mmamolo

I just dont think Kozlov and his ~$3.7M cap hit is what we're looking for. As mentioned before I think from the Thrashers Afinoganov is a much better fit for us.

yeah they are for sure - i guess i was saying we're about as good as it gets or at least right up there at the top

AS much as I like Filppula, and believe me I really do, I think the Wings are so much strong with him as the 3rd centre right now. It's not even just about offence either. Filppula is turning into a great defensive centre (with relatively good offensive capabilities too) but right now he's just not at the same level as Datsyuk and Zetterberg. Splitting Datsyuk and Zetterberg up also forces other teams to be mindful of matching their lines up against ours. They have to constantly be weary of one of our big guns being on the ice. To me, if you look around the league and compare Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Filppula, and Helm I dont think you can find a team any stronger down the middle. If you stick with that you can fiddle with all the wingers and who is working well with who at any particular time. I like seeing well balanced lines. Cleary and Holmstrom on separate lines. Bertuzzi and Franzen on separate lines. s*** like that That being said, there are times in a game where a Franzen - Zetterberg - Bertuzzi line could be good. Or split by Datsyuk or Filppula.

I caught soem flack last summer on these boards for saying I wanted the Wings to offer him a 750k 1 year deal. There's no denying his skill and I'm really not surprised he's kind of turned thigns around this season. That being said, I dont know what it would take to get him out of Atlanta but if I were Holland I would definitely make a call to find out.

I defintely see what you're saying and you're probably right. That being said, with the departure of Kovalchuk I think all bets are off on some of the other Russian players on that team. You know Antropov can't be all too happy as I believe it was public knowledge a big part of why he signed in Atlanta was to play with Kovalchuk. Afinoganov's situation is obviously different. He was a guy that all but couldn't get a contract in this league last summer. Atlanta takes a chance on him and one has to wonder how much input Kovalchuk had on that move as well. In my mind both Antropov and Afinoganov can't be too happy with yesterday's trade with the Devils. I think Max may be more available than we might think. As well as Afinoganov has done and as good as those lines look on paper who knows how they'd mesh. To me though, an Afinoganov - Filppula - Miller line has all the tools that a solid line needs. Speed, skill, grit, hard work, defensive ability, timely scoring and on top of all of that, they're young.

You left out Bertuzzi. In your trade proposal I think it'd be something more like: Bertuzzi - Datsyuk - Holmstrom Franzen - Zetterberg - Cleary Afinoganov - Filppula - Miller Draper - Helm - Eaves Maltby

Agreed. Even though he's had strong numbers the last five years (save for 07/08) his numbers this year have fallen way off. His cap hit is way too big for what we can work with. Personally, if we were to deal with the Thrashers I'd rather see a deal for Afinoganov.

As per MLive May is in for Maltby and Howard gets the start tonight against the Ducks

The only way this works, i nmy mind, is if the Hawks unload some players who are signed to next season for Kovalchuk only to allow him to walk as a UFA this offseason. That way they have the space to put together a full team next year. So in this sense it does make a lot of sense.

That's partially right. From what I remember Holland had Quincey and Meech battle it out for the final roster spot. He came out and said that both deserved to be in the NHL and that whichever proved more valuable at the time the Wings would keep and the other would find a new home via the wire. I remember hearing that although Quincey had played dcently for the Wings in the past he wasn't looking too hot in camp that year. Apparently it was thought that he had taken a step backwards in his dvelopment and the Wings didn't have too many options other than to mvoe him once it was decided Meech would be kept on the roster ahead of QUincey.

If Witt weren't overpaid.....ha truth be told, I actually kind of like Witt, but obviously not for that cash. Everyone here is right though. The Wings won't be trading for a roster player - as it stands right now. The only way that could really happen, in my opinion, is if Lilja can't come back and someone is willing to take some combination of May/Lein/Lebda or Meech for a roster player. Either way, we wouldnt receive much of a player in return for that. I think we'll most likely see some picks and/or prospects in return for what we may end up moving. The only other way we'd get a roster player via trade is if we moved a current roster player which we all know rarely happens in Detroit (at least in the Holland era). Besides, with all the guys who have returned from injury and with Franzen coming back soon I'm not entirely sure we need to add another roster player. Well, at least until thigns settle and we can see what our needs are. I think our lines of: Bertuzzi - Datsyuk - Holmstrom Franzen - Zetterberg - Cleary Williams - Filppula - Miller Draper - Helm - Eaves or whatever other combos ppl like competitive around the league

Agreed. As I mentioned in the other thread Meech>Lebda for all the stated reasons

If I had to choose today, I would keep Meech. That being said, it's a little frustrating because as bad as Lebda can be he has had his moments where he has looked decent. Another poster mentioned how he has played pretty well these last few games and there have been stretches in the passed where he has looked pretty good but the problem is he is just so inconsistent. He notoriously starts slowly at the beginning of the season and then struggles to find his game on a nightly basis. I think in some ways we owe this to Meech. He has paid his dues, filled in when asked on both forward and defense, and still can continue to grow. Plus, again as another poster mentioned, the fact that he can fill in on forward as well is a plus. Also, even though both players have pretty little trade value I do think there are teams that would give something up for Lebda. He's a fast skater, when he is on can move the puck decently, has playoff experience and is inexpensive. I think we'd net a better return by moving him over Meech and we'd be no worse for wear.

