stevkrause

anyone have any new info? I've been doing searches and can't find anything... Gorich (sp?) just finalized his purchase of the Pistons and Palace Entertainment last week... the Illitch fam has been out of the running for a little while now, but was rumored to be buying the Pistons a while back...

LGW, where a thread about a possible FA d-man signing can turn into a joke about prostitution! kudos!

Exactly. I bet he goes from 6.2 to 6, and that's it and for what he brings to the table, he's worth every penny(and then some) and people suggesting he take less are crazy...

Simple as this - for what we need, he does not fill the role. We need another capable RIGHT handed shot which can log major PP minutes and someone who can QB the play and move the puck, he fills one of those needs, but not the other, then when you add his softness to the equation, along with his likely pricetag, he just doesn't fit here... I'm not going to hate on him like some have been, he's a very good dman and has great offensive punch and would probably fit here great under different circumstances, but for what we need right now, he doesn't fill that need and with Kronwall and Stuarts contracts coming up next year (not to mention forwards we will need to re-sign), we don't need to overpay on someone who isn't a perfect(or at least close to) fit... EDIT - Almost forgot, kudos to blueadams for FINALLY becoming a contributing member to this board with a topic that actually warrants some semblance of discussion and not just polluting it with line thread bile

Corn-fed farm girls?

This 100%

Oh, you're drunk, high or both, I get it...

I'm a BIG Boychuk fan and would love him in the Winged wheel, but once again - perspective If Boychuck puts up another good year, he's sure to see a raise and he and E are about the same age... Boychuk only played in 5 less games, same points as Ericsson, +15, Ericsson +8... I don't see the monumental difference and Boychuk isn't much more spectacular, just solid and more physical... and just to clarify, I'd take Boychuk over E, but the gap isn't monumental enough to warrant a huge contract differential...

According to this thread, some posters here make it out to seem that Ericsson raped their mothers and killed their dogs... and to some others, he's a potential young Bobby Orr is his prime... damn is the Ericsson topic polarizing... As I've stated all along, this Babcock character just MIGHT know something about this crazy game of stick-puck and if he thinks enough of him to play him 20 min a night, MAYBE there's something there... In my mind he should be offered and gladly accept a deal of 3m over 2 years - 1.5 a year, and if he earns it, re-negotiate then... I wouldn't be upset about him getting 2m a year though, nor would I be upset about him being let go if he won't accept it... he doesn't deserve more than 2m, but lets keep things in perspective here people...

Smith will not be here unless he's playing everyday and Meech will not be here period... apples to oranges... Smith needs major minutes to continue his development and unless he comes into camp like a beast and takes Kindl's job, he won't be on the roster, especially since he can be called up and is waiver exempt... Meech may be a better AHL defenseman, but that doesn't always translate to NHL... Janik will almost certainly be our everyday 7th dman next year and he's earned it, unless Salei comes back at damn near league minimum and accepts a 7th dman role...

I just don't think Wiz will take what we would offer... he's most likely going to get a big payday and I don't want the Wings overpaying for him (anything over 4/4.5), so unless he takes less to come home, I don't see the likelihood of him coming here very high... Meech is gone... unless he signs a 2 way deal and plays for GR, he's likely moving on... Janik is an upgrade from Meech and even he is a fringe NHL'er

I wasn't arguing with you in the first place and as I've stated many, many times, my stance on Hudler is quite neutral, it's just hard not to notice you're relentless, never-ending diatribe against him...if there are two ends of the spectrum, you're on one, eva is on the other...

well, I meant currently... one could make a good argument that Leino was probably one of the most polarizing, as he incited extreme hatred and over the top support at the same time... then there's Lebda... wait, you have to be liked by ANYONE to be considered polarizing

Well, I personally would love to see Eaves given more chance in an offensive role, but that's a separate topic... like you just stated, he's earning top 6 dollars and needs to be given the minutes to show that he deserves it and if he doesn't then we walk away at the end of next year, but he has to be given the opportunity... also, when he was playing with Dats, even his defense seemed to improve, I think Dats is a great influence on him and being on the ice with him seems to raise Hudler's game, plus he's a natural shooter, which we need... like I've already stated, this year is make or break and he has a LOT to prove, but those already writing him off are jumping the gun...

Ericsson and Hudler, the two most polarizing players on LGW...

So much hatred... did Hudler bang your mom or something?

Agreed, I'm just not willing to write him off yet, nor do I think he's the greatest thing since wheat beer... I'm in a "let's see what he does" mode... this year is a make it or break it year for him Bears eat beats.

I'm not really sure where you're going with this... he had a down year last year, was in Russia the season before that and the previous 2 seasons he improved each year... the year in Russia set him back, thats for sure, so this year will be the make it or break it for him... Top players play with top players. In order for him to progress into what he was hoped to be/projected to be, he needs top 6 minutes...

as am I... I'm not saying I expect it of him and to be honest, I think he peaked before he left for Russia, but I also think he could come back determined and shut everyone up, it's all on him... With that said, people give up on him too easily... he had a couple flashes of brilliance this year and if he can spend majority of the year on Datsyuk's wing, he could have a breakout year...

What if Hudler has a break out year, after one full season + back... you gonna man up and admit you were wrong and eat crow? His trade value is at an all time low right now, and he still has potential... he is most likely going to see his contract out to at least the deadline next season, unless a team SPECIFICALLY asks for him in a trade that's too good for Holland to pass up... and for the record - Holland does not f' up, he is the only man to have ever beaten up Chuck Norris. fact.

This step up definately gives him legs for a push for commish when the weasel's contract is up... comittee idea is FANTASTIC!

good, good, yes, good, good

Gill isn't a very good comparison in my mind, due to the fact that he's a true stay at home defenseman, where Ericsson would be better suited in a more offensive d-man role, but has been forced into a defensive first role by the coaching staff (probably for his own good, as he makes less mistakes when he's focusing on defense first), also, Gill is overpaid and really can't play in today's NHL anymore... the game has kinda passed him by and he's in the twilight of his career... I think a decent comparison in the league to what Ericsson is right now would be like a Shaone Morrison in Buffalo, but even Morrison is more consistent than Ericsson currently is and he only makes a shade above 2, so I think Ericsson should make a shade less than 2... just my 2 cents

Well, before the hate parade starts, let me just say I would love to see him back and he gets WAY too much flack for what he is - a bottom pairing defenseman, who SHOULD be used on the point for the PP... with that said, he is exactly that, a bottom pairing d-man and in my mind, hasn't earned a penny over 1.75 tops, let alone over 2 on a multi year deal... I think he needs to swallow his ego and should be thanking his lucky stars for the reported 2m a year he got offered and jump on it, before he ends up at the last one on the floor without a dance partner, or in a horrible situation (Florida) because he looked for a payday...