First round of the playoffs

[KrazyGangsta 79]

I voted Sharks. They'll never go anywhere with Thornton.

Really disappointment for Joe, I remember at a certain time about 4-5 years ago if I can remember right there was rumors floating around for a trade with Datsyuk and Thornton. Seems to me Datsyuk is more valuable then Joe is overall for any team.

[swiss_fan 3]

Sorry guys but i ve not given up yet to play the yotes!

Anyone like me or is it hopeless for you?

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Really disappointment for Joe, I remember at a certain time about 4-5 years ago if I can remember right there was rumors floating around for a trade with Datsyuk and Thornton. Seems to me Datsyuk is more valuable then Joe is overall for any team.

Thornton is having a much better year this year, and as for their playoff production, I'm too lazy to check, but I bet Thornton's playoff PPG is about the same if not better than Pavel's.

Datsyuk is a better two-way player, but I'm not so sure that I'd rather have him than Thornton. Pavel can disappear for stretches as we've unfortunately seen in the past, including this year.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Thornton is having a much better year this year, and as for their playoff production, I'm too lazy to check, but I bet Thornton's playoff PPG is about the same if not better than Pavel's.

Datsyuk is a better two-way player, but I'm not so sure that I'd rather have him than Thornton. Pavel can disappear for stretches as we've unfortunately seen in the past, including this year.

I dont know how to do PPG, but the stats are Thornton GP: 76 P: 53, Datsyuk GP: 98 P: 63

So in 22 more games only 10 more points, the only thing in Datsyuks favor is he has more playoff goals.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I dont know how to do PPG, but the stats are Thornton GP: 76 P: 53, Datsyuk GP: 98 P: 63

So in 22 more games only 10 more points, the only thing in Datsyuks favor is he has more playoff goals.

You divide points by games played.

So Thornton does have a higher PPG playoff and regular season numbers than Datsyuk. I personally would take him over Datsyuk, but I know others here would disagree.

I just think it's funny that anyone should call out Thornton for his playoff problems and advocate Pavel over him instead. The pot calling the kettle black.

[AIK'91 22]

You divide points by games played.

So Thornton does have a higher PPG playoff and regular season numbers than Datsyuk. I personally would take him over Datsyuk, but I know others here would disagree.

I just think it's funny that anyone should call out Thornton for his playoff problems and advocate Pavel over him instead. The pot calling the kettle black.

It's probably a better idea to focus on Pavel's postseason play after the lockout. He didn't really establish himself as a marquee player until until then.

He had two excellent playoffs in '07 and the Cup year in '08. Against Edmonton in '06 he was rushed back from a severe charley horse, I believe. And obviously these last playoffs he was significantly injured as well. So really, when he hasn't been injured he's been a dominant player even in the playoffs.

Much of Thornton's reputation is deserved. He tends to rack up assists early on in a series or when his team already has a sufficient lead in a game. But, when his team needs him most, he just disappears. Like when we played him in '07, Lidstrom made him a complete non-factor for the last few games of the series.

Throw Datsyuk's defensive play into the mix, and that skews the comparison even more.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Doesn't matter to me. The Wings can beat anybody when they play as close to a 60 minute game as possible. The question is can they do it enough times consistently to win 4 times out of 7.

[StevieY9802 6]

Never, never, never pick your poison.

This is how I feel. I've done that in the past and ended up regretting it. Whoever they get they get. Out of those 3 I don't think I want the Canucks, they seem to be playing well and I still keep thinking the Sharks will do it eventually. The Hawks can't hold onto leads, they (as of right now) have some injuries and their goaltenind is a huge ?. Wings need to get there first and tonight is their chance to take a huge step towards that.

[sharkfan20 32]

Again, like I said the Sharks are stuggling. They are WAYYYY to inconsistent. I don't know if you saw the preds\ sharks game. They wre dead asleep the first two periods and they woke up in the third to score 6 goals. They need to play a WHOLE 60 minutes. That has yet to happen this year.

And I agree, if Thornton doesn't live up to expectations this year, I want Thornton and Heatley gone. Package them to Edmonton. Its time to start a new with this team, the core has had plenty of opportunities and they have just failed every year.

And to the poster that said the Sharks want to play the wings. I don't think so. Thats why we want to go to the second seed to face the seventh seed. I DO NOT want to face the wings, i know we will lose. There is no way we can beat them, if we keep playing like this. Your top players play like gods in the playoffs. Our top players play like s*** when it counts. Execpt in 2004. Good win in Calgary last night btw. I couldnt' watch it, i was in a car crash but i saw the highlights, keep on winning. So then if we are number 1 seed, we don't have to face you. =p

[mmamolo 287]

You divide points by games played.

So Thornton does have a higher PPG playoff and regular season numbers than Datsyuk. I personally would take him over Datsyuk, but I know others here would disagree.

I just think it's funny that anyone should call out Thornton for his playoff problems and advocate Pavel over him instead. The pot calling the kettle black.

Adding to what the other poster said in response to Datsyuk not establishign himself as a star in this league and coupled with his injuries it should also be noted that in 2002 when Datsyuk was a rookie and playing with Hull and I think Devereux he played in 21 odd playoff games and only got 6 points because he was obviously so far down on the depth chart. So those stats obviously skew things a little bit.

In terms of this thread topic I think there are two main issues to think about: travel and goaltending.

1. Travel: Chicago provides the best situation, with Vancouver and San Jose following.

2. Goaltending: Chicago's goaltending is the weakest, then San Jose's, then Vancouvers.

That being said, for soem reason I voted San Jose.

Throw in the Brian Campbell injury and you gotta think Chicago is prime to take down.

I think I want to change my vote. Chicgo it is