Zeke

There is no one on the Habs that I hate...ie...Pronger,Kane.

Sounds good to me. One more that really bothers me...delay of game for shooting the puck over the glass.Most times this is accidental during a clearing attempt and doesn't delay the game any more than an icing call,which isn't a penalty? How about treating this the same as icing...faceoff in your end and you can't change? One day someone will lose the cup on this bogus call.

A very positive fan. Good outlook I wish I could share,but you should be commended.

Recently read a book about Gordie Howe entitled "9". It was stated that back in the 1960's,the league president (Clarence Campbell) sent out a secret memo to all officials that the home team receive more powerplay time.This came from an official during that era. No way the current commish would ever perpetrate such a heinous directive.

The game starts at 9pm EST tomorrow,same time as "LOST",which my kids love.Should I be a good dad and let them watch it instead of the Wings? .......................................................NOT!!!

Rafalski plays defence?

Nice post,well put together and logical. Not sure I'd keep Bert,and would probably trade Huds.That's a cap savings of 4.5 mill...pick up a bigger forward who can chip them in as well.

I get angry at the WAY in which they lost. This may be their last wake-up call of the year.

It seems that the old adage,"don't fix it if it ain't broken"applies to most hockey coaches,especially in the playoffs. Don Cherry always professes that you never change a winning lineup,and I think that most NHL coaches follow that philosophy. My feeling is that you should have your best players out there,and if one or two are playing poorly or just ineffective,then why not substitute for the next game? Many games are won with less than a stellar effort from every player,so why not try to elevate for the next game? If anyone remembers the Devils/Wings SCF (1995?),I believe the Devils coach (Lemaire at the time)made about 2 substitutions every game,even though they WON !? At the time,that strategy clearly provided a spark for the team and kept the Wings off balance in countering that move. (First time Bowman was outcoached?) The Abelkader substitution we can call a no-brainer,and few Wing fans will dispute it,but what about living on the edge and making one or two moves after a win? If I'm coaching,I do the following: 1) Give Ericsson a seat (just too slow and not physical enough)and insert Lebda. He's not big,but faster and probably hungry to play 2)Please sit Draper-he's just ineffective and really has lost his role to the younger players.I'd rather see Meech in his place or give one of the GR players (Ritola) a little ice time. What do you think,too radical? I know Don Cherry would ...

I think injecting new blood into every game keeps everyone on their toes,and fighting for their positions. The new players are usually more "hungry" and want to prove that the coach made a great decision (see Abdelkader's performance last night)

I agree with the size difference,but Ericsson does't use it enough,and seems slow moving to the man and containing him.I'm hoping Lebda can use his speed and maintain position better.

It seems that Draper has always been heralded as a great 'role' player on the team. Never scored a lot of goals,but chipped one or two in once in a while,and was a faceoff specialist,as well as an excellent penalty killer. Is it just me,or: He now rarely kills penalties... He always gets booted from the faceoff circle... When did he last score a relevant goal? His only contribution is freezing the puck against the boards like its 1995? I'm all for loyalty,and recognize his past achievements ,and I know there's another year on the old (gratuitous)contract,but what exactly does he bring to the table?

Loyalty is an admirable trait,but come playoff time,I want the best players on the ice. He can mentor in the locker room and in the warmup.

I think Scotty Bowman once said that good locker room players should remain in the locker room.

When Abelkader is ready (for the playoffs),is he the obvious choice to sit,or do we need his 'veteran'presense?

When Bert was injured a few weeks ago,I suggested to try Ericsson as a forward ..............................................................http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=63519 Babs is finally listening!

It looks like Bert will be out for at least a game or two,so who does Babcock use in his place? Options include the obvious choice of Meech,who has filled in at forward and is probably itching to go,or call up May,who should clear waivers and give us a little toughness against Calgary. Or,lets put in a young potential power-forward who has been riding the pine and playing without any confidence on defence.....Ericsson!? He started his career as a forward,and maybe he can be kickstarted again up front. He's a lot less of a liability up front compared to defence,and we may discover a few hidden talents. Hopefully he'll use his size in the corners,and we know he'll stand up for his team. We don't have a lot of options right now,and if it doesn't work,go to Meech or May. What do we have to lose? Better than wasting a big 25 year old in the press box.

Sorry,didn't mean to plagiarize your post,but great minds think alike.

Why not give Ericsson a shot up front? He's here,he's sitting,he's big,and he doesn't back down.

Cap issues?

A few questions for all the legal experts on the post lockout NHL: 1) If a player signs after 35,and then retires while under contract,does the salary continue to count against the cap? 2) Can this player be bought out by the team? 3) What is the buyout formula ( 2/3 of the total for twice the length of the contract?) 4) If a player signs before turning 35,and then retires after 35,is there a cap hit? 5)Is there a limit on the number of years you can sign,and rules for a decreasing salary structure as the player ages? (ie sign for 15 years to lower the average cap hit,knowing the player only will play another 5 years?) That's enough homework for now,its the summer.

I just noticed that there is a thread already dedicated to this,

Does anyone have a link,or information about compensation for signing someone's Restricted free agents? I know it depends on the amount involved in signing the RFA. ie Hudler signs elsewhere for 1.5 mil or he signs elsewhere for 3 mill

About 3 months,is someone else using it?

That's impressive,thanks for sharing your knowledge.