LeftWinger

I'd rather have Stamkos or Ovechkin playing alongside Zetterberg or Datsyuk than a team full of Crosby's...

I agree to a point, but he isn't getting any younger and he is only as good as his last performance and that was 3 points in 8 playoff games. For being our only thing closest to a pure scorer that we have, that is unacceptable, but yes it was only one off year, so maybe (I hope) he goes back to a point a game in this years playoff. While I admit I do not know too much about Bobby Ryan on a consistent level, I do know it seems everytime the Wings play the Ducks he is always factoring in someway, same as Iginla against the Flames. It doesn't really matter, but if people want these type of players here, they have to understand that Holland cannot get them by offering 20 of our scrubs. We are all going to have our favorite players that we would never want to see be traded and will always offer up a different player in a scenario. Me, I'd rather keep Filppula than Franzen or Hudler since I think he brings a more complete game to the table, but if even trading him would get us that legit #1 pure scorer, then I would't have an issue, especially if Franzen returns to form as a serious scoring threat every night.

Be upset all you want about someone mentioning Franzen, but he is just too inconsistent for my liking. Bobby Ryan and Jerome Iginla are waaaaaaay better than Franzen. You guys want to improve this team but you only want to offer scrubs that nobody wants. It takes talent to acquire talent. Hudler isn't gonna bring us anything, Miller isn't either. Holland tried trading Hudler all summer and nobody wanted him with all his "potential." He has worse value now. You have to trade someone unless you are perfectly fine with Franzen scoring 20 points in 10 games then disappearing for 20, then scoring 20 more in 15, then disappearing for the rest of the season and playoffs.

Yeah, and it probably wont be in Ann Arbor either. When Detroit hosts the Winter Classic, it will be at Comerica Park, as crappy as it would be to view a hockey game there... ...as for an opponent, since we'll be in the Eastern Conference, I would like to see one of our newest rivals, the Devils, Bruins or Islanders.

Franzen + Hudler for either one... I would say Hudler, Kindl, pick(s) but this isn't a video game.

are you suggesting that this years pengwhines are going to win the Cup?

I agree! But, he would just be a throw in at this moment. He couldn't get us anything over the summer with all his "potential" and he certainly wouldn't bring us anything in return right now. Package him with Kindl and a pick/prospect, then maybe we can get a #5 or #6 guy...

Well, I am certain it would cost at least Franzen to acquire Ryan, and with Franzen's horrible inconsistency, I would welcome that....but that is probably just me. Really, though, is Ryan a pure sniper? Is he really what this team would need to be better? That is the issue, who is out there that is that sniper Datsyuk needs? How do we acquire him, can we? Will we? Will the other team give him up? Are we stuck with this exact team until July 1st? I'd love to see this team improve to the point to where they are elite again, but right now, they just lack that consistent scoring.

There probably isn't any, but the first time he gets an elbow to the face, there will be. The point also was, he comes him and says how these type of plays need to be out of the game, then does it himself and thinks its ok. Then he gets defended by the league and coaches for doing it. I already said I don't have an issue with the play, but don't flip the coin when it happens to him, and that is what goes on in the NHL with him playing. Don't say it's illegal and then do it and say it was just playing hard. Well, maybe the times you got knock out, they were just playing hard too? Heat of the moment happens and players do things that the feel bad for later. Maybe if he would've said it was the wrong thing to do and he feels bad that he did it, and will work on not ever doing it again, then maybe he would've gained some respect. But he acted like it was no big deal that he elbow jacked him in the face, but let it happen to him, then we will see the sky falling...

