Peleshob

If anything I thought he looked a lot better during the post-season. I even remember a play where he looked like "the old" Mats. I'd still prefer the Wings spend the money on a grinder/defensive forward, though.

Half of me, the black half, is offended by this thread. That said, bring on Iron Mike. We need someone to scare the f*** out of Kane and Toews. I have the feeling that Grier telling them that they'll be his ***** is going to work.

I think the Wings will be just fine. Obviously they know/knew Lidstrom was going to retire eventually, and they've done well to draft several promising defensemen. I think either Kindl or Smith could break out very well. Even guys like Nicastro or Lashoff could continue to improve and surprise some people, becoming very good defensemen. I really believe that Kindl is going to do much better on the Red Wings as opposed to GR, where he's had little defensive help in the past two seasons. His skating ability and lateral movement on the blueline is very good. I'm hoping for good things out of him still.

This. Is. Awesome. Please, let this happen Kenny. Bring Iron Mike to MoTown. This man is a wrecking ball, no lie. I want Grier on the 4th line for 750K. If this happens... I will be a happy, happy man.

It's a mouse Sorry for spoil party. . .. ... .... Oh... you guys knew that. Of course you did.

This might be out of left field, but I say we do everything we can to get Phil Kessel. My reason: he's only got one ********. Now hear me out... there are several famous men with only one of their boys. All of them have reached great potential. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lance Armstrong and even Adolf Hitler. Do I think Phil Kessel will be the next Hitler? No, I do not. However, each of those men, good and evil, reached world renowned heights. You have a man in Scwarzenegger who started out making action movies and now he's the governor of California. Armstrong used to ride his bicycle for his newspaper route... Tour De France baby. Lastly, Hitler was a crappy artist, and then went on to, well... you know. My point is, Phil Kesser is a 35-40 goal scorer right now. If history has taught us anything, it's that having one ******** leads to greatness. Thank you. Disclaimer: In no way do I support the Holocaust or the movie Junior.

I saw something about them not buying him out unless he clears waivers. I think someone would take the 1.4 cap hit, though.

Uh... Go Ukraine?

Yeah, and during last season the Red Wings didn't have to fill in gaps in the line-up. Helm wasn't brought up because they had a little something called depth. Maybe you've heard of it. If the Wings want to really give him another year of AHL experience they'll need to sign someone to a contract of lesser value than his. At this point I think he'd be fine to be placed on the third line with Helm and Cleary/Holmstrom/Leino.

Actually, I question his passing too. And his ability to finish, if he can stay healthy, if he'll compete for an entire shift, let alone an entire game... and also how much money he'll want. The guy is skilled, but he also seems to be a headcase. That, along with injury issues seem to have caused his numbers to dip. Could Babcock get more out of him? Maybe, maybe not.

Just ignore Eva on this topic. At this point there's nothing more that can be said of Hudler until the arbitration ruling is set out.

Eva, I think that several guys could step up for Grand Rapids next season. While they're losing Helm, Leino and maybe Abdelkader, they're also gaining a few guys. Axelsson and Ryno are supposed to come over. Ritola isn't a bad player, and Mursak will look to bounce back after a terrible season. They also signed Jeremy Williams if I'm not mistaken, so I could see him on emmerton's wing. Pare will likely be in the top 6, but I'm not sure if as a center or not. McGrath could be back to if he somehow passes through waivers. He should have a few decent players to play with.

Skin color aside, I think Grier would be a good addition to the team. We definitely are in need of a 4th line player and I agree with some saying that Zetterberg and Datsyuk have logged too many minutes. I'd prefer to see guys like Cleary, Helm and potentially Grier taking up more of the PK time. Grier is a wrecking ball when it comes to hitting. With his agent saying that he;s waiting to see what happens with teams, I think it's possible that the Wings pick him up. But I really don't want to have a grinder type player that we have to pay like 1.5 million. If he wants to come over for around a million I'd do it, but there's no sense in putting a cap hurt on for a grinder IMO. And yes, I'm aware that's what Draper makes. I cry every time I see it.

It's hard to say at this point as Abdelkader hasn't had very much time in the NHL, while Latendresse has three seasons under his belt. I will say this, though. I believe that Abdelkader will be able to break the 30 point mark. I think he has the potential the eventually be a power forward type player, and not just a grinder as some people have projected.

I'm definitely sold on his puck handling ability. The way he drives the net through the defensive zone without getting the puck picked off is a testament to how his puck controlling skills have improved. But I definitely agree with you on the passing aspect of his game. That's where I hope Flip or Leino can step up with puck distribution. And of course whoever is on the back end (presumably Kronner and Stuart with the 2nd line) will help too.

This is what I said earlier too. I can see Franzen carrying the puck more (like you said, better hands) but for the most part you want two other guys handling it more than Cleary and Franzen. They're good with causing havoc in front of the net. I really have a feeling that Holmstrom might not do as well and will be moved down to the third line with Helm and whoever, moving Cleary up to the first.

