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Just to clarify for people... Ordinary Buyout - starts in August - If Bought out Sammy's caphit this year would be 1 million as well as 1 million next season. (2/3rds spread over spread over 2 seasons) - total of 2 million in savings for this year.

Holland needs a Luca Brasi. But Holland is to blame for signing this useless player in the first place. Just more evidence of Holland's recent stupidity in the free agent market.

Let's go over this one more time. (hopefully) 1. The compliance buyout period for this offseason is OVER. He can not be bought out unless it's a regular buyout which will give no cap relief. Rumor is that he balked at the Wings suggestion he be bought out and threatened to challenge it based on the fact he was injured. (There are apparently guidelines that an injured player cannot be bought out.) Do not have links or facts on this, it is only speculation. 2. Though Samuelsson has claimed injury, it is not a long term chronic injury and he would also likely challenge a LTIR. He has stated publicly that his injury does not require surgery, and the league is closely watching any attempts to circumvent the salary cap. Not a likely scenario, but possible. 3. He is in the second year of a 2 year, 3 million dollar contract that contains a no trade clause. So unless he waives that, trading him is also not an option. 4. Depending on whether it is a NTC or a NMC (No movement) determines whether he can be optioned to GR. This would only free up a roster spot, not give cap space relief. I hope this finally clears things up.

Yeah but he's not playing on their team.

Easy to say that, but this isn't exactly a big name NBA player deciding between $20 million vs. $18.5 million. We're talking much less money. Besides, I'd rather live in Florida and make $1.5 million more.

I'd rather see Abdelkader in a bottom 6 role banging and crashing. He's got some skill with the puck, but I just don't see him developing into a legitimate top 6 forward. I think he's a more effective grinder.

The thing is this should have been done some weeks ago why did he wait so long. It is not like the Wings played till January...if Brunner goes I hope he signs with the Islanders they are a young and coming team him and Tavares would be deadly

It's only 2 days after the start of FA, I don't think it's too late. This is normal, the big fish go first, and it's takes longer for the dust to settle and the other FA's to sign. I like Brunner, but I don't think he's proven enough in the short time he's been in the NHL to demand a long term deal between 3-4 million. Tatar is more than a suitable replacement.

How about, "in all fairness", at least watch a highlight video before commenting on a player. Especially if you're going to imply he is a "nobody", because some guy hasn't heard of Weiss. He has the time to complain about Holland's acquisitions in every thread, but not enough to watch TSN/NHL network to form an actual opinion. He is obviously apart of your Insane Troll Posse... Tell Centcouger I said hi...

Abdelkader's primary mission is not to score but to make the Red Wings harder to play against and to create more space for his team mates, people that want to trade him are nuts.

55 points? Guy scored 3 points in 12 playoff games, playing on the top lines. He's not an offensive player and has hammer hands. Babcock needs to put this guy on the lower lines where he belongs.

Desharnais and Gionta could fit in there with him. Lulz.

Maybe it's just me and this pesky thing called "integrity," but isn't that the whole point of being an athlete?! I mean, you're gonna be a millionaire either way for f***'s sake. I guess Brunner just seemed like a guy that LOVED the game, which to me would mean wanting to play for a contender with a great group of guys like PAVEL ******* DATSYUK and fans that ******* bleed for their team. But what do I know--I'm never gonna be a professional athlete or come close to smelling millions of dollars in my lifetime. Well I guess it's abundantly clear that I am in the anger stage And yes Euro Twins I have been drinking so you can shut your mouth lol.

Sabres? Maybe he can play on a line with Leino! As a matter of fact, perhaps Sammy will waive his NTC and they can make a line call it the misfit exwings? Awww, we can dream.

No it's not. Maybe if it said "Bought out Samuelsson". As I understand it, yes we can. He's either going to be eligible for buyout or LTIR.

Well if the playoffs are any indication, he's trash and should only be on the 4th line. I disagree about his shot, his hands aren't stone, but Homer had a very underrated wrist shot.

In the 2008 and 2009 seasons, with Datsyuk and Zetterberg in their primes and having their best career offensive seasons, Holmstrom never had 50 pts. Contrary to what some believe, neither Datsyuk nor Zetterberg are the same players they were then. Those guys will be good this year, but they aren't going to squeeze blood from a stone. I'd love it if you're right, but Abby has not shown the ability to produce even as consistently as Miller at the NHL level, and D and Z aren't at an age where they can still make anyone around them look that good. Hell Franzen has consistently played on Datsyuk's wing for a couple years now and only gets 50-60 pts. And whether you like him or not, Franzen is about 2,000,000 times the offensive player that Abby is. Playing with Datsyuk or Zetterberg is no longer a way to get more out of less. At their age we should be acquiring complimentary pieces to help keep their numbers up, not the other way around. I would have loved a shooting winger for Datsyuk, and to see Zetterberg on Weiss' wing. In my opinion that would be a better dynamic than once again asking those two to play their game and half of everybody else's as well.

Brunner has the most deadly shot on the team. It seemed like 50% of his goals last year were terrific snipes that were placed just right, places other shooters would have been less likely to hit in the heat of battle. And close in around the net, others just jamb away but he lifts it up and through holes. His defense is underrated. He is good with his stick, can thief from behind, poke and agitate well, and the smaller ice is much easier for him to cut off passing lanes than it was in Europe. Too often people mistake skating slowly through shooting lanes for floating. He is not the guy you want mucking for pucks in the corner. He is the guy that finds open shooting angles so the corner mucker can get the puck out to him for a one timer. Even when he has struggled and been ineffective and shut down all game long, he can find that open part of the ice in the chaos of the game's last minute of play, and bury the puck in the back of the net better than anyone else on the team. While Nyquist, Tatar, and Brunner are very similar players, they are not carbon copy's of each other. They each have unique strengths and all add value to this team. But noboby has a deadly and confident shot like Damian Brunner, and at the end of the game, it's all about getting goals in the net. We need a guy who's primary obsession in life is to score goals, and he is it, and at a pretty good price.

You just copy/pasted Websters definition of 'bandwagon fan'.....strap in, we are expecting some turbulence ahead and it may get a little bumpy for ya.

Well the way were going maybe I'll get to see Gordie howe play after all. Give him a three year deal Kenny. I think he can play in the too six as well. As a matter of fact my grandpa is retired I think he could use 3m for 3 years as well....get it done Kenny.

Prust has been a regular player the last few years in New York and Montreal. Regular season and playoffs. Why do Wings fans think every fighter automatically sits in the press box in the playoffs? Amazing how Holland has pussified this team and polluted fans' minds about toughness and grit.

Really, Pat. That's horrible. There are fish in that river. Think of the fish.

Meh. Just the Wild a little more for me lol.

I now hate the Pens a little less and the Wild a little more.

Because we do so much of that! passing on Ryan for example. Nyquist and tatar will be lucky to score as many goals per season COMBINED as what Ryan does. he is a proven 30-35 goal per year guy. Vinny LeCav to expensive. Signs with Philly for 4.5 million per year. Weiss sign with us for 4.9 million per year. over the last 4 years Vinny has produced 205 points in the regular season and Weiss produced 170. We are paying more money for LESS PRODUCTION! Alfie-signs for 5.5 million. Clarkson signs for 5.2 million. Who is the better bet to score 30 goals in 2013/14? How about 14/15? 15/16? Again, more money for less production! But next year we have a ton of money available. True. To spend on what? more over 35 forwards? That is our recent history. Pass on the big names-the few that make it and blow our money on nothing.