imisssergei

Statisicly speaking, no neither guy has really proved anything except that they can put up decent numbers playing behind ZDH, who draw teams best defensive matchups. Not necessarily an easy task. The difference between the two? Flip's all around play is much more impressive than Rex's. Keep in mind that Flip is a center, on a team that is EXTREMELY deep at that position, while Rex is a winger on a team that is fairly weak at that position. Not to take anything away from what he has done. Flip's overall play has been much more impressive to me than that of Rex.

I think locking up Rex for 5 years is too long because he hasn't proven anything thus far. A 3 year deal would suffice. As for trading him, that would depend on what the Wings could get for him. I like him more and more every game. I love that Babs is finally giving him a chance. I think that getting away from Bobby Lang was the best possible thing for his work ethic. He could be the second line scoring threat the Wings currently lack.

Z could easily get $9-$10 per as a UFA, don't think that Kenny isn't aware of that. He will try to get Z locked up, but it will most likely take more than Lidstrom. I wouldn't be surprised to see Z get $8 per.

Rex is signed through 08/09, extension talks can't be started until July 1, 08. He shouldn't get a 5 year deal. Cleary is due for an extension, but not at $2.5, maybe $2, but that's pushing it. He is at best a 50 point guy, $1.5 would be generous. Franzen is in the same contract boat as Rex, I would like to see him signed at around the $1.5 he is scheduled to make next season, any more would be far too much. Flip will need to be resigned soon. $3 per would be worthwhile spending. Ozzie needs to be resigned, anything less than $1.25 would be a slap in the face. Unless Kenny starts smoking crack, Hasek won't be back next season. Lilja is a bubble player for next season, with a few young d men in GR, he has a good chance of not being back. Cheli will play until he decides to hang them up. Downey and Drake likely won't be back. Look for Ellis and Kopy to fill those rolls next season.

Are you serious? Demitra/Gaborik most surely could give Pav/Hank a run for their money. Demitra/Gaborik are every bit as good defensively as Pav/Hank, no question.

The Wings don't need more grit up front, the d corp could use some. But the Wings don't play the 'grind it out, rough and tumble, Canadian' style hockey. They play the puck possession Euro style. They need more Euros who can handle the puck.

I was thinking about that post while watching the game. Believe me, I'd love to eat big time crow on this one. However, you don't become a legit scoring threat by putting up the numbers that Flip and Rex are on pace for. Lang had put up, and was/is capable of putting up much bigger numbers than he did last season. So far, neither Rex nor Flip have shown that they can put up big numbers. Especially when it matters most, playoffs. Don't get me wrong, I think both these guys can, and will develop into legit scorers. But it won't be this season, and maybe not even next year. While the Wings are rolling through the regular season, I keep having nightmares about the famed 62 win campaign.

I don't miss him directly. I miss the void he left being filled. That is, a legit second line scoring threat. No, neither Rex nor Flip fill that roll. The Wings need that second line production in a bad way, they won't get far in the playoffs without it. And like any true Wings fan, I know that bringing home Lord Stanley is the only important thing. Making the playoffs just doesn't cut it.

IMHO he is worth $10 per.

I think you missed.... Crosby/Malkin....as much as I hate hearing about Crosby, he'd have to be mentioned here Kane/Towes Kovalchuk/Hossa Ovechkin/Semin Lecavalier/Richards I don't see Hank and Pav winning that competition, I'd have to give it to Heatley/Spezza or Lecavalier/Richards.

It takes both luck and skill. It takes luck to get the opportunity. It takes mad skill to pull it off.

This is how I see it. There is a difference between a guy like Iggy who always wears a visor, and a guy like Vinny who does not when it comes to challenging another player to fight. However, I disagree with labeling a guy a ***** simply beacuse he is wearing a visor. Have you ever worn worn in a fight? Trust me, it isn't any advantage, not remotely. It's a disadvantage. I've been cut many times from my haffie during regular game play. When I fight I take it off. Why? Not because I want to make it a 'fair fight' but because I have been cut pretty bad, and I've seen guys get cut even worse than I have been because they had the haffie on. In regards to Drake, he doesn't normally wear a haffie, and he didn't have much time to take it off. So regardless of opinion about the haffie being an advantage or disadvantage, you can't place him into the same category as a guy who is challenged to take it off, and doesn't.

So then, how did you score the Drake-Mayers fight? Is Drake a ***** for not taking off his lid?

It isn't the first time he has done something stupid. It isn't like he is just a goon running around trying to think of ways to end other layers careers. Again, he was concussed during the stick to the face incident. I don't know if you've ever dealt with someone who is concussed, but among other things that could directly effect what Simon did, they simply can't think straight. Not that I am trying to condone what he did, just rather shed some light on the subject.

He is playing in Russia, he doesn't need an out clause.

