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Ice is being put in: Video board also being tested, along with banners in the rafters. Although, if you look through some of the Instagram posts on either the arena's page or the District Detroit page, it appears the banners keep disappearing/reappearing. So I don't know if they keep taking them down or if there is a system in place where they get wrapped up.

If my scenario plays out and we lose Sproul due the cap crunch I will definitely turn against the Daley signing. He may be a good player, but I wouldn't want to lose Sproul for him since I still think he'll be a good un. I hope Holland knows that one of surgery guys: E, TT, Sproul or Kronwall won't be ready to go, though, and is planning around that. We'll see...

They should add this guy. Now, that would make a badass roof. Wonder if Illitch meant for the mafia reference.

All the arguing about Butcher can stop now, from Craig Custance: Red Wings haven't called on Will Butcher. Not considered serious contenders for the college UFA defenseman.

You just defined him as being a risk but said vilardi was a bigger risk, even though everyone has stated rasmusson was the bigger risk of being a bust

Agreed I would as well. I dont know much about Bean, but if he fits the part of top pairing/#1 d-man down the road, I say do it.

Little known fact - he discovered his own cancer because his head is always up his ass.. Get well soon.

Are you seriously trying to sell that Rasmussen was the "safe pick"? I think 99% of people would agree that the "safe pick" would have been Vilardi. Rasmussen is the epitome of a "risk" being that from all accounts he is no sure thing. I'm not even defending the pick, but it clearly was a risk. I also don't see how signing Butcher to a minimum contract is a risk. I agree that Holland needs to take more risks, but these are horrible examples. I think you are equating "risk" to Holland just doing what you want him to do. A risk would be trading AA for a potential top pairing D-man. Would you want this? I'm guessing no.

Broken Kronwall almost broke two people just a few months ago this past season. I'd take this anyday over "can't shoot the puck straight Dekeyser" even if he only plays half the games.

No it doesn't. We were on the winning end of a college free agent signing two years ago. Exact same situation. Russo was drafted by the Islanders, refused to sign and became a free agent, and signed with us. Russo put up slightly better numbers (41 points (15 goals, 26 assists) in 40 games vs. 37 points (7 goals, 30 assists) in 43 games) at the same age. He also had a slightly better points per game (0.66 vs. 0.65) during his time in the NCAA. Do you think Butcher is that much better than Russo? Do you think Russo is anything more than a depth defenseman? Sproul also has a ton of accomplishments over the years, including CHL defenseman of the year, OHL first All-Star team, OHL most points by a defenseman / most goals by a defenseman (back to back years), OHL most outstanding defenseman, AHL all rookie team. And yet most here, including yourself are ready to give up on him at the age of 24, despite not getting much of an opportunity at the NHL level... There's a ton of hype surrounding Butcher right now because it's the dead of the offseason. I'd be shocked if he develops into anything more than a bottom pair (maybe lower level middle pair) defenseman, and we already have a surplus of those. I hope he signs with Minnesota tomorrow, so we can stop hearing all the overhype on this kid...