Datsyerberger

If we waive those players, they WILL be claimed. Our "impact" players like Kopecky and Meech would probably have secure 3rd line/3rd d pairing spots on half the teams in the league. Downey or D-mac, on the other hand...

Well, consider that Hossa is very much a player that can make something out of nothing on his own... that, and he'll be going against the teams second best shutdown line. Put Flip between two 6'3 guys that can drive the net and score goals and something good is gonna happen.

Well, the contract and the fact that he has better performance, both offensively and defensively, than most other 4th liners in the league, while coming off a serious knee injury.

"Look who he's sitting next to, look who he's sitting next to." ... A rapist? Seriously though, I disagree with Grapes on a lot, but he's right on this one -- the Penguins should'nt have let him go, he was a positive influence on that team.

A shame that an old warhorse had to go out like that. As someone who likes Tampa Bay, I'm absolutely appalled with their current ownership/management. Their track record with veteran players is absolutely horrible this year -- Dan Boyle deceived; Roberts treated like garbage and dumped. As much as I want to see them succeed, I hope Lecavalier gets the hell out and it wakes them up.

Most likely 1st line options: Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Hossa, Holmstrom Most likely 2nd line options: Zetterberg, Hossa, Franzen, Filppula Most likely 3rd line options: Cleary, Draper, Samuelsson Most likely 4th line options: Hudler, Leino, Helm, Maltby, Kopecky Possible extras: Leino, Helm, Maltby, Kopecky, Downey, McCarty Most likelly PKers: Zetterberg*, Datsyuk*, Hossa*, Filppula*, Draper*, Cleary*, Franzen*, Maltby, Kopecky, Helm (* = lock) Most likelly PPers: Datsyuk*, Hossa*, Zetterberg*, Hudler*, Franzen*, Holmstrom*, Samuelsson*, Filppula, Cleary, Leino (* = lock) Defensive pairs: 1, Lidstrom and Rafalski; 2, Kronwall and Stuart/Ericsson; 3, Lilja and Stuart/Ericsson; Spares (in order): Lebda, Chelios, Meech My thoughts and predictions: -- Hudler gets shuffled to various lines depending on situation, and sees extensive PP time. -- Downey sees a game in the finals, should we get there. -- Cleary - Draper - Sammy was a very effective 3rd line in the playoffs last year, with Sammy putting shots into the net off of Cleary and Draper's various body parts. Their defense was excellent. I wouldn't be surprised to see that line again. -- Flip was very solid as 2nd line center last year in the playoffs, shutting down important forwards will putting up respectable points. I think it's very likely 2nd line center is his to lose, and we may even see the Flip-Datsyuk combination in a few situations. -- Kronwall destroys people -- Lidstrom sees massive icetime again, particularly ES and PK. -- Ericsson makes a big impact, and allows the rotation of 3 defensive pairs on the PP (my thoughts: Rafalski - Lidstrom, Sammy- Kronwall, Rafalski - Ericsson) -- Babcock decides on who goes on a PK shift by drawing tickets out of a fedora. -- Leino isn't used much unless someone under-performs, likely Maltby or Kopecky. He is the first player into the line-up in this case, however. -- Helm isn't used as a 'permanent replacement' as in the case of Leino (unless one is needed), but sees a handful of games replacing tired or injured players. -- Maltby will be on the starting lineup. -- Kopecky will be on the starting lineup. -- Cheli sees a game in the finals, perhaps the first game at home. -- No matter the combinations, our first 3 forward lines are all capable of shutting down the oppositions top scoring units -- And all capable of respectable offense. -- We have the most dangerous 4th line in the playoffs. My most likely lines: Datsyuk - Zetterberg - Holmstrom Franzen - Filppula - Hossa Cleary - Draper - Sammy Maltby - Hudler - Kopecky (Maltby- Kopecky would be a regular PK forward duo on some teams. Could Hudler actually get these 2 on a decent goalscoring pace as a bonus? I would NOT want to be on the 4th line going up against that line.) Alternate 4th lines: Leino - Hudler - Kopecky Helm - Hudler - Kopecky Maltby - Helm - Hudler Leino - Helm - Hudler If Downey plays a game: Holmstrom - Datsyuk - Hossa Franzen - Zetterberg - Sammy Hudler - Flip - Cleary Maltby - Draper - Downey I suspect we'll see a lot of shuffling of the lines and a lot of interesting combinations regardless. Yea. Options are nice.

I can't wait to see how Kopecky performs after getting a chance to bulk up this offseason.

Yea, I know it's only been 11 games so far... but damn, it's been an amazing 11 games. 5g, 8 points, 6 +/- in 11 games for this guy.. his first 11 games in the NHL, with only a half a season on American ice in the AHL. A lot of this production is on the lower lines. He seems to have conquered a lot of the knocks against him, as well. Yea, I know it's only been 11 games, but I've seen every one, and just watching that guy on the ice, you know the Wings org has made yet another incredible steal. Amazing.

Might also have something to do with him finally beginning to fully recover from his knee injury and get his legs back into shape... people just don't realize how long term those can be.

Fixing would have just been taking the word scorers out altogether XD

If you had told me Draper from Meech and Downey and I hadn't seen it with my own eyes..

Downey you suck! Get off the team! Trade trade trade! Git 'r' done, Kenny!

We're just trying to get them enough wins so they can make the playoffs, so we can beat them there for good karma.

Wait until the Wings score. When they do, he will literally sound like this, no exaggeration: "score."

TPBM thinks my response would be the pot calling the kettle black.

..This is possibly the oddest chance ever, but I literally just farted right as I started reading this post. I swear it. TPBM thinks that was TMI.

Another smug new member knows it all, who can't accept the reality we live in; you see how that works?

Given the difference in gender between us, I do indeed have more balls than you.. but I haven't been skydiving, nor do I particularly plan to. I watch the Lightning when I'm not watching the Wings. Much, much scarier than skydiving. TPBM would buy me a beer.

Gotta wonder if the Bolts did this intentionally. They hire an awful coach, a LOT of free agents that are the sort of players teams want going into the playoffs... they tank into a top 5 pick position, and now fleece people left and right with all those people they picked up at the beginning of the season. Is it possible to suck so much you do well for yourself, or was this purposeful?

Apparently because, as Murray said, noone wanted him this year.. atleast, not for what Murray wanted for him. And I'm sure they had their reasons.

Very happy. We've got 2nd liners playing on the 3rd and even 4th line come playoff time as it is. If they don't have the motivation to get it done in the playoffs, no small acquisition is going to help. We made our big moves during the offseason.. moves that cost nothing. We have to save our late draft picks for Ericssons and Zetterbergs and what have you .

Burke tooting his own horn as usual. He did okay, not bad, not great. EDM getting O'Sullivan for Cole was a steal.

Not really, no.

Jumpin' Jeebus, O'Sullivan to Carolina.

Pittsburgh Pirates?