LeftWinger

I think most of these guys would cost too much, although all would bring something to the table that the Wings lack in one way or another... I was a bit upset that Holland didn't sign Mueller in the off-season. He was one of those young UFA's that come up once in awhile and I think would have been a nice addition. He could still be an option considering Helm's unknown availability this season. Then again, he is a UFA again in the off season...still would be a nice addition, but unless Holland cuts lose a few old men, we will have zero room...

exactly my point above. I think that even at the #16-#20 spot in this years draft, we can get an impact player. I really like Ryan Pulock as our future #1 defender and even to a lessor extent Robert Haag. Of course there is plenty of O talent available too. There is a kid projected to go around 21st named Kerby Rychel. He leads the Spitfires with 80 points in 63 games. He is an American kid from LA, Ca. His father is Warren Rychel, who isn't too bad of bloodline to have. He is not afraid to hit or drop the gloves if needed...he is by far am offensive guy first, but its nice to have at least a bit of a snarl behind him...but I will take the 80pts in 63gms for sure! Just an FYI, ISS has both Pulock and Haag going before #16, not that that means too much, but if Detroit does make the playoffs the chances of either of those two be available is slim...Rychel is projected around #21...

Found it....Rick Vaive, I knew it was a Sabre...he didn't use it his entire career, but did a lot near the end. Referring to Salo's story, I wonder if Rick got made fun of a bit for his neck restraint.

not to stray away from the NHL but it wasn't mandatory in NASCAR to wear what's called the HANS device until they lost Dale Earnhardt in 2001. Sure it was always an option and available, but drivers hated wearing it and drivers like Earnhardt and Tony Stewart among others refused to do so. Even after his death the device met with a lot of resistance, but today there isn't a driver who would think twice about NOT wearing it. NASCAR and US Motorsports just made it mandatory within all sanctioned stock events and the "kids" "grew up" using the device and now it is like second nature to them...even the old guys that were around before 2001 now have been wearing in for over a decade and it has become a part of their car, not just a cumbersome restraint system... The same would happen with the NHL if they adopted the visor and Kevlar protection, it about 5 or so years, nobody would even think about what it was like without it... who was it back in the early 90's that wore what looked like football shoulder pads with a protector that was behind his helmet? If I figure it out and find a picture, I will post it....I think he played for the Sabres, but am not sure....

I would love to see a deal done that helps us with scoring...but if Holland cannot get anything for the right price, I want our deadline acquition to be Danny Dekeyser to bolster the blue more even more and then we just need Babs to juggle a couple of lines here and there... In a different thread there was an update that said Bertuzzi is still walking on a cane and is nowhere near even stepping on the ice. Helm is skating in full gear, albeit by himself, but that is at least encouraging. If we cannot land a Ignila, Perry, Ryan, Jokinen, Semin, et al. Then if Helm comes back and we get Danny D, I can be happy going forward with this team. I hate to lose our 1st rounder this year and I hate to give up on our top prospects for one of the fore-mentioned players who may come in here and just not help...I do think Iginla and Perry would help, but Iggy's price would be way too steep and the Ducks are doing great right now and would be buyers not sellers... I wouldn't mind if we trade Filppula or Franzine, but for what? Picks would be my guess because any team that would want them would be favorites to win and would be looking to add to their team, not subtract... So, Kenny, kick the tires and inquire about some all-star help, but if the prices are too high, tighten you belt one more notch and hold on tight! (BTW, I cannot stress how important it is to get Danny D here though...also would love Jeremy Welsh in our organization if you could swing it...)

I say no, but as with the other PSE you mentioned, I have a feeling that soon all of it will be. There is just no reason why they shouldn't be. Right now in the USA most kids grow up using the ear guards on their helmets and neck guards, it will ne just a matter of time until it is SOP for our kids to start using all the stuff you mentioned so by time they get to college, junior, NHL it won't affect their play at all because they grew up with it and would have learned the game with it from day one. Much like the helmet now, NHL players wouldn't even think about ever playing without it, and soon it will that way for the visor, Kevlar, neck guards, etc...none of which, as you said, restricts play at all... You would think that a huge company like Under Armor would partner with the NHL and lessor leagues, even into college levels and develop a body suit (or shirt pant combo) than has the Kevlar in it. With all the recent injuries due to skates, sticks and pucks, it's a no brainer...and speaking of brainer, the concussion is a whole other conundrum...

