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FireCaptain

WCF: St. Louis Blues vs. San Jose Sharks

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Glad the Sharks won. They deserve it and have a much less annoying fanbase than St. Louis. I hope SJ goes on to win the Cup. Say what you want about certain players but they've had enough disappointment in their history and are finally a legit, deep team.

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The Sharks remind me of the 2011 Dallas Mavericks. They've had better regular seasons before, more powerhouse rosters and higher expectations. Yet, this season, for whatever reason everything came together at the right time. They just got hot in the playoffs. I knew after the LA series that they'd be going to the Finals. First time I ever felt that way about the Sharks.

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Bob Thornton in the finals? I'll be damned. Didn't see that coming when the playoffs began.

But gotta tip my hat to the Sharks, especially their offense has looked really sharp, they capitalize on their chances and often it's a quick one-touch goal. Very hard to defend against.

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Lmao cheering for Sidney Crosby to win as a Wings fan over Yzerman.....

Glad Blues lost. Hopefully Backes wants out. And ends up here.

Yep I am. Yzerman doesn't work for the Wings now does he so I could care less.

Glad the Sharks won. They deserve it and have a much less annoying fanbase than St. Louis. I hope SJ goes on to win the Cup. Say what you want about certain players but they've had enough disappointment in their history and are finally a legit, deep team.

Sorry but I don't wish ****** bag Dumbo Joe ever to raise the cup.

Lmao cheering for Sidney Crosby to win as a Wings fan over Yzerman.....

Glad Blues lost. Hopefully Backes wants out. And ends up here.

Why would Backes want to come here even though I'd love it. We aren't winning the cup any time soon and he's getting up there.

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Yep I am. Yzerman doesn't work for the Wings now does he so I could care less.

Why would Backes want to come here even though I'd love it. We aren't winning the cup any time soon and he's getting up there.

No but him and his family still live in Detroit half the year and still do charity work around here. Not to mention he's openly stated that he roots for the Red Wings as long as they don't play Tampa. Would rather cheer for his success (someone who is still loyal to the city and the team) than Sidney Crosby a guy who doesn't have any connection to this city or the Wings or gives a rats ass about us. Been an Yzerman fan for decades and still am.

As for Backes, had St. Louis won the Stanley cup - he would have likely re-signed with them. Now that they are eliminated, it increases his chances of hitting free agency. Which is exactly why I was rooting for them to lose. And St. Louis losing may end up helping us acquire a free agent like Backes. Nothing is for certain but the probabilities are there.

The same could be said for Tampa Bay. If they win the Stanley Cup without Stamkos his value will no longer be that high for them. He may end up hitting free agency. Which means Holland can offer him a contract.

At the end of the day it all comes down to the Red Wings. Which team winning or losing benefits us the most? San Jose winning doesn't. Pittsburgh winning doesn't. Tampa Bay winning might. Blues losing (they already did) might. This isn't about the 3 teams left. It's about the possible free agents we could take a shot at acquiring.

Here's another example. The fact that Dallas lost helps us as well. They need a goaltender since that was the biggest reason they got knocked out. We happen to have a goaltender to give.

Edited by kickazz

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Our goaltender to give isn't any better than the two the Stars already have though...

Sharks with a Western Conference title and a trip to the Finals. Didn't think that would happen this year, especially wit them starting the season with two goalies with a combined 80 games or so of NHL experience. That Jones stepped up big time. LA sure knows how to develop goaltenders.

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Our goaltender to give isn't any better than the two the Stars already have though...

Sharks with a Western Conference title and a trip to the Finals. Didn't think that would happen this year, especially wit them starting the season with two goalies with a combined 80 games or so of NHL experience. That Jones stepped up big time. LA sure knows how to develop goaltenders.

LOL you can't be serious.. Howard is a hell of A LOT better than Lehtonen is and a decently better than Neimi is. All the Stars need is a decent goalie. They have two s*** goalies at the moment. One is locked in for about $6million that other for $4.5 million. $10 in goalies who can't deliver in the playoffs.. Nill is screwed with his goalies (and a lot of people think we have it bad). We could likely swap Neimi for Howard and let Neimi's contract run out (2 more years) as Mrazek's backup. Stars could make another run with Jimmy Howard and probably do better than they did this year. That team doesn't need a Patrick Roy, they just need someone above average.

