LeftWinger

Ya, it sure does have a lot to do with the surrounding area, and Detroit, right now, is no gem or easy to maneuver around, but that is where my light rail comes in. Even folks that live near the airport, south of the city would find it beneficial to park OUTSIDE of the city, ride the train downtown and spend the evening, then ride back and drive home. It's a win/win for everyone, plus it would keep the traffic down around the arena's on game day's/night's. The train would pay for itself in no time. Here is a personal experience, I drove to the GTA a few years ago's, couldn't get a hotel downtown so I drove back outside the city and stayed in Mississauga, The Valhalla Inn to be exact. We chose that hotel with a subway station right near it. When we got out in the morning we drove aprox. 5 mins (if that) to a subway station, rode the subway downtown, stayed most the day, drank and partied, whatever, went back to subway, waited and rode back, sobered up a bit, drove back to hotel, freshened up, then repeated step 1-3 for the evening for dinner concert and night life. I just wish that the powers that be in Detroit would get their heads out of the assess and wake up! YOU NEED PEOPLE AND CASH TO TURN THE CITY AROUND NOT JUST MINIMUM WAGE JOBS!!! Plus, other than the Foxtown area, everyting is spread WAY to far out, casinos all over, restaurants here and there. Detroit NEEDS an actual DOWNTOWN area again, with everything within WALKING distance,so when you arrive via the train, you can go from spot to spot enjoying your night with a TON of options, not just Greektown or Foxtown or Mexicantown. Hell you can't even walk from casino to casino, you are stuck in one the entire night...

I would hope for a modest 20,000 seats all together. As for a name, I am pining for The Delta Centre. Since taking over Northwest Airlines as the largest carrier in Detroit (in the 4th largest airport in the country) Delta hasn't done too much to become part of the community and really invest some money in Detroit the City outside of Romulus The Airport. The Utah Jazz used to have the Delta Center as the name of their arena, but that was years ago, it has since changed. With a brand new arena, and basically Delta still being "NEW" to the area (I know they flew in and out of here prior, but it was like 6 flights) this would be a great opportunity for both Ilitch and Richard Anderson (Delta CEO) to work together on this to help Detroit grow even more. Of course, with it being a Hockey Arena, I had to switch the ER to RE in CentRE to give it a more Canadian flavor, plus the words Delta Centre flow off the tongue pretty easily. Then all the Airport Authority and the City of Detroit has to do is connect the city to the airport via an light rail with stops in Dearborn and Comerica/Ford Field and Casino's, then the city will finally start to turn the corner. You will have folks actually FLY in to go to a game, dinner, casino, ride the train back to the Airport the next day or same night, and go home. All that sounds like Cash to the City to me...but then again, there is the corrupt City Council and Anti-Union Bing to deal with and that is a whole other monster! Mr. Ilitch, Mr. Anderson...The Delta Centre...get it done!

He would be the right move, but for sure it would cost a TON, starting with Filppula...Ahhh, if only he were a UFA this off season... Not to hijack the thread, but who (realistically, I don't wanna see Miller/Cleary/MacDonald crap) would you say goodbye to, in order to get Perry (AND THEN RE-SIGN HIM IMMEDIATELY!) I love Filppula, but Anaheim loves Selanne and if they want to get him another season, Filppula (who Selanne had said he loves playing with) would be a huge piece to start with. I'd hate to trade away future, but Perry is in his prime and if re-signed for at least 5 more years, one or two wouldn't sting too much. Unfortunately for me, I don't watch our prospects too much to know who to barter with and who is untouchable...I'd really hate to lose Smith. Maybe sign and trade Quincey along with Filppula and Brad Stuart's bargaining rights? To me, that still kind of sounds like a EA Sports trade...Help me out! Help me acquire Corey Perry to be that sniper next to Datsyuk!

Wait, so the truth behind our decline is who did & did not represent USA & Canada in the WHC? Whew, I thought it was age and injuries....

Maybe...but with Lids at or near the end, he is definitely near the top if not the top available defender's right now. I just think that right now, this team doesn't have that one D man that will take over... But like I said, I am sure there can be a couple of D-men signed for less that could cover the loss of Lidstrom too... ...and with all the talk about Suter/Parise, I think it is more important to solidify the D before the O...It's a more crucial position and obviously the Red Wings wouldn't have been nowhere near as consistent without Lidstrom for the past 20 years...

