Jesusberg

Restricted Free Agents: A player set to become a restricted will become an unrestricted free agent if his current team does not make him a qualifying offer that adheres to the minimum raise policy of the CBA. The deadline to qualify all RFA's is June 29 * Qualifying Offers: A qualifying offer must include the following minimum raises: o Previous salary < $660,000: 10% increase in salary o Previous salary < $1,000,000: 5% increase in salary o Previous salary > $1,000,000: Match previous season's salary

I'm in the middle on this one. Lidstrom has certainly declined offensively, and if the only reason that he gets 6.7+ is because he "must be the highest paid" player on the team... that's ridiculous. I honestly feel that at this point in his career he's worth 5-5.5 million. He's a huge asset to the team, but I'd like him to do them a favor to the team here. As good as Lids has been to Detroit, they've been very good to him as well. I'm not off my rocker, though, I'm fully aware that once he leaves the team is going to change drastically.

I'm still waiting for someone to use the "C" word...

I didn't recognize Damps at first, but figured out the other 4.

If this has been his first run-in with trouble, sure... but the guy has a history of idiocy. Talent or not, clean your act up pal.

Could Leighton be any deeper in his net? Jeez...

I misread that and it went horribly, horribly wrong

This just in: f*** you Leino.

The thought crossed my mind too, but GM's make trades at the draft, which is June 25th-26th this year. That's what confused me.

Not that I'm buying into this, but when exactly can trading resume in the NHL? I'm assuming it's once the playoffs end, but I'm not positive.

Watching him over his collegiate career, this has been my main concern. He needs to build up his defensive game, but even more than that he needs to build some character. I hope that jumping into the AHL and being under the watchful eye of Wings' management he'll stay humble.

This is exactly what I love about guys like Cleary - they hold themselves accountable. He knew he had a bad season, especially for his salary. To hear him say stuff like this makes me look forward to next season even more.

I don't know if I'd call them a favorite, but seeing as their in the East I'll fully support the team and hope that Stevie is successful. Plus, I was happy to see Stamkos bounce back after a mediocre rookie season.

I really hope not... talk about bastardizing something.

I think his first move should be to trade Hedman to Detroit as a friendly good-bye gesture.

Ozzie and Hudler clucking IS them getting down to business

Reading the whole article this stood out to me... Holmstrom's agent, in an interview with The Hockey News, made it clear his client wasn't offering bargains. Prefacing his comments by saying a deal with the Wings is probable but not a lock, Howard Gourwitz said, "On the last contract, Tomas took a hometown discount so the organization would have enough cap room to keep everybody here (in Detroit). But at the end of the day, Tomas is going to have to feel he's being treated fairly in the realm of what is taking place in the locker room." From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100522/OPINION03/5220399/Re-signing-Tomas-Holmstrom-likely--but-no-slam-dunk-for-Red-Wings#ixzz0omeQ3WYi To me that says he (or at least his agent) wants more than his current salary, but maybe I'm reading it wrong.

I haven't personally seen him skate, but everything I've read about him indicates that his skating, and more specifically his acceleration is a bit of an issue. He's been touted as a very good two-way forward who isn't shy with the physical stuff. He's been favorably compared to Pahlsson, so I'm on board.

I really hope this kid can work on his skating, because pretty much everything else is there. He'll probably end up being a 3rd line center if everything goes right.

Actually, I live in Windsor (where Wellwood is from too) and he was visiting the bars here about a year or two ago. To "avoid" being recognized by the other people in the bar he kept pulling his shirt over his face (exposing his pot belly). It was quite the experience.

I'd like somewhere around a 50-32 or 60-22 range.

Damn yooooou Ville!

I would definitely go for McIlrath, he's exactly what Detroit needs. That, or as others have said, Skinner would be decent too.

I have a bad feeling that the zebras are going to give all the PP's in this game and none in the next.

Play was offside