You know, it really bugs me when people say that because bring in one or two new "star players" does not a team make. Look at some of the key players for the Red Wings: Maltby, McCarty, Draper, Holmstrom, Avery...these are not the guys making the boku bucks.

As to some problems with Canadian teams, could it be that the monatary difference between the US and Canadian dollar is an issue?

yeah the exchange rate has alot to do with it. Canadian teams bring in all thir coin in Canadian dollars and have to pay their players and coaching staff in USD. Which can leave a huge difference that the team has to cover. There is no real way to avoid it, njobody is going to want to be paid in Loonies when they could be making greenbacks.

....well, better late than never.....

I pick on detroit because although they've done an excellent job in trades and drafting (considering they've found gems in the later stages), them and Colorado are the "Microsoft" of the league. The second they find a hole in their roster (e.g. hasek leaving or weak defense - picked up wooley), they'll do whatever it takes to stay on top and usually by means of being number 1. E.G. players will go there for less money because they want a shot at the cup or will pick a player up from a team that is piss poor or has some other disadvantage resulting in players leaving.

Should the league be better with 16-20 teams...maybe. But who's to decide which teams are stronger, the ones like dallas that throw money around to put a winner on the ice even tho the team gets only 50,000 for the stanley cup parade. And what's gonna happen when the league folds down to half of what it's at now, are fans of lost teams gonna support the NHL - nope. So how is that making the league stronger? You're removing the knowledgeable, hardcore fans from the game.

Canadian Teke, you take everything at face value. You didn't put much thought or effort into looking for alternatives in helping the little guys. Maybe put a limit on restricted agents a team can vie for, or reduced draft picks for teams that spend a certain level of money, or maybe increasing the requirements from level 4 or 5 agents to level 2. I spent 2 minutes and came up with a few ideas, i'm sure if bettman had any balls he could do the same.

As for the senators situation, i could go on and on about why the franchise didn't work, from taxes to location of venue, to franchise fee, ect., ect., ect. Bryden can bitch all he wants about ticket prices, point is the high-tech sector crashed killed all sales for the 100$ and up games that working-class joe can't pay for. If toronto wasn't allowed to sell blocks to corporate seating, do you think they would sell out everygame?

anyways, i gotta get my game face on for the match tonight vs t.b. Better try to get in as many games as i can, i doubt they'll be around next year.

I still don't see why this makes Detroit the "bad guy." We have a strong organization and fan base that likes to win. Of course players are going to want to come to a situation like that.

On a different note, I went to the Wings/Blackhawks game last night. For the first time ever, I got to sit in the lower bowl, 10 rows off the ice. It was amazing! God I love hockey! :D

Yay! The Return of the Captain! http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmili...ty/yelclap.gif Welcome Back, Stevie Y!

WooHoo!!! Unbeaten in 14; 15 goals in the last 2 games; Nazzy tied with Mario for most points... Stanley Cup here we come

Final score: Canucks 8
Atlanta 0


http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/jump.gif

As much as i respect the Canucks, it's all about the Leafs right now, 9 wins in the last 11 games, 9 points behind the first place Sens (respect goes to the sens, maintaining a great team regardless of financial situation) The return of Gary Roberts, the curse of '67 is about to meet it's match :D http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/tor38.gif

don't count on it my friend....leafs going down in the first round.

If they play like they are playing now, Stanley is finally coming home!!!!

I always hear from you Ottawa types that Toronto is going out first round, but for three years running i have seen the sens fall to the Blue and white, it must be tough living in such a great shadow. j/k.

I hope Ottawa does well this playoff season, and that Toronto and the sens don't match up till the conference finals, at least guarenteeing Ontario a bid for the cup.

No WE'RE bringing the cup home this year... http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmili.../xyxthumbs.gif

http://www.aircanada.ca/about-us/spo...go_canucks.gif

It's statments like this that give the rest of the country the idea tht Vancouver is over run by pot heads. J/K

Toronto Vs Vancouver Stanley cup, Toronto takes it in the 7th game at home!!

you naive leaf fan, home ice goes to the president cup winner; which cannot be toronto, hence no game seven at the ACC...keep beleafing in stanley for next year, because you guys are going out in the first round (destined to collide with philly)

That assumes that Vancouver will win the presidents cup. There is no guarentee of that. You'd better beleaf that I will continue to always beleaf

You're both delusional. Even if Toronto can slide through in the East, which probably won't happen, Vancouver is not going to win in the west. :rolleyes:

i didn't say vancouver would win the presidents' cup either...although some stellar players are out right now, we'll take both cups....defence is what wins games, and we have the best in the league.