I feel, and it is just my opinion, that Ryan Suter is the closest thing we can acquire to having anyone near the talent of Lidstrom. He is better than any of our current defensemen that are under contract. As for salary, I think $7.5M would be what I would top out at. Like I said, I am sure he will get plenty of offers that are over and above that amount and it'll be up to him to sign with a contender (whether it's Detroit or not) or make the max in Columbus. Now if a contender offer's him $9M, then that is fine too. I think my max would be $7.5M, if not then there are other, not so talented options out there too. LA right now, is proving that you don't really need that high dollar defender to win, so if no Suter, then maybe a couple of $4M B class hard working defensemen that aren't named Quincey... edit: Sorry, just checked and I didn't know Doughty was at $7M per season, guess that theory was wrong! But honestly, now knowing that he is only at $7M, $7.5M should be plenty to get Suter signed...but to add to that theory, the Rags highest paid D man is less than $4M and it isn't hurting them!

I certainly hope it's Suter then everyone else...IMO Suter is priority #1 UFA to get signed here. The rest, including Lidstrom are secondary...

Not that it'll change anit-Semin folks on here, but at the World's he played his 3 games with Datsyuk and had 5 point in those 3 games. If he signed here and averaged the similar 1.66 PPG, I think he would be considered a great signing...was it country pride or playing with Datsyuk? Not sure, but I'd welcome that production...at least as a plan B if we aren't able into the Parise-stakes...

I wouldn't call them washed up, sure Steve wasn't the O machine he was in the 80's, and Fedorov slowed a bit, but the year they won the first Cup they were coming off prior year scoring of 95pts (Yzerman) and 107pts (Fedorov) respectively...but ya compared to earlier stats, they were more down to Earth during the 3 Cup run... Differnce is, those late 90's early 00's teams had balanced scoring that took a lot of scoring away from Yzerman/Fedorov, this team doesn't have that as much, so as Z and D decline, so does the team...They need to address this sooner than later, hopefully this off season! Speaking of secondary scoring, I see Franzen had 9 points in 7 games in the Worlds, that sure wold be nice to get him to give that much when he plays for the Red Wings.... 1.28 PPG would turn a lot of his naysayers around!

I think realistcally he should sign somewhere for $6M-$8M, but there are going to be those certain teams that throw an outrageous offer at him to try to steal him...it's up to him to decide whether he wants to walk away from a $2M-$3M difference to have a legit chance to win...unfortunately for us, there are more teams out there now that have a legit chance, and then some Cinderella stories (LA) that could pop up as well...I would HATE to see him sign in St. Louis or Chicago or s***sburgh, that's for sure! All of which would hate to see him sign in Detroit...Gonna be a nerve racking day on July 1st! It's a Sunday, so I will have to work, my phone is going to be on overdrive!

Now that would be cool! I don't know if Datsyuk has 60 in him, but ya, that would be a great welcome! (do you think he would still get screwed out of a Hart?)

Covers are Voodoo more times than not....its a nice honor, but I am scared for him to win....That being said, Good Luck Megatron, Madden 2013 cover...

I wouldn't mind Quincey at $3M per season for 3-5, but that either keeps Smith in GR or makes him #7 if they traded Kindl and singed both Suter and Lidstrom. Not unless Holland doesn't plan to pursue Suter too hard, but I would hate for our D to be: Kronn - Lids White - Eric Quincey - Smith Kindl ....ouch....

I hope you are wrong, but there are a lot of players out there that can and will replace Hudler and be a bigger impact for us. Sure he had 50 points, but that just means he will be looking for a raise and the Wings cannot afford to waste more cap space on the "same old team." Besides, bring back Hudler & Holmstrom, that is two more roster spots taken that can be filled with someone who can score 40+ goals. Not unless there is a trade brewing, but I doubt it...

I want the same thing to happen.... Holland has to offer him a qualifying offer of $3.25M (his salary last year(he does get an automatic raise because he is making over $1M)) hopefully he turns it down and gets signed somewhere else for the $3.5M or more he is probably worth, then Holland not only gets his 1st round pick back that he gave up, he also gets a 3rd to go with it! If Holland does not qualify him, he becomes a UFA... I just don't see room for him on this team with the possibility of Suter signing and Lidstrom coming back. Not unless Smith is staying in GR for another year...(not to mention Cap issues if it doesn't go up) Kronwall - Suter White - Lidstrom Ericsson - Quincey Kindl (Smith in GR) I would rather have the picks for Quincey, make Smith the #6 D-Man in his place...of course Kindl could always be traded but he may not get you a 3rd, let alone a 1st and 3rd... Let's hope if Quincey does leave, he signs somewhere like Columbus or Montreal so that 2013 1st rounder may possibly be a lottery pick!

