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I think he's gonna be effective, especially for that price tag. I just hope he can stay healthy. That's the biggest issue to me.

Neither. No reason #24 should be retired, imo.

I'd give it to Probert... the emotional factor weighs too much. But it won't be... it'll probably be held out of circulation for a long time though.

In Kenny We Trust. Indeed. Looks like this guy can hit and is decent on the point. Might have been an initiative by Babs? Maybe. But... IS THERE ANY WAY HE IS WORSE THAN LEBDA??

Maybe I am just selfish but I would hate for the Wings to share a arena

Shane Hdnidy then.. right-shooter as well.

Neither. But you know what, Probert has had his retirement moment at the Joe - when #19 got retired. The response from the fans then was of far more value to him then, than retiring his number is now.

Kind of sucks that Drew Miller has a current video up on Red Wings TV of him answering questions on how the team and his role on the team can be better next season.

Exactly. If you look at the 6 numbers that are up there, is there any way that Probert or Chelios can compare? I know one was a fan favorite, and I know that another played with us for 10 years. They had their ups and downs, and are beloved members of the Red Wings alumni, but neither had the kind of exemplary career that would warrant a number retirement. Had Cheli been drafted by the Wings, and played his entire career here, you *might* have an argument for his number, but that isn't the case, so it's a moot point. IMO, the current standard seems to be the best, and that is the standard that Yzerman set. I realize that that might be setting the bar a bit high, but isn't that kind of the point? Number retirement is the highest honor the Red Wings can give to a player. If you give it to #24 (either Probert, or Cheli), doesn't that then seem to cheapen it for the other absolute legends that are already up there? There are more Red Wings players in the Hall of Fame (49) than there are with retired numbers. IMO, that's the way it should be. The only current or former Red Wing right now that I would even consider as being worthy of number retirement is Lidstrom.

First of all Modano costs $1.25M not $1.75M. He is eligable for a 500,000 bonus but that will count against the 11-12 cap not the 10-11 cap. You are exaggerating his cap hit to make a point. Secondly, adding up Rafalski's and Lidstrom's ages to make your point is a little bit juvenile. Lidstrom at 40 is still arguably one of the best D-men playing the game so his age is not a factor. Much of the defensive problems last year were due to poor play by Lebda and Ericsson. Lebda is gone and Ericsson was a rookie who has a tremendous upside. There is no thought of replacing Ericsson. We don't NEED to sign another D-man this summer. Next summer if Lids retires then yes, we do but when that happens, we can use Lids money to sign a free agent. I agree with Babs and Kenny who know a hell of a lot more about it than anybody on this forum.

You're still here so apparently depth envy is in full swing.

"Hey Z, guess what!" "What?" "I'm back!!!" "Really?? YEAHH!!!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVI5NBcpn3w Skip ahead to 3:00

How come Ritola doesn't own up the ahl?... he could have been a full time wing by now had he done that...

Easy now let's not get to carried away here, Datsyuk is perhaps the best take-away artist of all time and the latter is Ritola.

Ritola does not have the nack for finding the back of the net, but man is he amazing and such a smart player. He sees the ice almost as well as Datsyuk. He has crazy puck handling skills, and can do take-aways as good or better than Datsyuk. His work ethics are off the charts and he isn't afraid to go in the corners and dig the puck out... and win. Did you watch him in some of the games he played last season? I can remember several key plays that was just 'PURE STUD' written all over it. I think he made Datsyuk say "Wow" from the bench. Even Babcock had a big smile as Ritola was getting back on the bench. I particularly remember after Ritola sat down, Babcock walked over to him and give him a big pat on the back like "that's my boy!". He single handedly owned the other team. he did an amazing take-away in the defensive zone, skated the puck by 3 opposing players and skated in the offensive zone. They took away his pass so he took the puck to the corner, allowing the rest of his team to skate in and get in position. He had 3 players against him fighting him for the puck and miraculously, Ritola somehow did this amazing back pass to get the puck Helm (I think) who was standing in front of the net all alone and unrivaled because Ritola was the focus by all the opposing players on the other team. He was amazing! That shift was ungodly. The kid is definitely, without a doubt in my mind, will be the guy Holland will want to keep. If Holland loses him, I guarantee LGWs will melt down next year when they see what kind of stud he turns out for some other team. He's the perfect 3rd line center, and I wouldn't doubt that he could develop into a 2nd line center if he finds his scoring touch like Franzen. The kid has all the skill in the world, they just need to tap into it. He reminds me of Filpulla with better puck skills, stronger work ethics, more determination, better one-on-one and sees the ice better. Filpulla is a better goal scorer. You put Ritola between Hudler and Cleary, and I think Red Wings have a stud line. The decision should be easy for Holland, keep Ritola.

Maybe Red Kelly's number wasn't retired because he spent a significant amount of time playing for the Leafs. All the players the Wings have retired spent either their entire career, or almost their entire career (like say Howe) playing for the Wings. I don't see them giving it to two players who played a long time with other franchises. We're not the divealanche.

Please Kenny pass on this one.

I think everybody is forgetting something that may push this offseason over the edge. No More Lebda.

esteef

Babs now will have the option of picking who ever has the hot hand

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK8yDNqLO6M