Opie

Whom is the proven entity that has proven at the NHL level they can do more than Kopecky, if you are saying Abdelkader I will disagree because he has only 1 game under his belt. Helm, I am on that one with you. But wouldn't Babcock and Co know who the better player is and who fits the system better than you or I?

And no third correct? Didn't they give those up to get Foote and Salei?

WOW THE ONION SUCKS! I remember, fondly, days of reading the onion and wiping away the tears as a struggled to read line after funny line. Now the Onion flat out sucks!!!!!! The Onion heading the way of the Drudge report and the Dodo bird!

I disagree with your assessment, but I see your points. He will not probably ever crack the the top 3 lines, unless he all of the sudden finds a new asset to his game. You are right in order to play on the 4th line he will need to add grit and energy, much like Helm and Hudler did this post season. BTW how much hitting did Huds and Helm do this post season? Energy from the fourth line comes in many shapes and forms, it could be an Aaron Downey right hand, a Dallas Drake (when on the 4th line) check, Darren Helm speed through the Nuetral zone, Huds scoring for, a gritty position, I think Kopecky could be a solid fourth line player, he just needs to continue to develop he is all of 26 years old, I understand that, however he still has the look of a kid who needs his body to fill out. But even if as you said he is better suited for another team he will at least bring the wings a draft pick or two. I think in all honesty that with the knee injury and the great play of Helm Kopecky will have a very hard time cracking this line up, but Babs is all about rewarding hard work.

Notice the difference when you say I THINK as opposed to every red wing fan thinks. Give your opinion by stating it as your opinion not that of every red wing fan! I didn't s*** on you when you said we, I had no idea who you were talking about when you said we, when you said every red wing fan, you encompassed me into that group, which I was not a part of and do not share those thoughts. I simply said you should not state it that way. BTW, How many games are you basing your assessment of him, because I am sure there were a lot of people who would have called Dats a non impact player after the amount of games Kopecky has played. You don't like the fact he is big and doesn't hit, fine!

Do you really want me to list all of the "Proven" Junior scorers that busted and turned into nothing? The wings need to draft nothing! What is so difficult to understand about that? What I would like to see them do is draft the best player in front of them when it is their turn to draft. They have a log jam at Defense, well it isn't exactly a free flowing river at forward either now is it? There are currently how many forward spots on this roster? So of those three potential rookies, how many are still going to be potential rookies after this season. The current roster dictates need, future roster is not a need. They draft what is the best player in front of them, if they think the best player available is a d-man than they know a whole hell of a lot more about that than any of us do. Draft picks aren't always about what are they going to do for this roster, if the wings bundle up two young prospects to trade for a decent forward who can play immediately as a checker (Drake type role) than those draft picks were well used. Every year the Wings draft forwards and defensemen, what makes you think this will change this year, some guys are proven scorers and turn in to nothing while other late round throw away picks turn into Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Holmstrom. Look at their past, they drafted Kronwall high, Hudler high, they will draft what they think to be the best there. But needing to draft a proven scorer, as you said, would indicate that they need a scorer on the roster, otherwise it is a draft pick that will play and develop in GR. They are not looking to draft Stamkos or Crosby or Kane or Toews. No one they draft will impact this roster for about 2 years, at least. So those are not needs!!! The draft is a crap shoot! EDIT: Then you add to the fact that the wings had a shot a two, landed one, highly touted prospects before the draft even occurred.

Do you know how many IMPACT players there are in the game? Let alone on one team? Not every player on the team is going to be a Datsyuk or Lidstrom, every once in a while you need a Maltby, Drake, Chelios, Helm, etc..... You should stop using phrases like "EVERY RED WINGS fan", because you don't speak for me and have no clue what I think until I post it. Stick with your opinion, leave mine up to me! Edit: Clarity

I'll admit it, I called him mediocre at best (I believe that was the term I used) when Detroit first signed him. I couldn't fathom what they were doing by bringing in Osgood. Then I saw the re-tooled revamped Osgood. I WAS WRONG VERY VERY WRONG! However I did want him starting this playoff.

