mmamolo

He is definitely not eligible for this years playoffs. Even if he were I really doubt that the Wings would put him in. As much as we coudl use his offence it would send a terrible message to the rest of the team. Think of all of the guys who battled all season long - through all the injuries and down the playoff stretch - only to have someone end up sitting out in the playoffs so someone who played in Russia all year long could come in. No way does that happen. That being said, if he wants back in next year, he'll be welcomed back at his arbitrated contract of 2 years ~$5.75M contract. Also, To Drake - ignore all the Hudler haters, when he comes back and posts 60+ pts they'll be eating crow. Most like to hide behind this imaginary fact that Hudler didn't want to play in Detroit which isn't even true. The Hudler and Filppula bashing on this site will one day stop - I promise.

I'm a huge fan of a signing like this. He has a ton of potential and we don't have to give up an asset to get him. We can further his development in our system and he's already shown what he can do on a big stage. Personally, I think he's already shown far more potential than Leino did when we went after him. It's true that he is small and that will undoubtedly bring a lot of ppl hating on this potential signing but at the end of the day skill beats size as much as a lot of you guys hate to hear it. That being said, I personally have my skill players be whatever size they are and then fill the rest of my team out accordingly - somethign the Wings don't always do.

The love for Wellwood on this board is insane. Hoenstly, I don't get it. I live in Toronto and obviously got to watch him a ton when he was a Leaf and let me tell you, he is nothign special. I know he has improved in his time in Vancouver but he still is nothing special. For $1.2M this year in 63 games the guy has 10 goals and 10 assists. We're getting the exact same production out of Darren Helm plus the heart, energy, determination, work ethic and more. There is zero need for Kyle Wellwood in Detroit.

Assuming we get in, I think it's going to be more about scoring depth than anything. Our goaltending will be fine and out defense and special teams have tightened up well down the stretch but the scoring from our third and fourth lines could pose problems in the playoffs. The last few years we've gotten timely goals from guys like Samuelsson and Hudler but we don't have that anymore. Personally, I dont have a ton of confidence in Williams and Bertuzzi to produce those goals on their own. I will admit though that I have liked the chemistry between Bertuzzi and Filppula when playing together but lately with Flip playing up on the top two lines the 3rd line of Williams - Miller - Bertuzzi doesn't strike me as a line that is going to produce any goals, let alone timely ones. our 4th line could chip in a goal or two in a series but is that really enough?

Actually, according to capgeek.com Holmstrom's cap hit is $2.25M/yr. Personally I think they should be operating on one year deals from here on out with Holmstrom and I'd like to see them in the $1.5-1.7M/yr range.

Campbell + Kane + 1st to Toronto for Primeau + Scurb 1 + Scurb 2 to Chicago Then there's value. Obviously Toronto doesn't need more defensemen but they'd have to consider taking on that contract to get their hands on a first round pick and Patrick Kane while giving up literally nothing. All I'm saying is that everyone has their price so if Chicago is willing to go low enough there will be someone out there. So yeah, I think this injury is a cause for concern cause that just means if he is out that much longer and the injury makes his ability that much more uncertain then they'll have to sweeten the pot that much more if they try and move him. On a side note, as s***ty as this may be to say (and I don't wish this on anyone) but if this turns into a lingering, terrible injury situation for Brian Campbell it could be a cap blessing in disguise for Chicago. If he has trouble rehabbing and isn't ready to go next season the Hawks would have a possible opportunity to put him on the LTIR next year which would give them some options. With broken bones that isn't all that likely but you never know.

Personally, I'd be pretty happy with 1-1.2 PPG here on out and if he continues dominating carrying the puck and obviously continuing to dominate with his puck retrival and passing game. Lately he's controlling the play every shift he's out there and he's been the most dangerous guy on the ice. if he continues to do that we have a shot every game no matter who we play. For me I dont care how many points the guy gets so long as we win and get into the playoff. Obviously I'd love for the guy to get all the stats and accolades in the world but I'm a Wings fan first and a Datsyuk fan second. So call me selfish but I'm cheering for the success of the Wings before the personal success of Datsyuk. That being said, the personal success of Datsyuk usually does translate into the success of the Wings. So if they are in fact one in the same sure, 3PPG wuold be awesome.

If he had been healthy this year I think he gets slightly over the 40 goal mark. I think at his best he'll one day eclipse 45 but for that to happen he'll have to have a very healthy year but very few players in this league score 50. As good as Franzen is, and trust me I think he is awesome, 50 is a tall order. He does too many other things on the ice to get 50. I say 45 is his cap.

