LeftWinger

Cool....last year when there was no camp, we were in Traverse City for a get a way and just happened to be staying at the hotel that the Wild and Stars always stay. The AmericINN. Nice place. They have jersey's in the lobby signed by all the players that come there....

Ryan Suter...... I too would take a stab at Malone if he became available....

Not necessarily, Holland has traded his 1st round to teams before for their 2nd rounders... The year he drafted Ferraro, he traded his 1st round pick to Tampa I do believe for the 32nd pick. It has been done...and again in 2011 to trade down to draft Jurco... sidenote: That 2011 2nd round could be a huge one for Detroit, they drafted Jurco, Sproul and Ouellet in that ONE round.

I think if Holland makes the right moves draft day, he can get himself TWO top 6 forwards...

This has got to be the most rose colored post I have read in a while! So if Dupuis - Crosby = Average player 2nd or 3rd liner.....then WTF does that make Franzen - Datsyuk & Zetterberg? Holey crap! Dastyuk and Zetterberg created playoff Franzen! If he didn't have those two he may not even be on this team, let alone a 3rd liner.... You say we are blinded by stats, but you are blinded by the Winged Wheel. Besides, isn't this argument about how good Franzen's STATS are for his cap hit?!?! I may be wrong, but I though that is the argument, his stats are great for his low cap hit....which his stats aren't that great anyhow...but whatever makes you sleep at night. Am I blind or is Franzen not playing in the playoffs right now? If he was so great he would have put at least one goal in games 6 or 7 on the PP or something to eliminate the Hawks... Give me Dupuis on Datsyuk's line 100 times over Franzen...

Yet, he just scored 20 in 48 games which had him on pace for 34 in 82 games... The question wasn't who can score 30 goals (because Franzen cannot even do that.) The question was show them someone who could replace Franzen's goals that is not on a EL contract and is available this July.... Pascal Dupuis....and he only makes $1.5M.

The NHL doesn't care about how good the team is, it cares about how much revenue it can bring in. When you say "parity" do you think they are talking about the competition? No. They are talking about revenue and salary parity. The NHL wanted a cap so the Detroit's of the league can not sign all the big names anymore. They wanted the smaller markets to be the only ones who can sign the big names so they can generate more revenue with those names. Why do you think Minnesota was able to sign the Olsen Twins over the summer? Do you think for a minute that id there was no salary cap that those guys would have gone to Minnesota? You make it so the successful franchises cannot sign the big names, now the small markets get to give them $14M a year and people buy the Parise and Suter jersey's. But when it comes down to it, the team is so mismanaged that they still aren't as good as the same top 6 teams that are always there. Now Minnesota is probably going to be forced to buyout a top player and all of a sudden the team isn't even as good as it was this past season. If we had league parity on a talent scale, then there would be different teams in the final 4 every year. (at least more than there is now.) But no, the 5 remaining teams where the last 5 Stanley Cup winners. It's all about generating a couple years of profits in a city, its not about winning. At least to the NHL. To the fans, once they realize their team still sucks, even with the superstar on their team, they stop going to the games...especially in places like Nashville, Florida, Phoenix and Carolina. You see how well it did for the Preds when they signed Weber to that huge contract... Sure, fans will go for a couple of seasons to see if the teams gets better around Weber, but it won't and they will stop coming....again.

Pascal Dupuis....end of story. Pascal Dupuis....end of story.

Edmonton? Are you listening? How about another #1?

Sounds good to me! I never have like Q, so I won't be heartbroken if he isn't here! Plus I am all for the rebirth of the Red Wings as well!

Flip had potential in 2008, which is why Holland would not trade him for Fedorov...Flip has topped out and considering where his potential went, I think given that trade opportunity again, Fedorov retires a Red Wing...(and most likely wins back 2 back titles 08-09) Also, we can stop with the "if we can see the 70 point Flip again..." nonsense. That is getting just as annoying as the "Playoff Franzen" crap. Neither are making a re-appearance so lets move on. Hell, we may never see 90 point Datsyuk again either...especially with Abby and Franzen on his line.

Boston for my obvious hatred for s***sburgh and s***cago, and of course no back 2 back unless its Detroit. Not just for the feel good factor after the bombings, but it would be a great story considering they were less than a minute away from being eliminated in the first round and to come all the way back and win the Cup would be a super story!

