WingMan56

Yzerman is 5'11 190...Filppula isn't. Besides, Filppula isn't Yzerman. He needs to develop for a year in the AHL first.

I think it'd benfit his development to at least start in Grand Rapids..he's small, young, and never played in north america. Let him develop.

Hackert had a breakout year in Germany last year, is supposedly fast and has great hands http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdispla....php3?pid=53551 Keller I don't know much about, except he's small and had 40 goals in juniors last year..i dont expect him to be signed though. He hasn't done much in the rookie camp so far. http://hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.ph...pid%5B%5D=62562

Big Snake scored tonight..no fight though!

Maybe after 2 years in the AHL.... Redwingscentral.com's report of the game says Big Snake was given chances to show his skills other than fighting, but failed to impress. So hopefully he gets on the scoresheet or picks it up in the last couple games.

It's not a tryout to "make the team". It's a tournament to show how well your prospects have been developing.

Russian League training camp and preseason started almost a month ago..so he can't leave his team in Russia just to come to Michigan for a week.

I'm not sure if he can skate well or not, but he had 20 goals and 15 assists in 48 games last season in the OHL..not bad for a tough guy. He's exactly what the Wings and Griffins need, hopefully he grows an inch or 2 and rounds out to be 6'1 225..but lets also just hope that his discipline problems don't carry over to the pros, and that they don't effect the locker room in Grand Rapids.

He didnt play the full season..he had an injury and his dad was really sick so he left the country for a while. The Wings want him to play a full season and put up decent numbers before he's on the roster full time..but he could possibly see a few games this season.

He's supposedly had alot of discipline problems, and has been suspended by his own teams on a few occasions...if all goes well and he matures, he could be a good signing. But if he keeps the same attitude, he could be a locker room cancer in Grand Rapids this season.

Helmer is on the training camp roster, so I assume he's still under contract. I thought he was.

How do they "have no room for him"? He's under contract, they're not over the cap. He's a RFA next summer, and will sign for at least one year after that..he's not going anywhere for at least 2 years, if at all.

You forgot Kent McDonell..I think he has the edge over MacLean..he's grittier.

Good riddence to bad D-men.

Yeah, I've actually been wondering the same thing...i'm 99% sure Manlow is signed. I was sure Helmer was..but with all these Defensive depth signings...i'm not so sure.

Well yeah, I agree...I posted that before Howard and MacLean were signed..so now it could look like this: Himelfarb Hudler MacLean Bootland Filppula Manlow Ellis Oulahen Kopecky Jackson I haven't heard if the Hackert signing was official..so I'll leave him off for now. Delmore Meech Helmer Quincey Richards Amadio Lebda MacDonald (if he clears waivers) Howard

Well, this isn't the NBA...different people start the games on certain nights. If you mean he'll be a first line center...maybe. But, I'd bet money that Eric Manlow will be Grand Rapids' first line center, and Filpulla will be the 2nd line center.

Hudler Manlow Hackert Himelfarb Filppula Mcdonell Ellis Kopecky Bootland Oulahen Jackson Delmore Meech Helmer Amadio Richards Quincey Lebda MacDonald (If he clears waivers) MacIntyre

I wasn't saying he doesnt have the talent to score like that, i just meant he hasn't show-boated like that yet Yeah, I think he has the talent to do it, I wasn't commenting on the showboating. I was saying that I don't think that he's healthy enough to do it consistently. The "cockiest" thing i've seen Kopecky do is point his stick right in John Erskines face after Erskine slashed him this past season. Erskine slashed him, and Kopecky turned around and put the blade of his stick right between erskines eyes, like an inch from his face...kinda funny, but Kopecky would have been killed if they fought.

Someone posted on HFboards.com that Filppula has 2 goals and 2 assists in 2 preseason games..pretty good start.

I wasn't saying he doesnt have the talent to score like that, i just meant he hasn't show-boated like that yet

Thats from like 4 or 5 years ago..he hasn't done that in the AHL

I think i read a few months ago that they were leaving him over seas this season. I'm also pretty sure he signed a contract to play in Finland, which is a tougher league than sweden, so the Wings might be happy that he's getting to play a tougher game this year without bringing him over here and having culture shock or something. He's still young, so he has time..he'll probably be in Grand Rapids next season.

After seeing him play all last season in Grand Rapids..he's definitely going to be our next Lidstrom. I don't think he'll be as skilled or highly regarded as Lidstrom..but he'll be our #1 D-man for years to come, thats for sure.

Kronwall will probably get 800-900,000 i would assume. If it's like a 4-5 year deal it'll probably start around 800-900 for the first 2 years and work up to around a million or just above.