For me, I'd hate that as a fan of the Red Wings. But watching other teams it'd be interesting for sure. Whether I like or hate other teams it'd definitely be itneresting to see if their choices worked out or came back to bite them in the ass.

I think it's fair to say that Cleary is on a cold streak but at the same time with all the momentum the team has been building this should be the easiest time for him to break out. There is less and less pressure on him to do so with the increased play of all the other players around him. That being said, he has always been and probably forever will be a streaky guy. Just compare is 08 playoff numbers (22 games, 2 goals, 1 assist) to his 09 playoff numbers (23 games, 9 goals, 6 assists). When he's hot he's hot and when he's cold, s*** he's ice cold.

Adding to what the other poster said in response to Datsyuk not establishign himself as a star in this league and coupled with his injuries it should also be noted that in 2002 when Datsyuk was a rookie and playing with Hull and I think Devereux he played in 21 odd playoff games and only got 6 points because he was obviously so far down on the depth chart. So those stats obviously skew things a little bit. In terms of this thread topic I think there are two main issues to think about: travel and goaltending. 1. Travel: Chicago provides the best situation, with Vancouver and San Jose following. 2. Goaltending: Chicago's goaltending is the weakest, then San Jose's, then Vancouvers. That being said, for soem reason I voted San Jose. Throw in the Brian Campbell injury and you gotta think Chicago is prime to take down. I think I want to change my vote. Chicgo it is

As good as Chicago and San Jose have been all season, for those of you who want to see Colorado's fall from grace, I persaonlly think we match up well with either of the top two seed and would be hesitant to have a first round match up with the Canucks. With the way everyone is playing right now I would much rather lay in wait and hope for a later round match up witht he Canucks. To me, Vancouver has to be the favourite out of the West at the moment.

I'm adding my vote to Adam Almqvist of the Swedish Elite League. He's still young enough that he can put on enough size to make him capable of playing in the NHL. He has the hockey sense that comes along only once every so often and I think if we're patient we may have our future powerplay quarterback (not necessarily our next or anything but one of our future ones). Go review his numbers, they are absolutely disgustingly good.

It's really a tough question because on one hand you don't want to throw Osgood to the wolves and start him against one of the hottest teams (Vancouver) but on the other hand you don't want to throw him in a game against a s*** team (Edmonton)in case he s***s the bed and you blow two easy points you absolutely cannot spare but you have to figure he's gotta start one of the back-to-back games. To me Howard's last two starts againt Vancouver will pay a factor in the decision for sure. That being said, those starts can be used to make an argument for either Osgood or Howard to start. The poor performances in the last two games should light a fire under Howard's (and the rest of the roster's) ass to get some redemption and they should come out firing. On the other hand maybe you try to change things up and you go with Osgood. No matter how you spin it you absolutely need to get every single point out of Edmonton and Columbus the rest of the way. Plus, the two remaining games against Nashville are huge so you need a minimum 3 of 4 points in those two games. Plus, you have games against teams like St. Louis and Minnesota so it's really anyone's guess as to when Osgood starts. In all honesty, that Minnesota game on March 26 might be a half way decent game for Osgood to start. It's the first of a back-to-back game. It's in Detroit before they head on the road to travel to Nashville. It'd give Howard an extra night off to rest before a big game.

Lidstrom is obvious and his number will get retired instantly. Both Datsyuk and Zetterberg do have a shot at getting their numbers retired but both do have a lot of work to do still. What each has working in their favours so far are: Datsyuk: 2 Cup Rings, 3 First All Star, 1 Second All Star Team, 4 straight Bings, and 2 straight Selkes Zetterberg: 1 Cup Ring, Red Wing Record 27 pts in one playoff year, 1 Second All Star Team, 1 Conn Smyth. Also, if Zetterberg is named captain after Lidstrom retires that will go a long way in terms of getting his number raised. I'm not arguing for or against either of them getting their numbers up there but I'm saying that if you look at their accolades they are both on they're ways to having the type of recognition that it takes to get a number retired. Plus, they have both bought in so heavily into the culture and family of the Detroit Red Wings and ultimately it is the Wings brass who decides so that will also help. Also, no way Osgood. As much as he has done for me, I just don't see it.

