Abel to Yzerman
Next entry: See Ya Sammy
Previous entry: Mirtle: Hossa a Hawk
Quenneville: Hossa May Start Next Season In Goal
by IwoCPO on 07/02/09 at 01:31 AM ET
Comments (302)
Here’s what you do when you reach the Conference Finals and you fall short. You spend some money. And you spend it with one thing in mind and that’s taking the next step. You came so close that getting past the team that beat you is an obsession. We know all this. The Wings have been there. Twice in the last twelve years. A Conference Finals loss does weird things to you.
In Chicago’s case, it led them to sign Marian Hossa and his Mini-Marian, Tomas Kopecky. They also signed John Madden. They became stronger and they are going to be giving the Wings one heck of a run for the Central Division title next year. We knew this the moment Hossa signed.
But…
Like I said, they’re going to have a real nice regular season.
Huet and Crawford. Is that the tandem that is going to unseat the Wings as Western Conference Champs?
Oh. We’ve got ourselves a barn burner. Don’t get me wrong. It’s got all the ingredients. A defection last year of a hockey god. Some good regular season games followed by a fairly decent playoff series where the vanquished got a bit violent at the tail end of each loss. Young Hawks learning how to lose. A cheap shot that affected the Wings for the Final. And now a superstar switching sides under our noses.
But rivalry or not, unless Dale Tallon makes one more move before April of 2010? This thing is nothing more than a regular season sideshow because the Hawks aren’t doing squat with that goaltending. And while the core of the Wings is locked up for the better part of the next decade? The three most important Hawks are all up for new deals next summer with precious little cap room to maneuver under.
Oh, and don’t forget the Wing Bitch behind the bench. Woops.
Table that. Yes, they’ve got Hossa so we’ll be talking Chicago all year. And we’re going to address his signing here in a few. First, though, forget about Chicago for a second and let’s strictly deal with what the Wings have in front of them. Here are the cards Tick Tock’s dealt Uncle Mike, and it looks like this hand isn’t going to change.
Zetterberg, Franzen, Datsyuk. Filppula, Cleary, Hudler (assuming).
Draper, Helm, Homer, Maltby, Leino (assuming). And at least one spot for one more whether that’s Abdelkader or a UFA. A core of twelve forwards as deep as any across the NHL.
Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall, Ericsson, Stuart (thanks George). A top five better than any in the league. Period. Add Lilja into the mix, subtracting Chelios and, somehow, Meech. Lebda stays unless something else better comes along and the blue line is still stacked.
And the inevitable regular season resurgence of Chris Osgood is a discussion for another time. Jimmy Howard’s place in the organ-I-zation is also tabled for now.
The depth isn’t what it was with Hossa. No getting around that. The firepower isn’t either. But a few things will make up for that, namely chemistry. Not to say it was bad with Hoss. I’m not claiming that. But I will say that I believe a team responds when the players who choose to stay…stay. Does that makes sense?
Now. It makes no difference how you feel about the departure of Hossa. It matters little to him and it definitely has no bearing on anything that happened the last twenty four hours. But it’s something to discuss because the emotion of this situation drives everything we, as fans and as readers of this blog, do.
Despite some sort of telepathic game I tried to play with Kenny Holland the last few months, where I honestly believed that every time I wrote “he’s staying”, Tick Tock was taking notes and nodding his head? The signing of Franzen probably sealed Hossa’s departure and the less reactionary of us understood and accepted that. There just wasn’t enough pizza dough to go around.
Oh. Re-phrase. There’s plenty of money to spend. But because of Little Gary’s lockout and his perverse CBA and the Cap number that he has flashing in neon next to the blown up picture of him and Rosby at Neverland Ranch? Because of all that, the money just sits there.
And because it does, Hossa had to move. He had to and we understand it. The idea that he’d stay for far less, that he’d take so much less to try and win again in Detroit…it could have happened, but we all knew the likelihood wasn’t great. And that’s not even really understanding all the economics of it. Maybe you do. I know I don’t. I’m certain I have no concept. Guess who does though? The anti-Digger.
Read this to see how Marian Hossa, when he made the decision to give himself one year’s run for a Cup, cost himself 30 million bucks.
So how do we handle this? Marian Hossa, on the surface, left Detroit…where he could have made forty-five million over ten, to play in Chicago where he’ll make approximately 1.2 or 3 million more per season. And while it is disturbing to see him go to a team obviously stacking up to compete with the Best Team in Hockey, you have to respect that he didn’t go to LA or somewhere else only to lose for 7 or 8/season.
