stevkrause

Agreed 100% - I think Edler would have been a solid pick, but I'm still very glad we have the Mule

He finished his tenure in the NHL in 04 and that was with Anaheim, so I highly doubt it... As for Chelios, I agree completely, like I said above, I think normally it doesn't always work, but think Chelios could be the exception to the rule... the guys just flat out KNOWS the game

It's just gotten flat out ridiculous... with the playoffs he's had and with his play last year, even coming off an injury, anyone who still hates him is probably not a real fan of the GAME of hockey and only has an issue with him because he isn't a physical player and is "soft"... even though he still goes into the corners, never shies away from a hit to make a play and is VERY strong on and off the puck... oh wait, I forgot, any guy who doesn't throw 10 hits a game and drop the mitts is useless... I just want to see where all these haters are at the end of next season when he's coming off a career year...

Although it pains me to agree with you on any level (as your blatant country homer-ism usually clouds logic) - I have watched a bit of international hockey online and the FEL actually is one of the more physical leagues outside of North American hockey... with that said - he never said they were "fragile euro's" and you're getting bent out of shape for no reason... The bolded section is not the same as saying "they are weak and he can't handle it" he just said that it might take him time to adjust to the higher level of physicality played over here, and that doesn't even JUST apply to on ice, but the schedule and endurance as well over an 82 game schedule as opposed to a 56ish game season...

I put it in quotation marks and added an additional subject line... from every marketing class I've ever taken, I thought the purpose of a title was to be attention grabbing, while the content has the information? I'd be quite alright with Fraser being promoted to Assistant in Detroit, and Chelios taking a job in GR (whether it be head or asst. down there) and as I said in another reply - I'm also in the camp that I want McCrimmon gone one way or another, and although I think all coaches should work their way up so to speak, I think Chelios will eventually be a coach in this league anyway and I would have no problem with this move...

I'm actually in the camp that I don't know how effective coach's can be when they were former teammates of the players they're coaching and I'd also like to see a guy work his way into the AHL and up from there, rather than just getting a spot on the big stage right out of the gate, but with Chelios, he has such a great hockey mind and was viewed as an elder statesman by all his teammates anyway, that it might break the mold and work... One thing about Chelios, is that regardless of how confident he is, he's never been one to expect to be handed anything (hence being willing to play in the AHL last year) and I don't think he'd have ANY problem being an assistant, or even lower to start to be honest... I'm also in the camp that I want McCrimmon gone one way or another, but I think Chelios will eventually be a coach in this league anyway and I would have no problem with this move...

oh yeah! another Filppula debate...

How did the Filppula-Zetterberg-Franzen line not already lock this one in stone after the chemistry they had at the end of the playoffs is my question... I think it's a no-brainer...

Exactly... I don't hate the signing, but think it should have been for less overall for that 2nd year to be tacked on... All I have to say, is he better have at least 15 goals and 45+ pts in each of the next 2 years...

That's my thought too, I just would have preferred it be at least a 2 yr deal, so if he does blow everyone away, we don't have to give him a raise, or lose him in the off season... plus, he could still return to Finland, we'd just own his rights... stilll nothing to dislike about this signing!

interesting sign, since it was a 1 year deal and I don't see him making the big club... maybe it was for both parties to see how he likes the NA game in GR, before there's a longer commitment, but they still could have retained his rights... just found it odd it wasn't at least a 2 yr deal...

booooooooooooooooooo but you're probably right...

I like him just fine for a 4th line guy... the problem is, there is a logjam there and it is more likely that he is tendered and sent to GR, as he has cleared waivers in the past... Ritola is more likely to be claimed and Eaves flat out earned an every day spot last year... couple that with the fact that Holland said he is going to sign a guy with "grit" and it just ads to the logjam... there's a VERY good chance already that Draper will be a healthy scratch more often than not... I'd like him to stay with the organization, just hopefully with GR, at least for now...

I am now thoroughly convinced that Eklund cooks up trades on the NHL "xx" series on his xbox and then posts them as rumors...

I agree 100% on this - Z and Franz, Dats and Holmer ALWAYS TOGETHER - Add the other wingers as you see fit... the only line I'm REAL sold on and would like to see given a real chance is Filppula-Zetterberg-Franzen - they absolutely LIT it up at the end of the playoff's there and Flip always plays well with Z, and always plays well with Franzen, Z always plays well with Flip and with Franzen... it really just makes sense to put all 3 together from the start and see where things go - I think this line has everything needed, one guy that LOVES to pass, has amazing hands and tons of speed (Fil) with 2 guys that can and will shoot the puck very well and Franzen with a big body and amazing hands to create plays down low, while Z is allowed to, well... be Z...

but it's more realistic, as long as less than 5 sticks break a game... that's not far off at all... I just hope that it's not JUST disallowed goals, but I hope they have occasional goals which are waived off that are reviewed and then called as good... I like realism

I can't see him finding a way back into the first round and if he does, I'm sure it will be to go top 10, in which case, I don't see McIllrath going that high, as he's still pretty green and needs development... but with Burke, I wouldn't be surprised by anything at this point... I hope I'm wrong, but I could see any team from 14-20 taking him

It's the one video game I geek out about big time, haha But I agree on the Wings future more or less, I wouldn't be horribly surprised to see St. Louis come back and threaten in a couple years with the young talent they have there either and Chicago will still be pretty competitive, but I believe they'll take the central 5-7 times over the next 10 years and finish 2nd the other 3-5... there's a lot to be excited about for sure... also Tatar and Smith as well, not to mention what other prospects make surprise leaps, like we always have...

horrible.

Yea, no kidding... that would be a double kick in the junk...

Crap... they need to allow you to fix it if you accidentally click the -1 button, when you mean to click the +1... damn fast click finger, haha I agree 100%... now let me go back in the thread and find one of your other posts to even it out... haha EDIT - Alright, went into another thread and gave you +2 to bring it back where I originally intended

He's definitely exciting... I watched some clips online of his play and he looks like a Pronger type player (less douchy hopefully though)... I just really think someone else will snag him before our pick I would be stoked if he fell to us though!

Yea, I made the suggestion on the site and e-mailed it as well... I don't play online, so I didn't really have any input in that area, but I can see the intrigue there... it's such an amazing series, they just always seem to be JUST out of the reach of perfection...

Flip - 60+ points this year, 70+ if he plays all year in the top 6... Feel free to bookmark it and call me out if it doesn't happen - I GENUINELY believe this will be the case and will eat crow if I'm wrong.

As others have said, I would much rather see him in a coaching role, with his demeanor, hockey sense and just overall teaching ability, it only makes sense for him to be a coach, however, I would rather him here in some other capacity, than a coach somewhere else... he really became a Wing here and needs to stay with the organization...