tommingthepuck96

Nice im trying to get tickets to kings/ducks when the wings make their usual west coast trip. Tickets here are friggin expensive though.

Also huet without a doubt will be a front runner for the vezina next year, and don't forget Toews is a lock for first line center spot on team Canada next year.

On the other hand, the wings are probably the most popular team in the NHL outside of detroit.. Im always amazed at the number of red wing bumper stickers/red wing flags i see here in san diego its seriously surprising to see so many wing fans in such a low hockey venue area.. And in the regular season its almost like home games when the wings visit teams like ATL/LA/TB/PHX

i dont think gagne will make it but if he did wouldn't it make sense to play gagne and richards on the same line?

I hope they sign my boy Frolov , im sick of seeing him play with the kings every year.. (I live near LA) I think he'd fit well as pavs winger.. Plus hes got that right handed shot..

How does this guy still have posting rights? This has to be like the 8th lines thread this week.

I can't see helm and draper being put on the same line.. But then again im not coaching team canada next year.. So we'll see what babcock does..

Were you a red wing fan before they won the cup? The Holmstrom, datsyuk/filppula line was put together alot in the past, and they played awesome together. Problem is filppula plays his best at center, he needs to center his own line to thrive like everyone wants him too.. Pavs is the best player in the league at which ever position he plays.. so re-unite him with his boy Z. Cleary,Z/Pavs Franzen/Filppula/Williams Leino/Helm/Eaves Holmstrom/Draper/Maltby Only problem about these threads is i guarantee you, you will rarely see a 100% lineup for more than 10-15 games.. Lines are always going to be changing depending on whos in and whos out... Only in the playoffs i think its fair to predict lines, because players will play through injuries.. In the reg season though if Zetterberg has something minor like a sore back on a west coast road trip against the L.A kings, babcock probably will see no real logic in playing him, and this will go for just about everyone else.. Players who are more than likely to play 80+ games are players like helm, eaves, and leino.. for the reason, their young players who don't see the minutes other players do.

If wings can stay healthy, they should have no problem finishing top 2 in the west.. Its going to suck if i see some games with meech playing on the first power play unit like last year.. Team defense just has to step it up, and so does osgood..

Wow theres no crosby option?

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=457926 5. Valtteri Filppula, Detroit -- The Wings believe all that held Filppula back from a breakout season in '08-09 was his place on the depth chart. Then again, he notched 16 points in 23 playoff games despite not having a top-six role. With Marian Hossa (and possibly Jiri Hudler) gone, Filppula will be playing with better players (Johan Franzen? Henrik Zetterberg? Pavel Datsyuk?). His stats should soar along with his responsibilities.

I wouldnt want sundin, the wings need a scoring winger more than any type of center... Zhederev, prospal and tanguay i think are all high possible signings.. I have a feeling babcock is going to split up datsyuk and zetterberg more than people think he will.. Especially when playing against a team with one scoring line and a shut down line. Example, when playing against the blackhawks or the blue jackets, you just cant afford to put your both of your selke forwards on one line. With datsyuk and Z together Datsyuk/Z/Cleary Franzen,Filppula,UFA Leino,Helm,Eaves Draper,Matlby,Holmstrom (Subbing in on PP'S) D/Z split up Franzen, Z, Cleary Filppula,Datsyuk,UFA Or holmstrom, Leino,Helm,Eaves Maltby,Draper,Holmstrom,Or UFA

How the hell did holland manage to get the leauge minimum for this guy? Worse case scenario is... well there is no worse case scenario 500k.. wow.

Any solid info on this guy? What kind of player he is? I dont know too much about him.. except well he has pretty good stats in NHL 09..

Yeah lol, even in NHL 09, hes like the best rated skater on the team after datsyuk and zetterberg. I dont get where people get the idea that hes that fast of a skater.

I dont really get why your trying so hard to discredit any chance of filppula becoming a star. No one is saying hes going to become the next pavel datsyuk. But if you really call your self a true red wing fan, and claim the skill and potential filppula shows is all a fluke, (i.e your comparsion to darren mcartys goal) then honestly i see no real point in replying to any of your posts. But what the hell.. Is that what this is about, you HAVE to be correct no matter what?... What evidence? Stats? Filppula played a third line center, defense first role. He played with less skilled players the entire season, all without seeing hardly any power play time. And still put up a decent 19 goals, and 28 assists... Over 80 games. Don't sit there and tell me you have any legit evidence that suggests, filppula has NO chance of putting up 50-65 points, while getting second line minutes, and having the green light to play more of an offensive minded game with more skilled players, not to mention seeing full time power play ice time.. Sorry i think ill take the red wing organization over your panel of tsn experts who are probably aren't stupid enough to pay a guy 3 million a season to just kill penalty's and chip in a measly 40 points a season... The potential is there, its all about if filppula is ready to take on the responsibility.

Any quote on lidstrom calling datsyuk in his rookie year the best stick handler he has ever seen? Although i dont agree that to be a star on the red wings, you have to have been noticed by the best defencmen in the game your rookie year, although obviously it helps. No one expected franzen to be a 30, or even 20 goal scorer, now hes expected to be on pace for 40 goals next season. I dont think filppula is going to be the next datsyuk, but i dont see how people can shoot down the possibility of him breaking 65-70 points in an 82 game season as a second line center.. 25 goals 40ish assists isn't to much of a longshot, especially if he has a pure goal scorer like franzen playing on his wing the whole year.

Yeah 2.5 M from from a team that went to the SC final back to back years, not to mention the only team to make him an offer? Didnt someone say he made 2.2 last year? I dont think he would be taking this long to accept that kind of offer, it has to be much lower..

He shows the skill, but the confidence is often not there, if and when he gets his confidence, and shoots the puck more often, he could be a real star. We'll see who he plays with next year..

Hes probably going to the kings

I understand that this is blind predictions, but just curious what gives you that idea? When has franzen ever been inconsistent? Anyways my own personal prediction, filppula will have an awesome breakout year, pavs and hank probably wont be healthy all year, so filppula will see a ton of 1st and second line minutes.. If that kid gets his confidence he could be a real star on this team...

Yeah i couldnt find nik jr's goal on youtube.. weird.

Anyone remember this badass goal by the mule? I thought it should have been atleast number 3. Above ovechkins.. Pierre mcguires boring commentary after the goal kind of killed the excitement for me. Notice the excitement in mcguires voice after ovechkins goal.. God i hate that guy.. Anyways Toews also had a pretty nice goal against the wings #8 , dan cleary got dumped on.. http://www.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?id=44982

The wings lose 82 goals, 86 assists in 3 players, a total of 168 points. While gaining no one to make up for them.. Yes the wings have great prospects but i tell you now those prospects arent going to make up for 3 top 6 forwards including a super star forward. Not to mention a proven solid back up goalie. The sky isnt falling but you can't say its for the better. The only possible postives i see from losing these 3 guys, is if next season is going to be a "re-building" season, by giving prospects much needed time to get expierence in the NHL. I'd be happy if the wings can sign a proven NHLer who has the ability to put up atleast 35 points, with decent defensive play.