newfy

I think there is a very good chance if we don't make any signings on D from here on out. I wouldn't mind at all, he plays a simple game, hits and fights. As a #6 I don't care if he isn't a PP quarterback or anything. He might end up in a rotation with Kindl in the lineup depending on how tough the other teams are etc. He lays a lot like Lilja and played great when we had injuries last year

This is where I can't beleive NBC is complaining. There was an Mlive article basically saying the wings asked Cleary to tough it out until the injuries got better. And guess what, they didn't so he played the whole season on 2 torn meniscus. How can someone not adore that in a hockey player? He couldn't make it upstairs hardly but he still played. That is the ultimate team player. And yeah Meniscus injuries hardly have any long lasting effect on the knee. Its not like its a ligament tear.

For last season that is a terrific list. But some of the guys are young and unproven. Howard, Rinne and Raask all had great seasons but they've only played one season basically so its hard to tell if they'll be able to bring that high level of play consistently like Brodeur has. Only time will tell.

Koivu is a very good player, but not that good. I guess its because Minny has money to spend. I think Koivu would be good aruond 5 million for that kid of term, not 7. Thats 2 million too high

No Halak?

I wouldn't say he is a top 10 goalie yet although when thinking about it, its hard to think of 10 guys I would take over him. Last season I would say he is a top 5 goalie but he has to have a high level of play for a consistent time period before you become top 10. If he replicates his numbers this season like last, then he is top 10 for sure.

Ya they do but its not like he would be untradeable. Miller, meech and ritola combination could get him maybe

He doesn't need too really I don't think. He should just find 2 other plays like Abby that can play and fight middleweights. Miller and Meech for BJ Crombeen would help. He can play and fight. Then we add a guy like Callahan in 2 years and sign a tough #6 Dman. I really don't think it would be hard to make this team tough considering all the older guys retiring in the next few seasons.

Agreed. Eaves is a solid 3rd liner on any team in this league. But Miller just is so blah for me. Adam Mair wouldn't be bad. He reminds me a lot of Drake and actually gets some points. He hits, fights(not a whole lot) and is a solid player. I would like him here for sure.

That may be true but you know what else you didn't see? The wings weren't being bullies themselves. With May in the lineup the wings were as a whole playing tougher. Guys like Meech and Cleary fought and just watching you could tell they were dishing out more punishment. You might argue this, but with May in the lineup I thought the wings really did to a bit more bullying to other teams then they did when he was sent down. Thats my observation. You could also see he was showing Abby the ropes of how to play tough like that game against Minnesota where Abby tried fighting Burns then dropped them with Clutterbuck. \i know you don't think he made much of a difference but did you honestly not notice this out of the wings? They did bully other teams more when they had May in the lineup.

I guess regarding next season, teh wild card could be what our 6th dman spot does. We may sign someone like Hnidy and suddenly our team is pretty tough, maybe Ericcson is told he needs to be more physical and fight more and he does and suddenly this team is respectable. Janik may also end up in the lineup quite a bit which would be good because he will stick up for his teammates. Smith may surprise us as well if somehow he gets the spot. I mean he's a skilled player but he does have a bit of an edge and he fought a few times in the OPJHL including a fight against Greeenop which he won. We shouldn't judge the toughness of our team quite yet when we still have the possibility of adding another tough player. Tough #6 dman (hnidy,exelby etc) + Abby full time + maybe a more physical tough Ericcson and this team wouldn't be that bad toughness wise. Not great by any means but much more respectable .

Skill when we're talking about a 500+ goal scorer yeah. But I take a tough Drake player over most of our bottom 6 anyday. Guys like Miller aren't really needed or in the past guys like Kopecky. Sure they score a bit but I would rather on the 4th line a guy who scores 5, hits and will fight, then a guy who will score 10 because he is a bit more skilled but won't hit or fight. No one is saying trade Dats to make cap space for Boogard here, its getting rid of players hwo don't provide a whole lot for guys who have a role and play it well like Drake did in the past.