They can sign me for their 4th line. I'll play for $10 bucks a game

Bertuzzi is not useless without Datsyuk. He has played well with Filppula. He needs a playmaker - that's for sure. Filppula and Bertuzzi looked really good together against the Hawks. I wouldnt mind seeing your line combos tried though. Absolutely agree. FOr that matter I dont even udnerstand why when Zetterberg and Datsyuk are paired that Zetterberg is at centre. Don't get me wrong, Zetterberg is an aweome centre but so is Datsyuk. To me the playmakers are always more effective at centre while the snipers (which Z is more of than Datsyuk or Filppula of course) are more effective at wing. If you want goals, behind Franzen, Zetterberg is your next best goal scorer so put him in the best possible position to do it. Wingers typically skate 3/4 of the ice, expend less energy defensively, circle the slot, and are more prone to shooting positions. I am 100% in favour of havign Filppula centering with Zetterberg on the wing. For all those who want Z to take faceoffs, that's fine, but so long as during the play they switch off then I'm cool. I agree. Shooters need to shoot. Filppula is a great defensive centreman and we can eleviate some of that pressure from Zetterberg by having Fil centre that line. Let Z focus on the offense.

I live in the Toronto area and got to see Wellwood play a ton before he left the Leafs for Vancouver and although he's had a a much better tenure in Vancouver than he did in Toronto I'm still not entirely sold on the guy. I'm not saying he's a bad player by any means but I don't particularly think he's what the Red Wings need most. So far in 60 games this year he has 9 goals and 10 assists while last year in 74 games he had 18 goals and 9 assists. In my mind that is not nearly worth $1.5M a year. We already have Draper, Helm, and Eaves putting up those numbers and in my opinion all work far harder day in and day out. There's no question Wellwood has skill but this kid can be one of the laziest players in the league at times. He doesn't always have the desire to play and when he doesn't watch out. If he ever signed here, trust me, he'd quickly become the LGW new whipping boy. For me, I want Maltby to reitre, Ritola as our 13th, Bertuzzi re-signed on our 3rd line, Abdelkader on our 3rd, and Hudler back.

As much as this season is the year the Hawks make a run at it I'm kind of surprised we didn't see another move or two similar in nature to the Cam Barker move. In the present it was a fairly lateral move in that the Hawks replaced Barker with Johnsson from the Wild but as we move forward the Wild will retain Barker for 2 (I think) more seasons at a 3 and change cap hit while Johnsson is a UFA. Plus the Wild got a prospect. So the Hawks gave up a good young player in Barker plus a prospect to get cap relief and stay basically on an even pace this season. I would have thought they could have made another move or two like this at the deadline to help this summer. That being said, as much as some NHL fans love off Versteeg and Byfuglien in my mind they are over paid (especially Byfuglien). To me they have to be moved if I were the Hawks GM. You can't have a guy that low on the forward depth chart, Byfuglien, making $3M. Also, unfortunately for Hawks fans we've all heard the rumblings that it seems Sharp is the odd man out. Personally, I think Sharp is awesome and I would love to see him in a Wings uniform but that probably would never happen.

Lebda will be an Unrestricted Free Agent at seasons end. Meech will be a Restricted Free Agent at seasons end. Jakub Kindl is out of minor league options and will be up with the big club next year. With Lidstrom and Lilja most likely set to return and Kronwall, Stuart, Rafalski, and Ericsson coming back there simply isn't room for Lebda. He'll walk as an unrestricted free agent and the Wings will not be compensated in any form. Some team around the league will place some value on his speed and I wouldn't be surprised to see him get overpaid with a salary in the 750k-$1M/yr as insane as that sounds.

Yeah that's all I was saying. He just needs to be weaned in and have someone to fall back on so that when he does eventually hit those inevitable bumps in the road a rookie season will no doubt bring he isn't left to fend for himself. I know I'll be so much more comfortable next season having Ericsson and Kindl as our options instead of having to fall back on either Lebda or Meech when Ericsson stumbled this year. That's fair. I'm not saying he's Alex Ovechkin or anything. But at 57 pts in 82 games (the last year in Detroit) with an upcoming $2.85M cap hit that's very solid value especially considering the growth he showed in the previous years with the Wings. You're definitely right in saying that he has room to continue to grow but his game definitely hasn't peaked yet. He definitely won't be the best player on the team if he were to return but at that cap hit he will provide a huge boost to our secondary scoring and be a very valuable piece to our offence. In this year where our scoring has been low (and everyone seems to blame our secondary guys more than our primary which isnt necessarily true - but the point is we jut need more goals period) a boost is a boost and Hudler at $2.85 can provide just that so I think that's where all the love comes. Maybe some ppl jut didnt realize how valuable he was until he was gone.

That's a valid point but theoretical to say the least. We all should remember what happened when Hudler was given second line minutes and more ice time and better line mates. He realyl only excelled playing on the third line with Filppula and Samuelsson against quote-unquote the opposing teams weaker defense pairings. That being said, I am a big fan of Hudler's and am all for bringing him back. In the right situation and given the opportunity I strongly believe Hudler could be almost a point per game guy in this league.

