South Dakota wings fan

I think you are on the right track. One problem is that you have 8 D and only 12 forwards. What is the roster limit? 22 or 23? I think you could bring Miller back instead of Maltby. Homer-Pav-Mule Huds-Z-Flip Torres-Abdel-Cleary Eaves-Helm-Draper Miller (Maltby) Lids-Rafi Stu-Kronn Lilja-E (assuming he pulls his head out) Kindl If the roster limit is 23 you could have Miller and Malby as extra forwards, cap room willing. One thing that worries me is that Huds was given the chance to be a 2nd line player last year and didn't perform. What makes us think he could do it next year? Cleary seemed to play better when he wasn't expected to score so much. But 2.8 mil per year becomes a lot of $$ for a 3rd line player. Flip is too good not to be playing 2nd line minutes.

Bingo! We have a winner. Well said.

When Jarko Ruutu fell on top of Miller on purpose today and Olli Jokinen went after Kane I was pretty sure the Fins had decided to bring their Euro-trash game.

Depending on how much roster turnover Kenny think is necessary, I could see Maltby back on a one year deal for around 750k next season as a 12/13th forward. I am sure he will be given the chance to shop around for a better deal, ala D-Mac, but may have the chance if there is room for him. It's funny how things work for a player on these boards. At one point in time, Lilja was a whipping boy, he gets concussed and doesn't play for a year, and now everyone is pumped up to see him back. Makes me chuckle how reactionary we can all be sometimes.

When an employee/player maximizes his value in the market to take care of their family they are not being greedy. They are being responsible. Always remember, the owner is a billionaire, the player is trying to become a millionaire.

I think term will be important on any new contract for Nick. If they give him more than a year, unless he is on LTIR, that cap hit counts. So, if he says two years, he better mean two years. Depending on what happens with the CBA and when the two sides decide to re-negotiate, you might only see a contract up until that date.

I doubt it. This organization is one thing, sometimes to a fault, and that is loyal. Rafi, Stuart, and Kronwall's contracts all expire in the same year. I suspect that Kronwall will be the centerpiece of the D corps the following season, unless Lidstrom is still playing at a high level. Depending on the salary cap at that time, I think Kronner will receive a raise, somewhere in th 5 mill range on his next contract. I could also see one of two scenarios. He either signs a Z or Mule type deal or signs a deal that puts him at the age of 34 when it is up so they aren't tied to a cap hit if he retires later. Of course, who knows what the CBA will look like in 2 years...it could be completely different.

After signing players to lifetime deals, I think it would be nearly impossible to burn the thing down. I posted in the other thread about not making the playoffs that we won't be winning the cup this year. It doesn't mean they aren't going to try to win games. Unfortunately, when you have played the most games of any team over 3 seasons, not to mention the Eurpoean opener, you just can't continue to compete. Kenny will have options this offseason. I think the Hudler mess caused a lot of the problems when they couldn't make the moves they have wanted while waiting for arbitration. Depending on the discount Nick takes if he decides to keep playing, they could have some decent cap room for next season. I think they would like to bring Eaves back. I think Homer still has a role on a one year deal. Maltby may be given the option to see if he can find a better deal somewhere else or be forced to take on a 13th forward spot next year. I think they like Drew Miller, but his skill level isn't where it needs to be if they are going to upgrade the roster. We haven't really seen enough to make a call on how Williams has played, but I just don't see him fitting into the future plans. To me, this season is shaping up a little like 1999. I think the luck has just run out and they are out of gas. They will be better off in the long run with some roster turnover.

Whether they make the playoffs or not, they will not be winning the cup this year. Kenny was quoted before the cup run that they had a two year window to do something special. This is year 3. I have a hunch he knew this would be a "transition year"; and as hard and gut wrenching as it it to watch sometimes, he will have options at the end of the year. A chance to freshen things up, and see what is available. I think a lot will depend on if Lids decides to keep playing, and how much he requires in pay. If he takes $4 mill, that will give them that much more flexibility. Let's not forget the Hulder fiasco in the offseason really affected their ability to add players last summer because they didn't know what they could spend. I suspect it will be different this year. They will get a much needed extended offseason, and hopefully come back next fall very hungry to prove they still are an elite team.

Been wondering that myself. Saw Bert move to top line, and Willy to 2nd, but then didn't see Homer on the 4th line. And the bench looks full. Is he just too slow for this game today? Crap, they scored.

Here's the tricky thing about Lilja. He was the whipping boy of the D after the Ducks OT debacle. He wins the cup with them in 08. He re-signs when Kenny doesn't think Stuart will be back, and Lils even comes back at a discount. Stuart did re-sign a day later, and we had too many D-men. Lils wins a job in camp, Quincey gets waived...then later in the year Lils gets knocked out with a concussion and is just now getting better. What's my point you may ask. When he comes back, he is playing for a job next year. From the sounds of it, he is well liked in the dressing room and fills an important role on this team. If he comes back and plays well, what do the wings do with him in the offseason? Right now their D under contract are: Rafi, Stewie, Kronner, E, and Kindl. Those 5 are basically guaranteed a spot. If Lids comes back, that is 6. Does Lilja fit on this team? I think they need him, but I doubt Kenny wants Kindl riding the pine and stunting his development. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Kindl isn't a stay-at-home, PK type D-man like Lilja. So what do they do? Furthermore, when people get pissed at athletes for taking more money and term on a contract, situations like Lilja's is why they do it. You never know when your career could be in jeopardy.

