Chunkylover

I'm happy that an Original Six franchise is trying to turn around from their recent poor performance. It remains to be seen whether Burke can actually get them anywhere though; he did inherit the most important parts of the Ducks Cup team from his predecessor, and he isn't getting much in that respect from Ferguson or Fletcher.

Mike Sillinger? I didn't even realize he played at all last season, albeit only seven games, has he officially retired? He could be the heart-and-soul grit guy.

Is he Tim Cheveldae's long-lost Russian brother?

At the beginning of the season the Rangers' top line was Zherdev, Voros, and Dubinsky. At least that was the most productive early on. How many times can that guy just snipe the five-hole in the shoot-out? He'd be nice to have but if Hudler gets $10M over two years in the KHL, Zherdev would probably get more if he wanted to defect.

I think Yzerman has largely contributed to Lidstrom being such a good captain. He's a great player on his own and might have been a good leader without growing up under Yzerman, but we'll never know. Given that Nick himself has attributed his success to Yzerman, I'd say he was the better captain. However you can't question the results of Nick's captaincy: 3 straight WCF appearances, 2 straight SCF appearances, and 1 Cup in three years. I believe that this team learned well from guys like Yzerman, Larionov, Hull, Vernon, and Shanahan and we're still enjoying the effects of having them in Detroit. What's key is how well Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Cleary, Kronwall, Stuart, and Rafalski can retain that winning competitiveness and pass it on to the Helms, Abdelkaders, Ferraros and Leinos.

Maybe 'cause they don't want to have to witness him flailing at the puck and batting it past Osgood? I think the Wings'll be fine. We know Hossa didn't make Datsyuk, and Franzen isn't a fluke. Osgood isn't washed-up and Zetterberg can still shut down the best player in the league. We've got rookies with more playoff experience than guys who are captains on other teams. Our depth will only take a hit this season, if one is so inclined to look at it that way. We've got a great core. Even in an injury-plagued season Nick is a Norris trophy finalist. Losing hurts, but it's a good motivator.

Just watched some old Classic Series from the NHL Network and in the '95 conference semi-final round the Blackhawks faced the Canucks and the Wings played the Sharks to face each other in the Conference Final where Detroit beat Chicago in five games. They lost in the Final to the Devils. This season, the Hawks again beat the Nucks and the Wings beat the Ducks (another Californian team). Detroit beats Chicago in five then loses in the Final. Contrast that with the Wings' previous trips to the Final where they beat Colorado ('97, '02), and Dallas ('98) in the WCF, and last year playing both teams before winning the Cup. Do we have to hope for at least one of the Stars or Avalanche to make it into the post-season, and to avoid playing a team from California or Illinois for the Wings to win? I don't think so either, but the similarities are somewhat eerie.

Yeah, you could rightly accuse me of cherry-picking the facts that support my argument, but to say I'm blaming the Hawks or a CA team for the Wings not winning is just not reading my original post, or ironically, you cherry-picking the facts to support your argument. Can I bet that you'll keep cherry-picking facts when the Wings' Cup core leaves, too?

Yes to Grier. He seems like a good grinder and he's really not that old. Probably more effectively physical than Sammy and Kopy combined, probably a comparable skater, should be able to hit and not fall down (unless Clowe is nailing him in his groin). If he'll submit to a pay cut and time on the fourth, maybe third line, he'd be a great addition.

Given the metamorphosis of Franzen from a grinder to a "power forward" (I use that term loosely) because of a chance promotion due to injury, I'm intrigued with the possibility of Helm or Abdelkader getting a chance with Datsyuk or Zetterberg to see if they can see the manufacture the same results. I believe Helm's speed makes him a great fit on any line and he's got a good shot. Any thoughts?

I wonder how much Osgood's lack of focus and maybe a Stanley Cup hangover affected the team defense, i.e. the team had no confidence in Osgood and pressed too much and actually got sloppy in their attempts to cover for his deficiency, similar to what happened with Legace.

Yeah, there really is no question about his ability to perform in the playoffs. I really believe him when he says he won't struggle with focus this season. Howard needs to be on the bench to get a taste of the intensity and sacrifice of the post-season before he deserves a shot as the starter. How much longer can Larsson and McCollum stay in the minors?