And no, LA is not making the playoffs this year.
And he didn’t want to leave Detroit. Unlike last year, when his comments leaving Pittsburgh sent that city into a tailspin? Does this really piss you off? Are you Hossa haters now, after reading this?
“Ken was saying after he signed Henrik Zetterberg he was going to try to sign either me or (Johan) Franzen and you have to be happy for the guy (Franzen), he improved big time and he deserved everything he got. With the salary cap, it would be tough for me to return.,” Hossa said. “Otherwise, if there was no salary cap, I was sure I’d still be in Detroit.”
Not exactly, “I’m going to the team I feel gives me the best chance to win the Cup.”
Hate the guy if you want, but I know you won’t. Boo him if you must, but you won’t do that either. You’ll have three chances to do so if you want to, but I don’t see it happening. Economics forced his hand and his competitive nature sent him to a contender. It’s as simple as that.
It’s troubling that Chicago has another gun, but it’s not enough to cause me to break out the pitchforks or the voodoo dolls. The guy gave us a good run, a good shot and a good year. He gave himself one season to throw some caution and a lot of money out the window. Now it was time to get down to business and that’s what he did.
But, unfortunately for him and fortunately for us, his glove hand isn’t as good as his wrister. And the Hawks are going to need that glove a lot more come April or May.
Filed in: | Abel to Yzerman | Permalink
Comments
« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next »
Our ill feelings towards Hossa isn’t just based around him going to the Wings, you arrogant pricks. But keep thinking that, with your false sense of entitlement.
Posted by tecmo on 07/02/09 at 10:45 AM ET
keep telling yourself that ... as for us we don’t believe it 
Posted by MsRedWingFan from West Michigan on 07/02/09 at 01:07 PM ET
I understand that the cap benefits some teams and harms others (Wings, NYR, PHI, etc.), but are you really against the salary cap? Do you not find it beneficial for the league as a whole?
Posted by Standard A2Y Fare on 07/02/09 at 01:07 PM ET
As I wrote last night, Holland was NOT willing to fork up $3.5 million on the last four years of a long-term contract. Not when Franzen and Zetterberg are going to be earning anywhere from $1 million to $1.5 million in the last three/four years of their long-term contracts. So good luck to the Hawks’ GM Dave Tallon with that contract when Toews and Kane are due their big contracts next year and still have Brian Campbell’s ridiculous $7.5 million cap hit for at least the next six years.
Posted by SYF from a "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" on 07/02/09 at 01:07 PM ET
Also, it has been Holland’s MO to have cap space when the season starts. Always has been since the institution of the cap. It gives him flexibility to continually re-asses his lineup as the season progresses so when the late season trade deadline approaches in late February, he has some leverage.
Posted by SYF from a "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" on 07/02/09 at 01:12 PM ET
I think a luxury cap system, given the extremely wide variation in ability to pay a roster from one team to another and the need of the lower-revenue teams for help, would be a better option. It would enable a high revenue team (Toronto) to pay a lot more for a roster (which the Rangers have proven repeatedly won’t guarantee anything) if they were willing to have slightly less obscene profits and toss some of the money into a pot to be distributed to the lower revenue teams.
There would be greater roster stability which is important to a game that relies so much on teammates as hockey does, which is good for both the game and the players, as rosters wouldn’t be continually churned and broken up for cap reasons.
Teams that could afford to pay to have a larger roster would be able to do so, at the additional price of a luxury tax, so they would be more stable and could keep the players they wanted.
Smaller market teams would have greater access to revenue sharing dollars, instead of getting small amounts that still don’t help them, and would still be able to sign decent players because the larger markets can’t sign everybody.
Playoff revenues would be completely exempt from any luxury tax or revenue sharing. A smaller payroll team that was smart and had a deep playoff run would thus be able to benefit from it by keeping every playoff dollar they made, instead of losing 50% to the revenue-sharing pool. If you want a cut of playoff money, then get better and make it there yourself instead of leeching off the teams that did make it.
I think it would result in more money overall going to the players, more money distributed through luxury taxes (which a team could avoid by keeping their payroll below the threshold, so they would have control over how much tax they wished to pay and could easily budget for it), and the teams that made it to the playoffs would be rewarded fully for their efforts instead of losing half of the money they made from the run.
It just seems more flexible and adaptable to the wide disparities in hockey markets and thus more fair to everyone. A “one size fits all” solution is usually not really all that comfortable on anyone.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/02/09 at 01:21 PM ET
I understand that the cap benefits some teams and harms others (Wings, NYR, PHI, etc.), but are you really against the salary cap? Do you not find it beneficial for the league as a whole?
