Rick D

Avs fans/team are convinced they are 1 dman away from the playoffs.  Whether that maybe true or not, under those ideas I wouldn't trade a potential generational dman (who already has a relationship with the team).

This is GREAT!  Such a unique talent and great all-around player.  It hasn't even sunk in that I could get to watch him for longer than just next year.

 

Igor Larionov was traded to Detroit in 1995 at Age 35.  Think about that!  I remember the radio stations blasting them for picking up "just another old guy" at the time - and think about how much he contributed to Detroit through 2003.  No offense to The Professor, but Datsyuk is almost twice the NHL player that Igor ever got the chance to be.  Such a cerebral player and in excellent physical condition.  I've always gotten the sense that he could be productive in the NHL long after he "lost a step". 

Great price tag considering Malkin got 9.5 in his extension

It's going to bum everyone out if he was just talking about something completely unrelated to hockey.

He bought a fishing boat!

How did Malkin get to sign an extension then ?

That broken ankle pretty much ruined his chances in the NHL.

 

Bummer, I was hoping he'd develop into another Helm type guy.

This is exactly how I feel.  I always hoped he would turn out to be a more offensive (obviously less defensive) version of Helm.  His speed is ridiculous.

 

I've had surgeries on both of my ankles and I know how much that crap can set you back.  I cringe every time I hear about players breaking, or otherwise seriously injuring their ankles.  He did the in a preseason game didn't he?

That broken ankle pretty much ruined his chances in the NHL.

 

Bummer, I was hoping he'd develop into another Helm type guy.

Good for Mursak.  Take the money,  do well over seas, then hope that it works out to be a similar path as Rafalski took.

While I like Miller not sure he was needed or where he is going to play. This makes about 15 forwards as of today and it has been rumored that Cleary and Brunner will be resigned. That makes 17 forwards. yes we could make a trade or buy a guy out. But there does seem to be a lot of avergae/below average guys on the roster eating up places and cap space.

Hey all!

 

Been a looooong time since I've posted anything on these boards. I still read posts every morning over coffee, but rarely contribute to the conversation. There is something that has been bothering me lately, though, so I thought I'd post it and see what other people thought.

 

I read a couple of interviews about Tootoo not too long ago, where Babcock stated that Tootoo was a regular season role-player, but would probably never be used in the playoffs because of his tendency to get physical after the whistle. Tootoo was then interviewed afterwards and seemed kind of disheartened by Babcock's sentiment, but still admitted that he would play any role needed and could understand being sat.

 

I still don't really understand it though. And it kind of saddens me.

 

Babcock said that after we move to the East next season, Tootoo might garner more minutes since we will be playing in a more physical division. I understand this, and I agree. However, I was very excited about the Tootoo signing because he is a fast, energy-driven machine on the ice that does far more for the team than just fight. Every time he was on the ice, I noticed him. He was taking shots, finishing checks, and instigating the other team into taking penalties. He showed far more value last season than just that of an enforcer. I just wish he was rewarded for it.

 

Half of me feels like dressing Tootoo in these past playoffs could've been that edge that we needed. Not only is he a spark plug every shift, but I feel like he would've provided the speed and grit we would've needed to push deeper into the playoffs. Similar to Helm or even Maltby in the past. We need that person to go out and get under their skin a little. Abby tried to fill that role, but took less-timely penalties than Tootoo might've. It's all speculation at this point, I guess.

 

My last point, and sorry for rambling, is that negatively reinforcing Tootoo's hard work by benching him could make him feel like he has to change his game in order to maintain his TOI, which is EXACTLY WHAT I DON'T WANT. He was playing very well. I hope he continues to play his game the way he does.

 

Similar to the posts I read on here about "Trade Smith ASAP", I feel that Smith was brought in to be a speedy, puck moving defenseman but has conversely started trying to switch his playstyle because Bab's started benching him or cutting his minutes. I wish we gave our players time to play their own game (which is why we originally brought them into the team), instead of penalizing them for doing exactly that. It sends mixed signals.

 

Does Tootoo go out next season and play his game the way he likes, or does he go out and try to be a playmaking forward with very little physical presence because he fears getting his minutes cut or getting benched?

 

Sorry for the long thread for those of you who read the whole thing. Thoughts?

 

TL;DR - Tootoo was benched for our entire playoff run because Babs feared his physical playstyle would hurt us through penalties. I feel like he could have had a positive impact on our playoff run if he had actually been given a chance. Could the Wings have gone further with his help? Will babs benching him affect the way he plays next season, even if that means shedding the physical aspect of his play?

I agree 100%.

And for u Howard haters I also wouldn't be surprised if he signed another contract when this is up. He may very well be a wing for life.

I'd love for Howard to be a Wing for life.  He can split time with Mrazek or Patterson in a couple years and we'll always have a great goalie tandem.  Having Mrazek and Patterson will just keep Howard sharp and on his game. 

tatar is more than ready.

Screw the Hurricanes ugly jerseys!

 

 

The color scheme is fine, so is the design. The logo looks too high up on the chest though, it kinda bugs me

 

Then ugly "rose" logo has never done it for me.  And there's too many teams in the league who wear red and white.

 

I can't believe this is the same franchise that once donned those green beauties I posted a picture of above.     

 

Those are terribad. Screams "AHL". 

 Screams Ducks farm team, so yeah, AHL.  I've seen an italic D like that before somewhere.

Omg I would of moved both maybe one more guy for lucic.  Remember he was in their dog house.  Heck I'd of moved both for a second and third round pick.  We don't need either or have room.


I like fil don't get me wrong but we have bigger needs in fa!!!