MalkinsJock

Wheeler He's 6'5, 220lbs and a former top five pick. Hes also fast for a guy his size.. Im sure the Wings will give him an offer.

The "speed" to which he refers is the speed of the refs arm going up each time Pittsburgh goes two minutes without a power play. Five on five, they're mediocre, even in their own building. They need a parade of power plays and new rule interpretations to get endless power plays.

By turning down a deal from Phoenix, the rules automatically revert to post cap rules. Now the only contract he can get is the standard three year rookie deal max which is $1.7 mill + bonuses for major awards. With his age, it maybe only a two year deal instead of three. Just like Leino? Or Brunnstrom they couldn't get anything more then one year at the rookie max but they're a year older.

I wouldn't be so sure. Who is his competition? Abdelkader? Kopecky? Helm? Non of them bring the size/speed combination of Wheeler.

Of course but that could be said about any of the players. Theres no reason to fall back into old habits. Guys like McCarty and Shanahan were cut/left for a reason, it should have stayed that way. Fedorov, I would welcome back, since he was the best player on the team when he departed and would still be a valuable asset. Really, we'll have the same team next season, give or take a couple players(Drake, Stuart). If both sign, then there really isn't much needed for this roster. An upgrade for the third defensive pairing would be nice. We really don't know much right now though, Filppula is going to be an RFA next year, he could get an offer sheet. Franzen and Zetterberg need new contracts, which means we can't sign players for next season that would put us over the cap with Johan and Z's new contracts. I think Rafalski was the last "Big" signing this team will see until Lidstrom retires or Z decides that he can make more money elsewhere.

Shanahan is a chemistry killer. Does anyone remember the worst line in Red Wings history? Shanahan-Datsyuk-Draper Ugh Shanahan isn't a improvement over anyone in the top six. And hes not going to play for Samuelsson or Drake money.

I HIGHLY doubt he wants to play in the AHL. He'll probably sign with the Wild, hes never left home really.

No what? Hes bigger then every other player on this team and could quite possibly be the "Power forward' everybody has been wanting since Shanahan left. Hes obviously motivated to play for a successful team and took a massive pay cut to do so. We don't have a prospect in our entire system that even comes close to Wheeler for his size.

Rather have Jagr.. We have a lack of scoring wingers, we have enough centers to fill two teams.

2 goals in three games and your team is still down one games. Its hardly dominating. One could argue that Datsyuk is the reason why Crosby and co. haven't been scoring. Perfect example, the first two games when Datsyuk/Z were head to head against Crosby, he was a ghost. On the other hand, Babcock couldn't get that matchup yesterday. That is until the third period, when that happened the game was in the Wings favor. No offense, but Datsyuk is dominate on the road, playing against the teams best defenseman and forwards. Crosby has been a non-factor when not being paired against Hudler and Lilja-Lebda.

Apparently he turned down a 3 year deal worth $1.7 mill a season along with the standard bonuses for the calder, art ross, playoffs. He also lost a $600,000 signing bonus. Since Wheeler wouldn't sign, the Coyotes get the 35th pick in this years draft as compensation.

Datsyuk has been the best forward in the series. Crosby would still be "missing" if it weren't for piss poor coverage that left him wide open, along with Hossa standing next to an open net. Both of Crosby's goals came within two feet of Osgood, hes hardly been dominating.

Actually he turned down the most money he could possibly get, from Phoenix to play for a team of his choosing. Im pretty sure, he still has to sign a rookie deal with the team that signs him. Maybe the team he plays for is more important then the money? Of course, he could sign with the Wild, wouldn't suprise me.

Chelios isn't in because hes DONE. He blew his chance in the Dallas series, he was getting dominated by the Stars offensive core. He also single handedly cost the Wings a game and really didn't show any remorse in doing so. The only way he comes back next season is if hes content with taking less then $850,000 and watching from the press box. Lilja is as fast as Chelios, hes stronger and he makes smarter plays along the boards. If you don't rely on him to make out break out passes hes fine. Theres no way Meech gets in the lineup if Lebda is in too. Quincey would be fine, if paired with a defenseman that could bail him out. A pairing of Lebda-Quincey would be a joke. Something like: Lidstrom-Quincey/Ericsson/Lilja Rafalski-Kronwall Lebda-Stuart Would make things more balanced and wouldn't lead to a Crosby/Hossa match up against a weak third pairing. Lebda-Chelios vs Crosby and co. would be a joke.

Buddy of mine just moved to Chicago, guess that gives me a reason to go

Datsyuk has been the most consistent player in this roster. Even during his "bad" games hes still setting guys up, eating up time and providing good defensive play. When Zetterberg has a bad game, hes a ghost. 1. Datsyuk 2. Lidstrom 3. Franzen 4. Osgood

Chelios brings nothing more to the table except a feel good story. The Wings should look at Quncey, Ericssson or Meech. Neither Lebda or Chelios should be playing a single game in the finals.

Thats where you are wrong. If that were the case Lilja would be in the press box. Chelios wasn't hurt in game five of the Dallas series, he played terrible and that terrible play led to the GWG. Everyone loves the story of Chelios but theres a difference between a nice story and winning the cup. Chelios can't get it done against Malkin-Crosby-Hossa. Lilja can, because at least he brings a physical presence. Acting as if one bad pass from Lilja is a major problem is discounting the couple times a game Chelios would have ultimately turned the puck over. Hes a great steal and story at $500,000 but its not worth losing the cup over to keep it going. We need a fast, physical defenseman, that isn't Lilja, that isn't Lebda and that certainly isn't Chelios. Having experience only takes a player so far.

Bad ice has nothing to do with dumbass passes by Stuart and Lilja. You don't make passes into the center of your own zone unless you know the recipent is going to get it out. Passing it into his skates is even worse. On the Stuart-Zetterberg pass, Z was going to get flattened if he recieved that pass since two pens were covering him. Those are just two stupid plays, not bad ice.

Chris Chelios has been riding the coattails of his career for about two seasons. Hes the exact opposite of what we need on the backend. He gets beat constantly behind the goal line and along the boards because he holds the puck too long. His outlet pass isn't as fast or long as the other D-men. Along with the fact that every member of the Penguins can physically dominate Cheli. Nice career but this is the Finals, the same reason McCarty is sitting is the same reason Chelios will sit. If this is the regular season or we're at home we can have the luxury of carrying a novelty roster spot. I know theres A LOT of hate for Lilja but he doesn't get physically dominated. He may be devoid of offensive talent but he can clear the crease. Even Kronwall and Stuart are having a tough time working over Hossa, Malone and Malkin. Quincey or Ericsson would be a nice addition at this point.

Is that a joke? You really want Crosby-Lebda playing against Hossa/Malkin or Crosby/Malkin? Lilja is here to stay. Personally, I think you have a better chance of seeing Meech or Ericsson over Chelios, hes as done as Hasek.

Every chance the Wings had Datsyuk was on the ice. Whats the point of having the best play maker in the league if his linemates are going to have hands of stone? Im looking at you Holmstrom.. and the ghost of Zetterberg.

Its amazing, Datsyuk makes a play that im convinced he could only make behind the net and Stuart doesn't capitalize. Does it get mention? Nope, just a "Datsyuk passes out front". On the other hand, you can hear Doc, Enzo and Pierre jizzing if Crosby even touches the puck. Its embarrassing.

Pierre McGuire is a hack. Every second the Wings are on the ice he says "They got away with one there". Again, another case of the NHL adjusting its rules to suite the needs of a specific team. If it wasn't a hook in game two it shouldn't be a hook in game three. The same can be said about every other call.