PavelValerievichDatsyuk

Yeah, I don't want Phaneuf, especially for that caphit. I meant the Weiss+Smith+Pulks package with Quincey in for Pulkkinen or Smith for some other trade. Not sure who would really be available, though.

I think you could put Quincey somewhere in the package and see if that could get us a high end defencemen. He's been good the past year and a half, but I still think he'll be gone after next year because of his large caphit.

Martin is a top pair defender. He's a big minute guy who could take some or the workload off of Kronwall. Same age as Kronwall (34). He would definitely be an upgrade for the top pair over Ericsson. Probably will get too much money, though, and I wouldn't want a deal more than 3 years.

Yeah, all my Montreal friends were really impressed. I didn't see him enough to judge, but he did score a couple of goals for them in the playoffs. The right-handed factor also inflates his price since they are are harder to find.

I definitely see that as possible. DD-E also isn't the best match since neither is very offensive minded (Though DD is adding that a bit). I really think unless we add a player or Marchenko, Smith, Kindl take a big step and become top 4 guys then the playoff pairs will be what we see next year. I just suggested Q with Kronwall would be something to switch it up and because E has struggled on the top pair.

I think Sheahan and Z should be tried together. If you're making Pulkkinen work onto the lineup I can't see Callahan with his 1 NHL game gets a spot over him. Also Quincey-Kindl scares me - maybe switch big E with either Q or Kindl. Also, forgot Weiss, but I'm guessing you bought him out Tatar-Datsyuk-Abby Zetterberg-Sheahan-Nyquist Franzen-Helm-Jurco/Pulkkinen Miller-Glendening-Ferraro Callahan The Jerk and Pulkkinen fight it out for 3rd line winger. Jurco can play 4th line if Pulkkinen grabs it, but Pulkkinen sits if Jurco grabs it. If Weiss and Franzen are both around I really don't know how we make that work - probably a F-H-W 3rd line and Jurco on the 4th. Kronwall-Quincey Dekeyser-Ericsson Smith/Kindl-Marchenko I think DD+Kronwall=too top heavy. Try Q with Kronwall. Let Smith and kindl fight it out for the 3rd pair.

Well if you think of Orpik at 5.5 last year and add a year's cap increase/artificial inflation Petry make some sense as fair market value.

The announcement will be made by this guy:

We'd have to add one more to the top 6 or have Pulkkinen, Sheahan, Jurco, Helm or Weiss grab one of those spots for that to happen. I agree, though, that have Mule or maybe Nyquist on the 3rd line would be great for our offence and matchups.

I look at it this way: Datsyuk, Z, Lidstrom, Holmstrom, Franzen, Kronwall, Osgood, Hudler, Filppula, McCarty, Kopecky, Meech Helm (didn't play in playoffs) were all homegrown draft picks on that 2008 team. Yes, none of them were top picks. That's a team built pretty much the same we're rebuilding now - with lower picks, UFAs (Rafalski, Lebda, Lilja, Hasek, Cleary, Drake, Draper - or 1 dollar "trade") then a few well timed trades (Maltby, Stuart, Chelios). Drafting Lidstrom, Datsyuk, and Zetterberg isn't just luck. We have a former scout as GM and a great scouting staff. We already have some very good recent young pieces up front in Tatar, Nyquist, and Sheahan. Larkin, Mantha, AA...we may have a few more. Lucked out with DD and Glendening showing up. Marchenko looks great. We have Jensen Ouellet Sproul waiting in the wings. I feel great about the team's future. I know you're talking about stars, though. DD could get to Kronwall's level. Tatar and Nyquist could develop into star forwards (look at Hudler's career trajectory). As you suggested, Mrazek looks like a stud. Larkin or Mantha could get there. There is a possiblity that we become a team with just good depth after D,Z,K, leave, but we have more players than just Mrazek who have a very high ceiling in terms of potential. Selanne wasn't drafted by the Ducks - he was drafted by The Jets. With your reasoning, that would make those 2007 Ducks another example of cup winning team without top draft homegrown draft picks.

Whether you want to call it a problem or a learning situation he doesn't consistently skate or compete or whatever you wanted to call it. Here's recent quotes from Holland and Blashill: http://kuklaskorner.com/tmr/comments/st.-james-discusses-anthony-manthas-learning-curve It is an acknowledged problem. I don't think any have counted him out. Let's hope he overcomes this shortcoming and a year of adversity. He got a goal tonight. Small steos

I do think that Blashill can inject some new energy, but I agree that improvement will be from prospect coming in (Mrazek, Marchenko, Pulkkinen) and youth improvement. Getting Mule back and the possibly having Weiss make a larger impact could also make us better if either happen. I also totally agree that those that have railed against Babcock's roster decisions will find that any new coach will do similarly. After Abdelkader's last year he should and probably will be with Datsyuk. Also, the magic man wants him there(or a similar player) so it's been a player decision as much as a coaching decision. Big E on the top pairing is a result of lack of high end talent on D. As of today, it's probably still the best way to handle the D pairings given the personnel. We'll see if we add someone or if Marchenko or can take a huge step this year. Otherwise, there will be more complaining about E as he plays a role slightly over his skill level. Helm will be pushed down the roster if we either: get Mule back, have Weiss take a larger role, Pulkkinen finds his NHL scoring touch, Jurco finds his offensive game (though he needs to claim a 3rd line spot first). I love Helm and don't mind him filling in on the 2nd line and like that he is basically able to move up and down the roster an fit in. It's an important aspect to have in the event of injuries or struggling chemistry. I think Babcock's reputation for unlikely lineup configurations is exaggerated and I think many people ignore the causes for certain decisions.

