BringHomeTheCup!

Any back injury can lead to more back injuries, moreso than any other type of injury would lead to a similar injury. He briefly skated on Saturday, he left with a stiffback and soreness. He is in no way close to coming back. Like I said before, the latest starting date for the SCF would be the 5/31. A more likely start would be 5/27 (if both confrence finals go 7 games). With the 27th as a starting date, the finals would be over the 6/7 if it went 7 games. It's true, you don't get to game speed until you play in a game. But the Griffins aren't playing, so the only place for him to get into game speed is with the Wings. I wouldn't want to put him in the SCF so he can get his game speed back. No thanks, I'll keep Quincey, he is doing a fine job.

Are you serious? The guy is a career -71!! He wouldn't even be the 3rd best dman on our team. Nick, Lebda, Kronner, and Cheli all get the nod before he does in my book. Not to mention the $4+ he will get paid this offseaon. That'd be a poor choice.

Yes, that's the recovery time before he can start to really skate again. Tack on another 2-3 weeks to get into any kind of game shape, and that doesn't include how much time it would take for him to get to gme speed. Also, the back isn't something to mess with. He should sit and let it heal. It's pretty far fetched that he could be effective at all. With his injury history, I say let it fully heal, and come back strong next season.

If you sign Bert and Matty, forget about any other UFA signings. We wouldn't have the cap space. Giggy is the only real proven goalie that will be a UFA. There is no way we would fit him in with Bert and Matty. I'd rather have Markov back at about the same $2.5 then Matty at the $4+ he will most likely ask.

If the Wings make it to the SCF, the latest start date would be 5/31. I just don't see how a guy with that kind of injury could come back in only 2 months and be in game shape. I think it's quite a stretch for him not only to come back, but also be in game shape, and not be a liability out there. Kronner, just get healthy for next season.

Half dozen in one hand, 6 in the other... Handzus averages about 38 points per year, Lang 45 points per year, very similar players....equally as ugly too....

I don't think Flip is ready for a full-time center roll just yet. I'd like to see him play wing on a line with Pav. I think it's also high time Huds got a legit chance. If we worked in house with some very talented young guys, we could save a lot of money, possibly spend it on a guy like Smyth or Bertuzzi.

Chicago also has a guy named Martin Havlat, it wasn't just Handzus. Handzus is a good player, but no better or worse than Lang. If the Leafs can't sign Sudin to a 2-yr deal, they would pick up his team option for next season rather than just let him walk.

First off, don't count you chickens before they are hatched. Teams have come back from 0-3 before. It isn't likely, but it is possible. As far as the East-West thing goes, I think top to bottom the West is much much stronger than the East. The past few years, the Western rep was beat up by the time the finals came around. There are more weak teams in the East than the West.

Signing Comrie would be a joke. He hasn't had a solid season since he scored 33. He isn't effective, and is a sore in the locker room. As for splitting up Hank and Pav, Babs has already hinted that he wants to, but with a lack of production from anyone else during the regular season, he really didn't have much choice, especially since that line was as hot as it was. I am a big fan of trying to sign Smyth. Remember he hasn't won a Cup, he had a taste of it last year, and he has stated that it's something he wants very badly. I wouldn't surprised to see him stay on the island. After what the Islanders gave up for him, look for them to make a huge push to keep him. I would be surprised to see a 7-10 year deal offered. One last thing, someone mentioned something about Smyth getting league max. I didn't think there was a true league max. I remember hearing something like no one player can earn more than 20% of his teams cap spending, e.g. a team spends $30 on the team, no single player could make more than $6 per.

The Pain Train may lead all player in the playoffs in htis, but what a game by Malts in Game 1, 12 of detroits 22 hits, and people question Kenny re-signing him...

Whether or not Dom's stick actually touch the puck or Getz's stick doesn't matter, the simple fact that Dom threw it is enough for a penalty. Also, remember that the stick could have forced Getz into take a shot he didn't want, or pulling the puck further outside than he wanted to. It doesn't really matter, the Duckies got an even up call when Scotty N. push Hasek into the net. Would Dom have slid into the net under his own motion? Who knows, but you can't deny Scotty pushed him. One more thing, if Cheli isn't there, Dom makes the save on the second goal.

I am curious if anyone knows how and why those tickets were onlly $30, I was going ot buy a few, but the only listed delivery method was via mail, so I skipped out.

Shanny made $2.2 or something like that, the Wings were offering up something close to $2.5-3, Shanny signed for $4 in NY, he left for money.

