BringHomeTheCup!

I think a guy like someone to consider for next season is Getzlaf. He will be a RFA, and with the current order of the DUcks payroll, there could be some issues there. Penner isn't a RFA until 2010, by then Matty, and others should be gone and the cap should be increased.

The Ducks can afford Selanne. Just like the Rangers can afford Shanny. They would need to be creative, and get a deal done with a lot of incentives. But it can work.

From what I have read, most people think Cleary should be on the second line for 3 reasons. 1. He had a decent season last year. 2. He had a great playoff run. 3. Sammy isn't a top 6 guy. While I would put Cleary in the top 6 role before Sammy any day, I'd also put Mule there too. That' is a terrible reason. If you want to talk about the season he had last year, I think you have to look at who he as playing with. Or rather, who he wasn't playing with, Dats and Hank. Teams were so focused on stopping those two, and not really worried about Lang and co. We all know that playoff success does not necessarily translate into regular season success just as regular season success does not necessarily translate into playoff success. Finally, the game he plays isn't really a top 6 kind of game. He is a grinder. His job is to muck it out in the corners. He plays a lot like Drapes. Does the guy have top 6 potential? Certainly. He showed us all that last season. But I think before that responsibility is thrust upon him, he needs to prove last season wasn't a fluke.

And last season I went 98-0-0 including playoffs. Draper had his 3rd consecutive 50+ goal season that included 15+ shorties. Sergei Fedorov had his 6th or 7th straight 100+ goal season. Hank and Pav turned in their 2nd consecutive 120+ goal seasons. I traded my 1st round pick and 2 guys from the FA list for Ovechkin. Luongo (acquired in the epic deal for Hasek, 2nd round pick, and Markov) had a .53 GAA, and 29 SO.

It's something like 24 or 48 hours, but according to TSN they have called a press conference to discuss the matter. I wouldn't be surprised to hear them let us all in on what they plan to do. I just can't see them letting him walk. Losing Drury and Dano leaves some big holes, and cap space.

Wow, I can't believe this post. Did you actually think this through? Let's go over the basics. LOST: GAINED: Bert Rafalski Matty Calder Lang How does this make the Wings a less talanted team? And exactly what or rather, who did they lose that had such a big impact in getting them to the CF? Rafalski is better than Matty. Hands down. And he is a bargin at $6 per, he easily could have gotten $7. Bert didn't do ANYTHING for the Wings. Why is losing him any kind of real loss? The real loss would have been in signing him to a $4 per contract, and having to give up an additional first round pick. Calder, big deal. The guy is the posterchild for wasted potential. He had about 8 good games for Detroit, and then dissappeared just like he has on every other NHL team he has played for. Lang, now this one I don't get. I'm not sure who it was, but in another post someone claimed that while lazy, and largely ineffective Lang still potted 20 goals, and then something about letting guys go who can put up 50 points. I'm sorry, but for $4 per I'd think that any NHL GM would expect more than 20 goals and 50 points. Lang is done in the NHL. If anything, losing those 4 guys made the Wings a stronger team; addition by subtraction. Example, if the Wings sign Bert and Lang, there is no way you see Rafalski and Dom come back. What's laughable about saying Lang should have been resigned is that as soon as Kenny announced Lang wouldn't be back, everyone was full of joy. Now that Kenny didn't get one of the marquee names to replace him, you see people saying things like 'Lang should have been resigned.' Sometimes I read threads, and I can do nothing but shake my head in disbelief.

I think what it boils down to is whether or not Crosby wants to make a point. Signing for $1 or 2 less than league max isn't really doing that. If league max is $10.6, signing for $8 or $9 isn't a big deal, but $6 or $7, that is. Maybe he signs a deal that had easily attainable bonuses to help the Pens ice a strong team. My ponit is that if Crosby wants to, he can really make a statement, and help the Pens.

I've always like Sopel, I didn't even realize he was an UFA this year. He'd fit nicely, as would Beard. Up front there really isn't anyone who jumps out at me as a guy that would really help out the Wings. I am highly intersted in what RFA's get released by their teams after arbitration. Even moreso, I am interested in what the hell is going through Kenny's mind..

3) If Colorado were to part ways with Svatos, do you really think the Wings would be a team Colorado would be interested in sending him?

He will also be cheaper this year, and play a lesser role this year than he would have last season. He still has some gas left in the tank. However, I have an odd feeling that Garth Snow might be calling him.

While I worry about what Yashin would do in Detroit, with each forward that is signed by another team, Yashin gets more and more intriguing.

Losing Lang was addition by subtraction.