What about the Burrows fiasco from a little while back. He got a diving penalty without a call the other way. At least, that's what I remember But ya, you dont see it too often

Agreed

First, Im Canadian and a lot of ppl dislike it but I don't particularly want Canada to win. Truth be told, the only reason I'll be cheering for Canada (a little anyway) is because of Yzerman, Babcock and Holland. Most Canadians are so arrogant when it comes to hockey and the Canadian Media is so ridiculous. If Canada were to lose there'll be all kinds of summits and investigations and accusations into the Canadian Hockey Development system and what went wrong. Everything about hockey is so blown up and out of proportion in Canada. Heaven forbid Canada win and for the next four years we'll have to listen to Pierre McGuire and co. blab on and on and on about how glorious a hockey nation Canada is. I'm Canadian and for the most part I don't think this country is too arrogant but when it comes to hockey it's flat out embarrassing at times. That being said, what I want: G:Russia S:Sweden B:Canada 4:USA What I think will happen: G:Sweden S:Canada B:Russia 4:USA I think Canada/Sweden/Russia on paper are just so far above everyone else. However, I think USA will be very much in contention for the gold in 2014. Right now Sweden just looks sick with the Sedins, Zetterberg, Alfredsson, Holmstrom, Backstrom, Eriksson, Lidstrom, Kronwall etc. Even without Franzen they look dirty. Plus, Mattias Weinhandl should be in the NHL. He's sick

For anyone who thinks that no one in the league would be interested in what the Wings would be looking to move I need to point out that if Jason Blake and his terrible contract can be moved than anyone can be. I live in Toronto and had to watch Blake on a regular basis. Honestly, in my opinion, he has the absolute worst contract in the league and brings very, very, very little to his team. Maybe he'll turn it around in Anaheim, maybe he won't. The point is he had next to no value and yet he was moved. As much as some ppl on this forum may dislike guys like Meech, Lebda, Leino etc. there are other teams who see potential in them, who don't know all of their bad tendencies, who are willing to take chances. The fact is anyone can be moved in this league if the right deal comes along.

The wallpapers look awesome as usual. Although I love your addition of the Vancouver Olympic games is anyone else really annoyed we have to suffer without Wings games?

I dont know about Anaheim but Toronto is too concerned with how much money they actually have to pay the players - it's all about cap space. By taking Blake and moving Gigeure Anaheim saves themselves $2M in cap space next season as Toskala will have moved on. It's the same reason Burke has publicly stated the Leafs are willing to take on contracts for picks etc and potentially bury them in the minors if need be. The Leafs have the money to keep a guy like Jeff Finger in the minors, not have his salary count against the cap, and pay him the $3 odd million bucks his salary requires them to pay.

Well, that's just common sense...it's called depreciation folks. I'd say getting him for $1 and then reselling him well above his blue book value for 50 cents would be solid. 16 years of service for 50cents...Im sold. In all seriousness, I cant believe anyone actually thinks we should ditch him.

Considering how much Stuart and Meech played together during all of the injuries my best guess would be that they will be paired together tonight. So I would imagine the pairings will be: Lidstrom - Rafalski Stuart - Meech Kronwall - Lebda Although, who knows, they may opt to use Lidstrom to minimize Lebda in some cases but I doubt it.

You can retire with time on your contract but since Draper signed his contract after turning 35 if he were to do that his number will still count against the cap. If he were to retire he wouldn't be paid. But you're right, his number woudl count against the cap. Personally I think this thread was either made to troll this forum or was made by someone with absoltuely zero knowledge of the current situation the Wings find themselves in. 1. Wings will NOT move Draper or Maltby 2. Draper has far more value to this team than most in this thread are giving him credit for (no offence to those pro Draper posters) 3. THe Wings are not in the business of tarnishing long lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with players when there is not just cause

In my opinion Calgary got absolutely hosed in this deal. That being said, I agree that Jokinen has had a very sub-par season - at least offensively. To me the biggest thing is that Kotalik still has another 2 full years left on his contract at $3M. Jokinen, Prust, and Higgins all have expiring contracts. This screams of locker room issues. There has been a lot of talk about Phaneuf and his locker room tendencies but at least the Flames got some value back for him. I'm not a big fan of Stajan or Mayers but I think White has been having a great year and Hagman is great value at $3M/yr as he'll get at least close to 30 goals this year. EIther way, I almost feel that both the Flames and the Rangers are worse now, after the trade, than before. At least, as the idiot Eklund would say, 'the Dominoes are falling...'

It could be 2-1 when SJ pulls their goalie. Detroit scores to make it 3-1. Then SJ ends up scoring a goal late. It has happened before

I do see some of the other posters point in thinking Ponikarovsky is being a bit undervalued here but being that I live in Toronto and watch a ton of Leaf games (usually against my will) I think many in the Leafs organization over value Poni - at times. That isn't to say that I think Williams and Leino for Poni is fair or even but Poni isn't the big body pressence many feel he can or should be. At the end of the day I can't see the Leafs making this trade because they really are going to struggle to score goals for the rest of the season as it is and Williams + Leino is not a goal scoring upgrade over Ponikarovsky. Plus, I don't particularly feel that Poni is what the Wings need or even want at the moment anyways.