Matt

Correct -- and something that Nashville will also eventually experience if they maintain their high level of play. The Wings have benefited from an outstanding scouting staff that has resulted in Datsyuks and Zetterbergs to help maintain the franchise during what would've normally been a "rebuilding" period. It's not a move of desperation if they're dealing from a position of strength. The Predators could afford to make the move to bolster their roster, keep a key aquisition away from a pair of key conference opponents, and not adversely affect their farm system. Yes, they need to put butts in the seats, too, but there's no guarantee Forsberg equates that. They STILL may not come. They were already one of the top teams in the NHL prior to the deal and they still weren't near capacity and I'm not expecting sellouts even with Forsberg on the roster now.

I wouldn't call it desperation, per say, but they're definitely pulling out all of the stops in an effort to win the Cup. And why not? They've got three good scoring lines now, a deep defense, and a solid 1-2 tandem in net... The cherry on top is that all of the years leading up to this one where they've been mediocre has resulted in good draft positioning that -- coupled with good scouting -- has resulted in great organizational depth. Hence the package that no other NHL club was willing to match. I don't think the move will adversely affect the Predators at all 3+ years down the road.

Again, conference affiliation (as a factor) does not apply to rental players.

IMO, Williams, Hudler and Samuelsson could all be replaced. Hudler has the highest trade value of the three, Williams would be second and Samuelsson has been very underwhelming this season when he's actually been healthy.

The season's over next week? DAMN!

Ain't happenin.

Interesting that Kronwall was the requested return. Glad Holland turned it down, but it also shows that at least one other NHL GM thinks that Kronwall's 5-year contract is more than reasonable. (I think it is, too.)

And while he's certainly no Patty Roy, Vokoun certainly loves to run his mouth like him. So that helps a bit more.

How tired and uninformed is this statement? It's quickly climbing up my "pet peeve" list. Conference/Divisional alliances DO NOT MATTER in terms of trade deadline rental activity. Did you already forget about the Chris Chelios deal in 1999? And that wasn't even a rental! How about the Leopold/Tanguay deal from the draft? Or the Theo Fleury deal before that? Colorado and Calgary certainly don't seem to mind. How about the Nagy deal between Dallas and Phoenix this week? You mean the same two guys that have played and shared a lockerroom with Chelios in the Olympics? Granted, this was prior to Chelios war march on Saskin's annointment, but I have a hard time believing that the "lawsuit" Chelios has filed would be a deal-breaker. If it is, then Tkachuk and Guerin would need to be fitted with diapers and new sets of pacifiers -- and I don't believe that's the case.

No. Consider him to be the "new Shane Doan." He's the face of the franchise and won't be traded.

Patience. While Forsberg would've been a great addition it looks like Nashville was doubly interest in him (not only to bolster their roster, but to keep him AWAY from Detroit). They did both and it cost them. Rumors swirling around lately could have the Red Wings having one of their most active trade deadline "seasons" since 1999 -- i.e., more than one move -- and a package like the one Nashville offered would've milked a good portion of the Wings' assets away. (Yes, I realize that the potential for Lang to be flipped was possible, but it's not now.) Seeing a guy like Bertuzzi, Guerin or Tkachuk on the roster in addition to a guy like Fedotenko, Roberts, etc., isn't necessarily a bad thing, either. Who knows -- maybe there's a method to the madness where Holland can manage to snag two of the first three players mentioned.

Might want to update the sig pre-emptively, eh?

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/hockey/16708351.htm ...Originally, the Flyers were believed to be asking for rookie right winger Alexander Radulov. When the stakes were raised, they landed Parent, a puck-skating defenseman who was the Predators' No. 1 draft pick (18th overall) in 2005. Forsberg, 33, could still re-sign with the Flyers in the off-season. It is believed if that does not happen, the Flyers will get additional draft picks in the future. The third-round pick would change to a much higher pick - probably a first-round pick -if Forsberg were to re-sign this summer with Nashville instead of the Flyers... Emphasis mine. Don't doubt for a second Holland upped the ante on this deal to force Nashville to offer the package it did.

With the Forsberg situation finally resolved I'd expect the dominos to start quickly falling around the league...

What is it now, two straight years of the Predators purposefully out-bidding the Red Wings for a player they coveted? Didn't work out too well for them the first time and it's not something they can continue to do. As others have mentioned, at that price I'm glad Holland bowed out.

QFT

(See Bottom) http://www.mlive.com/redwings/stories/inde....xml&coll=1 "...Robert Lang is often criticized for looking lazy on the ice, slow and prone to turnovers, and is frequently the center of trade speculation. But, he has good size, something this team lacks, and the strength to battle down low and get to the net, though he hasn't shown it much this season. And he has been one of the Wings' better playoff performers the last two seasons. Still, I have a feeling he's going to be dealt before the Feb. 27 trading deadline, especially if the Wings land Peter Forsberg. The New York Rangers reportedly have some interest in Lang and a deal would clear some salary cap space for the Wings to make another move (Todd Bertuzzi, Bill Guerin, Ladislav Nagy?) and might even get them a draft pick, a prospect or a depth player in return.... This was mentioned in the Forsberg trade thread, but I felt this deserved it's own discussion.

Like Cory Cross?

I would be shocked if Holland traded for Laraque for the reason you mentioned (extra year commitment) and because of the ones I mentioned. Even if the cap hit is relatively small, it is still one of 18 available skater positions and one that would be better utilized with someone of a higher skill set.

Pass. How's that old line go? "When a crusher becomes a rusher, he will soon become an usher." While that may not apply entirely to Laraque, wasn't there a big issue a couple years back that Laraque didn't want to be an "enforcer"? He's got six fighting majors and just 52 PIMs all year. I'm not saying that I don't believe he'd help "protect" the likes of Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Lidstrom, I just think it answers ONE aspect of what the Wings need rather than two or three. For example, while not the fighting type (we don't need strictly a fighter, but someone that *will* drop the gloves when need be) a guy like Guerin, Tkachuk and Bertuzzi (depending where his head is at) will do that AND re-inforce the 2nd line AND provide scoring punch on the power-play. Lately it's been reported that JD would prefer to re-sign Guerin and deal Tkachuk.

One paper had Hasek saying yesterday that the wrist was feeling better but wasn't quite 100% yet... Which makes me think Osgood will start, especially since he's been taking extra time at practice lately. Smith has been great lately and turned in a nice performance last week in a shutout of Anaheim.

I could care less if it rattles you. /speaking of peeves

TSN is reporting Mike Smith will start for the Stars tonight, not Turco. Depending on which newspaper you read, either Osgood or Hasek will be starting tonight.

Was that what Chicago was thinking when they traded Chelios? Or Colorado and Calgary during the Theo Fleury, Tanguay/Leopold trades? Or Phoenix and Dallas in the Nagy deal?

Hilarious! Guess I know what a large group of the all-stars were doing in Dallas.