Henkka

Put Howard there. And how about Don MacLean? I don't think we would be up in Detroit.

Could the timetable be this: 2005-06 season: Back-up goalie at Griffins. 2006-07 season: Starting goalie at Griffins. MacDonald promoted to Detroit, Legace leaves for free agency and Osgood continues to be the starting goalie for Detroit. 2007-08 season: Back-up goalie at Detroit. MacDonald back to Grand Rapids. Jimmy learns routines to play in NHL-level. Osgood a starter. 2008-09 season: Starting goalie of the Red Wings at age of 25. Osgood retires/goes free agency. MacDonald a back-up. If he can impact faster it's fine for me. But I think this is quite near realistic future.

I heard Jämtin signed with TPS Turku because wanted to improve his poor skating ability. And Finnish SM-league is best place to develop that. They practise here two times like in Swedish Elitserien and the game more skating-related. He has good place to develop under the eyes of Hannu Jortikka (headcoach of TPS) who is called like Finnish "Bowman". He is very demanding "discipline" coach and has won more champions than any other coach in the SM-league history.

http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.ph...showtopic=28126 http://www.iltasanomat.fi/urheilu/urheiluu...t.htm#id1038810 Looks like we took him year earlier than expected. I think this has something to do with the 60 players limit for the signing of European players. Better to get him now, so we can take somebody else overseas next year.

Exactly same thoughts.

Does MacDonald have a contract? They gave him a qualifying offer, but I haven't heard from any source that he would have been accepted that. ??

Yeah, nice news! Btw, what is his official front name? There has been James, Jim and Jimmy in other sources. I think Jimmy is the nickname/calling name, but the official? Jim or James?

Right off the bat, I can think of Tomas Sandstrom, whom I didn't care for. He played almost half a season in '96-'97. Birthplace does not a Finn make. To my knowledge Sandstrom is no more Finnish than Robyn Regehr is Brazilian. peace True, he was a essentially a Swede, but he was born in Finland. It counts. He was born in Finland but he had only Swedish nationality. His family moved to Sweden when Sandström was a child, so I think It doesn't count.

How about Thornton playing in the Swiss league? Could he join the NHL anymore?

Valt - te - ri Filp - pu - la I don't know if this would help anything.

He is 182cm tall so it's almost 6'0 (6'0 = 182,88cm). He has also got more weight from those old numbers, he is 84kg now = 185lbs. Quite similar to Zetterberg.

http://www.allsports.com/nhl/redwings/stor...anNotebook.html Read this. He is one of the most potential finnish playmakin centers at the moment. He has taken very big steps during the last year. He will start for sure at Grand Rapids and after few years we'll see what happens.

It's official now. Filppula has agreed a three-year and two-way contract with the Wings. http://www.iltasanomat.fi/urheilu/urheiluu...t.htm#id1038810 The owner of Jokerit is quite pissed: In Finnish: - Agentti sanoo meille, että se pelaa vielä vuoden Suomessa. Pelaaja itsekin sanoo niin. Sitten se menee, ja tekee sopimuksen NHL:ään! Translation: "The agent tells us that Valtteri stays here (in Jokerit) for a one more season. Valtteri says the same. Then he does a NHL-contract. We don't have secure plan for this."

I think no, nobody could do that. He just lost a year to develop. But I still think he could be NHL 2nd line regular. He would have been the 1st line star but the destiny didn't agree with him. Let's just hope the best.

http://www.ottawasun.com/Sports/Hockey/200...171084-sun.html This column predicts it's Redden who will leave the Senators.

Yes, he is in awesome condition. He has taken very big steps during the last year. The latest info what I have got from my friends is that the contract is ready, only his name is missing from it. This is heard from his head coach. I think it is just Valtteri's decision now. To leave Jokerit and go to North America, or stay. Maybe staying would be best for his development, he could earn 1st line center spot at Jokerit. Big role and much icetime. Last year he was 2nd line center behind awesome Glen Metropolit. But only god and maybe Valtteri will know, what will happen.

There has been some rumours today here in Finland that Filppula is scratched from Jokerit roster tonight because he has signed with the Red Wings. Jokerit is playing in practice tournament at St. Michel, Finland against other Finnish SM-liiga teams.

Me either. If (AND A BIG IF) he would stay healthy, he'd be very nice acquisition. What did he got when the Flyers bought him out? 4-5 million? Maybe he would play for us only a million, cause he had those big money from Flyers already for this season. LeClair-Datsyuk-Shanahan Zetterberg-Lang-Holmström Maltby-Draper-Yzerman Ledin-Franzen-Williams (Mowers) Not bad at all. Then add Simpson to D and we are quite near ready.

Noup, and we can't afford for his salary (1.7 million). I think this guy is out of speculation for coming to Wings.

BERTUZZI WANTS OUT OF VANCOUVER? TORONTO STAR/WAYMORESPORTS.COM: reports of rumours Canucks forward Todd Bertuzzi might seek a trade out of Vancouver to get a fresh start "in a new city, away from the chaos that awaits him in Vancouver". The site speculates the real reason might be based on whatever decision Bertuzzi's linemate, Markus Naslund, makes regarding his future. If Naslund opts to remain in Sweden, Bertuzzi's motivation to remain in Vancouver may dampen. Spector's Note: This is gonna rile up Canucks fans, and I can't say I blame 'em. I doubt Bertuzzi would want to leave Vancouver because of any "chaos", considering how much support he's received from the fans there since his vicious attack on Steve Moore last year. There's also reports that Bertuzzi has either sold his Vancouver home or is shopping it. If "Big Bert" were to demand a trade, it would more likely be based on Naslund not returning. I'd love to hear from Canucks fans on this one. I'll post your comments in a future "Fans Speak Out". --------------------------------------------------------- That's it. Put Whitney, Hudler and McCarty to Cancucks and get the #1 Power-forward here. Bertuzzi is excactly what we need. That would even help to restart the rivalry with Avs if Steve Moore will stay there.

from here at letsgowings.com: July 29, 2005 Wings sign Euro prospects Franzen, Filppula The Detroit Red Wings may have signed their fourth line center this week after inking Swedish center Johan Franzen to a three-year contract. Fellow European Valtteri Filppula also reached a three-year agreement with the club. Both deals are likely two-way, with Franzen having a solid shot at anchoring what Wings GM Ken Holland calls the "cheap, young 4th line" he is envisioning for Detroit this fall. The 25-year old Frazen, Detroit's first selection (97th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, brings good size (6'2", 205lbs.) and experience to the club and projects as a defensive forward with limited offensive ability. Filppula had a strong season for the Finnish Elite League club Jokerit, finishing fourth in team scoring with 10 goals and 30 points in 55 games. He was the Red Wings' third choice (95th overall) in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft and is slated to start the season in Grand Rapids. Posted by Matt Schwartz at 09:55 AM -------------------------------- Isn't official yet?

Good work.

What's the situation with the Griffins goalies? Could this be our system? Red Wings 1. Osgood/UFA-sign 2. MacDonald Griffins 1. Howard 2. Liv Or is there McIntyre still signed?

Columbus should trade Thornton. They were awesome with Nash at World Chamionships. Nash - Thornton - Zherdev, not bad.