Lidstrom for life

That is true but we wouldn't be signing either of them to long term deals so it really isn't that important. Look at the free agents we signed this year, they were all one year deals. You could sign a guy who has never played here before to a 3 or 4 year deal but that is a pretty big gamble.

But if we got rid of Bertuzzi in favor of Ladd you would have to change your avatar! Again! Both Brouwer and Bolland have more points in the playoffs than Ladd so I don't think you can really say they are dragging him down. I have nothing against Ladd, he just is not an upgrade over Bertuzzi despite the fact that he would probably cost more to sign. Edit: in fact, both Brouwer and Bolland have more goals in the playoffs than Ladd does points.

You guys do realize that Bertuzzi was probably the best value on the entire team last year except for Howard right? I don't think we got as much production for cap hit out of any other skater on the roster, yet Bertuzzi is the one that needs to go? You are right signing Adrew Ladd for 2.5 million makes so much more sense than Bertuzzi for 1.5. I would much rather have the player who makes 2.5 and had less goals and less assists during the season than the guy who makes 1.5. As an added bonus Ladd is a big time playoff performer as evidenced by his 3 points in 16 playoff games this year! Not like that choke artist Bertuzzi and his mere 11 points in 12 playoff games. Oh but Bertuzzi is too old which was clear by all the injuries he suffered this year...oh wait no he was one of only 3 players to actually play in every game.

I see them as fairly similar teams, they both have depth and a solid group of defenseman headlined by one elite guy. I just think overall the hawks are a little bit better in every area. Philadelphia certainly has a chance but if I was a bettin man I would put my money on the hawks. Can you imagine if the flyers won though? That would be one of the most incredible runs in sports history. They had to win a shoot out on the last day of the regular season to even make the playoffs and then they come back from down 3-0 in a series to win. It would be truly incredible if they pulled this off.

I don't know when its officially decided but it sounds like its waiting on the players association decision if that helps: May 29, Los Angeles Times: Commissioner Gary Bettman said Friday that NHL revenues are projected to rise about 4% this season and hit record levels on the heels of a rise in sponsorships and in TV ratings, and that the salary cap, which had been expected to drop in a wobbly economy, could grow by $2 million if the players' association exercises its right to approve a 5% escalator clause. The cap was $56.8 million this season.

Stamkos for Lebda are you crazy? They better throw in Hedman and a 1st or we wouldn't even consider it!

It appears he only finished about 60th or 70th in the league in scoring with 51 points but he also played 18 less games than the league leader who had 96 points. Assuming he would have kept his point a game pace he would have finished about 30th in the league in scoring if he had played in every game. I don't know why he played in so few games though.

I have insanely high expectations for this kid. I will never forget watching him absolutely dominate in that frozen four game against RIT. He had 5 assists, it was absolutely incredible. I am really excited to see how he does in Grand Rapids.

At least McCreary is one.

Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) / Johan Franzen ($3.955m) Valtteri Filppula ($3.000m) / Jiri Hudler ($2.875m) / Daniel Cleary ($2.800m) *Alexei Ponikarovsky ($2.500m) / * Tomas Holmstrom ($2.000m) / Kris Draper ($1.583m) * Todd Bertuzzi ($1.500m) / * Justin Abdelkader ($0.900m) / * Darren Helm ($0.800m) Mattias Ritola ($0.517m) DEFENSEMEN Brian Rafalski ($6.000m) / * Nicklas Lidstrom ($5.250m) Brad Stuart ($3.750m) / Niklas Kronwall ($3.000m) Jonathan Ericsson ($0.900m) / Jakub Kindl ($0.883m) * Derek Meech ($0.500m) GOALTENDERS Chris Osgood ($1.417m) / Jimmy Howard ($0.717m) CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (these totals are compiled using the bonus cushion) ROSTER: 22; PAYROLL: $57.630m; CAP ROOM: $0.070m BONUSES: $0.000m Is this realistic? I don't know. I hope Lidstrom takes that much of a pay cut but I could see him demanding a little more than that. I also have no idea how much it will take to resign Helm and Abby. I think we will sink or swim with Kindl being a regular defenseman, I know last year everyone thought we would trade for a "real" back up goalie but Holland trusted in Howard and was rewarded so I think its time to trust in Kindl now. I don't necessarily think we will sign Ponikarovsky but I think there is a good chance we go after a 2nd/3rd line tweener and that is the first name I found on cap geek's UFA list that seemed realistic to sign for 2.5 m. I know Holland said he wants to make the bottom six tougher but I think what they really want to do is be able to roll three scoring lines again, I swear that I read somewhere that he said that. Or maybe that is just what I want them to do

