LeftWinger

Honestly? Because this team has played, and played pretty darn well, without him this season. Trade him and get a player that more complement's the build (Mantha for Vrana) or get a couple of draft picks for him. I'm willing to bet that Vancouver would love to have Bertuzzi there and would not be opposed to sending Boeser back our way (in a package from us of course, not one for one.) Maybe Holland wants his prized draft pick Zadina back?

You start by saying "wiping the Holland slate clean" yet you are trading Maata, Ned and Sunny, all while keeping Zadina, Veleno and Rasmussen. I am not advocating trading Veleno or Rasmussen, but I just find it funny you are not really wiping Holland's slate, you are wiping Yzerman's. Larkin is not Yzerman's draft pick but if Yzerman didn't believe in him, he would not have made him Captain. Larkin, IMO, is a life-long Red Wing. Bertuzzi can be dealt, as can Zadina. With Vrana and Kubilik, they are not needed. Zadina is bust central. #ThanksHolland. If teams show an interest in Ned, I'd be ok with trading him, but we've yet to see Helburg play a big role, and Cossa is far from ready. May as well keep Husso and Ned until Cossa is ready. Unless we get a "WOW" offer for Ned. Sunny, Fabbri, Suter, Haag and Maata, and to a lessor extent, Chiarot & Perron are all stopgaps. Walman and Oesterle probably won't be here after their contracts expire. I happen to like Suter, but with Berggren and Veleno, along with Rasmussen, he doesn't really fit long run in the bottom 6. Kasper, really isn't top 6 C either. But I'll save that for when he is here and (hopefully) proving me wrong. BTW, Yzerman was 32 when he won his first Cup so if Larkin happens to be around in his 30's when we win a Cup, so be it. I'm fine with that, as is Yzerman I assume.

Jake Walman has been activated. Wings now have 8 defensemen on the roster. Still at 23 players, so no "need" to send one to GR, but once others start returning from injury, I wonder which defenseman gets waived?

Yes, it'll be interesting to see how we do once Bertuzzi, Vrana and Fabbri are back.

Tampa places ABB on waivers again.

Keep in mind, in 2 seasons they'll have to re-sign Raymond and Seider. If they have similar (hopefully better) seasons each year, they'll get at least $8M each. Look at the Stutzle contract and compare his numbers with Raymond. I can see Bertuzzi being dealt for this reason. Will need to save cap for these 2.

Erne, Walman? If that is all it'd take, Yzerman would be on the phone already. What would the "sweetener" be? Shoot, I'd give them all of Erne, Walman, Smith AND Zadina for Kane. Then extend Kane for a couple more years.

If you read it again, That's what I started out saying. He's is going somewhere as a top 6. He doesn't belong in the bottom 6. Then in the spirit of rumors I suggested it might be interesting to put the Hawks players together. I picked "third" line because Raymond is entrenched on Larkin's wing and Suter isn't 2C.

Honestly, Kane has to go somewhere to be a top 6 guy. It'd be pointless to have him in the bottom 6. I guess you could form a 3rd line of: Kubalik-Suter-Kane ...and see if there could be any "magic" in the Hawks playing together. That being said, in the spirit of rumors, I'd give them Smith along with Zadina and the protected 1st. Erne could be the 13th forward with a 4th line of: Rasmussen-Veleno-Sundqvist

Zadina had plenty of opportunities. What he has now is a chance to see if he can thrive under a new coaching staff. If he again fails to at least fill some nets, then it may be time for a scenery change.

I'm not sure if people are just trying to be funny or if their Wings history is clouded. Either way, it's been far too long since 2008! Bring Stanley home!

I am a bit confused on European prospects. Do we have a certain amount of years to sign them, or are their rights owned forever?

I have a feeling, this is how it will shake out, and yes, I do believe Edvinsson will start in GR, which is a good thing. Remember, even Seider played a season there. Chiarot - Seider Haag - Hronek Maatta - Oesterle Lindstrom Walman and Pysyk injured and Kampfer to GR. Up front I believe Smith is out. Once Zadina signs, that'll be 13 forwards, with a 14th spot up for grabs. I believe that will go to one of Berggren, Veleno or Andreasson. Sodorblom has a chance, but I am betting they want him seeing more minutes in GR. I apologize, I didn't want to turn this into a Lines or Roster thread, just adding to the debate of who will be our D to start the season.

Well he was an RFA but didn't want to start a topic just for this.

possibly, but IMO, taking a player in the 1st round, whether 4th or 15th, all scouts involved are probably asked. I do not know who the Western Canada scout is, but if #15 overall is potentially a Swedish player, odds are Hakan knows more about him than anyone!

Knowing the relationship Yzerman has with Hakan Andersson and as much as he dives into the Swedish pool when he drafts, you'd have to think that he asked Hakan if Wallstedt should be the pick or should he go with Cossa. I am sure if Hakan had said Wallstedt, then we'd have Wallstedt. Everyone wants to trust Hakan with all these picks that he is in on, yet not trust passing on Wallstedt. You have to know that Hakan had his opinion on which Goalie to take. He obviously didn't push for Wallstedt or Yzerman would've drafted Wallstedt. I have a feeling both Yzerman and Hakan feel they drafted the right guy. 100% Hakan was asked if they should draft Wallstedt when they traded up.

As it sits now, assuming Zadina gets re-signed and Veleno has a spot, there 14 forwards, guessing that Smith and Erne would be 13 and 14. At $2.1M for Erne, that is a pretty expensive press box. Unless Berggren comes in and steals a spot, then that looks like that will be opening night roster, barring trades. Then, when Fabbri comes back, I am assuming that is when Smith will get the waive.

No, not at all. I just prefer players that are better than others. If you could provide me data showing that this team would be better with Smith over Gagner, then I'd maybe change my mind.

I'd honestly rather re-sign Gagner to be the 13th/14th guy than have Smith, I was never a fan.

as much as I wanted us to draft Savoie, not enough can be said about a 17 year old playing in a men's league compared to 17 year old's playing each other. Sometimes we get blinded by inflated stats! That is why I will never trust 99% of the players coming out of the Q!

Very pleased with this one! This should make our power play better along with 5 on 5. Funny though, the whole time I was confusing him with David Backes!

I just hope Yzerman doesn't sign him to $4M. No thanks! also, with all the forwards being signed and Berggren vying for a spot, thankfully it looks like the G. Smith experiment is over.

He's definitely on watch! I kinda hope that a team offer-sheets Zadina with a $4.5M contract. A 1st and a 3rd would be well worth the loss.

It's a new beginning! Odd having THREE A's though... I wonder if one will be special teams exclusive?