Posted by Standard A2Y Fare on 07/02/09 at 02:07 PM ET
Uhh… what Baroque said.
Seriously though, either institute a luxury tax system that allows bigger markets to spend to what their market calls for or a cap space bartering system that allows smaller market teams to sell off or trade unused cap space to teams willing to bid for it. Either way, a small market team gets to enjoy a cut of the pie if they can’t be competitive and a large market team doesn’t have to be punished by the ‘No hockey team left behind’ act of Bettman’s new NHL.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/02/09 at 01:26 PM ET
Baroque, you know how much Holland covets a system like that? He wants you for a Commissioner.
Posted by SYF from a "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" on 07/02/09 at 01:34 PM ET
Sullyosis, enjoy your black-lung.Posted by jon from wv on 07/02/09 at 02:05 PM ET
Not in the coal business there Jonboy. Guess again. Oh, and can I answer your question? Was it…mmmm, I know this one….Gary’s Pen(i)s?
Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 07/02/09 at 01:40 PM ET
Do you not find it beneficial for the league as a whole?
Posted by Standard A2Y Fare on 07/02/09 at 02:07 PM ET
Negative. What were the goals of the cap? Wasn’t it to promote ‘parity,’ hence to ensure different teams were vying for the Cup in the finals each year? Wasn’t it to prevent the ‘New York Yankees Affect’ and keep a team, or a few teams from continuing to pull in all the revenue by paying the most to acquire the best, and leaving teams like Phoenix, Florida, Tampa Bay in the gutter because they couldn’t afford to bring in good players otherwise?
Well, let’s recap the ‘benefit’
Same 2 teams in the final in Consecutive years
Detroit’s Dominance Continues
Phoenix continues to suck
Florida continues to suck
Teams that COULD buy the best (Col, NYR, TOR) have to play with the same money everyone else does and fail miserably.
Thus, scandal arrives in the case of PHX and hilarity ensues in the case of the Avalanches.
No, it’s not good for the league. It’s like communism. Bad for humanity. Bad for the NHL.
Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 07/02/09 at 01:45 PM ET
When I lived in Detroit, as a child, from 1977-84 the old Olympia and then Joe Louis Arena were half empty buildings. People did not care about the Red Wings, nor the NHL. Tickets were available to every section for every game. The club did a nice job building around the 1st Round draft pick of 1984,Steve Yzerman, and has built a following locally, and across the globe. But, do not mistake your fan base for Toronto or Montreal. If you go 42 years, or 10 for that matter, without the Cup there will be crickets in Joe Louis Arena. Detroit’s metropolitan population has a high percentage of African-Americans and Arab-Americans who don’t give, nor ever will give, a damn about ice hockey, nor the NHL. Your local community is going through the roughest economic times it has ever faced, including the Great Depression. Like blue collar workers before them, white collar workers are losing their jobs. A large number of Red Wing season ticket holders did not purchase tickets to the playoffs last year, and many will not renew their seats for the coming season. This will impact the team’s ability to pay big salaries, probably in the form of cutting ticket prices. The core of your team is well over 30, and Lidstroms don’t come around very often. Your arrogance is laughable. The Red Wings will probably be competitve indefintely, but Chicago is on the rise. I don’t understand how they will keep all of their players long term, but the same can be said about Detroit, and Pittsburgh. The Red Wings have had their fair share of 1st round exits in the playoffs, so spare me your nonsense about 48 more weeks. THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!! Get used to it.
Posted by Pens Fan in DC on 07/02/09 at 02:04 PM ET
Detroit’s metropolitan population has a high percentage of African-Americans and Arab-Americans who don’t give, nor ever will give, a damn about ice hockey, nor the NHL.
Wow, playin the race card. After winning the cup you’re stopping by to drop a bomb about racial issues regarding our team, our sport and our city. Don’t be playing around on this blog too long now, you hear? Don’t want you bein’ late for the rally tonight.
Christ. This has been an eventful day.
Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 07/02/09 at 02:25 PM ET
HE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!
So we’ve heard.
You Pens fans sound like the doomed heroine of a B-grade horror film—running through a cemetery at night, trying to reassure herself that there’s no such thing as ghosts, even as the ghastly sheeted figure slowly but inexorably chases her down.