Just curious where did you play Junior and at what level?

Everyone else gets physical in the playoffs on the team as well. Its basically your duty as a hockey player. As for that hit, yeah it hurt Crosby but he also just rubbed him out and it awkwardly twisted Sid up. For every hit Mule lays there is a time he lets up where I'm yelling at the TV about how his 6'3 220lb body could've crushed someone.

Anything is better then Slapshot 3 lol

Whenever someone like you brings up how useless enforcers are they use the crappy guys the wings have had in the past as an example. May fought and did good and all but he was old, past his fighting prime and slowing down. A Brad May in his prime would've been sweet. I for one would rather have our team next year then have May or Downey or Norton on it lol. The ppl who want tough players want more Dallas Drake type players or an actual good enforcer. May is not what ppl on here want but for some reason anti tough guy ppl always bring him up. A legit tough guy like Boll who is young and can still skate or Dallas Drake type players is what this team needs. Not the old washed up fighters Holland always brings in after camp. Yeah hes going after the all time leading scoring american to be our third line center. Yeah I think him as our 3rd line center is better then having a grinder but that doesn't mean grinders aren't important.

People always bring up Franzen when saying the wings are not that weak. He's strong on the puck yes but he doesn't take the body hardly at all for his size and when he does they aren't usually big hits. As for the playoffs in 2008, Mac did fight but thats not the point. Playoffs are different then the regular season and to compare them is dumb. Having Drake smashing players left and right in the playoffs did help us win. And usually players who can hit that hard are also capable fighters, just like Drake was. Noone is saying we need an enforcer in this thread in the first place lol but more guys like Drake would be better for this team then having guys like Miller. By the way... does anyone think Callahan will make the American world junior team next year? It would be a great chance to see what kind of hitting that kid can do

When was the last time BlueAdams was online lol? And yeah Abby should be centering the third line over Helm.

Yeah screwdahawks is right . The hardest worker on the team, who played through 2 torm meniscus for this team because of our injury situation that he would normally be out 2 months for most likely( didn't see anyone else injured doing that for the team), has been clutch every playoffs, played through a completely torn groin and broken hand in the stanley cup finals, has proven he can put up 40 points, and is the most versatile forward on the team and one of the most versatile in the league and can play on every single line should be gone.

This kid plus Abdelkader on a line would be a beautiful thing to see. Smashing everything left and right and fighting. Or Abby on the third line so we have a really physical presence plus Cally and a bigger enforcer type on the 4th line with Cally. That would be a sick one two punch

I really doubt they keep Meech

Yeah Nill is saying that is our weakness so the front office must realize we need some more grit in the lineup. Holland said it after the season was over as well. They have tonnes of buzz about Callahan and how muc better he has gotten. There was so many people on this site saying he would probably never make it but now it looks very likely that he will. Not to mention he is a very good fighter pound for pound. He will most likely be able to go against everyone and do well in the league except the big heavyweights. He also seems that he won't be just a 7 minute a night enforcer, he's a Drake type that fights more and better. This article also kinda points out my biggest concern for this guy. I was worried about his skating but it says hes a speedy player so that concern is out the door. Looks like we have a solid 4th liner at least on the way up who can hit, fight and play. I'm excited

Get a load of this guy. Stevkrause is obviously right here, read what he said guy. It is basically an Entry level contract because he is entering the NHL on this contract and its make or break for him is what he is saying. Stev is one of the more knowledgeable posters on here and youre clearly on here being a clown but I can't figure out why?

Yeah I remember reading that in an article from Mlive. He said Abby will be on the PK from the get go next year (which to me makes Miller even less needed)

Does anyone have any good pictures of Probie and Kocur together. Either beating the s*** outta someone, or one of those cool pics when theyre chilling on the bench? If anyone does could you post it.