Konnan511

I should add him and Bogo to my avatar, I'll never know how people don't understand the business and economic side of NHL management.

How is Abdelkader (24) untouchable, but Filppula (27) not? Filppula is indeed clutch in the playoffs. Filppula had the 22nd highest PPG in the playoffs of all players who at least played 10 games, beating players like Stamkos, Mike Richards, Erat, Pavelski, Heatley, and the list goes on of guys who are made saviors or guys who double his salary. I'm not saying he is better than those players, but if you look at value and worth, Filppula comes out near the top of that list and you don't trade those players. I see guys like Hudler, Abdelkader, Emmerton as guys who are more likely to be traded before Filppula's name is even on the tongue of Holland. I acknowledge Filppula has the most trade value on the team, but his worth to the team is substantially higher. This isn't NHL 11, so stop treating it like it is.

How exactly does trading away one of the few guys on the team who shows up every year in the playoffs (where the games are harder) make more sense? Filppula will NEVER be traded. He'll either run his contract out and be a UFA, or he'll continue to be re-signed.

The only capitalization you used was on "UFA", how disrespectful to Holland.

So this article is everything I've been saying in this and all the other threads...except Holland is saying it...hmmm No RFAs

You've had some asinine posts lately, but this one is spot on, and thusly, you get a plus for summing up everything perfectly.

The OP Title is misleading. The Wings "hope" he makes strides, enough of a stride to make the team. They're hoping he is ready, they aren't saying he'll be on the team.

Started by LGW members. Holland has categorically denied the Bogo rumors numerous times.

I Lol'd at this quote from the Freep: They must just read LGW and our discussions

Trying for isn't the same as going for broke for a player. Wings should try and sign Bieksa, but they shouldn't overpay for him. They should try for Suter and JML, but they shouldn't overpay for them. C'Mon. I'm not trying to be cheap, I'm just being realistic here. Bieksa is going to pull in a big overpaid contract this offseason unless he some how gets hurt this playoffs and scares everyone away. I've never even mentioned Erhoff, but from all accounts I hear he is going to be re-signed. Holland doesn't sign for the first wave anymore, he goes after the second wave players he doesn't have to overspend for. I hope he solidifies the defense too, and with the suggestions I made of who is practical or realistic (I do note that there are more available of the few I brought up), he not only doesn't over spend but he shores up toughness and defense. And you have to remember, part of that 6mil and extra cap space will be going towards making our forward group stronger and playoff ready.

That's inaccurate. Wings just pay Nill as much as a lot of GMs make. He's free to talk to whomever he has wanted to, he just chooses to stay in Hockey Town. To answer the question, it's Holland. Yzerman finally hired a french canadian coach, which is all Vinny wanted and no other GM seemed to do. Seriously, the last GM hired Barry Melrose. Couple that with how crappy the East is, it's not hard to see a semi educated hockey operations man being able to do very well in the Eastern Conference. Yzerman still has a decade or so in him to where he needs to prove on a season to season basis he can make good decisions. He did that this year, but he walked into a damn good situation with players like Vinny, and St. Louis and Stamkos and Hedman and a fairly deep farm system. Holland has constructed a great scouting system and management team along with making more good decisions than bad decisions in the front office for the team. I'd pick Holland for now and for the next team years. After that, it's fair game!

Not London again! Going overseas sucks!...wait...that London...niceee...

