Jesusberg

Such a big relief. As far as I'm concerned, the guy can draw up and sign his own contract, if he wants. I'm guessing he'll do something like 3 years, 7-7.5 million per.

I understand what they were trying to do... I think, kind of emmulate Chicago's "Saad-Toews-Hossa" line. I honestly don't feel like it's a bad idea, but at the same time... there need to be a skilled guy to run shotgun with Pavs. Abdelkader did well in his puck retrieval/going hard to the net role. I still think "Abdelkader-Helm-Tootoo" would have been one of the better fore checking lines in the playoffs, if they could have used it.

Two-way/one-way deals aren't the determining factor in waiver exemption status. They determine how much a player is going to be paid in the NHL vs. AHL. He's played 34 games at the NHL level, and his deal (depending on the "entry-level slide" rule) dictates that he can still pass through waivers safely. I just checked capgeek, and it's saying he's exempt for another season.

Kronwall, Ericsson, Quincey, Smith, Kindl, DeKeyser and Colaiacovo... who's leaving?

No kidding... Lashoff, Almqvist, Ouellet, Sproul, Jensen, Nedomlel, Nicastro and Fournier all battling for spots... and now Marchenko. Not to mention any of the guys on AHL contracts. Going to be a very deep defense. I honestly only see maybe four of those guys being with the Griffs most of the year, and the others being in the ECHL.

Could just be hyperbole. Babcock seemed pretty frustrated with Helm being out for so long. Might just be a case of, "Jesus, he's been out so long." It would definitely suck if he can't recover properly, though. We have several centers who could potentially be able to play in the bottom 6 (Andersson, Sheahan, Ferraro, Aubry, Raedeke), but none come close to matching his speed outside of Ferraro.

I was actually thinking about him, as well. He was paid like 1.4 million, though. Not sure what it'd take to scoop him up. Would be a physical upgrade over Miller, for sure.

At forward, I'd like to see one of two scenarios... #1: Abdelkader-Datsyuk-Franzen Nyquist-Zetterberg-Brunner Tatar-Andersson-Cleary Miller-Helm-Eaves Emmerton, Tootoo Obviously, this means letting Filppula go. Unless he wants to come down from that lofty price tag, I can't justify wanting him back. I know Cleary's done, but the guy was a warrior for us this post-season (2nd on the team in points). That 2nd line isn't a "playoff" line, so that's where Cleary would slot in during the post-season for Brunner or Nyquist. #2: Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Abdelkader Nyquist-Filppula-Franzen Tatar-Andersson-Brunner Miller-Helm-Eaves Emmerton, Tootoo Similar to the first, but with Filppula in over Cleary. Either line-up would require an amnesty buyout for Samuelsson and Bertuzzi, as I think Nyquist and Tatar should be given a shot at full-time hockey. I actually think the defense is pretty much locked down. While I'd love to add a RH shooter, free agency doesn't seem like it has or will have many options, and guys like Sproul and Jensen are still pretty far off. Kronwall-Ericsson Quincey-Smith Kindl-DeKeyser Colaiacovo I wouldn't mind if the team struggled some next year, so long as guys like Nyquist and Tatar are given a chance to show what they can/can't do at the NHL level. The free agency pickings are slim this season, and look better in the 2014 off-season (even excluding the ones who will likely be re-signed by their teams).

Samuelsson, yes... Franzen still has value. There's enough space on this team to knock of a few older guys, without compromising the "core"... so long as Nyquist, Andersson and Tatar are on this team next season, I'll be happy.

If anyone knows how to edit animated gifs, please... please put Patty's Kane head on this guy. (Who actually looks like Kane as is.) http://imgur.com/gallery/ncGur5q

First off, I'm certain he's RFA, not UFA. Nashville will retain him. Kronwall-Ericsson Quincey-Smith Kindl-DeKeyser Colaiacovo (Lashoff if, in some rare case, a compliance buyout is used on Cola) There would be no room for him. Not a bad defender, though. Will continue to improve and be a good partner for Weber, I think.

EXACTLY my first thought. When you see a kid pelting another in the back of the head and not letting up... yikes. This is ugly.

I'm fine with Babs not being nominated, but how the F*** is Quennville on there!?!? If I'm remembering properly, hockey fans were citing Babcock having a stellar team in front him as being the reason for so few nominations. So now Quennville has a juggernaut Blackhawks squad and gets the nod? Unreal. I feel like MacLean should get it, but Boudreau is deserving, too.

As much as I hate to see Helm out, his absence has given Andersson a chance to show he's a capable center at the NHL level. I appreciate the effort Emmerton puts forth, but I think Dats/Flip/Andersson/Helm gives us much better depth at center. One positive to take out of it.

It's been the first time in a long time where Ericsson was pinching and I wasn't wincing. He cut that out for about a year or so, really buckled down on his defensive play (especially along the boards) and now he's rounding out his game the right way. When he's pinching now, he's creating chances - not being a defensive liability. I personally believe they signed him to that deal thinking he'd be the guy to replace Stuart, and aside from the open ice hits, he has been that guy.

More of this, please.

DeKeyser's been used the past few games with Kronwall, and Quincey-Kindl have been the other pairing. I don't recall seeing Brunner on the point lately, but I could be mistaken.

Franzen could lead the team in points and he'd still get s*** on. He's become the perennial whipping boy around here.

But... power forwards. Siiize. In all seriousness, I really hope he gets it. For his age, Tampa's place in the league... it'd just be pretty cool to see. And to those who cite Stamkos as the reason for his numbers, I think you could argue it the other way around as well. Stamkos is a great trigger man, but St. Louis is a fantastic playmaker.

Boston, sure... but the others? Sure, they have some bigger 4th liners, but in their top six, where's the size? Toronto has Kulemin, Montreal has Pacioretty, Stafford for Buffalo. Generally speaking, those teams are kind of small, and before all of their injuries on defense, Montreal was the best of them. Speed and great passing kill. The puck moves faster than any player can. Detroit's biggest issue is getting someone with the skill to rush the puck up ice and get it to the forwards. You can have big bodies in front of the net, but that doesn't do much good if you're always in your own zone/cut off in the neutral.

If the Wings were to somehow jump into that area of the draft, I'd much rather they go after MacKinnon or Jones. Drouin would be at the bottom of those 3, for me personally. I think wherever they land in the draft, I'd like them to grab the BPA, hopefully a center.

I think people started to figure him out, and when he keeps things simple, he's at his best. Watching him, it's great to see a guy so consistently able to pull the trigger on one-timer opportunities. He may not always bury it, but it's much better than watching some of the other guys whiff and flub on their chances. In terms of cap hit, I'm kind of hoping for something like 2 years for 2.5 per, or something. It's probably pretty unrealistic, but I think he's still a bit of an unknown. I'd like to see what an off season of training and how he adjusts to the game go for him.

Just win.

I don't think size is the issue up front, I think that (to borrow from another thread) the top 6 lack "offensive creativity". I understand what Babcock's tried to do with Abdelkader (puck recovery... ala Saad in Chicago), but it just doesn't seem to be working out. I think we kind of have to wait and see what happens here, but Tatar should at least be on that 3rd line LW when next year starts. Depending on what happens will Filppula and Brunner, we'll have to see.

I'm pretty sure he's got Cleary's spot next season, but I can definitely understand his frustration. He looked pretty good during his time with the team, and it appears as if Nyquist is ready to make the jump as well. I truly feel like Cleary and Miller are done with the team, and an amnesty buyout should be used on Samuelsson. If Tatar and Andersson (and Nyquist to a lesser extent) aren't with the Red Wings next season, there's really no defending Holland. The kids are ready.