Jacksoni

I certainly wouldn't offer him more than 3 years, playing 2C or 3C if we fail on the Stamkos sweepstakes. If he doesn't like it, fine deal is off. He is by no means my preferred choice. You do have a point though. I would lean towards Okposo after all. Thanks for waking me up. <switched vote>

Tough call. And I would have liked Daniel Cleary in this poll (for kicks, know he's in our system). I took Backes. I think he'll be relatively cheap and more importantly he plays with Heart. Gives it all he got and it clearly shows. That's contagious, should rub off on the mid-tier players.

Agreed. We have to pull out the shotgun for this one. Landing him makes sense in all sorts of manners - from long term economical in terms of getting folks to the seats, especially in the new arena, to becoming closer to contention and also attracting future good players. Let it cost what it must in my opinion. I am certain that Ken Holland & the Ilitch´s agree. With that said I am highly doubtful we will land him, but I do grow hope for each day not reading that Tampa has signed him.

Got your point. You need to watch this for your questions to illuminated. The subject starts right away in the beginning:

Another prediction that came true, I must be psychic. Or perhaps it was by far the most likely outcome. I have another prediction coming up regarding Brendan Smith, but I will ponder it some more and post it in it's appropriate thread. Can't see how this is any closer to his family than Detroit was in regards to accessibility unless they move there. I am closer to him than his hometown is. jacksoni-Pavel is about 430 miles as the crow flies.

I agree, disgruntled as it's a LOT of money. But we need a 1C. Pay up if that's what it takes.

Well he is signed now, but I really liked what I saw from the New York Islanders 4th liner Casey Cizikas this season. I would have loved him anchoring our penalty kill. With that said I really like Luke Glendening, however Cizikas is another level above him. Something tells me our new PK coach Houda would agree, which I can't validate of course.

Hm.. Lots of valid points in this thread about this signing, mostly against. Speed in the form of AA and Helm certainly illuminated how important that is on a breakout when undermanned. But those instances are rare, and for the majority of a penalty, when in our zone fighting the penalty off against NHL top talent you want defenders that can "glue" on to a guy and steal his ability to perform anything with the puck. Miller is good at this, even great. I am not sure if that and his willingness to offer his body makes up for an exciting prospect to come up and show us his things. So I am divided on this signing. However at the same time I believe this will open up AA, Larkin and other speedy bucks Not playing on the PK, thus having legs for the rest of the game. I guess I'll have to give this signing a "pass", without distinction. I do think it'll pay off, especially after the season starts wearing on our young studs, usually around the all-star break.

Getting reports that they are already massaging Stamkos heavily, as expected. Haven't heard of anyone else specifically yet though.

Considering the unthinkable. He has been out almost all season and his status is uncertain. What would you offer to trade for the Montreal goaltender Carey Price?

Been pondering the Stamkos situation. We would obviously love to have him and have the money stashed away if he can be swayed now. With that said, I think it's highly unlikely that he'll join our team. Trying to see it from his perspective, what's most important? In rank, I believe: *Money *A chance to win the cup *Acknowledgement from teammates, coaches and the fans *A future legacy Based on the teams that are actively going for him, we rank mid or low on these selling points. I see Tampa and Toronto clearly in the lead. It would have to take very special circumstances to sign him. I am betting he will re-sign with Tampa.

Told you ladies he might do this in the offseason thread a few hours prior. Kenny can still play. This is an excellent trade that opens up for all sorts of possible future trades. It nags me though that we could have had Chychrun at pick #16. Guess you can't get everything in life. Still, it's bigtime to loose that 6.5 million burden.

To me it smells like Holland might make a move in conjunction with the draft including moving the renegade Datsyuk contract. I have no indication of this, but would not be surprised as it would make sense as a package deal if properly arranged. Let's cross our red fingers.

7 pm est I believe. May our scouts bring us jewels.

I will get my booty on a 12 hour flight and attend Mon Jan 16 Montreal Canadians at Detroit Red Wings 3:00 pm Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, MI. Kind of strange time for a monday game could be why I landed golden tickets cheap. If someone (slightly) food poisons Carey Price right before this game I shall display my gratitude with 5 beers. Proof of concept required.

You want to check out stubhub.com, lady. I just checked and all the preseason games are there. Here's the url for the Red Wings games, preseason and start of the season (Oct 13): https://www.stubhub.com/detroit-red-wings-tickets/performer/2767/

This forum knows I have been harping on Brendan Smith, and I am not alone. However times have changed even more to the worse this off season. We are badly in need of at least a solid top 4 offensive defense-man, preferably paired with DD. All the tools required for that is there in Brendan Smith, I Think (yes a big T). But it hasn't worked out and he's stuck at the 6/7 position. Could someone straighten him out? What would be required? A shrink + a meditation teacher? A mind-meld with a genius, raising his IQ by 20 points? I am not looking for a rehash regarding previous discussions about Smith (dumb/turnover machine etc), I am explicitly curious about what you think would be required for him to play to his full potential.

Too costly, you don't trade AA. Reason is speed where that attribute is at a premium. AA's so fast that teams are being told to watch out for him before playing us. Which will open up space on the ice for (the rest of) the Wings in the future as he moves up the ranks. He's on my list of untouchables together with Larkin, Mrazek and DeKeyser. This involves trading for Stamkos, Trouba or Lindholm.

Didn't expect that one. I would have secured Hampus Lindholm first if I was Ducks administration. It'll be interesting to see what's going on with Lindholm. I am Guessing that he's not liking the offer he has gotten from the Ducks. They might possibly bait him for a lower bridge deal and future payments. Oh boy are they wrong there. He's dynamite now and I can easily see him reach Hedman(Tampa bay) capability. I hope our backoffice starts firing shots at Anaheim.

Thanxalot. Will be scrutinizing Holland over a glass of wine. Edit: Didn't get your link to work. Found a youtube posting from the Wings channel:

Exactly. As in think of this in business terms. He's posturing towards the teams that might possibly take his contract, using the media for it. He is way more savvy than some people here give him credit for. It is the correct stance to take in my opinion. Can't just fold and say something other than what he did. He'll work them phones. Give it some time and enjoy the sun. I'm betting you'll enjoy it more than Holland, he is probably living mostly in his head for a couple of months.

This is outrageous and a penalty fine of 7.5 million dollars should be incurred on the traitor from the Soviet union. Furthermore, add a few days in the local downtown Detroit holding jail before letting him out on bail to soften him up. On a more serious note, he's old, hurt, want to give it one last shot at home. Do not like how he does it, but I do accept and understand it. As I mentioned earlier, I might watch him if he plays in S:t Petersburg. Ain't too far from here and my master thesis supervisor comes from there. Angles add up to go watch a game in the fall. Edit: Some mumblings being heard that his contract is already traded, just not announced yet. Take it as gossip for now as it is not substantiated.

Great cover, regardless where he goes.

Datsyuk and Holland meet tonight. http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2016/06/17/pavel-datsyuk-detroit-red-wings/86031584/

Yep I'd say the same. Pursue Trouba and Lindholm aggressively and be prepared to pay up as they are worth it. Any of these will be superstar caliber defenders soon, if they already aren't.