Carl Atkins

I can't believe I read every single reply in this post...

It's a minimum 4 hour flight from Phoenix to Pittsburgh. He'd never make it in time. If some folks want to make a paypal donation I can drive down to the courthouse and take a delay of game penalty just to make sure.

Meech is out of options, so he'll probably go the Quincy route and be gone.

Let's say for a minute that the cap stays the same (it's most likely to go down, but we're just playing with Monopoly money here). According to capgeek, we have about $4 Million to use to sign 3 forwards and 1 goalie. How does Hossa fit in anywhere there? If Maltby retires, add $900k. Release Meech, another $500k. Sign either Howard or Conklin, there goes that $900k. So now you have $4.5M for 4 forwards. The only way I can see Hossa staying is if Lidstrom reopens his contract and signs a new, say 4-year deal with 7.5, 7.5, 1 & 1 payouts. Cap hit of $4.25M next year instead of $7.5. There's your money for Hossa. Oh, and Ericsson still has minor league options. If the cap space stays tight, he may back in GR next year.

Mainly because of Draper's groin problems. The center has to come back defensively more in the Wings' system so having Abs with that responsibility has that line with a great face-off man and can run around and hit people. Plus I think (hope?) Homer's due. Have him clear some space for Fil & Hossa.

re: the defensive pairings. With Lidstrom and Ericcson healthy I would put them back together and have Rafi and Lebda together. This would provide 3 deep defensive pairings @ ~ 20 minutes each and help with matchups v. Crosby and Malkin lines especially when going into the Igloo. I don't like that 4th line. It's neither good defensively nor good offensively. Sadly, I don't know how to change it and keep Holmstrom for PPs. If Draper's available I would probably do this: Franzen-Datsyuk-Zetterberg Holmstrom-Filpulla-Hossa Hudler-Helm-Samuelsson Draper-Abdelkader-Cleary

Pretty sure Lebda's either a) lost a step or b) lost his confidence since he tore up his knee.

Maybe 5 years ago, but not now. He's a minus 3; has the most goals against and PP goals against on the team and is only on the ice for 9 minutes a game. Bench him.

SJS/ANA 4-3 DET/CLB 4-2 VAN/STL 4-1 CHI/CAL 4-3 BOS/MTL 4-0 WSH/NYR 4-1 NJD/CAR 2-4 PHI/PIT 4-3 WCC - SJS ECC - CAR SCC - SJS