JPT

Honestly, I would rather have Franzen for 4 million then Filppula for 3 million, and I love Hudler, but losing him to a rival offer means that we get a first round pick, so it doesn't seem all that bad with Leino ready to take his place for cheaper. Wouldn't the Wings have to have an offer to Hudler to receive draft picks?♠

I hope Ken Holland does NOT try to keep both Franzen and Hossa by shipping off Flip and letting Hudler walk and then signing ridiculous long term deals. I don't have a problem with the Z deal but to have another 6 mil of dead cap space for Hossa and another 3-4 for Franzen would cripple the Red Wings in the future. Holland is too smart for that.

You hit the nail on the head! Looking at this season as compared to last season the opposition has a much easier time cycling the puck in our zone and it seems that a strong forecheck has stymied our ability to get the puck out of our zone. Also our offense seems to be more of a "quick strike" type of offense - goals off of the rush and such. Our offense doesn't spend any significant time in the oppositions zone. We score plenty based on sheer offensive talent so I'm not complaining about the offense in the least but it does put additional pressure on our weakened D.

The financial benefit is to Zetterberg. He gets the security of a guaranteed 72 million vs. only 30 million if he signed for 6 million for 5 years. Plus he is making more money up front which is better for him. $1 today is worth more than $1 5 years from now due to inflation. The Wings benefit here is the salary cap hit.

While I like this deal in the short term having a 6 mil a year cap hit for a 38-40 yr old Zetterberg is not ideal. But hey we are cup contenders now and Z was huge in the playoffs and hopefully will be again. What would Z have gotten on the open market? 8 mil for 10 years?

Dan Cleary: Has played well. Solid defense, good physical play and chips in on offense. B- Pavel Datsyuk: God what a great player. A+ Kris Draper: Seems to have lost a step. C- Valtteri Filppula: C+ Johan Franzen: Can score and play defense. Nuff said. A Tomas Holmstrom: B Marian Hossa: A- Jiri Hudler: He's scoring and playing well. B+ Tomas Kopecky: C Kirk Maltby: On the downside of his career. C- Mikael Samuelsson: B Henrik Zetterberg: Perhaps not playing to expectations but makes a difference on the ice. A- Nicklas Kronwall: C+ Brett Lebda: C+ Nick Lidstrom: What is there really to say about the guy? A Andreas Lilja: Silencing all the haters B+ Brian Rafalski: Meh B Brad Stuart: Started the year poorly but looks good as of late. B Ty Conklin: B Chris Osgood: B- Both goalies are looking great lately - highlight saves by Conklin coupled with better defensive play in front of them.

Thats a tough one...I live in NYC and have the Center Ice Package - its really the only option. I don't know of any bars that have the package but I will think of some good sports bars and maybe you can give them a call and see if they ordered the package.

I for one would enjoy seeing some new blood on our fourth line. I think everyone here on LGW has loyalty to Draper and Maltby but at this point in their respective careers their contributions have become limited and in some cases detrimental to the team. If it can work under the cap why not bring up a Leino or Abdelkader and see what they can bring to the team.

1. 7-2-2 while not playing close to our best hockey 2. Hossa is a beast!

I watched the game in HD here in NY and I hated the camera angles for the most part. I did however like it when for play down low and behind the net. Otherwise stick to the standard camera shot.

I would be happy just with HD on the center ice package....$170 bucks and its like watching a game in 1980.

I would have to say that Maltby, Draper and Holmstrom all will retire at the end of their current deals. As much as I love Maltby he is not as effective anymore and his role will be greatly diminished by then, if not at the end of this season. Lidstrom may play another couple years who knows. Osgood I could see for a yr in a backup role.

ESPN Rumor Central cites the NY Post as saying the decision is between Dallas and Detroit. I honestly don't want Avery here and I don't think it will happen. This team has good chemistry and I'm not a fan of Avery's antics on the ice.

I know a Cup should be important but if Vancouver is offering $20mi over 2 vs 7 over 1 its a very tough decision. The guy is going to retire soon and he has his family's security to think about. Thats alot of money!

I don't think he should change the way he plays! He got to the NHL by playing this way. He helped us win the Cup this way!

However much it might make sense to move a moribund franchise such as Florida to Hamilton or KC or whereever I don't think its in Bettmans makeup to admit mistakes and correct them.

Words can't even describe how moronic this is.... If there is sarcasm here I didn't pick up on it

Not me. Markov would want more money I would think and Chelios has been good with the younger guys.

The last thing we need to is to bring in an aging D to take away a spot from somebody young who we need to develop. Lids and Rafalski won't play forever....

If Chelios is willing to be a healthy scratch for the majority of the season then by all means bring him back. He would be a great insurance policy for sure. I just don't want to see younger guys held back(Ericsson) because of his prescence. I really don't see where McCarty would fit on this team....

I'd like to see the Wings play with a little more urgency on offense. Can't afford to let them bring the play to us. GO WINGS!

You'll have to excuse the Penguins fans who can't remember being in a cup clinching game since '93....

If he decides to play hardball say at an average of 9 million a year do the Wings cave?

Anticipation is killing me! GO WINGS!

I don't know whats going on with Shanny - I don't know that the Rangers are going to make much of an effort to resign him. Detroit should not either!