Who is that? I haven't followed the Wings. When I lived in Kentwood it was Stevey. I remember how they dissed him til they finally won the cup. Then he became the hero he always was. I was happy for him.
Good luck, should be an awesome series, care to place a friendly wager? ;)

Johan Franzen is missing, Otherwise two very evenly matched teams but I believe Detroit has a better defense.

Is The Whale still there is Hartford, Belly up and Ill buy you a beer or two or three!! but I will have to call it in:D

I on the Pens bandwagon. They need to win now as they most likely will not be able to keep Malone, Crosby, Malkin etc. long term in the current salary cap scenario.

Detroit will be tough. Depth and experience is in their favor--especially on D. Osgood has been solid--but he can be beaten. Fleury must continue to be excellent.

To me, Fleury is the best young goaler since Grant Fuhr--his lateral movement quick legs are unreal when he is "on".

I just got VS and it does suck-the announcers are pretty average. Just wish they would broadcast all of CBC's coverage and be done with it. This should be a fun series to watch.

I am biased as I played competitive hockey through college etc--but play-off hockey smokes Basketball (can't bear to watch that drudgery) and baseball for speed, excitement etc. Alas, it is a predominantly regional sport.

Too bad the NHL continually shoots itself in the foot promoting the game and perhaps more importantly--the players.

What happened to him?
The Whalers are now the Carolina Hurricanes. We do have the Hartford Wolf Pack. Minor league team.
I may be coming to west. Michigan this summer to visit a friend. So...
Three beers? You're on!

Franzen has 'concussion like symptoms' I believe. Could be anything from a concussion to a sore ankle.

What is the Canadians view on Don Cherry. Buffoon or just an old time announcer that wears drapery as suits? He has jumped on the Pens bandwagon also since I guess they have more Canadians then Europeans. He did have an interesting point on why they don't sell out at there own arena. He say they just play boring, European hockey and he can't stand to watch them. Plenty of puck possession and little hitting or physical play. His words. Hey, if it takes boring hockey to win cups who cares.

I'm pretty sure it's an act. He is no dummie. He's a little right wing, a little politcally incorrect, it all sells.

If you listen carefully he is rarely wrong in his analysis of anything hockey related.

Don't forget, he spent a lifeltime in the AHL and coached some great hockey players and teams. He 'gets' the game from a players perspective, and from a fans perspective.

I doubt anyone loves the game more than he does.

As far as Fleury goes lets not anoint him as the next Grant Fuhr until he wins a FEW cups. Yes, I agree he is a fine young goalie, personally I think he gets sloppy with his glove at times and goes down a bit too quick at times. Like you I played competitive hockey from the time I was 8 until I graduated college. These days I coach Tier 1 youth hockey and have seen a lot of good young goalies across the US and Canada.

Basketball is boring… nuff said on that topic.

Trader--not sure I meant to call him Grant-I feel he is the best young goaler since Grant. His physical talents and especially his quick legs are the best I've seen since Mr. Fuhr. His lateral movement is extraordinarily good.

I agree--he needs to win a cup or two before we mention him in the same stratosphere--but his potential is pretty amazing. Even his inconsistency is similar--Grant had his ups and downs--especially early on ( I recall Grant flipping the bird to his home crowd and being sent down to the minors when he was younger).

Goal is alot like QB. Early on you tend to rely on your physical skills--later you develop better intuition and play a stronger mental/positioning game. If you are extremely lucky your abilities combined with reputation and mental strength allow you to become truly great-like a Pat Roy.

Anyhow--I do agree--the guy has to continue his play and prove it. I just think the kid is a special talent. Hopefully, even if he has a rough final--he is allowed to mature and realize his potential.

A.B.

I agree in principle, I think he's a fantastic talent for right now. There have been some pretty good goalies since Fuhr. The guy in NJ is a decent stopper and he's post G.F. If you asked me to choose between Fleury and Price I go Fleury.

Fleury was no where near as good as Price when he came into the league. Let's be charitable and say 'he struggled'.

If they're both good young goalies at this point in time I go Fleury still.

GO WINGS!!!!!!

I am in Detroit right now for work, and actually had tickets for game 7 if it went that far.

I think Franzen will be back for Game 1, which is a good thing.

I am really hoping for a good series, the NHL needs it. I like the Pen's offense, but I agree with some of the comments made already, Detroit has a stronger D I think.

I also tire of the man love for Crosby, at least he is a good kid from everythign I can tell.

Bill

Someone tell me why Osgood gets no respect? This guys won a chit load of games and playoff games and a cup or two right?

Yeah he does, I don't know why he doesn't get any respect, it annoys me. He let in one soft goal in game 4 against Dallas, but otherwise played I thought some very good games. I have always liked Ozzie, especially after he got into it whith Patrick R-O-Y (who I heard Denver wanted to hire as their next coach?? Can you belive that BS?). I'll never forget his pompous a$$ statue of liberty and then dropping the puck against the Wings...

Roy was our neighbor for a while in Florida right after he retired. He had some knock down drag out fights with his wife.

I thought the Pens sold out every home game this season. No matter, GO PENS!!

No, the Pens have sold out every game. He was referring to the Red Wings lack of sellouts.

Oh, ok. Probably Atlanta Brave Syndrome. They won so often it became common place. The Redwings have been very good for very long.

Price is one cool customer for a kid his age. I think mentally, he has a great mindset--never too up-never too down. Usually very good positioning (a big fella)--no excess movement--square to the shooter and lets the puck come to him. Not as mobile as Fleury-Got tired at the end of the year and struggled a bit --had trouble making the "big save" in the play-offs, and that is critical.

So far Fleury has made the big save time and again. The next round will be the big test--I do not think Pittsburgh can roll the Red Wings like they have done for most of the play-offs. I realize Fleury struggled early--but almost every good young goalie has at one time or other--From Pat Roy, to Pelle Lindbergh-to Grant Fuhr--it takes time to "get it" as a goalie. I still think he is very gifted and I take him over Price as well.

Osgood is just a solid, reliable, NHL goalie. Not particularly flashy--but can be as good as anyone. Underrated, and experienced--he is just consistent. Rarely lets in the soft goal--but has less propensity to make the unreal save.

A.B.