Motown4013

I think he is a priority but have no problem waiting to see his point production for the 1st half of the year next year. The thing about Flip is that even IF he doesn't get beyond a 60 point guy, he is a fantastic 2 way guy which makes him more valuable than an average 40 point guy in the NHL. We don't have to worry though...I think he will have another big year on the scoreboard!

I have never understoof the Hudler hate. 25 goals, 25 A's.....I think this is a mistake, but let the haters hate I guess

I disagree. I think Flip finally found his confidence and the Wings have been waiting for him to emerge. I think he is leadership material and he is respected by his peers in the dressing room for being a very talented 2 way guy. Another year like last and he could be nominated for the Selke. If anyone should go, it should be Franzenfloat. He had one great year in a series of injuries, disappointments and laziness. I'd love to have him involved in a trade for someone who doesnt take 20 seconds to loggygag back to the bench. I may be in the minority but I feel Flips game will only grow and mature and he is going to be a priority to lock him up

As per Bob macKenzie on TSN and via Twitter http://twitter.com/#.../TSNBobMcKenzie

yes, thank you for pointing out that I forgot to include "returns" to Colorado

I have always loved this kid and have watched him with interest. He is a very talented player who needs a big dose of confidence, to stay healthy and some role models. I would love to have him in a Wings jersey....he could flourish here!

I love it every time I read it.....and I really enjoy Mitch as a writer....he always has a way of making his interviews such rich stories! Thanks for re-posting!

Rumor was correct on Harding Harding to stay with Wild

We have a 20 goal scorer in Huds but everyone here has Hudler Hate for some reason. Crym is right...Flip> Staffy I saw...with a good cap hit. Vanek is constanly injured and very overpaid. Lets talk derek Roy and tehn I would be interested....maybe with the Mule and another player as trade bait!

It was a different game back then...size matters MUCH MORE nowadays. I like Schultz and his game and I hope we sign him but we dont know what kind of player he will be. Anders Ericcson? Igor Grigorenko...sometimes there is much more pressure on rd 1 picks.

Awesome. Thanks for the link

Val Filppula, after a career year is one the 3rd line but Nyquist on the 2nd? Flip is NOT a third line guy

Hmmmm...didn't we win our last Stanley Cup with those THREE players? They can be tough when they are healthy, right? Weak teams don't win cups

Great read- game me goosebumps!

Quick...no question

I totally agree. If this was even Abby, Franzen and Kindl I'd want it done but Helm is essential to this team.

Remember when Filppula was "disappointing and "hadn't lived up to his potential". As Babcock said on more than one occasion this year, he was our most consistant forward all yhear long. Thats why it takes some guys a while....everyone at their own pace. Flip was awesome all year and then in the WC so lets PAUSE a moment if Mursak, who was really injured, needs more than 20 games to show us he is worthy. We have a very good team, a great core of guys who lost in the 1st round to a talented and healthy and hungry team....with an amazing goalie. Your post reeks of pubescent insecurity. We need a tweak or two which should be addressed in the offseason and we are a cup winning team.

FIFTY

Thanks for everything Nick! You were amazing for the organization...as a player, mentor and Captian. I hope you stay with the organization...but I also hope you enjoy some downtime with your family and boys! Congrats on a Hall of Fame career...it was awesome to watch you play it!

I cant stress enough that I for one do NOT want Semin on this team as long as we have Franzenfloat. He is lazy, underproduces, cant backcheck and would NOT fit into the system in Detroit SO unless he is willing to take a huge paycut and completely change his game, NO NO NO!

lol...agreed. Im not sure about Homer being cute but the fawning of Gaustad is weird. He's attractive in a "you have no disfigurations" kinda way. Yikes

Im with Kip...whats with the manlove for Gaustad? A first round pick is WAY WAY WAY too much to pay for a guy like this and people are STILL going on about him like we missed getting Gretzky. There are plenty of big boys with soft hands out there.....enough about Gaustad already!

The only way that line is worse is if its Semin Penner Franzen. I say thats only 4 strides between the three of them per shift. Brutal LMAO...I didnt read your post before I wrote mine...great minds Bro!

Wow, you make blanketed statement with the age and injury thing I understand we lost a lot of players due to injury but you cant just say that the team is old. How about Helm, Ericsson, Kindl, Mursak, Quincey and Eaves. ALL missed 10 games or more due to injury....average age...23.5 years. Kinda debunks your myth because from where I am sitting, young guys get hurt just like the old geezers...No question that it takes older guys longer to heal- It also takes experience on how to take a hit, when to press and when to sit, how to fall so you dont hurt yourself. No doubt this team is missing a few key parts...It became evident as year wore on BUT this is also the same team who won 23 games in a row at home, setting a new NHL record and did a lot of things right. If this team is capable of that, we dont need a major overhaul. We dont need to look at replacing 10 people on this team in the next 2 years.....thats NOT gonna happen and it shouldnt. Key components with our core group and the Wings will be where they want to be. PS Love David Jones? Bigger, Stronger, Faster, Healthier..No, missed 11 games due to injury. Just sayin'

I understand your point and some of your arguements have merit, but these numbers are quite misleading. You only give stats for the last 5 year with no mention of X factors, like injuries, line mate injuries or other issues. You have Lids looking like he had a terrible year but dont mention he was a PLUS player (+21) this year and a -2 last year, Played 12 less games (and probably would have stayed out a bit longer if the wings had time) AND he was playing with a player in White that is a much less effective D-man than Rafalski. Don't like those numbers...lets examine Bert. He has been quite consistant when it comes to numbers but he only but up 38 this year compared to a mid 40's campain...well, again, Bert missed 11 games with back spasms and a sinus infection. He played on 3 different lines with probably 8 different guys, He's a half point player a game...add 6 points in those 11 games that he missed, and he is just about the same as he has been the last 5 years EXCEPT that he improved in some areas..He was a PLUS 23 this year compared to a -7. He had the best shot percentage in the last 5 years and he was lights out in the shoot out. Same with Z and Pavs. Pavs missed 12 games...he could have missed 20. He played with Bert and a very lazy Franzen all year but still put up close to a point a game ( 67 in 70) when he was injured. Zetterberg had a horrid start but was more than a point a game, and dominated games once he got his mojo going. These two guys do sooooo much in the defensive end that their value cant be measured until you see them play. I know people say stats dont lie...they don't........... but they can be presented in a way that looks good. You have to look at the entire picture and I dont think you did that.