Relax. It’s the off-season—you twits can’t lose the Cup yet. You have roughly 48 Tuesdays left to enjoy it. I’d get cracking, if I were you.
Posted by Bio on 07/02/09 at 02:29 PM ET
Just so it’s clear the following players ages when the season begins: Listrom - 38, Osgood - 36, Homlstrom - 36, Rafalski - 35, Datsyuk - 31, Zetterberg - 29. That is the core of the Red Wings team. The following players ages when the season begins: Gonchar - 35, Orpik - 29, Fleury - 24, Malkin - 23, Crosby - 22, Staal - 21. That is the core of the Penguins team. Even a Red Wings can clearly see the difference. THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!! Get used to it.
Posted by Pens Fan in DC on 07/02/09 at 02:30 PM ET
Even a Red Wings can clearly see the difference.
That line is a lot better if you read it like an Italian stereotype.
I’m not sure what you’re saying here, DC. So, in ten years we Red Wings fans have to watch out because our core will be retired and yours will be this old? Ok, please get back with us in a decade to see where this is going.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/02/09 at 02:38 PM ET
Detroit’s metropolitan population has a high percentage of African-Americans and Arab-Americans who don’t give, nor ever will give, a damn about ice hockey, nor the NHL.
Nice. While I know of examples to refute your assertions, I’ll let them speak for themselves, showing all the class of your fellow Pens fans. All you need is some ardent wish for fans of a rival team to be rendered homeless and forced to eat garbage, and you’ll be right there in the sewer of human filth. I’m sure you’ll recognize faces and be among friends there, where you can remind each other of whom the Stanley Cup Champions are.
Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from Fortress Europe on 07/02/09 at 02:43 PM ET
Wow, playin the race card. After winning the cup you’re stopping by to drop a bomb about racial issues regarding our team, our sport and our city. Don’t be playing around on this blog too long now, you hear? Don’t want you bein’ late for the rally tonight.
No not playing the race card, just stating facts. The African-American community nor the Arab-American community would not take offense to the statement that a large portion of their community is not interested in ice hockey, the Detroit Red Wings, nor the NHL. How many African-Americans do you see going to Red Wings games, if you have ever actually been to Joe Louis Arena? I’ve been to many arenas around the NHL, and African-Americans are very rare. But just to make it clear, African-Americans are more than welcome, as are Arab-Americans. Your local economy is a fact of life, something Pittsburgh also went through. Another fact, whether you want to hear it or not, is your local economic situation will affect all of your local sports teams’. THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!! Get used to it.
Posted by Pens Fan in DC on 07/02/09 at 02:44 PM ET
Oh, if only there was some area close to Detroit where the citizenry loves hockey…
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/02/09 at 02:50 PM ET
Man, Pens D sure is taking a hit this year. Gill? Gone. If Flower gets hurt? Garon gone too. And now bye bye Scuderi as well. Maybe you guys can work out a deal with Chicago for Campbell.
Posted by John W. from a bubble wrap cocoon on 07/02/09 at 02:55 PM ET
This is coming from a bunch of losers who regularly predict, and hope for, career ending injuries to Sidney Crosby, now they are the most sensitive group of people who ever walked the face of the earth. The VAST MAJORITY of African-Americans and Arab-Americans, in and out of the Detroit metropolitan area, don’t care about ice hockey, the Detroit Red Wings nor the NHL. I wish it wasn’t true because that would mean more interest, and money & potential players, for the league. But, it’s true. I wish Detroit wasn’t going through what it is, but it is. Pittsburgh went through the same thing. Just don’t give me this nonsense that the Red Wings will be in the same group with the Rangers, Toronto, Montreal, Philadelphia with the situation in your local economy. You’ll be praising the salary cap in a few years. And by the way when 4 of your top 6 players are this old: Listrom - 38, Osgood - 36, Homlstrom - 36, Rafalski - 35, it is a problem. THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!! Get used to it
Posted by Pens Fan in DC on 07/02/09 at 02:59 PM ET
But just to make it clear, African-Americans are more than welcome, as are Arab-Americans.
A giant pissing contest. Toronto has the most diverse population in the world. My recent emigre cousins from India who live there have become ardent fans of the NHL if not the Leafs. Are you saying those of us without European blood aren’t enticed by the skill and passion of the sport? My uncle’s lived in Detroit for 25+ years and it was through him that I became a fan. There may not be many fans of color in the NHL today but that too will change.
