stevkrause

I really hope he's held scoreless in their last 2 games and doesn't get that elusive 50 mark... it'd be great...

I'm wondering what people around here think of the Avs nowadays.

The rivalry is very dead and the only guys they have remaining from it are Foote (will possibly retire after this season) and Hejduk (who wasn't a big part of the rivalry anyway).

I used to loathe the Avs pretty hard, but I can't help but find this rookie loaded team to be exciting and fun to watch. Granted they still have a lot to prove (especially on defense), but they also have a lot of room to grow into being a powerhouse within a couple years. I'm glad the goon squad of the 90's is gone, because I think it would be a real shame to hate a team this good. Coincidentally, I think Matt Duchene may end up being one of my favorite non-Red Wings in the league. I can't wait to see what this kid can do with a little more size and experience, because he looks unstoppable on most nights as it is right now.

So... are average Wings fans Avs haters for life as a result of one of the greatest NHL rivalries, or can a roster full of new faces and a different style help you ignore the jersey they wear? I can't be the only one enjoying watching these guys play.

I actually like the way the new style Avs play the game... I still hate Foote and it would take MUCH less to start hating them again than another team, but as things stand right now, I enjoy the Avs game... there are really only 6 participants still around from the rivalry, and 4 are here (Maltby is LTIR and hardly counts)... so no real reason to hate them now, unless you hate the jersey...

For the record, I am a die-hard and have been following the wings for over 20 years...

I think detroit should go for carey price now that they obviously gonna roll with Halak and price's tradevalue is far from what it was before... Filppula+pick for Price... GET ER DONE... Price would look like a wall behind the detroit defense and selke-forwards...howard would be a decent backup.

Are you high?!? Price is going to get at least 2.5 mil on his next deal and Howard has been STELLAR...why would he back up? Add that to the fact that you want to give up a NOT EVEN PRIME Flip AND a pick... there's not an ounce of logic behind this thought... this is easily one of the most hair-brained suggestions I have ever read on this board and there have been a lot of them...

I hate polls like this, because they don't take into account all the factors - he was signed after 35, so if we cut ties, we're sucking up cap space to make a player go away... he has had an OBVIOUSLY positive impact on Howard and one more year backing up Howard can't hurt... after his contract is up, let him retire a Wing, with 400 wins, on his own terms and go out right... he has been a professional and done a lot for this team and deserves it.

It's not right to wish death or paralysis upon anyone, including Methot.

There doesn't have to be all or nothing... simply face washing a guy, getting in his face and dropping the mitts would suffice... Bert has obviously learned a lesson, paid his debts and moved on, give the guy some slack...

First when Fil went into the boards on the cheapshot and then again when Franzen blocked the shot off his foot...

I almost stopped breathing... scary stuff...

In a semi-related note, how does Fil get run from behind on a play like that and Methot NOT get taken out... I love our team and I'll take skill over grit and do NOT want this turned into an enforcer thread, but come on guys, stand up for your teammates! Bert... I'm looking at you...

Everyone has lapses... take the good with the bad, they are both damn good d-men and I will take their mental lapses here and there for all they BOTH bring that FAR outweighs it...

not everyone will be Lidstrom.

Well Steve Downie is putting up Rick Tocchet-type numbers i'd pick him up in a heartbeat.Avery,Cooke,Pronger-no thanks.

Downie from TB - 46 pts  in 75 games, getting about 16-17 minutes a game

Clarkson from NJ - 21 pts in 40 games, getting about 13-14 minutes a game

both are RFA's at seasons end and would likely need to be traded for (Kenny will not sign an offer sheet), but one of them plays the game with honor and is a good locker room guy...

I'd take Clarkson over Downie... esepcially since he will likely cost less to fill a 3rd line role - we do not really need any guys that expect top 6 minutes...

I see what you did there... remember the date everyone... he's messing with you...

What a post   i don't want this little ******* back in Detroit.He whines about his playing time but when Babcock put him on the 1st and 2nd lines he couldn't hack it.I have no clue why so many people are so excited about him possibly coming back.I'd rather see Kenny go out and pick up someone with a little more snarl,like what about Ryan Malone?He may be pricey but he's what we need in my opinion.I'd take Dean McAmmond orColby Armstrong over Hudler anyday as well.

Once again... points win games and Hudler can score. Period.

