frankgrimes

Yeah should have clarified that so my bad. Don't get me wrong Franson would be very nice but I doubt he will want to come here. For the first time in his career he has the freedom to choose his destination .I think the Leafs will still trade Dion because they are going to go hard after Austin Mathews. But he won't get dealt for bad players, the Leafs know this. I could easily see the stars putting together a nice package for him

Good read and also a nice example of why players need to make as much money as possible during their playing careers. I think life after hockey is a tough thing for most athletes all of a sudden they'll need to create their own routines, no more private jets and not being part of the show anymore...But if they really miss it that much former players can still work in hockey like jobs or become a coach, GM in one of the minor leagues. Hated his antics but the guy for sure knows how to run a business and his restaurant seems to be doing very well. This is a 35 old guy with 20 million in the bank so financially he is set. That being said I think the new nhlpa program is great and should help players with their transition time.

Franson is an UFA and I am not sure he would be interested in coming here, when better teams also need defenseman. Phaneuf by all accounts would be willing to waive for Detroit. I don't think Franson will be as good as he was in Toronto but he for sure wouldn't be as bad as he was in Nashville. But he will command a huge salary probably north of 6 (boychuck like) just because this ufa market is so weak

Dion is the best option by far but sure who needs a rugged, physical defender who also has some offensive upside. I mean, the Leafs front office doesn't have experience but they aren't that dumb and giving him away for a kicking the tires (= you take our cast offs, we take Dion) deal. But who I am kiddung the July 1 acquisition will be another old cast off who won't get a new deal with the Panthers and also happens to be a former wing...

http://www.tsn.ca/jets-rfa-peluso-reach-two-year-deal-1.310698 One if not currently the best 4 liner in the game what a bargain. Big touch, workhorse and will drop the gloves against anybody. Winnipeg is already a big team but Peluso adds some much needed protection, Backes and Reeves weren't running around as much after Peluso wanted to talk to them. Guess it's safe to say Winnipeg, Blues are now having the toughest 4 lines in the league...good luck trying to run the stars against them. Love this signing

Why would he stay with a declining team, when teams on the rise are calling and judging by all his accomplishments Bowman has picked his spots tremendously well.Guy is a winner pure and simple.

God I hope he signs elsewhere soon otherwise I can already predict the July 1 first transaction this season

Guy will play into his late 30s he is taking care of his body and played over half a game so he won't decline too soon. Keith is a horse

Okay I'll try to explain this as easy as possible : Cheap fourth liners which are paid near league minimum AND entertain the fans = more money for the top lines , pairings and in the owners pocket. Matt Martin would be a dream come true but he is too young, big and tough enough for the front office.

At least a few people understand the role of a fourth liner. But I'm not surprised the usual flower power fans don't.I'd trade Anderson and Miller every time for one Peluso and his bargain of a cap hit. So what if he plays 6 minutes a night instead of 8 ..

Don't like it don't read it better than the stupid off topic thread derailing as of late

14 Stanley Cups ! this is unbelievable Bowman just had an interview at Leafs Lunch liked it a lot.

The problem is, soon this team will need both things so I'd rather go for preventing goals now and try to build a new defensive core around Danny D and then look at fixing the center-problem. The Wings can't afford to go into another Lidström situation when Pasha moves on.

What does the unfortunate Mantha injury have to do with the draft thread ? That's right nothing. it's getting tiresome reading through another thread derailing topic. Fact is Larkin and Mantha are by far the best Wings prospects, hence why other Gms are asking about them and not about some of the others. As far as the draft is concerned the Wings just have to pick a defender in the first round, yeah center is a need too but right now I think defense is even a bigger one.