Posted by Deuce from Brooklyn on 07/02/09 at 03:00 PM ET
And by the way when 4 of your top 6 players are this old: Listrom - 38, Osgood - 36, Homlstrom - 36, Rafalski - 35, it is a problem
Holmstrom is not one of our top six players.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/02/09 at 03:06 PM ET
A giant pissing contest. Toronto has the most diverse population in the world. My recent emigre cousins from India who live there have become ardent fans of the NHL if not the Leafs. Are you saying those of us without European blood aren’t enticed by the skill and passion of the sport? My uncle’s lived in Detroit for 25+ years and it was through him that I became a fan. There may not be many fans of color in the NHL today but that too will change.
What I am saying is that African-Americans have lived in this country for more than 300 years and ice hockey, and the NHL, has been around for about 80 years as a spectator sport. It is a not attractive to most African-Americans. That’s simple marketing, in Detroit’s case. As for Arab-Americans, how are people who come from areas that don’t get cold enough to form ice supposed to be attracted to a sport played on ice, in a large population sense? They will search out sports they are familiar with like soccer. That’s why sattelite television services offer entire packages showing nothing but overseas soccer. You can quote all the rare individual cases you want, the league has tried marketing itself to African-Americans and it hasn’t worked, in the large sense. You can call me prejudiced and racist all you want, it’s simple demographics and numbers. Detroit is in big economic trouble, and their sports teams, including the Red Wings, will be affected.
And by the way, Scuderi hasn’t signed anywhere, and the longer this goes the better it looks for the Penguins, in both the cases of Scuderi and Fedotenko.
THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!! Get used to it
Posted by Pens Fan in DC on 07/02/09 at 03:11 PM ET
And by the way, Scuderi hasn’t signed anywhere, and the longer this goes the better it looks for the Penguins, in both the cases of Scuderi and Fedotenko.
Whoopsie…
Rob Scuderi has agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Kings, he confirms via text.
D-bag.
Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 07/02/09 at 03:13 PM ET
African-Americans are very rare
Quite funny when you take it out of context. Look, Pen(i)s fan in Douche Canoe, you’re on really thin ice with this whole race thing, so just drop it. To answer your question, yes I’ve been to Detroit’s wonderful Joe Louis Arena, booked a trip out of the desert for Spring Break my final year of college, watched the St. Pat’s game against Philly. Yes there are fans of different races who follow hockey, even in Detroit if you can believe it. No, not an overwhelming majority but it’s a big city, ~5 million people I think, so regardless of demographics we’ll be happy to have the largest fan base in hockey. Don’t forget about all those fans in other cities, now (even the ones of different races).
Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 07/02/09 at 03:15 PM ET
Holmstrom is not one of our top six players.
Even if I accept your premise, explain away the fact your top two defensemen (one of which plays 25-30 minutes a game) and goalie are over 35.
In comparison the Penguins have one defenseman 35, another 29, and a goalie 24.
THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!! Get used to it.
Posted by Pens Fan in DC on 07/02/09 at 03:15 PM ET
You don’t live in Detroit anymore and you’re a Pens fan. What do you care? Is a summer with the Stanley Cup that truly uneventful for you?
Posted by SYF from a "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" on 07/02/09 at 03:17 PM ET
how are people who come from areas that don’t get cold enough to form ice supposed to be attracted to a sport played on ice?
If only I could use the Phoenix Coyotes to prove you wrong… We get it, you’re not racist. Congrats. Now prove you’re not stupid and shut the hell up.
You see, what you’ve failed to mention is how popular the Red Wings are everywhere. As long as they remain competitive (which there is no reason to believe they won’t, with such a deep farm system, the best scouting in the league, and a reputation as a team you want to play for), they will remain very profitable. yes, I see your point that as the Michigan economy worsens, there will be more empty seats at the Joe Louis arena. However, arena seating is only a part of total team profits. I’d say the Penguins are close to the Red Wings (if not better off) in total merchandise sales (thanks greatly in part to the NHL head office spending their own money to market your franchise for you), but those numbers are huge. Take into consideration local television contracts and you’ve still got a team with pretty deep pockets.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/02/09 at 03:20 PM ET
And by the way, Scuderi hasn’t signed anywhere, and the longer this goes the better it looks for the Penguins, in both the cases of Scuderi and Fedotenko.
Whoopsie…
Rob Scuderi has agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Kings, he confirms via text.
D-bag.
Believe it when I see it. From a credible source like tsn.ca not a loser in his mom’s basement.
we’ll be happy to have the largest fan base in hockey.
Now that’s the funniest thing I’ve read all year.
