Wow...coming from a Wings fan....something is seriously messed up....

just kidding....loved Yzerman when I was a kid...and Larionov too
- captainserious

Who didn't? I'm a black sheep Wings fan as the Hawks were always my second favorite team. Grew up in GR, going to both teams' home games a LOT as a kid (one grandfather was from Chicago, the other from Detroit)

@reporterchris: Gary Bettman says a weaker Canadian dollar will put next year's salary cap at $69M or $70M. Had been projected at $71M.

Howard is a legend? He's a middle tier goalie, far beneath Rask, Miller, or Quick.
- YzermanIsTheMan

I actually think he is pretty good...And I thought it was a good idea to have him on team USA this Olympics too

Who didn't? I'm a black sheep Wings fan as the Hawks were always my second favorite team. Grew up in GR, going to both teams' home games a LOT as a kid (one grandfather was from Chicago, the other from Detroit)
- YzermanIsTheMan

Dad's cousin is from Kalamazoo...used to go there quite a bit when I was a kid to visit him...He was from Chicago too, but he sort of adopted Detroit teams as his second teams....still can't believe he rooted for the Lions

I actually think he is pretty good...And I thought it was a good idea to have him on team USA this Olympics too
- captainserious

Howard has skills. His problem, like his teammate Franzen, is he's streaky. And he was the right choice for third string.

@reporterchris: Gary Bettman says a weaker Canadian dollar will put next year's salary cap at $69M or $70M. Had been projected at $71M.
- DarthKane

At least it isn't 68mil like some were reporting a few months back....Bu I still think that means someone has to go right?

Dad's cousin is from Kalamazoo...used to go there quite a bit when I was a kid to visit him...He was from Chicago too, but he sort of adopted Detroit teams as his second teams....still can't believe he rooted for the Lions
- captainserious

I'm at the point I could give less than a poop about the Lions. Talk about the Canucks of Football.

Just curious as to what your thoughts were on the Seabrook hit on Backes?
- MnGump

Personally, bad hit - deserved the suspension - very late, too high - said so at the time, here.

Your goalie has to be very good and make the saves he needs to, but Crawford has really been bailing us out. Niemi was great against the Sharks but in all the other series in 2010 he just did what he needed to do. Guys like Toews, Kane, Buff, Keith, Bolland and a few others were ahead of Niemi. Of course Crawford really EARNED the conn smythe last year, though. I just don't want to keep seeing our goalie as the clear-cut MVP
- tomcat24

Not true....Niemi stole game 3 in Vancouver stopping all 16 shots he saw in the first period, as the Hawks led 2-0 after 1, en route to a pivotal 5-2 win.

Howard is a legend? He's a middle tier goalie, far beneath Rask, Miller, or Quick.
- YzermanIsTheMan

oops red font alert.

@reporterchris: Gary Bettman says a weaker Canadian dollar will put next year's salary cap at $69M or $70M. Had been projected at $71M.
- DarthKane

If true, someone needs to be strongly disciplined in the league office: teams - the Hawks - relied on the $71MM - a $2MM hit means losing someone, like Oduya.

PE, there's no league office conspiracy to do anything: they're too damn incompetent to conspire.

Also has consequences for 2015-2016 - the year the Wonder Boys' new contracts will kick in.

I'm at the point I could give less than a poop about the Lions. Talk about the Canucks of Football.
- YzermanIsTheMan

Canucks? More like the Oilers minus the their glory years...

Canucks? More like the Oilers minus the their glory years...
- MnGump

Whatever team you compare them to, the Lions just plain suck and fail.

Personally, bad hit - deserved the suspension - very late, too high - said so at the time, here.
- StLBravesFan

Agreed. I think Stoner was instructed to target Hawks players last night. I don't ever remember a time or game where he was that physically menacing or engaged.... ever. Not for an entire game like last night.

I think their might be critics who think the GM really didn't provide the mid line low end players, because their prospects have not really strongly transitioned into those forward positions.