Tollefsen does have to clear waivers, and even if he gets claimed, the 5th round pick is still better than losing Ville on waivers. Pretty decent return if you ask me.

I'm fuzzy on the cap numbers, but my hunch is that Meech and Leino have a higher trade value when packaged together. I believe the two of them together equal roughly 1.3 million. Not sure if that is enough to get the job done. It's not really Kenny's style to sign a guy like Leino to a 2 year deal and then trade him. Plus, I think Villie would buck being sent to GR, if he is even waiver exempt, which I don't think he is. I have a hunch Lebda will be retained based on experience...all based on Lilja being healthy enough to crack the lineup. Big E obviously won't be going anywhere, but his play has been dreadful lately with the turnovers. Sheesh! May will probably be sent down if he passes thru waivers. Picking up Miller was huge as a stop gap measure this season, but his extra salary makes things a little messy now when everyone is healthy. I think Maltby ends up being the 13th forward. Forwards (in no particular order): Z-Dats-Bert Mule-Flip-Cleary Draper-Helm-Eaves Willy-Miller-Homer Malt (abby in playoffs) Lids-Rafi Kronn-Stewie Lils-E Lebda (Janik in playoffs)

Is Lilja eligible to do a conditioning stint in GR? I wonder with his lack of playing in almost a year, if it would be worth while to shake off the rust with the Griffins? Just a thought.

It will be interesting to see what they make next year. Eaves could double his salary and still be cheap. Not to mention he still should have buyout money coming his way the next couple years. Bert's comments this year make one believe he may be less willing to chase a higher paycheck this offseason. He seems to believe he never should have left and "fits" in Detroit. Whether that is BS fed to the media, who knows. At this point, I am not sure how many other teams are going to be willing to dish out the big bucks for Big Bert. Money being equal, I think he will stay should Kenny want him back.

I saw it at last year's USHL all-star game in Sioux Falls. As a season ticket holder for our team the Stampede, I got in early to see it. There was still a really long line. I got to see it very briefly, my buddy had his Avs jersey on and I had my Yzerman jersey on and we got a pic seperate and one together with it. I wish I had more time to look it over, but there was a huge line behind us and it was only available for a little while longer so they were moving us through pretty quick.

Here's how he comes back: Walks into dressing room. "Hi Nick, Ozzie, Drapes, fellas. How's it going. I sure hope you all realize that my leaving was nothing personal, it was strictly business. I am here now, and I want to win." Every other player in the dressing room kind of looks internally and asks themself, "Would I have done the same thing to secure my future? After all, this is just a job for me." Each answers yes in his own internal monologue. Then someone makes a joke about how cold it is in Russia. Very simple. You just have to have some perspective. Whether the wings win the cup may be life or death to you, but not me and not them.

I'm sorry, but what the average person makes is irrelevant to a pro athlete's contract negotiations. For everyone who is pissed @ Hudler for going to the KHL because he didn't "want to be a Red Wing" is misguided. He stated that he only wanted to play for Detroit, no other team in the NHL. He had a chance to make $10 million over two seasons tax free. Or stay in the U.S. making $2.8 million and over 50% going to state and federal taxes. If you are telling me the "average guy" wouldn't have done that, I disagree. That is generational money that changes your family tree if done right. So, in reality, he went to the KHL to secure his future and not betray his NHL loyalty to the Red Wings. I work at a Nursing home in management, and we have nurse aides who will quit, losing tons of PTO benefits, because another home in town will pay them a nickel more per hour! It makes no sense, and the average guy would take the money and run everytime.

Totally agree that they should only do a deal such as the one I suggested if they can agree to an extension with Kovy. Either way, to fit him in under the cap, I think Fill's contract would need to be moved. Z and Pav can play center, and Franzen can as well. Helm and Abby are also natural centermen. Not sure what type of 2nd contract Helm and Abby would command, but probably not 3 mill cap hit.

Meech is RFA after this year and Lebda is UFA. Not many people going to give up much to get them when they can get these two underwhelming players on the cheap over the summer. Leino is probably worth riding out on his 800k salary. If he can get things jumpstarted, he will be worth the wait for the price. If not, they let him walk in 2011. Cleary has a NTC and will go nowhere either.

I'd be willing to trade Fill and some combo of picks and another player for the chance to have a scoring winger like Kovy. The fact remains that the Wings have an excess @ the center position and could really use a right handed winger who is a natural goal scorer. Fill, the rights to Hudler, a prospect and a pick for Kovy? Will it happen? Doubtful. I wouldn't mind it. Not sure how you'd fit them all under the cap without a big discount from Nick Sr.

I tend to agree. They must find a winger. Depending on if/when Lilja comes back, he may fill the d role as the missing link later this season.

For what it's worth, Ecklund (I know) is speculating today that Biron could be on his way to Detroit. I'm all for it!

Come on! Where's the love for Steve Perry? Gotta love the Baseketball quote. "Steeeeve Perry! Hey, no Journey psyche outs!"

Minnesota Wild have an organist. He sits on an organ shaped like a zamboni up in the corner rafters of the arena. I actually don't mind it if they mix it in with decent music. I know there have been threads in the past about how the music @ the Joe (I have never been there) is getting a little tired and worn out. So, maybe this will help mix it up a little bit.