Jesusberg

It's like a car crash, and I can't look away.

Generally that's the way it goes, so I would assume yes. I'm interested to see how Ilari will play for Grand Rapids.

Nice to see the Belarusian Bruiser sticking around. Curt Fraser saw something in him when he coached Belarus at the Olympics, so hopefully he can kick things into a higher gear this season. He's certainly got the size to be a heavy hitter, so who knows.

You mean Maltby isn't signing in Tampa Bay? And we're not trading Draper for a 7th round pick so they can be reunited? Shucks. Seriously though, I assumed that 900K was the number when they first started talking to Mikey. I would still be fine with 900K, but with all these other teams in the fray now he'd really have to want to come to Detroit because it's Detroit. They other teams can surely outbid us. That being said, I wouldn't want to fork over too much cash anyway. Helm and Abs still need to be signed and while I wouldn't mind losing Miller or Ritola for Modano, I do not want to lose either of the other two.

Agreed 150%... I want to see some CHL teams in action. Also, I'm sick of NHL 10's trading system sucking so badly. Also, how the heck do you draft a "Franchise player" when you're supposed to be at the top of the league anyway. The tasks for GM Mode are whacked out.

Haha, I was just teasing. She just seems to have a decent amount of control over where Modano goes... at least according to the reports.

Yeah, but he's got a sugar mama in Willa Ford. Maybe that's why she's wearing the pants at the moment.

I was all for this when it first started, but even I'm starting to get a little bit deflated by the wait and news about other teams jumping into the rush. I wouldn't be too disappointed if Modano didn't sign here I guess, as it could cause some healthy competition for the 3rd line center spot. Ultimately I'd still love to see Mike here, but I guess it wouldn't suck as bad when I heard the news initially. I just wish we all had an answer one way or another, because I'd still like to see the team sign another defenseman. Would anyone here object to rolling with our current forwards? I just want Helm and Abs to be done deals at this point too... I like Helm too much to lose the guy. EDIT: Also, from talking with other writers and staff from Hockey's Future , they have mentioned that scouts were pretty high on Abdelkader before he really started to get playing time for the Red Wings. I saw certain flashes of offense from him last year and maybe in a more consistent role he could blossom a little more. I just think the issue with a Hudler-Abdelkader-Cleary line is that there's not too much finishing power (aside from Huds I guess, but who'll pass to him?).

I'd threaten to never listen to any of her music in protest, but I already think my own common sense prevents it.

I think you're harping on the guy a little too much. Did it eve occur to you that he didn't want to rush into this decision because he MIGHT not have that passion and he doesn't want the Red Wings to give him a contract if he's not going to honor it properly. He could just take the contract they offered the quit working half-way through the season. Modano seems to wanna make sure he wants to play hockey period - I don't think it's specifically geared toward the Red Wings. If losing Ritola to have one of the best Top 9 group of forwards in the league has to happen, then I'd accept it. Maybe Ritola could pan out to be a solid 3rd liner for a few years, but I don't see it. He didn't do much to impress in the AHL during his 3 seasons, and I don't see him blowing up. I could be wrong, and if I am I'll eat crow. If we were losing someone like Tatar or Mursak then I'd be 100% against it, but to me Ritola just isn't that impressive. If Modano can put up a 40-50 point season while playing on the 3rd line for around 1 million then it's worth it, IMO. And yes, I think 40 points is realistic. He out up 30 points in 59 games last season playing with the likes of Barch and Petersen.

I think regardless of how good Smith looks in the pre-season camp he still needs a year to adapt to playing in a men's league. Detroit never rushes their prospects, and I don't see why this would be any different. I'd rather wait 2 years and get a Top 4 Brendan Smith. As far as Kindl goes, he's been pretty inconsistent at the AHL level, as others have said. The thing that always caught my attention was the mention that perhaps he just needs a more skilled partner to play with. He hasn't exactly been paired with the most talented defensemen in the past couple years, and it could be why he was exposed so much. I think at the very least he's worth taking a look at in the NHL before we just toss him away; the guy was considered to be a Top 4, mobile, puck mover who played with an edge. If he can recapture just some of that he'd be a serviceable defenseman.

It's been a slow offseason for Red Wings fans, lol...

Title should be changed to, "Red Wings Making A Quilt While Waiting For Modano To Play"

One of the few things I'll remember Brett Lebda for is his time with the Stanley Cup: The rumor was Brett Lebda accidentally dropped it. "I don't know what you're talking about," Lebda said. "I didn't drop it. That's a bad rumor going around."

I think it'd be improbable to see Smith make the team out of camp, but if there ever was a chance, this is it. The thing is, even when these prospects have played very well in the past they still get sent to GR or lower. Kindl "almost" made the team out of camp a few years ago and Tatar looked very good last year as well. I think no matter what the Wings brass wants these kids to play in a men's league and adjust to the rigors of playing against bigger opponents.

That's too awesome to just be a coincidence. Bring on the pressure boys.

Hey, hey now. Let's not bash ND players, as Riley Sheahan just got here. That being said, I'm really going to miss Lebda... Now I have to harp on players who actually have some talent.

You don't mess with the Johan. I seem to remember Flip and Mule doing well in the playoffs a few years back. I think it was during the cup run when they had a Mule-Flip-Sammy line going. Hopefully those two can find some chemistry during the regular season and get the most out of each other.

I said his name with a pirate accent when I read it out loud. JARD!

Brett Lebda wishes he could get away with wearing pink... pssh.

Ding, dong the witch is dead. Which old witch? Brett Lebda B****!... Sorry... got overexcited

You know how like, when you ask a girl out and she says, "let me think about it"... then a couple days pass by and you're sitting there feeling kind of stupid. And then a little later you start to feel like, "who do you think you are, just give me an answer!?"... Yeah.

This has gotten beyond ridiculous if you ask me... Jeez.

I really would have liked to see him play on a team that didn't push him as hard as San Jose did. With the season they were having I don't see why Nabby had to play 70+ games. Also, 6 years!?... Wow. See ya later Nabokov, lol.

Eaves' excitement is probably one of the reasons why I like him so much as a player. I kind of hope that Mursak and Tatar's move up to the big club is hindered for just a year longer so we can hang onto Patrick. At the very least Draper finishing up next season should leave a space open as well. The year after next season Homer and Bert will be off the books, and then I'd like to see Tatar and Mursak slide onto the team. All I know is a 4th line of Abdelkader-Helm-Eaves is something I want to see for a good while. Maybe it's a pipe dream, though.