SwedeLundin77

Of those two, I would look to take Kuba. He is a little bigger in size, 3 years younger, is 1.8 million cheaper, and only has one more year on his contract. He could be a good third pairing guy for us. I would NOT take both, as they are both lefties and Gonchar's health and inconsistency outside of Pitt concerns me. Wizniewski signs for about $4.5 million on a 3 year deal and we trade for Kuba (Hudler, Emmerton as trade options). Kronwall - Stuart Wizniewski - Lidstrom Kuba - Ericsson Kindl ^ It's not terrible... but I would much rather we go the UFA route, pick up one of either Bieksa, Wizniewski, or Ehrhoff and then sign Jovo to a one year deal - or Montador, Hannan, etc.. Ideally: Bieksa - Kronwall Lidstrom - Stuart Montador - Ericsson Kindl

Who knows what will happen, but Holland has come out and said he would like his coaches in place by the weeks end (July 1st). It makes sense, as he wants them to get comfortable together and any players to get acquainted with them as well. I honestly think they'll bring in Gallant as the O-coach and either Boughner or a relatively unknown for the D-coach. I would like Gallant, as he seems like the type of O-coach to fit in nicely and help develop our front-end players. He also has a good relationship with Jurco... so maybe he can develop him into a larger Datsyukian type player. Boughner would be nice to have here, but I don't know if he'd want to, honestly. It seems like he is either wanting to be a head coach somewhere or just stick in Windsor with the Spitfire. Hopefully we'll know in the next 3-4 days.

And being an ass won't get you far in life either... as soon as you win that lotto ticket, a highly "improbable" piano will fall from the sky and flatten you. Again, you're assuming that Doughty won't accept an offer sheet... We are not in the players mind, so that kind of predicted probability is complete BS. Don't even try to defend it.

They're trying to say that if anyone offers Doughty an offer sheet, he'll decline it, and then LA will enact arbitration for him... I don't think it's that cut and dry, but that's the gist of it. Again they are assuming that will happen, but everything is just speculation.

I cannot imagine, aside from the fit of the jersey, it standing out to a point where people are going to notice or really care for that matter. Like you said, the only real noticeable difference would be if there was a C or A on the jersey and it would be on the opposite side.

Yeah, I'm with you on this. While I highly doubt Holland will send an offer sheet to Doughty, ANY team has the right to do so, under the current CBA. Unless LA enacts the arbitration process for Doughty, he's not immune to offer sheets. I think Crymson just likes to think that he can ultimately predict anything sometimes. Not trying to start anything Crymson, just the impression I get.

Yeah, I wouldn't mind this kid either. 27, shoots right, big (6'5"), Russian buddy for Datsyuk, capable of quarterbacking the PP, and could come for around 2 million. I'm all for this. I'm not sure how he is physically or if he is responsible defensively though... Anyone know?

They'd have to trade Bryzgalov to acquire Richards... now that would be interesting to see.

Mursak would be wasted as the 13th forward. He's ready for full-time and with speed almost to par with Helm and pretty good hands, he could put up 30+ points given consistent playing time. I would play him over Miller. I think they'll let Miller walk in the end and retain Eaves. Your defensive cap numbers are quite off, too. If we got Bogo, I could see us signing Wiz, but not Pitkanen. And they would sign for 4 mil plus. I also think Garon would be a bad pickup for a backup given the other names out there (Hedberg, Boucher, Conklin, Harding, etc.) I concur. The climate this year seems to favor it, and given our status right now with what we need.... I hope he pull something out. That's what she said..

Eaves is better than Talbot. Eaves has more offensive skill and I've been saying this for the past couple seasons, but I wish they'd put him up on the 2nd line for an extended period of time. He has good speed, is a monster defensively, doesn't shy away from physical play (but isn't overly physical), and he only costs around a million. I would take Talbot for no more than 1.25 million in place of Miller/Draper. He would play, but not in front of Mursak. Mursak needs to see bonafide time on the ice this season.

Look at his numbers and tell me that's not the type of player we could use on the 3rd/4th line... 33 pts in 66 playoff games... for a third liner. I'd take him over Miller in a heartbeat.

Eva?!? Is that you?

I would hope with this guys post-season performance numbers over the years and abrasive style that Holland would tarket him and at least make an offer. We'll see.

