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Also, yeah he had a few bad games, when the team was playing terribly, but for one month or so, he was playing as well as any net minder in the league and he made a couple of the best saves I've seen in a long time. He also did well against Boston in my opinion. He's bound to be inconsistant at times, if he wasn't, he wouldn't be signing as a back up and he wouldn't be $1.5 mill per year.

Our baby goalie!

No he didn't. The guys that jumped on top did but I'm not going to debate it. If any one should be banned it's Matt Cooke but that's not going to happen.

I'm sorry, but even the video games would laugh at that offer.

One of our future big top six wingers? With the silkiest mitts weve seen since datsyuk got here.... You would give up For someone who's got maybe one or two decent years left?

- Leadership - Physicality - Can play the game (watch his penalty against Pavelec that was some serious hockeyskill right there) - fight I know a lot of people think Thornton is like Scott but the guy can/could play on a fourth line role. Guy changed the whole dynamic against Vancouver in 2011 and that team was loaded with talent. Finding enforcers like him is very hard and to be honest I think the Bruins will regret this decision in a lot of ways. Bergeron is extremely talented and a hardworker but he doesn't strike me as someone who would tell his own teammate to shut up and take a seat.

Special how? I get that you like enforcers, and I'm certainly not going to try and talk you out of it, but you're starting to inflate Thornton's qualities into something mythic. Even as far as enforcers go he's not all that great.

Haha what do they know? They just sell beer. Did Michael Jackson make "Thriller" by waiting around? Did Steve overtake Johannes as the greatest Gutenberg while taking it easy? Did Hulk Hogan pick up and slam a GIANT by resting on his laurels? Didn't think so.

Jesus what a nightmare. I really hate dwelling on that trade because I realize we were over a barrel (sort of). But every time I see it written down on this site I want to puke. That package would go a long way toward landing Ryan Kesler right now, AND he'd be under contract. Kudos to Poile on the MASSIVE trade rape.

Uhh....that's why I said "crazy".

Uhh... no. That is a huge overpayment.

Jiri Fischer might be a dark horse candidate. He was worked with our young d-men and seems to be rising through the org. But that said, I'd prefer a career coach type, and I think that's the direction Babs will go.

FWIW, I'd take Marleau over J(D)umbo . Late last night I was struck with the notion that Holland's is definitely going to make a big trade, and it might be borderline Crazy Cat Lady crazy. Like Mantha + Smith + 1st for someone like Marleau. Just this vibe that I can't shake.

Cleary!!!!!!! By that logic......mediocre player=great coach.

YA! We have an always hurt backup G with a career save % of .900! That was of course an improvement after this year when his save % was .917, even though his save % was below .900 for the last 4 months of the season........

I'm no fan of Holland these days, but this is one of those deals that just makes sense when you really step away. It's not a blockbuster but it's hardly an obvious mistake. It's a solid, sensible choice, and the rather obvious one all things considered. This is a backup role, and Gus ultimately did pretty well in the role last year and again, he did his part in the playoffs as best as could be reasonably expected under very difficult circumstances and a lousy defense. He's not the greatest backup ever, but at the price and given what he did last year, there's just no real compelling reason to rock the boat. There are far more important areas to be focusing on then finding a new backup goalie. If he actually signs Dan Cleary to an NHL deal though, I really will question the sanity of anyone still trying to defend his effectiveness as the GM for the Wings. He may have great skill and knowledge to do the job well, but I think he's lost the edge he needs to do it right in Detroit. He just seems too sentimental here. A change of scenery (or simply a new role in the organization) could be good for him and a fresh perspective at GM with less fond memories for washed up players could be good for the Wings.

What's to stop Chris Chelios?

Chelios? He's already in the organization with his kids moving up.

Not the assistant I was hoping would depart this off season. Gonna be interesting to see who comes and replaces him. Holland should phone up #5 and see if he wants to coach our defence

Barry Smith was one briefly, wasn't he? As was Dave Lewis. Only MacLean and McClellan have amounted to anything. Hope our training staff follows him.

Even more mind bogglig why haven't Sammy Bert and Quincey been given matching Deals yet?

I think teams should have to pay 100 % of a players contract if they decide to buy them out, it doesn't count against the cap and the players would have a little more security. Also the Tootoo situation is a bad one, I've always been against this signing saying that I'm really wondering what Holland and Babcock expected out of this guy ? If you bring in someone like Tootoo you should expect energy, a scrap here and there and some decent low ice time minutes nothing more. Hopefully he can sign somewhere else and retool his career there. I'm really starting to think that this front office has a false idea of what a fourth line should and shouldn't be. Nothing but the best of luck for him.

I'm sorry, but are people suggesting we trade Z away just so we can acquire an overhyped up 18 year old? Call me stupid, but seriously? Why would you want to trade away our best player, leader and galvaniser? The man had back surgery for heavens sake and was still better than 90% of the team vs the Bruins when he came back a month early. I'll trade him away when he's retired. Thanks

The same Lapointe that was considered vastly overpaid by the Bruins and quickly declined after leaving the Wings for Boston? Maybe that's why. The Kings got those players because Holland is the dumbest GM ever and it's all his fault.

Eaves seems to be in that tough position where he's not physical enough to be a consistent 4th liner (including injuries), and not skilled enough to play on a 3rd line. He's got really high IQ on the PK, but he's had such terrible luck getting hurt. I wish the guy nothing but the best.