Nightwing

From what I've heard, the whole "I want to be playing immediately" is something that was generated around him, not by him. He's denied it and was recently interviewed, saying that he wasn't the next "Sidney Crosby" and that he wasn't even sure that he was ready for the NHL immediately. He looks like he could be a great player, but everything got overblown when they started seeing what he could do and boasting him as the big Free Agent.

The fact that Batman Begins is so low on that list, and that Superman II isn't even on the list, shows how the critics really don't know what a good movie is. Seriously, X2 better than Batman Begins? It was good, but BB is a masterpiece of a comic-book movie. Come on, people.

Watching the San Jose/Dallas series, you have to think that they are simply trying to show off who can choke worse. God, learn to hold a damned lead already...

I could have sworn he started, because I thought it was surreal that Osgood and he would be the All-Stars. Luongo pulled out on the West side, I think because of what you are talking about, which opened the door for Osgood to start. And when I say disrespectful, I mean in regards to your comments about Babcock. At the time I had been okay with what people were saying (Considering CG being drunk as well), but the whole "two weeks early" comment pissed me off to no end, because I really think that Babcock is a better coach. I mean, max is right in his similarities to Dave Lewis, and I honestly don't think his system would work as well for the Red Wings as it did for the Bruins. I'm impressed by his job, but I'm not sure his system is one that can turn Boston into a contender. Babcock's system has turned the Red Wings around from the "chokers" people thought of them to real contenders with two WCF appearances and (arguably) becoming Cup favorites this year. But again, let's save this for the Off-Season thread.

While it's easier to put up gaudy numbers in the playoffs, let's remember that Thomas was an All-Star game starter and was absolutely fantastic through midseason. The Bruins started to fall off near the end, so I'd argue that his hot start had a lot to do with what happened. It's not as directly attributable as Giguere, you could make an argument that it gave them a big enough buffer to make it in. Also, it helps having the Southeast to beat up on. And if you'd like to continue to debate this, feel free to in the Offseason thread. I mean, I was simply pissed at you because your initial comments go against the grain of everything I've heard and read about Babcock so far, and it just felt really disrespectful.

Brunnstrom picked the right day to be at a Wings game. 13 Points including 8 goals from Swedes might be enough to convince him that Detroit is the place to be. Hopefully we'll hear soon.

Unfortunately, I can't afford it at the moment (Tough times in Michigan and all...), and I'm out in the country where I can only get satellite. So all my buddies who live closer to towns can get the CBC via cable, but I've asked DirecTV numerous times and they won't be carrying the CBC any time soon. Normally it isn't a problem because I find the FSN team of Ken Daniels and Mickey Redmond to be fairly enjoyable (And hey, let's thrown in Larry Murphy for fun) as Ken Daniels tends to stick with the play and Mickey is a decent color commentator, but they are done with the second round. All I'm getting is Versus, except for when I hang out with my buddies on the weekends.

And now we are at the point where the Versus announcers are bored with the game so they are going to ramble on about Wings players who were scratched today. Thanks for great play-by-play, guys!

No it wasn't, Roy last game was against the Wild. I know. What the fuck, guys? Can't we have a team that knows what the hell they are talking about?

Okay, the jackass on Versus just said that the 7-0 Wings/Avs game was the last game Patrick Roy played. Seriously, how can you even make that mistake knowing who Patrick Roy is? Like he'd go out on a game he got pulled in. Edit: Holy shit. Franzen for Conn Smythe.

Hey, the Rangers finally get things going their way. More power to them if they can get another win.

Well, the Red Wings' injuries were obviously less (I think Boston had somewhere around 360 or so of those man-games in comparison to the Wings' 194) and centered around the month of February. I mean, really, there's no contest; we've really been lucky and even I can admit that. But look at the defensive numbers in comparison to last year and this year. Look at the difference in their play, and how they are getting more and more out of their depth players. The Wings are great not just because of their top players, but how much Babcock gets out of his depth players and the great balance of defense and offense he's put into them. Him or Carbonneau, which is what you are obviously trying to get me to say.

