N4C3R

I've always had much respect for Peter Forsberg: the man works and plays hard. His health is an issue, barring any serious problems there is no reason he cannot contribute to this team. Hank is already the next Forsberg in Sweden, no reason not to pair the two on the same team for some mentoring.

I'd rather make a deal to get a solid full-time guy, like Chris Neil.

Good guy at a good price. It has been the days of the Vladiator that we've had somebody on our team that opponents had to keep their heads up for at all times. Great signing at a great price. We've been building grit from the inside, we showed that last year in how well the team played in the very physical western conference. Now we have a guy who will teach our young ones what it's like to do a little head hunting. Welcome back Dallas!

The following is pure speculation regarding a possible strategy. It has been no secret that Holland has coveted a top 6 forward this off-season. It has also been no secret that Babcock and Hudler don't appear to be doing the peas and carrots thing; there are many loyal Redwing fans/observers who feel Hudler is not getting the ice time he deserves. Does it make sense for a GM to re-sign a player whom the coach doesn't play to his full potential? What if the player has untapped potential and could be used for trade bait. Kenny has said he doesn't want to commit salary beyond two years to make sure we're set to retain Hank. Kenny just signed Hudler to a 2-year deal. Whether Hudler is used as trade bait or not, his contract will end at the same time as Hanks. I don't believe that is a coincidence. Holland has also said there are no top 6 forwards left on the UFA list. He may be working the press to try to influence the market, or it may be an indication that he is going a different route. Even his statement that he is done with the free agent market suggests he may be actively working out a trade. Just because he wasn't willing to pay the kind of money this year's UFAs received doesn't mean he's not willing to take on a beefy contract for a top 6 forward. Jiri Hudler, by most accounts, has the potential to be a solid sniper in this league. For some reason Babs doesn't like him. I think Ken Holland is sitting on some very good trade bait here, and I think that may have been the driving force behind the 2-year deal Hudler just signed. Jiri is young, has potential, and has a manageable contract for the next 2 years. With the cap space we have, and the trade bait we have in Jiri Hudler (and his contract), I think Ken Holland may not be done putting this team together for next season. As a final note, I'd like to state that I like Jiri Hudler just fine. I cannot and will not deny that I prefer a physical, old-school style of hockey. That said, I see a lot of potential in Hudler and had not (until this morning frankly) considered trading him. I would like to avoid this thread turning into a Hudler worshipping/bashing thread, rather, I'd like to discuss this as a possible strategy or avenue for the Wings to add that top 6 forward I keep hearing so much about. Thoughts? -Pete

I forgot where I was for a moment and will clarify. I am in no way saying that one should evaluate a player based on how they perform for you in a video game. As pointed out by BringHomeTheCup!, when he plays his hockey video game(s) he can practically do anything. The ratings for these hockey players in video games are based on real hockey players with real statistics and scouting reports. I was trying to lend support the position that the OP offered that Nikita Alexeev was a good skater for his size. Watching the OP do a 180 on his stance while looking for the next pair of nuts to swing from is pretty funny. Thanks kids. -Pete

Nikita Alexeen and Evgeni Artyukhin are two of my favorite "unknown" guys in NHL 2K7. They are both 6'5 and around 230 lbs, and both are rated with above average skating ability and agility. I've traded for one or both of them in each of my online seasons, and have found them to be very useful on the 3rd and 4th lines.

Maybe it's my competitive spirit, I'm still hoping Ken Holland will go after Dustin Penner. He's young, he's big, he's talented, and best of all he's currently a Duck. Agreed barring that it would be best to wait on a Hudler trade until later in the season.

Personally I think Kenny has done well so far. The Rafalski signing was a great move, not signing a big name free agent so far also has been a great move. I think most teams have overpaid for the Unrestricted Free Agents that have been available this year. I like where we stand right now, and firmly believe our youth needs time on the ice at the NHL level to continue their development. I firmly believe we can get to the playoffs with this team, and we'll have a lot of cap space left to work with as needed. Do I wish the Wings were bigger and grittier? Yes, that's simply a personal preference. Do I love this team no matter what? Absolutely, there's a reason I bleed red. -P

Danny Markov is the only UFA on that list I would like to see wearing the Winged Wheel. The rest of them command too much salary for not enough contribution. We have plenty of leadership and experience. Our youth needs to play. Let Hasek retire and let the Osgood/Howard tandem carry the load. Keep building for the future. Pick up Arron Asham, make a RFA offer to Dustin Penner for a long term contract. -P

I am so glad Kenny didn't bite on this. Too much money!

I tend to read first, think, then post. It keeps my post numbers down.