Edited by kickazz

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LOL you can't be serious.. Howard is a hell of A LOT better than Lehtonen is and a decently better than Neimi is. All the Stars need is a decent goalie. They have two s*** goalies at the moment. One is locked in for about $6million that other for $4.5 million. $10 in goalies who can't deliver in the playoffs.. Nill is screwed with his goalies (and a lot of people think we have it bad). We could likely swap Neimi for Howard and let Neimi's contract run out (2 more years) as Mrazek's backup. Stars could make another run with Jimmy Howard and probably do better than they did this year.

Howard CAN be better than both. But currently he isn't. If he can return to form, then I do think he could go there and take either of their jobs. Not sure if the Stars would take that chance though, unless one of their two came back the other way or they had a trade lined up. They already have like 12 million tied up in goaltenders, they don't need to add another 5 million plus. Not sure another team would want Lehtonen or Neimi's contracts either. Guess you never know though. It's too bad Lehtonen never lived up to the hype and potential that made him a second overall pick. For some reason though, he keeps getting paid like he has.

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Many argue that Howard (and even Mrazek) were let down by our defense. The difference was Mrazek had the ability to bail out the defense for a 3 month stretch. Stars have a much better defense than we do. I think Howard can do better with the Stars. And from what I remember Jim Nill was a Howard fan.

That's the reason why there was speculation that we could give them Howard for Neimi. But like you said it would be a gamble for them. Then again Stars know they won't make it far unless they have a better performance in goal. And even with Howards "bad" year, his numbers were pretty similar to Lehtonen and Neimi (neimi had a better GAA). Remember that the Stars are a much better team than the Wings are (they were the best team in the West).. so for Neimi and Lehtonen to have numbers as bad as they did is definitely not a good thing. Howard happened to have bad numbers on a team that finished number 8 in the conference. Put Howard on the best team in the western conference and he'd likely have better numbers than those two did.

Edited by kickazz

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As for Backes, had St. Louis won the Stanley cup - he would have likely re-signed with them. Now that they are eliminated, it increases his chances of hitting free agency. Which is exactly why I was rooting for them to lose. And St. Louis losing may end up helping us acquire a free agent like Backes. Nothing is for certain but the probabilities are there.

The same could be said for Tampa Bay. If they win the Stanley Cup without Stamkos his value will no longer be that high for them. He may end up hitting free agency. Which means Holland can offer him a contract.

At the end of the day it all comes down to the Red Wings. Which team winning or losing benefits us the most? San Jose winning doesn't. Pittsburgh winning doesn't. Tampa Bay winning might. Blues losing (they already did) might. This isn't about the 3 teams left. It's about the possible free agents we could take a shot at acquiring.

Here's another example. The fact that Dallas lost helps us as well. They need a goaltender since that was the biggest reason they got knocked out. We happen to have a goaltender to give.

This is a really cynical way to watch hockey. At the end of the day, Stamkos will be in Tampa next season. Almost assuredly. And Backes will probably still be in St. Louis. I just don't see any way that a championship caliber team lets their captain walk.

I hope I'm wrong, obviously, but I'd bet my right arm we don't get either player this off-season. There are more realistic trade options out there that I expect Holland will go after, but these two are not on that list. Not in today's NHL.

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This is a really cynical way to watch hockey. At the end of the day, Stamkos will be in Tampa next season. Almost assuredly. And Backes will probably still be in St. Louis. I just don't see any way that a championship caliber team lets their captain walk.

I hope I'm wrong, obviously, but I'd bet my right arm we don't get either player this off-season. There are more realistic trade options out there that I expect Holland will go after, but these two are not on that list. Not in today's NHL.

Lol. It's not cynical if it's business. I cheer for my team and look to see how we can take advantage of free agency or trades. Don't kid yourself into thinking management doesn't think that way. Nobody is rooting for the other team to have a better roster than our own. This isn't a teletubbies marathon.

It's no different than when some fans HFboards were hoping Doug Houda would be fired from Boston and be picked up by the Red Wings to coach the defense. And voila.

