imisssergei

You are looking at this in the wrong light. I'm not, nor have I ever, arguing that more pads don't take up more net. What I'm saying is that simply this, the size of the pads isn't what makes a goaltender. It's all about style of play. A goaltender who plays a 'reactionary' style such as Osgood will wear smaller pads (generally speaking) than a goaltender who plays a 'positional' style such as Giggy. If you flip flop the equipment, neither goaltender would do nearly as well as if he were to use the equipment that caters to his style. If it were as simple as bigger pads = more saves, than every goaltender would do it. The bottom line is that goaltenders use the largest possible equipment that they are comfortable with. It's not different than AO using a big curve, or St. Louis using a (proportionally) ridiculously long stick. Anyone who has played any competitive sport has done this. It's called finding the competitive advantage. Watch Cheli play a game next season. While he doesn't use any equipment that could really be called into question, he is a wiley vet. He knows how to take the rules, and use them to his advantage. There is nothing wrong with that.

There is always a gap, that is why the negotiate. The bottom line is with Kolzig gone, the way Huet preformed, Washington's cap space, and the severe lack of quality starting netminders available all play to Huet's advantage. They will sign him if he wants to stay.

If you want to get technical about it.... Boston wasn't happy with either goaltender Carolina needs a backup to push Ward Minny could move one of the kids for some scoring help up front Phoenix needs a quality backup Toronto looks like will part with Raycroft Again, I said Atlanta and Edmonton being the only teams with real interest.

This guy is a locker room cancer. He needs to goto a team with a strong veteran presence that will help keep him in line. Here are a few teams that come to mind that might be interested in goaltending help: Atlanta, Boston, Carolina, Chicago, Colorado, Edmonton, L.A., Minnesota, Phoenix, Tampa, Toronto, and Washington. Washington will give Huet whatever he asks for. It's just a matter of whether or not Huet wants to be there. Out of all the teams I listed, I can't really seen anyone but Atlanta or Edmonton being really interested.

It's not giving an unfair advantage in any manner. I hate when people try to use that as any sort of argument. The equipment is withing all the guidelines, it's a level playing field, everyone has the same opportunities to use the equipment. Brody can't use the same pads Giggy does and visa-versa. Not because Brody is that much better, but because they play different styles. It's complete BS to say that smaller goaltenders have any advantage. It's no different than saying Bobby Lou is at a disadvantage because he is bigger than most goalies. Pointless argument either way.

If they bring up Howard, they won't sign anyone else later in the season barring injuries.

But would you not start to see more talented goalies coming out of the draft?

He's rich by most standards. I'm sure a few g's for closets is a drop in the bucket, like you or me buying a new floor mats for our cars.

No, the article says they will implement the universal measuring system the following year.

I intentionally left jerseys off the list. Since the jersey style were changed to the new form fitting style, you don't see the ridiculously oversized Patty Roy jerseys any longer.

1. Will Lidstrom finish next season as a Norris Nominee? If he does not retire, or suffer a major injury, yes. 2. He finished the season with 27 goals, despite spending much of the season in the bottom 6. With a regular top six role, can Franzen score 40 goals? Can he, yes. Will he, no. 3. Will the Wings have a 100 point man? a 50 goal man? No. 4. Will a rookie defenseman find himself with a regular roster spot? Yes. Meech, but as a forward. 5. Will Howard back-up Ozzie with a winning record and a good statistical showing? If he makes the team, 10-20% worse. 6. Out of Filppula, Samuelsson, and Hudler, who tallies the most points? Most goals? Samuelsson. 7. Which Darren makes the top 13 forwards - McCarty, Helm or Both? Both 8. Does Kopecky score either of 10 goals or 20 points? No. 9. His playoff scoring rate would equate to 54 points on a regular season. Can Niklas Kronwall break 50 points next regular season? If he meets his career high in game, yes. If not, no. 10. Predict the number of Red Wing wins for next season, and their number of wins against Chicago ( ). 49, 3

Grads to the boys first of all. Now on to business. I think this is the sweetest crow I've ever had to eat, and I'd do it all over again. All season long I said the Wings weren't good enough to win the Cup. That they didn't have enough scoring depth, and beyond the big 3 dmen, there wasn't much really there. The goaltending wasn't good enough to win the Cup. Well, I was wrong. However, no one saw the transformation of Franzen coming, and the addition of Stuart was the right fit on the team. So, once again, grads to the boys.

Wow. Sammy and Ledba absolutely should be back. They both pay very important roles, and fit very well into the teams chemistry. Sammy's defensive play is often overlooked. There is a reason he is out there at the end of games. With guys like Datsyuk, Zetterburg, Maltby, Draper, Franzen, and Cleary who are all so defensively sound, that is just a testament to how good defensively Sammy is.

Come on now, I know there are a lot more of you who need to get in line for your piece of this pie!

