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Originally Posted by generaladm
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Fedorov wasn't a very impressive player, and definitely fun to watch, but I don't consider him an "all-time great". Think about other hockey players you would consider "all-timers" (probably Gretz, Mario, Howe, Orr, Mess, Roy, etc.), and measure SF against them. Maybe he's on that level in your opinion, but I reserve that distinction for players who were a large part of their team's success. IMO, Fedorov's success was more a product of being on a great team. I'm aware of SF's playoff numbers, but I have to wonder how many of those points came in the early rounds. You also have to consider that SF was on a team that made it to the playoffs in all of his first 13 seasons, and advanced past the first round in 8 of those. SF played in 183 career playoff games (162 with the Wings), it stands to reason that he would be up there in points. For a frame of reference, of the #15-27 playoff scoring leaders, there is only one who played more games than SF (by 1), who was not a defenseman (Bobby Smith). If you take similar players (finesse wingers with speed and skill) from the same era (say, Bure, Mogilny, Selanne), and put them in SF's place, I don't think the Wings' results change much. I think Bure was more important to the 'Nucks than SF was to the Wings, in particular. Would you consider any of those named players "all-time greats" (their numbers are pretty similar). Maybe they are, it depends on how you define it. In Buckeye terms, Archie is without question an all-time great. But what about Keith Byars? Or Robert Smith? There are good arguments both ways.
Back on topic, I expect that the big names that will cause the most action in UFA will be Gaborik and Sundin. The Wild have to weigh how long they think it will take to be a legit contender vs. how much they could get for Gaborik. Of course, MG's desire to stay in a small (not to mention cold as hell) market, on a mediocre team, may be the determining factor. There should be plenty of suitors for MG's services. It may come down to a trade this year, or face trying to offer him enough to turn down a cup contender next year.
I can't believe Sundin is set to make that much money. I'm a fan of his from his Leaf days, but I don't think he's worth much more than half of that. He's going to be hard to move with that contract, unless the 'Nucks eat part of his salary. I'm guessing the front office would be happy to get nearly anything for him, and free up $4-6mil.
I expect 'Bullin and Hossa to change teams, one way or another. Shouldn't be too hard to find takers, they're just not worth it to their respective teams. Hawks may have to take a hit to move 'Bullin.
There are a few older players who will probably be asked to restructure their contracts, get traded as a gun for hire, or may just retire. Niedermayer, Guerin, Hatcher, Rob Blake, Schneider, Tkachuk, Zubov, Lehtinen all fall in to that category. I'd imagine the Avs will try to allow Sakic to retire with the team, unless he wants to be traded for one last shot at the cup.
Yes, I am really bored.
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