VM1138

I generally just follow NHL, OHL and a little AHL, since that's really all I have time for. I'd love to go really in depth with all the leagues and prospects, but watching Red Wings every other night for 8 months pretty much eats up all the goodwill I have stored up with my fiancee, haha. Any other hockey I get is from occasionally going to games (rare) or reading up on the computer when I'm not doing work for my Masters.

I think I already posted this in this thread, but Boston doesn't stand a chance. Maybe they can squeeze one game out, but they've been much shakier than Vancouver up to this point in a weaker conference. We're talking a repeat of the Anaheim-Ottawa final in '07.

Would he still count against the Cap?

Never follow CHL, but I do have a Mudbugs banner that I got years ago when I knew someone working for the team, so I'm at least aware they're down there, haha.

Reminds him of Kopecky? I don't remember Kopecky being well..anything useful here.

Don't really care all that much for either team, but when all else fails, root for the Original Six. It'll be Vancouver in 4 or 5, though.

IU'd rather he just wait until the season is over to announce it. I don't want a pall over the season or additional pressure on the team. That lets people think you don't have the heart for the season. Honestly, I think Lidstrom comes back. I always did, but with Rafalski's retirement there's no way Lidstrom retires and leaves the Wings in the lurch. He's not broken like Rafalski was from injuries. He can still play and will likely win the Norris. I know Lidstrom wants to get back to his family and Sweden, but he's enough of a team guy to hang around an extra year since he probably realizes he can handle at least one more season. And he already said he'd be back until the day when he has to play on the third pairing.

True. I have to imagine Bettman is happy with the way the league is set up now. They have mentioned having Winnipeg play in the East for one year, and that would leave a NYI relocation on the table, or Florida to Quebec City in 2012, thus solving this problem and strengthening the league without shrinkage. I am more convinced than ever that the Wings will, in fact, not move East.

Flip is actually the one logical, reasonable trade option the Wings have. He's successful enough, a good team guy, buys into systems. He can put up points, make plays, and a lot of teams lack that. The Wings don't. What the Wings lack is a bona-fide sniper or power forward who can score on a consistent basis. So honestly, Flip could get us a good return from a lot of teams in the league, I just don't know what ones specifically. Flip is also not integral to this team because he will never hit the potential we thought he would. He has great playoffs, but he's rarely clutch, and for what he brings we could probably get better through a trade for him if the situation was right.

Bieksa's good and all, but not as a top 2 defenseman on the Wings. That is what we need right now. Bieksa would be a good role player on this team but that's not what we need at the moment.

Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Sharks.

Did Pittsburgh hate Murph, too? Because Kaberle isn't exactly racking up love points where he plays. Honestly, we're screwed if we're hoping Kaberle can fill in for Lidstrom.

Kronner is our number 2 guy until Lidstrom retires. He is more than capable of being the top guy, but I don't see Holland limiting himself. Replacing Rafalski and Lidstrom will get us guys on par with Kronner, if not better. Why not have the most dominating top four in the league when you can suddenly afford it?

Some of you guys are thinking small. Let's replace Lidstrom THIS year, and enjoy a season of Lidstrom and his replacement dominating, and replace Rafalski next year. Think big, people. I know Weber is probably out of the picture but the future is now. Holland won't be going for a decent roleplayer, he's going to find a partner for Kronwall who dominates, and next season another guy who dominates to anchor the second pairing with Stuart when Lidstrom retires.

This completely surprised me. I never expected this. I'm disappointed to see Rafalski go, he was a great defenseman and was just what this team needed for '08 and '09, and was sorely missed during his injury stints. But on the other hand, the money this frees up, we could replace Lidstrom before he even retires, and then replace Rafalski less year. Could be potentially awesome. But no, we won't get Weber, let's move on from that. So much for Holland's "not doing much" this off-season.

Yeah, in pro sports wages go up like inflation, deserved or not they go up, up, up.

Words cannot describe how badly I hate mobs, especially ones who burn things. Even if the mob is only 12 people like this one probably was.

I see your point, but Nashville is almost as weak as Columbus is fan-wise and money wise, I think. Therefore there would be no huge draw if they shifted, either. I know it won't happen but the Wings moving could force some interesting realignments that would boost attendance.

Rumor has it they would be the Manitoba Moose, not even Winnipeg whatever.

He's good at it because he only fights lightweights and superstars.

Travel wouldn't be any different than Detroit's travel each year, would it? Vancouver does a lot, too.

You know, I really don't think this is true. I've even said that before, but when I think about it, it's silly. LA is one of the biggest markets, is it not? San Jose, Vancouver, Calgary, Dallas, Chicago, these are all big markets, I think. The only ones that really fail are Phoenix, maybe Minnesota, Nashville and Columbus, right? So the West doesn't NEED Detroit anymore than the East needs Detroit. In the end I think the numbers wash and they're a non-factor.

Exactly. Hitchcock is a dream that will never happen. Chelios or Fisher, on the other hand... Fisher is probably too young and inexperienced, and I don't know if he has a relationship with Babcock or if he even wants a job like that. Chelios seems like coach material, though.

I think Bieksa is being way overrated on these boards. Like others have said, he makes tons of mistakes and would get crucified here worse than Rafalski or Stuart. Better for the Wings to go a more reliable option.