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The Wings aren't the favorite because they're not clearly better than LA, Vancouver, or SJ. You could make a logical argument that any of these four teams will be first in the conference next year; therefore, Detroit is not going to be the overall favorite.

I agree. Janik looked competent during his time with the Wings last year. As for waiting until the deadline, that doesn't make much sense when it comes to a tough-guy. He would be needed for the bulk of the season (and probably not as much during the playoffs) to keep the flies off our skilled players.

Konopka is a decent player. Who do you suggest the Wings pursue?

I certainly agree, as do most people, that the Boll, Konopka, Asham type players are more effective and preferable to McGrattan, Boogy, etc. However, I am also arguing that the pure enforcer like Orr, Boogy (at a lower price), and McGrattan are not a waste of a roster spot as you said in your first post. For 1.65m they are, but at a lower price they can be of use. I would also be cautious in saying that Godard and Parros are better players than the enforcers signed yesterday. I would never advise the Wings spend 1m+ on a pure enforcer when there are Boll types out there, but if they only had 600k to spend I'd be more than happy with someone like McGrattan as the 13th forward.

Can you correlate the presence of an enforcer to a team's success? I'm not sure this relationship would be negative, if it exists. The Flyers had Riley Cote this year, who only played in 15 games and only made 550k. Therefore, they spent most of the season without a true heavyweight, and it showed in their games against the Leafs. Colton Orr (who is not overpaid after these signings IMO), was not the reason the Leafs underachieved this year. The teams you mentioned above would not be cup contenders with the addition of another player (at the same price point) instead of the signed enforcers. The Rags may be the exception as 1.65m is enough for a decent player, but I am not sure what their needs were on offense. As most can tell you, there have been plenty of teams who've won the cup recently with a pure enforcer. The Wings had Downey, Pens had Godard, Ducks had Parros, etc. I'm not saying that every team needs a player like this (I'd rather have Boll than any of the above other than Orr), but they are not the reason teams fail to succeed. Would you rather sign Maltby or McGrattan? I'd rather have Boll, Konopka, etc instead, but they would come at a higher price. Which ~600k guy would you rather sign?

A lot of NHL GM's would disagree with you. In addition to all of the enforcers currently under contract, Boogaard, Shelley, Ivanans, Scott (debatable if he's an enforcer, but he'll be Chicago's heavy), and Fritz were all signed yesterday. The Boogaard signing is a bit ridiculous. It was reported that the Rangers offered ~850k to Shelley, which he turned down. I don't see how they went from that price, to almost double for Boogaard.

With Tatar and Mursak knocking on the door, I wouldn't want to see Modano signed for more than one year. This would likely mean that Miller and Ritola are gone, especially if a fighter is brought in.

With Tatar and Mursak knocking on the door, I wouldn't want to see Modano signed for more than one year. From the above roster, I'd drop Miller for Boll (if it could happen).

Does anyone know if Boll was extended a qualifying offer? I read on the CBJ board that they were in talks for a long-term contract, but nothing official has been reported. For some reason, the posters at CBJ's HFBoards section don't seem too happy about keeping Boll- I don't know what they expect out of a fourth line fighter.

I don't think many will argue that Meech is better than Lilja. However, Meech will come at a lower price tag and will be more comfortable being the 6th/7th d-man. There isn't any room in our top-4 for Lilja, and he likely wouldn't ever get the ice time he wants in Detroit.

If we qualify him, we will retain his rights if/when he returns to the NHL.

CBJ claimed Moreau. http://twitter.com/Aportzline

Good post. Abby, while not as ripe as Helm, seems to have the tools to be a higher scoring third line center. However, I think a full 82 game season (with 10+ min a night) is what Abby needs. He has shown he can produce over a season at the AHL level, where schedule and travel are more wearing than in the NHL. While up with the Wings, he made the played the role that was expected of him- a 5-10 min energy guy. I think (hope) he can fill into his NHL potential while on a scoring line next season.

Helm has probably come close to his offensive potential, while Abby is still growing into his. Other than speed, I fail to see how Helm is more qualified right now. Last year Abby played most of his NHL games with May and Maltby, while Helm was playing with Eaves and Drapes. Therefore, you cannot judge his offensive skills from his numbers with the Wings. I would agree with you if we had a grinding third line, but I think Abby's play is better suited for a scoring line than Helm's play.

