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Yep. I still don't like the Ericsson deal at all, but I like the White deal a lot and I'm at least neutral on the Commodore deal all things considered. The defensive coach is probably more important right now if we end up not making any more moves this summer. And of course, I'm very happy with getting Eaves and Miller signed up again for a bit here. I think Eaves has a lot of untapped potential that we've yet to fully see. I'm thinking this year Hudler will be out of the way more one way or another (via trade or he simply won't get any benefit of the doubt if he doesn't produce...) and that could translate to a real opportunity for Eaves to jump up and make an impact. He's got some solid skill, a terrific work ethic and he's tough to play against on every shift. I could see him turning into a Dan Cleary type of guy in terms of development. And with Miller, he's got skill too and he proved that he can contribute last year despite being really frustrated, so hopefully he goes out and makes a splash this year. Those two deals are rock solid. I'm expecting Osgood back at this point. They wouldn't do it if there were still serious concerns about his health, so I'm fine with it. I tend to think it wasn't nearly as big of an issue as it appeared so much as he was just pushing it too fast and too soon to try and get back when Howard was struggling. If Osgood can play, I don't think there's a better option because he's still a great mentor to Howard and you know he'll be dirt cheap and bring zero locker room issues. If Howard hadn't had such a strong playoff outing, I'd rather see them take a (huge) chance on signing Emery (into the Lidstrom school of Obedience, Discipline and Composure). But between the option of say Conklin and a healthy Osgood, I'd prefer Osgood. As far as future deals this summer, I'll believe it when I see it. I'm sure Holland would like to make a move or two and will try to, but I'm not holding my breath. He's definitely not going to shout it to the heavens either way. I think he'll make a deal at some point though to improve the defense and perhaps even the offense, but I think it'll come in the November-December time-frame when a few teams start pulling out of the playoff race. He'll try to get in before there's all the deadline demand playing into things. He's got Hudler, Flip and E that he can afford to move if you ask me. Huds is all but worthless, E has a "rest of the NHL-friendly" contract and Flip would simply be a great addition to any team lacking disciplined, solid two-way centers. We'll see...

You could at least make it a proper haiku if you're gonna be a debbie downer.

Like I said before, if he somehow acquires Yandle, the Wings are instantly the favorites for the Cup again. Lidstrom - White Yandle - Kronwall Stuart - Ericsson Commodore That's ridiculous.

Agreed. Hudler is a Wing, and once the season starts, he is one of us. I will cheer him on, delight in his glory, share his dejection in his shame, and hope against all hope that he will prove that he is worthy of the title of Red Wing. Until then, I look for better options. As you might guess, I generally hate mid-season trades.

Helm, Eaves and Mursak = fastest line in the NHL.

"We feel good with the people we have" =/= "We aren't going to make anymore moves" For person who negged me =/= means "does not equal" Grow up.

“We like our team, but we’re ready to make another move or two—whether it’s a signing or a trade—to make our team better this summer,” Holland said. http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/tmr/comments/ken_holland_focuses_efforts_on_finding_a_new_back-up_goaltender/ He's not going to say "Damn we're in need of a top-tier d-man that I hope to get via trade." You know... because he doesn't want to get rail-roaded by the team he wants to trade with.

Everyone here is way undervaluing Hudler. He had a bad start to the season, but still put up 37 points, which is respectable. Sure he didn't live up to expectations, but anyone that thinks he is 'worth nothing' is kidding themselves. If toronto can pull off Lebda + AHLer for Franson and Lombardi, then the DRW can definitely get a respectable return for Hudler + Smith/Kindl and a pick. That's a great package actually.

Stevie only like the 'lower bowl'...he's a perv like that

Bert isnt slow and Homer bounces around in the bottom 6 every once in a while. I still wouldnt want Arnott though, he isnt nearly as good as he used to be. Im liking the whole bigger and younger trend that has been going on anyways.

The Wings already have Bertuzzi and Holmstrom in the slow down the top lines role.

