South Dakota wings fan

I hadn't thought of Brent Burns, but he would fit nicely. Wonder if he could be had for Filppula straight up? Mike Green wouldn't be awful because he wouldn't be expected to be the #1 D-man in Detroit. Although his concussion history might scare them off. Wisniewski isn't a bad right handed option as a UFA either. I just don't see them getting Bieksa. Bogosian is fine too. I've seen Jamie Oleksiak play in person in the USHL, who is now at Northeastern. I would love to see the Wings draft him. He is 6'7" tall, has a mean streak, continues to improve his game, and is ranked #13 in the north american d-men in this coming draft. You can't teach size or a mean streak! He could be another D-Hatch!

I would be ok with Bieksa or Erhoff on longer term deals to replace him. I think I would also be ok with Jovo Cop on a 1 year deal while waiting for someone like Smith to be ready to come up full time from GR.

He must really be hurting to give up one last year at $6 million. This gives the team many more options. This may make a trade more of a possibility. Hudler or Val might be heading elsewhere. I'm ok with a couple D-men in the payroll range of Stuart and Kronner coming in. This may open the door to an extension for Kronwall this summer. I realize Rafi came off after next year no matter what, but they may feel a need to lock him up. Not sure if Lidstrom is going to be down with a pay cut, but you never know. I still don't see them spending much money on any forwards though.

I hope Atlanta moves to Winnipeg. But I'm very conflicted on re-alignment. I wish the Red Wings were in the East because they would have less wear and tear from travel, and less sleep deprived fans during the playoffs. But I have a hard time believing the NHL is going to move Detroit before they allow CBJ to move East. CBJ is farther east. That's a fact. If Detroit moves, that leaves only 1 original six team in the west. That's a fact. CBJ is hemorraghing money right now. Another fact. Partly because of bad arena leases (a common theme in the league right now), but travel costs are killing them too. They would have a natural rivalry with Pittsburgh, and maybe even Philly. Ultimately, the NHL is a better league if all of its teams are financially stable, and this may help one of those struggling teams. Plus, trading CBJ and Atlanta is a fairly even swap in terms of strength of teams. Another fact. On a selfish note, if the Thrashers move to Manitoba, I hope the Wild join the central division. Then the Wings would make 3 trips to St. Paul instead of 2, giving me an extra chance to see them play. Minny, Chicago, St. Louis, Detroit, and Nashville would be a great division.

This could have been worse...we could have played Nashville and lost in the second round. Congrats to the Sharks on a tough fought close series.

It looks like E will be gone, and for that price I'm ok with it. I think bringing back both Draper and Miller is silly. I hope Eaves is back. I think he has good PK skills, I like the fact he has a right handed shot, and good hockey sense that helps him find the back of the net. Finding a solid defensemen and tightening things back up to the 2008 level of play is much needed. Howard answered my questions about goaltending. Filppula seems like the more likely trade candidate than Hudler to me, for the simple fact his stock is higher. Buy low, sell high.

The team next year will be very similar to the team this year. Guys like Homer and Bert were given 2 year contracts last offseason. Partially, I believe, to the expiring CBA after next year. The other reason is Mr. Holland is very good at analyzing "windows" for the team. This is also why I can see Nick Lidstrom coming back for just one more year and that is it. Look at what just happened to them. They played a dead even series against a team that could go on to win the cup, and they were right there with them. I think we will see some turnover. Mursak will certainly be a regular next year, adding some much needed speed and youth. You may also see Kindl take over for Salei. Miller might be gone. Modano will retire. Draper may not be back. I wouldn't be opposed to trading Hudler or Filppula for the right return. Rafalski, Stuart, and Kronwall are all UFA after NEXT year. Rafi won't be back after next year. I wouldn't be surprised to see Kronwall locked up long-term after July 1 this summer. But, the big question is the new CBA and how it will affect the cap. I don't anticipate we see much more than one year deals all across the NHL this summer except for the high end talent. Next year looks similar to this year with a slight mix of youth brought up from Grand Rapids. That's my prediction.

Game 7 baby!!!!!!!

It was a good deal when it was made. No one expected after 3 straight years of the salary cap increasing that the world economy would collapse and teams were going to have cap problems. Is he breaking down a little sooner than they had anticipated? Probably yes. He will be a 3rd D pairing next season and a PP specialist. If he is back after that, it won't be for $6 mill per year.

Nearly the same team will be back next year. Babcock just signed a 4 year extension making him the highest paid coach in the NHL back in the fall. Pavel is signed for another 3 years, Zetterberg for 10, and Franzen for 9. Pretty much everyone else is a free agent after next season. Homer, Bert, Hudler, Val Filppula, Cleary, Rafi, Stuart, and Kronwall are all UFA after 2012. Howard is around for another 2 years. I honestly can't remember if Helm and Abby signed one or 2 year deals, but I think we all know neither of them is going anywhere quite yet. Mursak should help add some hunger and much needed speed and a right handed shot to the lineup next year. I hope Draper retires. I don't think Miller will be back. My point is, the Wings will be nearly the same next year. I hope Lidstrom comes back for one more year. If he doesn't, that is a lot of cap space to use but big skates to fill. What do professional athletes usually do when they are in a contract year? Answer: have some of their best seasons. I think one more season allows some of the prospects to nip at the heels of the veterans and season themselves one more year in GR and come up in '13. Small changes for next year, big changes in 2013. That's my prediction.

