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Post by Trypod on Jun 5, 2008 19:45:02 GMT -5
The Penguins looked nice an experienced this year after last postseason's lesson in the first round against Ottawa. But it's amazing how a team that young could just blow a tire and lose energy. It also didn't help that they were facing an extremely experienced team that knew how to handle themselves in a Stanley Cup Finals situation.
As cool as it is to see Cleary with a Cup and to see Henrik get the Conn Smythe, I'd say biggest kudos goes to Lidstrom for being the first Euro captain to win the Cup. If anyone deserved that honour, he certainly did.
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NCWA
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Joined on: Feb 19, 2008 11:43:11 GMT -5
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Post by NCWA on Jun 5, 2008 20:57:55 GMT -5
Look at Detroit for a second. Datsyuk was criticized as being a playoff choker for the 03/04 run and the 05/06 run as well. He didn't silence his critics until the massive playoffs he had last year. Detroit dealt with a serious goal tending problem in 03/04, and 05/06. Hasek pulled us through last year, and Ozzie steps up this year. Lidstrom was looked at as being a subpar leader, especially following Stevie Y's run. Not only that, but again, we didn't get our craptogether until last year. The point is, it takes a few go arounds in the playoffs for players to truly develop. Malkin looked like complete crapin the finals, but next year, I guarantee , his conditioning will be better and he'll have learned how to play playoff hockey a lot more. Crosby will be the same. Ryan Whitney is going to be a great offensive defenseman eventually as well. There's a lot of pieces in Pittsburgh that will certainly come together to give the organization some sort of future. HOWEVER, look at their UFA situation. Detroit refused to add a big marquee player at the deadline, seeing how they worked out with Bertuzzi the year before. So we got a solid D-Man in Brad Stuart, the last piece of the puzzle we needed. We let our own kids develop. Datsyuk and Zetterberg are probably the best 1-2 punch in the league (yeah, better then Crosby/Malkin), Franzen turned into that big scoring winger, and Hudler, Filpulla, and Darren Helm all showed up and turned in star making performances, especially Helm and Filps. This team will be together for MANY more years. I'm not sure Pittsburgh will have the same luxury with all of the UFA's they have. The Hossa deal might turn out to be not so sweet afterall... BTW, where will Sundin go? Apparently, he wants like 7-8 million a season which is ing intellectually- disabled. He should be focused on wanting a cup at this point. Dude has enough money.
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Post by Trypod on Jun 5, 2008 21:29:00 GMT -5
Yeah, that's kind of the direction I was going with about Pittsburgh getting experience from last year's early exit and this year's trip to the finals. They'll be an absolute force next season or the following year. Either way, it won't be long until they have a Cup.
I forgot that last night on CBC after the game, they played these pre-recorded clips of Detroit's entire roster saying where they were from and their favourite player growing up. Everyone had a favourite player, except Datsyuk. He said with a big smile on his face, "I'm from Sverdlovsk, Russia, and I didn't have a favourite player."
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NCWA
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Joined on: Feb 19, 2008 11:43:11 GMT -5
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Post by NCWA on Jun 6, 2008 7:28:19 GMT -5
Man, Datsyuk is ing awesome. That's Dats for you.
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Deleted
Joined on: Sept 28, 2024 10:28:39 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2008 13:37:49 GMT -5
Went to the Red Wings parade today. Skipped school to go see it. Everything was awesome except for the 90 Degree heat. Didnt go to Hart Plaza to see them talk but it was still amazing. I cant wait for the NHL Awards right now. Detroit will be walking away with alot more trophies. Oh and the Wings are now the 7th most searched term on Yahoo.com
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Post by James Hardy on Jun 6, 2008 14:41:45 GMT -5
I'm not sure Pittsburgh will have the same luxury with all of the UFA's they have. The Hossa deal might turn out to be not so sweet afterall... Even though he probably won't be resigning I still think it was a great deal. We gave up two 3rd liners and a project who's stock fell hard in the draft.. I honestly don't believe we would have made it past the Rangers without Hossa..
