Kp-Wings

Grown? The ratings for this years SCF were the worst I've ever seen them. Of course, again, look at the two teams playing...

A new Fedorov thread popping up later today - K5

Niedermayer is all but done, so removing him for that list leaves a big gap. They'll probably go with Joe Dipenta as the #6 defenseman. Pronger is a fantastic defenseman. Cheapshot or not, he's still a good player. Beauchemin is a good player as well. Considering how the loss of Niedermayer really puts them into a bind as far as top defenseman, he'll be the #2 guy, and he's fine in that role. We all know what Schneider is like, so that need not apply. His horrible defensive awarness will probably bump him down to the #3-4 spot. Jackman is an ok defenseman, who never lived up to his potential after being drafted so high back in 1996. He'll be fine as a #5-6 defenseman, but could even be bumped to the #4 spot. Hnidy used to a favorite of mine, but since he's stopped fighting as of late, he doesn't bring all that much else to the table. He's a reliable #5-6 defenseman. One spot is currently open on their roster if Niedermayer doesn't come back. That could back to Joe Dipenta, or it could go to Kent Huskins. Dipenta and Huskins are pretty even, meaning that their not that good. If they don't get it, I expect they'll use a rookie with a cheap contract. Overall that defense isn't bad, but Pronger and Beauchemin are their two only reliable defenseman. Schneider has his problems, Jackman never lived up to his potential, Hnidy isn't that great, and neither are Dipenta or Huskins. We'll see how that works out for them. Selanne is done. He hates Bertuzzi, and stated numerous times that he wants him out of the league. He won't be playing in Anaheim next season. The rest looks good, except Bertuzzi. Bertuzzi, in my opinion, was totally useless in the short time he spent here, and I have a feeling that'll be the case in Anaheim too. He's a lazy floater who never brings his full potential to every game, has injury problems, and comes with more baggage than any other player in the league. He'll hurt them more than help. The 4th line is interesting. Lacouture and May are both good 4th liners who will drop the gloves and play a good, physical game. Jason King could provide some offense from the 4th line as well if he makes it. He hasn't played in the NHL in a long time, and has injury problems. The forwards look much better than the defense. We'll see how it all turns out. Edit: I forgot Sean O'Donnell! You didn't have him on your list, either. Yeah, he'll definitly take up any spot that would be needed by Dipenta or Huskins, so they should be in good shape for that.

Here's my reasoning: 1. Penner is one of the best young forwards in the game right now. Compare him to Joffery Lupul all you want, he's way different. Penner plays with a lot of grit and passion in his game, and for being 6'4, is a very good skater. He has a ton of untapped potential, and probably more than anyone on the current Oilers team next to Joni Pitkanen. 2. Edmonton never drafts well, at least in the 1st round anyways. Giving up 1st round picks means nothing to them in my opinion. Plus, they can afford to give up so lower round picks also, because they got two young forwards coming in from the Smyth trade (Nilsson and O'Marra). 3. Edmonton has a very meek offense right now. Penner scored 29 goals last year. He comes in as one of the top scorers on that team. There are certain things to look at other than just the dollars on his contract. Yes, he is overpaid right now. A few years down the line he won't be though.

I liked the skate logo. It's better then anything they've had since. The worst Canucks logo was the tri-colored "V" logo they had sometime back in the late 70's-80's. I've seen pictures of it, and it is definitly their worst.

Tavares isn't draft eligable until 2009.

Soundgarden - Fell on Black Days

We both think alike in this matter. I can't stand listening to how great Brian Burke is a GM. Another thing that should hurt his reputation is the Bertuzzi signing. To give a guy, who comes with that much baggage and is that injury prone, a 4 million a year contract for 2 years is ridiculous. And yet, I've very happy he did it, because I can't stand Burke, and love it when he falls on his face.

I was kidding.

Really, I doubt that'll happen. Penner and Joffrey Lupul have two totally different personalities. Penner plays with a lot of grit and energy. Lupul just floats around the ice lazily until the puck comes to him (Remind you of someone?). Although overpaid, that's what Edmonton had to do to get Penner. When looking at the potential Penner still has, it's really a good deal for them.

If Burke would have done the right thing and signed Penner before going after Bertuzzi, he probably could have gotten Penner for way less then what he got from Edmonton. This is nobody's fault but Burke's. That guy is such a loser. He put his team's future in jeapordy by raiding the Wings roster before worrying about his own RFA's. I swear, I can't wait until the 2009/2010 season. Burke will have a lot of work to do, since almost none of his current players will be under contract.

Yes, I do believe it was on purpose.

What a ripoff for the Ducks. Haha, way to go Burke. Your man love for Bertuzzi just cost you one the best young prospects in the game right now. It's nice to see Burke squirm. I hate that man so much.

Hopefully he's healthy when the season starts. Get better Z'.

That would explain the boring crowd that generally goes with an All-Star Game. It's so quiet, sometimes it feels like I'm watching the Wings at The Joe play Columbus. Seriously though, it could be that, or the fact that the All-Star Game is probably some of the worst hockey around. Maybe not so much as the game itself, but the Young-Stars Game (rookies) last year was horrible. The score was something over 10 for both teams. Last year's All-Star Game didn't impress me. Hopefully this years is a little better.

It's true. I think Avery actually threw a medicine ball at Scott Thronton, or maybe it was the other way around. Either way, one was thrown.

Oh, but Hudler is? That I can agree with you with. Howard hasn't had a truly great season under his belt to be the automatic future starting goalie here in Detroit.

Mike Emerick isn't that bad as long as the Devils aren't involved. When they are though, look out. I remember watching the Devils - Lightning Game 6 last year... ugh, talk about a homer. I almost thought that was Haynesbot for a minute. edited for grammar

Is this the comparable now? Every future 1st overall draft pick is going to turn out like Daigle? Come on, be serious here. I don't know about Tavares' attitude towards playing, but Daigle didn't even like the sport of hockey. It's true. He confirmed it in an interview after his first retirement in 2000. That's what surprised me so much when he said he's actually making a comeback.

The Wild made the playoffs! In all seriousness, I think it probably has something to do with their local college sports. It must, because their pro-teams haven't done s*** in recent years.

Is that an Eklund parody? I like the idea of Weiss. Yeah, he's a bit small, but he's still bigger than Hudler, who is currently our 2nd line center. He's also a proven scorer, and fairly young. ...and before we start saying "Hudz had crap minuts!!!!!!!11one" and comparing the point totals, I assure you Weiss is a much better player than Hudler. He has good scoring potential, and is a good two way player also.

Since they'll be going with the Hartford Whalers-esque colors, the Vintage Stick would be the best choice. I like it the best out of the three, and I'd to see them go back to that full time.

Weiss is a good player. He'd be a major upgrade over Hudler. Still, he's an RFA, and that would mean giving up something in a trade or making an offer sheet at him, which is a pain. I wouldn't mind giving up Hudler or something for him though, if it came to that.

No, not Eklund. Peklund I know Eklund's a Flyers fan. He was the one who made up that whole stupid Selanne rumor.

I have to ask: is Peklund a Wings fan by any chance? He seems to talk about players on the Wings a lot, so it makes me think he is.