I say yes, Avery would be worth investigating.

my off-radar wishlist (in no particular order): Vasicek Semenov Sutton Winchester Penner (RFA offer) Asham

I would take Arron Asham over Samuelsson any day of the week. Yes, Mikael is responsible defensively, but he doesn't use his size to play a more physical game. Arron Asham would be a perfect fit under coach Babcock. -P

I would look to the future and go after only one more player: Dustin Penner. He's young, he's big, he's talented, and he can skate. Brian Burke has shown his hand, he has extended himself too far. This is the time to pick off the powerforward of the future for a long-term deal the Ducks cannot match. I have faith in our young corps of players, and for all the bashing I hear I like Lebda and Lilja on D. If I were Ken Holland I'd steal Penner from Anaheim, and sit on the rest of my cap space as insurance for later in the season. P.S. Good job signing Hudler, he's one of the young guys who's going to flourish this season. -Pete Quick Edit: I'd love to see Arron Asham in Detroit as well.

My initial reaction was mostly emotional. I had been happy to see him in Detroit, who had been in need of a physical presence. As much as I was excited at his potential from what I saw in the playoffs, there is no way I'd pay him $4M per year, for two years! I don't begrudge Todd his decision to go to Anaheim, and Burke remains one of my favorite GMs of all time (because I like physical, old-school hockey). That said I have confidence in the Holy Trinity of Hockeytown (Kenny, Scottie, and Stevie), and I look forward to this upcoming season. We have some solid young talent that needs development, this will be a good opportunity for them. It will also give us the space under the cap to pull off a blockbuster trade (or two) during the season or at the deadline.

To me there is no controversy: Hudler doesn't belong on the ice right now. It's not just his size, it's how he reacts after getting hit hard. Jiri seems to lose some of his focus and willingness to get his nose dirty after he gets drilled. Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Filppula, Draper: each of these small forwards gets drilled and the mental intensity doesn't waver. The willingness to go first into the corner after a puck doesn't waver. This is the time of year that you need guys on the ice who are going to go out there and win this game for you after having their head taken off. Hudler hasn't convinced Babcock (or yours truly) that he's in that category. Until he does he'll likely continue his role as spectator. -Pete

Maybe you guys have seen something that I have not, and this is no time to hold on to pride. If I am wrong about Hudler, tonight is the time to find out. -P

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...PDATE/705220463 Per Coach Babcock, Jiri Hudler will play tonight if Todd Bertuzzi is unable to go.

With all due respect to the OP, the Redwings will win the Stanley Cup in 6 games.

From what I understand, Kronwall has been skating with the team but isn't expected to be ready until the Finals, if at all. No matter how you look at it, if there is a chance that he will return at all this season, the Wings cannot afford not to have him practising with the team.

Cry "havoc" and let slip the dogs of war, for vengeance and victory are upon us. Having grown up in Michigan (Kalamazoo) I know the pain of watching the late night games on the west coast. I now live in Northern California, and will have to adjust my schedule to make sure I can catch all the "early" games the Wings will have on the east coast. Should get a good taste for that during the Stanley Cup Finals against Ottawa.

Pronger should be held accountable on the ice as well. Todd or Andreas should issue a clean challenge next game at the Joe. Pronger got off easy for that intent to injure, it's time to make him pay like in the old days.

I lost respect for Chris Pronger a long time ago. He is a big, soft momma's boy who'd rather take a cheap shot and hurt a guy than drop the gloves and stand up for himself and his actions. I don't know if Todd's back is up to it, but I imagine he or Andreas Lilja will challenge Pronger at some point during game 5. Maybe Pronger has matured and will answer the bell, but I won't hold my breath. He'll likely duck under the "I'm too valuable to the team" excuse, if you will pardon my pun. Pahlsson has played like the nasty little pest he is. I'm not going to say he's a bad guy, but I wouldn't call his playstyle respectable. McDonald ended up on top of Hasek, and used the opportunity to throw a couple of elbows at the head. Nothing that would do serious damage, but I wouldn't call it respectable. I live in California and keep up to date on the Sharks and Ducks. As far as I can tell Travis Moen is a hard-working guy who will fight and stick up for his teammates. He doesn't talk crap. He doesn't play dirty. He plays hard on every shift and drops the gloves when he has to. Now that I do call respectable, and it's the kind of work ethic I'd take on my team any day. There's no need to turn this series into a feud, because frankly the Wings don't have the fighters to match the Ducks if it were to come down to that, but I do think that Pronger should be held accountable on the ice as well. No dirty hits, no stickwork, just a challenge for a clean fight. Settle the score and get on with the series.

I think Todd has played well. You have to remember he's missed most of the year due to his injuries. The deeper into the playoffs we go, the more comfortable and effective he will become. My preference would be to sign him to a multi-year deal. His family is close (Ontario), and he really has the opportunity to shine on a team where he's not expected to carry the franchise on his shoulders. The Wings will win the cup this year, and Bertuzzi will be instrumental in the last two series to get it done, cementing his return to Hockeytown.