wings87

I wish it was as easy as that.

Nvm.

We've been hearing about Chicago's cap problems for years, and they keep finding ways to wiggle out of the mess without trading top players(sly f***s). I just don't see them trading anyone of real value to clear cap space. Especially to Detroit.

Fair point, I guess I didn't pay much attention to the Canes this year. Either way the talent is still there.

Semin also had a reputation as being lazy with the Caps, and he's been great since leaving. Not saying that Lucic can follow the same path. I'm not even say that I want him on the Wings. I'm just saying.

Hossa?

Your frustration is warranted and I'm sure most fans agree that the changes are messing with the fabric of the game. However, and this is the big question. Will you stop watching the NHL? And judging by the fact that you are still on here and still passionate about the sport, I doubt that you'll stop watching. Or for that matter, I doubt any real fan will stop watching. We'll all complain, but let's face it, nobody's going anywhere. I completely agree with BoS that the changes are for the occasional fan. Someone who has no problem watching Football, but doesn't watch hockey because the "score is too low, and it's too violent." As if the illusion of a 28 to 21 Football score is any different then a 4 to 3 score. Anyway I digress. The point being, no matter how much the games changes, the diehard fan's not going anywhere. Also in most places the NHL is a niche sport, but I still have a hard time calling a 4 billion dollar industry, niche.

Can we all just agree that the players he has picked up in the offseason lately have been poor decisions?

I'm just done with the whole, Bettman and his minions are ruining the NHL bit. The times have changed and its impossible for the game to stay the same. Take a look at every sport on the planet, they've all gone through some form of transformation in the last 20 years. I get that its tough for some fans to get used to, but it's better then grumbling about things that won't change. Hell I'm a purist, which makes me disappointed with a number of changes in recent years. I hate the shootout, the trapezoid, and lets not even start on the officiating. But you know what? I've learned to live with it. The game is still awesome, and it's much more enjoyable to watch if you accept the NHL the way it is. You know I'll still complain about this and that, because it's part of being a fan. However realizing that the new NHL is what it is, my frustration will quickly subside. Frankly I'm not even pissed at the Kronwall suspension anymore. It happened, it sucked,but time to move on.

I guess you found the right thread.

I was gonna take a break after the demoralizing loss, but got sucked back in. Sigh. Is it October yet?

You're right. Maybe it's the mood of the board of late, but it seems sarcasm is running rampant. Getting tough to tell the differance sometimes.

Only way to get rid of Weiss's contact is to take on an equally bad one. Am I sensing some sarcasm?

He was good, got paid and it didn't work out. Not much more to it, sometimes signings just don't work out. But no I disagree that he should have gotten more minutes. He wasn't competitive in enough battles to warrant extra playing time.

And by raise I assume you mean, he needs to be raised in the air like a pinata.In the hopes that salary cap space can be beaten out of him.

I can't blame him this year though, not many top names on the FA market. I hope he gets involved in trades though.

Truthfully I haven't watched a lot of Oiler games so I don't really have a grasp on Schultz as a player. Though knowing the way Edmonton runs their organization, it'll take a king's ransom to get anyone from them. Not to mention they may be delude enough to believe that with Mcdavid they'll be competitive next year, and hang on to all their players instead of cleaning house and resetting the franchise.

I don't disagree with you, and while size is a definite need. I think the Wings really badly need 2 d men and a dependable scoring winger. I'd probably prefer a top scorer to a D man. I'd also prefer for Holland to get all his shopping done in the summer. Since other then this past year, he's traditionally passive at the deadline.

We haunt their nightmares.

f*** em all I don't care anymore.

Gionta, Hemsky, and Jokinen are examples of over paying in my opinion . The other guys are on decent contracts, plus most are younger. Ward would probably fall somewhere in between value wise. His age though is the real problem for me. He's a big physical player, and those guys don't tend to age all that well. I'd be nervous giving him a 3-4 year deal. I get why you like him and, If we are talking a 1-2 year deal? Then by all means. But Ward is coming off his best 2 years, so his value is inflated especially if the Caps have a long playoff run. There's no way he'd accept anything else then 3. I also highly doubt he'd leave the Caps.

His last 2 years have been the best of his career and he's already making 3 mil so a raise is forthcoming. My guess is he'll get 4 years at around 3.5- 4 mil. But even if it's a 3 year deal, the guy is already 34, do you really want another aging player making 4 mil? It might seem Like I'm picking on Ward, I'm really not though. I'm just using him as an example of a decent player that will get paid more then his age and performance dictates, because of a lack of top talent on the FA market. Same goes for Green, and I'd rather stay clear.As far as his worth, I'd say at age 34 he should get a 2 year deal for 3 mil. Since I don't see him, getting any better with age.

Nobody is comparing Ward and Parise. That'd be stupid. Pay attention, I mean that in a nice way not adversarial, in case you weren't paying attention. Here's the point, teams have money to spend (some will have to spend for cap floor) and because the market lacks top players- average to below average players will recieve more money. With low supply and high demand-you get Jovanski type deals. I'd be shocked if Ward doesn't get a 4 year deal.

That's what I'm taking about, in this day and age, Ward will probably end up with a 4 year deal.

Wasn't using Weiss as a cautionary tale, just as an example of the pitfall with over paying for a guy based on the market in the cap era. There is really no top player available this year, and other then Parise and Suter, the last several free agent classes have been pretty dry on top talent. Using your example spending big on a top player like Hossa is warrented. Spending top money on Joel Ward is foolish. Which is why I'd rather make a trade to upgrade then, spend a ton on a player like Green just because he's one of the better on the FA market.