OUredwinger

Ovechkin Crosby Stamkos Sedin H. Sedin D. Malkin Zetterberg Datsyuk Iginla Thornton Richards M. Toews Weber Keith Chara Lidstrom Doughty Johnson,Erik Miller Lunquist

3 mil is the absolute max i would pay for Lombardi. If he would sign for around 2.2 to 2.5 that would be ideal. He's coming off a career year and is still in his prime. In our series with the 'yotes he and Wolski scared me every time they were on the ice. He plays with a spark and has speed to burn. He's going to get a big pay raise. Agree about the defense. With or without Lids it needs work. The problem is anyone with an ounce of skill is going to be in high demand. I don't want Kenny to end up in a bidding war for a 5/6 D-man. We'll have to get by with a combo of Ericsson, Kindl and probably Lilja for the 5/6. If Ericsson/Kindl can't hack it trade one of them while they still have some value, even if it's just a mid-level draft pick. Lilja for 1 million (slight pay cut due to injury) would be good value. He's our best shot blocker and holds his own in along the boards. On a non playoff team he's probably a 4th D man. No decent defenseman will come to Detroit for less than 2 million a year. If all we do this offseason is re-sign Nick and re-add Hudler I won't be pleased. The roster that worked in '08 isn't good enough to get past the conference finals now.

Hi folks, long time lurker (05-06), first time poster. As mentioned befored, the entire offseason centers around Nick. I personally feel that he should allowed to retire if he doesn't take between 3-4 million. Yes, by his play he deserves at least Rafi money but in the salary cap world he simply isn't worth that at his age. Signing a one year contract for 5-6 mil is handicapping the team and only delaying his enevitable retirement. So let's say Nick agrees with me and takes between 3-4, here is a list of the some possible additions I wouldn't mind seeing. The salary i've included is the MAX I would pay said player. Matt Lombardi 3 Alex Frolov 3.3 Maxim Afinegenov 2.8 Alex Tanguay 2.5 Manny Malhotra 1.0 Taylor Pyatt .950