hooon

Yes, because Franzen is the only player who failed to produce this post season... I'm also not sure how this article in any way indicates Franzen is about to get traded. It didn't mention a single name of a player who would come back in a deal, how is this a rumor? So basically the author speculates that because the Wings haven't signed Colaiacovo (yet) that they should trade their best goal scorer for an unnamed "top 4 defensemen". Ok... makes perfect sense...

Yeah I've had these before too. Really awkward hearing the announcers hocking loogies and clearing their throats and making jokes about dollar hot dog night.

Fedorov was a beast and one of the best players in the league in the 90s, which is saying a lot considering some of the stars of that era. His playoff numbers are incredible (and very consistent), and he had one of the best two-way games of any forward during his time. I was always a little miffed at the offers he turned down from Detroit in '03, and also his holdout in 97 after the cup win. Wish it could have worked out a little differently and that he'd retire a Wing and help bring along guys like Datsyuk and Z. Imagine him on a line with Pavel for a couple seasons. I think in today's NHL with the cap, if Feds was in his prime and was a FA this summer, he'd probably get a contract along the lines of Stamkos or Malkin or Crosby. Definitely 7+, probably more based on some of the signings this off season.

Yzerman was such a warrior that season and playoffs, it was amazing to watch. I just remember Hull scoring about a million clutch goals in the playoffs that year.

09 01 96 95 94

Don't see how its an overpayment at all. Hudler and Leino make the same amount, and Pac is a young up and coming player with 30+ goal capabilities. Six years makes this a really really good deal for the Habs assuming he stays healthy.

Smith for sure. If Nyquist gets some time with either Datsyuk or Z for an extended period, I really think we will see a lot from him, even though he is probably a couple years away from reaching his full potential.

Still a couple years away, but excited nonetheless.

I would hardly call Franzen "expendable". He is tradeable, yes, but if the Wings lose him to improve the D, they have literally NO one to replace those goals. Streakiness aside, 25-30 goals is not easy to replace. Its not like the Wings signed an elite scorer this off season. Unless a lot of scoring is coming back the other way in a trade, the Wings need Franzen this year.

Howard had the most wins of any goalie in the league when he got injured.

Chicago finished 2nd to last in the division last year, ahead of only Columbus. They have THE worst goalie tandem in the league, and their defense was atrocious. Their only addition was Sheldon Brookbank. Forgive me if I'm not shaking in my boots.

Man it would be so awesome if Stevie laced em up and put the Winged Wheel on again.

George Parros.

Darren Helm would have Gretzky-like numbers if he ever hit the net. Just sayin.

We were one of the top scoring teams in the entire league last year, but ok... Our bottom 6 was weak in the playoffs because our best bottom 6 player was injured. Not sure how you can judge how 1 dimensional the top 6 is considering you've never once seen them play together. With Hudler gone and Bertuzzi likely out of the top 6, there are players like Sammy, Nyquist and Brunner who could all potentially have a spot. Yes the defense needs work, but I fail to see how Holland is at fault for what happened at D. You act as though the Wings are the only free agent destination and don't have competition from 29 other teams trying to sign players. This team is still better than the majority of other teams out there, still has the best coaching and management in the league, and isn't finished yet making moves this off-season.

Not even gonna click on the link. Its ESPN. If they say we're bad it probably means the Wings prospect pool is great.

If Lidstrom hadn't retired no one would even be questioning him. So we lose one Dman to retirement and another to uncontrollable family circumstances. How does that in any way reflect upon his abilities as a GM?

lol come on

Moved out to Denver two weeks ago, was pretty devastated to read about this this morning. Very somber mood in the city today. So senseless.

Splitting them up gives the Wings one of the deepest 1-2 punches at center in the league. I'd love that extra top 6 winger to compliment either.

It does seem like if Kenny hasn't signed him yet, it is getting less likely he will. Even with the unstable CBA situation, signing Semin still seems like a complete no brainer to me. Wings still have a mountain of cap space, even if the cap drops fairly significantly. With a one year deal, there's very very low risk involved, but I'm not an NHL gm and in Kenneth, I still trust. I'm willing to accept that the defense will not be as good as it was last year, but only if the Wings improve in other areas. I DO think that our goaltending situation is the best it has been in years, especially if Jimmy stays healthy. And I'm in the minority that actually believes our forward group improved somewhat (Sammy>Hudler, Tootoo>Holmstrom), but so far not enough to negate the deficits on defense, which is why we need that an impact scorer like Semin (or Doan, or both ).

Goaltending is waay waaay down on the list of reasons why we the Wings lost that series.

Lol. You couldn't possibly be anymore of a joke if you tried. Can't wait to see the Wild miss the playoffs again.

Good for depth, but not sure he'll ever play much on the big squad. Damien is my new Brunn anyway.

Good move, I like it.