Looking at the draft order, Dallas (#10 overall) won't be trading their 1st to us for Franz and Q, so I take that trade back. I do agree that a pending UFA won't garner a 1st in the off season either, so I take that back. BUT I still trade those three guys, just not for as much as I first expected...

I am not so sure that Q will be let go after next season. I guess it all depends on Cola and how he plays and stays healthy. I am not so sure that both Q and Cola walk, that leaves two spots to fill. I am all for not having Q on this team, but I am also not so sure that with all the rookies this past season on D, that Holland will feel comfortable in another year having two more unproven rookies on D again. I think if Q does not get traded that, unless Holland has another player on his mind, he re-signs here again and Cola leaves... Kronwall - Ericsson Dekeyser - Quincey Smith - Kindl Lashoff (with appearances by Sproul) That will be your 7 defenders the year after next. Of course, barring trade's. I said in another thread that Q would be the most likely traded from the D, but if not him, then Kindl...but I really think Holland is happy with his D and probably won't touch it unless its a deal he cannot refuse...

Like someone else stated, we don't need goaltending. We have Mrazek, Patterson and now Coreau. After next season when Monster is gone, either Mrazek or Coreau will be Jimmy's back up. The other will be in GRR with Patterson. Considering your other trade components, I don't think Lashoff needs a change of scenery, he will be a Detroit Red Wing come October... I am, on the other hand, all for trading Q. He played pretty well down the stretch, but if you are looking to better your team and the team you are dealing with needs a defenseman, then Q is the logical choice to trade. BUT, you have to remember, we are moving East next season into the same division as Buffalo, so I highly doubt there will be any deals between those two teams... As of now, our D looks like this: Kronner, Big E Diesel, Q Fire, Laser Cola, Smitty ...now, that is one too many, so you never know if one of those will be involved in a trade. Like I said, Q will be the most obvious choice given his experience in the NHL. Maybe, someone wants Kindl, but I think he really grew up the last week of the season and through the playoffs. Plus he won't cost too much to re-sign either. I guess you could trade Q for a pick, but you aren't going to be getting your 1st rounder back that is a guarantee! Look for new trade partners this off season for sure!

You are preaching to the Choir here. I am all for getting bigger along with more offense. Franzen plays like he is 5'4.

Yes, I also put my trust in management, trust them to find more scoring.... They were one game away from the WCF, but in reality, and PP goal here and there and they beat Chicago 4 games to 2.... They need more offense than Val and Johan provided...

Which is why a change of scenery would probably do wonders for him. If Sammy can go to Vancouver and score 30 goals with the Sedins, Franzen can absolutely go there a get 35+. Would I love a 35+ goal scorer here? Of course! But Franzen is not going to top 30 here, he probably won't even get 30 here. I am not saying Burrows needs a change of scenery, but you have to give up to get. Now, if they wanted to throw us their 1st round pick, I am in too. It's my understanding that Vancouver needs a center though. Franzen was drafted as a center, but I think he is more of a winger now... Whatever, this is why I don't put names in because people think that this the trade that has to happen...who knows what kind of return we'd get for Franzen....I just know that he is useless on our team. His spot and $4M could be used better elsewhere...not that they would trade him, but what if we had to make some cap room for acquiring Weber from Nashville? That $4M would come in handy!

No I would rather have the guy that brings more to the game then just scoring in bunches once in a blue moon and then does nothing else to help this team... Both he and Franzen have average .5 PPG over their career's, but Burrows has 1:00 less average icetime, has a 13.9 Shooting percentage compared to Franzen's 11.9%. Burrows has 126 even strength goals compared to Franzen's 102. Burrows has 16 Short handed goals to Franzen's 4, which means that Burrows is more than a one dimensional player that is used in every situation, Franzen is, well, VERY one dimensional. Burrows is a +131 to Franzen's +99 which means for all of the 8 whole points that Franzen has scored more than Burrows, he is on the ice for a ton more goals against (again, referring to his one dimensional play.) Burrows has 825 PIM's to Franzen 325 PIM's which means Burrows is a grittier player who isn't afraid to get in the corners and mix it up instead of just throwing someone's mouth guard to the ice... ...and using your point, Franzen only has 8 total points more than Burrows while playing with TWO, not ONE of the leagues best players... I would gladly sacrifice 8 points to bring in someone who is better defensively, kills penalties, fights for the puck along with scoring 25-30 a season.

Last three seasons: Franzen lazy and bored floats air biscuits towards the net, shows up 25% of the season. Burrows gives 100% and actually tries to make plays....