No, not an overwhelming majority but it’s a big city, ~5 million people I think,
Thank you for stating my case for me. Easily 2 of those 5 million are minorities who don’t care about the Red Wings, not counting the portion of the other 3 million, regardless of their background who also don’t care about the Red Wings. It’s called market size and revenue stream, both of which are shrinking in Detroit.
By the way none of you are actually disputing the fact the local economy will affect your Red Wings, because it will. Instead of living in reality, you would rather be idiots, cry, and make ridiculous statements.
THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!! Get used to it.
Posted by Pens Fan in DC on 07/02/09 at 03:24 PM ET
Holmstrom is not one of our top six players.
Even if I accept your premise, explain away the fact your top two defensemen (one of which plays 25-30 minutes a game) and goalie are over 35.
In comparison the Penguins have one defenseman 35, another 29, and a goalie 24.
THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!! Get used to it.Posted by Pens Fan in DC on 07/02/09 at 04:15 PM ET
Even if you accept my premise? What the hell does that mean? You disagree? You think Holmstrom is better than Franzen? Than Filppula? Than Cleary? Kronwall? Stuart? Oh please, wise one, please accept my premise that I know more about my own team than you do.
I don’t have to explain away Lidstrom and Rafalski’s ages. All I can do is hope that Ericsson (25) lives up to the massive potential he’s shown us and Jakub Kindl (22) can make an impact. At any rate, which of the Penguins defensemen would you rather have than Nick Lidstrom, even at this point in his career? Where’s your Norris trophy candidate?
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/02/09 at 03:29 PM ET
Umm, it HAS been confirmed by a credible source:
via Rob Rossi, Penguins beat writer, on his Twitter,
Rob Scuderi has agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Kings, he confirms via text.
(from KK main page)
See, confirmed by a Pens writer AND Scuderi himself.
ROB SCUDERI IS A LOS ANGELES KING!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get used to it.
Posted by John W. from a bubble wrap cocoon on 07/02/09 at 03:31 PM ET
Oh, and it’s on TSN as well.
ROB SCUDERI IS A LOS ANGELES KING!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get used to it.
Posted by John W. from a bubble wrap cocoon on 07/02/09 at 03:33 PM ET
You can call me prejudiced and racist all you want
I didn’t, and still am not, calling you either. You are, however, mighty ignorant. And yes, my personal anecdotes don’t prove a larger point about demographics and hockey fandom, but then I wasn’t trying to do that. Marketing is not a science and it is not something that can produce conversion to a sport. It requires a personal response and an irrational desire to follow something that is essentially meaningless. I’m merely trying to show you that the melanin count in my skin does not preclude or include an interest in hockey.
Man, I never deal with Trolls and i detest racialism of any kind. I must be really bored and slow at work today.
Posted by Deuce from Brooklyn on 07/02/09 at 03:35 PM ET
The external validation complexes put on display by our recent visitors are incredible.
You could almost make a case study of them.
Posted by thethirdcoast from Rottenchester on 07/02/09 at 03:51 PM ET
You see, what you’ve failed to mention is how popular the Red Wings are everywhere.
Pretty much what I wanted to say J.J. thanks there.
I’m tired of feeding this troll. Think Scuderi will be happy in LA? Think he’ll have a good time playing the Ducks 6 times a year? And that beast of a Regular season team that is the Sharks? Think someone who everyone brags is an ‘intelligent’ defenseman can man up one he sees real competition out West? (See also: Boyle, Dan. See also: Campbell, Brian)
Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 07/02/09 at 03:54 PM ET
Trying to get back on some kind of track:
You know who’d be a good fit to replace Samuelsson?
Chad LaRose from Carolina
Posted by HockeyJoe from Upstate New York on 07/02/09 at 04:00 PM ET
Chad LaRose from Carolina
Michigan native. Add 5 arbitrary A2Y points to his resume.
Posted by Triple Deke Tyler from Lansing on 07/02/09 at 04:04 PM ET
Chad LaRose from Carolina
Posted by HockeyJoe from Upstate New York on 07/02/09 at 05:00 PM ET
I was thinking the same thing. But I read somewhere that 8 or 9 teams were talking to him…he may now be out of the Wings price range…
Posted by Bingo Bango Jessie on 07/02/09 at 04:05 PM ET
What I am saying is that African-Americans have lived in this country for more than 300 years and ice hockey, and the NHL, has been around for about 80 years as a spectator sport. It is a not attractive to most African-Americans.
