Jesusberg

Ok, so add in like 150K for Abdelkader... I wasn't thinking about the next contract having to bump up for RFA players. It still works under the cap. Also, if Bertuzzi were to command more than what Hudler's contract would be, I'd swap the two and try to cut wage elsewhere. Edit: If it came down to it, I would take Janik over Meech with May IN the line-up... if they opt not to sign May I'd prefer Meech just because he can play forward and defense (not well, but still).

This one might not be exactly realistic, but it's my ideals line-up while adding Kovalchuk. AUTO-GENERATED CAPGEEK.COM LINES FORWARDS * Ilya Kovakchuk ($7.000m) / Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / * Todd Bertuzzi ($2.000m) Daniel Cleary ($2.800m) / Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) / Johan Franzen ($3.955m) * Justin Abdelkader ($0.950m) / * Darren Helm ($0.850m) / * Patrick Eaves ($0.750m) * Drew Miller ($0.750m) / Kris Draper ($1.583m) / * Kirk Maltby ($0.500m) Ville Leino ($0.800m) / * Brad May ($0.500m) / DEFENSEMEN * Nicklas Lidstrom ($4.000m) / Brian Rafalski ($6.000m) Niklas Kronwall ($3.000m) / Brad Stuart ($3.750m) Jakub Kindl ($0.883m) / Jonathan Ericsson ($0.900m) * Derek Meech ($0.500m) GOALTENDERS Chris Osgood ($1.417m) / Jimmy Howard ($0.717m) CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS ROSTER: 23; PAYROLL: $56.288m; CAP ROOM: $0.412m BONUSES: $0.000m I think the line-up has good balance. As for the forwards: Holmstrom retires, Filppula gets moved in the trade for Kovalchuck and Williams isn't retained. Also, this line-up assumes that Hudler doesn't use his opt-out clause. Defense pretty much stays the same, but Lilja retires and Lebda isn't retained. I might've been a bit generous with some of the contracts. Lidstrom drops to 4.000M, Bertuzzi gets a raise to 2.000M, Abdelkader and Helm go to 850K, and Miller and Eaves get 750K. Might not be as realistic as some of the other ones, but I like it.

Maybe it's just me, but I'd like to see... Abdelkader-Helm-Eaves May-Draper-Maltby I'm all for the speed that having Draper on that line means, I just like the look of Abdelkader on the third line.

You're damn right it is... the problem is that Kovy wants like 9 million in the next season In all seriousness, though, it would take a lot to land him. We'd have to pick a solid prospect, and NHL calibre player and picks, as some have suggested. It's hard to give up someone Tatar or, and draft picks are so valuable these days. But in return you'd be getting a bona fide sniper to play on Datsyuk's wing. Zetterberg could then be split up and placed with Franzen to form two very solid lines. If the cap number and length were right I'd give almost anyone up outside of our core players and a few select prospects.

I would give my left ******** and bottle of vodka.

Jimmy Howard's rebound control: A+

We're officially s*** tonight... 2nd and 3rd periods could use a little less turnovers.

Pretty sure he's got an "opt out" clause in his contract.

This is seriously awesome... I can only hope that Helm and Abdelkader become the new Draper/Maltby... plus a little more offensive upside for Abs.

Damn, I was just messing around... You guys really need to get that sand out of your vaginas, it's making you cranky.

You beat up a handicapped kid USA... be proud.

Darren Helm, roaaaaar

Super line of Z-Dats-Bert: Engage.

Ugly way to lose... I knew it wouldn't be too long until the referees stopped our streak.

Todd Bertuzzi will eat your babies!!!

Can't say I didn't see this coming. I'd heard that he had attitude and work ethic problems all the while. You look at a guy like Axelsson, then a guy like Tatar; I don't think you can attribute age to Axelsson's actions. Just look at Tatar wanting to shop, learn to live here, etc. He's a guy who's got the hunger to be an NHL player and is only 19. It looks to me like Dick is living up to his name.

And if not, he can keep playing with himself.

Realistically, I don't think we'll see Kindl as a regular on the Red Wings until next season. Lebda by all rights (hoping) won't be re-signed, Meech may/may not be held onto, due to his RFA status and Lilja might have to end his career. That leaves the Wings 5 healthy defensemen. I think the only way Kindl gets to play often is the previous scenario, or if only Meech is retained. If Lilja comes back, I can see Kindl being the 7th guy, rotating time between Big E and perhaps Lils as well. But for people calling for Lebda/Meech to be moved now... fat chance. I don't know any team who'd want to take on a below-par UFA defender... or a below par (except sometimes on the PP) RFA defender. I think we're stuck with Lebda and Meech until the end of this year.

Also, this game has reminded me just why I dislike Brodeur. He's such a prima donna.

Regardless of the outcome of this game, it's been an entertaining one.

All of these chances are driving me crazy, ha ha

I just scared the s*** out of my cat with a "WOO!"

Howard... fail.

I was pretty impressed with Meech's play during the last game. He just pulled a 360, as he looks more like a punching bag than a hockey player. Facepalm.

I'm still going to wait and see if Howard can maintain the good play. I'm not a naysayer, but as several people have mentioned Howard has been plagued with inconsistency throughout his whole career. I've been impressed with his play as of late, but I'm not jumping on the bandwagon just yet.