If true great hire he has done a great job with the oilers after taking over for Eakins

I don't know how Scotty does but he just wins wherever he goes (I'm not counting Buffalo because that situation was ....). Year 3 could easily be a new low because Pasha will be gone by then and unless Larkin is on the verge of becoming a top 6 center or Holland pulling a rabbit out of his head the offense and defense will take another hit. Bowman, Q and Stan Bowman all played a huge part in Chicago's success but let's not forget it all starts at the top => Rocky Wirtz. That guy took over from his dad and absolutely revamped the franchise by reestablishing a connection with former greats, get them a local TV deal and open his massive bank account for business. Then they've assembled their core around Toews, Kane, Keith but they've also added great free agents such as Hossa. Yzerman revamped the Lightning from losers to 1 ECF appearance and 1 SCF in 4 years, plus added a ton of talent to their AHL franchise. Nill went to Dallas saw they've needed centers and in comes Seguin plus Spezza.. Holland for whatever reason has become gun shy and to emotionally attached to this group,he bemoans free-agents not wanting to come here and then goes "I don't know why"...well here is a hint maybe because the Wings aren't what they used to be and everyone is worried what will happen when Pasha is done ? and then turns around and praises "parity" I mean seriously ? Your job is to use every loophole and the blank cheque of the best owner in all of sports to ice a winner (on the ice and in the front office) or at least a team that's young and exciting to watch not soft as butter and filled with ~ 180 lbs player. Wings right now can't get the top free-agents so the only other options are either trades or some bad finishes to get a generational center and defender, which is another problem because guys like Toews, McDavid, Eichel and Crosby are the exception not the norm. But other GMs are having the same problems and they deal with them a lot better. The new arena will open next year and it would be nice to open this thing with a big bang instead of going into another season with the outlook of barely making the playoffs or another first round exit, that's not Red Wings style. Wings style is giving 75 % and still dominating 70 % of the league we've used to be that team but Holland waited too long and now teams like the Hawks are what the Wings used to be pains to type that. No doubt Holland has tons of experience and an eye for talents but I think it's obvious that he has lost the passion and fire he once had and that's why I wanted him to become the VP and let someone like Nil or Stevie do the GM thing.

Their core is set and not going anywhere, ithey'll lose guys like Bickell, Richards and Sharp and Oduya. But with Teravainen and Rielly - if he decides to sign with the Hawks - they'll again lessen the blow I don't think Chicago will win it again next year, Kings will come out reenergized and will for sure go for it. Tampa will be even better and more experienced and never count out Rangers with as long as they have King Henrik in net.

Lol talk about overrating Larkin , there is no way he even touches the top 5 in this draft class: McDavid, Eichel, Hanifin, Marner, Strome, Crouse should be set. Maybe 7 but I think Werenski or maybe that Russian kid will own that position . I don't care about what position he would be wings for him at 17 and now have to develop both guys Larkin and Mantha. Mantha will be fine and make Mr. Players are cattles eat cow.

The thing is you are comparing a prime Toews, Kane to the Z and Pasha from nowadays both in their mid 30s.If you would have said that Toews is better than Z I'd agree but better than a prime Pasha ? I don't think so defensively they are even matched but in terms of also creating offense and making people go wow how did he do that against other nhl players ? It's Pasha. Also look at the support core Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsen, Hossa and Sharp I mean that's a top pairing and tons of options for loading up the first line or even things out on the second line Kane isn't even a center so it's tough to compare. Currently Toews is for sure a top 3 player in the league but ranking him above a prime Pasha is false.

Also what about the back to back cups from the Wings ? Super dynasty ? How about the Oilers, Isles or Habs ? Sayajin dynasty ? God that pisses me of Yeah looking at it objectively the Hawks are impressive but so are the Kings, Tampa and some other up and coming teams. That being said this also goes to show people that top picks are needed can't simply count on luck or sign free agents

Na Keith scored it on a rebound from Bishop.Now we will hear all summer how great the hawks are and that they are a dynasty because an NBA guy said so. Bunch of bandwagoners can't even get the booing right or loud enough..well worth 4 grand... I hope Holland is on rampage mode and finally realizes that you can't sit in your end doing nothing while the core is aging and the best D man of the team ready to retire So given all circumstances next year it's the kings cup..

It's scary to think that Teravainen will lessen their cap troubles

I've thought this before and now I am pissed of enough to type it: I highly doubt you are a wings fan and that's obvious after reading some of your postings..Maybe a Leafs or even Hawks troll..

At least the Wings management now has seen how far away they really are. There's a ton of work to be done that's for sure . Sucks that Tampa has their best players injured and craped the bed in game 1 but whatever on to the already too long off season.

Great game from bishop so far but man Bolts need to get the lead and improve upon it trading chances with Chicago is dangerous especially with 2/3 of the triplets injured