Jesusberg

He was up there in my choices for a third/fourth line guy... bummer.

I don't think it's about old vs. young most of the time, so much as it's about effectiveness. As someone else said, Modano still plays a solid two-way game, and I don't think it's too much of a stretch to say he could hit 40 points. I think he'd fit the 3rd line quite well, and he brings so much off the ice too. It'd be a big positive in my opinion, but who knows for sure.

3rd line center spot filled? I'm down.

I wish... I really do.

That there ain't no nitpickin'. It just means you gots yourself an edumacation.

Any addition to the current team means one or more of Miller, Eaves and/or Ritola are gone. Edit: Technically Helm or Abdelkader too, but I'd be beyond shocked if they let either of them go.

So basically once these trades are complete we'll have the Ottawa Sharks and the San Jose Senators. Oh Eklund, you so crazy.

Yeah, this exact thing has come up several times. Honestly, people need to cut the guy some slack. He's played injured for the past two seasons. When he's healthy he's one of the most versatile guys on the team, and he's also got one of the biggest drives/hearts. If half way through the upcoming season Cleary is still struggling, while healthy, then I'd say give it some consideration. Even with that in mind, if Cleary doesn't want to leave Detroit, he won't. Just like Rafalski... these guys have NTC's! I don't know why people don't understand that. There was a quote I saw recently about how Cleary knows that he's being paid good money, and that he hasn't earned it this past year. He said something along the lines of: "I'm going to have to work the hardest I ever have this off-season." Personally, I believe him. I believe that Cleary is going to be a productive member of the 3rd line and put up another 20-20 season.

The idea of the jacket is cool, but the way he's wearing it makes me think he should be on that Jersey Shore show... ridiculous. Cooler than nobody Mike Poser.

Agreed. I drafted McIlrath in a mock draft I did recently not because he's North American, but because he's a beast. I seem to remember two players from overseas named Konstantinov and Fischer who could hit as well. It's just easy for people to point the finger and ***** about others being bias about their players; not everyone who likes North Americans is Don Cherry. And for the records, I like the white ladies as well... they gots it goin' on.

This pretty much sums up how I was going to respond to this... minus calling him a moron. That might just fuel 3 extra line combo threads per week.

Honestly, I've got nothing positive to say about McCrimmon. I'd take pretty much anyone else over him.

I don't even know what to say to this one... lol. "Oooh... Lars Eller. He's is from zee Denmark. Zat is kind of close to zee Fraaaance." But seriously, wtf...

Not that I'm against the signing, but people can think this is a bad one without having another option in mind. Looking at Homer and Nick who both took around 17% pay cuts, it's kind of easy for people to point the finger at Bert's contract and think it's not a very good one. Personally, I don't mind it. I wish it was for something closer to 1.2-1.4 as rumored, but it is what it is. My gripe with Bert is his inconsistency. Someone out of the top 6 (Dats, Zetterberg, Mule, Filppula, Huds and Homer) is going to have to be bumped out in order for Bertuzzi to be effective on a regular basis. I have a feeling that Filppula may be brought down to 3rd line center, as that's probably the most logical spot for one of those guys. I could see the lines being something like: Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Hudler-Zetterberg-Bertuzzi Ritola/Miller-Filppula-Cleary Abdelkader-Helm-Eaves Draper That's some pretty good depth, especially up the middle. The first two lines have a shooter (Huds/Mule) a net presence (Homer/Bert) and a guy who can make plays (Dats/Zett). Bertuzzi showed himself to be a bit of a playmaker himself, so I could see a balance between he and Z in terms of making plays. Either way, it's going to be interesting to see what happens because we seem to have a logjam at the forward position.

I'm all for loyalty, but if this happens then Kenny has finally gone senile. You can only be so generous to your older players.

If this happens, the most epic of all facepalms will occur.

I have a feeling Filppula might work himself out of that. I really hope not, but moving him down would address the need for a 3rd line center (even though he's capable of being better). To me Bert is a pretty streaky player, so who knows. Maybe he'll play some 3rd line minutes with Cleary and find some chemistry?

So much for the 1.2-1.4 rumours...

I don't see how much success he could actually have here... but for some reason I want to chant "Ilari, Ilari. Filppula, Filpulla". I know, I don't get it either... The only thing that has me scratching my head here is why it's a one-year deal. Usually when teams test out these guys from overseas it's at least a two-year thing. Maybe it's because, as many have discussed on here lately, Detroit is in need of some depth at center. McGrath was a bust, Emmerton really needs to step it up next year and the jury's still out on whether one of Helm and Abs can be the 3rd line center the Wings need. Long term, I still think Joakim Andersson could be the guy. This could just be to stir up some competition in Grand Rapids. I think the centers will be Emmerton, Andersson, Raedeke (I think he's going, but it's not confirmed). Also, can't Rissmiller played center as well? He's not the Wings' property, but I'm pretty sure he's still there for a year. PS: Somewhere, Staffan Kronwall is crying.

I still wonder why it's taken so long... I'm hoping for a 1.2 cap hit or less.

It would be time for a Falcon Punch

Oh, so do I... that's why I could see them as being problematic. As long as they make sense I'm fine, but for example in NHL 10 the board work annoyed me. You'd have guys 20 feet away from you somehow pinning you against the wall. It was pretty difficult (at least I thought so) to win a board battle unless you had another teammate close too. So long as it isn't stick breaking city and the disallowed goals make sense I'm all for it.

I don't care who's on the cover... -CHL included -New physics-based checking -New face-off system -QUICK DEKES ARE BACK The issues I could see with this game are the sticks breaking, and the called off goals... If either one of them happens too often it's going to be really annoying.

I completely agree with this. I think his play for the U.S. showed that when Rafalski is relied on heavily, he thrives. He almost respects Lidstrom TOO much and worries about getting the puck to him more. It also likely gets him into a mindset where he can screw up and Lids will be there to make-up for it anyway. I agree on the Lids-Kronwall and Stuart-Rafalski pairings 100%.

In terms of forwards I think you're underestimating Mursak. He's got Helm's speed, or at least very close to his speed and good hands. I'm assuming he's going to be able to pot about 30 goals next season with the Griffins. I also think Andersson could take over the 3rd line center spot in a few years. His point production isn't the best but he's all over the ice and plays very physical. I don't think Ritola, Miller or Emmerton will be part of the team, and Ferraro's future is in his own hands. If he wants to be good he can. On defense that seems about right. I don't know if Kindl has top 4 potential, but that remains to be seen. He apparently plays much better when he's with better players (sounds obvious) because he runs on mostly instinct. I also think that Pyett or Lashoff might be there in place of Fournier or Nicastro. The goalies seem right, but I have an odd feeling that Jimmy is going to command some serious cash next off-season unless he hits the sophomore slump this year.