Emmerton kind of reminds me offensively of McGrath a little, but more the projected McGrath. He's going to be a decent offensive threat, with good two-way play (something McGrath has apparently developed). His junior numbers took a hit because of his injuries. I believe he even had mono at some point, I think his last season, which really set him back. It was good to see him have a solid year in the AHL. Those who watch the prospect camps are usually raving about him as a stand-out. I think big things will come for him in maybe 2-3 years, jumping up to Detroit's third line, giving us even more depth a center ice.

According to this article there is a might. http://www.detnews.com/article/20090723/SP...0417/1128/rss16 "Holland said Hudler's agent, Petr Svoboda, indicated they have no desire to work out a contract agreement before arbitration. " "The arbitrator will determine an NHL salary for Hudler, if he decides to return to North America. " "Hudler can join Dynamo regardless of what happens during next week's arbitration hearing." "Holland said the team is going forward as if Hudler will play in Russia next season. " With all of those quotations, it would seem to me, that Hudler isn't coming back, nor does he want to. Holland himself says he's moving forward WITHOUT Hudler. So if you want to butt heads with the guy handing out contracts, then by all means.

The Head of the KHL said he might not register Hudler's contract. Hudler's agent has already said he has no desire to negotiate a contract before the arbitration hearing. Hudler signed a two-year contract for Dynamo. If you ask me it's leaning in favor of Hudler heading to Dynamo regardless.

This. The arbitration is merely so that the Wings can keep his rights. At least this way they can get something for him if they feel like moving his rights. I highly doubt you'll see Jiri Hudler pass up 5 million tax free to play for 2.5-3 here.

And suggesting that Leino can't play on the 2nd line because others said Hudler couldn't is logical? Both are talented players. Nowhere in my post did I suggest that Leino was better than Hudler, just that him playing on the 2nd line isn't that out of the question. Hudler's going to the KHL, he won't be on any line. Oh well.

What's so insane about it? Cleary's a good player on the team, but Leino seems to be more geared for offense. In his short stint with the Wings he showed he's plenty capable of putting up point at the NHL level, and could probably compliment Flip and Mule quite nicely. By throwing Cleary on a line with Franzen you essentially have two "net presence" guys on the same line. I think it's far more likely that you'll see Clearly on the first line and Holmstrom moved down to the third. Leino on the 2nd line isn't THAT far fetched. But you go ahead and overexaggerate like you did... ok.

I think natural center just means that a player excels at the position. Both Datsyuk and Zetterberg are strong on the face-offs, good at getting back into the defensive zone and covering the middle of the ice at each end. Even when Babcock puts Z and Dats together they often rotate and switch the position. I've seen Datsyuk play it a lot, and then during the playoffs when he was a bit off, Z took over. I know that they Wings wanted McGrath to focus on the defensive aspects of his game, more than anything so that he could adapt to the Wings' system. If they put him on the left wing of that third line I think he could just focus on his offense and who knows, maybe then he could branch back out. I don't see Babcock removing Helm or Draper from the center position. While Drapes has played some on the wing before, I don't think you bump Helm down to the 4th line for McGrath to be the third line center. If McGrath does make the team, this is the only scenario I could see: Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Leino-Filppula-Franzen McGrath-Helm-Cleary Maltby-Draper-X/Oulahen Oulahen I still hope to see the Wings sign a free agent along the lines of either Grier, Betts or Bell. And I know a lot of people say he's only got one season of AHL play under his belt, but I'd still rather see that third line become: Abdelkader-Helm-Cleary The carnage that line could create is too good to pass up for me. Abbie has shown more promise in one AHL season than McGrath has in three, IMO. Either way, I'm still excited to see a full year from Leino, Helm and Ericsson.

And yet he's been a resounding disappointment to the Red Wings' brass. The guy went from 114 points in the OHL to only scoring 14 in the AHL. If anything it's that transition to a higher level of play that worries me. I just don't really know where he fits in? Do you put him on a line with Leino and Helm? Cleary and Helm? He's improved every year in the AHL, but I still think he's a shadow of what he was supposed to be. I guess if he's going to have a crack at the Red Wings' roster, this is the best possible time. If he comes out and has a great training camp, then fine. I still feel like he's shown nothing in the AHL that merits a spot on the team. Last year was the first year reports on him didn't include the word "disappointing".

I really hope they slot in Oulahen somehow. Even if they only manage to carry him as the 13th forward. I think with the team moving either Lebda or Meech, (I doubt they move Lilja) they'll be able to carry that 13th guy instead of having to call someone up. McGrath is a natural center, and with Helm and Draper slotted for the 3rd and 4th lines, I don't think he'd have a place to go. If they wanted to move him onto the third line wing (assuming Huds is gone) I guess it could be worth a shot. He hasn't shown anything, IMO, during his stint in the AHL to show he's got much upside. Ouhlahen is more the type of guy we need right now.