rick zombo

I would poop my pants (in a good way) if Feds came back. 2 of the following 3 please: Fedorov Gratton Hal Gill

I love Abdelkader's potential but Helm will fill the void. Detroit has no room for Quincey if they re-sign Lilja and promote Ericsson I'd make this deal in a second. Even at Tucker's 4m/year. He'd be like a mini-Shanahan coming to this team. As for the person who wondered wher he'd fit in/ who he'd replace, that's one's easy. He'd replace Samuelson on the 2nd line. That leaves you room to deal Hudler and/or Sammy for defensive depth. Someone like Staios. Filpulla - Datsyuk - Homer Cleary - Zetterberg - Tucker Draper - Franzen- Maltby Ellis - Kopecky - Drake Lidstrom - Rafalksi Kronwall - Staios Chelios - Lilja Lebda Hasek Osgood = Cup

Before the injury, I would have said a top level prospect (Kindl or Howard, and a 1st round pick). But now I think a midlevel prospect (Helm OR Abdelkader) and a 2nd rounder could land him. I think LA would take it. But it depends on what other contenders are willing to start a bidding war. Don't forget, Blake has to waive his no-trade clause, and there are only a handful of teams I think he would consider, and three of them are division rivals of the Kings. This could also help to drive down LA's asking price. But who knows?

Blake may not be in tip top shape, amd no one said he would be. But he will be healthy enough to contribute. And if he could be had for the same package that got us Bertuzzi (let's day Helm and conditional picks) I seriously think about it. If he is used properly (i.e. 14 minutes a game and on the 2nd PP unit) and plays OK within that role, he would pay off wayyyyyyyyyyyyy more than Bert did last spring. Again, I'm not here to insist that Holland should trade for him, but he is a serious option, and one of the best suited "rental" guys out there. If he could be had for a fair price, then why not. This Wings team has a really really solid chance at a cup this spring, perhaps one of the best shots they'll have in a while. Like others have said, I'd hate to see this team miss their chance becuase of injuries or lack of depth.

Except if you read my post I never said the Wings should get Blake. Rather, just pointing out a few things that didn't make sense to me. As far a sensible and logical goes, it would seem less sensible to assume that Blake won't recover from a small break in his ankle (one that should only sideline him for 5 more weeks) than it would be to assume he'll remain unhealthy. If Detroit can get Blake without giving up the farm then great. Do they need Blake? No. Do they need depth on the blueline? Yes? And it would be nice if said player could remove Sammy from the 2nd PP unit. What's so hard to understand/agree with?

I agree with this statement. #4, 5, or 6 Dman would be perfect. And he should be a physical stay at home guy. Like Staios, Skrastins, or even Gill. And as much as I agree that a top trading for a top six winger would be huge, I don't think it will be Rolston. Although he is a UFA in July, there is as much chance that Minnesota (currently 3rd in the West) will trade him as there is that Detroit would trade Cleary.

Sounds like Larry Murphy in Toronto in 1997, a minute before he came to Detroit. Eventually he logged #2 minutes with Lidstrom during the cup run.

OK, not much of this makes sense. First off, are you saying that letting Lang go this past summer cost us "teh" playoffs before that, in May, when he was still on the team??? Also, you say that when a player like Henrik goes down, that other players step up to fill the void and play as a team to make up for him not being in the line-up. But then you add that scoring was the #1 issue? How can this be, if other guys "stepped up". The Wings lost to Anaheim because they had no Schneider and no Kronwall, hence an extremely weak PP, hence LACK OF SCORING. Here's to hoping that Holland adds enough depth to cover for any injuries up front and on defence.

Yes. Although I would take Gill in a pinch.

I like Lebda too. But he's a less skilled version of what this Wing's team has an abundance of: mobile, puck moving defencemen. Staios would bring something else entirely. Physical play. A guy like Staios would give the Wings another dimension. One they need on the back end, IMHO>

I actually think that Staios would be a perfect fit. He blocks shots, clears the crease, is gritty and a great leader. Would the Oilers take Meech and a 2nd round pick for him? Lidstrom - Rafalski Kronwall - Lilja Chelios - Staios Lebda Nice!