Discounting and or ignoring the existance of an all Black League. I realize history is lost on you morons who think Original 6 means 6 NHL teams and all… but I digress.
http://www.blackhistorysociety.ca/Black Hockey Timelines_Tbl.htm
Back to the Jackatorium dipshit.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 07/02/09 at 04:06 PM ET
You know who’d be a good fit to replace Samuelsson?
Chad LaRose from Carolina
Posted by HockeyJoe from Upstate New York on 07/02/09 at 05:00 PM ET
I didn’t realize he was an $875,000 player last year. His 31 points last year get him close to replacing Sammy’s 40, but I’m not sure how much of a raise he’ll be expecting on the open market. I’d like to see Hudler signed to see how much room we have left, then see what he’d take. Not too familiar with his style, but it seems his name got mentioned a bunch during the playoffs.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/02/09 at 04:07 PM ET
Baroque, you know how much Holland covets a system like that? He wants you for a Commissioner.
Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 07/02/09 at 02:34 PM ET
Remember, no more pink-only options for adult women fans, too.
I’m afraid I have no resume that would include the qualifications for that job, and I’m even shorter than Bettman, but I guarantee I look cuter in a suit! 
********
People must be bored out of their minds (I’m home sick from work, so I have an excuse), because this so-called “race” stuff is soooooo stoooopid.
The difference between human beings and chimpanzees, genetically, is roughly 2% (depending on how it is determined - nucleotides, genes, etc.). TWO PERCENT! SO CLOSE TOGETHER THAT WHEN THE FIRST GENETICISTS LOOKED AT THE RESPECTIVE GENOMES THE FIRST GENES THEY SEQUENCED WERE IDENTICAL AND THEY WERE MAKING CRACKS ABOUT HOW ALL THE DIFFERENCES WERE GOING TO BE CULTURAL!
Human beings, as a species distinct from other apes, go back to only four million years, and no biologist would even BOTHER DIVIDING HUMANS INTO GROUPS BECAUSE THERE ISN’T ENOUGH GENETIC DIFFERENCE TO MAKE ANY BIOLOGICAL SENSE WHATSOFREAKINGEVER!
And as for culture - Yes, if someone grows up in an area where they have some exposure to a sport, they are more likely to like it. But that doesn’t mean that if they grow up in an area that has no snow or ice or cold weather that they will NEVER be interested in hockey.
Montoya’s mother was from Cuba. He plays hockey.
Abdelkader’s family is part Jordanian. He plays hockey.
Kadri’s family is part Lebanese. He plays hockey.
Oduya’s family is part Nigerian. He plays hockey.
Via the internet, you can find hockey fans everywhere around the world - fans log in not just from Canada, not just from the US, and not just from northern Europe, but also the Pacific Rim countries, South America, southern Europe around the Mediterannean, Australia, India - a lot of hockey fans have never seen snow or ice except in pictures, and it doesn’t make them any less hockey fans.
If you go by racial sports preferences, I shouldn’t care for baseball because I’m white and most of the players are black and/or Hispanic, I shouldn’t care as much about hockey as I do about soccer (which I don’t follow at ALL) because of my European heritage (not from the hockey countries), and actually I shouldn’t care about sports at all because I’m a woman and we all know that anyone with boobs can’t possibly understand the concept of not turning the puck over or feel actual physical pain right behind the eyeball when a pitcher gives up yet another freaking leadoff walk.
Blacks like hockey, too - not all of them, but neither do all whites, even white Canadians. Different people like different sports, and race doesn’t have nearly the impact as many other factors in a person’s life do.
.
.
.
.
.
(And I don’t mean to offend anyone by using black instead of African-American - besides being unwieldy, it seems to me to indicate that a person is first generation American born in this country of African parents, not a synonym for black, and I was recently involved with a ridiculous argument with someone who insisted on referring to Aborigianal Australians as “African-American” based entirely on skin color, no matter how logically stupid it was.)
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/02/09 at 04:15 PM ET
Okay, back to hockey before the idiots make me any more annoyed -
Have the Sharks done ANYTHING at all (other than not qualify a few minor players, that is)? I thought they were going to really shake things up to change the culture. Or were they reading that guy who figured that a spiritual transformation could be had for the price of a Samuelsson?
