LeftWinger

Like the grains through the hour glass and Jiri Piddler before him, adios Val Filppula... $5M can be used in some many better ways this year instead of on one guy who has already peaked. We only have $11M in cap available next year (if we don't trade anyone or cut ties with Bert/Sammy/Cola) and giving a below average player $5M of it and still having to re-sign Brunner, Nyquist, Andersson, Smith and most likely Kindl, that leaves next to nothing to improve the scoring of this team...If Ken Holland folds and gives Val more than $4M TOPS, and thinks that this exact same team (albeit they have given it great heart this season) can get further into the playoffs and challenge for a Cup (especially in our new conference) he is setting himself up for failure. Even at $4M, if they don't buyout or trade some salary, its still gonna be hard to make this team better...besides $4M IMO is still too much. For what he brings to the table, he is better off somewhere else, we have more needs elsewhere... The only thing that concerns me is the idea of Pavel leaving after next season, although I am confident in our 4 remaining centers (Zetterberg, Helm, Andersson, Emmerton) Holland may freak out and give Filppula what he wants because "he knows our system" (ie Quincey.) I honestly think that if Holland addresses our more pressing need of getting bigger and more scoring, that if Pavel does indeed leave (let it be known that you cannot REPLACE Datsyuk) Pav's scoring could possibly be absorbed by that legit #1 sniper that Holland spends $7M on this off season. Of course even that $7M player would be hard to attain without trading away or cutting salary unless he finds some deals on the buyout market (ie Heatley.) I say, when our season ends, call Val's agent, offer multiple years @ $3.5M and if he doesn't accept, then start the trade calls. I had said before that Erik Cole would fit in very nice here playing on the 2nd line and is only a year removed from 35 goals among 61 points. If Holland could land someone like Heatley on the buyout market that would solidify our top 2 lines even without Val. Dallas is for sure looking for change after this season and with Jim Nill taking over, he will be expected to make those changes soon. Acquiring someone like Val would be a step in the right direction. I still trade Val's rights for Cole, buyout Sammy, Bert and bury Cola in the minors (unless someone claims him.) That would give us way enough cash to re-sign our kids and still acquire that #1 scorer...

Honestly I am seeing Andersson staying the 3rd line center with the emergence of Emmerton.... Datsyuk, Helm, Andersson, Emmerton... That keeps Hank and Pav together and it also keeps the kid line together on the 3rd. I like Emmerton, Abby and Tootoo for a 4th line with Eaves rotating in and out. If we can acquire someone like Erik Cole to play next to Helm on the 2nd line that would a pretty sizeable line to play against...

If Heatley gets bought out, I wouldn't mind inking the All-Star up to play with Dats. Still ironic if it happens since he was the one who Suter called to get the guarantee that they have a good enough team to win it all. Nothing personal Mary Kate, just business... With the buyout, Heatley would be WAY less expensive to sign, so we wouldn't have to worry about his cap hit being $7M+. Not telling how much he would cost, but he could give a team a HUGE discount for a year to come in and earn his next big contract...

Lets Go Islanders.....

Wow, that would be a huge deal... Filppula, 1st, 2nd....for a top 10.

That would be interesting! How far would you see him realistically trading up? Who would go? Fil's rights would have to be the starting point for sure... not to start a war or turn this into trade debates, but IMO the tradeable assest we have (outside of prospects, picks) are these: Filppula, Franzen, Miller (before UFA,) Kindl, White (before UFA,) Coliaicovo, & Quincey...

Yes, thinking about the teams they may play (Anaheim or SJ) I think the Kings match up pretty good with both of them. Of course I cannot stand the Sharts and if Anaheim beats us then I would want them eliminated as well. So if it cannot be us, it does look like a Chicago-LA WCF is a safe bet...once that far, anything could happen so I guess my post is off base a bit...

God, I hope NOT! I cannot stand trading the first rounder. I know Holland has scored in the later rounds, but its time to start keeping these 1st round picks. Having a pick in the teens is about the highest we are going to have (hopefully.) Not unless Holland is going to opt for his small skilled player again and decides that he will be available in the 2nd round then we are screwed. The ONLY way I trade this 1st rounder is if we are trading it in a package for a sniper (or Shea Weber.) If not, then keep it. Hmmm....what would it take to land Shea Weber?

You won't have to worry about the Kings making it back to the finals.

I do not like Quincey. I agree with you guys. He is the weakest link in the D and he NEVER gets the puck through to the net. If there was to be a trade for a #1 guy, Quincey would be the odd guy out IMO. I hated Kindl early on and still don't think he was worth a #19 overall pick, but he has done well and has surpassed Q on the depth chart.