Oh Christ, I'm not quoting that much. I'll just address things in general. nl5xsk1: No, you didn't say he wasn't "good" coach. You just said that Boston would be golfing two weeks earlier with him and implied that he essentially rode his talent to the President's trophy rather than coaching them. I'm sorry that I simply put two and two together there. I won't do it again. I never said Julien (who hasn't been any more successful outside of decent teams than Babcock. New Jersey very similar to Detroit in regards to year-to-year performance.) was a bad coach, either, I just said that Babcock deserved to be up there because he turned them into a ridiculously dominating team that was like that outside of their division and didn't use it as padding like most people normally accuse the Wings of doing. You know, like Dave Lewis did, which is why I brought him up. That, and being there for so damned long gave him a bit of a foot in the door. It still didn't help them much, and I never considered him that good of a coach. His Red Wings record is very padded by the Central Division, and that wasn't the case with Babcock this year. He won everywhere, against teams that were supposed to be more talented than his, no less. And Nashville had injuries (Steve Sullivan, anyone?) along with the firesale that occurred this year. The reason you see players like Dumont and Radulov playing like they are is very much because Trotz knows how to use them. I doubt you'd see the same results with many other coaches. I believe I said in a previous thread that Trotz was another that probably deserved this trophy. Then again, if you look to the poll that I posted, it seems that a sizable amount of NHL coaches seem to think that Babcock is doing a great job coaching, so perhaps you can look to that for some enlightenment. If you want to bring up Giguere, you should also bring up Tim Thomas, who played out of his mind this season and was easily one of the biggest factors in the Bruins success. That would sort of nullify your point, now wouldn't it? max: I don't disagree with you, but they are like that because of Trotz. When it comes to talent, I don't see them being on a much different footing; Trotz just has a great system. Hasek didn't that play well this year, so I'm assuming you mean Osgood. Then again, it seems like everyone believes it was the Wings defense doing it for him (The whole "they only get 20 shots on goal a game" stuff), so take that as you will. I personally think that the mistake-free hockey, incredible discipline, and the development of a lot of the players comes in great part from the coach in charge. Just as you said Julien didn't develop the rookie talent, Babcock has pushed younger players like Cleary and Franzen (and now Helm) to reach their potential. Again, I'm saying that Babcock deserves to be up there. I'm not saying that Julien sucked or anything. Far from it. But I'm saying that Babcock has just as much right to be up there as the others.

Hell, why not just put Barry Trotz? Or any other coach that had injuries? Hell, any coach. Coaches don't matter when you have the talent the Red Wings have. Wait a second, that's not right. If that's true, shouldn't San Jose already have beaten Dallas since they are obviously far more talented? Or Anaheim beaten Dallas, like just about every analyst was saying? Or Ottawa won at least one game against Pittsburgh? What a fucking stupid statement, man. Talent doesn't get you anywhere without good coaching. Again, I point you to Dave Lewis. Could it be possible that the Red Wings have been able to elevate their game due to great coaching? I'd point to Cleary's development for one, and I doubt Franzen would have developed like he has recently under a different coach. Babcock would have them on the golf course? Yeah, fuck off. The Western Conference Coaches disagree with you. Julien has had a few decent years with the Habs and took over a New Jersey team whose strategies haven't changed since the early 1990s. He's not the next coaching God. max, do you remember you reaction to his hire? The only guys who actually pegged Julien as a decent coach was Redbaron and CG, so I'll give them credit. And I'll give Julien credit for helping the team fight its way into the playoffs (Or maybe they did it without Julien, since you guys are so up on talent carrying teams...). But acting like anyone can win with talent ignores the fact that immensely talented teams go down every year. Just having talent isn't enough to make you great, you have to have the coaching there. max: I pointed out the division because CG's drunken rant suggested that they won because of their division. I showed that they dominated the rest of the west much better. And you undersell Boston; the description you just gave applies better to Nashville than Boston. At least Chara is up for the Norris. Nashville has Arnott and...? In other news: Looks like a sweep tonight.

