kipwinger

Awww, that makes this guy a saaaaaad panda. It's his own fault though, you've got to compete harder and be an "everydayer" if you want to be Mike Babcock's son. Lil' Michael Babcock just needs to steal somebody else's job that's all.

Infinity?

Dude what are you talking about? Boarding and gloved punches to little guys' faces are part of the game. Always have been, always will be. If you weren't on the soft, euro, pussified, nancy boy, bandwagon you'd realize Chara is just bringin' old time hockey back to the masses.

Everybody knows my feelings on Babcock, but this was pretty classy of him: http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2015/01/petr_mrazek_follows_meeting_wi.html

Oh sweet, the biggest guy in the league boarded someone and hit another guy with a gloved fist. What a tough dude he is. Puke.

He does. And he should. I agree, he's not great. Certainly not the right handed, puck moving, saving grace that Detroit is supposedly interested in. Which is why, if we're interested in him, we should wait until the offseason and sign him (rather than giving up assets in a trade).

Because he's a righty? That's like the holy grail of Detroit hockey. I agree though, neither score much. I wasn't trying to suggest that Petry was Mike Green or anything. Which is why I've said I don't want Holland to use assets on him.

Your overall point I agree with, but Smith isn't better. Even if they were equally bad defensively, which doesn't seem to be the case, at least Petry scores (more). I'd do Petry for Smith straight up.

Point taken, but it's not like Jeff Petry is winning them games.

Don't you think that if Petry could be had for Kindl, Backman's rights, and a mid rounder right now, wouldn't it have happened already? Holland's been shopping Kindl for a year and a half. I doubt that such a trade is available to him and he just hasn't pulled the trigger. Likely, Edmonton is waiting for a bigger purse.

I'd be ok with that too. Somebody (Pittsburgh) will give more though. And I'd hate to lose any decent prospects for a guy I can sign this offseason.

Jesus I hope we don't give up assets for Jeff Petry. I don't mind him as a player, but I don't see him helping our blue line THAT much. Why not wait and get him in the offseason. You're right, he's from Michigan so presumably we've got the inside track on him (if the endless talk of UFAs 'going home' has any validity to it).

I'm not so sure why you're so high on a guy that you described as being less valuable than Steve Duschene. Remember when you said that?

When you google his name, google provides a short summary profile on the right side of the screen and it has him listed as 170 lbs. That's where I saw it, but clearly that's not a good source.

You're right. I was looking at the wrong thing. My mistake.

Two legit points, but both still exist if you trade for a pending FA anyway. You're going to have to get them to choose Detroit and sign a contract either way. But in only one of the two instances will they be losing assets. Given how notoriously tight fisted Holland is, I just don't seeing him giving away assets unless he can make a run at the Cup. But points taken. And agree with.

From the Griffins website. They've actually got him listed at 170 lbs, but I gave him a few pounds.

Well unless you believe that "anything can happen once you get in", making the playoffs doesn't make one a contender. If Holland doesn't think we're a contender (rather than just in the playoff picture), then I imagine he'd forgo spending good young assets on a guy like Petry or Green (for example) when he can get either one of them in free agency for a contract and zero prospects, picks, etc. Sure this team is in the playoff picture, but they currently can't beat other playoff caliber teams. So even though they'll likely make the playoffs, if they're probably not a Cup contender. As such I don't see him spending assets on something he can get for nothing in free agency in July. If they prove me wrong and start beating good teams, then maybe he will. It's really not difficult logic folks.

I know this thread will quickly slip into obscurity, but oh well. I was just looking at Chris Osgood's 2008 playoff performance (because I like to imagine that single performance created the "Mike Babcock as genius" myth), and it was ungodly. If not for Osgood, we get beat in the first round. 14-4 record 1.55 goals against. 930 save percentage 3 shutouts (2 in the finals).

But didn't you know, he was a better Red Wing than Hossa, who should have been kept over Franzen, who should have been signed to a long term, Zetterberg-like, front loaded contract. Duh. And around and around we go.

A couple years ago he had 24 in 70+ games. He's always had the ability to score at lower levels, because he's REALLY fast. But unless he can put some weight on (he's 175 lbs. now), he's never going to translate that success into the NHL IMO.

He probably doesn't punch them, but there's a good chance he helps neuter them with his stick.

I agree. Honestly I think both could be traded without too much harm done to the team, but I don't see it happening. With regard to Nyquist, while I agree that he's good with Zetterberg, I don't think he's been very good at all lately. Teams are checking him tight and not giving him any room to make plays. I think he'd benefit from the mismatch on the third line. Plus, it's not like Franzen and Z don't play well together. They have for years. And I'm convinced that Weiss will flourish if moved back to center. He sees the ice really well, is a strong passer, and can makes plays quickly. Put him with a couple of proven guys and I think the line will (collectively) do some damage.

How's about this for lines (when people are healthy): Tats-Datsyuk-Abby Z-Weiss-Franzen Nyquist-Sheahan-Jurco/Helm Miller-Glendening-Jurco/Helm

I think you've pinpointed it exactly.