number9

Right on. Who know's what Smith + Nyquist will get/demand, but this probably puts us in a good position no matter what.

It is. But that's being done a lot less, and Dekeyser's camp also doesn't have a large following of fans who look for reasons to hate everything they do. In regards to everything else, yup ok.

Holy Stamkos Batman!

Yes it is. Any player who plays better gets better deals.... duh Signing DD to this term at this price is GREAT. Complaining about his possible next deal, when he hasn't even played one game under this deal, already, is just digging for something to be mad about. Couple that with the ridiculous "Holland's a low-baller" speak going around, and yeah it's annoying.

How in the world can you prove Holland lowballed him? Perhaps DD, the loyal Michigander and Wings fan that he is, wanted to get something locked up long term? Maybe Ken got cold feet on a long deal after signing Kindl? Maybe the entire delay was over term, with which they finally agreed on 2 years after adjusting the financials? Or maybe not one of us has any idea whatsoever? Good deal IMO

It's certainly not a popularity contest in Kens world lol.

Possible future complaining? It already started with the "He's gonna demand a ton after this deal"

Unrelated: I wanna change my LGW handle to BuffaloWings

I also thought Kindl was beastly in juniors though, so take my opinion for what it's worth

He's most likely looking at something like 15 -30 million when all is said and done.

I'm commenting as I go here... Sproul is very noticeable out there, but for good and bad reasons. He likes to join the rush and enter the zone with the puck, and his Slapshot seems great, but his decision making seems average at best. Couple of the shots and other plays he made were forced and unwise. EDIT: Sproul's pertner Backman looked less dynamic but much more complete and ready for the NHL IMO

Hate to be a downer, but it looks like Athanasiou flubs on a defensive play that leads to a goal at about 5:45 in. EDIT: Oh yeah, I kept watching...

Had to stop watching after a Red Wing lost a fight within the first 60 seconds, ugh

After we drafted Frk I made sure to watch him at juniors. He was BEASTLY. Very physical and dynamic. Was extremely underwhelmed and disappointed with him after his first season with us. If anyone can turn it around it's him.

It seems like Nosek was the best thing to happen to Frks career with us. Almost like he was brought in to push Frk. I think the two should remain together.

Hits like crazy. As dynamic as Crosby. Plays point on the PP. I actually think he is one of the more multi-dimensional forwards in the league. He's been lazy on the back check lately, but that's really the only blemish on his record. Kovalchuk was never the media and fan icon that Ovechkin is. I think Ovi stays in NA for longer than you think.

An islander goalie comes to mind Pretending prospects are sure things is a dangerous game

uhhhh because the preseason is not the real NHL. Half a teams roster is AHL players or worse in the preseason. Players that must clear waivers Ishould be given at least 5 to 10 games in real NHL matches before deciding the fate of possibly their entire career with the team... Demanding Mantha and Jurco play on opening night is the definition of impatient fandom. They can and should wait 3 games, 5 games, or even 10 so the rest of team can be correctly evaluated.

Starting Mantha, Jurco, Ouellet, Marchenko and so on on the starting roster, sends guys to waivers. That's throwing away scraps. Giving up players for nothing. My Callahan comment was not meant to be directed at you personally

IDK who dnumber9 is, but I gotta say I like the guy! A trade involving those guys or others like them would be awesome, but it's not gonna happen. No one wants to give up anything good for our scraps. Phasing those guys out and bring up the kids is not a one season/preseason process. They're going to be phased out throughout this season and the coming ones. It's a brand new season. Ferraro Callahan Cleary and Kindl could all surprise us and come back better then ever. Well-liked guys like Tatar could suddenly disappoint. You just don't know. Ericsson surprised everyone. Hudler disappointed everyone. I think all our scraps deserve a fair shot to prove they're not what we have pigeon-holed them to be. If they don't do that I have no problem sending them down for a kid. Lets just be patient and honor the players who deserve a shot. The sudden eagerness to throw Callahan to the wolves particularly irks me. Highly praised by LGW throughout last season for his goal scoring and toughness in GR, now suddenly hie' expendable. People have 2 minutes memories.

What you'd like to see would involve sending to waivers/removing up to 5 different players. That's insane.

Mantha and Athanasiou living up to the hype. Niney likey Who's taking all these penalties for the Wings?

Could be a philly type situation for him

I agree with u that u can't really predict, but that's also why I'm willing to be open minded about Kindl. Just one PO series ago he was solid for us. I'm not wiling to let last season taint his entire future for us just yet.

BOS, I'm sure Frank and I both have a certain special finger we feel like showing you But in all seriousness, can we still get in on the Jeff Finger sweepstakes?