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Last year the team spent a lot of time crippled down the middle. I think this season strength and depth down the middle will be the teams biggest asset.

Plus we have Nosek Campbell Porter Miele Pulkinnen and now possibly AA and Mantha fighting for a forward position. Just adding one of those guys puts us at the 23 man roster limit assuming Danny D and Tatar re-sign. There's no room for Legwand whether u like it or not. And there's Ferraro and Callahan. Lots of prospects clamoring to play.

Completely different situations, Legwand does not make us better. Holland clearly addressed our need on defense, it just didn't work out and sometimes the best move is no move.

Last season, Buff scored 56 points in 78 games, 256 shots, 213 hits and 80 blocked shots. For someone that plays that physical, still managed under 100 PIM. Just saying, heavy point shot PP guy that rips it on net a LOT, will take the body and put up points like a top 6 forward, i'll take him in a second. Sounds like he has a lot of attributes we were severely lacking last season, especially in playoffs.

His ex-wife and oldest daughter live in Russia. His new wife and newborn daughter live here. Zetterberg said in the HBO special that he and his wife plan to make the Detroit their home after he retires. Alexei Kovalev just retired from a Swiss B League. These guys aren't like us. They play because they love the game on a completely different level. I expect them both to play until their bodies are no longer able and continue to be the ultimate professionals they always have been.

Ah, yes it is a thread worthy topic. Then don't post in it.

More worthy than the effort used to type your post... I went for "A healthy Player X is our deadline acquisition" as we hear that one every year, even though every team has players returning from injury throughout the year so it means jack s***.

I for one wanna watch my team actually play hockey, so yeah, no tank

If you think that squad would "Tank" then I think you need a lesson in talent analysis...

Ignore my other points and nitpick the term. Whatever was, 2 years, is still blocking kids that r ready now and even more ready next year. Plus many will need to re-sign and well have 3 mill tied up in a 4th line C for 2 more years

Exactly. It's not like we're lacking in potential forward depth up front. We've got guys who will be able to step in when players go down. Why would you pay $3m+ for a guy like Legwand when he's just going to be played by babs on the 4th line. He's definitely not going to be getting 50 points that way. I don't see the need for the insurance policy, because not only does it block several kids now and in the future, we also have an established 2nd line NHL centre in Weiss. Granted he's coming back from injury, but this isn't Niskanen we're talking about here. Weiss had several productive years in florida. And do you really think 5 of those C's will be injured all at the same time again? Last year was a freak year for injuries. Of those on your list only Andersson and Glendening are 4th liners. Sheahan and Helm have shown their ability to be good 3rd line centres. Which leaves Datsyuk, Z and Weiss. Whom I don't think are 4th liners.

There were only 33 people with 100+ PIM last year league wide, the leader was Sestito with 213. Staying under 100 PIM isn't much of an accomplishment. He was second on the Jets in PIM, was far and away their worst +/- player, took 38 minor penalties (5 more than KFQ). BTW in 97-98, 121 players had 100+ PIM, Brashear had the most at 372.

Details were shared. On all deals that the Wings were in on. They offered Boyle more money and more term than the Rangers. Just slightly less money, but same term for Niskanen. Were not given the opportunity to make a pitch to Ehrhoff. Did not want to give Stralman five years. It was all made pretty clear.

Not to throw another log on the fire, but you essentially talked yourself out of your own argument. You're saying we have no depth at C, yet then went on to list 7 guys, yes 7, who are extremely competent at C, with at least 3 of them who could play 1C. You've also omitted Franzen, who's a natural C. How would it help by re-signing Legwand? He didn't play that well nor did he seem to fit into the system. It'll just force Jurco to start the season in the minors, which means the kid line will be broken up. By having Legwand, if when everyone is healthy, it means that he'll probably end up playing wing. I don't see how it helps. You can't even say now that we lack prospect depth at C after this years draft.

Just think what 50 pts from Weiss, and a healthy Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Franzen, and Helm would mean for us next year. A 1st round exit against Boston wasn't a bad thing, guys have a chance to heal. Add to that, full seasons from Nyquist and Jurco.

He's fat and bad defensively. Like I said, if he moved to wing and was cheap, OK. On d or for a lot, no thanks.

Legwand is not a CHEAP insurance policy by any means. Big surprise, I do watch the wings, and yes u r just trying to be mean. Ppl r talking about trading Helm cause we have too many centers lol Legwand is not a CHEAP insurance policy by any means. Big surprise, I do watch the wings, and yes u r just trying to be mean. Ppl r talking about trading Helm cause we have too many centers lol

Are you kidding??? Who was injured when AndersSon was playing??? Datsyuk... Zetterberg...Helm... Weiss... all those guys we just listed. DEPTH = 6-8 guys who can play center, NOT who can play center ON THE FIRST LINE. I get the feeling you just like to argue with people. Half your arguments make no sense, other than to rile people up.

I wouldn't mind the guy - he's a good offensive defenseman/forward hybrid. Although, I think there are other serviceable options with less baggage.

There are no significant UFAs left. That's why this is a thread about trading for a D man, not signing one.

Interestingly, he said that one right after the kids one. When Nyquist was in GR and we put Sammy out there for 1 game or something. "Kids are not the answer. It's a man's league."

My favorite... all time and probably forever... "Kids are not the answer" It just has a ring to it after what Nyquist, Tats and Sheahan showed us weeks later. The irony is still hilarious to me. I also like "It's a tough league"

I think there is plenty to be excited

We did sign a terribly overpriced UFA by the name of Quincey... Also our defensive corps as a whole sucks, we will go nowhere in the playoffs with the current lineup healthy or otherwise.

LOL As someone who was expecting big things this off-season and is HIGHLY disappointed... it's a SHAME to think some of you are so blinded by your hatred for KH that you don't think this team can compete. NOBODY thought the Rangers would come out of the East- not with the Bruins, Penguins, Canadiens, or Red Wings in the playoffs. But they did. Because they made a good move at the deadline, were healthy, and believed in themselves. Do you all think that Nyquist, Sheahan, Jurco, Smith, Tatar, and DeKeyser are ALL going to play WORSE than they did last year?? Let's say Nyquist regresses to a norm of 25-goals... with Zetterberg and Datsyuk back, that should be enough! If Weiss puts up even just 40 assists, this team is going to be better. The strides made between years one and two are usually very noticeable (ie. Brendan Smith, anyone?). And if you think all of the rookies are going to regress, why not have some faith that Kindl improves to his average after an awful season last year? This isn't a bad team. This team should finish anywhere from 4th-10th in the conference. You don't initiate a firesale before the season's began if you know you have a fighting shot.