Obviously the chances of Stamkos staying in Tampa are higher and no one is denying that. The chances of Backes re-signing is higher as well. But the chance of him moving on or St. Louis making some changes (another example being Shattenkirk) just got better.

Another example is Datsyuk. With an early playoff exit, Pav is sure to leave Detroit. SKA in KHL just offered a contract. See how it works? SKA might be getting a magic man of their own this summer.

Edited by kickazz

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Lol. It's not cynical if it's business. I cheer for my team and look to see how we can take advantage of free agency or trades. Don't kid yourself into thinking management doesn't think that way. Nobody is rooting for the other team to have a better roster than our own.

You missed the point. Our management doesn't think that way because they're smart enough to know better - one game isn't going to make Stamkos want to up and leave. As I said, I'd bet my right arm he's in Tampa next year no matter what happens tonight. Newsflash: The hockey universe doesn't revolve around Detroit.

Obviously the chances of Stamkos staying in Tampa are higher and no one is denying that. The chances of Backes re-signing is higher as well. But the chance of him moving on or St. Louis making some changes (another example being Shattenkirk) just got better.

See, here's where you're missing the point. It might be a surprise to you, but GMs at the professional level are actually intelligent enough not to let the outcome of one game or series decide the value they place on a player.

St. Louis' management knows what Backes is worth. Period. They've had years to make that calculation, and one game or one series or even one post-season isn't going to change their mind. Unlike fans, GMs can't be so reactionary and impulsive. St. Louis getting eliminated or winning the Stanley Cup changed nothing, except in the eyes of wishful (and delusional) fans who think everyone secretly wants to come play for their team.

Another example is Datsyuk. With an early playoff exit, Pav is sure to leave Detroit. SKA in KHL just offered a contract. See how it works? SKA might be getting a magic man of their own this summer.

Let's say Detroit wins the Cup this year. A battered and tired Datsyuk - who just played an extra 20 games - takes a look at this career and decides this is it. He's going to go out on top. Why not? What better ending could you imagine? His family is still in Russia. He still wants to be with his daughter. He still has a year left on his contract. Nothing changes.

See how it works?

Edited by Aethernum

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Since, there is a sharks topic in here. I've talked to a few people in here. And I'll tell you what went on as a Sharks fan perspective and who went to the game.

It was a sold out game( It felt like the early 2000's tbh and the arena felt like the most intimidating arena again). This game was a emotional game for the fans. All the Hardcore fans came back to this game. Most of the hardcore shark fans have been boycotting the Sharks home games. It all started with the Reverse sweep from the Los Angeles Kings ( I was at that game 7 also). Obviously none of the fans were happy including me. After that year, 50-75% of the season tickets dropped out. ( Including me).They raised prices at the beginning of last year. Sharks didn't make the playoffs. After that year, they still raised prices. Sharks fans were getting pissed at ownership of why they would need to raise prices when they sucked last year. Only 12 out of the 40 some games were sold out this year.

You already know the final score. You guys probably know the heartbreak the Sharks have had over the years in the western conference. You should know since you were one of the teams that caused us to be heartbroken especially when Marleau couldn't clear the zone in game 4 with about a minute left and Lang scored from the left face off circle and beat Nabokov 9-hole and then Schenider won it in double overtime. ( Yes, I still remember every key moment in every playoff loss). But when Couture scored that empty netter, you look around you see people hugging. You see people wiping their faces because they were crying. I was sitting next to this old couple, they have been season ticket holders for 25 years. They said to me earlier in the game" I just want to live long enough to see the Sharks make it to the Stanley Cup Final". As the buzzer sounded, I just gave them a group hug and said" We did it! We're finally going to the Stanley Cup Final after all these heartbreaks".

After the game and the ceremony, I just sat in my seat not moving from my seat. Remembering all the Heart breaks. Remembering all the former players that helped this organization and seeing them try their hardest to us in this position like Nolan, Damphousse, Cheechoo, Nabokov, S. Thornton, Sundstrom, Mccauley, Murray, the list can go on. And I just sat in my seat and started crying. The Shark fanbase has gone through so much. It's great to see the Fanbase and the organization rewarded. And not to mention, Marleau and Thornton deserve this more than anyone on the Sharks team.

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Since, there is a sharks topic in here. I've talked to a few people in here. And I'll tell you what went on as a Sharks fan perspective and who went to the game.

