overHandright1

I wonder if the Russian mafia will be shaking down all these highly paid players joining the KHL. Will the League provide some sort of security for the players? I remember that Fedorov was supposedly being threatened by the Russian mafia. Not sure if it was just a rumor or it actually happened though.

That's a relief. Damn straight. Solution: Play Downey in the playoffs. The guy would step in front of a bus for the guys on the team. He knows his role and when to pick his spots.

So you would rather be bored and win? Can't we have both at the same time? Winning while being entertained? Since when does being entertained means that the team is going to lose? I enjoy everything that hockey provides: shooting, passing, scoring, great saves, hard checks, AND the occasional fight or two. There's nothing wrong in having a couple of guys on the team that have the potential to fight. The rest of the skilled players on the Wings can keep their gloves cemented on (and there by avoid injury) because they know that if there is a need for a beatdown there are guys on the team that fill that role. As much as I loved Dats throwing a few punches (although they were gloved punches) at Roberts, that is not his role. Pav is too important to the team to be doing that. He is just inviting the opposition to call his bluff and then he'll really get smoked some game.

Then why has Holland offer both Downey and McCarty two way contracts? Maybe Holland thinks that both these players still have something to offer the team. Is having a couple players on the roster that could kick some a$$ asking too much? (rhetorical question) I love the Wings and am a lifelong fan, but I'm sure that I am not alone when I find myself falling asleep during some regular season snoozefest games because there's just a total lack of fisticuffs or probability of fisticuffs happening. Players like Downey and McCarty can add excitement to the atmosphere of the Joe and also pumps up the bench. When there is a fight, I'd say 99% of the fans at the Joe are on their feet (1% are pacifists or too fat to stand up) and it's all smiles up and the down the Wings' bench.

Keep stirring the pot, uk . Looks like this one will go the distance.

But we're not talking about Hudler on "any other team." It's not like I think he's absolutely worthless. He has skill as far as puckhandling and shooting and he improved his skating a bit this past year. He also put up some good numbers during the playoffs. To say that he is a "heart and soul" player, however, is a bit of a stretch. It's easy to stick up for your teammates when everyone is paired off and the linesmen are already breaking the scrum up.

If you truely believe that then you're

... you could throw in Chelios on some days.

I guess I probably started it by saying that Holland should trade Sammy and Hudler so he could sign Mac and Downey to one way deals (even though its highly unlikely). Just my way of upsetting all the pacifists on this site. There are more pacifists on this site than in the Ghandi family tree.

You just want to keep on going, don't ya? I never said that Samuelsson and Hudler were worthless. I know the cliché "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Holland is likely to mirror that saying in his tweaking of the team's roster. Dabura is correct in saying that Drake was a valuable player last season. He played 65 games last season. Downey played 56 games last season. Now Drake is gone and Downey is going to be offered a two-way contract. That's a substantial drop in team toughness. True, Dally and Downey didn't have a ton of minutes, but they did give the rest of the forwards some rest all while punishing the opposition physically. By the way, your string of sarcastic statements makes you sound childish. Now get your PJs on, brush your teeth, and go to bed.

I already conceded that trading Sammy and Huds for just prospects was a little extreme (see two posts ago). Since when is trading two players considered to be rebuilding? 34 goals and 75 assists by Sammy and Huds combined (reg/post season) ... huh? That's close to what Hossa will put up all by himself this coming season (by the way ... no pressure Marian!). Hossa had 41 goals/51 assists/ 92 points in the regular season and playoffs combined. Keep in mind that he was with the Thrashers for the majority of the regular season. It's not that I don't appreciate their contributions. True, they were important to the Wings winning the Cup this year. All I'm saying is that we need players with more grit and Sammy's hooking and holding and Hudler's unfinished checks aren't going to get it done. If you expect all these skilled players to be hitting as hard during the regular season as they did during the playoffs without being injured, you are sorely mistaken. More balance between grit and skill is all that I'm suggesting. In the end, Holland will do what he thinks is best for the team. What you or I say here really doesn't amount to a hill of beans. At this point, I guess we will have to agree to disagree. We all want the Wings to repeat as Cup Champions. I'm sure you all won't disagree with me in that respect.