If I am Crosby, this is what I do. I take about $6 per, no-trade clause, and have the right opt out after each season. Why? First, $6 even in the NHL is a lot of money. No, it isn't as muc has he could get, but what's more important, a few extra millions or winning? I'm sure Sid would rather have a few Cup rings when it's all said and done. Second, Sid being a top player in the game would really set the bar for others. If Sid is only makin\g $6, how is a guy like Shanny worth even half that? If not league wide, it would have a dramtic effect on the Pens ability to keep all of it's young stars. Especially when they go to the table knowing Sid turned down the big dollars in order to keep the team together. Third, the no-trade clause would allow Sid to pick his destination if the Pens were going to move him, however unlikely that may be. Finally, the opt out clause would give Sid even more leverage with the Pens. If he doesn't like the way things are going, he could just opt out and be an UFA, which obviously wouldn't be until he is old enough. I think the Crosby contract will set the tone for the next wave of stars. If I am Sid, I'd send a message.

Very funny. The sad thing is I wouldn't put this past Bettman. I'm sure he considered it before signing with VS.

Maybe it has something to do with the new RBK jerserys?

Kenny has the uncanny ability to fiund the right guys at the right price. Getting into bidding wars is not how Kenny gets things done. Anyone remember when Markov was signed last year? That's right, a few weeks into July. Kenny knows which guys he is looking for, and what holes need to be filled. Just because we aren't hearing about what he is doing, working on and looking into doesn't mean he is out playing ping pong with Stevie all day. Kenny will find the right guys to fill out the roster. It's just a matter of time. And BTW, how does getting Rafalski for less than market value not constitute buzz?

I wouldn't be opposed to this, especially if it were an incentive laden contract. Over his career Bondra has proven he can score. He has a great shot, which would compliment Pav very nicely. Even if he were to just play on the third line, I don't think it would hurt the team. I'd hold off until December much like the Hawks did last year.

I've read on a few different sites that Marty Brodeur is considering retirement after this season. A few reasons were listed, such as he has won everything there is to win. However, something not touched on was the fact that with the recent departures of guys like Stevens, Rafalski, Gomez, and Niedermayer in past years, the Devils could be sent into rebuilding mode. Ultimately the thoughts of the writers were about potentially dealing Marty at the deadline if this is the case. Just curious what everyone thinks. Let's just assume for a minute that these rumors hold some water, and Marty is leaning towards retirement. Where do you think he will go, and why. He is a $5.2 cap hit, so the team has to have some room. Also, what would the team give up in return. And please, keep you NHL 07 trade thoughts to yourself, keep these as close to realistic as possible. No, 'I'd trade Meech for Brodeur' that would never happen. I think it'd be interesting to see if Tampa Bay would make a push for him, although I would think it'd take one of the big three and that isn't likely to happen. In Columbus, for Zherdev and a compliation of picks and or prospects looks good on paper. However, I don't think Brodeur would want to goto such a terrible situation. The most viable option I could come up with is Atlanta, although I'm not to up to date on how solid Atlanta's prospects are. Possibly a combination of Lehtonen and picks/prospects.

In order for Kopecky to give away the #28, it would first have to be his. And in order for it to be his, he would actually have to play for the Wings.

I belive the nickname 'Red Light' belongs to Vincent Riendeau, but nice try. Regardless, all I'm saying is if Dom doesn't sign, there are other options. Despite what you may think, both those guys can play.

The Wings need a top 6 scoring forward. I wouldn't be surprised if Kenny wants to add an experienced Dman as well. If Dom doesn't come back, there are plenty of options. For instance, a trade with Toronto for Raycroft. Belfour, ect..

I haven't read all the replies on this thread, so if this has been hit already, sorry. After reading the first few replies, I was pretty upset. How can any of you harp on player loyalty? Do you really think that if the right deal came along, that any player on the Wings roster is untouchable? Guess again. I bet my life that if Craig Patrick called up Kenny and said 'Hey, we aren't going to be able to resign Crosby, he is your for Nick, and a couple of picks' after getting up off the floor, Kenny says 'Done' without hesitation. The idea of loyalty is nice. But here in reality, the teams are just as much to blame for any lack of loyalty. Once a player has earned his UFA status, it's his right to go anywhere he wants. It's no different than a guy getting traded. Stop crying about it.

Could it be that Kenny is just sitting back waiting for the RIGHT deal? He knows what he is doing, and so far the Wings haven't really lost anyone that produced for them last year, that hasn't already been replaced. Don't get your panties all in a bunch. It's ok, Kenny's got things under control.

Usually, no. Eklund is a retard for the most part. However, today he has been on top of a few signings, so I'll give him some credit. TSN has a 'real time' free agent signing list. They only list things that are official.