I don't agree with the idea that malicious intent equates to a longer suspension. The reason being is that it is very hard to determine intent. It's pretty clear that Simon meant to stomp on the boot, but RT did a fantastic job of selling it. I also don't agree with the idea that if something changed about the play to make the result worse, the suspension should be greater. If that was the case, you could argue season long suspensions for every Flyer suspended this year. As for Simon not learning from the previous suspension, you can't say he didn't. He didn't use his stick this time! I agree he needs to learn a lesson. I just think this is the wrong way to go about it. I think his counseling shouldn't be handled in house. That is, but the NHL appointed doctors.

No, in short, the Wings haven't replaced Lang's point production. Neither Flip nor Rex are going to equal Lang's 52 points of last season. As horrible as Lang was believed to be, he was a +12. With Williams, you can insert either Flip or Rex as his replacement. Markov' spot is still very vacant, and needs to be addressed. As for flourishing with those other guys gone, Franzen is actually behind his ppg average from last season. Rex and Flip's production has more to do with maturation than it does Lang and co. being gone. And Cleary is right on pace to match last seasons output.

Who cares how many games they win? Does anyone remember how bitter the taste in your mouth was when they didn't win the Cup after winning 62 games? The more regular season wins without a Cup win, just makes it more disappointing. I don't care if they win 82 games, if they don't win the Cup, it doesn't matter.

Yes, Raffy did replace Matty, that's why I said he did. There is no way that Kronwall is better in the D zone than Markov. In the O zone, yeah, I'll give you that, also in rushing the puck. However, you can't say that Kronwall replaced Markov as Kronwall was here last year, and is currently playing the same role. Kronwall is playing better, and is on pace for a career season. But that isn't what Markov brought to the Wings. He brought a toughness that hadn't been around since Vladdy. Don't get me wrong, I don't think he was as good, or intimidating as Vladdy was, but there is no doubt he is the most intimidating dman the Wings have had since Vladdy. Kronwall can dish out an occasional haymaker, but no one is worried about him while there are in the zone. Markov is the type of guy you need to keep an eye on, or you just might get laid out. Say what you will about Lang. He was lazy and he sucked. Take a second to look at things without the homer lenses. He was ALWAYS on the + side of the +/- for Detroit. As for the 'emmergence' of Flip and Rex, neither of them is replacing the points Lang put up. Lang average .64 ppg last season, both Rex and Flip are averaging .41 ppg right now. At that pace, combined they will outscore Lang of last season mere 14 points. I'm sorry, but that isn't good enough. Back to the d. I hate hearing about this logjam 'problem' the Wings are 'going to have'. The truth of the matter is none of those guys are going to be impact players over the next 3 seasons. At least not a consistent positive impact. If they were as 'NHL ready' as everyone seems to think, they would be in the NHL, plain and simple. If they were that good, Kenny would make room for them. Now, I'm not saying that these guys aren't good, or that they won't be impact players. Rather, it's just not the feared d corp that everyone thinks it is. The Wings NEED another top 4 dman. Pain Train won't cut it, I like him a lot, but he just isn't a top 4 guy. When he plays within his abilities he can be very effective. The problem is, his abilities don't allow him to play 20-25 minutes a night and be nearly as effective as when he plays 10. The Wings d corp needs some veteran, top 4 caliber help.

Yes, I do feel a 30+ goal scorer is needed, along with a top 4 dman, to make a serious Cup run. The bottom line is that the Wings, right now, would not beat the Ducks in a 7 game series. The Wings lack a second line scoring threat, not Rex and/or Flip do not equate to a legit scoring threat. It doesn't have to be any huge names coming in like a Hossa. Just someone who can put up numbers and take some of the load off of ZDH. On the backend, the Wings have 2 great dmen in Lidstrom and Raffy. Beyond that the best dman is Kronwall, and that won't cut it. The loss of Markov is a lot bigger than most people think. No matter what anyone says Meech, or anyone for that matter, from GR isn't going to help this team this year. Yes, Osgood is playing his ass off. But with the team as is, the Wings don't have the quality of goaltending it would take to overcome the other weakness and make a serious Cup run. Look at what the Wings lost this offseason: Matty....replaced with Raffy Markov....no replacement Lang...no replacement Last year, the Wings snuck past a choking Sharks teams, and got beat by a very good Ducks team. The Wings need to get better.

Rex and Flip have a good shot. The best thing that can happen to them is ZDH staying together. Draper is a streaky scorer, he could but it isn't likely. I think they need to add a 30+ goal scorer at the deadline to make any serious Cup run.