I like the proposed spot...I think it is like around Clifford, Park Ave and Elizabeth streets just down the way from Comerica. Olympia Enterainment HQ is right there on Woodward along with Hockeytown Café and the Fillmore (of course Chelly's.) That area is the most vibrant and it makes perfect sense to build behind all of that and that will just bring that area to life! The square of Adams, Cass, The Fisher FWY and Woodward will come alive! You have Bookies (which may have to be relocated) along with Centaur, The GAR Building (currently under remodel! ) and just think of the other things that will pop up in that area! No longer will it be vacant lots used for parking and other things.... besides, I want these two buildings restored on Elizabeth St. between Woodward and Park Ave.... (some of you may recognize the one on the left as Ghetto Recorders...a studio that has recorded artists such as the White Stripes) The building on the right was called Faltis Poultry Market in the 1920's, directly next to it is the back of the Fillmore (fmr: State Theatre)

Poor Blues....where is cprice12 with his take on the St. Louis club? I was really hoping to read some of his insight...oh well. Congrats LA, I guess it's up to us to see if you play San Jose or Anaheim, either way there won't be much travel in that series! edit: Not that I am saying we won't beat Anaheim, but image that series? they could just drive their own cars to each game...

Abdelkader was a great pick at the draft (much better than picking Kindl with the #19) and although he is mostly pegged to be a 4th line grinder, I think he has proven that he fits in in a scoring line just as good. There is a reason he was scouted and listed so high and he is working out very well given the opportunity that he has. Now if or when the Wings acquire that #1 scorer, he will most definitely get put back on his line, but he is getting loads of experience playing with Dats and Z. He will take that experience and #1 line mentality back with him to the 4th line and probably make that line much, much better... Good for him for proving a lot of his critics wrong...

As long as Minnesota does NOT scoop up the guy I want right before Detroit is up....not saying Holland would for sure pick, lets say Mantha, but I will be so irate if Mantha is there and Minny snags him right before Detroit drafts....ARGH! Of course, I would be even mad irate if Mantha is there and Holland takes some small-skilled Euro-type forward of a 6'3" 170lbs Swedish defenseman.... (just keep telling yourself, Lefty, Holland has changed, he knows he needs to change this team....ya...that's better!) If one of these guys are available when we draft and Holland takes one, I will be happy! Anthony Mantha Kirby Rychel Valetin Zykov Ryan Pulock Frederik Gauthier Steve Santini Madison Bowey Of all those guys, ONE of them will have to be still there when Holland picks....PLEASE Mr. Holland, just say NO to Robert Haag... anyway, barring a Hockey Gods miracle I do believe we will have a pick in the teens. But I really wouldn't mind it if we picked 30th! edit: I had to change my original word, ****** to scoop because the word for grabbing someone really quick, kinda spelled like snack, but with a T and a H is filtered...that's funny! (although I see why)

That is cool too, except maybe it sounds a bit like a learning facility...Hey, they could have a Hockey School there too! I think we are on to something!

I am with you! This team needs a pure goal scorer for sure. Except I still Franzen is still too inconsistent. I would love to see Burrows here in his place as I think Vancouver would take Franzen from us considering their playoff poop out this year...they need change as do we. Franzen would be marvelous with the Sedins.... Franzen for Burrows... Filppula for Cole Minny buysout Heatley and Wings sign him at a barain! How is that for a fantasy mock up!

IF you think that Holland will buy any of those three, then whew! That is some big changes!

I don't know...the whole sponsored by thing sounds hokey as well.... I agree with your point and also wish we could have something simple like Tiger Stadium was...but unfortunately it won't be. It's all about the money. My two ideas were The Cadillac Centre...but to honor the founder of Detroit, not GMC....then there was the Illitch Centre for Entertainment Arena, affectionately to be known as the I.C.E. Arena...

With the injury experience Detroit had this year, if they into the season with only $746 available Cap space, they are screwed...

Blank blank blank..... ...that is what I want to see the Ducks shooting!

As long as Burrows' rolls right to Detroit...

Go Wings!

I don't have PS, so this is all I could do with MS Paint....sorry, but you get the point!

No, that is the ghost of Budd Lynch. He is still there in the Joe you know? If you don't believe just listen...usually right near the end of each period, you can still hear him in the rafters!

Things that Shanny missed.... Retiring in 2009 a Red Wing with one more Cup to his name (could have been the difference in 2009 too!) ...poor, poor Shanny. Don't be bitter, you were the quitter....