CHI/PHI: 4-2

Merril Merril please draft Merril. I would love to be able to watch a wings prospect play at U of M! I have actually read he is more of a defensive defenseman than a puck mover but maybe I am wrong. Edit: I probably should have read your post before I asked my question so nevermind

There also are more people with more TVs then there were 5 years ago.

That was pretty funny, the best part was Eaves laughing while he was getting up.

Led his team with 81 points in 72 games. His +10 rating was also a team best. I think I read somewhere that he will be in Grand Rapids next year, can anyone confirm that?

I don't mean to be a jerk but...couldn't you have just posted this in the other thread you already made thats basically the same topic?

I have actually thought about that. I think that would work quite well actually. Holmstrom-Zetterberg-Datsyuk Franzen-Filpulla-Bertuzzi Cleary-Helm-Hudler Eaves/Miller-Abdelkator-Ritola Draper I think that if Helm can progress a little bit offensively this gives us a dominant top line, two more lines that should be able to score fairly consistently, and a pretty solid fourth line. As far as the OP's question I think Bertuzzi is certainly worth keeping if he can be had for around 1.5 million again. A guy who will likely have 40-50 points and is a hard worker and good back checker is a great asset at that price. I think ideally we would like to have one more goal scoring winger so if Holland can find a way to do that then great but I think the lineup we have is good enough to contend in the west so I don't expect a very exciting off season (unless of course Lidstrom retires). EDIT: I will admit the idea of signing Lombardi intrigues me but I think he is the only one you list that would be a good "replacement" for Bertuzzi. Prospal has a reputation for being lazy and as someone stated Babcock doesn't want him. Plekanac would be great but we would need to lose more than just Bertuzzi's salary in order to sign him.

I can't believe I am saying this but I find myself actually rooting for Chicago. Going into the playoffs I wanted anyone but Chicago to win the west but the more I watch them the more I respect them. I am especially impressed with Toews, he has become one of my favorite non red wings.

Well the thing is yes this will get big ratings BUT in the long run the NHL is hurting itself. It should be using this opportunity to showcase other star players. The NHL is gambling that either Pittsburgh or Washington is going to win the east every year. That didn't happen this year so it will be interesting to see what kind of ratings the SCF gets because most casual sports fans won't care about the game if Crosby and Ovechkin are out because those are the only two players they know anything about.

SJS/CHI: 4-3 PHI/MTL: 4-2

John Merrill please. A good Michigan lad, going to play for Red at UofM. Big defenseman who has great positioning but also can quarterback the powerplay (so I read) probably won't be around at #22 though unfortunately if he by some miracle is I would be so stoked if we got him.

Fun idea, there are some really difficult decisions to make. Parise-Toews-Nash. I considered a lot of players but I would want guys that are relatively young and can play on the power play as well as the penalty kill. Doughty-Weber. Doughty was the easiest decision of any position all that talent and only 20! Weber is arguably the most complete defenseman in the league. Miller. I almost went with Rask or Howard or another younger guy but then I thought about how great Mason was for Columbus last year and how awful he was this year and decided to go with someone with a bit more experience.

Obviously it is still a little early to tell but the 2009 draft might have been big for us. We might have grabbed 4 or 5 guys that will eventually play in the NHL.

Neither. Babcock clearly meant that Hudler is worth 70 points in the standings. Expect the wings to finish the year with about 170 points next year. Now some of you Hudler haters out there might say "but that isn't even mathmatically possible" well lets just wait and see who is eating crow after next season.

Sorry to burst your bubble redwingsfan1003 but your idea for Lidstrom won't work. He is over the age of 35 so if he signs a new contract he can't retire before its up otherwise his cap hit will still count against us for the remaining years on his contract even if he doesn't play. If Lidstrom comes back it will only be a 1 or 2 year deal, no "discount" years can be tacked on like they were for Z or Franzen.