Let's just say someone I telephone inside the brain trust there didn't say but gave me a "tell" that Crosby's not 100 %.
- wiz1901

Fair enough the Penguins supporting cast may be weak but that doesn't explain why each and every opposition zone possession becomes a firedrill in a nuthouse with no one knowing what to do. Any one can play defense within a defensive system, if the coach teaches it.

As for Crosby being hurt, I have also heard he may be, but that does doesn't explain him coasting a-la Ovechkin from the redline as the Penguins are out numbered in their own zone on Brad Richard's goal. Toews was hurt early in the St. Louis series and I never saw him coasting and not pick up his man.

Personally, bad hit - deserved the suspension - very late, too high - said so at the time, here.
- StLBravesFan

There was very little defense of that hit here. Not the time to run a guy like that. Malicious with intent to decapitate....aren't they all....his shoulder caught backass in a vulnerable position in the head....end of story...

a playoff 3 gamer?....should have been 2

Whatever team you compare them to, the Lions just plain suck and fail.
- YzermanIsTheMan

Yeah, that is a mystery. But I think like the Oilers, until they clean house top to bottom, both organizations will continue to be the donkeys of their respective leagues.

At least it isn't 68mil like some were reporting a few months back....Bu I still think that means someone has to go right?
- captainserious

At $70 million we could be fine depending on the cost to resign Raanta and Smith. If somebody has to go my money is on Versteeg or Rozsival. Some might suggest Oduya but if we have to go with some Rookie forwards (TT or Nordstrom) we'll need him on defense. I would guess Morin could be re-signed for a decent amount and replace Versteeg. Although I think Rozy would be the first to go.

Agreed. I think Stoner was instructed to target Hawks players last night. I don't ever remember a time or game where he was that physically menacing or engaged.... ever. Not for an entire game like last night.
- MnGump

Instructed? In what sense? Don't catch alot of wild hockey so don't know his game or MO....but your comment makes me wonder.

Yeah, that is a mystery. But I think like the Oilers, until they clean house top to bottom, both organizations will continue to be the donkeys of their respective leagues.
- MnGump

Oilers have the front talent and a solid goalie, they just need a couple of competent top 2 defensemen and they could be playoff bound.

Fair enough the Penguins supporting cast may be weak but that doesn't explain why each and every opposition zone possession becomes a firedrill in a nuthouse with no one knowing what to do. Any one can play defense within a defensive system, if the coach teaches it.

As for Crosby being hurt, I have also heard he may be, but that does doesn't explain him coasting a-la Ovechkin from the redline as the Penguins are out numbered in their own zone on Brad Richard's goal. Toews was hurt early in the St. Louis series and I never saw him coasting and not pick up his man.
- paulr

Heard an "Ole" or two from Sid last night. ahhh puck just dropped in Boston.

Instructed? In what sense? Don't catch alot of wild hockey so don't know his game or MO....but your comment makes me wonder.
- bogiedoc

Basically I think Wild coaching/scouting staff told him to target certain players and impose his physical will on them.

Dont' get me wrong, part of the main reason Stoner is on the ice at all is because he's a big boy that can throw a few checks. But what I'm saying is, I have never seen him that physcially engaged throughout an entire game ever! Usually he throws a few big hits and slowly disappears throughout the course of a game.

Last night he seemed to be all over the place finishing checks wherever he went until the last buzzer sounded. I mean he only had 6 registered hits but they all seemed to be bone crushing.

Thats just not his normal MO.

Glenn Healy is as big a KNOB as Maguire.

Glenn Healy is as big a KNOB as Maguire.
- paulr

Healy should stick to wear'n a ball cap and getting the door on line changes.
#BACKUP #SCRUB

@reporterchris: Gary Bettman says a weaker Canadian dollar will put next year's salary cap at $69M or $70M. Had been projected at $71M.
- DarthKane

I'm' not surprised. Some of us have been talking about this possibility for months. I figure it's going to take about $69.5 for next season's roster if it stays the same - minus Handzus and Brookbank, and with Teuvo on the roster.

Somebody is getting traded this summer. My guess is that it's one of Oduya, Leddy, or Roszival. Who knows, maybe it could be more than one player, and not just one of the three defensemen listed that leaves via a trade?