It was a sold out game( It felt like the early 2000's tbh and the arena felt like the most intimidating arena again). This game was a emotional game for the fans. All the Hardcore fans came back to this game. Most of the hardcore shark fans have been boycotting the Sharks home games. It all started with the Reverse sweep from the Los Angeles Kings ( I was at that game 7 also). Obviously none of the fans were happy including me. After that year, 50-75% of the season tickets dropped out. ( Including me).They raised prices at the beginning of last year. Sharks didn't make the playoffs. After that year, they still raised prices. Sharks fans were getting pissed at ownership of why they would need to raise prices when they sucked last year. Only 12 out of the 40 some games were sold out this year.

You already know the final score. You guys probably know the heartbreak the Sharks have had over the years in the western conference. You should know since you were one of the teams that caused us to be heartbroken especially when Marleau couldn't clear the zone in game 4 with about a minute left and Lang scored from the left face off circle and beat Nabokov 9-hole and then Schenider won it in double overtime. ( Yes, I still remember every key moment in every playoff loss). But when Couture scored that empty netter, you look around you see people hugging. You see people wiping their faces because they were crying. I was sitting next to this old couple, they have been season ticket holders for 25 years. They said to me earlier in the game" I just want to live long enough to see the Sharks make it to the Stanley Cup Final". As the buzzer sounded, I just gave them a group hug and said" We did it! We're finally going to the Stanley Cup Final after all these heartbreaks".

After the game and the ceremony, I just sat in my seat not moving from my seat. Remembering all the Heart breaks. Remembering all the former players that helped this organization and seeing them try their hardest to us in this position like Nolan, Damphousse, Cheechoo, Nabokov, S. Thornton, Sundstrom, Mccauley, Murray, the list can go on. And I just sat in my seat and started crying. The Shark fanbase has gone through so much. It's great to see the Fanbase and the organization rewarded. And not to mention, Marleau and Thornton deserve this more than anyone on the Sharks team.

Hey Sharkie!!! Good to see you!!

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You missed the point. Our management doesn't think that way because they're smart enough to know better - one game isn't going to make Stamkos want to up and leave. As I said, I'd bet my right arm he's in Tampa next year no matter what happens tonight. Newsflash: The hockey universe doesn't revolve around Detroit.

I think you're missing the entire point. One that this isn't black and white. IF Stamkos hits the Free agent market. THEN Detroit will have the ability to make an offer. The fact that they haven't extended his contract just adds to the speculation that he may hit free agency. Had he signed an extension in January this conversation wouldn't be happening. The fact that he hasn't allows this conversation to happen. Will he free agency? Who knows. Won't he? Who knows? I'm not going to bet my right arm because I don't know and neither do you. The universe isn't black and white ;)

Edited by kickazz

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See, here's where you're missing the point. It might be a surprise to you, but GMs at the professional level are actually intelligent enough not to let the outcome of one game or series decide the value they place on a player.

St. Louis' management knows what Backes is worth. Period. They've had years to make that calculation, and one game or one series or even one post-season isn't going to change their mind. Unlike fans, GMs can't be so reactionary and impulsive. St. Louis getting eliminated or winning the Stanley Cup changed nothing, except in the eyes of wishful (and delusional) fans who think everyone secretly wants to come play for their team.

In the words of Ken Holland "It takes two to tango". Just because St. Louis wants Backes doesn't mean he wants to continue to play for them. I'm not saying he won't stay with the Blues. But I'm surprised as a hockey fan you haven't noticed players leaving teams they've longed played for to join somewhere they felt was better suited for them OR where the offer was better for them as in the case of money. Jerome Iginla, Parise, Suter, Shanahan, Fedorov. Players around whom teams were built have left. It's not anything unusual.

Something the St. Louis management knows and delusional fans might not is the fact that they only have $14 million in cap space with 5 UFA and 4 RFAs

Let's say Detroit wins the Cup this year. A battered and tired Datsyuk - who just played an extra 20 games - takes a look at this career and decides this is it. He's going to go out on top. Why not? What better ending could you imagine? His family is still in Russia. He still wants to be with his daughter. He still has a year left on his contract. Nothing changes.

See how it works?