Ya, seems like they were so pleased in beating perhaps the weakest (skill and injured) Red Wings team to enter the playoffs in their 21 appearances. They were definitely the shallowest one when it comes to depth. I am glad that they enjoyed it so much, if Holland makes the right changes, it won't happen again...

I would sum it by saying, the Kings are a model much like the Canes, Ducks and Lightning were models...

Well, it all depends on what it would cost to get Iginla or what it would cost to sign Semin...I definitely think Iginla is the better player, but if Semin comes on Hudler's salary, that is cool. But if he wants $7M, then Ignila is a the better choice, depending on what Calgary would want in trade...

Kings are not a model, nor a dynasty...Wings soft and need about 3-4 players to replace what we have...who those are? Dunno... But landing Suter/Parise would be a great start!

That "pair" will have to come in the draft...two things though, with the Wings always making the playoffs and most the time going fairly deep, they never get a high enough draft pick to score a Yzerman type player and there are barely anymore Fedorov/Datsyuk's to steal away from Russia. I agree, they need to get that next two or three centers to carry this team after a few more years, but honestly, I don't think Holland can do it. And I definitely do not want to see the Wings get a first overall pick (unless it's via an RFA lose or trade.) It could potentially happen next season if Holland lets RFA Quincey sign somewhere else and gets compensated with the 1st/3rd draft picks and if that somewhere else ends up being a lottery team...it could happen... edit: Wow! I don't get it...

If you ain't cheatin' you ain't tryin! I'd take Clowe in a trade for sure!

Seems you may be the one, since that is all you care to comment on....maybe I should have said "take your head out of your ass, it's making your dick hurt" My point was, you refused to read anything and just want to belittle someone. I only mentioned Semin in threads that is was appropriate, not every thread like you said and that just shows that all you want to do is belittle someone instead of "take your head out of your ass" (better?) and actually realize how dumb you sound. To say that my insight and ideas about hockey are boring and dumb is no less of an insult than what I said to you. I can guarantee that I know more about the sport than you do, and in between my rants and raves (as with most user here) I do happen to provide some interesting conversation's and contribute to others very often as proven by my post count and my monetary contributions to support this great site. So, do me a favor, if you do not like what I talk about, don't become a part of it, don't reply, don't neg, don't +, don't read it. Just find someone else to neg and talk crap about, but don't whine and complain when that other person strikes back at you as well...Thank You, have a super dupity day!

Parise - Suter - Vokoun edit: Doan as a backup plan D

Godspeed Jiri! It was fun (not) but I do wish you the best! Seriously, if Holland has any words for Hudler on his tongue, it better be "good luck with your career!" If Holland re-signs Holmstrom & Hudler, may as well forget getting better up front, because unless Holland trades some folks off this roster (I hope not) there will no room for a UFA.

I honestly think that Quincey will only be signed IF Holland cannot land Suter and/or Lidstrom retires. If the cap raises and Holland can get BOTH Suter and Lidstrom, then there is no room for Quincey with Smith expecting fulltime status and Kindl still in the mix. With all three of Quincey/Suter/Lidstrom that bumps Smith back to GR and Kindl as trade/waiver bait and puts a $3.25M(at least) player as our #7. I don't see Holland allowing that much money sitting in the press box... Defense W/Suter & Lidstrom (if cap increases) Kronwall - Suter White - Lidstrom Ericsson - Smith Kindl ...like I said, IMO the only way Quincey gets re-signed is if Holland cannot have BOTH Lids/Suts Kronwall - Lidstrom(Suter) White - Quincey Ericsson - Smith Kindl ...it's kind of a sticky situation, depending on when Holland finds out if the Cap will increase. He is going to have to be VERY aggressive on July 1st for Suter, PLUS offer a qualifying offer to Quincey (@ $3.25M) in order to be eledgible to receive compensation picks if Quincey goes elsewhere. If he finds out before July 1st about the Cap, then he is in a better position. Sign Suter, qualify Quincey (hope he doesn't accept) and then re-sign Lidstrom and get picks for Quincey (1st & 3rd.) If for some reason ALL THREE do sign, like I said I cannot see Quincey sitting at $3.25M (unless Smith is gonna be #7,) he is going to have to unload Quincey and I do not think he will get in trade a 1st and a 3rd, so he may as well offer him the lowest, hope he declines and signs elsewhere...