doesn't have any talented players on his line, so you have to keep him with at least two of them. I think, hopefully, at some point in the season we may see that. I'd like to see just to see how good all three would do on the same line.

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As if it's been stated enough, but I'll say it again anyways, 'cuz I'm bored: one of the young guys is not going to get the Wings under the salary cap. It has to be someone who makes a fairly decent salary that would actually be shedding money. I don't know why these bloggers are so afraid to say Lilja's name out-loud to be moved; he's not Jesus on skates (he can't be, because Mikael Samuelsson is ).

Why are you guys complaining? We get the great Tomas Kopecky instead.

A 4-way trade involving three division rivals? Is Eklund feeding him information now? That is probably one of the most ridiculous rumors I've seen all summer. Really, anything involving the Wings and St. Louis making a trade is bulls*** right off the bat, unless they'd be outright screwing us. Remember what the rumored asking price was for lameduck players like Bill Guerin and Jamal Mayers? Give me a break! Any trade the Wings make will likely involve teams in the East. Everyone in the West will be gunning for the Wings this year, especially our friends in the Central.

Are Jocelyn Thibault, Eric Fichaud, and Pat Jablonski all up for jersey retirement's next? I understand the team has a rich history and everything, but seriously; give this jersey retirement business a rest already. He left in such a way that you have wonder what their thinking is behind this.

Alexandre Picard might be on his way to being the next Mike Sillenger or J.J. Daigneault. This is already his third team in three seasons. Pretty well traveled this early in his career. Of course, catching Sillenger will be no easy feat.

Tampa can't be the frontrunner. Meszaros is a defenseman, and Tampa doesn't sign defenseman.

The name Thornton is so common anymore. It's like the new Smith.

McCollum is the goalie of the future.