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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.

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.

24, puts up points, not a *****. Plus, the Wings have had a really good look at him in the last 2 postseasons. He'd be an unbelievable addition to the Wings.

If the Wings weren't so jam packed with forwards I'd be calling for a Konopka signing as well. Unfortunately the Wings have too many forwards to justify adding another bottom six guy, no matter how bad ass he is. Errrr.... I assume you didn't watch many Grand Rapids games last year. Pierce outplayed our 1st round pick in goal last season (scary no matter how you look at it). Re-signing him was important for the team in GR. I'm sure Holland is more than competent enough to simultaneously negotiate with multiple players.

Aw f*** you, Drake!... Think you're so much better than me with your more timely posts...

You failed once again, So please leave us alone now, And never come back 5-7-5!!!

I wish you were the local police. I would rob all the banks with hair dye as my only disguise.

Well, since mj said it... Stop posting here if you are going to keep whining about the gloom and doom of the Wings. You can make an honest discussion about the Wings' future without sounding like a baby. "The bottom line is that top to bottom, this might be the worst Wings team to take to the ice since 1991. " One of the most moronic statements ever made. Let me know how straight talent worked for Detroit in 95, 96, 01, 03. It's about structure, and the Wings were a single game away (don't forget about the injuries and s***ty luck the Wings dealt with in round 2) from making it to the conference finals. You aren't sounding like a realist. You are sounding like a straight up pessimist.

Just when I thought you couldn't get any dumber. No where did I say any team should/would give Holland that. I said that Holland may have been asking for more than other team's were willing to trade. Massive difference Your childish insults just show the lack of substance behind your argument. No where did I say the Coyotes would trade Yandle for Hudler +prospects/picks. All I said was that you (just like the rest of us) don't know that that couldn't be a starting point. If I were the Coyotes GM I wouldnt want that but you going off on these ridiculous rants about how absurd it is and then you list a million Wings prospects that would need to be included to just as extreme (to the opposite end) as you find the Kinl + Hudler + picks notion.

I used to love Arnott, but that was 1995. I dont love him so much now, respect yes but for the Wings Id have to pass for younger talent.

Why? This is a discussion board.

"No Love" for Hudler I think you are responding to the wrong folks Eva, you need to contact Holland, Babcock, and the rest of the DRW Organization as I said before.... "Wings would not be shopping Hudler if he was what they expecting" Hope they get him out of here, get someone in here who can put up goals/assists, and want to be here.... At the same time, wherever Jiri lands, he will want to be there and help that team accordingly.

I dont know Zherdev all that well but from what Ive heard it's not good...However with the candor of the Red Wings could this alter his attitude? Or could the Dazzeling Datsyukian dekes humble him just enough to give us a chance to mold him some? I think so imo, and I love Emery as well, he plays with raw emotion and plays really well (most of the time).....he could also be our enforcer. I love fighting goalies!

I'm no expert on White, but I do know enough to know that White > Jovo.

Damn right it would!

Filppula - Datsyuk -Holmstrom Hudler- Zetterberg - Franzen Cleary - Abs - Bertuzzi Eaves - Helm-Mursak I love the combos. I just think that Abby would do great with Clears and Bert, they are all cut from the same cloth so to speak. That leaves Helm on four, which is almost my favorite line on the team. The "Wheels" line as I will call it of Eaves, Helm and Mursak. These guys will leave almost any line one thru four spinning round watching them fly away. I am really digging this team right now, and I have a feeling it's a best for last sort of thing...we shall see.

The Yotes might remember Abby differently he scored a sick goal against them! I do really love Yandle and that would be awesome. Not likely but thats alright. [media][/media]

This theory works if you only plan on playing with 5 defensemen. Given that Rafalski's minutes are going to be picked up by someone, most any able bodied defenseman will pick up close to 15 to 20 points by the sheer dumb luck of being out there for that amount of time. Hell, even the offensively challenged Chelios picked up 11 or 12 points in his last full season of full time play here.

If Holland has even the smallest of chances to obtain Yandle, he had better take it. As long as it doesn't cost Smith, I'm fine with it, within reason. At some point, Holland is going to have to give up some picks to make these things happen. When it's someone young and already becoming established, it's not wasting a pick.

Just curious, and I'm not saying I want Gagne, but who DO you want the Red Wings to sign? I've been lurking here awhile now and I've seen you shoot down literally every player mentioned as a possible acquisition. Who would you like?

Honestly, I would have paid Eaves more. The guy does it all for us. He definitely deserves more than Ericsson should have gotten.

tyler kennedy sad face

Dowell surprises me. I thought he was doing well for Chicago. Anthony Stewart is another shocking one. He made nearly nothing last year and scored 40 points. How do you not qualify that? I hope to see Holland make a move to pick up Stewart if he could get him cheap. Maybe something like this: Hudler/Zetterberg/Cleary Franzen/Datsyuk/Holmstrom Stewart/Filppula/Bertuzzi Mursak/Helm/Eaves Abdelkader/Emmerton Although I would expect Stewart to sign with St. Louis ahead of Detroit; his brother plays there and as it stands he would be lined up to play in the top six.

Sorry if this has been covered already but I'm really confused as to why he was a healthy scratch 9 out of 11 games? It just doesn't make sence to me at all, Abby or Miller both could/should have been benched for Modano. He's just a different kind of player, goals were what we needed and Mo never had a chance to prove he was worthy. Is this Babcocks "American" dislike we have heard about? I just find some of the choices Babs made this year questionable is all.