I agree that Sammy is "cap-friendly" at 1.2 million. He produced 53 points during the regular season and playoffs which is a good return on Holland's investment. However, he lacks the physicality that the team will need this coming season. Your are right that he will probably be gone after this season so I guess I will just have to deal with it. As far as Huds is concerned, he will be a RFA after this season unless Holland re-ups him before the conclusion of 08-09. If Holland doesn't re-sign him, he might receive an offer sheet from another team that he might not be able to turn down. In that case we will receive a first round draft pick in return which in my estimation is not a good deal. Shop Huds now and at least see what he may bring. Most likely, however, Holland and Huds will probably agree to go to arbitration, like Flip, and take a hometown discount which makes this post a pointless exercise.

I know that change can be scary and I know that I'm in the minority here, but seriously, where is Sammy and Huds going to play? On the third or fourth line? Perhaps some PP time? With the signing of Hossa and Helm and other skilled forwards coming up, we could get a good return for those two. Perhaps trading them for prospects was a little harsh. The third and fourth lines are more for the grinder style players, and we all know that Sammy and Huds certainly are not grinders. The Wings need a better balance between skilled players and tough players.

What exactly are you figuring, my mile-high friend?

Thanks, Rivalred. Glad to be here On a side note: I guess I hit a nerve for all you Hudler and Sammy lovers.

I think that you are writing Mac's obituary a little prematurely. He only had about 4 months to get back into shape for the playoff run. He might surprise all of us in training camp.

Key Point #1: Sign Flip 2 year deal #2: Sign Mac and Downey to one way deals #3: Make Chelios retire #4: Package Samuelsson with Hudler for prospects MacLean, McLellan .... Potato, Potaaaatoe. Oops. Thanks for the correction.

I wish that Dallas would talk some sense into Chelios.

Of course. There are numerous reasons that the Wings won the Cup this past season. I wouldn't say that the statement means absolutely nothing. Downey made contributions during the regular season. Don't take what I said out of the context of my post.

If you agree that enforcers have importance in the regular season, why do you have this need to qualify the amount of importance? By questioning the amount of importance you seem to question whether or not the Wings need one. You exemplify this supposed notion by pointing out the Wings injuries in the '06 and '07 seasons would not have been prevented by the presence of an enforcer and that they would have won the Cup this year with or without Downey in the lineup in the regular season. You seem to flip flop your position every other sentence. Just say that enforcers have importance and just leave it at that. As for your questions directed at me: No, I do not expect a fight after every scrum. I read your post and I didn't just skim and respond.

Polarizing debate indeed. Numerous times while the Wings' forwards are in front of the opposition's net during the play and after the whistle, they get pushed around, slashed, crosschecked, and punched. Usually all that happens is Samuelsson (or whomever) will come into the scrum and verbally disagree with the treatment of his teammates. That's it. Asking for actual "instances" isn't really necessary because we've seen this pathetic display over and over again. Having an enforcer on the roster is not only what most fans want but it's also what the players themselves appreciate as well. Downey was praised and thanked by his teammates for his efforts on the ice. If the players like having Downey out there, who are you to say that he isn't important to the team? BTW... '06 -- No enforcer -- Lost in 1st round -- No Cup '07 -- No enforcer -- Lost in WCF -- No Cup '08 -- Aaron Downey -- Stanley Cup Champs! Can't argue with the recent results, but I'm sure you will find a way.

Are you taking Prozac by chance? Just kidding!

Swearing at someone in Swedish isn't the kind of "response" that will deter any team from taking liberties with our star players. All of the Wings recent championship teams had a player willing to shed the mitts to come to the aid of a fellow teammate. Kocur, Shanny, McCarty, Lapointe, and so on. Just the presence of this kind of player on our roster will in effect reduce the likelihood of a cheapshot happening. It may not prevent the first cheapshot, but the player that delivered the said "cheapshot" knows that he will need to keep his head up for the rest of the game and well as the next time his team plays us. You can't just wait for one of our valuable player to get injured as a result of a cheapshot, you have to be proactive and have a deterrent in place. Enforcers are entertaining and necessary to ensure that the team makes it to the playoffs with as few banged up players as is possible. That's what I call team importance.