We'd all love Weber, but Nashville will do whatever it will take to retain him, same goes for Doughty. I honestly believe Bieksa will be courted by every team and Detroit is not in the business of outbidding teams. Wiz is probably one of the few realistic options. The Weber hopefuls seem to be the ones saying "Well Holland got Hossa", but you have to remember Hossa was a UFA and it didn't take any assets to get him. It'd cost the farm to obtain Weber/Doughty and probably even Yandle would fetch 4 1st rounders because he's going to land a hug contract after being in Norris discussions in his contract year. Look at what Keith got after his two really good seasons (his previous two before those and this season were not anything overly special) and he's getting paid huge. Yandle/Weber/Doughty are all going to be paid with a 6mil cap hit plus and Doughty and Weber probably in excess of 7mil (they are worth it, well Weber is at least), but there is no way their respective teams let them go unless a team goes for a 8-11mil cap for these guys, which wouldn't be by the Wings. I think Jay Harrison would be a great replacement for either Ericsson or Salei. He had 6 FMs this season and had 10 points and finished +5, is 28 and made league minimum this season. Montador would also be a good addition and so would Hamrlik (I know he's old but he's still one of the more effective players in the league 5+29+34 and a +6 and is a UFA). Any of those three should be able to replace Ericsson and Salei while being a big upgrade. For the Raflaski replacement, Hamrlik would not be bad for one season and then try for Suter or Carle or Coburn or even JML. EDIT: Don't know why I'm getting neg'd for this, but oh well, sorry for being the fun police and being realistic. If you're going to neg someone, at least man up and critique.

I knew you liked that. He knows the system to a "T" and is the consummate teammate. IF he isn't the 12th forward, I'd really like to see him as the 13th forward. If Mark Mowers can make the Red Wings, I don't see why Tardiff shouldn't get his shot.

Some of the only realistic options include Tardiff and Upshall. If Mitch was two or three more years along I'm sure it'd be him.

Exactly. Rafalski was so good at even strength, he helped price Ericsson out of Detroit

His +/- would indicate he was a great even strength player. Why make an appreciation thread only to bash him later?

Coincidence?

I was never one of those people. There are a select few on this board that closely follows ALL prospects around the league. And I watch the U16/17/18/20 champiuonships and catch a lot of CHL games and read A LOT of scouting reports on all players (usually only the top 50 and top 50 or so draft prospects). I'll never claim to be a great scout, but myself and a few around here do study prospects. I'm nearly positive you know more about your prospects than all of us combined, but sometimes outsiders who do study a plethora of prospects can give an objective analysis. I don't believe you are blowing smoke up anyone's bums. The only thing I think that the Blues F'd up on was trading away Rundblad. I do love that they raped the Avs in that trade this season, though .

If they are young or haven't hit their primes yet, they aren't coming here. The Hossa signing corrupted the way LGW thinks. I understand being hopeful, but you also have to be realistic. Bieksa would be a good fit here, but he is going to be overpaid by whoever signs him, and that somebody won't be the Wings overpaying unless it's a one year deal, which i highly doubt Bieksa would take since he has one, maybe two more big contracts left in him. Holland will wait for the second wave like he always does, save for the Hossa signing (he wasn't in his prime anymore) and Rafalski signing (he was past his prime as well).

People seem to forget a broken down, one legged Rafalski put up 90 points the past two seasons and had a .75 PPG pace this season. he was the catalyst for our ES. This team needs a smooth puck moving defenseman, a guy that isn't one of the dozen that LGW are throwing around, save for Wiz. Weber, Suter, Doughty, Bieksa, Bogo aren't coming here and nor will they even be given offers because they are going to be the first waved signed. I'll make anyone that bet right now.

Swede and Ottawa Senators prospect David Rundblad has earned the Hockey Future’s Prospect of the Year for the 2010-11 season. That's why that trade was bad in my opinion. Rundblad is a beast and a for sure top pairing player.

Holland is going to trick us all and play Smith and Kindl full time while re-signing Salei for our top 6 lol.

Wow! We better find someone really good or else we are going to be really hurting next season. And if Nick retires...oh man.... For everyone that wanted Rafalski out, you'll find out why you are an idiot. This is going to have a massive impact on our team next season and we all know Holland won't overpay for any player, especially with a salary cap. now more than ever, we need to trade Hudler for some major defensive help. Thanks for the cup Rafalski and thanks for all the great help and play these past handful of years!!!!!!!!!!