xtrememachine1

I'm not so sure a big move is needed because "we don't have ability to compete with larger and younger teams". A big move this offseason will be necessary if Lidstrom retires, but aside from that I don't think we are required to make a HUGE move. IMO, if we win Game 7, we're playing in the Finals right now. Let's face it, the Wings were on a hot streak and the Sharks finished their season losing 7 of their last 9 games. I don't feel like major moves are necessary, but having said that I would like to see them make some moves that address some flaws, like PK, back up goaltending, powerplay QB and a top 6 forward. While Richards would solve the last two issues and *I* would try to sign him, I don't expect it to happen and those problems can be addressed without making big moves.

Very nice story. Loved Feds when he was in Detroit. He was one of the best to ever wear the winged wheel and I always hated how he left. If he doesn't leave, his number is in the rafters, no doubt.

Wolski doesn't really seem like a Wings type of player and I don't see him fitting in. He isn't exactly a fast skater and plays almost no defense. I have a feeling if we signed him, 90% of this board would be shipping him off by November.

Yeah, I was looking at a cap calculator that only went up to 2019 and it listed his age wrong too.

True. The Flyers are looking to trade Carter for a good prospect and/or high draft pick. They're NOT looking to get ripped off just to create cap space.

This could ruin any visions we have of Carter in a Wings uniform... Blue Jackets: Philadelphia center is top trade target for Howson

Jeff Carter would be GREAT, $5 mil cap hit per year, 25 years old, signed through 2018-2019, he has 40-50 goal abilities. He would be a monster addition at a relatively low price. However, Philly will explore all options before dealing him.

I think he's really depressed about how things turned out. He was excited to join his hometown team and then scores a goal on his first shift with the Wings. He had to be absolutely thrilled, but he struggled to get chemistry with his linemates (Hudler's really slow start didn't help), he gets injured, misses most of the year, fights to get a spot in the lineup, basically doesn't play during the playoffs despite all the injuries. He was expecting to make one good solid run at a championship with the Wings, a proven winner and wanted to go down swinging. If he wins, great, if not, he gave it his all. That didn't happen. He barely played, didn't get an opportunity to give it his all and went out while sitting in the press box. He's proud guy and I think he's just really depressed about how the past year went for him and how he'll never get another shot like that one again.

Maybe. I'm kind of back and forth on him. He should come really cheap, but he has a chronic knee and its not going to get any better. Maybe a 4th liner? I'd rather have Helm at the 3rd line center position. He's definitely a Wings type of player, just not sure how he fits into the puzzle right now.

I'm surprised they weren't all saying "LOOOOOOOOO". They say that for everything else he does. Make a save, "LOOOOO" Stop a 50 foot shot, "LOOOOOOO" Stop the puck behind the net, "LOOOOOOOO" Get a drink from his water bottle, "LOOOOOOO" Ridiculous

The Canucks are being suckered into playing the Bruins type of game. Vancouver isn't a physical team. Boston is a physical team. Vancouver has some physical players, but "some physical players" going up against almost an entire team of physical players isn't going to work out for them. They need to stick to their strengths. Skate away from the rough stuff, stick to playing their game. Otherwise, this series is over and the Cup is going to Beantown.

For Richards, the ideal spot for him is Tampa Bay. He's expressed a desire to go back there, they'll be competitive, he enjoyed his time there and the Bolts have a ton of cash to spend. I could see Richards on the LW again and if Yzerman could find a trading partner for Malone (who just had a strong playoff, this won't be like trying to trade Hudler) that would really lessen the cap hit they would get with a Richards signing.

People keep saying NYR, but unless they unload Gaborik, I don't see how they could fit him under the cap. They have a bunch of other free agents to sign like Callahan and Dubinsky. They currently have just 8 forwards and 3 defensemen under contract for next year and $18 mil of cap space. That Drury contract is going to haunt them for awhile.

My only thought is every off season, we're always saying "Next year could be Hudler's breakout year". 23 goals and 34 assists could be the ceiling for this guy. At what point do you stop waiting for it? After this season, since its a contract year?

I feel like we've been saying that about Hudler for the last 3 seasons. This is a contract year though, so now or never for Huds.

No quite sure why you would change your prediction in favor of Vancouver more after that game. It ended 1-0 with the one goal being scored with 18 seconds left and the shots on goal being pretty much even. If anything, I get the impression this series will go 7, as it seems after one game, they are evenly matched.

Good point. Homer used to be a 25 goal scorer, I suppose Laich could be too. I just look at a guy like Heatley who hit the 50 mark a couple times, then took a nose dive when he went to the West even with guys like Thornton and Marleau on his line.

Oh yeah, no question here that he can still play. His regular season and especially his playoff numbers showed that (6 goals in 6 games). I just wonder if he has the desire to go through another season. He did make a comment at the end of the year indicating he was frustrated with the Ducks ("Ducks hockey, it's like a box of chocolates"), so maybe he'll just look elsewhere. Right or wrong, I'm a fan of the veteran short term deals. I was a fan of the Modano and Hasek signings. I think its a good way to bridge that gap till we get the player we want to fill that spot long term.

He did and he didn't. I don't see the Caps that often either, but the games I did see, the lines were different every time. Sometimes Laich was on Ovie's line, sometimes he wasn't. They try to split up those three as much as they can. Either way, he was always on a top two line with Semin, Ovie or Backstrom. I also recall seeing Laich in front of the net in a few playoff games, I don't know if that's his typical spot on the PP, but if it is, he could be a Holmstrom replacement.

Selanne would be a nice addition, but I think he's done. He's accomplished a lot and already has his name on the Cup, but if Paul Kariya came back, I could Selanne playing one more year to help his buddy win a championship. I wouldn't have a problem with Kariya playing here for a year. He was always one of my favorite non-Wings players and wouldn't mind seeing what he could do with Detroit. All assuming his concussion problems are behind him.

He's definitely someone I'd want on the team, but I wouldn't go higher than $3 mil and that's the absolute most I would go with him. He's a good two way player, a good leader, a real playoff kind of guy, but his best numbers were 25 goals, 34 assists, and that's playing on a offense first minded team with Ovechkin against Eastern teams. We're looking at a 15-20 goal scorer here, maybe. It'd be very easy to overpay for him and all this is assuming he has any interest in leaving Washington in the first place.

Posts like this is why this board is so great

I think this is going to be Holland's top FA target. Good offensive instincts, right handed shot, he was a monster PITA for us in the 2nd round in 09. I would be more surprised if they didn't sign him. That is unless one of these money stupid teams like NYR throw too much at him.

Yeah, I think an NHL team has a better chance of succeeding in the southeast than that happening.

My initial reaction was "No", he doesn't play defense, he's soft, etc. But the more I thought about it, is he that much different than Mathieu Schneider? I thought Schneider had his best years in Detroit. I could easily see that being the case with Kaberle. So he's soft and doesn't play a ton of defense, pair him up with someone that does.