Enforcer#24

St. Louis will give everything they can to beat us and to get a PO spot. Good for us that this is not much though... Conklin will fight for his po spot as starting goalie as well and will get another shut-out!!

I always liked that guy! Maybe Kenny can arrange something...

...interesting article although it doesn´t seem very realistic imo (or we say goodbye to many of our current players;) http://communities.canada.com/theprovince/...-vancouver.aspx On the other hand if Roberto really wants to win the cup in the next years he has to come to Detroit. That´s for sure!! BTW: I´m new on this site. Hope the link works fine...

We would just be stupid if we wouldn´t honestly go for him (not at this point but 2010/2011)!! He´s now making 7 Mill. per season. Let´s assume with our contender discout he probably will ask for 6 - 6.5 Mill. Hell yeah, he is worth every single cent of that!!!! Let´s look ahead to 2010/2011: - expected losses for this deal: 1) Holmström (free agent/retirement?) 2) Draper (I don´t believe he is playing until 2011, although he has a contract) 3) Filppula or Brad Stuart Flips: let´s give him some more minutes per game in the next season to see what he really brings to the table (and if he is worth the 3.5 Mill) Stuart: His 2 years NTC will be expired at 2010. It is then a limited NTC but if he doesn´t improved, Kenny would find a solution! Please keep in mind that this solution will bring us the best goalie in the NHL (imo) + some other draft benefits (prospects and/or draft picks)!! If I just think of Luongo in a Wings jersey... Kenny you know what to do;)

Although I really like Howard and especially Ozzie but I have huge concerns about this obvious tandem next season. Ozzie at his rate and with all his experiences and leadership is absolutely ok for me. Howard on the other hand had already several chances to proof he can make the job. Of course he deserves a chance in the NHL with regular plays but I don´t expect him to be neither a starting goalie nor a future top player (only average as his AHL career lately slowed down as well). So here´s my recommendation: - Season 09/10: Ride with Ozzie "The wizard" and give Howard his (last) chance of proofing that he can do it! I don´t see an evident upgrade in goaltending on the coming free agent market (with our cap situation) - Season 10/11: Go for Luongo!!! This would not be unrealistic as he already mentioned that he would take less money for the chance of the Cup. We would be absolutely stupid not to seize this chance!! Even if this means we have to deal some of our guys... As his backup partner I would like to see either Howard (if he proofed me wrong;) or Larson (to learn from Roberto!!) Please get it done Kenny! Perfect solution to stop all the goaltending discussions...

Does anyone know what the expected boost in Hudler´s pay will appr. be? The same pay check as Flip or even higher? IMO we should not spend all the remaining money for those forward guys (even if my heart will bleed to see some of them go!). At the end of the day it´ll all about the numbers and the home discounts the players (and Kenny) are willing to accept... I honestly believe that a possible change in the line-up could be a great chance as well. "New" hungry players like Helm, Leino, Ericcson, Howard...and the better opportunities for e.g. Filppula, Hudler could help to relume the old fire. Additionally I would like to see some really new faces in the next season (primarily some tough grit players!!) If the job is done right and the mission completed I think it isn´t unrealistic that some players will consider an earlier retirement...(that doesn´t include the captain of course. He will have to play for the rest of his life...) So Kenny would get some more opportunities within the cap...(top goaltender??)