Finnish Wing

He left Florida as a free agent. And he was over a ppg guy back then. Phoenix game him that contract, I think.For the rumours saying he's useless and going to KHL... I think there's still use for a 50-60 point 2nd line center in many teams, if he comes for 2.5-3.5m.

Really? Even if all of the above happened. I mean what would there be left to be a fan of?It may be hard to imagine at the moment (hopefully in the future as well) not being a fan of one of the best organizations in the world, where everything's done professionally and everyone seems to know what they're doing. I mean once a team moves from one place to another and changes it name etc., change players, change staff and lose the identity it once had are you still a fan? Basically everything mentioned above with the exception of moving and changing name and with the addition of sucking year after year has happened to Ilves here in Finland. I'm a fan of the team, but I'm angered to most the people working in the organization and the way they handle things. If they somehow decided to move (although that rarely happens in Finland) it would be enough for me and many many else. For some people saying they would be fans no matter what happened: think about it, maybe that's not the way it is after all. Although it may be hard to even imagine what the flip side of the coin looks like when being a fan of an organization like this, but things can change. I by no means hope anything like that, but Ilves is the most successful club in the history of FEL and now they seem more like a bad joke. So, I ask to be honest.

Again, just because you're not a heavyweight fighter doesn't mean you're a bad enforcer. With that being said, I think we should sign an enforcer, but that isn't because we don't have good fighters - although we don't. It's because we don't have a good enforcer. I want an enforcer who can play the game as well, no matter even if he loses most of his fights. The willing to fight is more important than the actual result of the fight.

Abdelkader has better offensive potential than Helm, let's not waste it on the 4th line.

Hey cmon, I'm Finnish and even I think Hudler has more offensive potential at the NHL level than Filppula.

There are tons of fans who have no connection to Detroit itself. I think many of those fans "chose" the Detroit Red Wings because of what kinda style and identity they have. At least for me it had an effect. I never even though about the Flyers for example.I'd say if three of staff members, players, identity and success changed I doubt I'd be following them this strongly anymore. It may sound rough, but you also need to understand that this isn't like the Ilves to me. I've never even been in USA, as I said. But it may be hard for you to understand, because you have lived in NA and you already have the best league in the world right there. I haven't seen a lot of North American's who have a "second" team playing in Swedish league for example.

Abby is better offensively than Helm. At least has more offensive potential than him. Even though I kinda would like to see Hulder in the 2nd instead of Bert I see what Babcock is thinking there. Every line now has a playmaker, a shooter and a net presence. Of course those bottom lines are more defensively but still. Shooters: Zetterberg, Franzen, Hudler, Eaves. Playmakers: Datsyuk, Filppula, Abdelkader, Helm. Net presences: Holmstrom, Bertuzzi, Cleary, Miller/Draper/Ritola. As I said, that 4th line especially is probably more everyone doing everything. I was thinking Franzen more as a power forward, but maybe Babcock sees him as a sniper. This could work, I'm telling you. edit: Also seems that Ilari Filppula doesn't have any realistic chance of competing for the extra forward spot.

Only a bit, right?

Well I kinda expected the city thing being a major factor, but I didn't think that it would be enough just by itself. Need to wait a couple days so that the Euro fans vote as well, should see a bit more of the other options.

5th among NA skaters though, not 5th overall.

But they don't lose the 7th pick then, am I right? I thought the deal went through only if they were manage to sign him.

Yeah. Wasn't the story that Hakan was actually going to scout Kalinin and he saw this Datsyuk kid there (kinda like the Zetterberg-story). Then he did another trip. Then on the third trip there was some other NHL scout with him in the plane, but the trip was canceled due a storm. This made him certain that he was in fact the only NHL scout to ever see Datsyuk play. And that's why they could pass on him for so late.Stay toon for the next epic Detroit Red Wings scouting story...

Yes. I did all the calculations and if they're correct the chance is approximately: 0,0000274%.

Patrick Kane is a prime example of having elite talent and being in the NHL even when he probably hasn't worked as hard for it as many other guys.

Great deal like the one with Hamhuis.

I think the biggest reason for him falling was being injured at the combine. He didn't do any of the physical tests (I don't even know if he was there at all). It would've been different for a player like Hall who everyone knows about. But in Pulkkinen's case I think many teams were going to make the decision mostly based on the combine.

Except Rafalski wasn't drafted at all.

He probably plays at least a year in Jokerit to get a bigger role. Then after that year either another year in Jokerit or in GR. And after that between GR/DRW. After that it would be the contract year and if everything goes as planned he continues with us with a full year in the NHL.

Exactly what I was thinking before the draft even started. Some mock drafts (including McKenzie) had him going mid or early 2nd round, much like Rajala last year. He also had good WJC like Rajala last year. Weird.

That's what I want. But it doesn't matter if the player doesn't have all those qualities. A guy like Boogaard doesn't even have half of them IMO. Well, like I said it's not like the player HAS to have all those qualities. But most of them would be nice. I don't mind paying over 1M if he can do them.

Well, I'm not saying you can get someone who does all this under 1m. But Boogaard can't do even half of those things. I wouldn't mind* paying a little over 1m if the guy can really do all this and be effective in a way.*edit: spelling

I want a guy who can fight, kill penalties, play physical, not take stupid penalties, fit our system (be fast enough etc.) and play 10mins a night.With Boogaard I'm concerned about the PK part, the 10min part, the system part and the stupid penalties part.

http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=616&id=72945#&intcmpid=day2stream-redbutton

Some bar fight, if I remember right. I though the problems he had was more with the coaches and staff.And I wouldn't have taken him over Sheahan anyway.

NHL.com, I think.