GoWings1905

We don't have any players like that.

Emmerton is the obvious one to go. That obviously is entirely dependent on Helm's health. I really like Eaves, but I also believe the signing of Miller makes him redundant unfortunately. Tootoo doesn't seem to be real popular going forward, so I could see him being moved. Not sure I am really in favor of trading Tootoo, as he gives the Red Wings something they don't have. I don't care if they sit him in the playoffs again, but I would like his presence around over the course of 82 regular season games. Sammy can find a nice comfy seat in the press box until that awful contract expires. It doesn't even have to be a comfy seat. He has no value or purpose on this team. I think Bertuzzi can still contribute at least. Big body that protects the puck and might get the Red Wings a few extra points in the shootout. Admittedly, I won't pleased though if Bertuzzi is taking away playing time from Nyquist and/or Tatar.

Besides July 5th -- the day free agency began -- there have been hardly any signings in the entire NHL. It doesn't mean teams don't want Cleary. Also possible Cleary wants to play for the Red Wings still and might be waiting for potential moves to allow his return.

Unless there's a live sporting event I want to watch, that's the only reason I ever bother turning on ESPN. Really hope this whole Fox Sports 1 thing works out and they dedicate some actual time to covering hockey.

Which is even more disappointing considering Quincey played like the fifth best d-man on the team. Only his partner Smith was worse and he was a rookie.

Not sure I'm really a fan of the playoff format, but it may grow on me after seeing it next spring. If I read that correctly, let's say the Red Wings finish first in the division, they could play a wild-card team from the Metropolitan in the opening round? I know it probably had to be done due to the unbalanced conferences, but that kind of dampers the emphasis on exclusive divisional match-ups in the first two rounds. Also, the new Central Division is awful right now. Chicago is dealing with the Blues and Wild basically.

Probably true. I just can't see Stevie attending if there is a scheduling conflict with the Lightning playing as well.

I'm hoping they do it one of the home games against the Lightning, so Stevie Y can be there too.

Seeing Toronto and Montreal multiple times on the schedule as opposed to Nashville is a beautiful sight.

Beyond the physical limitations, it's not like Cleary is incapable of providing value to a team at this stage. The Red Wings don't lack for quality leaders and Cleary was widely respected by his teammates here, so that impact could easily translate to another organization. I'm not really even advocating for the Red Wings to keep Cleary. I just think the LGW consensus (not you, specifically) has turned Cleary into a villain when he still provides qualities that are necessary to win hockey games.

Football and baseball are always going to be more popular just based on the sheer number of people that watch those sports compared to hockey. Relative to most American hockey cities, the Red Wings have a massive following.

I thought Tatar said earlier he wanted to switch to #90 from #21 for the Red Wings this season? Obviously Weiss would have the seniority factor between the two of them. I'm fairly certain Cleary is coming back eventually, so Alfredsson may be rocking a new number.

The Wings are loaded with solid defensive forwards. I can overlook Brunner's deficiency in that area because he provides the Red Wings with something they severely lack in goal-scoring ability. I still hope Brunner comes back, but the ship seems to have sailed in Detroit.

Both are centers and very strong ones at that, so I don't see Helm or Andersson moving to the wing. Emmerton is quite expendable. His spot is entirely contingent on Helm's back.

I've seen the stats posted here. The difference is minimal if I remember correctly. Hits is a horrible statistic anyways and very inaccurately tracked in most arenas. I will use the eyeball test and stand by my assertion the West has just as many "physical" teams as the East.

The Eastern Conference angle is way overblown. Chicago just won it all with skill and very little physical presence. Besides, Boston and Toronto are really the only imposing threats of "big teams" in the conference. The Flyers too I guess, but they aren't any good. The West had the Blues, Kings, Ducks and to an extent the Sharks for awhile. They were all built on size, so it's not like the Red Wings have never been exposed to playing bigger opponents. I'm a believer the Red Wings could certainly use some more size up front (especially on the wing), but moving to the East doesn't suddenly mean they will get run off the ice.

Not to harp on the issue, but this signing was a disaster from the start. It's a no-win situation at this point. Either Sammy is healthy and not playing well next season -- likely taking a roster spot from someone else in the process. Or he's "injured" and the Wings can't get rid of him and his salary entirely.

I don't know many elite players signing for ~2.5 million, so that doesn't appear to be the Red Wings impression of Cleary either. Holland and Babcock both like Cleary because he works hard and is a leader in the room. Despite his physical limitations, he still brings value to the Red Wings. I would rather have Brunner back like everyone else, but it appears Cleary has taken over the role of scapegoat for anything wrong. Pretty strange for a player where effort is never a question and he just had a very strong playoff run.

Just think Sammy's contract has turned into a major obstacle in keeping Brunner. That's why you don't do multi-year deals to roster filler garbage.

I like Clowe, but that's insane. Especially coming off the season he just had.

I think both Weiss and Grabovski are better players.

I'm fine with Alfredsson, as long as it doesn't stop the Wings from still pursuing that second line center. If this move is combined with say just bringing Cleary back as well, then not nearly as content.

Agreed. I think probably the most underrated player in hockey. He kills the Red Wings too.

Why are the Wings still in on him for the rumored price Filppula is seeking? Weiss is a better player. Just spend the money on him instead.

Not sure how much stock I put into the opinion of that fanbase. Edler is a top-pairing defenseman regardless. There aren't many available and the Red Wings have been looking to bolster that area since missing on Suter.