DetroitRedWings1993

As most of you probably already know, DeKeyser signed with the Wings around 4:30 this afternoon. The sweepstakes went, in my opinion, exactly the way the Suter sweepstakes went, with a decidedly different result. I love this move, but I have very tempered optimism about what to expect from DeKeyser. First off, he's a stay-at-home defenseman at heart. He's big, makes a great first pass, and has excellent range and vision. He's not going to make the power-play as deadly as it used to be or magically make the offense consistent. Second, he hasn't played one game in the NHL. Not only that, but defensemen generally take longer to fully develop than forwards do. Having said that, all I hear about is how NHL-ready he is. Time will certainly tell. I expect him to get into the lineup and log some minutes. I expect him not to be a total disaster and make us regret every penny and second we spent on him. I do not, however, expect him to solve our problems. Anyone who watched the San Jose disaster knows that one hot prospect is not going to make this team strong for the playoffs. Come to think of it...they may never be strong for the playoffs.

I don't think we should be chasing a declining Bouwmeester who has a massive cap hit. Nor a defensively-terribad Keith Yandle. In fact, stop talking about defensemen altogether. There aren't any top-tier, two-way defenseman who can solidify the top pairing available. Go after a scoring forward. Forget about this Clowe nonsense, as San Jose would never deal with us and he's mired in a horrendous slump. Find a way to make a deal for a scorer. This team won't survive unless the offense finds some consistency.

...people don't honestly believe that DeKeyser is waiting for a plane to land for him to announce...do they?

This has gone on too long to have much hope anymore. There's going to be an undeserved, senseless nuclear meltdown if he doesn't sign here.

Hulk Hogan says that DeKeyser is signing with the Sacremento Kings.

Poor Bob McKenzie...his Twitter is being assaulted.

DeKeyser Watch is slowly murdering my job security.

This whole thing is going exactly like the Suter sweepstakes, only it was Hockeyinsiderr, not TheRumorWire.

Twitter's starting to leak that DeKeyser picked us. Not going to believe anything until it's official. Suter sweeps went exactly the same way.

I should be working...I should be work..I should be...

This process is eerily similar to the Suter sweepstakes. First, he has a day set for the decision. Then, it leaks (although unreliably) that he's picked Detroit. Then, it gets postponed to the next day. We all wake up and read that he signed with someone else.

To quote Captain Barbossa...by the powers, you're right!

Why is my troll brain telling me that, even though this is entirely media speculation to fill up space on the web, the fact that we're even talking "very interested" in Bouwmeester means we've been told we're out of the running for DeKeyser?

Jarome Iginla's been dealt to the Bruins. Details coming in the morning. I like this. Keeps him out of L.A. and Chicago and makes sure we won't have to deal with him. This makes things easier on us. With their current rosters, we've proven we can hang with both the Kings and Blackhawks. Things would've changed if either had gotten Iginla. Good for Iginla having a shot at a Cup and good for us that we don't have to see him anymore.

Sammy and Colo have performed...pretty much in line with my expectations. I expected them to get hurt and spend long stretches of the season on the injured list. Giving Sammy a NTC was absolute ridiculousness. I couldn't believe it when I saw it.

Shero saw what was available and went for it. He's a GM who actually has a sack and isn't afraid to make some moves to improve the roster. The Pens still have Beau Bennett and most of their better prospects on defense. The Pens got tougher to play against across the board. Murray's a big, physical, shot-blocking defensive defenseman. Pair him with Orpik and they can shut people down. Morrow and Iginla are both power forwards who are not afraid to throw the body around. This team got a lot better. Three real good players left teams in the West we might have to beat to get into the playoffs. I like these moves for both us and them. Crucify me for saying this if you wish. Call me crazy and a traitor. But if Kenny retired today...give Shero a blank check and the key to the city.

^ This. So much truth. Yeh, I actually saw the change, just forgot to update my post. It was a really awkward situation last night. Everyone and their grandma was reporting a done deal to Boston. All the Bruins fans were celebrating. Then it all changed.

Pittsburgh's loading up, it seems. They just traded for Douglas Murray for two second-round picks. A steep price for a 5-6 stay-at-home D-man who's a UFA at the end of the year.

The B's have Horton coming off the books and they will probably look to deal Peverley. Iginla won't get the 7 mil he's making now. I can see him making 3.5-4 on what should be his last NHL contract.

Hopefully he does. I agree with all of those besides Lashoff. You have to admit he's earned his NHL salt, so to speak.

That's the point. According to rumors, he would have to be guaranteed a spot in the NHL to sign with a club. I'm not sure how much credit to pay to rumors, but that's what's being said.

Lucic and Horton stopped scoring.

Dreger said it "could happen". Briere has already said how little he wants to go anywhere.

Jokinen could turn out to be another Franzen. If we could get him going, it might be better than sacrificing assets at the deadline.

Signing DeKeyser and giving him a shot is better than doing nothing and letting him go to another team. Especially with the Lightning in on him, who we'll be playing with next year and already signed Andrej Sustr.