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What's this I hear? Ken Holland actually made a meaningful and reasonable signing on July 1st? Hell I'm going to play the lottery today.

I'm mind blown how anyone doesn't like this deal. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

"@leahhextall: With Kessel gone now just one player on Toronto's roster makes more than Babcock!"

Babcock buried Weiss harder than the WWE buried Diamond Dallas Page.

There has to be a bigger trade in the works if we sign Richards.

Would much rather keep Q over E.

For the right player no one on this team should be untouchable except Datsyuk and Zetterberg.

Depends on who is asking. Of its Detroit it's 30 first round picks, mantha, Larkin, and Tyler bertuzzi

Good to see Rutherford still has no idea what he's doing.

Glad to be rid of Weiss, maybe we should sign Semin? Is like: maybe if I get addicted to meth I can give up doing crack.

Well, look who decided to come late! Listen, im no Semin expert, but the sole fact that he shoots those long, hard blasts with his right hand would make him a welcome addition to the group. Plus, as long as Holland makes sure that we're protected during negotiations, we really won't be exposing ourselves to catching any SPCs that we'll regret later on.

I know Wings fans hate to hear it, but Weiss and Alfredsson were considered the top 2 free agents that summer.

I'm happy . Here's to a better season Smitty!

Wasn't a good fit for us for whatever reason. Hope he gets the chance to prove he can still be a serviceable player for someone.

2 years $5.5 million

That being said, James Neal had career years with Crosby. He's not doing the same now without him.

Better option at center than freakin Andersson.

Landing Shattenkirk would be best case scenario, but I'd definitely rather see Holland sign Green over Franson any day of the week.

Uh....no. Hossa scored 29 in the year previous then scored 40 when paired with Datsyuk. Then in the years following 24, 25, 29. What was the difference? Playing with Datsyuk. Kunitz has got as high as 35 with Crosby. Previously with the Ducks his highest was 25. Also the mean number is higher during his time with Crosby. Did you not think someone would check it?

@Eklund: Shattenkirk to Detroit possible. I know its Eklund but hey

Doubt they trade Smith after they just signed him. Not Holland's style.

Yes. I like this move. Keeping GR competitive (with veteran players) has a HUGE, and understated, impact on the development of our prospects. I love having guys in GR who work hard, and win, even if they'll never get a call up. Their influence on the young guys cannot be overstated.

As much as Weiss was a bust here, Babcock didn't do him any favors by burying him. Weiss would have stretches of solid play, then somehow wind up in the 4th line, RW position. I can get behind the idea that Weiss being put on the wing was the give him less responsibility, but when he put up some points, he was rewarded with a demotion. Always got the vibe that Babcock didn't like the way Weiss competed (didn't compete) for the puck. Cared more about how the player played, and not the result of his play. Same with Kindl, IMO.

This reminds me of one of the things I really didn't like about Babcock, though I didn't dislike him overall. I don't think he put a lot of guys, most of those mentioned and David Legwand comes to mind as well, in a position to succeed. Every guy is not a two way player that can play all three forward positions on all four lines. Seems like he was hell bent on forcing square pegs into round holes. Not to sound like Dennis Green, but they are what we thought they were. This is where I think there was a disconnect between Holland and Babcock. Hated the Tootoo signing and he always annoyed me, but I actually felt sorry for him and for how he was treated. Feeling the same with Weiss, although I think injuries were a major part of his issue. I'm a little disappointed that we won't get to see if he could have succeeded with Babcock gone.

Even if this were 100% true, they made no effort to start a bidding war for him. There are GM's out there who didn't even know he was on the market. Lousy trade no matter how you look at it.