Datsyerberger

There any decent fantasy leagues around this time of year that are still open to sign up/whatever? Would like putting a fantasy team together, but might not be the best time of year for it...

That's an important point. Fortunately, the Wings are absolutely loaded with talent on the first 3 lines, and some here would argue that the roster space spent for a 2-4 minute pure enforcer would be worth clearing space for our big guns.

I personally think that we're better off with what we have than with either, at this point. Wouldn't mind seeing a rental d-man, though. I think that hangs in the balance of how well Ericsson does on his time up.

Except that Kopecky will likely be at least $1m/yr cheaper than Sammy. Only way I see Sammy staying is if we don't keep Hossa. With fairly optimistic numbers Hossa (6) + Franzen or Hudler (3) = 9 Franzen (3) + Hudler (3) + Sammy (2) = 8

What would you speculate management's reasons for talking him into not retiring when both he and they knew there was a good chance he wouldn't make the roster this year? It doesn't make much sense a player thinking about calling it quits would change his mind based off of AHL pay and play. Keeping him around for next year once our roster has shed some players due to salary is the only logical conclusion I could come to, but I'd like to hear some other theories if anyone has any ideas. If we keep any 2 of Hossa, Sammy, Franzen, and Hudler, there's a hole in the roster: ZDH Franzen/Hudler - Flip - Hossa/Sammy Leino - Helm - Cleary Maltby - Draper - Kopecky ? Options for ?: D-Mac Downey Abdelkader Ritola D-mac is aging. Abdelkader and Ritola would be battling with established players for a roster spot and possibly not getting a lot of play, which means it would be better for their development to be playing high minutes in the AHL. Downey, despite his cons, can fight. He seems the most logical option to fill the #13 slot.

You forgot: "Fragile" "Chelios skates better" and "Bad Penalties"

Satan would be an interesting grab, imo, but someone will grab him before us regardless. Can't believe Shero couldn't even get a 7th or some low end prospect for him. Sure, he's been streaky and soft, but 17 goals is practically a godsend for some of the teams out there.

Get someone on the wing who can score without breaking in half, maybe.

Very good move on Backstrom's behalf. His skillset is a perfect fit behind Minny's defense-first system and he'll likely have continued success there that will easily justify the 6m/yr. And because of that, it's also a good deal for Minny.

Gotta have the good to balance out the bad, folks: Filppula -- Offensive production up this year despite a decrease in PP time and 3rd line play for a good portion of the season. Handling large minutes well, sound defensively, great skating, good PK. Hudler -- Need I say more? Datsyuk -- The Datsyuk of last year, plus highlight reel hits. Leading scorer in the West? Raffi -- Even better offensive numbers than I was expecting. The defensive play.. well, it's about what I was expecting XD Kopecky -- Holding on to a roster spot despite coming off a serious knee injury; leads Wings forwards in hits.. starting to look more offensively productive at this point in the season. Leino -- While I was expecting some good play out of him if he got time, I wasn't expecting his current tear.

Hopefully, Ericsson gets up here and rocks so hard that the new D-pairs become: Raffi - Lids Kronwall - Ericsson Lilja - Stuart That bottom d-pair would kick ass.. if one goes out of the way to make a hit, you know the other likely has good positioning. Stewie has occasional usefulness offensively. Then we trade off Lebda. The cool factor of having the Chi-town pair will be gone when Cheli finally disintegrates into a pile of dust anyhow. Well, I can fantasize, can't I? If nothing else, I can live with Lilja - Ericsson as a bottom pairing.

He's definitely underrated, though I'll throw the whole "eastern conference" argument out there because I'm an *******. Edit: No, really, it's just to get it out of the way. Parise is definitely a player that should be getting more discussion.

1 Ott down, 1 Jordan Tootoo to go.

Lidstrom should have got one just for managing to come out of that with even +/-

On the plus side, this is one of the larger GDTs this year.

I guess this is our yearly requisite blowout game. But why, oh why, did it have to be vs Nashville?

Hahaha, was the Predators arena just playing the Rick Roll song? Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down...

Indeed, it's a well established fact that the NHL is not able to use logic and reasoning. The Toronto war room likes simple.. like a toddler.. the star-shaped block goes into the star-shaped indentation and then Big Bird congratulates them.

Does anyone else find it how interesting how much more active this thread is when the Wings are getting their ass kicked? XD

Maybe it's just that even though not many Wings have been injured, they just want it to feel like February.

So uh, this is an NHL 09 sim, right?

We want 10!

Wow, 5-0 Wings! Nice to see them raging in the first period! ... The teams did swap out jerseys tonight, right?

You're right, he does deserve a little mention. His offense is still streaky-Sammy, but somehow he still manages to go under the radar and put together a 50 point season. I think it's the little things he does that lead to secondary assists which people miss.

Uh... Villain? No idea, really.