It's interesting to see how any point I make can be so easily diffused, not just by you, but everyone. Yet, the idea that reducing the size of a goaltenders pads seems to be regarded as the only sure way to increase scoring. I could use the same arguments everyone else is. If the goaltenders pads are reduced, coaches will find a way to manipulate it into a more defensive system. Any drastic reduction in pads would give a coach one more excuse to play a more defensive style. Not to sound condescending, but one piece composite sticks did came first. Watch any highlight reel from the '96 SCF, you'll see Igor, Kozzie, and I think Draper using the Busch by Graff. If you then watch the '95 SCF's you'll see Igor using the same stick. On a sidenote, one thing you never saw was that stick breaking like today's composite sticks do. Makes you wonder why that stick was so much more durable. Back to the ice surface, I guess we will have to agree to disagree here. But a few quick points not necessarilly direct at you. The Olympic size ice is actually shorter than the NHL ice by about 2 feet. It is wider by about 13. Someone said that the ice surface is smaller by 75, not sure how you do your math, but you might want to re-think that one. When was the last time you saw a NHL team in teh defensive zone standing still watching players skate around? That's right on the PK. Even strength it doesn't happen. You don't see forwards sticking to the dman up high, but it isn't like they are playing in the slot. With more ice to work with, the talented players will have more room to make plays. The NHL may have a 'diluted' talent pool in some opinions, but it's the most talented league in the world. Yes, that even includes the Euro Elite League. The Wings puck possesion style has nothing to do with them blocking shots. After all, it's kind of hard to block a shot when you have the puck. Blocking shots is a result of their defensive system, which isn't the trap. The Wings aren't a boring team to watch. They don't sit back and wait for opportunities, they create them. No matter what style defense teams play against them, they find a way to make things happen. That is what Olympic ice would allow more teams to do. EDIT: As far as Dryden's pants are concerned, yeah, they are smaller, but again, so were the skaters. If goaltenders equipment gets reduced in size, something should be done about the sticks used today. Limit the flex allowance, or more strict curve allowance.

So being a great NHL goaltender is as easy as wearing the biggest possible equipment?! SIGN ME UP!!! I hate when people use the excuse that a goalie is good because his pads are large. He still has to get them into the correct position at the correct times. If you want to talk about great positional goaltenders, let's start with that one guy in New Jersey. You know, the guy with SMALL pads. Brodeur is one of the best goaltenders ever. He doesn't use pads that push the limits, his style isn't flashy. Again, if a goaltender uses pads that are too large, it will hamper his movement, and not allow him to get into proper position. In regards to the pads not being much different, I was referring to the pictures of Dryden and Luongo. Look carefully at the size of the pads. Look at how high Dryden's pads come up on his legs. They come up just as high, if not higher than Luongo's. Have you ever seen a butterfly goaltender? The lower corners are taken away just as much, if not more than the five hole. As far as where goals are scored from, you have to look at the chances players get. If you give a guy who can shoot the puck an opportunity in the high slot, about 15 feet from the net, his chances of scoring are pretty good. But you don't see that happen too often in today's game. You see teams crashing the net and trying to deflect shots in. A lot of shots are taken to produce a rebound. How often do you hear a player say 'I was just trying to put it on net'? 'and when he doesn't score on stay puff? ' I'm not sure what that means. Put together a clear thought, and I'll respond to it. Here is the thing. You will never, except in a PK situation, see a team just watch a player skate the puck. I don't know if you've ever watched a hockey game, but players don't stand still, they move. With a larger area to work with, not only could a guy like AO create more opportunities, a guy like Shanny is going to have more space to sneak into and get off a shot. BTW, if AO beats one dman, and there are 3 others waiting, there are 4 other Caps who are WIDE OPEN, I'm sure AO could manage to find one of them. I'm not basing my idea of using Olympic ice on AO's speed, it's merely an example of how it could benefit the NHL game. As far as how much hockey I've watched with the Olympic size ice, not a ton. But I have played on it enough to see the impact it has on players. Regardless, none of us have seen what NHL players can do on a consistent basis playing on that surface.

The stupidity is worse? How so? Yes, it was a stupid thing to do, but worse case senario, we are talking about a player with a broken foot, maybe a bad cut. Nothing he can't recover from. In ever Flyer suspension this season, we are talking about potential life altering injuries, forget about recovering. Was what Simon did stupid? Did it warrant a suspension? Was it dirty? Yes, yes, and yes. But how is it even remotely as stupid as what the Flyers players have done? Since you've forgotten, I'll remind you Downie got 20 for the leaping hit on McCammond. Boulerice got 25 for cross-checking Kesler in the face. Jones got 2 games for the hit on Bergeron. Hartnell got 2 games for the hit on Alberts. Cote got 3 games for the head shot on Niskanen. Simon got 30 for stomping on a players skate. This isn't even in the same league at a cross-check to the face or even the hit on Bergeron. I'm not advocating for Simon, I just think this suspension had more to do with who he is rather than what he did. I understand, and agree that repeat offenders should have a higher price to pay. However, I think this is far to stiff a penalty. 25 games, and a phsyciatric examination followed by the prescribed treatment. If the treatment calls for a longer period away from the game, then I'm all for it. BTW, the longest suspenion in NHL history is the lifetime ban of Billy Coutu in 1927 for punching a ref after he started a brawl in Game 4 of the SCF. The ban was reversed about 5 years later. Coutu never played another NHL game he he was allowed to play in the minors.

In fairness to Simon, he was concussed during the Hollweg incident. Personally, I feel that regardless of the concussed state, the slash to the head had much more potential for injury than the stomp to the foot. Even so, take any Flyer that has been suspended this year, and I think the most recent Simon incident isn't as bad.