With that said, the only way I'd move him would be for Clarkson in NJ, he's shown tons of potential to really develop into a power forward capable of 50 pts a season and can also add that "snarl" at most likely a reasonable cap hit... furthermore, from all reports, he's a great locker room guy and would be an amazing fit on the 3rd line, possibly even developing into more... also, with Hudlers value, we might even be able to get a pick along with Clarkson...

For the last few years, the NHL certainly acknowledged that fighting existed, but it didn’t really promote that part of the sport.  For example, a few years ago, there was a DVD released featuring the type of game played by Eric Cairns, Ian Lapperierre, Jim McKenzie and DMac – the DVD featured lots of interviews with these guys, as well as other players talking about how important the role of enforcer is and how they’re more likely to behave extra well so as not to have to answer to some thug – but the DVD didn’t actually show any fights, at least not in anything near their entirety.  It showed the guys throwing off their gloves and grabbing hold of each other and then cut to something else.   Similarly, NHL on the Fly on the NHL Network, a real-time highlights show, used to mention fights, but never show them.  Now they’ve taken to showing just about all fights, even relatively boring hugfests, in their entirety.  NHL.com never used to mention fights except in brief - now they also include entire fights in their highlights section, right along with big goals and big saves.

   Have you noticed this phenomenon, and if so what do you suppose triggered the change?

the marketing department at least partially taking their heads out of their asses

You didn't see Jussi Jokinen play with the Lightning? If you have lost your confidence it affects your game greatly. I'm not saying he will do something. But to say that something like that won't be possible is just stupid.

I dunno why he was able to put up 9 points in 13 games last season.

Leino is not half the player Jokinen is... and TB was HORRENDOUS... bad comparison.

Anything is possible, I could all of a sudden train insanely, work with a strength and conditioning coach and work my way to a walk on try out and in 4 years from now be a 32 year old rookie in the league and win the Calder... is it likely - not one freaking bit.

Leino is not an NHL top 6 player, if he was, he wouldn't have needed to have been "given a chance" - he would have taken it.

Save this topic as a favorite and I'll eat crow if I'm wrong and call you the all-being, ever genius, prophet.

Leino will never be more than a 20 pt scorer in the NHL.

I'm not sure I like the idea of keeping Bert over Homer.

I don't think most of us are... but I really think Holmstrom is gonna hang them up after this year... the toll on his body has been brutal, if he's still playing, replace Bert with Holmstrom in that scenario...

Yeah... so how do we get rid of Bettman and get you appointed?

I send the NHL a resume at least once a year, haha

**EDIT - UPDATED ON 5/20/11 to allow for Winnipeg**

We've gone over this several times, but this time I did some geographic research, travel distances, etc...

I'm in the mindset that all teams should travel equally and I would split it basically on a North East to South West type bend and then separate it back into Wales and Campbell Conferences and divisions (division names are just ideas and subjective) - Spread out original 6 teams, 3 per conference, equal West Coast teams split per conference - EVERYONE TRAVELS

**DISCLAIMER** - Below are just suggestions and NOT the guts of the post, the real thought is into the re-alignment into an even travel schedule for all teams - take the suggested conferences for what they are.

WALES CONFERENCE
ADAMS DIVISION
Edmonton
Vancouver
Calgary
San Jose
Colorado

PATRICK DIVISION
Minnesota
Toronto
New York Islanders
Buffalo
Chicago

HOWE DIVISION
Columbus
Nashville
St Louis
Detroit
Ottawa

CAMPBELL CONFERENCE
SMYTH DIVISION
New York Rangers
Philadelphia
Washington
Florida
Tampa Bay

NORRIS DIVISION
Anaheim
Los Angeles
Phoenix
Dallas
Winnipeg

ORR DIVISION
Boston
Pittsburgh
Carolina
Montreal
New Jersey

Everyone travels, all teams have ABOUT equal travel all the way around

In Division games - 5 games a team = 20 games
Out Of Division/In Conference - 3 games a team = 30 games
Opposite Conference - 2 games(home and home) = 30 games
2 flex games against opposite conference, geographic relevance/rivalry games = 2 games

82 game schedule.

I realize that some teams MAY get boned the most on travel IN division, but put it in perspective, only 10 games of these 20 against these teams will be on the road and it could be part of a west coast swing... also, all other teams in the division, essentially have to make the swing at least 5 times a season, plus the extra 2 or 3 for out of conference, so it comes very close to evening out... it still screws them less than the current schedule screws quite a FEW teams (Detroit, Chicago, Minnesota, Columbus, Nashville, etc...)