GMRwings1983

We don't need a soft euro on our 3rd or 4th lines.

Because most of these players' kids grow up in America, meaning this country is what they're used to. School, friends, culture, TV, food, weather, etc. A move is more of a culture shock for them than for the players who used to live in Europe, many of them being from Russia. Hence, like the poster above, I'm also surprised so many players are willing to move to the KHL.

That's not what Sheldon Souray's face would tell you after Lilja dropped him on his candy ass.

We are a little tougher on defense, but barring injuries, I don't see Commodore and White playing in the same game regularly, let alone Exelby. I do wish we'd sign a guy like Winchester to get bigger at forward, making it easier to wear other teams down. Guys like Eaves and Miller play hard, but they're not punishing forecheckers and can't wear defenses down very well over the course of a playoff series.

That's exactly the kind of team that soft Euro belongs on. I was afraid Holland would get him, but I'm glad that didn't happen.

10 years from now, none of us will remember that he played here. He wasn't physical enough, and took dumb penalties game after game, just like his previous reputation suggested. And to think they gave him the same number Probert and Chelios wore.

The Wings seem to be in denial that they've lost two years in a row in the 2nd round, and to the same team. Holland seems to think that we have a good team, and he's right. He's not right, however, in not trying to take this team to the next level. We're not a Cup contender right now. There's no reason to think we're a better team than last year. We are a little deeper on defense, but our forwards are one year older and are too frequently injured. We need some new blood desperately at forward, before the injuries start kicking in again. The secondary scoring wasn't consistently there in the playoffs. Neither was our forechecking from the 3rd and 4th lines. I'm starting to think that Holland is content with 2nd round playoff losses.

I agree with some of what's been said here. If a team trades their captain, and the guy is coming off a really good season and an Olympic captaincy, that should raise some eyebrows. I know they sucked last year before the trade, but it's still a strange move if the guy was popular and liked as a leader. He's a right handed shot and can score, but I don't know how much money we can afford to spend. The Wings need some open cap space for some possible deadline move, which I estimate we'll really need to make.

I knew he wouldn't last in the system. He doesn't play the style of hockey Holland wants on the team. A 4th liner who hits and fights regularly.

Damn! Just got back from a vacation in San Francisco, and was hoping to read that Holland actually made a good move. That's what I get for hoping. And no, I've never been the biggest fan of Ian White. Hope he proves me wrong and becomes a good player here.

We could have paid him at that price, instead of paying Ericsson.

We had way too many floaters last year at forward to bring them all back next season. Some new blood is needed in the lineup.

Another 2nd round playoff loss to the Sharks with that lineup. I guess Holland's job is to do nothing at all. That's unacceptable considering how we haven't done anything in the playoffs the last two seasons, other than beat up on Phoenix.

Hudler was on a 100 point pace at one juncture of the season. That should improve his trade value, right?

You mean, he'll get as much as Leino?

You're just jealous that Ritola dresses manlier than you do.

The guy on the right.

We want the Cup!

Our enforcer should kick this *****'s ass the next time we play Columbus.

How is this an overpayment when he had a much better season last year than Ericsson? Technically, both deals are overpayments, but based on the Ericsson move, this actually makes financial sense.

Well, he is 6'5. Maybe playing with Ericsson will renew his fighting spirit.

Figured he'd go there. Dave Schultz, Paul Holmgren, Glen Cochrane, Behn Wilson, Dave Brown, Craig Berube, Donald Brashear, and now.....Andreas Lilja. Flyers continue their tradition. Wonder if he'll wear Wilson's old number 3 there?

At least we finally got that big boy from Saskatchewan that I've always wanted on the team. Holland has lost his mind.

I thought he and Babcock didn't like each other or something.

Every team in the West is a playoff contender. Columbus barely made it several seasons ago, but they have a much better roster now. They're certainly a playoff contender. Probably not a Cup contender, although you never know in today's NHL.