Just to quickly update, the freep learned that Avery Johnson's agent was officially contacted about the Pistons' job. This is a good development.
I also just read that Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva are currently in Detroit, negotiating contracts. That's very interesting. I can't see how Gordon and Rip could exist on the same team.
On second thought, Gordon and Rip (and Villanueva) went to UConn... so maybe they're buds. Would friendship trump ego?
Is it too earlier to assume that the Blackhawks are now the consensus favorite to win the West next season? I don't know about you guys, but I don't really feel that great about the "well, now we can afford Hudler" logic. Ain't easy to replace 40 goals -- esp. 40 goals playing for the Wings. It's one thing to score 40 when you're the only option, but in the D, that's a different feat altogether.
ReplyDeleteI think it's too early indeed. The Blackhawks nabbed Hossa and his 40 goals, but they lose Havlat and his 29 goals (77 pts). It's a definite gain for the Hawks, but not without a price. The Wings will have less talent next year, but, as we've seen throughout the playoffs, it's not only about talent.
ReplyDeleteWinning the Cup is about:
1. Hunger
2. Matchups
3. Injuries
4. Talent
(in that order, too)
I completely agree, but I'm just anticipating the hype. NHL would love Kane vs. Crosby, and Hossa's signing is more fuel to that fire.
ReplyDeleteI never actually watched this until now (click on my name for the video). The chorus of boos raining down on Bettman are pretty impressive, when he hands the Cup to Crosby. Pittsburgh fans thought the Detroiters were booing the Pens. Nope, it was ALL Bettman.
ReplyDeleteMight be putting my foot in my mouth here but I'm really not sweating losing out to the Hawks for one of the league's best 2nd-line-regular-season-when-in-a-contract-year forwards (he'll probably play on the first line, but you know what I mean).
ReplyDelete