Finnish Wing

The difference is that they're trying to sign Abdelkader for a multi-year deal, three years or something like that. He's a player who's getting better and better all the time. I think he's easily worth more than 1M after a year or two so 850k cap hit now for three years for example would be quite right.

I still believe he'll end up back in Atlanta like I did after he was traded. Just wondering why it hasn't happened already.

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Franzen-Filppula-Bertuzzi Hudler-Modano-Cleary Helm-Abdelkader-Eaves + Draper, Miller/Ritola Lidstrom-Kronwall Stuart-Rafalski Kindl-Ericsson + Lilja/Meech Howard Osgood Every line would basically have a scorer, a playmaker and a net presence. I kinda like that. PP1: Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Lidstrom-Rafalski PP2: Franzen-Modano/Filppula-Bertuzzi Kronwall-Hudler/Modano Filppula and Cleary would probably drop out from the PP.

He didn't promise anything. He just said they'll look into it.

Weber or Doughty. Or Leino.

Now we can't get Kovalchuk. DAMN!

I couldn't disagree more. There are tons of GM's who choose that kinda player even when he isn't actually the better one. But on top of all that Getlaf also has skill.

I wouldn't want Getzlaf on the Wings, but I can say he has more value on the market because his potential is higher than Z's and he's already a great player. I'd say most GM's in the league would build the team around Getzlaf over Z. He's big, he's mean, he's Canadian.

It's Canada, baby!Sounds weird.

I think that he if was after money he would just go back to Russia where he would get that 10M/year tax free or something like that while living in his home country. If he's about winning he wants to go to a possible Cup contender of course and that means smaller salary. Tampa Bay isn't either of those options, so I really doubt it.

Probably would. Olli Jokinen never did military duties, if I remember correctly, but I think that's rare. Pulkkinen will most likely have to do it just like everyone else in a year or two and it takes a minimum of 6 months.My own military service starts in 10 days by the way.

I have this "Baseball bat" -list which I've been filling a few years now, and I'll definitely add these two there.

It's America, baby.

Toni Rajala did that. I just think it's wiser to always change to the better team. Jokerit is much better than Kelowna, I assume. He wouldn't get that much playing time in Jokerit this year, so I think it would be make more sense to do it in that order. And he'll eventually have to go back to Finland anyway to handle the military things.

Okay. So I've been wondering this question quite a long time myself already. I'm Finnish myself and I know there also many many other fans who have no actual connection to Detroit itself. I can admit right away, that I don't "feel" for the city either, because I've even been in USA. The reason why I probably started being a Red Wings fan in 1999 was partly due it's success and partly due what players the team had. I by no means consider myself being at the same level with the hardcore fans who actually born as Red Wings fan. Big reason for why I started kinda thinking what's being a fan is all about is my favourite team here in Finland, Tampereen Ilves. I've been an Ilves-fan since I was born. I don't live in Tampere, but all my family is from there and I've always had a strong connection to the place. Despite being the most successful club in the history of Finnish hockey (kinda like Montreal over there), the recent years have been disappointing in many ways. It seems like the identity of the club is missing. Players change too much every year, and seems like many players come here just to earn the money. Some lead members of the organization (club board, the owner, GM etc.) became "bigger" than the actual club - Ilves. It seemed like these people didn't respect the history of the club anymore. Last year was terrible and the team finished last in the league. Many staff members got fired and most players changed again. Because the the team seems to have no identity anymore, players and staff keeps changing and in terms of recent success it's the worst in the league fans have started wondering why are they still fans of the club. Seems like the only thing there is left is the logo - Ilves and it's history. I couln't imagine myself not being an Ilves-fan even though all these things happening. Maybe if the team moved to another city etc. it would be too much to take. Now, I decided to do a little poll about this regarding our Red Wings. There are basically five different reasons I could come up with for someone stop cheering for the team. Please let me know, if you know a major reason which isn't listed over there and we'll work it out. I hope you could say which four reasons for example would be enough for you, because obviously we can't see it from there. AND I also hope you be honest. Because I know there are for example bunch of fans who haven't even been to Detroit ever.

I'd say the best choice for him would be going to Kelowna next year to be sure of getting a big role. After that one year back in Finland with Jokerit, and complete all the military things. After that one year in the GR and possibly some games up with the Red Wings. After all that it would be an end of that contract and hopefully a new one-way deal with the Red Wings. Realistic?

I just don't think the reason why many player get bigger when they come to NA is because of training being somehow much different. As I said, I think the biggest reason is that players start to train even harder. They get paid better and team's also afford better methods of training. And then there's also stims and roids involved.I agree that those things you said are more valued in NA, but I don't think that's the reason why many players get bigger when they go there.

Quantity provides quality.Mexico is also part of North America, kinda weird.

How did you come up with this? Physical training at least here is Finland is overvalued in both soccer and hockey. Many Finnish coaches prefer big athletic guy over skilled ones.I think the big difference is that things get more professional when you want to play in the NHL and the big reason for that is the money. It's not about valuing, it's purely about economics and what teams can afford. I'd also say the use of roids and stims is factor.

OKT will be huge for us next season.

Wonder why players grow so quick every time they travel overseas.

I thought only Europeans were supposed to do that.

You are truly a man of courage.

YAARRRR! Jag heter Calle Ironhook.

Whaat? Who was he traded for? I somehow remember him being at the free agent market after Florida years.edit: Just checked it, you're right. But what did they get in return in the trade?