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/02/09 at 04:18 PM ET
What about Mike Grier? He’s another native Michigander who I think wouldn’t have trouble adjusting to our system. One problem I see is that his $1.775m price tag might be a bit high for a guy who’s nearing the end of his career at 35 and his point production won’t be as good as Sammy’s, but the guy is a dogged player who still has an excellent defensive game.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/02/09 at 04:20 PM ET
I’ll get back on topic for now, off topic at the end here:
Are we SURELY losing Sammy? Because if so, I like this LaRose idea. I honestly heard nothing from him until the playoffs began, and he was a force in the playoffs. Good source for secondary scoring, especially on a goal-starved team. Imagine what he could provide with a better opportunity for scoring chances? And he seems affordable.
In “off-subject” talk…
how are people who come from areas that don’t get cold enough to form ice supposed to be attracted to a sport played on ice,
Once again, out of context, but I was born on the US-Mexico border. Something Baroque argues does not, as I interpret her post, does NOT discourage me in becoming a hockey fan. Doesn’t snow much where I’ve lived, but that’s ok. If you’re not from Pittsburgh, WV then where you come from and what your background is doesn’t determine what sports you like. I’m glad today’s silly non-hockey posts are starting to resemble hockey now, though. Thanks, 19.
Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 07/02/09 at 04:25 PM ET
Grier might want a couple years, though - and what about him dropping down the elevator shaft? After 35 every dollar counts against the cap, even if the player is abducted by aliens.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/02/09 at 04:27 PM ET
Something Baroque argues does not, as I interpret her post, does NOT discourage me in becoming a hockey fan.
Sorry it was so rambling and convoluted. Can I blame OTC decongestants for that? 
Just the idea of a blog for Red Wings fans in Brasil nixes the “there must be snow” idea for me.
I don’t think Sammy is gone for sure - he’s one of the less expensive guys who usually last for a little while until after teams grab the bling, and then fill in the last few roster spots. It might depend on what offers he gets, but I think someone will offer him more than Detroit will.
I’ll miss the world’s crankiest Swede and his wildly inaccurate shot. :(
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/02/09 at 04:32 PM ET
Technically, Grier is 34 1/2. Not sure if the rule counts for the day he signs the contract or how old he’ll be at the end of the next season. Still, it’s a concern.
Just to make sure I understand the numbers. It looks like if we assume Lilja’s back, Leino gets $1M, Howard is the backup and Helm’s with us for the whole year that we have $5.77 for two remaining forwards before we’re over the cap. Not sure how much cap room we should have left over, but it seems that a pair of $2M forwards would be great. Hopefully Hudler and Sammy would both take that and we’re golden with a measly $1.77M left over for roster moves.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 07/02/09 at 04:35 PM ET
Remember, no more pink-only options for adult women fans, too.
Agreed.
Have the Sharks done ANYTHING at all (other than not qualify a few minor players, that is)? I thought they were going to really shake things up to change the culture.
No, they haven’t done anything at this point, but I think they are going to be looking at trade options more than free agents….maybe unload some salary and bring on some heart….
Posted by Bingo Bango Jessie on 07/02/09 at 04:35 PM ET
« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next »
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.
Most Recent Blog Posts
GDT - Game #56: Red Wings host Ducks (7:30)
GDT - Game #55: Red Wings host Oilers (7:30)
The F Stands For Finger And The Finger Could Really ______ Us All
GDT - Game #54: Red Wings at Coyotes (8:00)
So Far 4 In 2, Why Not 6 in 3?
About Abel to Yzerman
Welcome to Abel to Yzerman, a Red Wing blog since 1977. No other site on the internet has better-researched, fact-laden and better prepared discussions than A2Y. Re-phrase: we do little research, find facts and stats highly overrated and claim little to no preparation. There are 19 readers of A2Y. No more, no less. All of them, except maybe one, are juvenile in nature. Reminding them of that in the comment section will only encourage them to prove that. Your suggestions and critiques are welcome: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
When learning from experts it’s best to learn personally from them, or from their blog. We can provide that with poker lessons blog, your home to learn poker personally.
Do you get shocked from the luck in the game of poker? Stop getting shocked and start being a Poker Shoker
Get the top online sports betting bonuses available to sports betters!
Sullyosis, enjoy your black-lung. Coal mining is destroying “Wild and Wonderful” West Virginia. But our economy is heavily based on it so it is a “necessary evil”, to quote Thomas Paine (out of context, i know).
I’m from the northern panhandle of WV, you go further south(coal mining regions) and yes you’ll find some hillbillies. When you make fun of somebody because of their name you know your digging deep (pun intended, *#$%@&)
Sullyosis, can you refresh my memory, who won the stanley cup this year? WOOO
Posted by jon from wv on 07/02/09 at 01:05 PM ET