1. Neil making 2mil isn't a problem IMO; someone like Greening is making more and producing in a hockey stand point waaay less.

2. I would love to see an NHL team bring up a guy who can take down giants like Chara, and at the same time have the ability to get the team motivated and pumped up. IMO some guy from the AHL acting like a hero will be made of fun of by his NHL teammates.
- TheCalSen

Teams shouldnt need to be motivated by a 4th line player when he fights another 4th line player. If you rely on that, you probably will have a short season.

Teams shouldnt need to be motivated by a 4th line player when he fights another 4th line player. If you rely on that, you probably will have a short season.
- cburgess

I get the sense that you do not like incorporating fighting into hockey, which I agree with it, that being said, the result of a fight can change momentums. AND THAT'S A FACT.

I get the sense that you do not like incorporating fighting into hockey, which I agree with it, that being said, the result of a fight can change momentums. AND THAT'S A FACT.
- TheCalSen

Maybe, but you rarely see fights in the playoffs, so I don't buy into all of that. Sure, maybe a big fight can change a game or two in the regular season, but thats about it.

Lets KEEEP it going kings!!

>:-)

4-0 @ home, game 7; talk about getting completely outclassed.

"It's paul macs job to uh, not tap him"

Lol that was hilarious

Definately agree..it seems stache has put him on the pp when our guys werent producing..or just pissed at them for some reason (mainly this point)

I'm curious as to why mac has never tried using 4 forwards and 1 defender on the pp? Always thought it was a good tactic..or any coach for that matter..
- Trilla

Having watched the Wings do that (because they have no right handed defenseman) with Samuelsson, Jason Williams, Samuelsson, Eaves and Alfie that past few years and even putting Datsyuk or Nyquist on the point this season...it's been crap. Maybe it's just the way Babcock runs a powerplay when he doesn't have Lidstrom and Holmstrom to make it look decent but it hasn't worked for the Wings.

Having watched the Wings do that (because they have no right handed defenseman) with Samuelsson, Jason Williams, Samuelsson, Eaves and Alfie that past few years and even putting Datsyuk or Nyquist on the point this season...it's been crap. Maybe it's just the way Babcock runs a powerplay when he doesn't have Lidstrom and Holmstrom to make it look decent but it hasn't worked for the Wings.
- dcz28

I'm sure results would've been different if you had: kronwall, zett, dats, nyq and Franzen all out at the same time

That would be a killer p

k, i gues do the long story short!

- TRADE away anderson, worst starter in the nhl and make space for lehner!
i would trade him far away best down to south of usa, so he can be close to home in florida, so he dont have to fly there every day off! he is such a bad goalie,
- get rid of overpaid and unproductive players like neil, greening and michalek

- stike big on UFA, there are close to 20 million on cap space now. gaborik? havlat was great as a sen an SJ want to get rid of him, so cheap trade or wait for his buyout.

- trading spezza? maybe but nut for low! send him to a team that is in the top 5 for a pick, otherwise its a trade for nothing,

- draft 14 player worth a trade: reinhard, ekblad, dreisaitl, and a 3rd rounder: pepin, spezza to FLA for #1pick and choose ekblad! two thumbs up!

resign hemsky, extend ryan.

but i guess its to hard to do a blockbuster deal in ottawa...

I think both Neil and Phillips have been absolute soldiers for this team over the years. Anyone who thinks we can trade these guys need to take their rose coloured glasses off it won't happen. They are both a step slow to play a full season. Also as much as it pains me to say it we still need some veteran precense on this team; are they the right guys for that at this point? Probably not but they are all we have right now. I really think (as has been mentioned above by regulars) you reduce Neil to kassians role from this year and you use Phillips as your 6-7th d man. Give them an "a" to share when they are in the lineup). Hand the leadership over to the younger guys with these guys mentoring them for the next year or two. I truly believe Turris needs to get the "c" and karlsson gets an "a" when Phillips and Neil retire in a year or two (or move on) give the other "a" to Ryan.

I don't have issues with Neil and Phillips being on the team that much. The thing is on a good team these guys can be slotted into roles where they can contribute. Neil is now a perfect 4th liner that can play 8-10 minutes a night and provide toughness and leadership. Phillips is the same, there should be 5-6 better guys in front of him on the blue line but he's a perfect 6th or sometimes 7th defenceman.

Our big problem is Neil playing 2nd line minutes and Phillips playing 2nd pairing minutes. Slot them in correctly and the issues regarding their lack of ability is minimized and maybe with limited ice time they can be better in those minutes.

k, i gues do the long story short!

- TRADE away anderson, worst starter in the nhl and make space for lehner!
i would trade him far away best down to south of usa, so he can be close to home in florida, so he dont have to fly there every day off! he is such a bad goalie,
- get rid of overpaid and unproductive players like neil, greening and michalek

- stike big on UFA, there are close to 20 million on cap space now. gaborik? havlat was great as a sen an SJ want to get rid of him, so cheap trade or wait for his buyout.

- trading spezza? maybe but nut for low! send him to a team that is in the top 5 for a pick, otherwise its a trade for nothing,

- draft 14 player worth a trade: reinhard, ekblad, dreisaitl, and a 3rd rounder: pepin, spezza to FLA for #1pick and choose ekblad! two thumbs up!

resign hemsky, extend ryan.

but i guess its to hard to do a blockbuster deal in ottawa...
- TheFlo

K, numerous things:
1.Southern teams are already set in goal with Bishop, Luongo, Lehtonen, etc. Carolina might be interested but they are already paying Cam Ward 6 million. I doubt they would trade for the worst starting goalie in the NHL as you said ( even tho Andy is much better than you give him credit for).

2.Not many teams are lining up for overpaid and underproductive players.

3.Florida is rebuilding. They aren't going to trade away a top 5 pick for an older centre with bad back.

4. Yes you have a ton of cap space, but Melnyk isnt going to get off of his wallet anytime soon, so good luck signing any free agent. It will be hard enough for him to give Bobby Ryan 7.5 million a year.

I'm sure results would've been different if you had: kronwall, zett, dats, nyq and Franzen all out at the same time

That would be a killer p
- Trilla

Actually they have put those guys out at the same time and it didn't work as well as you think. Majority of Wings PP shots always come from the points and the fact they don't have any right handed defensemen (and barely any forwards too) makes their PP much more predictable and easier to defend against.

Just look at it this way, right now if Alfie doesn't come back and Holland doesn't bring in any right handed shooting players (and doesn't promote Sproul, Marchenko, Callahan, Pulkkinen or other prospects) and they buy out Tootoo...the only right handed player on their entire roster would be Luke f***ing Glendening and he can't score in an empty net.