Dan Boyle (although he has injusry issues of his own) Adam Foote Hal Gill Skrastins Jackman (Barret) Pressing Stuart TSNs update of "new names in the game" http://www.tsn.ca/fantasy_news/columnists/...llen/?ID=228690

Anyone that watches playoff hockey (especially Red Wings' fans) knows that a stacked roster does not = the Stanley Cup.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=228164&hubname= TSN looks back at an eventful first half. Noting Ottawa's fast start, Phoenix's suprise record, Tampa's woes, Philly's suspensions, and of course the Maple Leafs' troubles. No mention of the Wings domination. Just this: So has the league become used to the Wings winning? I thought they could at least aknowldge that they had by far the best record in the league

Meh, it will make Anaheim better on paper anyway. I really feel like Holland will add a top six forward or a top forward D man that will offset Selanne's return to the Ducks.

If Holland decides to go "all-in" then I think he makes a pitch for Sundin. And (don't laugh) Hal Gill. And I'd be more than 100% fine with this line-up. I'd make a pitch for Dumont too. He's a good playoff scorer. Say bye to Sammy and Meech and maybe Hudler. Filpulla- Datsyuk - Homer Zetterberg - Sundin - Dumont Cleary - Franzen - Kopecky Maltby - Draper - Drake Lidstrom - Rafalski Kronwall - Lilja Chelios - Gill Lebda Hasek Osgood.

Zetterberg out, Perry in? :nonono:

He's made a deal with the Devil. "Devil, you can injure every team in the league's top line, if you'll heal by beloved Sidney's ankle before the allstar game"

Did anyone see the CBC clip of Cherry and Ron MacLean after the Wings Sens game tonight. Apparently it's a hot rumor right now. Discuss?

I still think the way to go IF Hossa could sign would be: Hudler - Kronwall - Samuelson - 09 1st rounder (this would be a "hockey trade". Atlanta gets three relatively cheap, well developed players who could probably even make them a better team then they are now. Detroit clears 5+M in cap space off next year's roster to make room for Hossa) Then an 08 second rounder for a defencmen to temporarliy fill the void left by losing Kronwall with hopes that Ericsson can make the team next year. But no Forsberg. Edit: The TSN panel seems to think Dallas would be the frontrunner in landing Hossa

If you trade Hudler (and consider he'll probably get 1.5 - 2M next season) Samuelson @ 1.2M and Kronwall @ 3M, you have just cleared 6M in cap space for next year. Some more twisting and Hossa could be had and fit under the cap. Also, no prospects given up (provided Atlanta like this deal). Trade a 2nd rounder and a defensive prospect for Blake, and Detroit still have prospect depth a defence and their 08 1st rounder. Don't forget, like ARice said, if Atlanta wants something for Hossa: 1.) the only teams interested would be contenders. Or else why not wait and take a run at him in July. 2,) of the contenders, Detroit has the most cap room. Same goes for Blake and even more so, because he'd have to waive his no trade clause. So in both cases it's both Atlanta and LA WOULD NOT have Detroit over a barrel. Quite simply, if they want something for Hossa and Blake, they might have to take what they can (reasonable) get from a team like Detroit. Becasue no one else has the space to bite.

Well, here's how I see it. Hudler, Filpulla and Cleary are all getting raises. No doubt. And Kronwall will be making 3M. Also, Sammy's making 1.2M and Franzen will likely get a raise after next season as well. So there's some money to play around with. The Wings are having or have just had their annual pre-deadline meeting in Arizona and the developement and NHL readiness of some of their prospects (Axelsson, Ericsson, Andersson, Ritola etc) will be scrutinized. If these guys look at all ready, then Holland may be willing to part with Hudler, Samuelson, AND Kronwall to land Hossa. Atlanta would get a puck moving defenceman @ 3+M for the next 4 years, a cheap forward in Sammuelson for next year and a UFA in Hudler they could easily re-sign. By trading those three, Detroit would clear around 6M alone in cap space. Hossa would probably sign for around 8M. They'd also need to part with either prospects of draft picks to accquire a D-man rental like Blake to replace Kronwall. That's alot of wiggling, but it's possible. Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Homer Cleary - Filpulla - Hossa Maltby - Draper - Franzen Eliis - Kopecky - Drake Downie Lidstrom - Rafalski Blake - Lilja Chelios - Lebda Meech Hasek Osgood There are of course many other factors and this seems like an unprobable scenario, but other GMs have been creative in the past (Burke, Lamoriello) and so it's not out of the question.

What's even funnier is that Ottawa played like ass tonight. After having the game of their season against the Wings.

I think it was obvious that Ottawa were playing the "game of their lives" last night. The fact that Heatly was hurt by trying to do too much physically is not a suprise. Detroit played like crap and still almost won the game. Ottawa through the sink at them and barely won, and Heatly was injured. That's what happens when, as a team, you treat game 43 of the regualr season like game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals.

3 years @ 7M? Overpaid.