There was no conspiracy against the Wings. Watch the games objectively. There are calls both ways that were horrid, and calls both ways that were missed. Example, in game 4 third period (I think). Pens powerplay, Crosby breaks his stick, goes to the bench and grabs a new one. Play continues, puck comes to Crosby, he beats Cleary and carries the puck into the corner. Cleary shoots a piece of Crosby's broken stick at Crosby. Both refs watched it, and let it go. It's an automatic 2 minute minor. I won't even give an example of a bad call that went against Detroit, I'm sure you all have a few that come to mind. The point is, the refs were bad, but it wasn't as if the Pens were the sole beneficiary, or even received the majority of the benefits.

The first overall pick is the most obvious benefit. But you are looking at it wrong. Look at it round by round. The Wings have the first opportunity each round to select their guy. The first overall pick is also a HUGE benefit. It's the difference between Crosby and McArdle (20) and Mihalik (30). Ovechkin and Zajac (20) and Rogers (30). Fleury and Burns (20) and Belle (30). Kane and Esposto (20) and Ross (30). Look at the Wings roster right now. In the last 10 years, they have 3 late round picks that turned out to be gems Hank, Pav, and Mule. Look at it year by year, 04 Ovechkin was #1, 99 Stefan was #1, and 98 it was Vinny at #1. There is no question I trade Pav Hank and Mule for Ov, and Vinny, not to mention the chance at selecting one of the Sedin twins. The first selection each round increases your odds of getting a better player in each round.

What did you people think the Wings got when Stuart came to town? There is a reason he never stays in one city too long. He has had a few really good mistake free games, but just about every other game he makes a stupid play. It doesn't always turn into a goal, but you find yourself think, WTF was that? He is Lilja 2.0, now with better skating, less hitting, and softer hands!

But with the number 1 pick, the Wings would be able to take players that are higher up on their draft board. Selecting the first overall pick isn't the only benefit. With the way the Wings scouts seem to find people with late picks, it'd be amazing to see who they could find with earlier picks.

Vermette is quite possibly the fastest skater in the NHL, and he can score a bit. I like that addition.

I almost couldn't disagree more. Rex is overrated, he will never be a top 6 winger with a scoring touch. Homer is vastly underrated in his play that isn't in front of the opposing goaltender. He hits, blocks shots, and most importantly, he creates a lot of room for Hank and Pav. Pav's physical play is well know. Teams expect it. If you don't, you are just ignoring it. Flip isn't playing up to his offensive potential. He needs to be better in order to last in the league. With what Sammy is being paid, and what is asked of him, he gets done what he needs to offensively while being responsible defensively. I agree about Ozzie, and Hasek. I'm still trying to decide about Stuart.

Boo-freaking-hoo. I like it.

Don't worry, the CS trophy has only been awarded to the member of the losing squad 3 times in it's history. Twice to goaltenders who were unquestionably the MVP, and once to a skater who set a playoff scoring record. No one on Pittsburgh is even close.

You absolutely have to sign Malkin this summer to the max if that is what he is asking for. Remember, the cap will go up, so the max will also go up. With the little cap space the Pens will have when all things are said and done, even an extra 500k would be of great help. Of the big 5 that will need to be signed soon, Malkin, Staal, Fleury, Hossa, and Malone, you have to figure that it's really a choice between Hossa or Malkin and Staal or Malone. Hossa claims at this point in his career it's not about money, it's about a Cup. If that's the truth, you have to figure that teams like Detroit, Anaheim, Dallas, Montreal, Pittsburgh, and San Jose at the top of his list. The collapse that the Pens are suffering can't help Hossa re-signing with the team. In the end, I believe it will take the right combination of money and a real shot at the Cup to get Hossa. I like Montreal and Dallas here. Malkin isn't helping his stock with his current performance. There is no way that the Pens trade Malkin for anything less than a king's ransom. Speaking of Kings, the L.A. Kings are one of the few teams that could put together a package that would include the young, inexpensive talent the Pens would want in return for Malkin, but he isn't going anywhere especially if Hossa doesn't come back. Staal isn't going to draw a ton of attention, but he will garner an offer sheet the Pens won't want to match if they let it go that far. Malone is an interesting story. Pens fans know he isn't a good fit with Crosby, but seems to play well with Malkin. He isn't going to score 40 goals, but he does have the size, and skill that make GM's salivate. He too will draw an offer sheer too rich for the Pens to match if they don't lock him up. Fleury is at a turning point in his career. Either he is going to enter into the elite goaltending brotherhood, or he has reached his career potential. The Pens want to keep him long term, and they will. They believe he is going to turn the corner and become the lights out, game changing presence they saw when they drafted him. Everyone knows a solid team starts in net. The Pens already have Crosby tied up long term, the next piece of the puzzle is Fleury.

Just a little tip. If you are going to drive to the rink, try to approach the Joe from the North side. If you take 375 to Jefferson, take a right onto Washington, and a left onto Congress there is a valet parking garage. During the regular season it's only $10 to park there. From the garage, it's an easy walk through Cobo to the Joe. Safe, reasonable, and easy. If you use google maps and search 'Joe Louis Arena', and use the satellite image you can get a great view of the place, it's the building right at the corner of Washington and Congress. Enjoy the game, and don't forget to take and post some pics of Lidstrom holding the Cup!

It will be in the city no later than Monday night. The Wings have a chance to clinch, therefore it HAS to be at the Joe, just in case.