That may be, but what is White going to get you in return a conditional pick? I can see stringing Colaiacovo along because the guys are gelling nicely, but soon they will be able to expand the rosters and I see them inking Deleyser once school is out...so yes, White is the odd man out, but unless there is a package deal in the works, I can't see White bringing much in return...last season they traded Commie for future considerations and he I not even playing this year, so we may get what, $1 out of him? White MAY get you more than F.C. but I don't how much more. But I guess it would be a favor to him to trade him somewhere he can play and we get that open roster spot and free up his cap hit for the rest of this year... Next season, Colaiacovo cannot be on this roster....he will need to be a trade for FC or just waived after training camp...sam goes for Bertuzzi and Samuelsson, they need to be bought out. There are too many kids that are ready and already making a niche' for themselves here. Nyquist has 57pts in 54gms in GR, he will be here in October, he should be here now. I fully expect Tatar, Andersson and Lashoff to be here as well in October, with occasional call ups for Sheahan and Ferraro. We just don't have the space for the older, injury prone players anymore...thanks guys, but it time to call it a career...

Howard has been great the last 3 or 4 starts...I am still not happy with his rebound control and warned of it biting him in the a$$ eventually and it did last night, it cost him the shutout...he still got the win and that is probably more important to him anyhow, but he needs to get that rebounding under control because I would hate for it to cost us a Cup one day... Good on Jimmy though! He was told he needs to be better and he has been...the two saves last night that he made one on one were just ridiculous. To use a Mickey-ism, he "Stood on his chin" with those two saves for sure! The one (not the breakaway) has to be in the NHL plays of the week by far! If it isn't then sometime is rotten in Coopersville...an it ain't the cow manure...

In all honesty, I like our D how it is along side signing Dekeyeser, so I would pass on anyone right now and focus on the O. Now unless Douglass Murray comes knocking or maybe, MAYBE a Rob Scuderi, I would ink up Danny and re-sign Kindl and Huskins (for depth) and let these guys grow together. Considering where they were the first 10 games of the season, this D has grown leaps and bounds together already... (waive Colaiacovo next year too) Kronner - Big E Smitty - Q Danny D - Laser Kindl (Husky) With the likes of Ouellet, Sproul, McKee, DeHaas and Backman getting ready to tear up GR soon, in about 5 years this D will be one of the best in the NHL...(slightly biased opinion.)

didn't get a chance to get on here and comment during the game. I was close to coming on here after the first and commenting on how Franzine had some jump and looked like he was giving 100% so far, but my son was playing his Skylanders Universe game and couldn't get on here, anyhow, of course then he scored his goal and went on to play a great game by his standards. Now, that is the type of game that makes him Franzen and not Franzine. My only question is, is this his one game that he is The Mule and we are back to Franzine for the next 20 or is he ready to become that Franzen on 2008 and 2009? I hope for the latter, of course, because that Franzen is what we need...not Franzine the . I still don't like the guy and still want him off this team, but at least if he starts producing, I can stomach the fact that he is here...I guess we will see. But, like a true fan, I say congrats to him on a great game played. He was a force out there for most the game and he deserved his star. I see Babcock put Tatar on Dats line for a shift...is that all we are going to see Babs? One shift? Because it wasn't 2 minutes later and #8 was back out there with him...Thanks Babcock, we really got to see what those two could do... edit: Brunner gets more and more amazing every game. When the debate comes up this summer on who do we choose to re-sign, Filppula or Brunner, I am casting my vote right now for Brunner. I say that because, unless Filppula gets traded, I know that thread will come up and with other FA's to re-sign and some nice UFA's out there, it might come down to giving the $4.5M to Filppula or Brunner... So far the pole is: Brunner 1 - Filppula 0

How about Roman Hamrlik?