I really dig the thought of having Draper, Maltby, and Cleary toether, that's a great line. As far as other top flight defensemen, I just don't think any are going to be available. At least no one who could step in a really come close to doing what Nick does. When Nick leaves, I think Detroit instantly has to change it's style of play.

We all are very familiar with Ryan Smyth. We have seen the heart, passion, and drive he plays with. He is an UFA as of July 1st. We are also familiar with Todd Bertuzzi. We know that he can score, he is a big body, he has great hands, and isn't afraid to drop the gloves. I was doing some reading about theses two guys. I got to thinking, who would be a better fit for our team. It's a tough call. I know a lot of you don't think much of Bert, in large part because of he playoff preformace this year. But give the guy a break, he only played a handful of games this year. Next year he will be better. Ryan Smyth isn't anything flashy. He is basicly a smaller Homer who can skate better, and has a much better shot. Between the two, I think I would take Smyth. Nothing against Bert, but with what the Wings would have to give up to sign him, I just can't say that I think he is worth it. I don't know what it would take to sign Smyth. No doubt it would be something close to what we signed Pav for. I don't know if that is really feasable. I know it is possible. If the Wings were to let Lang and Bert walk, it's very possible. Or even if they could get Bobby to re-up for around $2 per. I think the biggest disadvantage with Bertuzzi is also his biggest advantage, you just don't know what you are getting. Are you going to get the Bert who isn't putting up much in these playoffs? Or you going to get the pre-Moore Bert who was as dominate as any power forward? I believe that Bert will be well within the Wings price range, but again, to give up more picks to sign him, I'm just not so sure that is a good idea. Here is what the Wings have committed for next years roster, with a total of $29.3 commited salary. Lidstrom - $7.6 Datsyuk - $6.7 Zetterburg - $2.7 Draper - $2.128 Holmstrom - $2.250 Samuelson - $1.2 Kronwall - $1.5 Lilja - $1 Franzen - $.900 Filppula - $.850 Osgood - $.800 Cleary - $.675 Lebda - $.550 That's 4 D, 8 F, and 1 G. Realisticly, we need to sign 2 D, 4 F, and at least 1 G. Odd are Cheli and Dom will be re-signed. Assuming both of those guys take similar contracts to what they had this year, that would eat about another $2. If the cap goes up to the sugested $49, I would think Kenny would want to spend about $45. We would have $14 to spend on 1 D and 4 F. It wouldn't be a stretch to get someone like Smyth. Even though Hank will be a UFA in 09-10, one would have to believe the cap would increase enough for the Wings to sign him. Even if the cap stayed stats quo, we have guys in the minors that could fill in gaps for affordable prices. IMO the only real question is Nick, and what he will be looking for after next season. I would much rather lock up Nick than sign a high priced UFA. Thoughts? EDIT: I got my salary info HERE it's only salary, no bonus hits included. It's under Player saleries by year. It's a pretty neat site, has a lot of nice info.

I think the key to all this is Lidstrom. Does he have the drive to play until he is 42, 43, 44? We have him signed through next season, he will then be a 38 year-old UFA. No doubt he would draw HUGE intrest from teams. If Nick wants to play, he will do it in Detroit. But every time he is up for a new contract, it's 'Well I'm not sure, I might go back to Sweden.' Bargining chip? Hells yes. But is he serious about even considering it. Who knows. I speculate that Hank will get a deal similar to Pavs. So we'd have $15 tied up with them, add in Nick, that $20-23. Add in Smyth, $24-29. That is a lot of money tied up with 4 guys. But I think with the cap rising, and the popularity of the Wings, Kenny will have the money to spend. Is it a good idea? I'm not sure if tying up over half your pay roll on 3-4 guys ever is. But man, it's a hell of a lot of fun to think about. I wouldn't put Draper as a 4th liner, he is getting paid too much and is too effective in shutting down oppsing top lines to be a 4th liner. I would like to see Grigs in that spot. Just get him accumstomed to the NHL game, and life. And you forgot Mule in your lineup, I wish Kenny could find a way to do that...

According to this, Ottawa is due, but that was actually a different Ottawa franchise. I think as far as the NHL is concered, a Detroit - Ottawa finals would be superb. I'd love to see it. But if it can't be Detroit, at least those bastards in the East will have to travel!

The more I read on this thread, the more sick I get. I don' understand the praise everyone is giving Shanny, when Sergei is booed when he comes back. One poster said Shanny's departure was not 'Fedorovish' or somthing like that. Wrong he left for the same reason Fedorov did, more money. All of you who are saying that you respect Shanny, and 'big deal if that's what he wants to do', why the double standard for Sergei? I'm not making the assumption that everyone who is ok with Shanny wanting to stay a Ranger is anti-Fedorov, I myself am fine with Shanny not wanting to play elsewhere. I just don't get it. Fedorov booed, Shanny loved. Both guys left for more money, 'better opportunities', ect. There is no difference in how they left. For all of you who claim that's why you hate Sergei, where the hell are the 'I hate Shanny' posts? And for those of you who have said it, KUDOS.

