rick zombo

Ahhh yes, but if we lost Franzen, Kindl, and someone like Helm (but NOT Helm)and gained Greene, Laich, and Parise as a UFA signing, we would improve. But this trade on it's own is, more or less, spinning tires.

This thread shouldn’t have made it to 4 pages. Zetterberg will be captain, and no one else is really even close.

True. But that’s where Smith and Kindl come in. If Holland has between 20 and 26 Million in cap space then he can afford to add a guy like Carle or Allen, no sweat. And Holland likes to build the team from the D out. Knowing Holland, he’ll add veterans to the defence. Really, that’s all I’m saying.

Holland wouldn't stand pat with that defense. Carle, Wideman, Kuba. Even Allen. One of these players would sign.

Closer to $6.5M.

Man, this is devestating to watch.

No offence, but I think this is just selfish fan talk. I think if you asked Nick he would prefer if Holland looked after the future of the Wings franchise rather than mortgage it to give him, as an individual, one more shot at the cup. But maybe you feel differently.

Even though it had to happen one day, and there was a decent chance it would be this year, I'm still in shock. The fact that potentially signing a 27 year old top 10 D-man stud in his prime (Suter) will not make up for the loss of an almost 42 year old 20 year veteran speaks volumes to just how good Lidstrom was and still is. As good as we've known him to be in his career, his legend will grow that much more when we see, over the next few seasons, how much he'll be missed on this team. Right now I'm feeling like I don't even know if the organization will be able to perform basic daily tasks like flooding the ice at the Joe, or prepping Murphy's hotdogs, or sharpening skates, without Lidstrom around. Thanks for everything Nick. The Perfect Human. If I could have paid your salary out of my own pocket, I would have. Enjoy your retirement. Maybe you can sneak some bacon and 2% milk into your breakfast routine now.

This reeks of bad.

Ah, but if it helps us land Suter, I could see Kenny making that deal. You'd essentially be getting Suter for a late first round pick.

I think offering Quincey's RFA rights to Nashville for Suter's UFA rights would work for me. That line-up is amazing. I'm assuming Franzen, Filpulla, Emmerton, Bertuzzi, and Quincey's RFA rights are going to Columbus for Nash? Harding won't sign with Detroit as a back-up. He'll sign with Tampa for a better shot as a starter. If Vokoun was smart, he'd sign here for 1.5 Million.

Fair evaluation. But if Parise and Suter really are a package deal, and the cap goes to 70 Million then Detroit (with 18 players under contract and 26 Million in cap space) have a better chance at signing both then the Rags (15 players under contract and 21 Million in cap space). Hopefully the worst-case scenario is the Rangers get Parise, and Suter comes to Detroit. Better than a kick in the teeth.

Any particular reason for the Carolina theory?

Rangers have 49 Million locked up in 15 players next year. If the cap ends up somewhere around 70 Million (which I've heard Holland say is the number the Wings are going to use until told otherwise) that leaves them 21 Million to sign 8 players. Del Zotto is one of them and he'll command 4-5 Million. This leaves 16 M roughly to sign 7 players. If Parise and Suter are a package, no way the Rags can afford them. Parise alone maybe, but that would leave you with only 9 Million to sign 6 players. Do-able I suppose, but it kind of screws with your overall depth.

You're right. It's true. I guess my logic is that Jersey didn't play that well against Florida but were eventually able to get their legs in this series against a (sort of) weak team.

To me, success in the playoffs is all about draws. And that stupid 3rd seed. New Jersey got an easy match-up against Florida 1st round. Then they had Philly who beat Pittsburgh on the fumes of pure hatred and were victimized by an emotional hangover. Next up: The Rangers, who should have beaten Ottawa and especially Washington with less difficulty. I look at the triple overtime game against Washington as the turning point for the Rangers. Del Zotto, Stall, and Giardi all playing 45+ minutes. They were bagged against NJ and the Devils speed expoited this. But yeah, I look at the amazingly good fortune of drawing Florida first round. This third seed BS in both conferences needs to be fixed. Although Phoenix had a pretty decent run, they finished behind Nashville, Detroit and Chicago in points during the regular season, although they beat Chicago first round, so I don't know. LA had a tough draw against Vancouver and pounded them. Or rather, Vancouver imploded under the pressure. The rest was gravy. That being said, there were high hopes to begin the season for this team who, on paper, looked like a top 3 team in the west. The surprise with them isn't their playoff success, but their inability to score during the regular season. Hats off to Lambardi for bringing in Sutter and trading for Carter. This team just peaked at the right time and are getting tremendous contributions from everyone, even Penner.

don't forget granite.

Since when did this thread turn into an episode of The Bachelor? I think the Wings are up there in the running with about 5 - 8 teams. But they don't poke out as being the favorites. One or both could easily sing in Detroit. But, just as easily, they could go elsewhere. Saying they won't sign here is silly. But saying the Wings are in the best position to sign them is also silly.

No matter where Luongo goes, expect Vancouver to have to take a bad contract coming the other way in return. For instance, if he went to Columbus, I'd expect someone like Wiz to be involved. The Canucks won't be getting elite talent OR a salary dump out of this one.

Why don't you ask Rafalski what he was thinking in July of 2007?

Part of me would love to know how cprice feels about all of this. A bigger part of me is glad that this curb-stomping by LA has kept him away.

Yeah, that's basically what I was saying too. I;m less worried about the NJs and Nashvilles of the world who have team-imposed caps. It's the Rangers, Canucks, Flyers, Penguins, Hawks, etc that scare me.

The Wings already had an advantage with tons of cap space. This just makes the competition for Parise/Suter all the greater.

Looks good. Might want to keep Bertuzzi. Moen - Konopka - Bertuzzi

According to Jimmy D, Holland's off-season plan will be as follows: 1. Get bigger and tougher to play against 2. Add a scorer 3. Add a defensemen 4. Upgrade the back-up goalie position http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2012/05/wed_like_to_get_a_bit_bigger_a.html Encouraging read. You've got to feel like there will be intense pressure from the top down for Holland to work his balls off this summer.