Drake_Marcus

At the risk of sounding like Thanksgiving at the Filppula house, I'm thankful for Val's offensive production since returning in December. He's been a member of the top 3 forwards since then.

No they're not. Sedin is better than Crosby today and Thronton/Backstrom are only one point back. Ovechkin is undoubtable better than Crosby, yes, but Crosby's not #2. He's scratching and clawing for #3. Ovechkin is crusing at 1.69 points per game. Crosby? 1.28 ppg. Ovi's production is 32% better. As in he produces nearly a third more points. As in Ovechkin produces 132% of the points does. Ovechkin has the highest +/- in the league-- +41. Crosby? An amazing +7. Ovechkin has as many take-aways as give-aways. Crosby has twice as many give-aways as take-aways. His defensive superiority to Ovechkin is a laughable myth. The statistics don't lie-- Ovechkin's more responsible with the puck. FACT. Ovechkin is just out of Crosby's league. Head to head today Ovi dominated Crosby again. Crosby-- 2 goals in the first. What does Ovi do? He answers back with 3 goals and has the primary assist on the game winner. If Ovechkin was born in Canada and Crosby in Russia this debate would've ended two MVP trophies ago. When Ovechkin wins his third consecutive Hart this year the "debate" still won't die. It's sad that nationality should even matter because Ovechkin sits on a separate, distinct tier that Crosby can't touch. Sorry Sid-- you've been dominated 4 out of 5 years by Ovi. You had one superior season but since then Ovechkin's been your daddy.

So the Wings are currently the best team in the West this year and the second best team in the league, right?

Sad but very true.

Silly, eh?

Hate of the best team in the league? Your trolling schemes don't even work anymore man. The Pens aren't even the 2nd best team in their own conference, let alone the entire league.

You misspelled Sidney.

Look at Fluerry's stats-- he's the definition of average. Easily the most mediocre 1st overall pick in recent history. Not a bust but he plays like he should've be picked a round later. Look who was picked after him in the 1st.

Nice! 4th place. Considering I did even better last week and didnt' managed to move up the charts I doubt it'll make a difference this week.

The fact that Lebrun even mentioned that Kenny had to deny that means there's probably something there.

Does that look perverted to anyone else?

You've got me.

Fact.

If you don't like it I'd be happy to add it to my Ericsson collection. Edit: Is Moses at least carrying a hockey stick?

So the Griffins imagine Ericsson as a used car salesman when he eventually retires from hockey? I suppose that's an ok job to have as a 40 something ex-hockey player.

Cleary's a consistent 20-20 guy who plays the PK and does all the little things. The Wings paid market value for him at worst. 20 goal scorers who play a gritty, defensively responsible game aren't a dime a dozen.

We were on a very similar wavelength earlier today. But I just couldn't bring myself to imagine this proud franchise being a whipping boy for however long it takes to get that magic pick. For every Ovechkin there's a Stephan, right? Plus last place doesn't mean 1st pick anyway, it just gives you a shot at it. And what does it say to the players? Why do you think players sign with Detroit over Atlanta? The weather and the beautiful downtown scenery?

Actually I think Eaves and Miller have a ton to be proud of. Leino's departure was a tip of the hat from Holland to both of them. Miller was supposed to be a cheap spare part, not a guy we need around.

Oh and I think the best soundtrack for the OP would be "Hey Hey Hockeytown!" from the golden years of the Yzerman Era

Don't be confused just have pride in this team and faith in the management. I thought about how nice it'd be to have Hall and I'm guilty of thinking "why not tank for picks if we can't win the cup?" but this little speech was what was roused up inside of me when I went down that mental path. I shared it in hopes that it'd inspire a bit of pride and confidence in other Wings fans. It's not like we have a whole bunch of great stories to talk about this season other than Howard's surprising play.

Man crush.

I'm glad we all agree on this! And in the interests of Z and D for the C: Filppula's been excellent since returning from injury. How impressed am I? I actually bought one of his rookie cards when browsing ebay for hockey cards. I'm not sure what that means yet... but I do think he has the potential to be better than I thought he would be. If Thornton can put 10 goals and 80 assists up a season why can't Val be the kind of guy who puts 10 goals and 50 assists up? That's a tall order but not out of the question. His pace over the last 20 games or so is 55+ points so maybe he can be a 60+ point guy. I don't see him as a point per game player but with confidence I can imagine him hitting 70ish as a more established player. He likely won't ever be much of a goal scorer due to his lack of finish but that certainly won't stop him from being a very effective Red Wing.

He's also a point per game player over the last 20 games, so really Lidstrom is back to playing like Lidstrom. I guess age just delays the upswing from his slow start each year.

Ever had a grandfather or uncle who really didn't age well? You know-- a proud, intelligent man who everyone respected that aged like an overripe banana? That's Don Cherry to me. He's always been proud to talk out of his ass about things (a male Sarah Palin you might say) but he was usually right (ok, so he's nothing like Sarah Palin). Well lately he's kept thinking like it's 1985 even when it's 25 years later. After all, only two types of people wear a visor: ******* and people with 20/20 vision and intact orbital bones.

It's also entertaining to hear a North American say that young eastern Europeans aren't willing to tough it out and walk around with a sense of entitlement. Irony much?