Shaman

Jones, maybe, the other two pass.

It isnt weak at all actually, its almost perfect for the wings who are looking for middle tier players. There won't be any huge blockbuster deals and thats fine with me. The wings need a second/third line forward, and two middle pairing Dmen, one offensive, one can be more stay at home, and the market has a few options for these holes.

This is one of the weakest top 6 in the NHL. Lids is still a #1, but no ones a #2, Stuart would be 3.5, so would Kronwall, so they are great together, Smith isn't ready, he needs one more season in GR before I would even think about him in the NHL, and Kindl/Ericsson... oh my, the GA. Bringing in wisniewski, and or pitkanen would add another 3/4 defenseman to the wings, and if you get both, and let Ericsson walk, well, honestly I would say the Defense is that much stronger. Lidstrom-Wiz Kronwall-Pitkanen Stuart-Kindl Janik That looks a lot more solid to me.

What the wings need is a couple guys to play in the top 9 for the next 2-3 years, after that the Wings have a great crop of forwards that will be ready to play in the NHL. Until then there is a need for a couple stop gaps.

Well, a trade isn't just about cap space, any other team will be asking for pieces (prospects, picks and or players), thats the best advantage to picking up pieces in FA, not having to give up anything other than cap space. Miller is a great 12/13th forward, and I really like him, Emmerton seems to be the one who has to earn his spot. My contention is that addition to points will come from the back end, where competition for spots isn't there, especially with Holland not wanting to bring up players from GR too quickly. If the Wings add a guy upfront I would be very happy, but they NEED to add someone on the back end.

Reasons why I don't see them making a playoffs with that roster are: Losses not covered: 1. Defensive/PK hole of the last couple seasons 2. PP/ES points from Rafalski 3. Loss of secondary scoring No Depth: As evidenced by the last couple years, injuries are on an up swing, and say what you want about Hudler, any loss of secondary scoring will hurt. This fact would be compounded by the fact that this roster has almost no (proven) scoring depth outside the first two lines besides Cleary (I don't see Bert on the third line). So if anyone in the first two lines goes down, especially Z or D the wings will be in dire straights, especially with the loss of offense provided by Rafi. Salary cap going up/Central getting tougher: Every team willing to spend will have a buffer to spend, and if the wings don't other teams in the central will. Couple this with every team aside from Columbus coming into next season better than last season, its not going to be a cake walk for the Wings. Bottom line is Detroit has a solid core, but there are holes in the roster that if not addressed could mean the Wings will struggle to make the playoffs come next April. Homer at least is a year older, Zetterberg save for last season has is normal mid season back injury, Flip, Franzen, Bert and Cleary all have a bad habit of disapearing for long periods. I think adding scoring somewhere in the roster (front end or back end) would be a good thing.

No way this roster makes the playoffs.

Quick facts about FA that LGW posters seem oblivious to: Discounts: Players like Richards are willing to take a discount to play for a better team, but hes looking at 7-8 million depending on the team he signs for, hes not going to take a 20% pay cut to play for Detroit, sorry. Do I think Holland gives him a call? Sure, if only to drive his price up for other teams, but I dont see him coming to Detroit, and if he does, no way for less than 7 a year. RFA: Holland doesn't poach players, and players like Weber and Doughty are not the type teams walk away from even for multiple high picks, if the wings get them it'll mean players, prospects and picks going back to the respective trading partners. Personally again if I were Holland after the statement by Nashville management that they would match any offer given to Weber would offer him something outrageous so that Sutter could become in option in 2012, but Nashville won't let Weber go. Grit: Yes the wings need some, but come on guys, fighting and grit aren't always the same thing, and don't disguise your want for an enforcer by playing at the wings need for energy guys who are willing to go to the dirty parts of the ice or clear the front of the net. Flavor of the months: If the Wings don't pick up Wiz/konopka/etc and he has a bad season, I will bet everyone who wanted him will be deriding him next season, just saying.

Actually I would say Flip is very average, hes in the middle of the pack in the area of '2nd/3rd line centers'. Depth wise hes our third line center, but for it hes got a lot of offensive upside. For 3 million a year I wouldn't trade him unless its part of a package for that the wings were a clear winner of. I know most people see me as a Flip hater, but I like him a lot, its just realistically I see him as the most likely target of any trade because he has a lot of assets teams would want in a defensive center.

I don't know.... seems like an overpayment for Ovechkin, I would say Miller, the rights to Draper, and a 7th would be a much better deal for both sides.

Van/Bos: 4-2

I hate both teams, but I hate boston less. Why can't they both lose?

Because the Wings have a lot of quality Centers and puck moving D men, but they are weak on stay at home D men and scoring wingers.

Yes please.

Love it, cant wait for July 1st now. Too bad it took Rafi retiring to get Kenny to decide to make a big move.

If Nik retires next year, and with Nashville signing Weber this year Suter would be a viable option.

Pitkanen for the right price could be a huge deal, he would fill an offensive defenseman slot pretty well, hes young, and i dont know if you've ever seen him but hes not too shabby in his own end. Pair him with a more defensive defenseman signing and the combo could fill both the wings needs on the back end, and with Rafi's cap hit off the books, will do it for close to what the wings are saving with him retiring.

Joni Pitkanen and Kevin Bieksa... neither alone would replace Rafi, but together they both add pieces to the team they need (youth, scoring, grit, etc) and make up Rafi's points,.

At this point I think its all up to lids, Illitch and Holland won't throw a number, they Lidstrom literally can name his price, terms, and the wings management will give it to him.

Well the problem with that is you didn't add him to the roster space

I first thought you were serious then I saw 'Trade for Orr' and I knew you must be joking. First, Burke always over charges in trades. Second, hes a million dollar cap hit, thanks but no thanks.

Would love Tardif as a 13th forward if he wasn't such an important leader/player mentor to our prospects in the AHL.

Wish list: #1 a scoring winger #2 Stay at home D man #3 power forward/big forward

Konnan said that not me. As for Moen, its because #1 hes younger, has more prove offensive upside, and because hes a wing, which is what Detroit needs, not more centers.

Gritty players I would like to see on the wings: Evander Kane Travis Moen Steve Downie