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Burrows should have gotten a game for the incident. Players get face-washed all the time, especially during the playoffs, and rarely do they ever feel the need to bite another player. The league has suspended players for biting before, and they should have here.

While the average price is high, I believe the lower bowl prices aren't high compared to other arenas. It's the upper level tickets that make the average increase, and that is because there are so few of them. If you took out the x thousand upper seats (to make the arena seat 15k) in other arenas and then calculated the average price, Winnipeg might not be so high.

None of the UFA's thrown around in these thread are likely to sign that cheap. Who do you suggest?

Weber and Doughty won't sign one year deals expiring as UFA. If that were the case, the teams would trade their rights or allow offer-sheets to be made. The picks/players would be worth more than the one year the player would put in on the new contract.

Bieksa hearing the Lucic train coming.

Anyone on the 2010-2011 Wings would score 40 points playing 82 games with Dats or Z (assuming decent wingers). With that said, your proposed lineup is not an improvement, especially at forward, over the current team. E on the second line? Compare your lineup to the following Flip- Dats- Homer Mule- Z- Cleary Bert- Abby- Tatar Eaves- Helm- Mursak

So what do you suppose the Wings do this year with Bert and Homer? This will be on the top lines because that is where they are most effective. Because of the cap, they will still be here. Also, Mursak and Tatar won't join the team and magically produce at 40+ point levels. I'm all for youth, but you can't plug many rookies into the lineup and expect to win that year. Ask fans of any other team if what the Wings are doing IS working- they will tell you yes. Are there needed tweaks? Yes, but I challenge you to find a team that doesn't need any. If you expect the Wings to make the SCF every year, you will be disappointed often.

Thinking about the subject more, if Lids re-signs (which IMO is likely) and the Wings get Wiz (IMO the most likely UFA talked about on these boards), Smith should be up if he has a good camp. He can then learn from Lids and Wiz. Lids has the great(est) defensive game, and Wiz is a physical player. If Smith can learn from both of them, I think his career would be helped immensely.

Nashville? I'm happy for the Winnipeg fans, and sad for the Atlanta fans (although Winnipeg has many more). Regardless of the situation, I can imagine how the Atlanta fans feel.

If E doesn't come back, do you think it would be wise for the Wings to bring in 2-3 new players, with only one likely getting a contract over a year? Or do you think it would be better for Smith to learn from Lids and have Janik/Meech waiting in the A if Smith doesn't play well?

Other than by comparing what salaries other players get, how can you come to the conclusion that Stuart is overpaid? A player's value is based on what other teams are willing to pay. With the cap going up, the salaries will only increase even if the talent stays the same.

What defensively solid forward is available for 4.5 million that can score 50+ points (what I would expect from a second liner)? While the player can play third line this season, he will need to be a solid second liner in the future. IMO this player would have to fall though the cracks in the offseason or be acquired through trade. When was the last time the Wings won the cup without an enforcer playing in the regular season? Not that I think it's necessary but it is an interesting thought. Is a player that scores five less points than Miller (and can PK) but fight to stand up for his teammates really a regression for this team?

I should have clarified. More weak from the standpoint that most of the players you mentioned will be payed more than Flip an probably won't produce much more. With the cap going up and few superstars available, I could see a lot of the players you mentioned being overpaid. The Wings need a second line forward and many of those you mentioned aren' much better producers than the Wings' current second liners. The problem with the Wings forwards is in the top six. Also, next season Homer and Bert may not return and it isn't clear who can take their top six spots.

Not a bad idea. UFA signings this off-season look weak for both forward and defense. The only player (other than Hudler) that I wouldn't mind trading is Franzen, and this is due to his contract (I can't imagine the Mule's body in five years, and ten more seasons is too much IMO). Assuming Hudler is traded and the Wings promote from within only we could have. Flip- Dats- Homer Mule- Z- Cleary Tatar- Abby- Bert Eaves- Helm- Mursak Tardif Lids- Smith Kronner- Kindl E- Stuart Howard J. Mac While the D certainly needs at least one UFA/trade signing, the offense doesn't look terrible. I would be happy with Holland keeping some cap-space assuming a trade is made sometime throughout the season. IMO letting Tatar play the first ~20 games would be great for his game, and the Wings can always trade and send him back to GR if needed. I'd sign Wiz and possibly a backup (although J. Mac played well enough), and then see what holes need to be filled throughout the season.

HFBoards had made a lot of people root against Vancouver due to their fan base on the site. I'd like to see the Bruins win this series but I'd probably put my money on Vancouver.

Rumors online suggest that his hands were tied by the coach when it came to fighting. I hope that explains his play for Philly, because it seemed like a significant regression from his play in Phoenix. Two years ago (and a bit last season), I would have wanted Carcillo, but his play this season was seriously underwhelming. I'd take 07-08 Carcillo on the Wings any day, but I don't want 10-11 Carcillo.

IMO Smith will only be up if E is not re-signed. This might be a good thing long-term if Lids decides to retire after next season.

It won't let me change the title, but I agree to a degree. Prior to the article quoted in the OP, it was believed that Smith would have a 'chance' at camp, but that he would likely play another year. This article is new in that it shows that the organization wants him to be ready enough to play at the NHL in 2011-2012 to learn from Lids. I believe, prior to this article, that previous comments were more of the same about prospects making the Wings (he'll have a chance, but ultimately come up short) while this article says they want him to make the transition this year.

I hadn't seen that article, and I did find it out that my quote was in the middle of an article.

I would have agreed with you before the article, but it clearly states the Wings would like him to learn from Lids. IMO this is probably a good decision long-term, but it may hurt the team next season.

But every player wants to play in Detroit and take a hometown discount

I don't know about you, but I like having draft picks. Also, it is not realistic to think the Wings get could one of them, let alone both. Just because the Wings can afford a player, does not mean they can get him.

Sign Peckham and Ehrhoff. This should give the Wings a good core to build on when Lids retires. Peckham is more physical than anyone the Wings need and he is still young. Ehrhoff can make up some of the puck moving that Raffy was responsible for.

Eaves and Miller deserve salary raises, and if either makes it to the RFA period they will likely be gone. Also, Doughty won't be a Wing next year because LA would likely match any reasonably offer, and Holland won't give away the picks needed to sign him.

I've also mentioned that a few times this year. I think Tardif would be a great 13th forward for the Wings.