WingNut722

Good report and a good sum-up.  And yes there are a lot of questions, but that is exactly what this was for.  A whole group of hockey and business execs can sit around a big conference table talking about (and I'm sure they did and will continue to do so), but you have to start somewhere.  Have the tournament in whatever arrangement seems best at the time, and let the questions, issues, and problems arise.  Then solve them for the next one.  If you sit around and talk about problems, you'll never get anything done.

As the Mythbusters would say..."Failure is ALWAYS an option."  It seems the NHL is set on holding the WCH, which is fine.  I like the idea.  So now it's time to start addressing the problems so it can be better next time.  If nothing else, it's a business investment.  Sometimes you need a "loss leader" just to generate interest, so that the overall project generates profit.  

Gonna have to go with the Oil on this one.  That orange and blue color scheme has always been one of my favorites.  

Those ARE pretty bold predictions, but also very plausible.  I'll be anxious to see how it pans out!

It's still very chilling to think about what happened that day.  Even now, 14 years later, it seems a little taboo (at least for me) to use the September 11 date, even on papers, reports, checks, anything routine.  I almost feel I should wait a day or two so I can use a different date.

I was in college when that happened.  I had an early morning lab which let out around 10:00 or so.  So I was already gone when they came around to cancel the rest of classes.  We had just moved into our apartment too, and we didn't have the cable hooked up yet.  It wasn't until about 3:00 in the afternoon when I went to the grocery store and found a bunch of people crowded around a television.  

The concept of "Innocent until proven guilty" actually exists when it comes to superstars in the NHL.  The Hawks are going to hope against hope to the bitter end of this.  At the same time, look for him to be benched until it all plays out.   

That's very possible.  However, in trying to think of just such an event, I decided to open it up to all categories, outside of sports as well.  I wasn't around for the Miracle on Ice, but did that make the whole country stand still?  Since hockey is not America's passion sport, I doubt so many folks were watching that day.

Sometimes I wonder if there is anything in the US that is so unifying as hockey is to Canada.  Just the other day I (re)watched that documentary on the '72 Summit Series.  How a single (non-tragic) event can bring an entire country to a stand-still is beyond comprehension.  I can't think of much in US history that had quite the same effect.  Maybe the moon landing?

I had no idea that incident even happened!  Great post, and thank you!  If the Richard Riot is indeed, an integral part of the Quebecois separatist movement, perhaps it's beginning to dissolving simply as a factor of time, that the next generation of hockey fans can't defend Richard quite so vehemently simply because they hadn't been born yet.  

I remember that car crash after the 1997 Cup finals.  It was only about a week or so after the parade.  It let the air out of the whole city.  The Cup wasn't even worth celebrating anymore.  Konstantinov was an amazing defensemen - the Kronwall of his day.  He laid out plenty of open ice hits.  I remember he uplifted Claude Lemieux head over heels.

Worth mentioning too that Yzerman, upon receiving the Cup after the 1998 Finals, gave it straight to Konstantinov in his wheelchair.

Great post!  When I was younger I wasn't as interested in hockey as I am now.  Which is to say that I knew Steve Yzerman played for the Red Wings and Wayne Gretsky also pretty good.  That was the extent of my hockey knowledge.  Lanny was also one of those names that I associated with the game, and yes, the hairy lip was part of it.  He was just an active, force of life and he played with heart and soul.

Outstanding article!  I had to sit and just think about it, let it sink in, before trying to figure how to respond.  I still don't know how.  Life is precious, and beautiful.

Agreed on your prediction for NSH-DET. However, as a Wings fan, I am impressed and thankful you gave them 7 games. I figured 6, or even 5. Either way, Detroit probably won't get out of the first round.

Fantastic work, guys! Thinking about doing "Draft Wars" this summer?

I like that offer betwen the Stars and Devils. Assuming Zach parise does want out of New Jersey, the Devils will get a little more depth. Zubrus is a good player, but not a household name, so it's solid trade bait.

The whole thing is baloney...

The Hawks need a better goaltender and the Sabres need another scorer....it just fits. But there is no way either team will part with their respective stars. It's way too simple and way to high-line to be true, particularly since both haven't had great seasons. It just doesn't make any sense at all, except in the mind of Eklund... Of course, now that I've mentioned his name, I owe him a cuppla' bucks...

@hf101

No problem at all. Just one man's humble and uneducated opinion!

Good selection on the Detroit/Winnipeg trade. I like Oduya and he should work out pretty well on a second line pairing. If he makes a splash this season, he could be our replacement for Brad Stuart if (when) he heads west. I think the Wings would only be too happy to watch two very capable backup goalies battle it out for the number 2 position.

For what it's worth, I would decline the Jets/Red Wings offer (in the shoes of Ken Holland). Justin Abdelkader is a home-grown kid which has been Detroit's M.O. for years and he's been able to balance the right mix of skill and grit to make him an excellent winger on the third or fourth line. He also excels in the playoffs, for one reason or another; always managing to turn it on. I wouldn't mind having Wheeler though, but I think our priorities now are in backup goaltender and a depth defender. If the Jets are looking for forwards, they can have Ferraro, and also Patrick Eaves and/or Fabian Brunnstrom for the likes of Zach Bogosian. Throw in Chris Mason and we could even part with Jiri Hudler.

This blog is fantastic. Great work guys!

Love reading this series guys! I have no mind as a GM to be able to discuss the trades proposed, but this is a fantastic glimpse. I look forward to each installment!

Great write up! I think the Isles probably won't trade away too many guys, particularly Parenteau and Okposo. They'll try and form a new face to the franchise behind those power forwards. THey have a lot of money in the back and I think they'll use it to woo some experienced scorers to the Island.

They could use a depth scorer and someone who can help improve their power play. They're in the bottom half of the league with the man-advantage. The improve that and they'll be flying in no time.

The Kings have what it takes, they just need to pull it together a bit more down the stretch. They'll give anyone in the plaoffs a run for their money. The Sharks are still going to be the X-Factor.

It's a long road back up to where they should be. All the guys played hard but still only managed 14 shots. Its enough for the win though, and it'll go a long way towards putting this awful road streak to bed. One win....the very basic foundation of a winning streak!

Good list and you're probably right on the money. Biased, I know, but did Pavel Datsyuk get consideration?