Tired and battered? He's looking to play in the KHL and had a hell of a time at the championships in Russia! Where have you been? He even said in his post Bronze medal game that he's got a ton of hockey left in him. If anything our early playoff exit likely made his decision easier. For one it gave him the opportunity to play for the Russian team and lead the way as their captain. Had we made a 20 game run none of that would have come to fruition.

Edited by kickazz

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Since, there is a sharks topic in here. I've talked to a few people in here. And I'll tell you what went on as a Sharks fan perspective and who went to the game.

It was a sold out game( It felt like the early 2000's tbh and the arena felt like the most intimidating arena again). This game was a emotional game for the fans. All the Hardcore fans came back to this game. Most of the hardcore shark fans have been boycotting the Sharks home games. It all started with the Reverse sweep from the Los Angeles Kings ( I was at that game 7 also). Obviously none of the fans were happy including me. After that year, 50-75% of the season tickets dropped out. ( Including me).They raised prices at the beginning of last year. Sharks didn't make the playoffs. After that year, they still raised prices. Sharks fans were getting pissed at ownership of why they would need to raise prices when they sucked last year. Only 12 out of the 40 some games were sold out this year.

You already know the final score. You guys probably know the heartbreak the Sharks have had over the years in the western conference. You should know since you were one of the teams that caused us to be heartbroken especially when Marleau couldn't clear the zone in game 4 with about a minute left and Lang scored from the left face off circle and beat Nabokov 9-hole and then Schenider won it in double overtime. ( Yes, I still remember every key moment in every playoff loss). But when Couture scored that empty netter, you look around you see people hugging. You see people wiping their faces because they were crying. I was sitting next to this old couple, they have been season ticket holders for 25 years. They said to me earlier in the game" I just want to live long enough to see the Sharks make it to the Stanley Cup Final". As the buzzer sounded, I just gave them a group hug and said" We did it! We're finally going to the Stanley Cup Final after all these heartbreaks".

After the game and the ceremony, I just sat in my seat not moving from my seat. Remembering all the Heart breaks. Remembering all the former players that helped this organization and seeing them try their hardest to us in this position like Nolan, Damphousse, Cheechoo, Nabokov, S. Thornton, Sundstrom, Mccauley, Murray, the list can go on. And I just sat in my seat and started crying. The Shark fanbase has gone through so much. It's great to see the Fanbase and the organization rewarded. And not to mention, Marleau and Thornton deserve this more than anyone on the Sharks team.

Congrats, man. Wish it was the Wings you guys were playing in the finals, but here's to hoping y'all San Jose Shart all over the Pens :lol:

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choice between these two teams is a choice between less hygienic and even lesser hygienic teams. sharks won that choice... on the other hand if you look at those two beards... man, there is no good choice here!!

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Many argue that Howard (and even Mrazek) were let down by our defense. The difference was Mrazek had the ability to bail out the defense for a 3 month stretch. Stars have a much better defense than we do. I think Howard can do better with the Stars. And from what I remember Jim Nill was a Howard fan.

That's the reason why there was speculation that we could give them Howard for Neimi. But like you said it would be a gamble for them. Then again Stars know they won't make it far unless they have a better performance in goal. And even with Howards "bad" year, his numbers were pretty similar to Lehtonen and Neimi (neimi had a better GAA). Remember that the Stars are a much better team than the Wings are (they were the best team in the West).. so for Neimi and Lehtonen to have numbers as bad as they did is definitely not a good thing. Howard happened to have bad numbers on a team that finished number 8 in the conference. Put Howard on the best team in the western conference and he'd likely have better numbers than those two did.

Yes I agree the D was horrible. If Howard had a better defence he'd probably do better. He really didn't really look very confident in net most of the past season and the season before, was a shadow of his former self. He's lost his starting job..maybe a change would help him. Howard for Neimi would open up a bit of cap space. Only around $700,000 though, but the real win would be Neimi is UFA after next season, so his $4.5 million comes off the books and can be used elsewhere while signing a cheap journeyman to backup Mrazek. I'd be for it for the cap relief and to give Howard a shot to turn his career around, because I don't think he'll get much of a chance in Detroit anymore. That's if the Stars take the gamble with the two extra years contract and on Jimmy returning to form with a better team in front of him.

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