Bring Back The Bruise Bros

Hate to break the news, but Erskine signed a 2 year extension with Washington earlier this month. Any of the following defenseman would sit well with me: *Shane O'Brien-Scrappy guy who can kill penalties and clear the crease. *Niklas Grossman-Solid shot blocking defenseman. Reminds me of the old Lilja a bit, but isn't afraid to take on anyone, and he's a bit more mobile. *Jim Vandermeer-I'm sure he's gonna have to take a paycut to find someone interested this summer. Not a real young guy anymore, but not a geezer. Solid shut down defenseman, I wouldn't mind acquiring him at the right price. *Nick Boynton-Not the 1st on my wish list, but wouldn't be opposed to it, at the right price, of course. *John Scott-Pipe dream, I know. He wouldn't ask for a ton of cash, and would provide that big tough 3rd pairing defenseman who blocks shots and clears the crease. His speed is obviously his main liability. *Matt Greene-Local Michigan boy. Big, mean, scrappy. One of my first choices. This one makes the most sense, in my mind. Kenny loves the locals *James Wisniewski-There will be a ton of teams tossing figures at this guy, and hopefully we are one of them. Not likely we are to engage in a bidding war, though. *Bryan Allen-Solid shut down guy who can block shots. Not much playoff experience, though. Scottie Upshall is going to have some offer sheets tossed at him, so I doubt we'll get a hold of him. Zenon Konopka, Cody McCormick, Matt Hendricks, Mike Rupp, Matt Bradley, Kyle Clifford (Not sure of his contract status), Kyle Chipchira, David Clarkson, and Brad Winchester are forwards that come to mind to play bottom 6. Glencross just signed a 3 year extension with Calgary

Read an interesting article today stating Draper is seriously considering retirement. He is talking with his family to decide what is the best for the family, as a whole, which I believe is the right thing to do. He's got kids he would like to see more often, as well as a wife that he wants to spend more time with. I know i'll support his decision either way. I would welcome him back as a 13th forward, but at the same time, family does come before work.

The only geezer i'd be happy with getting this summer would be Mark Recchi.

Arguably the most feared enforcer in the game today. RIP Boogaard

Agreed. I was looking for him to step up in the playoffs, but he did the exact opposite. Didn't even notice he was playing most of the playoffs.

I've been working all weekend, and while on my break I saw this. My thoughts and prayers go out to Boogaard's family. Regardless of people's opinions on his role in the game, he will be missed. Just a tragedy. Sad day in the hockey world. One of the few pure goons in the league. Although he was ferocious on the ice, i've heard nothing but great things about him off the ice. You will be missed, Derek.

Assuming Modano,Ericsson, and Salei are gone, Hudler gets traded (Pretty please),and Draper takes a pay cut to stick around: Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Franzen-Filppula-Bertuzzi Cleary-Helm-Eaves Abdelkader-Draper-X -Mursak Lidstrom-Rafalski Stuart-Kronwall X-X Brendan Smith isn't ready for the NHL yet. Give him at least one more year in Grand Rapids and see how he progresses. As far as 3rd pairing defensemen go, Matt Greene, Shane O'Brien, James Wisniewski, Bryan Allen, Marc Methot, Jim Vandermeer, Niklas Grossman, and Sheldon Brookbank are guys that come to mind for solid options. I think a big problem in the San Jose series was our inability to win draws. A cheap 4th liner like Zenon Konopka could help us out in a few departments.

Frolov has reportedly signed a 3 year deal with Avangard Omsk of the KHL, following a disappointing year with the Rangers. Not a real big surprise here.

Skate hard, finish your checks, go to the net, play smart in your own zone. LGW

What a game. Finish em off Thursday! LGW

Stream?

Kovalchuk is a living breathing example of what we don't need here. A playoff choker that plays hard sometimes, as opposed to giving 1000% every shift. They'd light it up in the regular season, but Kovalchuk can't play playoff hockey.

I'm sure someone will throw a fat contract at him and overpay him. Wonder if he wants to stay in Philly, where the "Night life" is so much better than the Motor City Either way, I don't want him back.

He's got the right to freely express himself. Good to see he's being honest, although it's not the popular opinion it seems. Conclusion: Jeremy Roenick should not shut the hell up.

As much as i'd like to see Hudler dealt, i'm not getting my hopes up. Hudler has proved he's nothing like he was before he left for the KHL.

I don't see any big changes like that this offseason. We'll hopefully grab a scrappy 4th liner that can play a regular shift and a stay at home defenseman.

My girlfriend watched the game with me also, all she said about that was " I thought they only flopped like that in basketball?"

Realistically, we're looking at a 3rd pairing guy: Shane O'Brien Jim Vandermeer Matt Greene Ryan O'Byrne Sheldon Brookbank Matt Carkner James Wisniewski(If the price is right......) Jason Strudwick Mark Stuart Ideally, a younger guy like O'Brien would be higher on my list as opposed to another aging guy like Strudwick.

Rather have an elderly Tomas Sandstrom than a Hudler.

Yeah i'd be happy with a few more moves, but in all reality, we know Ken probably won't make any trades.

Thank you. End thread.

Well that makes two of us, good sir.

Let Hudler argument #56821900478 begin.

Silencing the doubters.

Referring to?