rick zombo

I think the Isles take this kid first thing tomorrow. But if not, it'll just go to show that only Detroit has the depth and patience to draft a man-boy and watch him grow.

You just watch, he'll go #31 tomorrow.

Again, Nill has been quoted as saying that there is little to give between #15-#35 in terms of prospect talent. It's obvious that the Wings value a #32 pick as much as a #29. Plus they get an extra 2nd rounder. I have absolutely no problem with this. The only thing that's annoying is that we have to wait until tomorrow before the Wings take their first skater.

Holy s***. Unless someone has a better offer, Burke would be foolish not to take this package: - he unloads Kaberle's salary before UFA season starts July first, giving him even more money to spend - he has two top 10 picks - he gets a 22 year old, Kaberle-style, player in return who had 36pts as a rookie in 08/09 Of course, Burke being the raging pr#ck that he is will probably ask if he can punch one of Nieuwendyk's kids, just to sweeten the deal

- Trade Hudler - Keep Filpulla - No Neil - I do like Antropov and he can play RW. Zetterberg- Datsyuk- Antropov Franzen - Filpulla- Leino LaRose - Helm - Cleary Holmstrom - Draper - Abdlekader Maltby

6M is a "fairly" reasonable amount for Hosaa. The 4M number that has been floating around is insulting to Hossa. I could see Holland chipping that 6M down to 5-5.5M maybe, but that still doesn't explain how he could clear the cap space to sign him.

fellers. you can't do this. (2+7.5+7.5+7.5+7+6+4.5+3.5+2) divided by 9 = 5.3M This 5.3M will be his cap hit for every season for the 9 year contract. That's how it works. You could sign him for 0.1M one year and 20M the next and his cap hit would still be 10.5M per year for two years.

I agree that having depth is key. And without a doubt it's been the thing that has made and kept The Wings so strong all these years. But here's the thing. Losing a handful of players in order to keep Hossa would only be an issue this year. In 10/11: - Lidstrom will get a new contract and most likely the Wings will save 2M if he re-signs rather than retires (fingers crossed). - Holmstrom's 2.25M either comes off the books completely, or he re-sign for, let's say 1M less. - Maltby is done - Lilja's 1.25M is off the books. Unless he re-sigs. Regardless, there will be more wiggle room in 10/11 to regain that depth or at least start re-building it with younger cheaper players. Even if some vets, like Homer, come back, they will be cheaper contracts, etc. etc.

There are plenty of decent back-up goalies out there that could be had during the season in a trade. Like I said, you don't invest in 5 years of development in a player, especially a goalie, to just cut him loose. Everyone bitching about losing Quincey to waivers should be glad that Howard's getting a shot.

My bad: 800k is Howard's 10/11 salary. 750k is correct for 09/10.

Howard at 800k actually makes more than Conklin's 700k form 08/09. The Wings have been too patient with Jimmy to just trade him or lose him on waivers. He needs a shot.

If he could be had in a trade. He doesn't reach UFA status until 10/11.

Ward played Canadian university hockey here in my home town with the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers. He was the best college player in the country. Amazing guy, insane work ethic. I think his skill transfers well at any level of hockey he plays. Not a flash in the pan. The guy just needed a chance.

It depends. Do we factor Bettman and the NHL head office into the equation?

Not that I wanted Chelios back, but the Wings top 6 looks like this: Lidstrom - Rafalski Kronwall - Stuart Ericsson - Lebda Meech? So this is actually a good indication that they think Lilja will be playing next season. Otherwise they need another set of legs back there for depth in the event there's an injury.

Don't joke. Jim Nill did say that the top 12 were basically locked in and 13 - 35 could are a toss-up. Any player outside of the top 12 could go in any order.

From mlive: And, given Andreas Lilja's uncertain future, this quip may raise an eyebrow or two: Holland said Chris Chelios was on the flight to Vegas with him Wednesday. "We had a good visit," Holland said. "He's going to come in and see me Monday or Tuesday, and we'll probably address his situation with the Red Wings at that time." http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2009/06/re...land_confi.html

Final words: Thank f*** hockey is over until October. I can now resume my normal (I use the term loosely) life. I love the Detroit Red Wings. Always have, always will.

What seems to be lost amongst all the debating here is that, if Holland is in fact going to produce an offer sheet of 4M/year then he is clearly low-balling Hossa. And not just because of cap space. If the Wings desperately wanted to keep the man then negotiations would start at 5M and would not exceed Zetterberg's cap hit. If this offer is true, or ballpark, then it's almost like Holland is saying "Marian, we like you. But not that much." IMO

They had a 42 year cup-less drought to erase back in 1997. This Wings team is facing a one year drought. Tough times. Laperriere-Helm-Abdelkader Maltby-Draper-Neil Just curious? How much scoring do you expect out of these lines?

Well, Hudler can't sign an offer sheet from another team until post July 1st. This is after the draft. So the Wings wouldn't be using any potential Hudler compensation picks to move up in this year's draft.

2009/2010 UFA

With Detroit having played something like 210 games (not counting preseason) in the last 2 years + opening next year in Sweden, I fully expect a major let-down for a lot of Wings fans expecting the standard again next year. Unless, of course, they can inject some new blood in the line-up. I like the Bowmeester talk. But not going to happen IMO.