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I'm sorry but this is so typical. Team starts under-performing and now all of the sudden the coach needs to take a hike. This is classic fandom in the works. Babs makes one confusing move (Abby-Dats-Cleary) that the fans don't like and all of the sudden he needs to be replaced? Keep your heads on. For all we know Abby walked into his office and said: "I can be that next PWF if u'd let me", and Mike said: "Ok, this is a gap year, an experimentation year, lets see what you got." Gives him a shot in the top 6 and it didn't workout. Big whoop. Abby's still young somewhat young for hockey, doesn't hurt to experiment with your young guys. I'm not claiming to be anything special, but I swear half of LGW would be worse than Garth Snow.... but still, it's the only forum I come to

I may not like the Red Wings,But I will miss Pavel Datsyuk in the nhl,He is a Great Player to watch.Nobody can Dangle the entire Predators Team like Datsyuk Can. Best Of Luck in Future Datsyuk

I think having 14 teams in the West and 16 in the East is just dumb

Taken at face value if someone had asked me if I thought Datsyuk would head back to Russia after his contract expires, at the age he'll be then (and the state of the team at the time), I'd strongly lean toward yes. Ultimately the state of the team is going to weigh heavily on that decision: if the team makes move(s) necessary to keep the team as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender the "loyalty" card to do something like Lidstrom's play-it-by-year contract re-signings seems to be a strong possibility. But the status quo of the last couple of seasons? Happy trails, Pavel, and enjoy the company of your daughter. Couldn't ask for more from him.

So basically, translation: I heard a rumor from someone, i'm going to call them credible. I asked them if I could say this rumor out loud and make a story on it. I'm going to get so many hits and my readers are going to love it because they think i'm telling the truth and honestly know what's going to happen from a year and a half from now. I understand I don't work for a credible website, as it's written by a bunch of fans, but my hits don't care about that, so good bye. Thanks for ignoring all logical reasoning and not seeing that what your friend tells you, may change down the road, as in life, anything can change. Also, if your buddy the credible source doesn't care if you use this information, why the hell wouldn't you tell us what connection he has with them? You could've even been vague, but no, you're just going to keep calling them a "credible or verified source"

Neither HockeyInsiderr or Eklund know what they're talking about. They just throw crap at the walls and hope it sticks. Darren Dreger and Bob McKenzie are the guys to go to for rumors.

We need more of you around here. I seriously was so refreshed reading all of that, instead of this negative bulls*** that always follows a lost.

Some kid that they'll bury in the minors for 5 years?

I would rather have that last year and a half with Datsyuk then ship him off for a few picks and some prospects. I wouldn't even want Perry in return for him, I want Datsyuk to only play for the wings, cause I am just that selfish. If we aren't a cup contender with Datsyuk, we won't be with perry either, so if we have to rebuild anyways I want to at least see Datsyuk in the winged wheel for another year, I would cry if he was on another nhl team

Would you rather they missed the playoffs all together? I don't see how that is beneficial to anyone. You can't win the tournament if you're not in it. In that case, maybe the Wings should just move to the A. That way we can at least play for the Cup. Oh, yeah, not that cup, the other one.

Believers may only apply. Here's to another year of playoff hockey and rooting on the team we know and love

Detroit will be screwed once Datsyuk leaves. The Wings have the system right now to win a cup. They have lots of prospects, cap space, and the core to make it happen either this year or next year. Holland is too scared to make any moves, he seems pretty content with the way things have gone the last 3 years. Babcock is losing is marbles and making terrible decisions. The problem with the Wings right now is coaching and management. If Holland would make the changes needed, and Babcock would read the writing on the wall that multiple players are USELESS, this would be a different team.

HAHAHAHA LOOK AT THE MAP!!!! Are they serious about splitting Michigan in half???

At the NHL level Nyquist is not nearly as good as Tatar has been. In spite of being given as much or more opportunity. I don't know what he did to impress you, but if that did the trick then think back 5-10 games ago and pay attention to number 21 and your mind will probably be blown into cosmic dust.

I for one NEVER want to see Datsyuk play for any NHL team that is not the Red Wings. Ever!

Not diggin' the amount of years. Was hoping for 4-5 instead of 6-7, but at least he's locked up. Also, if Flip's really asking for that much money then I'm afraid Holland will let him go. I hope Nyquist steps up in his place and Jarnkrok impresses next camp.

This is all just generated media hype. Just like Corey Perry trade rumors. If you have brain cells, you should know that Corey Perry isn't going anywhere. With Anaheim's position in the standings, I doubt the thought of trading Perry has even crossed Murray's mind. It's all media generated speculation. They did the same thing last season with Parise and Suter, and neither player went anywhere. In the media's eyes, it works like this: [star Player] + [impending UFA Status] = [OMG POSSIBLE TRADE, QUICK WRITE IT ON PIERRE MCGUIRE'S CUE CARDS] This whole Datsyuk to Russia thing is the same way... [Tells Russian Media it Would Be Nice to Retire in Russia] + [Contract up in 2014] = [OMG KHL IN 2014] Until I hear something more substantial, I just brush it off as media fodder.

Ultimately, I think a playoff run & one year of Datsyuk is the best trade chip that Holland has at his disposal right now if he wants to use it. If Paul Gaustad was worth a 1st round pick as simply a playoff rental, Pavel is worth that & much more. The Wings probably wouldn't get a top line scorer or #1 d-man back in the trade but who knows, maybe Anaheim (knowing they aren't going resign him) do a sign & trade with Corey Perry for example. At the very least though the Wings would get a good package of picks, prospects, and/or developing talent already in the NHL in order to restock the shelves so to speak. There simply isn't a single player in the organization now that would bring back as much value as Datsyuk would at this moment in my opinion, even with just a year & a half to go in the NHL if he truly does head back to Russia after next season. In my mind, it comes down to what's more valuable: One last season with Datsyuk & then losing him for nothing or in essence selling off that year to bring in talent for years to come.

Happy to have a solid starting goalie, but 5m a season is a little rough. Would've liked to see it more closer to 4m but he certainly has stood on his head for us more than once. Gives us a fighting chance to win every night, is a workhorse and can take a load of games, and he's been improving every season.

Sorry, pal, but it's just so much easier to be pessimistic. It means no disappointment! ... and it took all of one post for it to happen. Wow. Just wow. Bingo.

Playoffs? When is the last time the BEST team ( on paper) won the cup? All we have to do is get it....and then we will see what happens....The boys can do that. Zetterberg's beard alone can win the Conn Smythe....that's why 16 teams play for the best trophy in sport. We are getting in! I believe!

kings are not clearly better then us lol all the haters should just go watch another team. I agree with you. Soak it all up well we still dats!! I miss #5

As stated before, I would bring Stafford here and one of Regehr/Leopold. It is a no-brainer. A defensive defenseman and a right handed shooter.

You might have to wait until he recovers from having his legs broken by the rest of LGW.