I honestly believe you just do not want Burns on this team... so you don't even look at any options. Filppula, Kindl, and a pick. There.

It won't happen, but we do have the means to afford a top end D and Richards with cap space to spare (depending on Richards taking a similar payday to Hossa's contract when he was here). If they have a chance at Richards for 7.3 million or less, they would be silly to not attempt it. Lidstrom will more than likely retire after this season which frees up another 6.2 million plus whatever the cap rises to after this upcoming season. We would be fine. Oh and this would also take into account the trading of Hudler and/or Filppula.

Except Hudler had all season and the playoffs to prove how he fits here. This team needs size, speed, and strength... three attributes that don't exactly describe Hudler. I seriously wish he could work here, but his defection to Russia, in my estimation, likely ruffled some feathers in the organization and a different player returned. Even before Russia, as good as he was, he was streaky at best. If we can trade Hudler in a package to receive a top 4 d-man or a top 6 forward that better fits the direction the organization would like to take, then why wouldn't you do so? We have some good up and coming prospects and even freeing up a spot for Mursak to play more significant minutes could be beneficial.

I generally like your posts Maj, but sometimes you seem to take liberties with speculation and state facts that may not be facts. If you're going to do so, can you post links to where you read the information you are reporting as news? Where did you hear the rumor the offer was low? Where did you hear that MTL offered him anything? Last time I heard, MTL was not interested in his services. How do you jump to the conclusion that Jagr decided to wait until after July 1st AFTER Holland made his offer? That news seemed to come out at best, simultaneously. I almost feel like I saw the Jagr news before seeing that Holland offered him a contract. Just wondering.

Actually, your point, unless you typed it like a complete tard was that he must have signed a no-movement clause because he didn't want to play anywhere but Calgary, when actually there are other reasons for signing such an amendment. The Carter analogy is to prove the point that signing a no-movement clause can be good because it gives you a choice in your movement instead of being traded to a team you may not want to go to. It's just as off-base for you to suggest that 'meester being traded to Detroit is outrageous for people to think as it is for you to think that he must just want to stay in Calgary and not go anywhere else if he had the option via trade. Tuck your string in, guy.

Good for him. Bring on the Wiz!

A team may be willing to take a chance on him since he is in the last year of his contract, but I don't think the return would very good. It would take Filppula for that, and I'm not against it depending on who we can get.

Sheesh, so single-minded. Players negotiate no-movement clauses so that teams can't trade them to Columbus (ala Carter). It doesn't mean they don't want to play for other Contenders if they had the chance. It gives them an option to choose, instead of having no control over their destination. I'm not saying he wants to come to Detroit, but your reasoning is off-base.

I could definitely see Wheeler here. Where would you project him to play in the lineup? I'd say third line with some spot duty on the second line.

Wings: Likes our playing style better, says it fits him best. We have the only offer to him and have let him know we're interested. Lidstrom endorsed the concept of him coming here. Babcock reached out to him. Has the opportunity to play with Nick in his (most likely) final season Would line up with Datsyuk and/or Zetterberg - which he has mentioned himself as exciting Pens: Chance to go back to his NHL roots Owns a home there still (was too lazy to sell it) No offer yet, GM has decided to discuss the idea internally more before making a decision. Crosby still has injury concerns Malkin is coming off major knee surgery He certainly has his options, but don't be surprised if he accepts Holland's offer before July 1st. Holland means business and has shown Jagr that the Wings feel he would be an asset here. I still say it's 70/30 odds for the Wings.

I think Turco could be a good character backup... but I am not attached to bringing him in. I could just see it happening since he's really got nowhere to go but be a backup and his hometown team is looking for a backup. I would be much happier with Theodore, Harding, Conklin, or Hedberg. In any case, they'll all cost roughly the same. So the rest of the lineup could still work.

I would not really want to part ways with Tatar... that kid may very well be a star. He has converted very nicely to the North American game in his first two season with GR and should only play stronger this season. Plus he could learn a lot from Datsyuk once he comes up next season and may very well be a 70+ point guy. We have some very under the radar type offensive weapons in our farm system. Tatar (20), Nyquist (21), Jarnkrok (19), Sheahan (19), Pulkkinen (20)... I would say at last two of these guys will become strong top 6 players.