Peleshob

A lot of people have said we need a replacement akin to Dallas Drake, so I checked over last season's hitting projection of some of the UFA's available. I just rounded up to what they'd get over 82 games. Drake had 116 during the season he played for us. Obviously he ramped it up in the playoffs, but I think most guys would. Grier: 194 Nichol: 151 Guite: 141 Hinote: 138 Gratton: 126 Armstrong: 124 Goc: 124 Bell: 120 (for the 2006-07 season, last season he really played decent) Yelle: 114 Pyatt: 102 I'd still like to see Bell get signed over most, hence why I skewed his stats for my own personal satisfaction

Looks like our shining hope for the Calder trophy is Ville Leino... I really want him to win it. That way I can taunt other team's fans and go, "Screw you guys, Detroit took the Calder and we haven't had a top 10 pick in years..."

Agree about him picking up his play. Who knows if he'll settle for less money or not. Also, Bisping knockout ftw, haha.

I wonder what they mean by other "major professional leagues" then. I know Gretzky couldn't win it because he played in the WHA when he was eligible, but I wonder what counts now.

Given the way the eligibility is layed out, it would appear that: Abdelkader IS eligible because he only played 2 games in 2008 and 2 games in 2009 Ericsson is NOT eligible because he played 8 games in 2008 and 19 games in 2009 Helm is NOT eligible because he played 7 games in 2008 and 16 games in 2009 Leino IS eligible because he only played in 13 games in 2009. However, I wonder about Leino because he played in the Finnish league before coming over. The rule says they cannot have played those number of games in "any major professional league" either. Do FNL and SEL count as those? This would write off Ericsson further as well, as he played a few years in the SEL.

I pretty much agree 100% with this line-up... the only difference I would make is adding a gritty type player to the 4th line, and having Oulahen/Ritola as the spare. Mursak had, by all standards, a terrible season in the AHL and Ryno is just coming back from Europe. Both of those guys need an adjustment period. I'd take any of the following on the 4th line for a low cap hit: Niedermayer, Axelsson, Yelle, Gratton, Kostopoulos, Nichol, Hilbert or Betts (shot blocking/PK for the last two) Two guys who I think Detroit could really re-vamp would be Taylor Pyatt or Mark Bell. Both guys have had a rough time as of late, and I think they could really find themselves in a decent role on Detroit. I would take either of these above the others, as they are project players and would come cheap as well.

While I don't think that our third line will be very productive by any means, I think to call any combination of Abdelkader, Helm, Leino and Cleary "embarassing" is just ridiculous. I really think that either Abdelkader-Helm-Leino/Cleary could put up some points. Not as much as other team's third lines, but it's not embarassing at all, imo.

It's been proven that Nick Lidstrom has balls... and even against Patrick Sharp's best efforts, he got to keep both.

What!? No!!! Omg... what are we going to do now? Why Travis... Whyyyyyyyyy!? Ok... wait, now... maybe we can get Tanguay to sign for 1.5mil and he'll develop a mean streak?

I don't necessarily agree with Homer there, either... but really, he and Cleary are interchangeable. I'd much rather have Cleary there, but Homer isn't retiring this year and needs to go somewhere. Who knows, maybe he was more hurt than usual, hence his dried up performances.

I'm actually really excited to see how this effects the Wings. I wonder how the team will or won't do well. I think if they struggle, it'll build character. I'm still hopeful for the lines thought of before: Zett-Dats-Homer Leino-Flip-Mule Abby-Helm-Cleary Oulahen/X-Draper-Maltby Lids-Rafi Kron-Stuart Lilja/Lebda-Big Rig Ozzie Howard I think that the 4th line spot is the one to fill... if not something in our own system, throwing in Moen or someone like him would be cool. I'm just excited going into a season with so many questions. PS: I don't think Howard is the answer as a back-up, but he should at least get a shot to show that. I think that Larsson, if he can past his conditioning issues, will be decent goalie for the Wings in the future.

Hey, at least you were dumped by Jiri Hudler... and not Class President: Nicklas Lidstrom.

Good bye Happy Huds for sure now... NOW we can talk about what the new plans will be.

This thread is a prime example of how the world is full of extremists (on either side).

Chicago's got a great team on paper, to be sure. Lots of desire now, and with a another year of experience behind them... I just don't see them getting past having Huet as a starting goalie. Maybe he'll end up surprising me, but unless Corey Crawford somehow finds himself, I don't see the Hawks coming close to the Cup. Toronto had tons of great offense last year too. Check out their goaltending/defensive game.

I'd like to see both guys play at least one more season here... with close enough minutes that the debates can finally rest a bit. I personally would take Filppula in the end, but Hudler is no slouch.

Gerber, Joseph and Kolzig are all UFA's. If I remember correct they qualified Pogge, so now they'll just need an AHL back-up. Probably someone already in the system?

Well with the cap situation going up and down right now, I'd say a rental player isn't a bad idea at the moment. I wouldsn't be opposed to slotting in Oulahen or Ritola from Grand Rapids, but at this point I think if we lose Huds, we might need to add some skill. If Hudler stays, I say just call up Abdelkader and forget taking on a free agent.

I'd take any of the following in terms of a grit/skilled guy: Bertuzzi Bell Moen Yelle Gratton I think any of those guy would bring a lot to the team. The latter two are good on face-offs, too.

I'd take Sundin for the right price, which is 2 mil or less on a one way deal. He started to look a bit better as time progressed and he got his legs. Who knows if he'd actually come here, but he brings leadership and a decent shot with him. Can't have enough of either of those things.

I don't know how likely getting Huds back will be if arbitration goes through... if it does we'll likely have to move him for some picks. If that's the case I might go: Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Leino-Filppula-Franzen Abdelkader-Helm-Cleary Oulahen-Draper-Maltby Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Ericsson-Lilja/Lebda Osgood Howard As a few people on the site have mentioned, Oulahen is very responsible defensively... not very physical, though. Low cap number, too. I think Cleary and Leino could be interchangeable, but I like the grit and energy of that 3rd line, plus I'm all for the Finnish combination.

I don't even think they can do anything with him... he has a NMC. Does anyone know the exact rules here? I don't think they can waive him. Can they buy him out? What an *******, jesus.

I'm happy this guy is coming back... hopefully he can play like he did during his short stint in Grand Rapids.

The points are a bit skewed... Hudler's had lots of PP time, whereas Filppula has had virtually none. Also, Flip is waaaaay better defensively and showed an offensive flare in the post-season.

I'd like a line-up along the lines of: Z-Dats-Cleary Mule-Flip-Hossa Abdelkader-Helm-Leino Maltby-Draper-Kopecky Lidstrom-Rafi Kronwall-Ericsson Lebda-Lilja Osgood Howard This happened on my copy of NHL 09, so clearly it must be possible. Holmstrom retired along with McCarty and Downey. I traded Stuart for a couple of prospects and got rid of Meech. I think Homer is just tired and beat up. Maybe it was just the post-season but he seems to be declining every year. His style of play has to catch up with him. I traded Stuart for no reason other than Ericsson's overall jumped up huge and I wanted room for Hossa.