F.Michael

Hicketts with the missing chicklets...Good depth signing.

Yup, and in his press conference he mentioned that the fan base needs patience...It'll take a few seasons, but I have faith that Yzerman will turn things around.

I'm not expecting much from Yzerman for at least this season - possible a few seasons.

Fun fact...There are more doctors in the USA/Canada than there are NHL players...Hell - there's a $hit ton more doctors in Canada alone than there are NHL'ers...

Which again begs the question...How desperate are we in need for a guy who'd become a top 4 dman on this team if we swung the trade? Maybe I should ask...Where does Yzerman feel the need is the greatest?

I like your optimism. I too love the way he played - along with the rest of the team in the last 15 games of the season! My point of view is that I'm on the fence as to where he goes from here...Will he be that late bloomer that can score 35 plus, or will he forever be a 'mid pack' winger by NHL standards?

How so?

I apologize for the confusion... Wings fans - like many fan bases tend to have a 'peculiar' opinion. As for Trouba - we all know he probably wants to play in Detroit...From the start of his pro career - he's been difficult to negotiate with...Many here say 'bravo' - others say 'cawksucker'!....I tend to agree with those are aren't exactly happy with how's he's conducted himself over the past handful of years. Risto - while not anything special - appears to have the makings of a good Dman in this league, but many Wing fans seem more interested in pointing out his faults while neglecting the fact that our very own Mantha isn't exactly lighting up the score sheet.

I was under the impression that we have a concern on D? Wouldn't Risto help in that dept - regardless of his +/-? I like Mantha - I really do, but where he is today - can we expect him to evolve into this 35 plus goal scorer that's 'untouchable' when it comes to potential trade discussions? This reminds me of the Trouba threads both here, and over at HF Boards...Mantha apparently brings more to this team than what some outsider could ever hope to - as in we value our own players more so, and downplay the value of others from a rival franchise...As for Trouba - he's doing what many Wing fans think is all ok, but according to many Jets fans - he was a jerk (and I totally agree with them - granted he's going by the rules currently in the CBA here, but lets be honest - Trouba is playing the role of a complete a$$hole)...Just think if we drafted some kid from 'Toronna' who was a life time Leaf fan did the same to us? We'd scream bloody f**king murder...Yeah - that went down this time last year only it happened to the NYI fanbase. I carried on a little too long here, but I think y'all get my drift.

So - let me get this straight...Ristolainen who's a 40 plus pts getter as a Dman for the past 4 seasons isn't anything special - however our tender child known as Mantha who also is a 40 plus pts getter for the past 2 seasons as a winger is all of a sudden vastly superior, and the thought of an even swap is ridiculous? .Isn't the school of thought that Dmen tend to blossom later - while the wingers shoot their load early in their career? I dunno...To me Mantha doesn't exactly strike me as the second coming of a Brendan Shanahan.....

This. Yzerman will be damn sure he's getting a good deal, and not get crazy-stoopid like some GMs (Chiarelli).

Yup - for it to happen Lou will have to move a player, or two by the start of the season to be cap compliant.

I hope it happens...Lou going in with no lube Thing is though...Would Marner even 'want' to play for the Isles? Wouldn't it be funny if he signs the offer sheet thinking his beloved Maple Leafs would match, and then they don't..... EDIT - looking at the NYI cap - it appears that they only have roughly $8.6 million to play with (from the looks of it there's no LTIR $$$ to be had as well)...Hardly enough to entice Marner away from T.O.

A guy on HF boards made a good point...Apparently both Hyman, and Dermott will be out for some time, and will start the season on LTIR...That'll open up approx $3.1 million to spend. So...I'm guessing Dubas can offer $10 to $11 million per season to Marner, but that'll probably mean Dubas will have to move a roster player, and/or keep the injured guys on LTIR for a significant portion of the season.

Alex - I'll take an offer sheet for $10.5 million...

Is Dubas trying to 'limit' how much $$$ Marner gets by signing others before him? I understand the need to add some depth to their roster (especially on D), but after everything is said, and done - will Dubas even have $9 million to offer?

Millennial...

Sorta surprised to see Gardiner still on the market...Either he's damaged goods (rumors of back issues), and/or he's asking way too much $$$, and term.

Jake 'Game 7" Gardiner is still available...I'm honestly surprised.

Oh! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRkE_Gv6ALM

I'm interested in seeing what former Spartan - now Red Wing - Taro Hirose can do with a full season. Saw him play live last March at the LCA...Gotta say he's really sharp...Could be a 50 plus pts in 82 game season.

IMHO - Daley is the one who needs to earn a spot...Guy looked worse than Kronwall...Getting old sucks monkey nutz...I'm all in for the youth getting their chance.