It happens all the time...if a team really wants a player they will make the deal and then offer him the money...Anaheim was just a suggestion. Someone who is in dire need for a 2nd line center would be willing to do so just so they get the exclusive bargaining rights to him before July 5th. It has happened before and will continue to happen. Of course someone with a top 15 pick may not offer their 1st, but someone in the bottom 20 just might... Tootoo did everything that was asked of him and since next season won't be a sprint to the playoffs, he will get even more playing time and have a bigger role on this team.... I too am perplexed why everyone wants to ditch him. I guess they think that every F/A power forward tough guy is going to come flocking to the Wings this July... Tootoo is more valuable to this team than Franzen... HatetheDrake, I don't like getting my hopes up either and that is the most reason why I don't like to drop names too much. When I do suggest names, I usually just say them because they are the type of player I want to see on this team. If we replaced Fil and Franzen with Ryder and Dupuis, I think this team becomes better. But I am not getting my hopes up for those exact two guys. I also like Burrows & Cole, but they would have to be traded for...

CAPGEEK.COM USER GENERATED ROSTER My Custom Lineup FORWARDS Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) / Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / Gustav Nyquist ($0.950m) / Darren Helm ($2.125m) / Tomas Tatar ($0.840m) / Joakim Andersson ($0.950m) / Damien Brunner ($2.500m) Justin Abdelkader ($1.800m) / Cory Emmerton ($0.533m) / Jordin Tootoo ($1.900m) Patrick Eaves ($1.200m) / DEFENSEMEN Niklas Kronwall ($4.750m) / Jonathan Ericsson ($3.250m) Danny DeKeyser ($1.350m) / Brendan Smith ($0.950m) Jakub Kindl ($1.050m) / Brian Lashoff ($0.725m) Carlo Colaiacovo ($2.500m) / GOALTENDERS Jimmy Howard ($5.292m) Jonas Gustavsson ($1.500m) OTHER Buyout: Todd Bertuzzi ($0.000m) Buyout: Mikael Samuelsson ($0.000m) ------ CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter) (these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion) SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $46,948,333; BONUSES: $1,010,000 CAP SPACE (20-man roster): $18,361,667 I traded Franzen and Quincey to Dallas for a 1st round pick and Filppula to Anaheim for 1st round pick. That is THREE 1st round picks for us this draft. Obvious buyouts of Bert and Sammy. Re-signed the kids at modest raises. Recalled Tatar. Now, this leaves $18.3M to find offensive TOP 6 help. That should WAY enough cash to get TWO top 6 talents. Who that may be I will leave to your imagination.

Without getting into what new players should be here. I am going to go with who shouldn't be here: Franzen - Trade Filppula - Trade/Walk Bertuzzi - Buyout Samuelsson - Buyout Quincey - Trade Cleary - Let Go White - Let Go Miller - ONLY because Eaves is already signed for another year, and they are basically the same players. But if Miller is willing to come back to be a 13th/14th guy, then that is ok. Obviously re-sign Brunner, Nyquist, Smith, Andersson & Kindl. Like I said, I don't know nor want to discuss WHO we get in return for Franzen, whether it be a player or pick. I am all for getting a couple more picks this draft if we could get another 1st and 2nd for Filppula and Franzen. Trade Filppula to Anaheim for their 1st and Franzen & Quincey to Dallas for their 1st. That would work. With those two trades along with some modest raises for the kids, we would have nearly $17M in cap space to fill in the roster. That includes have all of Brunner, Nyquist, Smith, Andersson and Tatar up. Now that leaves 2-3 forward roster spots to complete the roster and if you cannot get TWO top 6 gunners for $15M to $17M then something is wrong.

I think he should be given at least $7.5M a season. I would even give him $8M. He is worth every penny of it. He is a top 5 player in this league and deserves to be paid as such. Unless he tells Holland he will take less money to stay here, I don't even want to hear a fart out of Holland that sounds like "hometown discount." Holland needs to get a #1 scorer to put on Dats line (who that is remains to be seen with buyouts coming up) and make Dats the happiest guy in the NHL. He needs a scorer and a grinder/tough guy on his line....remember the days of Probert/Yzerman/Gallant? All three guys had career years paying together. Get Dats a scorer and a tougher guy who will defend him at all cost and we are in business.

I say pass on both of these guys...plenty better out there.