GoWings1905

Original Six is definitely cool. Just wish a different team was representing the Western Conference portion. I will hate the Bruins next season, but certainly not now. I want to see Toews and Edzo weeping when the Bruins win the cup.

Good for Babs. He certainly deserves the honor. Won't be rooting for him in this instance, though. Sidney Crosby?

In a heartbeat. Then the Wings can do the same to Franzen and make 2009 right.

That poll includes David Clarkson and Nathan Horton. Obviously, they are going to have more of an impact. Doesn't mean Bickell couldn't help the Red Wings.

That's some serious overpayment for a third line center IMO. How do you upgrade the top-six by paying Filppula that to play third line minutes? You are basically banking on leaps in development from Nyquist, Tatar and Brunner right away. I would rather have Andersson there or ideally a healthy Helm and then go after some size at wing, which the team needs desperately.

Z still managed a point-per-game pace while being one of the best defensive forwards in hockey. Filppula had 17 points and followed that up with a horrible playoff showing, where he was a non-factor entirely. The Red Wings need a new dimension in the top-six consisting of a goal-scoring winger and some size. Filppula provides neither of those and shuffling around the same pieces is just a bandage.

Filppula wasn't being asked to be "the guy" this season either. He played most of the season on a line with Zetterberg. If he can't handle the added responsibility of producing offensively when given top-six minutes and PP time, then he certainly isn't worth the rumored price tag.

Damn, the Kings look very beatable and the Wings had three chances to eliminate the Blackhawks. Not mad at the Red Wings -- just seems like they could have possibly advanced to the Stanley Cup Final, which was nuts to consider even a month ago.

Filppula got paid for "potential" once already and to his credit finally came through last season. He's 29 years old though and that 60+ point season looks far more like an outlier than what he is consistently capable of offensively. I just don't think Filppula gives the Red Wings anything special worth keeping. He can't center the second line and be reliable enough to let Z and Pavel play together. Playing on the wing should allow him to utilize his skating, but everything he does is to the perimeter. The Red Wings need size and goal-scoring injected into the top-six and Filppula provides neither. With Nyquist and Tatar lingering, Filppula is even less necessary.

The bottom two lines need some size and grit. Bickell would definitely add that. You need guys to go out there and wear on an opponent's defense. I think the Red Wings have done very well incorporating more speed, but they need some bigger bodies too.

Didn't see anything from Stalberg in the Chicago series that made me interested in him coming to play for the Red Wings. I think with the number of forwards already locked up or under consideration for the roster next season, any signing/trade needs to give the Red Wings something they don't already have. Horton/Clarkson and Bickell definitely are players I would like the Red Wings to push for in free agency.

Nyquist - Datsyuk - Horton Franzen - Zetterberg - Brunner Abdelkader - Helm - Tatar Cleary - Andersson - Eaves I really like Drew Miller and would want him back, but there just isn't room at forward. Buyout Samuelsson and have Bertuzzi sit in the press box. Emmerton is good for depth purposes; not really sure what comes of Tootoo. Kronwall - Ericsson DeKeyser - Kindl Quincey - Smith/Colaiacovo Lashoff I would consider getting rid of Quincey if the Red Wings could secure an upgrade in the top-four on defense. The defense improved a lot over the course of the season, but they could still use a top-pairing guy to play with Kronwall. Finding that won't be easy, though.

Love Cleary. His physical abilities have deteriotated quickly because of injuries, but he has a ton of heart and guts. Been a great story turning his career and life around in Detroit. I don't know whether Cleary has played his last game for the Red Wings, but I appreciate his dedication and contributions to the franchise.

Don't really want Fil back regardless of the cost because he just doesn't fit what the Red Wings need. The top-six needs a serious upgrade starting primarily by adding a winger with size that can score goals consistently. Clarkson and Horton come to mind as free agent possibilities. What do the Red Wings have to rely on besides Pavel and Z on the top two lines right now? Franzen is a joke, but not going anywhere. Filppula and Cleary are likely gone. Abby improved a ton, but he isn't a first line player on a championship team. Maybe you get production in larger roles from Nyquist, Tatar and Brunner but even that isn't a certainty right away. Kenny needs to make a splash up front via free agency or through a trade. Need some talent and size injected on the skill lines.

Hopefully the back improves for Helm over the summer, but I don't think it's unfair to be worried that his playing career might be in jeopardy. A healthy Helm changes everything for this team. Z, Pav, Helm and Andersson up the middle is really strong.

Babs: We have to improve our hockey team. We need more to compete consistently. Up to you now, Kenny. Babs has certainly done his job. Now give him an upgraded roster to work with.

Filppula couldn't even score those.

Thought that was definitely boarding on Bolland, but typical NHL officiating making calls based on the situation. Absolutely brutal job all series on the refs end and not just sour grapes. This stings tonight because the Wings were up 3-1 and had a chance to eliminate the Blackhawks. I'm still very proud of the Red Wings. This playoff run was a blast. Can't wait for the future in the East.

Probably going to get called for something minor now in OT, even though the Blackhawks have gotten away with everything all night.

What a game. What a series. The Wings looked excellent in the third. I'm feeling Nyquist with the winner in OT.

Oh my, that's rather fortunate. Almost makes up for the penalty shot mess.

Z does all that work and that was the best Franzen could get as a result? Then he turned around and coughed the puck up at center.

Jimmy just got plowed into. If you can make a weak call on E, you can certainly call that.

Doesn't making plays usually result in points? I haven't seen Filppula do anything to create offense the entire series, or season really.

All the momentum and the Wings take a penalty. This is obviously a huge kill. Get through it and back putting pressure on Chicago. Love the energy so far this period. Pavel looks dangerous again.