The Hockey Gods just seem to be against them this year. The first two Setoguchi goals were just garbage. Sharks look very hungry this year.

SJ looks bigger, stronger, and faster to me.

I also wouldn't be surprised to see Versus in more homes now that they are partnered with NBC.

I think people are being way too fickle if they think this is the worst deal ever. It just increased league revenues, which SHOULD help the viability of some of the smaller market teams. I agree, Gary Thorne is superior to Doc Emrick. But what are you going to do? Nothing short of CBC for purists will ever be good enough. But I am glad we will see some additional coverage from the NBC-Versus partnership. A possible partnership with ESPN for one game per week would have been ok with me, but at least with this deal the NHL is their main focus, not an after-thought. It wouldn't break my heart if Eddie O got another coaching job and they brought in Razor Reough (sp) to be the color man. But not everyone is going to like the broadcasters no matter who you put on the games. Short of Al Michaels, I don't know who else everyone likes. I like Dan Patrick hosting the Stanley Cup finals. It isn't his area of expertise, but he is a pro and he is being serious when he hosts. The games are in HD, they are improving the product. Hopefully it continues to improve now that they have major $$ invested in the partnership.

While it is an unfortunate set of circumstances for Mike Modano, I feel it is the correct move. Look at how well the Wings played on Sunday when they played chip anc chase and bang the D hockey. Modano doesn't fit that mold. The playoffs are about grinding it out, Mike doesn't do that. He isn't scoring either. Eaves, Miller, and Helm can all bang bodies AND put the puck in the net. Draper has been killing penalties and actually winning faceoffs again, unlike the past 2 seasons. Abby is banging bodies while centering the second line. Hudler isn't exactly lighting the world on fire, but don't be surprised if Hudler is the scratch when Z is healthy. Or if Huds plays terrible, Modano may replace him in the next couple games. Babcock said it perfectly. It isn't about him (Babcock) or Mike Modano. It is about the Red Wings and putting out what they feel is the best lineup to win.

On one hand I feel the scheduling really favors Detroit. Two days off between game 1 & 2. Then because of the afternoon game Saturday, they have more time to recover before game 3. They could be a little tired for game 5 (if needed). Then 2 days between game 6 & 7 (if needed of course). On the other hand I could see the yotes winning in 6 because they are not phased by playing in Detroit after their success @ the Joe last year. Should be interesting.

This whole fiasco is so interesting to me. Winnipeg obviously has hockey in their blood, Glendale does not. But the thing most interesting to me is the fact that the players don't seem overly interested in going back to Winnipeg. Pierre LeBrun was quoted saying that many players were putting Atlanta on their list of teams they didn't want to be traded to because of feat they would move to Winnipeg. Eric Belanger says no one wants to leave Arizona for Winnipeg due to the cold weather, versus coming to the rink in flip flops all season long. If the greater Glendale area could get some solid footing for their team, and continue winning, it is one of the largest tv markets in the USA. That could ultimately lead to higher ratings for the league, leading to more $$$ for the owners AND players. I can understand why the league is so reluctant to move them back, because they don't want to lose that possible tv market. I don't think all hope is lost for Winnipeg thought. I recently heard Dan LeBetard on ESPN Radio's Herd with Colin Cowherd say that only 2,000 people watch Panthers games on tv. Miami really only cares about the Dolphins, and barely supports the Heat. I can easily see the Panthers moving north of the border. Atlanta too. Time will tell, but this thing HAS to have some resolution soon for all parties involved.

me too

Anyone notice Modano only played 10 shifts for a total of 6 minutes? I don't remember seeing him get one shift in the 3rd. I realize they recruited him to come be part of a long playoff run. But if Babcock doesn't trust him at all, isn't he better served being scratched and letting Eaves play? At least Eaves grinds out the play down low and can kill penalties. If/when Zetterberg is healthy, then you take out whomever isn't contributing out of Draper/Miller/Eaves.

I could see him getting a game for that elbow. He isn't a repeat offender.

Sounds like he has already mentally retired and is just going through the motions. The team just seems to lack a fire in their belly for winning. I'm fearful one and done may be the fate this year unless something drastically changes.

This is just awful. I mean, I understand that it might be hard to get up for a game against St. Louis if you had been destroying everyone. But they have every reason to keep playing hard and they just don't show up. Back in February when they got embarrased, Babs skated them hard and that was the beginning of that 2 week stretch when they played awesome. I sure as hell hope the same happens this time, but I'm not holding my breath for a long playoff run.

If he finishes a minus player, I don't believe he will win the Norris. Probably shouldn't. If he does, I think it would be more of a "lifetime achievement award". He probably should have won at least once when he got second, so that would wash itself out. I wouldn't be surprised if Keith Yandle won, although I read somewhere he doesn't kill penalties, which I think you should have to do as a D-man who wins the Norris. I could easily see Kris Letang winning the award this year too. I wonder if he finishes minus, if it would make him think real hard about retiring?

I just had the same thing happen. Turned on the game in the background, but wasn't watching and said to myself, "Kenny". Good for him. I really think Comcast buying NBC has been beneficial to the NHL coverage.

I wish it were true, but I don't see any chance of the NHL gaining market share because of an NFL lockout. Unless the NFL loses an entire season, which I don't think will happen. October and November NHL is not interesting enough to attract mainstream attention. If the NHL playoffs were during the lockout, maybe they get some increase in ratings. But not for early season games. If anyone is going to see an increase it is MLB playoffs and College Football.