mmamolo

Since everythign that's been said so far about the NHL not being able to stop Hudler going to the KHL I think that's what we should be hoping for in this arbitration hearing; getting a good valued contract if he ever comes back. He could end up coming back that much better in two years and this contract could be a bargain. Or he could come back as crap and we're screwed. Does anyone know how that works? If HUdler decides to come back after two years the Wings automatically have to honour the contract? Or do they get a say since the contract is beign signed today with the itention (from the Wings end) that it is for the 2009-10 season? I'd imagined they would have to honour it but Im not sure

Samuelsson signed $2.5M/yr for three years. I thought that was way over paying Samuelsson but I will give the guy some credit, he does score some timely goals. The guy shoudl produce a hell of a lot more than he does though. He has the talent but he's just not consistent. It looks like he's not always that confident of a player. When he's hot he can be very good.

yeah I heard Burke wants to finally unit Brett and Eric on the Leafs top line

Whether Stralman was used to set the bar for a late 2nd rounder to then trade White or not, i just think they could have gotten a better return than they did. Which would have set the bar even higher to support your argument. It's too bad the Leafs have such a back log of defensemen and Finger will almost certainly be in the AHL. Really it'd be awesome if the Leafs were able to deal both Finger and Van Ryn even though I kinda like MVR. Personally I would want to see the Leafs run with: Kaberla Komisarek Beauchemin Schenn Exelby White Frogren with some kind of return for Finger and MVR, even if it's only picks. Stockpile those picks baby But then again Im not a fan of the Leafs so if they stink it up I dont really give a s***.

Everyone knows that scoring depth is crucial come playoff time. You absolutely need to generate goals from your third line and get a few randoms from your 4th here and there. Im not saying that Helm and Leino wont be able to do it but you definitely want some more scoring depth up front than is currently on this roster so you have options on no one feels the burden of all the pressure once you get passed your top guys like Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Franzen.

ALl this was was a list of big defensemen that the Wings have had who sustained significant injuries. I wasn't claiming that Krupp or Hatcher were of the same skill level or had the same personal integrity or any thing other than the fact they were big guys who got hurt. How you could take offense and say it's a disgrace is beyond me when it's simply a list of guys who were hurt. Not to mention that Hatcher's career was changed entirely after his knee injury. He went from being one of the better defensemen in the league to a slow, defensive liability on the ice. Take it down a notch bud and realize this had nothing to do with their skill. All it had to do with was the fact they got hurt.

I think part of the problem is that instantly if you're european or russian you're instantly deemed to be a soft player. Detroit has done so well because they european and russian players they have, for the most part, are significantly tougher than they are ever given credit for. You don't need goons to win a cup. Bu tyou do need tough players that are willing to take some punishment to get it done and in my eyes we have a ton of guys like that.

Oh yeah I think that's possible. I was just implying that 10-12 would absolutely happen. ANythign beyond that would be a bonus for that money in my eyes. My point was that at 800k if he potted 10-12 he'd be well worth the going rate in cash in this league today. If he potted closer to 20, which a lot of ppl think he can, he would be an absolute steal at 800k. That's why I say I would gladly sign him if he wanted to play in Detroit again for 800k. Hell, I'd probably even give him $1M with the current Jason Williams $2.5M rumor floating around

Personally I don't hate the guy I jsut think he was always overrated and at this contract value he would be significantly overpaid on this team. We dont need a forward to play the point on our second PP unit and he really doesnt add that much up front you couldnt get with any number of other FAs. I would much rather see the Wings bring back Bertuzzi if they are dead set on bringing someone back. $2.5M is ridiculous, in our cap situation, to give to Williams. Personally I wouldnt take him for anymore than $1M. Even at $1M i would probably be pissed he even takes up a roster spot on the Wings. I just think he is overrated and not at all what we need to round out our team.

or a strangely high value of importance on the moves the wings make

I will actually give Ken Holland my left nut not to make this signing

Yeah you're right I think. Either way, yeah I'd take him in a heart beat at 800k. Far better than Jason Williams at $2.5M I think IM gonna vomit

This is horrible news in my opinion. He's just about the last guy I would have wanted

I would hoenstly rather rip my dick off and throw it in the woods than sign Jason Williams for $2.5M on a one year deal. Honestly, I would be absolutely shocked if Holland made that move. No way is he worth that money. There are better options out there far, far, far cheaper. That would be a huge mistake in my opinion.

