rick zombo

Sorry, but when I read this I think "here is someone who just started cheering for or following Detroit in 2002 or 03."

True. Me too. I think Smyth or Hartnell would fit the profile. Here's hoping.

Kopecky? Franzen? Holmstrom? Draper? Maltby? Cleary? This team does not need line-up full of crash and bangers. The ******* grit issue has been fixed. This team needs a 30+ GOAL SCORING WINGER. That's it. That's all.

Detroit don't need a bargain forward. They need to spend money on a quality forward that is a sure bet to score 30 goals. Not some bargain player shackled with question marks. Hartnell won't come cheap. I'd love to have him, and he's what Detroit need. But Nashville are mental when it comes to matching offers for players the Wings may covet. They'd give Hartnell 5M just to keep him out of Detroit. I say court Smyth. Woo him. Show him that Detroit loves him, wants him to retire here, and that their commitment to whining is 2nd to none. Then sign him for 5.3M. Some players chose lifestyle and being part of a famed francise, that looks after their players, over money. I think the bargain might have to come on defence. I'd love Schenider to re-sign and I'd love to have Sarich too. But a more realistic option would be to re-sign Markov and sign a guy like Teppo Numminen. 5 M would probably land both players. That would leave about 3 Million to sign Hasek Chelios. Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Homer Smyth - Filpulla - Sameulson Maltby - Draper - Cleary Franzen - Hudler - Grigorenko Kopecky Lidstorm - Markov Kronwall - Numminen Chelios - Lebda Quincey Hasek Osgood

Stevie was the team leader. The captain. There's a difference. He was also a Red Wing for almost 10 years at that pont and had suffered through 5 years of major playoff dissapointment up to that time. Also, Detroit was the undenialble league power house during those regular seasons. This year's team most certainly over-acheived. Stveie was a 2nd overall pick. And he was the Redwings franchise player. The guy they built around. So many differences. And anyway, Datsyuk still has his critics.

Teams as good as San Jose and Anaheim are going to have a line capable of shutting down a team like Detroit that only had one real scoring line. It's obvious that these teams having the last line change had alot to do with Zetterberg and Datsyuk not scoring on the raod. Watch what happens to Heatly - Spezza - Alfredson in Anaheim compared to how well they'll play at home. The Pahlsson line combined with the big two on D will shut them down. It's almost unavoidable. You need secondary scoring. IMO, Detroit's #1 line showed up. And they got plenty of contributions form lines #3 and #4. Detroit need to revamp their second line for next year. Getting a star caliber top six forward is key.

The interesting thing is that there is mention of him not wanting to "break the bank" of a team that he feels is committed to winning. He might sign with the right team for just over 5M. It would take some juggling but that salary could probably fit under the cap. Right now: 17 players (11 forwards, 5 D, one goalie) at slightly over 33 Million. The cap increase is expected to reach 48-50. So let's average that and say 49M. That leaves 16M to spend on 2 forwards, 3 D and a goalie If they could land Smyth for 5.3M (lower price tag to come to a contender that will treat him properly) then... Hasek - 2 M Sarich - 4 M Chelly - 1M Kindl - 850,000 (could be used on 2md power play - big shot) Hudler - 900,000 and Holland would have 2 M left for the deadline. Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Homer Smyth - Filpulla - Grigorenko Franzen - Hudler - Cleary Maltby - Draper - Sammuelson Kopecky Lidstrom - Kronwall Lilja- Sarich Chelios - Kindl Quicey/ Lebda Hasek Osgood

Is this a serious question?

He was a decent rental. And gave the Wings all he could IMO. I'm just sceptical about his health. I'd like to see a questionmark free line-up next year. And as dirty a reputation that he has, a 25 year old, healthy, Hartnell, who has yet to peak offensively is the perfect replacement for Bertuzzi. Unlike last summer, I am confident that Holland will make the right moves. This team has a new grtittier identity that management can no longer ignore. Ant FA signings will have to reflect this IMO.

Liv. Also Detroit needs one forward with size that can play a top 6 role (as in score and play on the PP). Like a healthy Bertuzzi or a Scott Hartnell type player. Detroit needs a physical defencemen. Lang and Calder and maybe Bertuzzi need to go.

Scott Hartnell anyone?

I'd like to add Holmstrom to that list as well. Purely speculation on my part, but he may be still suffering a bit from the Proger hit. Anyone notice that Lidstrom seemed to take fewer "hard" shots from the point as the series went on. I thought it was quite obvious on some of those key 5-on-3s.

Considering what Nashville, San Jose, and Atlanta gave up for Forsberg, Guerin, and Tkachuk respectively this was a good deal. When you factor in the post-season success these teams had, it seems like Holland did a much better job. Especially since Bertuzzi has a much bertter chance of re-singing than those other three, IMO.

Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Homer Hartnel - Filpulla - Bertuzzi Samuelson - Cleary - Grigorenko Maltby - Draper - Franzen (Kopecky, Hudler) Lidstrom-Kronwall Sarich - Lilja Chelios - Lebda (Quicey, Kindl) Hasek Osgood

I don't think mobility (see:fast) on defence is a problem. But for sure, a "Big" defencemen is needed.

Markov was great. Schneider is great. But the Wings seriously need to add some size on defence. A guy like Sarich would be an upgrade over Markov. And Schneider perhaps will get big money elsewhere.

Corey Sarich please

Sign Drury - 5.5M Sign Sarich - 3 Re-sign Bertuzzi - 2.5 Re-sign Hasek - 1.5M + incentives Re-sign Chelios - 1M 2008 Wings: Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Holmstom Franzen - Drury - Grigorenko Samuelson - Filpulla - Cleary Maltby - Draper - Kopecky Hudler Lidstrom - Kronwall Sarich - Lilja Chelios - Lebda Quincey/Kindl Hasek Osgood

Three words: Hanta Yo Baby

and Franzen

This is my first GDT chime-in all playoffs. Detroit will win tonight.

What I meant was, not very many teams win the cup by flip-flopping their starting goalies.

either gangly clumsy one will suit our needs. which is, to fill the net. combined, they have allowed 10 goals in 3 games. hasek? 5 Giggy's stats are inflated due to the ducks playing two pathetic offensive teams. Hasek's stats reflect how well he's played, especially against the Sharks. edit: also, if you are flipping goalies at this stage, you're in trouble. Carolina managed last year early on, but Ward had established himself as the bread-winner by the time the conference finals were a few games deep.

Yeah, MacKenzie's turned me off a bit this series. Normally I like the guy. Healy went form being a Thorton-loving ****** in the last series to showing some Rew Wing love. But Dreger's the man. I find him the calmest, most professional, least clownish of the bunch. So it's no coincidence he picked Detroit to win the cup.

QFH quoted for hilarity