Peleshob

The PK percentage isn't better or worse just because of Kirk Maltby... 2007-08: Todd McLellan 2008-09: Brad McCrimmon Also, I'm looking to change Maltby's player type on NHL 09... does anyone know where "Spare Tire" is?... I thought it was right after Grinder but I can't find it.

I'm not saying D & Z are bad on the PK, in fact Z is pretty much amazing on the PK. But I am saying that if we had higher quality penalty killers, then D & Z could focus more on offense (even strength and PP). I just want someone more capable than Maltby to have PK time, without having to go to D & Z.

Is that before or after the player pisses off the Russian mafia? Hudler will be plenty motivated to play, unless he flees like Malkin.

I think if Maltby were all that great on the PK guys like Zetterberg and Datsyuk wouldn't have to take up PK time. Our leading scoring forwards shouldn't have to take on time killing penalties, they should be fresh for even strength and PP. I get that Babcock likes to cycle the PK to keep everyone lively, but I think it hurt the team a lot in the post-season. They looked worn down. This had best be Maltby's last season, because whether people like to admit it or not, he's essentially become a liability. PS: I'm not one of the people calling for a goon... just a better grinder with a strong defensive presence.

I'd prefer, "I just locked up Jason Williams... in the same cargo box as Jiri Hudler"

I agree with this, and that's why I think adding one more guy (Prospal) is so important. It'd give the third line a look of Leino-Helm-Homer/Cleary. While the line isn't the best offensive threat, it's still a decent one. I'm holding out for this Prospal thing big time. It'd put me at total ease until the season starts.

Please do this before Williams signs here... please.

I'm already having a bad day.... if I find out they signed Williams for sure I'll flip my s***.

I don't know what you meant by "scorer" but I'm assuming you meant goal scorer. Prospal is a playmaker if anything, and I think he would serve well to sort of insulate Filppula in his first year as a 2nd line playmaker. I think it's a smart move if Kenny does it because you've got Props and Flip feeding Mule pucks, and maybe it'll even force Flip to shoot a bit more. I have no opposition to Bert, either, btw... I think he would be a lot better this time around for the Red Wings. If the team picks up Bert or Props at this point I'll be happy.

90% of this board is better than Eklund.

Actually, on the sets of projected lines I've thrown out he's been on the 1st and 3rd lines depending on his health/production. Either way you slice it, if the guy is healthy he can bring something unique. And like others have said, he's a 20 goal scorer and he's good at what he does. The "13th" skater is going to be Meech as a utility forward/defenseman or a guy like Oulahen or McGrath if we have the extra cap space.

That's all fine and good but Bert on the 4th line?... He's gone downhill but he's not a 4th line player. If they're going to sign him it'll be as a 2nd-3rd line guy. It'd be more like: Z-Dats-Cleary/Homer Mule-Flip-Bert Leino-Helm-Homer/Cleary Maltby-Draper-Eaves His salary alone would be a reason to put him ahead of Eaves.

No, that's not what I mean, lol. I'm quite happy with the Eaves signing. I just mean people assuming Helm will score 20 goals, Flip will get 70 points and Holmstrom being the 13th forward... it's like bizarro land.

Nah, Janik is a depth signing for the AHL. He's there to anchor the defense, and probably even help Kindl along some. With a defensive vet paired with him, Kindl may be given more room to show what he can do. Lilja's cap number will come off the books if he goes on LTIR, and I see Lebda being moved as others have said. Meech can be used as a utility player.

Is it just me or did this Eaves signing bring out the trolls/tards?

If Eaves gets 10 goals and throws 150+ hits he's more than earned his cash. Tons of grinders and lesser skilled "goons" get upwards of 1 million. He's getting buy-out money, sure... but his worth to the Detroit Red Wings doesn't involve that. People who are going to complain if he doesn't turn out to be a 15-20 goal scorer are just being spoiled. If he does turn out to be a Dan Cleary type story, awesome. That said, I think that Detroit can still sign someone who will score those 20 goals (Prospal, Sykora, Bertuzzi).

My best guess is that Eaves wants to re-establish himself as a decent player. He'll likely have a good year with Detroit, and then he can cash in next season. Just a guess.

Whatever happens next pretty much determines Eaves' place in the line-up. If the Wings can pick up a scorer, he'll likely end up on the 4th line, a grinder, 3rd line up. I'd like to see one of Prospal/Sykora/Bertuzzi if they choose a scorer. If they elect to add more grit, I'm still holding out for Grier/Bell/Betts. I absolutely do NOT WANT Williams... I want to have just one year where I don't ***** about a right winger playing the line on the PP. Please don't turn Eaves into that guy for me Babcock. Notice how all of my "scoring" forwards are left handed. Don't do it! *Uses the Babcock scowl on Mike Babcock* Anywho... the line-up could look something like: Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Cleary/Homer Franzen-Filppula-Sykora Leino-Helm-Homer/Cleary Maltby-Draper-Eaves Oulahen OR Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Homer Franzen-Filppula-Cleary Leino-Helm-Eaves Maltby-Draper-Grier Oulahen Looking at both line-ups, I actually like the 2nd one best. The first one is safer and adds like 20 goals or so, but for some reason that 2nd line-up seems really cool. I still think Sykora could compliment Franzen-Flip well, though. One more move will make me feel a bit safer... So regardless of what gets done... Git R' Done Kenny.

I don't know how anyone can say that Maltby IS a good penalty killer. He used to be, sure... but he's lost a step and is basically worn right out now. He made some noise in the playoffs, but he's pretty much done. You want to argue that he played on the PK? He was 10th on the team in PK time on ice. He played a total of 98:36 on the PK all season. Guess who played about 3:30 less than him? The defensive liability known as Brian Rafalski. It's one thing if you wanna say Malts provides some good leadership and at least attempts to bring it in the post-season, but don't call the guy a good PK'er or say he spends a lot of time on the PK. He doesn't.

For 500K if the guy is capable of throwing 150ish hits and has some upside... GOOD DEAL. What do you people want for that much money? This is a very solid deal.

Well, he's not Mike Grier, but this is fine with me. He's one of those guys who I think could break out like Cleary did. He and Helm on the same line = serious damage. He was on pace for about 150 hits last year during the regular season, but wasn't as good in the playoffs. Here's hoping he signed for a good cap number, and that he works out well this season.

The award was a one year deal worth 3.9 million. He won't be able to sign here for that number, though. Edit: Beat to it. But also, I could only see a scenario where the team tells him we'll have a bit of space next season and he signs on for a low number? I mean, I'd really like this to happen, but I think the likely end of this is that he leaves for the KHL.

Well that's because Hudler was Czech... pff. Signing Zherdev would allow for the following tandems on lines: Datsyuk-Zherdev Zetterberg-Franzen Filppula-Leino Nationality power.

DO IT NOW KENNY! Datsyuk/Zherdev magic. JUST DO IT. DO IT NOW!

*Inserts "Zherdev cannot come here because he wears #13" comment*