I would rather make a signing like Smyth, and promote Flip to second line center, if Hank and Pav aren't broken up. I've mentioned this before, but Babs has hinted that he would like to be able to break up the Euro twins. What I see in the Smyth signing, is this. You could potentiall create two very similar lines, say a Homer - Hank - Flip, and a Smyth - Pav - Huds line. I really like that idea. Or really any combination that would have Homer and Smyth on different lines. Our third line would be all grit, Franzen - Draper - Cleary, and fourth line Malts - Grigs? - Mule. In the real world, I know Mule would more likely be on the 2nd or 3rd line, but I really love those first 4 lines, and the way Mule likes to shoot, playing with Grigs who wil lbe in his first NHL season would be nice. Typically rooks like to pass more, and don't shoot enough. Although his stats since being drafted aren't so good, he is a playmaker.

Smyth could get $6-7 per, but not if he wants to play on a contending team. The only team that could be considered anywhere near contention with the cap room to sign him would be Pittsburg, and they hasve Fluery, Crosby, Malkin, and Staal to re-up, all with in the next 3 years. So realisticly, they don't have the cap space either. I can't really see us paying Bert more than $3 per. He has been getting better. But with his history of back problems, and lack of preformace with out Naslund, it's a huge risk. Don't get me wrong, I love the guy, and how he plays. It's just a pretty big investment to not know what you are getting into. As far as Perreault goes, I don't think he'd fit in Detroit. He is stellar on the draw, but over his career he has put up more than 50 points twice, he has come close a few times, but his career average is about 42 points per year. Zubrus, well, I'd take Yannic before I'd take him. This guy hasn't been anything better than Lang, and will probablyt get about $3-4 per. Zednik intrigues me. I like his style, but he is only good for about 32 points per year. Give Maltby a bigger role, he could do that. Antripov is a very big boy. I like the size, but again, he is about a 30 point scorer. He has been pretty much a flop in Toronto.

Domink Hasek. And it isn't really stepping up, so much as carrying over his game 6 preformance, and not playing like he did the first 4 games. Let's be honest here, the Ducks are a great skating team. Can we skate with them? No doubt, I think Detroit is the most underraated team left in the playoffs. No one thought we could hang with San Jose, they were too big and too fast. I think if Dom wouldn't have played so poorly in the first 10 minutes of those games, the Wings win it in 5. Dom just needs to be Dom and play like he can. We can't afford to have him giving the puck away, the Ducks are too good. Wings in 6.

Smyth brings the leadership qualities that Yzerman did. I love Nick, I'm not saying he isn't a worthy, deserving, or capable leader. But when you have a guy like Smyth who IS a leadrer in the locker room, even if there is no letter on his shoulder, and he goes out and plays hard like he does every night. Well, that inspires guys to play harder. I think Smyth would be the best possible UFA signing the Wings could make, if he doesn't ask $6+ per.

Ducks and Wings, Senators and Sabers. Here is a quick breakdown of some stats I found intersting. Of the four teams left, here is the number of goalscorers they have, how many of those goal scorers have more than one goal, how many players have points, each teams point leader, and how many points he had. Ducks - 11 goal scorers, 8 have more than 1, 14 players with points, and Pronger is leading the team with 14 points. Sabers - 13 goal scorers, 10 have more than 1, 18 players with points, and Briere is leading the team with 11 points. Wings - 13 goal scorers, 11 have more than 1, 17 players with points, and Datsyuk and Lidstrom tie for the lead with 11 points. Senators - 14 goal scorers, 8 have more than 1, 16 players with points, and Heatly leads the team with 14 points. Goaltenders Ducks- Giguere 1.28 GAA .952 Sv% 0 SO Sabers - Miller 2.07 GAA .928 Sv% 0 SO Wing - Hasek 1.51 GAA .930 1 SO Senators - Emery 2.04 GAA .919 Sv% 2 SO I'm not sure why, maybe some of you Duck fans could shed some light on this, but Giggy sat 4 games. So realisticly speaking, Dom has the best stats, in net. And the Detroit skaters come in second to the Senators, by a hair. So why is it that Detroit is being picked by so many people as the least likely to advance? The Ducks are a solid team, but they aren't that good.

No one else can be called up, I forget exactly who was called up after the Griffins were eliminated from their playoffs, but it's set now.