Jesusberg

I think Abdelkader's def got more upside than Miller, though, even with the 3rd included they still might want Abs. Stuart's also grown on me a lot and I'd hate to see him leave, even with J.J.'s upside. I dunno how I'd feel about that trade.

I'm in no way an enforcer slappy, but YES I would like an enforcer over KRIS DRAPER.

I have a pretty big collection of cards that I've yet to go through. I know when I was little I was given an Eric Lindros rookie card, which now... well the worth isn't exactly there anymore. I've also got a Derek Jeter rookie card around somewhere that was worth around $120 last time I checked. I should probably find it. An older cousin of mine gave me about 3-4 binders of Red Wings cards, one of which was full of Stevie Y cards. Once again, I should probably check them out.

Give a scenario where Doughty becomes a member of the Red Wings?... NHL 11 comes out in early September All kidding aside, I'd kill to have Doughty. Which means that there's likely no way that Los Angeles let's him get away. He's going to be a perennial Norris Trophy candidate for years to come. This kind of topic just makes me sad because of the what-if factor

Well I'm not too sure who "Abdelkater" is, but I don't think Justin Abdelkader is going anywhere either.

He apparently did it playing floor hockey -- not the worst of scenarios I guess. At least he wasn't like dog sledding or something...

This.

"I better enjoy this ride while it lasts..."

Meh... not that he's not impressive, but it just doesn't inspire me much. He's still a decent player with good wheels, I'll give him that. I think at this point it's Modano or just moving ahead with the youth we have.

Seriously, what a mess... at best they're going to have a borderline team and they'd better pray that no one gets injured. For those who said we'd be "mortgaging the future" by moving out Miller or Ritola for Modano... no, this is what happens when the future is mortgaged out, lol. Man, I love the Red Wings... and Ken Holland.

I'm actually kind of surprised. Yeah, the contract is pretty out there, but I really didn't think the league would negate it. Interesting to say the least.

I think people might bring up that there are a few other viable options as well... Eric Belanger Mike Comrie Brendan Morrison Doug Weight Correct me if any of these guys have been picked up. I know some have injury and consistency issues, but they've always shown themselves to be 40ish point guys. Personally, I'd prefer Modano. I'm just tossing a few other names out there.

I know it's obviously too early, but does anyone wanna wager a guess at what the Tampa's lines will look like? Malone-Stamkos-St. Louis Gagne-Lecavalier-Downie ?-Jones-Purcell Fritz-Thompson-? Maybe James Wright or Paul Szczechura work their way back into the line-up? Both had kind of disappointing seasons, so I'm not too sure. I also wonder if someone like Bochenski (UFA), Hall or Parrish (UFA) could work themselves onto the team too. All of these guys seem like afterthoughts, but no one was particularly impressive on their farm team in Norfolk last season. Ohlund-Kubina Hedman-Clark/Lundin Lundin/Clark-Smaby Lashoff Defense seems a little bit clearer. Lundin played quite a bit with Hedman last year, but I wonder if Clark coming in will bump him down to the 3rd pairing with Smaby. I could see Lashoff working in, and maybe Mihalik getting himself some ice time too. I'm pretty sure they're done with Paul Ranger. Anyone know anything else about him?

Probert's always been an old favorite of mine. Currently, I think Colton Orr has to be ranked right up there. From the Toronto games I watched the past season he generally just destroys people. Also, I've always had a soft spot for Parros, as I'm pretty sure his mustache has magical powers.

That's my main issue with Clutterbuck and Kaleta. I hate when people get chased after a CLEAN hit, but if you throw one that's nasty you should defend yourself. Also... Dear Andy Sutton, We don't have much of the dollar dollar bills ya'll, but please come to MoTown and mow down the competition. We will give you around 1 million, and allow you to sleep with Emma Andersson. Of course, we will have to ask Zetterberg first. I'm sure that being the leader that he is, he will allow this to occur because it is for the good of the team. Signed, An Unrealistically Optimistic Fan

I'd love to see Chelly as the Wings' defensive coach.

I don't have a problem with this at all. Detroit utilized it with two of their players. I don't see why people would be bothered by this when Holland's done it as well.

I would agree with the idea of someone like Comrie, but I don't think we could get him for the reported 1.25 million the team offered Modano. I also think Comrie is pretty soft too, when compared with Modano it's pretty much the same deal in terms of hitting, etc. I haven't watched much of Comrie, so if I'm missing something in terms of his toughness then I apologize. I kind of view Modano as a stop-gap. Someone to fill the role of 3rd line center until someone else in the system becomes good enough to fill it. Cory Emmerton hasn't exactly panned out the way most people would have hoped, and McGrath kind of crapped out right before him. I think the Red Wings have definitely seen the need for depth at center, given their selections in this past draft. Sheahan, Jarnkrok, Aubry and Macek have all spent time playing center, so maybe one day they'll make the team and give us some depth. In the more recent future, I actually have big hopes for Joakim Andersson, who's coming over to Grand Rapids this season. He's shown up pretty big at the last two WJC for Sweden. I think if Modano can fill in for a year or two, Andersson could fill that role and become a checking center with a little bit of offensive potential. Edit: Spelling

I remember the first time I ever went out to play hockey was at a school gymnasium when I was about 8. I'd always practiced by myself, but I was way too shy to get into it seriously with a team. Anyway, first game I played I ended up scoring 6 goals and then getting blindsided by an opposing player. I stopped playing after that. Another story where I wasn't playing is when I was around the same age. My mother's then boyfriend knew Adam Graves pretty well. Graves hired him to paint a home in Windsor and I got to come along and help. I also grabbed a bunch of his rookie cards and he signed them all for me, plus a poster that was an tribute to his 52 goal season in 1993-94. Story about going to a game. In 2004 I got to go to Game 5 of the Detroit-Calgary series. I was witness to Stevie Y's terrible eye injury. Was not fun.

I agree, he's not a need. But I also think he's going to give Detroit the deepest Top 9 in the league. Just out of curiosity, who would you put in that spot? I think the majority of young, true talent that the Red Wings have is still a year or two or more away from the NHL. If he were taking the ice time of Tatar, Mursak, Nyquist or Nestrasil then I would be opposed to it, but I don't think signing Modano is going to really knock someone deserving out of a spot. Just my opinion, though.

This is what I've been saying/thinking as well. San Jose seems to be the obvious fit, along with Detroit of course...

I was speaking more along the lines of the Red Wings not having enough cap room. I think 1.7 might be a bit much for Walker, but my main point was his cap hit vs. our cap space.

I think Matt Walker earning 1.7 million for the next 3 years should kind of put an end to him being so great here...

On defense I've always thought Orpik and Matt Greene were really good. I think Robidas is very solid too, and has offensive upside to boot. I agree with others, though, about the cheaper hitters. Guys like Clutterbuck and Kaleta tick me off, but really that's their job. Can't say I think their careers are going to be the longest with the style they play though. I still like Brendan Morrow up front, even if he has fallen off a bit.

This is a steal for fun. Walker's a decent enforcer/defensive d-man and all, but I don't think he's worth 1.7 million, especially for the next 3 years. In return the Bolts bolster their offense (which was needed) and they already have several, large defensive prospects ready to jump in (Lundin, Smaby, Mihalik even). Plus, they just signed Brett Clark not too long ago which helps with the shot blocking a ton. If Gagne can play 60+ games this year it's a huge steal. Good job Stevie.