SweWings

Well it's good to see the kids getting comfortable with bigger roles. It's good that this happens now and not suddenly during the playoffs. But a trade for a depth veteran defenseman is still, in my opinion at least, necessary.

1 min penalties during regular season OT -Here you have to weigh the pros' and cons' of making more rules and making the game more complicated in terms of rules. Exactly what kind of impact do they think this will have? high-sticking penalties and whether it should remain an automatic four-minute penalty for drawing blood -Like you guys say, this shouldn't even be under discussion. Sticks should be on the ice. instigator -This one is annoying but I can see why it's here right now and why it'll likely remain. retaining salary in trades -This one would be cool. For example it would make a lot of Toronto's players a lot more attractive. Imagine picking up Kubina but leaving Toronto to continue paying part of the salary. Question is how this should impact the cap. The growing trend of NCAA players leaving school early to sign with NHL teams -Players wanting to get an education shouldn't be pressured to drop their studies. Only a few of them make the NHL and the remainder float around in the lower-tier leagues. But this one will be tricky, a player can drop out and then be signed by a NHL team. It'll be difficult to make precise rules but it's necessary. the status of the IIHF-NHL player transfer agreement -Bleh. This one is a complete mess. examining the NHL Players' Association's idea of an 84-game schedule -If the argument the NHLPA use is good then this might actually happen. moving the start of free agency to July 6 or July 7 instead of July 1 when it's a national holiday in Canada -This one will likely be the easiest to decide. the idea that players who are traded near the trade deadline cannot re-join his old team for a minimum of one year -ooooh - now this one is definitely interesting. Together with the salary retaining this could introduce more dynamic to the trading. whether breaking a stick on a player should be an automatic slashing penalty -Something to do with the composite stick breaking easier than wood right? Don't really have a problem with this. When the ref sees that a slash is a slash - it's a slash. (Duh!) The size of goalie equipment and bigger nets -Scary. *runs away from the topic* five shooters instead of three during shootouts -Soccer has five shooters. Was always confused by why there were only three in the NHL. whether a player that was still in the penalty box at the end of overtime should be ineligible for the shootout -Eh? Why? How much is this gonna change things really?

Well finally we'll stop hearing about the guy every day. Well at least for 6 months or so...

I don't have a problem with trading away Z or D for Vinny but likely Tampa can get a much nicer deal if they want to...

There's a difference here tho. I watch Don because he's sort of insane. I can appreciate the fact that he loves his country and bla bla but some of the stuff he says is just silly and incredibly funny to watch. Also I wish I was related to him so I could get some of those badboy suits.

And following this line of reasoning - who is more "Canadian" in his style of play, Crosby or Ovechkin?

That vid was amazing hahaha - brilliant!

Overall I'm not gonna argue with the fact that more Canadians are necessary. Not because they're Canadian as such but because the kind of players that we need, passionate, physical and hard-nosed, are usually Canadian. We don't have anyone who can set the team on fire on a regular basis with a big hit or a fight. But yeah, I still don't agree with a lot of what you have to say. So, HA! Um, a big reason for that is that Detroit hasn't sucked any of the past 6 years. Also, with good European scouting it's easier to find diamonds in the rough than in Canada or the US where hockey is continuously examined up close and the promising young players are well known from a very young age. I agree. But this is changing, very quickly. We're not there yet, but soon, the dream among young hockey players in Europe won't be to play in the NHL, it will be to win the Cup. But still, it wasn't until Lidström won the Olympic gold that he was universally accepted in Sweden really. Internationals are much more important here. Agreed. But then again, most NHL teams don't really bring Europeans over for that anyway. Um, sure. But then Canada also has 540'000 players registered compared to Russia's 77'000, Czech Republic's 83'000 and Sweden's 67'000. Not gonna argue with the US thing because they have 435'000 registered. Oh and about how important hockey is in Canada, that's very true. You're aware that Russia is quite fair at a lot of other sports, the Czech Republic's national soccer team is ranked 6th in the world and Sweden has qualified to 6 consecutive European and World championships in football. So I don't buy this at all.

Um, what?

I think you guys are overrating the nationality thing. If the situation was reversed I can't say that the situation wouldn't be the same. Canadian hockey players live and breathe with the dream of winning the Cup, who says that doesn't have a big motivational effect - esp in the playoffs.

Well I hope they actually do sign the guy. A lot more stability that Liv and with better potential. Letting him play in Sweden isn't a bad idea and hopefully he'll get some world championship ice-time as well. I don't want to lose the guy.

Well that silly. Funny yes, but still silly.

Feds would fulfill a depth role in a way that few players can. He can play anywhere on the ice - except goalie, duh! - and do it well. He'd likely end up on the 2nd line in Detroit but I'd feel a lot more comfortable with him there going into the playoffs than some of the players we have. He still has a wicked shot from the point and most importantly he would have no problem putting up points if placed on the 1st line with Dats if injuries force us to. Oh and need I mention, I would go out of my mind if he gets traded to Detroit - completely bonkers!!

Or not sell? A team like Washington would be better off doing nothing.

I've actually ended up watching more Caps games than Detroit games. Much more exciting really and Ovie is just insanely entertaining.

Nothing against you personally DetroitBoy, and it is good news that atleast the Ducks don't get Foppa, but I'm getting really sick of the guy. I can understand all the interest but this is beyond silly. It's getting annoying. Not so much on LGW but seriously, Swedish media, posts every day on Spector's/Kukla's pages. I wish he'd just shut up and not talk - and put a gag on his agent - until he actually signs with a team.

Like you guys say - we need some quality finishers. Prospal together with Dats would probably be a good fit and make it possible for Detroit to balance out the lines. I liked the suggestions I saw. If Prospal is really unhappy with his situation then we'll likely see a trade, remains to be seen if it'll be to Detroit. A lot of other teams would probably be ok with getting the guy if other bigger name players are traded first. Might be an idea to try to get him quickly?

Sales of soccer players in Europe includes the renegotiation of the current contract. The aim obviously being for the player to earn more money (not just a raise but a signing bonus) but also ensure that the player signs a longterm contract so that the team gets a return on the investment. The exact same system will not work in the NHL but I don't think making a little room for negotiations is such a bad idea.

Well not surprisingly he wants to sign long-term with a team that can and will contend for the Cup every year. Detroit is one of those teams, but while they've done a good job year in year out, there are others as well.

Well big surprise. In Sweden some of the most thriving markets aren't the biggest ones in terms of population - it's often a matter of interest. The Southern adventure was fun I suppose but it's time to move on...

Yeah... Maybe but I don't really see the Rangers giving up on the guy unless they get sizable return that can help them right now. Perhaps a winger who can actually work with Gomez. Otherwise they'll likely hold on to him and hope he sparks so that they reach the playoffs.

Well, the punch was funny tho

Yeah, no need for any spectacular and overly costly trades. Wouldn't be a bad idea to get some depth tho which is prolly where most of the discussion on LGW is headed. Stabilize offense with a legitimate 2nd line (possible 1st line) forward and a top 4 physical defenseman - am I right in saying that's what we want/need? (I'd love McCarty back too guys but it remains to be seen if he can make it back) And while I'd love to get Fedorov back I don't think that will be the answer to the problems we're having, even though I'd most likely go completely insane if that happens.

Well it does put pressure on teams looking to make a good deal. Hopefully Detroit will swing a good one as well.

His face says it all...