Yes, I did. I agree with your spoiler, and I've heard that . I do like how they slowly reveal it throughout the book. The Green Lantern stuff looks interesting, especially how The Batman stuff really intrigues me, especially with its relation to the storyline that Morrison used, as well as its possible links to the . Overall, a solid preview of what is going to happen. Didn't knock me out of my seat, but definitely got me excited.

Babcock does deserve to be there. I mean, this isn't like Ron Wilson, where he has so much talent that they can underperform for most of the year and then charge into the playoffs. Babcock kept the Wings consistent; the only time they really lost was when their number one defenseman was Brett Lebda, and even then it took a few odd bounces to do it. I understand the woes of the Bruins, but lets face facts: When Dave Lewis was your last coach, the only way you can go is up. Julien deserves a nod, and I said as much. Just don't dump on Babcock's excellence this year. Without that injury streak, they might have gotten to 60 wins. That's all I'm asking. ... And just how many drinks have you had tonight?

Of course, could you have absolutely dominated all opponents outside of your division? I mean, they won the President's Trophy (Not just their division) despite their weaker record against the Central. Just sayin'... And weren't people here saying Philly wasn't going to be in the playoffs at the start of the season? I'm not sure how long Biron's good graces are going to last, but he might carry them to the finals if he can keep up his momentum. Of course, the rest of the team is going to have to step up a bit as well. Now let's see if the Sharks can keep this one goal lead, or if they truly are gutless wonders. I think they actually might take this game especially with some of the sloppiness Dallas is showing.

@ CDub: Drink! Then again, I thought they were on the power play before the penalty. Philly just wasn't moving at all. This might motivate them a bit...

ESPN on Avery Apparently out for the season, but there was no cardiac arrest like was reported earlier.

Oh fuck you, Barry. The Ducks were the best team in the NHL? The first round proved that wrong, along with the fact that they weren't scoring nearly enough to sustain a decent playoff run, even if they had the best defense out there. God, I swear I want to fucking punch Melrose. The Wings are getting credit? Yeah, sure. Is that why you've picked against them in the last two rounds? Or how you continually diminish Osgood's excellent performance in the net? Man, ESPN pisses me off sometimes.

What the hell, Colorado? You take your goalie out and that's the time you decide to take off? God, I guess neither team wanted to just win the game tonight, but Detroit definitely played good enough not to lose. Three potential sweeps out of four total series. I hope to God Barry Melrose breaks down and cries if he has to give a pick for "Dallas vs. Detroit".

Man, the Wings are just trying to GIVE this game away...

What the heck is up with the Rangers? I feel like that series should be at least 2-1, maybe 1-2. I don't know if Fleury is stealing these games, the Rangers are just choking, bad luck, or some combination thereof. Not to say the Pens are a bad team, but they definitely shouldn't be in a position to sweep judging from the way they are playing.

Malkin was useful for the relatively short stretch that Crosby was out. Frankly, Conklin was a bigger factor in holding the Pens together with his solid play during the playoff hunt. Lidstrom should have gotten the nod. Ovechkin will win, obviously. He'll take more Harts than Crosby, but I don't see either of them completely dominating the Hart Trophy in the future. Both have fairly solid teams coming up, which should make their success less of a question than it was this year.

Which begs the question: Why haven't you? On topic: What the hell happened with the Sharks last night? It was 2-1 when I switched away from the game at the end of the second, and they were playing good hockey. I turn back after the game and the post-game shows 5-2. How could they choke that away? I'm not too worried about Dallas (Mostly because Detroit just has Turco's number, and I honestly think the Wings are a much better team overall), but San Jose shouldn't have lost that game. I can't believe they gave that one up. Now it's going to be a 5-game series, 6 if they are lucky.