I don't understand how on one hand you can say that the Minny trade should be used as a comparison and then shoot down people's suggestions of Smith, Fil, and a 1st. Since you think Yandle is better than Burns there would be no pick coming back as there was in the SJ/MINN deal. This whole thread has been ridiculous. Everyone keeps freaking out and saying Holland couldn't even trade Hudler for a pick or that the Wings don't have the assets to make a Yandle deal happen. First, you have no clue what Holland was asking in exchange for Hudler. For all we know Holland wanted a roster player back and teams were unwilling to go that route or trade a roster player the caliber of what Holland was asking for. So before you continue to freak that Hudler wasn't dealt you should consider the fact that the Wings don't overpay in free agency and they do not give roster players away unless the return is greater than what they're shipping out. Secondly, the Wings would have just as good a shot at landing Yandle as any other team. You can't compare some of the trade proposals in this thread with what other teams could include a deal. You dont know that those teams would be willing to include better/more pieces. If Yandle is going to be traded the Wings will set their limits (in terms of what could be sent the other way) and if Phoenix wants more than the Wings will pass.

A Howard/Rinne Tandem for Hudler and a 4rth looks great to me;)

I'm glad he turned it down as well. I personally like White better too and a lot younger as well.

So... they save $250k from Tim Connolly. Who has been scoring consistently at a near-PPG level in Buffalo for years. And is reliable defensively. In five full seasons played since the lockout, Connolly has averaged 60 games played, 14 goals, 36 assists, and 50 points. Sure, he's had some injury issues. But even with that, he's been as productive per-season over those five seasons as Leino's one good season. Makes you wonder why they would get rid of a proven first-line NHL center in Connolly to pick up Leino, who has had one good season on the wing of a top-end center, and try and cram him into the center role which he hasn't played since juniors. And for the record, Ehrhoff's contract is great unless the cap shrinks considerably; they get a high-end defenseman on the cheap, and can deal him later to a needy team if they have to.

Stamkos is to young to be holding out for big money...sign a 2-3 year contract...4.5 per...Score 50 two of those three years then you are a franchise type kid...right now you are a young budding talent. Your first year was a dud, and showing signs...but if you want Vinny type money...you need to prove that you deserve it...at this point in his career, I don't even think Vinny is worth that much money anymore...

Well, we could have Vokoun at $1.5M for this year...

I would really like this! Get r done Kenny

5'-10" How's his skating and passing? He's scored 26 points four times. Atleast he's consistent. Only 27 years old..

Would love to see this mask again.

“I want to be with the Red Wings really bad, and everything worked out great between Kenny (Holland) and my agent, and for me, so I’ve very excited to be back,” said Eaves, who signed a three-year contract worth $3.6 million. “It’s just the people, the people in the organization that I’m with every day,” said Eaves, in an exclusive interview with DetroitRedWings.com. “Everyone is awesome, and I really enjoy all of the friendships that I have there. It was the people that really made me want to come back to Detroit.”

He's only 31. What's the huge downside to a one-year deal when we have a ton of cap space this year? Even when he's in the lineup, he's been fighting injuries the past few seasons. We can afford to take the chance that he's healthier now. The latest concussion scares me, but I've heard it's nowhere near as severe as the last one. With good health, there's no doubt he's at least a 20-25 goal scorer. If he gets nowhere near that much on the open market, then why not sign him? Lower salary means low risk/high reward. I've only ever seen you deride other people's 'out there' suggestions. Why don't you play GM for us once?

I was hoping for some more scoring up front so this would do it but I don't like the price but on a 1 year whatever. We certainly need more fire power with Commy & Big Rig back there! How about a combo or two?

For a while now I have been wondering if Nick does retire this year who gets the C for real? Z has always been the one they have hinted towards, and people across this board often say Z as well. However when it comes down to it, Dats is a better choice in my mind. He is arguably the best player in the game right now, playmaker, dangler, sniper, PK & PP specialist and defends his team mates (I dont want to see him actually drop the gloves again for a while but that was awesome). The thing people have often said is the language barrier, but I think that is really an issue anymore. So I expect to my Datsyuk Jersey I order in the near future to come with a C on it