You're blaming Bettman for the schedule? That guy is not that powerful. The Bettman-hatred gets crazy sometimes.

I can't tell if that's Forsberg or Crosby....

Yeah, we're not hurting for PKers. We need just need our PKers to play up to the level they're showed themselves capable of in '07-'08. In fact swap Drake for Helm, and we've got exactly the same PK units as our Cup year. Last season nobody was focused on defense. I believe a focused Osgood will do wonders for the overall team defense. I suppose those aren't bad numbers for a bottom six forward in the AHL, but if that's all he can do in the minors can we even expect half that production in the NHL? If that's the case he wouldn't really be an upgrade except in youth (and inexperience).

I think it's all a result of the salary cap. Without it we'd have signed Hossa to the same contract he signed with Chicago, only we'd have done it last season. Z and Mule would probably make more money, too. Without the cap, Chelios, Sammy, and Happy would all be re-signed as well. I think all those players would have stayed if Detroit could afford them, so the loyalty goes both ways, but the cap screws it all up.

You could always request a trade to the Leafs fan base. Just go to your GM before you go to the media.

I'd change that to "Too bad we couldn't win it 'with' you." I do feel bad for the guy to be in the same situation. In the reality that was July 2008 the Wings were the only team with a shot at getting back to the Final. Pittsburgh with Therrien as coach would not have made it and there was no way Hossa could have predicted the mid-season coaching change. I'll miss him, and it'll suck to have to see him at least six times in a 'Hawks jersey. No ill will for his leaving, but he is an opponent now. He was great to watch in the Red and White.

Leino will probably see third and fourth line time with PP time here and there like Hudler to teach him checking/defense. I don't see any hegemony in the Wings locker room that would indicate a rookie couldn't center a line over a veteran. Draper is a career checking line center and right now Helm has potential to be more than that.

One could argue we have no need for any free agents signings at all.

Indulging in a little hyperbole? We lost this year and we had a great roster. The Wings have great organizational depth at goalie especially since Osgood won't have a hangover this season. Hudler and Samuelsson work well here, but so will their replacements, Leino and Helm. Maybe Abdelkader comes up early. Lilja? I agree with KH, the defense is set. No real gaps, so long as no one is forced to play too far beyond their skill-level.

What's really sad is that the Wings are in such a bind with the cap right now even without any terrible contracts like Heatley's. If he came to Detroit he'd be the highest paid player, which is pretty ridiculous considering the talent the Wings have. On any given day one could argue that Raffi, Stu, Fil, or Clears are 100% worthy of their contract or are being overpaid (which seems to be what's been going on here since season's end). If we could only get through this season without losing too many pieces we'll be in good shape next season. Holland is a great GM. The cap sucks.

I would never presume to tell KH what he should do. For the sake of discussion I'd like to see Huds, Sammy, Leino, and Downey re-signed if possible. However I could see Helm and Leino doing well as substitutes should Hudler and Samuelsson leave. Cleary - Zetterberg - Franzen Holmstrom - Datsyuk - Filppula Leino - Helm - Hudler/Samuelsson Maltby - Draper - Downey Good center depth, good chemistry on the top lines, and a third line that could potentially do some damage. Fil, Mule, Clears would be a more than adequate second line. One thing next season's Wings won't have to deal with is a flaky Osgood. He played well in the Final and ended up losing anyway. No hangover just extra motivation. That should give the offense some confidence and maybe we won't see the kind of sloppy crap we saw this year. Never a bad day to be a Wings fan.

I would guess Babs really likes his size and the potential upside of someone with that kind of size. He just needs a good mentor. I don't like seeing anyone leave the Wings. I always hoped for the best for Kopy, especially when he was promoted to the Datsyuk-Hossa line. Good post. Very fair. That sounds like a smart move, so obviously KH would think of it. Never a bad day as a Wings fan. I really like Downey but he's really no upgrade over Kopy. He can fight better, but he's not really a better hockey player. Definitely need to try and retain Leino, but I'd love to be able to keep the other two. Good points.

I watched the draft last year and it was pretty interesting. It was actually pretty exciting with all the trade announcements. I don't expect anything involving Detroit, but it's interesting to see what other teams are doing.