kipwinger

God no I don't want that contract. If we're going to take on that kind of money get me Gaborik to play with Dats. Plus, Yandle at 5 million is a MUCH better option than Bouwmeester at 6.8 and I'd gladly part with Mrazek for the latter.

If we trade for Bouwmeester I'm going to lose it. Why take on that s*** contract for that s*** player when Yandle is supposedly available?

Supposedly his shot is very good, however he hasn't produced a lot of points at any level. Might be because his team wasn't all that great, but his NCAA numbers are a far cry from Brendan Smith or Justin Schultz.

Supposely really good. He's a good skater, decent size, and real long reach.

I don't think it's unrealistic for him to step into the NHL and be an effective player. The problem is, he's not a point producing defenseman so he's not going to show up on the score sheet much, which will draw the ire of some fans. By all accounts he's a good physical shutdown guy, more of a Dan Girardi than a Justin Schultz. So if people hold him to the wrong standard then they'll definitely be disappointed.

According to Dekeyser's agent, a decision is likely tonight, at the latest tomorrow. If (hopefully when) the Wings sign him, I think this will open up the flood doors in the trade department as it will put more of our defensemen in play. Going to be an interesting couple of days starting real soon.

I was wondering about his availability as well.

To be fair, having been to both places they are nicer cities with better economies. But in saying that, I don't believe playing for the Red Wings has "lost it's shine". The city really doesn't have much to do with it. Detroit was worse through the 1990's and early 2000's than it is now and we didn't seem to have a problem attracting talent then. Probably the reason people don't want to come here as much as SOME other teams is because they either A) aren't from here, or B) have decided there are better places to pursue a cup given our team's track record since 2009.

Iginla really wasn't all that expensive. I'm just going to take this as a sign that Holland ought to be able to go out and get Gaborik now, without losing any pieces that we can't really live without. Just a question, but if we land Gaborik and Yandle did we make out better this year than Pittsburgh has? Because I'm calling that too...Gaborik AND Yandle.

Calling it now, Pittsburgh gets beat in the first round of the playoffs after their swiss cheese defense gets totally exposed.

It's not so much that I listen to ESPN as I listen to Lebrun. He's usually pretty "in the know" and is only a contributor for ESPN. He's regularly a TSN guy.

Looks like you were right on this one. I thought for sure he'd get picked up...as did Lebrun at ESPN who speculated this morning that he'd get claimed pretty quickly. Good call.

It's not like he's demanding a trade. Trading him at this point is a win/win. He gets to try and win a cup, and the Flames get a prospect and a pick to go without his services for a few months. Then he simply goes home, with (hopefully for him) a Stanley Cup and a better team overall.

I would think that a team struggling to score goals but still in the playoff hunt would take a flier on him. Someone like Phoenix, Winnipeg, Nash...hell maybe even San Jose. I don't really know though, I'm just basing this off of his potential, age, and previous numbers. I haven't watched a single Carolina game this season. He does have 5 goals and 5 assists though. In this shortened season it's not terrible...not great...but not terrible.

This is a really interesting blog, I'm definitely going to keep following it. Thanks for the post.

Sort of a moot point then, Jokinen will definitely get claimed before he gets to us I'd imagine.

Cleary that's not true. People who use evidence like blocked shots, quality of competition ratings, takeways, PK time/game, and give aways think that Doug Murray is a top 25 defensive defenseman because...drum roll please...they opinion is based on something verifiably hockey related . Apparently, the only people who don't think so are the ones that say things without substantiating them in any way, just for the sake of argument.

Fake...Chara Legit...Colton Orr Clown...Hartnell Classiest...Martin St. Louis.

Right the testimony of the fans is worth it's weight in gold, while stats play second banana...got it. Sooo, have you made any informed conclusions about the Wings based on the testimony of people who watch every game? People like Blueadams, Leftwinger, Dabura, Me, The Axe? We're all fans, we watch every game. And as you've already stated, our "testimony" speaks far louder than silly old facts like statistics. Crymson: "Doug Murray isn't very good at anything other than being big" Kip: "Well here's a bunch of evidence that says you're not being accurate" Crymson: "Evidence smevidence, the opinions of the knowledgeable San Jose Sharks fan base speaks far louder" Kip: Face palm.

That's not true though is it? These guys argue that Murray is one of the top 25 defensive d-men in the league (as of last season). Their metric is based on plus/minus, blocked shots, takeaways, giveaways, PK time/game, and their quality of competition rating. Using that metric he ranks higher than Shea Weber, Johnny Boychuk, and Tom Gilbert, and just below guys like Lidstrom, Kronwall, and Tim Gleason. It's fun to look at the list because the names included on it pretty much validate the metrics used. Girardi, McDonough, Smid, Seabrook, Beauchemin, Suter, Lidstrom. All amazing defensemen. Missing from the list...Yandle, Karlsson, Green, Chara, Letang...all offensive defensemen. I know it's fun to say catchy little zingers like "Murray is not very good in any area beyond being big". But in reality you're wrong. Or at least these guys argue that you are. And at least they have some evidence to justify their positions beyond hyperbole. http://hockeyindependent.com/blog/slasher98/41485/

People are speculating that Murph got fired for being a drunk and now some are suggesting that McCarty take over? I've personally in a bar with McCarty a few tables over while he got loaded. Not really sure if the "pawn star" is the right way to go here.

I'd seriously consider Jokinen, not as a permanent fix, but as something that could help. How far down the waiver list are we anyway?

Yeah for sure. I like Semin and he's playing real good hockey but if I'm paying him 7 million, I'd definitely prefer a shorter term.

Depends on what scoring winger you're talking about. Iginla is on the market, so is Gaborik and Stafford, and there's some speculation that Loui Ericsson and Chris Stewart are too. All of them are scoring wingers, and all three would demand different returns. The same is true of every other winger on the market

I don't have a problem with Iginla as a player, he's clearly a beast. What I have a problem with is that it would take a ton to get him, and then we'd turn around and lose him again this summer. By all accounts he loves Calgary, his family loves Calgary, and it's going to remain his home. If we're going to give up a roster player, top prospect, and pick (which is the current asking price for Iginla) I'd rather we get a guy who will be around for more than a few months.