...bottom line, he took a "discount" to stay here...he is playing like a $2.5M player...where is the discount?

Not for that cap hit....I am not knocking him, he is good and would help our PP, but I think that kind of money needs to be spent up front to find our scoring wing...

Speaking of Rivalries....I am far too excited to renew ours with the Bruins and Leafs in the East! Tootoo will provide some fireworks and soon enough we'll have Mike McKee patrolling the ice in the East! Damn, I cannot wait! Tonight? Go Wings! We need this win!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1554243-tallon-stephen-weiss-out-for-the-season Blah...so much for this rumor...

Last I checked it was Z with the MVP and Osgood's 9 straight wins that delivered us the Cup....if you want to say he helped deliver us the Cup then I agree. He did the same thing the next season, almost...but then he signed the "serious deal." He is no longer clutch....at all, by far. I echo the sentiments, why is it ok to play down to his contract? If he is so clutch, and so capable of delivering us a Cup, he should be outplaying his contract. Besides when he signed, he took a "discount" to stay here, if he is earning his contract then where is the discount?

I am just saying that they won't bring you what was once expected in return...I think we could hope for a pick at best. I agree with you about the stars, but we do need another winger that can twitch the twines... I am not expecting much this year, but next year I hope that Tatar is on the top 6 and a 40-50 goal scorer as well...

Kenny reminds me of Michigan Governer's....everytime they want to raise taxes on stuff it's always for "The Roads." Kenny, the only reason I have no big issue this season is because you really don't have anyone to trade that would bring back a star player... Flip and Franzine would get you a nice pick and that is about it. But please, PLEASE, find another phrase to use... I see no addition(s) at the deadline. Helm is done for the season, Bertuzzi possibly until playoffs (if we make it) and Sammy makes no difference. hey, at least he said "almost like a deadline addition" but anyhow:

It is quite possible the he my score 3 tonight...but then that will be all his scoring until October.

Agreed! I'd rather spend that money on securing Brunner. Flip may not garner a scorer, but he would fetch a pretty nice draft pick...

Fixed Franzine for you...

I don't know if White will be traded. He is still a solid NHL level defenseman that can fill in if there is an injury...too bad he has fallen to #8 status on this team. Either way, he will part ways with the Wings one way or another. If Holland nabs Dekeyser that's even more of a guarantee...

Agree with both of you. I was SUPER critical of the D early, but do like how they are coming around. If Q continues his climb, I will forgive Holland for the 1st rounder...to me Kindl is still a #7 defenseman. A very good one, but he is just that. I love Lashoff and am very impressed with they way he took advantage of his opportunity. Keep them young and fast and big and our D will thrive over the next 10 years PLUS! Up front, still lacking....Bert and Sammy will finish the year up and hopefully be bought out. I like Miller, but we already have Eaves signed another year so Miller is expendable. Cleary.........ya. Then there is Flip. I think its time for a deal for him. We have a plethora of centers than can provide what he provides...We need scoring wingers. I agree that we need to win these games. Each one is very winnable and there is no reason why we shouldn't win all 5 starting tonight. BUT, there is the lack of scoring problem...You have to score to win.

I agree. I like Flip but with Andersson, Helm and Sheahan near ready, we have a nice crop of centers already. I would like to get a couple REAL wingers and scorers in here. Tatar is a LW and ready, Nyquist is a natural LW...if we could get a high scoring RW in here that would be great! Brunner is showing good so far, get one more to hook up with Dats and we could make some noise... I am not sure Flip would bring us that scorer, but you never know. I have always wanted Ryan or Perry here, but the Ducks are doing very well and would probably be looking to move picks instead of players. I wonder if Calgary would interested in Filppula?

Plus, Pronger signed that 35+ contract that keeps the cap hit if he retires...so LTIR is an absolute necessity for Philly...