You are definitely right. At the time that $4M contract was more out of loyalty than it was for hockey. If I'm not mistaken Shanahan ended up accepting $2.5M from the Rangers. I also doubt Shanahan will come here but I was just making the point that even at the 800k he signed with Jersey last year, personally, I think he'd be worth it.

With the loss of Hudler I think it would be pretty unrealistic for anyone to believe Holland wouldnt make a move before camp. As it stands the Wings only have 11 forwards and that includes Abdelkader. Holland has publicly said that he'd prefer Abdelkader start the year in GR and play 20 mins/game. It's not like the Wings are going to promote two more rookies like McGrath and Oulahan from GR like some have suggested. There is no way they were planning on having, Helm, Leino, McGrath, Oulahan, Ericsson and Howard as rookies on this team this season. I think had Hudler returned that is when Holland would have refrained from looking elsewhere for a player. I also think Holland is doing is due diligence and contacting any FA that may fit the mold he may be looking for. He has to see what their interest is, what their asking price is, and what type of player they are before he makes the final decision of what direction they want to go in.

See, what I mean? It really seems like ppl are being overly harsh on him. I think he does bring some of what the Wings are looking for. As I've said in previous posts I don't think he is the absolute best option out there but I dont think he is pure crap either, especially considering you'd sign him for like 700k or something. Maybe I'm just playing devil's advocate and ppl bashing him are making me think this way but it just sounds like he's being overly criticized. I dont think he is washed up and useles. I think he'd fit on our 3/4 line, get second unit pp time. I think he could definitely contribute 10-12 goals for sure. But, that's just me

This is the bashing Im talking about. I dont get it. Why is everyone so harsh on Shanahan? AM I missing somethign here?

I have to agree with that. Datsyuk seems way too mild mannered to really have any issue with anyone, let alone Shanahan. That seems strange to me. Shanahan strikes me as the type of guy who knows what his role is now and would embrace it. I really think he could be a good fit for one year on our fourth line and getting some PP time. BUt that;'s just me

Delmore Signing In this article it notes that it is a two way contract which means he was signed for GR and can be called up the same way McCarty and Downey had signed last year with the Wings. It is 100% a depth signing and he probably wont see any time with the Wings unless there is an injury. Even then it's doubtful. Before Holland moves anyone you have to figure the depth chart looks something like: Lidstrom Rafalski Kronwall Stuart Ericsson Lilja Lebda Meech Janik/Delmore/Kindl etc. At best he's in the 9 range on the depth chart.

Delmore Signing In this article it notes that it is a two way contract which means he was signed for GR and can be called up the same way McCarty and Downey had signed last year with the Wings. It is 100% a depth signing and he probably wont see any time with the Wings unless there is an injury. Even then it's doubtful. Before Holland moves anyone you have to figure the depth chart looks something like: Lidstrom Rafalski Kronwall Stuart Ericsson Lilja Lebda Meech Janik/Delmore/Kindl etc. At best he's in the 9 range on the depth chart.

I think at this stage it's safe to say Shanahan would sign for 5-600k. BUt even at 800k I see what you're saying. I dont think that Sundin is at the same stage as Shanahan though. It's kind of comparing apples with oranges. I was only joking about not signing with the Wings for 900k. Obviously, I'd play for free. Hell, I'd probably donate my left nut to medical research to play for them.

Prospal has been bought out. You're right if you came to me and said which woudl you rather have, a guy who turns the puck over 5 times or a guy who turns it over 10 times, of course I'd pick 5. You don't know the quality of turnovers before they happen. But what we do know are the types or turnovers certain players are prone to making. You can judge a guy based on his habits and history. We know that a guy like Lidstrom, in the past, rarely turned the puck over and when he did they were low risk situations. Therefor we can predict that if and when he does turn the puck over in the future they will most likely be of the same quality.

I think he will. His defense was strong in the AHL and it must have been tough to adjust to the speed in the NHL. WIth such little time I think he did very well and it should only improve this year with a regular spot in the line up. Ericsson is one component of the Wings this year that definitely does not worry me.

This is absoltuely 100% right. The Wings european players are underrated a lot of the time for the toughness. Detroit doesnt need pure fighters when almost all of their euro forwards are as tough as they are. It really disgusts me to hear ppl claim that Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Franzen aren't as tough as they really are. Granted, Hudler, Samuelsson and FIlppula could stand to toughen up a little bit but overall Detroit is a tough team. They out muscled the all mighty Anaheim Ducks in the playoffs (the NHL's bs model franchise for toughness).