Any chance there's a vidja of said incident?

There was a report after the playoffs that said Franzen thought he might have played if we made it to the next round. That sounds like he'll definitely be back. He would be a welcome addition. I feel like he is one player who would be happy Babcock is gone. It's speculation on my part, but I'm guessing that Mule was one of those players that Babs hounded - or “...I cross the line at times with a player." as Babcock said recently. I always thought that Franzen's "get back to having fun" comment was owing to some situation of him being criticized/pushed by the coach.

I really doubt we ever move him to wing. We need him at C long term for the 1st or second line. I understand you might mean short term in his first while in the NHL. I think it's dangerous for his development to take him away from his position. Even his first game in GR we moved AA to the wing to make room for hime despite the fact that AA has played well and knows the system better. I think It would be better to put him as the 3rd line center and have Z on either Pav or Sheahan's wing whenever he makes the jump to the NHL. I agree that's a ways from now, though. possibly later next year. He'll have to really impress in the Calder run to get consideration for the beginning of next year

Bickell is also a UFA at the same time as Sharp. I wonder if shedding his 4 mill would be enough to keep Sharp around as well. Anyway, the sacrifice will be upfront instead of Seabrook.

There wasn't better offensive players. Our top 6 could have been D,Z,Mule, Tatar, Nyquist, Weiss. Then Mule was injured and Weiss was injured/struggled (minus when he first came back). Who else was going to take a spot in the top 6. Jurco flat out underperformed this year. Pulkkinen definitely didn't look like he deserved minutes with Pav. Hopefully they'll both be better next year and they might claim a higher spot. I can almost guarantee that Abby will be with Pav, though. It's been stated many times that it's partly Pav's choice. Abby's 44 pts. in 71gp also shows that he did pretty well with it. Helm played great this past year he'll probably be on the 3rd line depending the Mule situation.

I just pulled out random examples. Vinny is very comparible now though. Both have 3 years left, Vinny's makes 4.5, Weiss 4.9. Similar stats in similar games played (V: 57gp, 20pts W:52gp, 25pts) Weiss is 3 years younger so that's in his favour, but his is a large caphit despite what you seem to suggest. Other examples of not been able to find a suitor: Wild with 30 year old Gilbert (4 mill. 1 year) Leafs with 29 year old Grabovski (5.5 mill 3 years) Lightning with 34 year old Prospal (3.5 mill, 3 years) Anyway, this is off topic and we've talk about it before so I won't say anymore. I just think we'd need to retain salary or take on a bad contract (phanuef). That's how eager I am, haha. Thanks for the heads up. It's hard not to be excited about Larkin. Hope playing with Larkin and Bertuzzi and other guys that clearly have a consistently high compete level with rub off on Mantha.

Then list Carter or Sharp as possible cap issue cast offs. They are more likely to get than Kopitar and Stamkos. There is no chance we're getting those guys

Like Lecavalier (with bolts and now with flyers), Richards (kings), Dipietro? There isn't always somebody. We might find a taker, but it will be difficult. I'm still guessing he'll be part of the team at the beginning of next year. Babs doghouse moved to Front Street - he might have a bit of a fresh start. Good on Larkin! Will watch Saturday for sure. It feels a bit like bringing in a ringer, but since it's our side, I'm totally fine with it haha. I don't trust the big trade coming part. I think it's a longshot for Larkin to make the roster next year to I doubt we'd count on him to replace one of our centers

I have a question: With Babs gone, are the assistants, Granato, Hiller, Brewer still ours? Will they follow Babs since he hired them? Would especially like to keep Granato since he seemed to have a great impact on the effectiveness of the power play.

Fact, not speculation: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=768182

We don't need to argue about what to call the past season or how hard the olympics were to coach. I took your characterization. If this year was mediocre as you say, then last year also was. You said that if had a mediocre year with the Wings next year, his stock would fall. Why? According to you he's had at least 2 already. I think the interest and money would still be there next year even if he signed a 1 year deal regardless of our outcome except if we became bottom dwellers. The teams are interested even with our recent lack of post-season success.

If you consider this past season mediocre than you would consider the previous one mediocre as well. He had 2 similar seasons in a row - His stock is obviously pretty high, why would 1 more change that drastically? The price tag is high due to the olympics, reputation. Maybe if we missed the playoffs, his stock would drop a bit, but I don't think it would be that much. For the record I don't think this year was mediocre and I think next year could be great with better goaltending (Mraz, scared Howie) and hopefully an addition on D.

Twitter, I think but here's a CBC article. And he didn't say that he would be revealed, he just said don't leave a good situation. http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/don-cherry-really-wants-mike-babcock-to-stay-in-detroit-1.3076106