South Dakota wings fan

He's totally playing like it's a contract year. He should only be allowed one year deals from now on.

Correct me if I am wrong here, but I think Barnaby also works for TSN.

I agree with everything above, and would actually add one more thing. I think the fact that he is playing so well in L.A. should make Wings management feel even better about there current team, scouting, and player development. Sure it sucks they lost him for nothing, but Kyle deserved a chance to actually play. It should also make L.A. feel like a second rate franchise that a 7th or 8th d-man on a winner can play top pairing minutes for them.

I really like the idea of Vs. and ESPN having rights to show games on different days like ESPN has with TNT and the NBA. Let's say the money wasn't that great in the short-term for the league, it would be better in the long-term for growing the sport and with the cross-promotion. Would either network go for this? TNT wasn't going anywhere before the latest NBA contract, but would ESPN rather see Versus disappear than help it by sharing rights to the NHL? The other possibly bad part about a move back to ESPN is that NBC might bail due to ESPN being owned by Disney, who owns ABC. I don't see ABC taking cup finals or playoff games due to NBA obligations/schedule, so they league would lose the "free" over the air broadcast for it best product at the end of the year. All in all, it would probably be best.

I thought 720p was supposed to be better for sports than 1080i, but both worse than 1080p?

While I would agree there is an argument to be made for trading Flip, I also agree that he is not going anywhere. I think he is a legit 2nd line center, but with the current glut of talent it is hard for him to get the ice time needed to flourish, especially with all of the specialty time we seem to spend playing specialty teams. I think his role will increase in the coming seasons. While I am no capoligist, I do think Hossa will not be back in favor of keeping the Mule + Sammy/Hudler. It should be an interesting off-season for sure...let's just not be in too big of a hurry to get there.

So, is the guy you work with not a hockey fan? Or did he not know these were going to be in the shangri la room? All I can say is wow! I do have to agree though, that being able to just talk to Kenny and Stevie like human beings is far cooler than trying to go through the awkward moment of getting a picture or an autograph, even though a pic would be good proof that it actually happened. Not that I am doubting, just very jealous.

Well, I was very interested to see Max play in person. But, when the Steel came back to town, Max was out playing with Team USA in the World Junior tourney. Good for him, but bad for me.

I agree completely. Malts looked like a man on a mission last night. If he can keep playing like that, maybe he can light a fire under a few others to raise their level of play.

I think Hudler's stock is on the rise, he won't fit into the future payroll, and that Kenny should seriously look to trade him. It would free up a little cap room if they got picks in return.

If Z does indeed sign soon, what are the chances Kenny is done for the season? Does he try to lock up anyone else or wait until the offseason? I know that is risky, but who would be next on the priority list? Tough decisions for sure.

Which go along nicely with the total of 2 minutes he played Saturday. I think it is safe to say Babs is not real high on Mac's play. I am amazed he is even still on the roster. Kenny must really feel bad for Mac and his financial troubles.

Could the lineup look like this next year? Homer-Dats- Hossa Mule-Z-Leino Cleary-Flip-Helm Malts-Drapes-Abdelkader Downey Lids-Raffie Kronner-Stewie Lilja-Ericcson Meech Hell, I think I would take that right now! Make it happen Kenny!

While I think Huds is gone for sure next year, I highly doubt they will waive Cleary since they just signed him to a 5 year contract with a no-trade clause. Could they waive Lebs, yes. I see no way D-mac is back next year. Kopecky is a UFA next year as well. I can see a deal with a long term for around 7.5 average cap hit. This will hopefully allow for long-term security as well as give Z the payday he deserves. In a perfect world for management, Hossa could sign one more one year deal until Lids comes off the books. I don't see Lids playing past next season. I think he will play out the contract, play in the Olympics next year and then retire, which would free up a lot of cap space in the future.

I'm all for trading Hudler. Whether it brings in Sundin, Leino, or Helm! Let's make it happen.

Point taken, but I guess my point was that Mac is currently attempting to fill a role as a pseudo enforcer, and Downey can actually fill the role. If we make room for top line minutes some other way, I would be sure to bring up either Helm or Leino. Trust me, I would very much like to see them in the lineup right now.

If I were Holland, I wouldn't do anything beig or crazy. I would give Mac a few more games while Mule is resting up his knee to see how he does. If his play does not improve drastically, I would send him to GR (as he already has cleared waivers in October) and bring up Downey. If you are going to have your 12th forward playing 5 minutes per night, he might as well be able to win a fight should the need arise. The other option is if you send down Mac right now, you could bring up Leino to see how he does playing some top line minutes. If Leino plays well, maybe he looks to trade someone like Hudler for a draft pick. This would allow them to gain some cap space. Hudler seems to find his way into Babcock's doghouse all the time anyway, plus he is an RFA at year end too. Unfortunately, I think we are stuck with Maltby. I love what he has done in the past, and he can play 4th line minutes at a cheap price, but his skills are rapidly diminishing. No one will take him, and we can't waive him due to hometown discount/loyalty reasons. Lastly, continue to let Meech play.

I would agree that Hudler seems to find his way into Babs doghouse easier than anyone else on the team. I almost wish Franzen would be placed on IR so we could see what Leino has to offer. If Leino was good, I would even be fine trading Hudler to another team to create some cap space. If a fresh "hungry" player in Leino showed he was a capable NHL player he could fill the space of Huds.

Barring more injuries, I think Mac will be sent down to GR to make room for Cheli when he is healthy...that is if Franzen is healthy enough to return himself. I must say I would rather see Downey in the lineup than Mac at this point. Glad to see Meech getting an opportunity, I sure hope he makes plays well and is able to help stabilize a weak defense right now.

The possibility of trading a D-man, like Lebda, makes sense if Cheli is ready to come off of the IR only if we are getting a draft pick back in return. If the wings were to trade Lebda for a late round draft pick (which would be a steal), you could activate Cheli and put him on a pairing with Lilja, giving us another much needed right handed D-man. They also have similar salaries. I am no capologist, but this may even provide the cap space to bring Leino up without having to send McCarty to GR(even though that is where he probably belongs).

I believe they can put him on Long term IR retroactive to the first game he mised if they decide it is necessary.

I think this post is way off base. Dan Cleary is just the kind of blood and guts type of player that every team needs. I think he has been very important to this team ever since his arrival. I wish we had more players like him.

It appears Leino has not yet been called up: http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20..._with_spra.html

according to MLIVE, Leino has not been called up. http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20..._with_spra.html

While it sucks really bad that it had to be Mule who got hurt, this is the exact scenario of a hurt player allowing for Leino's call-up to see if he can play in the NHL.