SwedeLundin77

Do people realize how hard it is to play at top levels in hockey? Even if you have played before, it takes some time to get conditioned properly and to get your groove back. This is something DMac was short on last season, but we used him because he proved to be one of the top leaders on this team and a great vocal motivator on and off the ice. The guy has been through a ton of s***, which only makes him even more inspirational to those around him. He brings that and that is something that helped us in the tough games during the playoffs. With an off-seaon mostly filled with conditioning and hard work, he'll get back into prime game-shape, get his timing back, and get back into a groove that works for him. The guy, compared to Downey, is a better hockey player, and he can and will fight. We're not looking for a pure fighter and seriously guys, Downey is awesome, but he does not strike any fear into the oppositions tough guys, none at all. I like Downey and I hope we sign him to a two-way, but as far as the 12th/13th forward goes, I really believe that McCarty is our best option for the money and meaning.

They can cry all they want, Hossa is not the only player who jumped ship. And besides that, he was a rental and that was all that was certain. They act like Hossa was their Sundin or some s***, and it's obnoxious. The fact that the guy left there for a shorter term and less money than he could have gotten elsewhere, just shows him to be classy and more concerned with winning than a huge paycheck, at least all the time. I firmly believe that he wants to stay in Detroit longer than a season, but we couldn't offer him the salary he was looking for just yet, not until we shore up our future captain at least. Once again, and this is a guess, but I think he knew that and took the short term in order to give KH time to work on Zetterberg's contract, as well as Franzen's too. Hossa simply chose the smart choice, I mean look how well Pitt retained their players... geeze. Makes you wonder just how concerned is Lemieux with winning compared to making money. Ilitch wouldn't let that s*** go down after coming so close to a cup. Take care of your players and they'll be loyal.

I believe Filppula will rake in about 2 million for the next 3 or 4 seasons.... Now, I also am pretty damn certain that we will most certainly be able to fit in Zetterberg at 7.45, Franzen at around 4, and Hudler around 2 and be all fine and dandy. To keep Hossa though, you'll see some roster trimming and hope that the cap rises at least 12% again. I think after next season you'll see Sammy gone for sure, although that's not too much. But Hudler will be out if it stands between us keeping Hossa or not. I think a more realistic number for Zetterberg will be around 6.5 million since he is a class-act and Dats is going to make 6.7 for the next 6 seasons. I think Zetta will not want to make more than his buddy, and since Datsyuk is just as good defensively and puts up slightly better numbers, the argument is there for Zetterberg not to make more than 6.7 million.

Leino and Helm will more than likely play in GR unless injuries occur. Kopecky could possibly be on the way out, making room for McCarty and/or Downey (to fill that enforcer type role). Quincey will probably just not be re-signed, due to the logjam on defense and the need to retain salary for the rest of our RFA's and next season. I could see Lebda being traded away too, but my gut says they won't. His speed on the back-end is a strong asset and he is dependable defensively. I see him and Lilja spending most of the time on the third pairing and splitting time with Chelios/Meech. Although, if for some reason McCarty doesn't want to accept a 2-way contract and minimal playing time and Downey doesn't pan out, I really really hope they can get Laraque for cheap. Man, that would piss off Pittsburgh even more and that would be a bonus to getting the big guy. Pitt pisses and moans soooooo much! Haha

Kronwall is a very smart hockey player and individual. He knows how to pick his spots with hits, and I firmly believe that you won't see it night in and night out, but that he'll be more consistent with it throughout the season. I think that the very strong and frequent hits we saw in the playoffs is an indication of how he picks his game up during that time of year, I think that is when he is at the top of his game on all levels.

I definitely see him going with 81. That's the common technique players use when their number is taken. Although I guess I wouldn't rule out him taking another number in the teens seeing as who knows if he'll be here longer than one season. I sure hope we can fit him in and he stays longer and enjoys it here, but we'll cross that bridge later in the season most likely. Hossa #81

Yeah, Leino is not going to just waltz into town and jump into the big team roster. That's not how things work around here. If he impresses enough and we have a spot for him to fill, he'll probably log 4th line minutes and earn more time through doing that. But I would bet on him playing most of the season in GR and signing something more prominent next season when we have more room for him. You must earn your keep here, doesn't matter what you did in Europe, you need to prove it at the North American level.

You're rediculous, so let's go out and waste a roster spot on a pure enforcer, one of which we didn't have last year.... when we won the CUP! I understand the need for an enforcer, but it's called team-toughness, and we do have it. Downey will more than likely be back and he proved very effective last year in games where we needed him to be there to lay down the law. To suggest we need anything more than what we worked with last season is crazy and without any real reasoning other than your own personal opinion. Every team has problems with players getting cheap-shotted, it's part of the game unfortunately.