The Wings need two things on offense- toughness and scoring. We have enough power forwards (using the term loosely) in Homer, Bert, Abby, Franzen, and Cleary. If an offensive player is added, he needs to bring a new skill-set. Also, I am cautious of the Wings singing anyone for the top-9. As it stands, Drapes is the only player leaving next year and Mursak, Tatar, and possibly I. Flip are poised to make the jump the the Red Wings (1-2 of the three) soon. Therefore, taking on more multi-year deals for top-9 players may not be advisable.

What players can do all of these things and come cheaply? Laperrière is the one that comes to my mind, but he is aging and gets paid well (>1m).

Have you decided on who you think is the best enforcer? It seems like you aren't too excited about any of the names mentioned. IMO Orr is the best enforcer and Boll is the best choice for the Wings because of his skill/affordability/skating/willingness. I'm not sure Boogy can play well enough for the Wings' system (especially with Helm and Eaves), but I haven't seen him play enough to make an educated judgment.

This is true, and it is how the Wings manage to find gems in the later rounds of the draft. However, the players that haven't grown into their frame have uncertain futures. No one knows if I player will ever develop the physical or skill level to play in the NHL if they haven't reached it by 18 (or have the potential). The later rounds of the draft are filled with these 'potential' players that never hit that next level. Someone who is 6'4" and 210+ pounds (McIlrath) will not have trouble being a physical force in the NHL. Would anyone here be disappointed if McIlrath (or any other defensemen drafted by the Wings in the first) became a solid #4 defensemen? You can't draft a top pair (or top line) player every year, and I'd be delighted to get a solid #4 defensemen in the system.

If McIlrath plays solid D (reports say he does) I'd love to have him. It would be great to have a top-4 defensemen who can drop them. I love his response here to someone running at his teammate.

He's shown the skill while in the AHL, while Helm has shown that he is a solid player with limited offensive upside. I think Abby can win the third line spot in camp/preseason when he gets the chance to play with more skilled players. Most of his regular season time in Detroit was spent with May and Maltby, so he hasn't been given much of a chance to perform offensively.

I think this may be the first time we wholly agree. Abby has much more offensive upside than Helm, Eaves (was touted as a high prospect), and Miller. Also, keeping Eaves and Helm together on the forth would set the foundation for one of the more skilled forth lines in the league.

I see what you're trying to say now. However, forth line players rarely score more than 20 points in a season as a whole. They just aren't on the ice long enough to score that often, and the talent level isn't there. If the Wings are going to have three scoring lines next year, the forth better be able to cycle and hit all day. Also, prime Drake and Asham are third line players and would/will command more than ~750k. With Helm and Eaves, I wouldn't be surprised to see Boll break 20 points. He managed 14 a couple seasons ago with CBJ's forth line, so I'd say it's within reach. I'd like to trade Miller and/or Meech to CBJ for Boll. There's no room for Miller, and I liked Janik more than Meech (who will never be more than the 7th D here, so it'd be nice to see him play regularly elsewhere).

May has never fought as much as Boll has the past three seasons. In his prime, May had more skill than most of the enforcers around. The problem with May this year was his age- he just couldn't keep up. How is a player that hits all the time and fights not needed? If he can skate, be responsible defensively, and forecheck hard there is no (little) downside. He's not a goal scorer, but few ~750k players that fight are. Also, Helm and Eaves can easily carry the offensive power of the forth line.

Why does a top-4 defenseman have to be an offensive threat? If he can play a shut-down game and be physical while putting up 20-30 points, I don't see the downside. I'd like to see the Wings draft the best player available (like the Wings always do), since there isn't a need for a particular position.

IMO this is exactly what we need. Boll has averaged ~10 points in each of the past three years (~72 games each season) playing with people less talented than Helm and Eaves. Boll can skate well (better than most enforcers), hit, and play responsible defense. With our forth line, he would easily pick up 15+ points. We'd all like someone that can score 20+ points a year and get in 15+ fights, but this player doesn't exist- at least for less than 1 million. Boll also stepped up to Boogaard this year (starting the fight), which speaks a lot to his toughness. Arron Asham will likely get a raise above what the Wings could afford. He played on Philly's third line and tied his second best year since joining the NHL. As much as I would like it, I doubt he would come here to play forth line minutes for ~750k.