stevkrause

It should be :ranting:

He's already said on the record that he doesn't plan on leaving Modo of the SEL - so it looks like it's just a matter of retaining his rights, in case he changes his mind...

The only one on that list I'd be ok with is Moreau, filling a Drake type role...

As I've said all along, I would welcome Lils back with open arms, but at the same token, I would prefer to see us get a little meaner on the back-end and coming off his PCS, he simply won't have that mean streak... basically the only 2 defenseman I want here instead of Lilja at this point are: Vandermeer Sutton (LONG SHOT - too $$) So, once again, depending on how things wash out, I'd be more than happy to have him back, as long as the brass does their due process and at least pursues someone of the likes of a Vandermeer first...

He's a thousand times better than Ledba and he was serviceable while he was in last season... there's just really no room for him...

No, we need a bottom 6 energy guy who will drop the mitts at any opportunity... he's not a fighter AT ALL - and doesn't fit the need one bit... I'd take Miller or Ritola in there every day over him, as they offer the same style of game and are already in the system...

exactly. I'm in the same boat, he had such a great camp and was so big and agile, it's really disappointing that he just couldn't handle the mental rigors of adapting to the NA game and the path it takes to get there...

Is this meant to be sarcastic? You do know he'll be in the SEL, right?

Good point, but I honestly cannot see Holland NOT adding another veteran, stay at home defenseman for that 3rd pairing... I'd be floored if he didn't as a matter of fact...

It's just about retaining assets, if he cannot be traded, he will be waived and sent down to GR and if he's claimed, so be it - we're still no worse off than if we had not at least qualified him in the first place... He will not be on the Red Wings roster come final cut down day...

So - let me preface this by saying that I think he's going to get at least 3m+ a year from Phoenix and I HIGHLY doubt they'll let him go, but I'd pretty much cap the team out for this guy... - big body - BOMB of a shot (and right handed at that) - very solid positionally (line arbitrary - only setup this way for formatting) Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) / Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / Tomas Holmstrom ($1.875m) Jiri Hudler ($2.875m) / Valtteri Filppula ($3.000m) / Johan Franzen ($3.955m) Todd Bertuzzi ($1.938m) / Justin Abdelkader ($0.920m) / Daniel Cleary ($2.800m) Mattias Ritola ($0.517m) / Darren Helm ($0.630m) / Patrick Eaves ($0.700m) Kris Draper ($1.583m) UFA Enforcer($0.500m) Nicklas Lidstrom ($6.200m) / Niklas Kronwall ($3.000m) Brad Stuart ($3.750m) / Brian Rafalski ($6.000m) Jonathan Ericsson ($0.900m) / Zbynek Michalek ($2.400m) Jakub Kindl ($0.883m) Jimmy Howard ($0.717m) / Chris Osgood ($1.417m) ROSTER: 23; CAP: $59.4m; PAYROLL: $59.342m; CAP ROOM: $0.058m BONUSES: $0.000m Thoughts? EDIT - July 1st needs to get here already...

Don't need him - wouldn't add anything that we don't already have... Generally speaking, if a player isn't tendered at least a qualifying offer, they probably aren't worth taking a look at, unless you need a dirt cheap, bottom 6 role player...

But what if he has maxed his potential? Then it was smart they didn't lock him in longer at higher... it could be a bad deal either way... if he blows up, they'll have to overpay, but if he never maximizes his potential, and they had signed him longer at that hit... then they're stuck paying for someone not meeting the contract... it's a rock and a hard place deal...

Is this a serious question?

Both Zetterberg and Datsyuk were about 150 lbs soaking wet when they were drafted... give him a chance to grow... I love this pick.

That is amazing news... I would like to see him have one of those epic tenures that last WAY above and beyond normalcy - The guy is arguably the best coach in the game right now and just flat out knows how to win!

This ones touchy, that was obviously a cheap shot and should not be condoned, but he brings a lot of intangibles that we could use and there is a style to his game to love... it's intriguing as well, because in this system, he could REALLY learn how to be a class player, while still playing on the edge between the whistles and it'd be nice to have someone not afraid to drop the mitts at the drop of a hat... As long as he buys in to the system, could be a nice fit...

With recent developments over the last week (Boychuk re-signed in Boston and talks of Vandermeer being bought out in Phoenix) I need to update this now: (lines are arbitrary) Valtteri Filppula ($3.000m) / Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) / Johan Franzen ($3.955m) Jiri Hudler ($2.875m) / Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / Tomas Holmstrom ($1.875m) Todd Bertuzzi ($1.938m) / Justin Abdelkader ($0.920m) / Daniel Cleary ($2.800m) Brad Winchester ($0.800m) / Darren Helm ($0.630m) / Patrick Eaves ($0.750m) Kris Draper ($1.583m) / Mattias Ritola ($0.517m) Nicklas Lidstrom ($6.200m) / Niklas Kronwall ($3.000m) Brad Stuart ($3.750m) / Brian Rafalski ($6.000m) Jonathan Ericsson ($0.900m) / Jim Vandermeer ($1.500m) Jakub Kindl ($0.883m) Jimmy Howard ($0.717m) / Chris Osgood ($1.417m) ROSTER: 23; CAP:$59.4m; PAYROLL: $58.792m; CAP ROOM: $0.608m BONUSES: $0.000m

If anything jumps out here to me, its Vandemeer... if he's bought out and we can sign him for cheap, he'd be a PERFECT #6 dman for us...

I'd love to see Sutton here, I just don't think he's anywhere near within our price range... if he could be had for under 2m, yes, please!

Re-united with Kessel in Toronto - watch for it.

yep, I saw the other thread - with that in mind, my new choices are: (lines are arbitrary) Valtteri Filppula ($3.000m) / Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) / Johan Franzen ($3.955m) Jiri Hudler ($2.875m) / Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / Tomas Holmstrom ($1.875m) Todd Bertuzzi ($1.938m) / Justin Abdelkader ($0.920m) / Daniel Cleary ($2.800m) Brad Winchester ($0.800m) / Darren Helm ($0.630m) / Patrick Eaves ($0.750m) Kris Draper ($1.583m) / Mattias Ritola ($0.517m) Nicklas Lidstrom ($6.200m) / Niklas Kronwall ($3.000m) Brad Stuart ($3.750m) / Brian Rafalski ($6.000m) Jonathan Ericsson ($0.900m) / Carlo Colaiacovo ($1.300m) Jakub Kindl ($0.883m) Jimmy Howard ($0.717m) / Chris Osgood ($1.417m) ROSTER: 23; CAP:$59.4m; PAYROLL: $58.592m; CAP ROOM: $0.808m BONUSES: $0.000m

I'd be fine with giving him an invite to camp and if he earns a job, giving him a contract then - I wouldn't want them to sign him outright, even for league minimum...

I kinda knew it was coming, but was still hoping it wouldn't

I hope to still be playing hockey by 165! exactly.