VM1138

I always wonder why any comment made by a blogger or writer includes something preferring Kronwall over Stuart. The two have had very comparable years and complement each other very well. At varying points in each season each appears slightly better than the other. I'd say we need them both equally, if we need one. 6.5 for Kronner. His agent will look at the inflated contracts and the fact that Kronwall is basically who we are turning to to replace Lidstrom. He will be THE big d-man. Anyone in addition will be unlikely to take a spot from Kronner, I think. So we're looking at a 5.5 cap hit, but with 6.5 on the front end. Stuart will be less because he's not as offensively helpful as Kronwall is and offense from the back end is a crucial issue for the Wings. I say he gets 5.5 on the front end, 5 cap hit.

I think it's really cool. Totally unlike any other logo in the league. I'm surprised so many people seem to hate it. They didn't do some crazy design where you can't even tell what it is. They didn't use obnoxious coloring, and they didn't make it cartoony. What more do people want? It's a logo that can be taken seriously and that's all you need.

Exactly. I don't know why people keep talking about this effort the Panthers have made. They just spend randomly and overpaid for players to meet the cap floor. There was no "assembling" of a team. They won't get close enough to sniff playoffs.

I still expect him to land another forward. We've got too much money just to sit on. Other contracts end next season so it's not like he has to save all of it. I bet he'll spend around 5 million and leave the rest for wiggle room at the trade deadline.

I would. He's very solid. Gives up some weak shots, but all goalies do. He seems mentally strong which is HUGE in today's NHL among goaltenders. He's gotten his rebound control under....well control.

Awesome. Totally expected, but a very solid signing. This is probably the strongest goalie tandem the Wings have had since 2009 due to Osgood's injuries the past two seasons. Howard is finally coming into his own and Conklin is one of the best backups in the league. I have a good feeling about this team this year. I think the motivation problem is solved, we are much stronger defensively and without major injuries the chemistry from 08 and 09 should return.

I cannot believe how lazy ESPN's writers are. This article could basically be rehashed for the last 10 years or more, just replace the names mentioned. It's nearly impossible (knock on wood) for the Red Wings to "fall." Should their young talent not be good enough, there are these crazy things called trades and free agent signings to tide them over for a year or two until the next crop of young talent.

Kind of sucks, because his last two seasons were really sub-par, mostly due to confidence, lack of playing time, and finally injury. I never felt he was declining quality-wise, only that he hit a rough patch. I never really felt that he just couldn't hack it anymore. Sad to see another player retiring basically due to injury. Who knows, maybe with proper conditioning and a couple years off treating the groin area right he might pull a Hasek and come back for one more run at glory. EDIT: And I think one of the greatest legacies he leaves is not his success on the ice, but that with all the drama constantly swirling around the goaltending situation he never caused problems, and always wanted to come back to the Wings and stay with them no matter what. A true team player. I've never seen a player take so much crap and still so earnestly want to stay in the city that treated him in such a bipolar manner.

I look forward to seeing Franzen sit any October games vs. Chicago. EDIT: In all seriousness, though, I hope to see a team gelling. There have been too many disruptions the last two seasons. Having the team healthy for the year (or at least most of the year) so not everyone has near-career low years because of having to play in weird situations or constant line juggling.

Looking for a trade and getting one are two different things. I'm sure Holland IS looking for more players, but he's not getting his hopes up and we shouldn't either. This story this summer has been the Wings getting rejected for trades and FA signings. I don't see this changing.

Some countries you can have dual citizenship. I'm pretty sure Poland does, or at least did for a promotional period back around 2008 or so when they were trying to lure people with Polish ancestry back.

Sounds like Osgood is going to be the guy if you read between the lines. He'll be back if the Wings want him, and it sounds like the Wings will take him if he feels he can play. And we saw this last season: Ozzie will say he can play even if he only had one leg.

That's the best possible pairings I've seen. Kronwall and Stuart have been a great pair since they were first placed together, and should be our natural go-to pair this season.

Those are some terrible commercials right there. And does Sweden even have jet fighters?

Numbers are for personal expression. It's not a sideshow, just a fun thing for the fans. Doesn't demean the team or history in any way. We Wings fans jealously protect the team's reputation, but 90% of us seem to be okay with this, so it's no big deal. If he doesn't wear it, fine, but it'd be fun if he did.

I just hope the crowd does the one finger salute from those commercials, too!

Well, look at it this way. Ovie admitted to watching Datsyuk videos in his off-time. That settles it for me: Datsyuk, and has been for a while.

Honestly I think Holland is just saving some cap space for the trade deadline or NEXT off-season. Does anyone know where to go to find a list of the NEXT UFA crop? Seems like he's trying to ice basically the same team, but a little stronger defensively, and hoping that the new coaches will help give the team the killer instinct it lacked last year. Then, in the following season, make a big splash with signing Lidstrom's replacement who will probably command an astounding sized contract.

He pretty much has to use it now, Puck Daddy readers have pledged $3500 to Commodore's charity of choice. Kind of hard to say "screw the charity, I much prefer this other number." It is, after all, just a number.

Sounds like the NHL just caught onto the Wings tricks over the years, and Babcock recognizes that. Good, I don't know anything about these assistant coaches but they can't be as bad as McCrimmon!

Wasn't an agreement like this already in place, just ineffective? I guess it just depends on the "range of procedures."

"I wouldn't say I'm impatient, but I want to be there," Smith said of the NHL. "Maybe I want to reach it sooner than I need it. They're obviously going to tell me if I'm ready. Until then, I'm going to work my (butt) off and figure it out then." -Brendan Smith Hard not to get excited for this guy. He's impressing everyone, and what's more is he seems to have a really good attitude about having to be "overripe" unlike some of the other prospects the Wings have dealt with the past few years. Trust in Kenny, Brendan, he knows what he's doing.

I just can't believe Stamkos would walk away from Tampa. I don't see it happening. If there is even the slightest chance that he'd leave, I hope he goes to a bottom feeder.

So with Holland considering people with "different ideas" and Babcock earlier saying he needed people with new ideas, does this mean the Wings will be transitioning to a new system of play?

Who cares about how much he'll fight. I'm way more concerned in clearing the crease and using the body to disrupt plays and force players out of position. If Commodore can do that without whining too much, I'm cool with him.