titanium2

Exactly and the Wings already have their version of Toews. His name is Zetterberg. Though, the idea of stealing away Keith is interesting.

Does Ericsson make Lilja expendable? And let's pretend that Lilja is 100% and won't be on LTIR. I say no. Some people will probably laugh at me for this but I just haven't seen anything that would make me feel confident enough to say that Ericsson is better than Lilja defensively.

Your post sent me into a state of denial. My hope is that the Ilitch family has some of the latest experimental medical care at their disposal and worse case situation they try someone with Lils. It's some sort of curse as if the hockey Gods do not want the Wings to have defensemen with size who play physical. You're right. If I were Stewie or Jonny I would run.

But that line is a nightmare defensively, especially for a third line. I thought the Wings were supposed to focus more on tighter checking this regular season? But yeah, I suppose that's the most likely way it will start. Willy better be on a short leash though.

Why don't goalies use that mask anymore? There's a good reason for it I just can't remember. They come off too easily?

Not what you would suggest in real life? Why not? I really like those lines to start. I want good two way players on that third line and I think Cleary deserves to be in the top-6.

The real question I have now is does he have any interest in playing here? On the surface I'm thinking why not? Detroit's reputation and pedigree speaks for itself. However, the Wings don't really have any players that play his kind of physical style. In terms of on ice chemistry he'll have Darren Helm to relate to. Maybe he doesn't want to play on that kind of team. In the end though, I figure that if someone on LGW is aware of someone's free agent status then someone on Kenny's staff has to be aware of it too. We shall see.

Yeah he's had some problems alright, haha. But I don't know. If he's back on the straight and narrow as Kenny likes to say, why not give him a shot or invite him to camp at least?

Red Bull. Durex or Trojan?

Yeah but I don't expect him to do that for 82 games. He'd be too worn out for the playoffs, which is when they really need him. I voted for Leino. Or Pug as I like to call him. I expect at least 2 top 10 highlight reel goals.

Mark Bell? http://forecaster.thehockeynews.com/hockey...player.cgi?1631 Is it not all that possible? Why not?

We don't have fighters. We don't have Hossa's 40 goals. We don't have Hudler's points from the third line. Ozzie. Too old. Too European. Jason Williams is the worst player in the world. Tried to include the national media as well as LGW. I know I'm missing a ton others though.

Great to hear. It's just that I'm not going to take that any more than that's just how he's feeling right now, during summer time, when he's not in the heat of the grind. A lot can happen.

I have. And I really don't think he's changed all that significantly since he was a Wing. I'm keeping my expectations of him very low.

And by "the chicks" do you mean... you?

I knew his name would come up. How about some others who don't have as much fanfare?

How else? Same way they won the last one.

You know... What are we looking for when we want a "tough guy"? (No jokes, please). Obviously Kenny wants a verstaile tough guy; a guy who can play a good two-way game; perhaps hold his own in a fight. I'm thinking this supposed player would be a 2nd/3rd line tweener who can rack up let's say... 28 points in a year. In all seriousness, who fits this description? Perhaps someone who is going to be a free agent soon. I'm just curious. What players are out there who resemble the middle ground between pro-enforcer and pro-skill?

Yes we can and we should. It's what we do as Red Wings fans. We expect greatness every year and if you were to ask Kenny he wouldn't expect otherwise because if we're wrong, so what? If we're right, well, then you really gotta like the upside to that option.

6-2 I'm pretty sure. Babs said that from the looks of it that Sammy is or was the biggest forward on the team back in 08.

Agreed, especially on Cleary. Why can't they just play Willy on the 4th line? That way they'll have scoring touch from all 4 lines. Might as well. That 4th line isn't going provide energy or physical toughness anyways.

BLASPHEMER!!!

The fans here who hate him are not going to let go of their perceptions of him during his first stint here unless he single-handedly wins the cup. He's also associated with a pretty big blunder during the 06 playoffs. It's going to take a lot of time to gain redemption from said fans. That is, if he even cares at all, which he doesn't. Even if he has a 60 point year I'm sure many here will chalk it up to his linemates and that he was just motivated because he got lowballed on his 1.5 mil contract and wants to cash in. And, he's got to show that he can be effective in the playoffs, fair or unfair.