No one said it but I will: Steve Yzerman, new assistant coach!

You can get proven scorers from the draft? Really? Proven NHL goal scorers in the draft? Too bad Dan Cleary did adhere to that philosphy, the top 10 draft picks may give you 2-3 can't miss prospects the rest is a crap shoot!

Plus he has the most dynamic player in hockey right now! AO is a blast to watch his interviews, he is a blast to watch on the ice, that has got to draw fans. What are the preds fans drawn to? Jordin Tootoo? Come on it may be fun to root for a bad guy, but not when he is the only player to root for. Florida, I think Olli will be great, but will never be a star in Florida, he is too quiet too shy. Not his fault but he is not going to draw a crowd without a winning team! The league really needs to stabilize it's franchises before they can even entertain the idea of expansion. Adding another 2 teams to the league is going to help Nashville thrive how? Florida? Phoenix? You get the point. Eva, You and I have very different opinions of expansion, you think it is good I don't. But I would think we would both agree you have to get the teams that exist a float before you can even think of adding more. What good is it to have Detroit giving money to 2 more teams, or lets say the teams are added in areas that you don't need to support them, why should a brand new team that is out drawing Nashville pay to keep Nashville around? I hate to keep dogging on Nashville but the league, BOG, owners group are all responsible for the mess that has been created there!

Does he want to go back to SJ they are the first team that sent him packing to Boston. If he holds living on the west coast as important as people say what makes people think he is not pissed they sent him to the farthest possible destination away from his family.

Before expanding shouldn't the league be able to support the existing problems, uh I mean teams!

Yes and with the severe lack of depth at forward under the age of 30....... Oh wait, nevermind. Lets not forget the 'OLD' Red Wings label doesn't really fit anymore forwards <30 next season: Z Cleary Flip Mule Huds Helm Kopecky Hartigan forwards >30: Dats Sammy Homer Draper Matlby Plus you have Abdelkader, Leino.

My point would be sort of what UP2Here said and also that, this roster just won the cup and you appear to be complaining it doesn't have enough fighters. Well if the goal is to win the cup, and they did it with 3.99/4 of the roster not fighting why even bother changing that to 3.98/4? Unless of course your answer is you like that style of play, and then it is a preference.

Yes but Kuznetsov has a lower asking price, and Uwe Krupp said he would play for Detroit if they bought him a new dog sled! I love Sarcasm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not to point out the obvious but that roster just won the Cup so what is your point?

Umm was that vid supposed to help his cause or hurt his cause?

No but a sit down interview for two minutes would have been better than that display of lack of creativity!

ANOTHER great move by Holland, yeah sure this was a no brainer, but still great coach got to keep him around!

No thanks, put Ericsson or Cheli in that spot. He wanted his money over the cup and guess what he got his money, guess what he didn't get: THE CUP!!!!

Don't get confused, Avery and Drake play very different games, Drake will run a defenseman, hit a guy. Avery will act like a clown and do stupid s*** to get the other team off of their game. He doesn't care if what he does embarrasses him, the org, the coach, or the captain. As far as I am concerned he can win the Conn Smythe and he is not welcomed back in the winged wheel. But that is my opinion. Stuart will be their first choice IMO! I see Det making a play at Hossa, only because why not, but not landing him, not even coming close. I also see them making a play at Malone and maybe Rolston but other than that it will be depth additions, a Dallas Drake type player. Gritty, checking forward to play with the youngsters on the 4th line.

That was bad, as in nowhere near good!!! What a disgrace, Lids did not look happy to be there, and that lady Jay was hugging just wanted to shake Ozzie's hand and he wouldn't stop molesting her!

I am not sold on Kopecky having that spot, it is a tough injury to come back from. For most athletes it is a full year recovery before the Athlete is back to form. He may need a year in GR just to get healthy, the only question would be can he be sent back and forth? If not I see him as the 13th forward until the knee shows it is strong again. I could be wrong and he could show up a training camp ready to go, but it is unlikely.