rick zombo

89 was his rookie season. My money's on this. IF he even signs.

Babcock has said in the past that he likes Abdlekader playing center. Other than that, with the addition of a # 5/6 defensemen, looks solid.

I've been keeping tabs. Like you, I'm not entirely sold on the Modano addition. Like you, I feel like this team needs to properly address AT LEAST the gaping hole the third defensive pairing (which I think is an unrelated issue). But if Hudler and Modano are, for the sake of argument, offering the same thing, what's wrong with having two guys who can produce? Offensive depth was THE biggest problem the Wings faced last year. Silver lining and stuff.

Why not? 1. Scotty Bowman hated him as a player. 2. He's worse now than he ever was 3. No more washed up former Wings

I have a personal dislike for Getzlaf. But you'd be insane to not want him on your team. That being said, I'd probably stop watching hockey forever if Detroit traded Zetterberg for Getzlaf.

Come on people!!! You guys seriously think that Lija not re-signing has anything to do with Maltby? It would be more fair to assume that Holland has plans to UPGRADE the numer 5/6 spot on defense.

Pretty great.

As Holland and Babcock stated, the guys currently on the roster all have to have better seasons. Hank, Pavel, Flipper, Kronwall, Lidstom, Cleary. Change from within. Hudler makes a huge difference as far a third line depth goes. There is a decent chance that one of Filpulla, Hudler, or Bertuzzi will find themselves playing on the 3rd line this year. This makes the 3rd line a scoring threat. Something the Wings never really had last year. The only thing this team is missing, other than the core players having a better year, are the two things that have been heavily discussed by LGW nation, the media, and Detroit management: a gritty/hungry 4th liner that plays hard physical minutes that can forecheck and pound the other team's defense, and a number 5/6 D-man that is physical and steady in his own end. Will we get these two players? 50/50. But if we could ice this team, we'd have a better than legit chance of winning it all.

I really love this pick.

A - Level skill. Needs to get stronger.

You know St Louis wanted that kid. Hence the trade.

As a fellow Islander, I agree.

McIlrath > Fowler/Gormley ??? WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spezza for Savard + whatever

Yup. While some others will insist on calling him Puke-inen. I was just stirring the pot with that CBC link. I really don't put too much stock in Mock Drafts. Obviously the basic hockey mind will assume that Holland and Nill will take a small skilled Euro based on cliches and sterotypes. Hell, the way the hockey world views the Wings I could see them expecting Detroit to draft a 40 year old goalie. You know, because the team is so "old". Either way, the Wings first selection in each of the last 4 years has been North American.

CBC's mock draft 16-30. Detroit takes Pulkkinen. Guess who Phoenix takes with the 22 pick? http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2010/06/22/spf-mock-draft-legacies.html

As long as Kenny pays the bill

Ferraro was hurt last season. They Wings obviously see potential here based on his speed, physical game, and offensive ability (shot) which, relevant enough, is something that separates him from Helm.

A fellow Islander.

Babcock has said that he likes both Abby and Helm at center. He doesn't want to play Abby on Helm's wing and vice versa. Just keep that in mind when posting these line combos. Mind you, things could change......

That is a legitimate concern yes. My only personal opinion on the draft is that the Wings take a player that they can fast-track (relatively speaking) to the NHL. I get bored waiting for these prospects to mature.

Yeah, Detroit didn't get any lucky bounces that year.

Also, funny this reward scheme didn't come up last summer when Detroit lost Hossa, Hudler, Samuelson. and Kopecky and Pittsburgh lost Scuderi and Gill. The Hawks sold the farm to win a cup this year and now they have to clean up their own mess. No team should be rewarded for signing Campbell to a 7.5M contract. The fact that this is even being talking about is borderline infuriating.

Sure why not? They should also get the 1st overall draft pick for the next 2 or 3 years as a reward too!!!! Terrible idea. It eliminates the "parity" the NHL wants to enforce. The idea of having a cap is to ensure one team or a couple of teams don't dominate for long periods of time, and weaker teams have a level playing field to build for a championship. Again, terrible idea.

It's not hard to comprehend for sure. But tell me, who is going to take those contracts? Someone would probably take Campbell on re-entry waivers for 3.75M. Leaving the Hawks on the line for 3.75M. I'd say it's a stretch to assume anyone would take Huet at 2.75M on re-entry waivers. Either way, did you account for this 6.5M cap hit in your capgeek calculation? There's no way Campbell plays in the AHL in my opinion. Huet maybe. Regardless, you can't just waive a magic wand and make that 13M disappear. Cold reality for the Hawks.