Rice

Here's more from McKenzie: More included in the link.

We have Lidstrom, Rafalski, and Kronwall. We won't be getting a Pronger or a Niedermayer any time soon. This is about as "elite" as it gets for the Wings on defense. They need a big bruiser on defense that will make forwards think twice about going to the net...not an "elite" defenseman. An elite forward like Hossa would give the Wings three elite scoring threats up front that are all among the best two-way forwards in the NHL. Filppula, Cleary, and Hudler have been good, but it would worry me a bit going into the playoffs. With Hossa, Zetterberg, and Datsyuk, who do teams key on? The Wings had Anaheim beat last year but couldn't score when it mattered most. Their defense was depleted but they blew a few 5-on-3 opportunities. A guy like Hossa would make the powerplay absolutely lethal. The Wings have lacked a pure scorer for a couple years.

Everyone's best friend Eklund actually posted something about Hossa (and Dumont) today: Take it with a grain of salt, as we all know this guy talks out of his ass a lot. However, if the Wings really are targeting Hossa, he'd be one of the few guys I'd be willing to give up a lot of assets for if I'm Holland. He fits in the Wings system perfectly because he's tremendously effective in all three zones. He's only 29 years old so he would give the Wings the legitimate scoring threat from the wing they've been missing. He's an elite offensive talent with great size who could be around for a long time if he's willing to re-sign -- and from the looks of it (like Kevin Allen said) it seemed he wanted to put on a show for the Wings. This is the type of guy that is worth the assets it would take to acquire him because he's young and there's a chance he'd re-sign...similar to the Cabrera/Willis deal. This isn't a nearly sure-fire rental like Sundin or Blake. No one in the Wings system has the potential to match Hossa's scoring prowess, especially not on the wing. He's like Zetterberg with more size and better natural scoring ability. It's a move that would secure the top-six for years, with Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Hossa, and Filppula. On top of that, I think Holland and Wings management want to restore some of the buzz around the Wings. This would do it. I'd more than willingly give up Hudler, high picks, and one of the glut of defenseman we have for him. The biggest obstacle is the cap and how it would effect re-signings down the road. I know I'll be rooting for Carolina to take that division until the deadline. ...and to those who say Hossa disappears in the playoffs: I can remember the same things being said about a certain guy on the team right now. I think his name began with a P and ended with an avel Datsyuk. Pavel has 31 points in 60 playoff games (.52 PPG). Hossa has 35 in 55 (.63 PPG). Trust me, the guy would have no problem putting up numbers here.

I say sign him. There's almost no risk since the Wings would be signing him instead of giving up assets for him. If he's reasonably healthy, there's a chance he can dominate games in the post-season like he has in the past. At the very least, he's going to be productive and he has a ton of playoff experience. The best part of having Forsberg would be the ability to re-unite Datsyuk and Zetterberg. If he ends up getting hurt, the Wings are out nothing but money and they go with what they've got up front...which is what a lot of people want to do anyway. I'd sign Forsberg and trade for a physical defenseman. How's this for a top-six? Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom Cleary-Forsberg-Filppula/Hudler

Remember Danny Markov? Not that big, but he was physical. He was a great shut-down guy and that's what the Wings are lacking. Look at last night. Lidstrom takes a penalty in the waning minutes of the game and the "shutdown" PK pairing the Wings had out there was Lilja-Chelios. Chelios was having a bad night already and Lilja is Lilja. I'd love a bona-fide defensive defenseman in that role like Foote.

Filppula before Franzen? Seriously?

I loved it... it's crazy how much different things are there.

Don MacLean lit up the AHL too.

If I were forced to choose one, it would be Franzen. He's a more abundant commodity than the others.

Here are some pictures from my trip to Japan over Thanksgiving. My friend just sent them to me...a little late but better than never. Those deer were unbelievable. That was in Nara where deer are considered sacred animals. Vendors sold these rice crackers for 100 yen and if you had them in your hand the deer would bow to you. After eating the cracker they would bow again and move on to the next person. True Japanese deer.

Foote would be an excellent acquisition. Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Foote Chelios-Lilja/Lebda Looks great to me.

The whole situation is pretty unclear. His number should be retired though.

Apparently there's some new information on the McCarty situation. Bob Duff:

Not to mention Nick is the better player.

It would take a hell of a lot more than that to get Ovechkin. IMO, you're looking at multiple high picks (more than two firsts) along with a combination Weber, Suter, Radulov, Legwand, and Franson. Dumont and Zidlicky (young but shaky) aren't the types of players traded for a young franchise player like Ovechkin. It's not happening anyway.

I'd probably take Luongo then Lidstrom. A goalie can carry awful teams (see Hasek and the Sabres).

Enh, decent signing. If he keeps up the pace and improves on it over the course of the deal it could end up being a big bargain -- but the guy has averaged around 60 points since becoming a full-time NHL'er.

Yeah, but '08 picks have more value than those '07 picks did.

That wouldn't happen to have anything to do with the fact that they're Swedish, would it? I can see where you're coming from with Forsberg, but not at all with Sundin. Seems like a great guy to me.

Sundin is an incredible fit to round out Detroit's top-six...which means the Wings probably won't get him. It would cost a boat-load of assets but it might just be worth it if Toronto doesn't ask for a roster player. The Wings have a glut of defensive prospects. IMO, the only way the Wings get Sundin is if he says he'll only waive his NTC to go to Detroit (and maybe one or two other teams). That would give the Wings a lot more leverage in the situation than if every team in the league had a shot at him.

I was calling for Carney a couple of years ago along with Salei. He's getting up there so I don't know how good he is anymore. However, I think he's the type of guy the Wings need on defense. Minnesota is going to make the playoffs so they won't be trading him. Witt may be a good option, although he's signed for one more year at $3 million. The Islanders also have a shot at making the playoffs.

Samuelsson has (unfairly) become the whipping boy since Lang's departure. Give me a break. The guy makes $1.2 million...not $3.8 like Lang was making. He's big, he's decent offensively, and he's not a liability. Plus, he has a mean streak. For $1.2 million I don't know what you guys are expecting.

The thing that makes me suspicious of a return is the fact that the Ducks dealt McDonald. You would think Burke would've dumped salary in another way if he knew in the slightest that Selanne would be coming back. If you take Selanne's return into account, it makes the McDonald for Weight deal look that much more lopsided. The two of them were money together. Oh, and we'll take Markov back now. Thanks.

The guy obviously loves playing here. No chance he would go anywhere else, IMO.

Hopefully it's nothing too serious. He's been looking good lately.