You are mental.... Look at last year's roster... We have the same defense, but we have Stuart ALL year. Lilja is not an enforcer, but plays strong when he feels like it, which is better than nothing. There you have two stronger guys on defense with size. That's not even including Kronwall and his epic hits. Up front, we have some strong guys and some gritty guys. Holmstrom, Franzen, Cleary, Samuelsson, Maltby, Kopecky, and Abdelkader all provide some level of toughness and grit. We WILL sign at least one of Downey and McCarty - which fills the enforcer role enough for our team philosophy anyway. I honestly hope we sign Downey and play him much like we did last season, maybe offer Mac a 2-way deal. This team has proven that we do not need a clear-cut enforcer to succeed and anyone who suggest otherwise, much like you Dump-N-Thump, has no clue what the hell is going on when it comes to this topic.

Jagr would be nice, but I highly doubt he'd take a 1 year deal.

I'm just not seeing this title of video in the player anywhere.... the one I think it may be is not loading up. Any help, maybe a link please?

You do realize this topic is about a possible option for a backup goaltender right? Ryan Miller would be a starter if we were to somehow acquire him this offseason, which is a certain not going to happen. Each goalie you listed on the NO list would be plausible as a competitor for the backup role if Howard is not deemed ready or whatev. Although I know Cujo would say no and I don't want him here and Sanford doesn't have a lot of potential.

Well from what I understand, I think he believes it was just his time to move on and that he still has the skill, desire to win, and enough gas in the tank to be a starter somewhere else. But hell, if he decides otherwise and still wants to play for a contender, i'd love to have him here.

Personally, I think it all comes down to money with our goaltending situation. Emery could be viable, because he does have the skill and while he may have an attitude issue, he'll be straightened out quickly in this environment. Raycroft and Denis would be good backups and challengers for that role, they have the skill, just lack direction and consistency, which we can also help provide. Kolzig I believe is out of the question, he'll get a starting job somewhere and I hear that is what he wants.

Would you like to elaborate? Not entirely sure what your numerical response indicates?

Last I read, barring any crazy ass offer sheet, Filppula will get a multi-year deal for around 1.5-2 million a season. I can't remember where I read it, I think somewhere on MLive.com. I think they said something like 3 years.

Given our success here with bringing back former players for second turns, I would not mind seeing Fedorov back here. I am a tad bitter that he had to go when he did, I always thought he'd be a lifer here in Detroit, but oh well. I don't necessarily love the guy, but he would be a cheaper alternative and provide some scoring support, leadership, and great defensive play.

I have a good feeling about Jesper after reading a little bit about him. He seems very promising and could potentially be another Zetterberg-type impact player. At the same time, I'm not sure he'll be THAT good, but I do believe he'll be pretty good as long as he develops really well. A lot will be determined this season when he plays for Timra. It'll be interesting to see just how well he makes the transition up to that level.

I can't imagine he took 2, unless Fischer came out and said it's cool that his number be worn by another player, or if Ericsson had the moxy to ask Fischer if he could use his number. Who really knows. I would wait until training camp at least, and see what happens from there. If Stuart does not get re-signed then there might be a strong chance Ericsson comes up more often than not.

Campbell is good and his stock is only rising, but he would demand too much money and would not be that physical defensemen we would be seeking. Maybe in a couple of years when Lidstrom hangs them up, but I would think by then that Ericsson would be coming into his own and Kindl would also have his act together which gives us a long time with potent defensemen from our own system.

Yeah, Naslund would look good on the second pairing with Franzen, Filppula, Cleary, or Hudler. There are many options, but he would be a cheaper alternative to Hossa or Sundin. I'm sure he would fit in quite nicely around here. I like this idea.

I totally agree with you, but the guy does deserve a shot to show what he can do at the elite level, at least to start the season out. We'll have to see how he looks in training camp to really tell for sure. Still, I believe that it is important for us to sign a reliable veteran goalie who can be in the backup role JUST in case Howard is not NHL ready this season. At the worst we sign someone for cheaper and they push Osgood and Howard to perform at higher levels. There is nothing wrong with that and this is the year we can afford to do this.

But you want Sundin at 38? And Rolston's biggest asset is not only his speed but he has a wicked and accurate shot too. Oh and he is smart defensively, oh and he is a leader.... oh yeah, but he'd be a terrible pick-up. And just for the record, i'm not against getting Sundin, I just think it makes the age thing a moot point.

There is no way you can say for certain that he would not make our first PP... you move around players so that you have two lethal power play units instead of just one. Rolston could most likely be had for what Franzen will be making in a year, yet Franzen is a 2nd tier player? I am not all for Rolston because he is from Michigan, that's just convenient seeing as in he may want to come here in FA. I am all for Rolston because I have the general view-point that he would add scoring to our team and balance our lines out even more. And yes, I can see Cleary being bumped to the third pairing. Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Holmstrom Rolston - Franzen - Filppula Hudler - Draper - Cleary Maltby - Helm - Samuelsson/McCarty/Downey That just makes our four lines even more balanced and each line has some potential to score at least, but we still retain the grinding lines, and muckers.

Umm, not really. Somebody came along with a sound argument, not just a prediction that a player will slow down and lose his edge after X amount of time.