I didn't say he'd be a 7th dman. I just don't think the Wings are going to throw him into the deep end and expect him to play a full 82 game NHL season with a whopping 3 games of NHL experience to date. Especially considering the consistency issues he has had at the AHL level. We've all seen the consistency issues Ericsson has had. I think both Ericsson and Kindl would benefit by having each other to lean on and will split time. Plus, we all know injuries happen so it's not like at the end of the season they'll have ended up playing a split 41 games each. They'll like end up with 60 odd games each. It'll just take some of the pressure of one another. Hudler did very well when he was here too. You have to admit, he adds a whole lot to our second PP unit - which looked pretty weak most of the game last night I thought and most of the season (although a lot of that can be attributed to injuries).

The way I see it Maltby, Eaves, Holmstrom, Lilja, LIdstrom and Bertuzzi are coming back next season. As far as I know Ritola is out of minor league options so that may handcuff us a little bit. So that probably means we'll be saying good-bye to Miller. I also think Williams will walk and Meech's rights will be dealt for a late round pick since he is an RFA or they'll simply opt to not re-sign him and he'll end up an unrestricted free agent. Kindl will be up with the big club and in my opinion he and Ericsson will be working in together as the 6th defensemen in hopes of avoiding, or minimizing, rookie season struggles Kindl may have (similar to Ericsson) and this will help to boost both player's confidences. With Abdelkader being set to be with the big club next season as well that gives us a full roster of 13 forwards, 7 D and 2 goaltenders so some decision has to be made if this is the route that we end up taking. If this is how it works out: FORWARDS: Datsyuk Zetterberg Franzen Filppula Cleary Holmstrom Bertuzzi Helm Draper Eaves Abdelkader Ritola Maltby DEFENSEMEN Lidstrom Rafalski Kronwall Stuart Lilja Ericsson Kindl GOALTENDERS Howard Osgood The obvious decision here is concerning the forwards. As well as Bertuzzi has done in some ppl's eyes there are posters here who do not think he should return. That aside, the real question surrounds Maltby/Ritola and adding a legit secondary scorer whether that be Hudler or Frolov or anyone else that has been mentioned in this thread. Obviously, for us fans who want the best chance to win the best scenario would be for Maltby to retire. In my mind Hudler would provide the best bang for buck. So if Maltby were to retire and Hudler were to return the following scenario is possible: 2010-2011 Detroit Red Wings PLAYER BONUS CAP HIT FORWARDS Pavel Datsyuk — $6,700,000 Henrik Zetterberg — $6,083,333 Johan Franzen — $3,954,545 Valtteri Filppula — $3,000,000 * Jiri Hudler — $2,850,000 Daniel Cleary — $2,800,000 * Todd Bertuzzi — $1,750,000 * Tomas Holmstrom — $1,750,000 Kris Draper — $1,583,333 * Justin Abdelkader — $850,000 * Darren Helm — $750,000 * Patrick Eaves — $750,000 * Mattias Ritola — $500,000 DEFENSEMEN Brian Rafalski — $6,000,000 * Nicklas Lidstrom — $4,500,000 Brad Stuart — $3,750,000 Niklas Kronwall — $3,000,000 * Andreas Lilja — $1,250,000 Jonathan Ericsson — $900,000 Jakub Kindl — $883,333 GOALTENDERS Chris Osgood — $1,416,666 Jimmy Howard — $716,666 BUYOUTS NONE LOST VIA REENTRY WAIVERS NONE CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS ROSTER SIZE 22 SALARY CAP $56,800,000 PAYROLL $55,737,876 BONUSES $0 CAP SPACE $1,062,124 *That leaves some cap space which could be used in case it takes a bit more money to re-sign some of these players (i.e Lidstrom) or come the trade deadline. Franzen - Datsyuk - Holmstrom Hudler - Zetterberg - Cleary Bertuzzi - Filppula - Abdelkader Draper - Helm - Eaves Ritola Lidstrom - Rafalski Kronwall - Stuart Lilja - Ericsson/Kindl Howard Osgood OR Datsyuk - Zetterberg - Holmstrom Franzen - Filppula - Hudler Bertuzzi - Helm - Cleary Abdelkader - Draper - Eaves Ritola

For the record I'm Canadian but somewhat agree with some of the Americans in this thread. Heatley is not a choker what so ever...at least not yet in his career. Cancer...sure, that's fair in some ppl's opinion. BUt not a choker