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Deleted
Joined on: Sept 28, 2024 10:28:39 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2008 14:44:05 GMT -5
I dont think the Finals would have been 6 Games if it wasnt for Hossa
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Post by Trypod on Jun 6, 2008 15:45:17 GMT -5
Despite giving up a lot for Hossa, and the fact that he probably won't return, it was still a great trade. He was one of the best players in the postseason and really helped them make the finals, giving the young guys on the team tons of experience along the way. So in the end, I'd say his presence and skill there helped the team as a whole in the long run.
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Post by justtooratedr on Jun 6, 2008 18:07:56 GMT -5
I dont think the Finals would have been 6 Games if it wasnt for Hossa you officially win the award for best sig on WF.
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Deleted
Joined on: Sept 28, 2024 10:28:39 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2008 18:43:43 GMT -5
I dont think the Finals would have been 6 Games if it wasnt for Hossa you officially win the award for best sig on WF. Haha thanks
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Post by HandsomeHollywood on Jun 7, 2008 4:13:37 GMT -5
I dont think the Finals would have been 6 Games if it wasnt for Hossa you officially win the award for best sig on WF. agreed. i think the wings will have another great season in 2008-2009. but now that hockey's over, it's time to switch to the Euro Cup. i cant wait for next NHL season.
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Post by Trypod on Jun 7, 2008 8:31:33 GMT -5
Nhl.com posted this for a little while yesterday: Now they're claming it was an error and that they prepare for all possible outcomes.
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Deleted
Joined on: Sept 28, 2024 10:28:39 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2008 11:51:52 GMT -5
I think he's going to win it. Thats just me but after the season he has had, I think its his
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Post by Kemp2k on Jun 7, 2008 12:08:46 GMT -5
It's obvious that Ovie is going to win the Hart after this incredible season that he had.
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Post by ThugSuperstar on Jun 7, 2008 12:24:41 GMT -5
Despite giving up a lot for Hossa, and the fact that he probably won't return, it was still a great trade. He was one of the best players in the postseason and really helped them make the finals, giving the young guys on the team tons of experience along the way. So in the end, I'd say his presence and skill there helped the team as a whole in the long run. I don't agree, and it's not because I hate the Penguins either. When you're giving up that much for Hossa, it's just stupid not to demand a contract extension window as part of the terms for the trade. The fact that the Penguins didn't do that means that they obviously did not have plans to keep him beyond this year since they're going to have a ton of money tied up to Malkin, Crosby, Fleury and probably Malone, Orpik and other free agents this offseason. Plus, re-sign Staal is going to cost them because the kid is such an awesome two-way player with unlimited potential. Now, I read today that Hossa said he would take a discount to remain in Pittsburgh or go to another winning team. Whether or not that's true, we'll wait and see. But if the Pens re-signed him and he realyl did take a pay cut to stay, then the trade would have made sense in the end. I just still think that they wo'nt be able to re-sign him because of all their other FAs. When you give up all that talent for a rental, it's always going to be looked on as a failure if you don't win a Championship. That's not just the Hossa move, but in any sport.
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Post by scotti1183 on Jun 8, 2008 22:26:08 GMT -5
Tsn Reports that The Dominator is hanging them up...What a way to go out...2 time stanley cup champion
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Post by Gore on Jun 8, 2008 23:16:05 GMT -5
The cup was dropped and dented at Chelios' bar. Lame.
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Post by Jean-Ralphio on Jun 8, 2008 23:41:40 GMT -5
Hossa just needs to come to Boston, what the does Pittsburgh have? Big Ben? Pedro Alvarez? Steele? I mean seriously.
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Post by HandsomeHollywood on Jun 9, 2008 9:17:20 GMT -5
Tsn Reports that The Dominator is hanging them up...What a way to go out...2 time stanley cup champion that is good. i mean, i like Hasek. er, i liked Hasek. he's way passed his prime and we need a new fresh goaltender.
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Post by pineappleexpress on Jun 9, 2008 9:22:38 GMT -5
Nhl.com posted this for a little while yesterday: Now they're claming it was an error and that they prepare for all possible outcomes. It was academic, really. And on Hasek, all credit to him. Tremendous career and deserves all the praise he gets. It's gonna be an emotional press conference.
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