bringback91

Like I've said, I understand and appreciate what Feds did for this team. I also understand the circumstances surrounding his departure from this organization. Specifically, I know he didn't simply pack up and say, "Seeya later, losers!" Even so, I don't see him as the kind of heart & soul Wing that gets his number raised. In all honesty, it pains me to say that; I idolized the guy as a kid. I even modeled my own game after his   -- and it helped my career, while it lasted.

So I hold him very near and dear. But I just don't see 91 going up. Maybe it will, but I'll be surprised if it does.

#91 should go up.  There are a handful of numbers for the dynasty of the 50s.  The modern era of greatness should be similarly honored, and the 3 most pivotal and defining players of the '97, '98, '02 Cup wins are Yzerman (already up), Lidstrom (will be up), and Fedorov, and no one else comes close.

There is a group of posters that say, "if there is any debate, there is no debate" but the reason there is any debate is because a sizeable chunk of the fanbase is acting like a bunch of jilted girlfriends that ritualistically torch every shred of evidence of the ex.  Fedorov left, but he was helped out the door.  Kenny deserves every bit as much scorn as Fedorov.  He orchestrated the only contract negotiation I've ever seen where the offers from the team kept shrinking.  And when people point to the 5 year $50M offer, you have to take into account that A. Fedorov was going through a messy divorce and thus wanted to postpone any negotiations because B. he was also in the process of firing his agent whom he blamed for part of his relationship troubles.  Signing a contract while going through legal steps like that is a bad move.  Sergei never saw a 5 year offer after that, until he signed the one from Anaheim.

Well, seeing as the cap isn't an issue in the post season, you WILL see Leino and Helm over him, most likely. Just like they are now when we have the cap space.

Kopecky is good for the role he plays, when he's healthy. Too many people here expect everyone on the roster to become the next Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Lidstrom.

This is what you'll likely see in the playoffs, assuming everyone's healthy:

ZDH
Franzen - Flip - Hossa
Leino/Hudler - Hudler/Helm - Cleary/Sammy
Leino/Helm - Draper - Sammy/Cleary (While Leino on the 4th line may seem at first, it becomes after you realize he'd be playing against other team's crappy players)

Kopecky, Maltby, D-Mac, Downey ALL potential good fill-ins

Does the idea that we're likely going to have to play a 2nd liner on our 4th line just to make everything fit in the playoffs make anyone else here giddy?

Kopecky isn't just a random scapegoat like Samuelsson has been in the past, he's the worst player on the current roster with no area of specialty at all that never does anything to redeem himself. Every player on this team has at least 1 specific aspect of the game that they excel at, except for Kopecky. He is the definition of filler.

I don't see the fear of losing him to waivers at all.

Lilja was only ever signed as an insurance policy. Holland even said that. Everyone is gonna be signed, and battle at camp. My guess, judging on how Lilja has played last year, is that he may be the odd man out after camp. Lebda is a possibility as well. There is a damn good chance Quincey will impress enough to stick around. He has the potential, and I think he will do so. You really think they'd keep Lilja around if Quincey outperforms him at camp? Along with Meech? Not a chance. They'll need to clear space, and Lilja is the most logical choice. Chelios will be back, no question there. He is too good of a mentor for our young defense, and he played fine last season until he got injured.

I never said they would trade Samuelsson, I said it could be a possibility if Helm continues to greatly improve upon what he has done since his last call up. Chances are he will play in Grand Rapids, but if he is impressive enough at camp, he'll be sticking around. Same goes with Ericsson.

Lilja wasn't a HUGE factor in our cup win by any means. He's been scratched in the playoffs as well for playing poorly. Sure he was solid for us in the finals, but there is no need to pretend he was an oh so important piece of the puzzle. Now I'm not a Lilja hater like many here. I actually like the guy. But I'd rather see players like Meech, Quincey, and even Lebda take over the 3rd pairing, with Chelios playing games here and there as well to mentor them. I like Samuelsson as well. I agree with him being helpful in the cup run. But if Helm or any of the other kids in the system can prove they belong, IMO, Sammy would probably be the most expendable forward seeing how we signed Hossa and all. But I doubt he will be going anywhere, I just implied it as a possibility.

And as for you saying Helm, our young defensemen, and Chelios are worse then Lilja and Samuelsson, why don't you get real.