GoWings1905

I am honestly stunned. If we are basing this decision solely on the player and not any salary cap implications, how could anyone seriously pick Franzen over Hossa? Hossa is one of the top forwards in the game. Franzen put up huge numbers from March into the playoffs, but he still only has 49 career goals. I hope Mule continues to be the post-March goal scorer, but that's far from a guarantee. Hossa is approaching 300 career goals, and could very easily put up 100 points this season. Choosing Franzen over Hossa is straight-up insane.

Exactly. Hossa has been traded both times he left a team (Ottawa and Atlanta). It has nothing to do with money for Hossa whatsoever. If Hossa truly cared about money/long-term security, he would be an Edmonton Oiler right now. It's silly to say Franzen has been loyal when he hasn't even reached the point where he could potentially leave the Red Wings as a free agent. I really like Mule, but he is nowhere near the level of Marian Hossa.

That's pretty weak honestly. It doesn't matter if you are impressed with Notre Dame, but give some credit where it's due. Michigan couldn't hang on to the football, and Notre Dame capitalized on the mistakes. Turnovers and special teams were going to be the difference, especially in the weather conditions in South Bend yesterday. Maybe Charlie Weis wasn't so far off when he made the statement Michigan would have excuses when they lost. Here's a nice quote from UM's Stevie Brown: "We don't have our heads down now because we know who the better team was." The better team actually won the game there Stevie.

Franzen has never been in that situation to begin with. Mule has been loyal because he hasn't had the choice or the chance of leaving yet. I think that is a beyond silly argument, if that's the basis of which player you are choosing. Hossa chose to play for the Red Wings for far less money and far fewer years than he easily would have gotten elsewhere as a free agent. How many players in their prime would give up a massive contract because they want to win above all else? If we can only keep one, I'm picking Hossa every single time. It's not even close.

I will agree that it wasn't pretty, but it is a good win for the Notre Dame program. I don't care how bad Michigan played - Notre Dame took advantage of the mistakes and earned the victory. If I remember correctly, it was raining for both teams. Don't get me wrong - the Irish still have a long way to go, but this is a huge confidence booster for a young team that really needed something to believe in.

... Or not. Very good win for Notre Dame. David Bruton is one of the best players in college football.

Poor Montreal. I guess this means Chicago plans on keeping Khabibulin since trading Lang puts them back under the salary cap.

The Red Wings are one team where I just can't see the "Stanley Cup Hangover" applying. Babcock won't let it happen, there are multiple players on the team who know what it's like to repeat, and lastly we have .... Hossa.

I voted for Hossa based on the assumption that Hossa is going to spend most of his time at even strength on Datsyuk's wing. I think whoever (Hossa or Z) plays the most with Pavel will ultimately lead the Red Wings in goals.

I don't agree with that statement at all. In what regard is Hossa any less of a player than Pavel or Z?

Wow. It's still hard to believe Hossa is a Red Wing. I bet the rest of the league wishes it wasn't real. It's mind-boggling how scary good the Red Wings can be this season. The domination starts in almost exactly a month.

Saturday in South Bend may be one of the ugliest football games ever. First team to 14 points will probably win the game. Charlie pretty much has to beat Michigan, or the boosters/alumni will be calling for his job after the San Diego State near-disaster. I waited nine months for the new and improved Irish, and all Saturday looked liked was the nightmare from last season. Still no running game (against the worst run-defense in the NCAA), Tenuta's blitzing was very ineffective, and the most disappointing part was the complete lack of intensity or passion. Clausen was the best player on the field, and he won ND the game in the fourth quarter. I thought Weis no longer calling plays would be a positive, but Haywood was way too conservative. I'm trying to convince myself Notre Dame wasn't showing their hand before Michigan came to town. If not, it's going to be another long, dreadful season.

Not playing Hossa with Datsyuk would be an even bigger mistake. Hossa is going to put up monster numbers playing with Pavel and likewise. Like YoungGuns already stated, it would be a waste of Hossa's talent to stick him with Filppula and Franzen.

No, I figured that's what the answer would turn out like. I guess I was just hoping there would be more common sense in arguing for Mac over Hudler. I suppose it goes beyond logic.

McCarty in over Hudler? Can I ask why?

That is true and a good point. I suppose from a pure financial standpoint Lebda is a better option for the Red Wings than Lilja. However, I disagree that Lebda brings about the "same level play" as Lilja. Throwing contracts aside, Lilja is a better player than Lebda. Even by just being an effective penalty killer, Lilja trumps Lebda's ability.

Rolling in what way? I don't think Inge has been on a roll, even for his lousy hitting standards. To prove the point further, here are some stats: Brandon Inge had a batting average of .200 for the month of August. Pudge was traded on July 30th, so even since that time Pudge still had a higher batting average than Inge did in August. Inge went into the month of August with a .228 batting average. Pudge left the Tigers batting .296, and hit .358 in the month of July. The Tigers basically traded away Pudge for another reliever that blows games, and left the starting catching position to a guy that can't hit for anything. Again, where is the evidence to show this "roll" Inge has been on? Brandon Inge plays a terrific third base, but he is not an everyday player in the major leagues, especially as a catcher. I am praying Dusty Ryan gets some playing time in September and wins the job next year at spring training. I have no clue why anyone in the Tigers organization thinks Brandon Inge should be the starting catcher.

I recall one for sure in particular that you created about Hudler. You basically asked why people on LGW liked Hudler, and then proceeded to insult and criticize anyone that thought positively of Hudler (which was almost everyone in the thread). It's pretty clear you don't like Hudler for whatever reason, and make it known whenever possible. If two people already called you out on your dislike for Hudler in this thread alone, it is pretty blatant that you are excessive in your negative posts towards Hudler. The phrase in your avatar doesn't help the cause either.

Damn I miss Pudge. Hey, at least we still have Inge. Glad to see Tiger fans give Pudge a very well-deserved standing ovation today.

Wishlist: You stop bashing Hudler in every thread.

Once again, Lilja is a bottom pairing defenseman. I don't know what people expect from the third pairing on defense with a salary cap in the NHL. Not every player is a Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronner, etc. Lilja plays his role fine on the Red Wings, despite the "faults" everyone harps on. Besides being fast, what exactly is Brett Lebda providing? I see far more value coming from Lilja than I do from Lebda. Lilja isn't handed a job out of necessity - he's earned it fairly by being an effective penalty killer and shot blocker.

I don't think Hossa classifies as a rental with the Red Wings at all. Hossa's time with Pittsburgh was a rental situation, but Hossa is signed here for the whole season, with the potential to re-sign next summer.

It's easier to make that claim after the fact. I think the overall consensus was that Stuart was going to leave during free agency. It was a smart move by Holland to sign Lilja beforehand, if in fact Stuart ended up signing elsewhere. If neither sticks around, then the Red Wings are left with a major void on the second pairing and back-end of the defense. You can never have enough defensemen. It's a good problem to have going into training camp. Despite the disdain for Lilja on this board, he is really not hurting the Red Wings by being on the roster. For a third pairing defenseman, Lilja does everything you could ask for - kills penalties and blocks shots. If one or both of Quincey or Meech outplay Lilja in a couple of weeks, then I'm guessing he will be pretty expendable. IMO, Lilja brings far more to the team than Lebda ever will, so I would prefer Lebda goes. Regardless, the Red Wings are stacked on defense, no matter how the situation plays out.