Honestly, what would it take to get someone like Iginla here? It would most certainly cost at least Fanzen along with some other packaged items. I am all for getting rid of some talent to get some talent, but as much as I cannot stand Franzen and his stupid contract, I would rather trade him for someone who is gonna spend some time here instead of just a rental, like Iginla or Doan would be. I guess with any pending UFA there is no guarantee that they will re-sign here, but someone like the two mentioned would most certainly come in, get their Cup and skate (pun intended) away back to were they came from. I think this is why the names Parise or Semin come (yes, intended again! ) up often because they are younger and probably are looking to sign a deal that takes them close to, if not to the end of their career's. I mention Franzen because he is so inconsistent and even though he is leading the team, you cannot accept the fact that his goals all come in a handful of games and then he goes like 20 without scoring. I just do not want to see how inconsistent he is going to be 5 years from now, let alone when his contract is up. Unfortunately, we have a few stars and a team full of average (at best) players who nobody would really be interested in (unless they are packaged.) I would hate to lose Stuart, but if his heart is set on going home, Holland needs to either talk him into a sign and trade before July 1st, or deal him at the deadline because to lose him for nothing would be horrible. Maybe he would like to go to San Jose, don't know what he would get us in return, but it would be worth a shot. He may not bring much in return, but even a Brad Winchester is better than zero. Of course, my first choice would to just keep and re-sign Stuart. Roster players that can be used in a package in my book are Franzen, Hudler, Cleary, Miller, Emmerton, Brunstrom, Kindl, Ericsson, Bertuzzi (although noone will want him) and of course if you have to add prospects. Of course, if they continue to win 9 out of every 11 games, I can be perfectly content in seeing how far this team will go this season... I agree. Look at Steve Yzerman. He was a consistent 100 point getter in the 80's, even after his first knee surgery he was still an 80-100 point player. But when he had that last major knee re-aligment, he became a complete different player. He was still effective and a great leader, but no longer was he that 90 point threat. (of course he was a bit older than Parise is now, but that is just an example supporting your argument.) Another player to think about is Pavel Bure. I do believe he had knee issues and was never the same too.

Doesn't matter, bottom line is Crysby gives the NHL even LESS respect than they get compared to the rest of the sports. The fact that they are trying to eliminate plays like this by suspension's and then to not suspend a player for doing it makes it obvious that he has special rules set for himself. The play itself, I really have no issue with because if you've ever played hockey, these things happen and I can imagine in the NHL it's on a more competitive and greater scale, BUT suspend the player NO MATTER WHO IT IS. If Patrick Kane does it, if Tomas Holmstrom does it, if Pavel Datsyuk does it, if Matt Cooke does it. And for Bylsma to actually defend the non suspension just goes to show how yellow he is. These special rules are what dummy's this league down. 2009, Malkin instigates a fight in game 2, MANDATORY suspension for game 3, but wait, Bettman cannot have that, he even said the the NHL cannot have their best players sitting out on the grand stage, so the instigator gets thrown out. Malkin goes on to factor in on all the goals pittsburgh scored in game 3, a game where if he were suspended, Detroit would've been up 3 games to none for sure. It's these Bettman rules that drive me (and most of the hockey nation) crazy and it makes me hate the NHL more and more. The NHL IS much better without the likes of Cindy in it. You want to play hard and compete and play a little dirty? Fine, but don't *****, whine and dive all over the place when you get a Louisville to your mouth, but don't pretend to be a golden boy and nobody can touch you and then do stupid s*** like this and still complain about open ice hits and hits to the head. NHL, if you want to be seen as a safer league and have the best players playing, then you have to be consistent and just. I just cannot wait for the first guy to hit this guy that one last time. The NHL will be a better place.

wOw, how many years removed from the Adams Trophy?

This is why he will never have the respect. He is just lke Mario in that regard, waa waa if someone touches him, but it's just playing hard hockey if he does it to someone else...and just like Mario, nothing will be said from the NHL....Seems to me, NHL was better without him. At least everything was fair and there was no special treatment for players who seem to have special rules...

The funny part isn't that they call Kessel the 2nd best player in the NHL, it's the part they call Cindy the best player... Just one more hit....please!

Time to sit Zetterberg...he has to be hurt...he did not just all of a sudden become hot garbage.

I'd like that! Hudler or Cleary, that way you could keep the other to package a deal for Parise. If you add Semin and Parise, how do we acquire Weber or Suter? Not likely, nor probable that the Wings pick up all these guys, but could you imagine this team with Semin, Parise and one of Weber/Suter? If the OP's rumor/scenario brings us Semin and Shultz for Cleary/Kindl, I wouldn't mind seeing Ericsson packaged for one of the Preds. Stranger things have happened...

No worries, they have Crosby. He will bring them back from the brink. All the NHL has to do is market him the right way and they will be golden.

So why the hell is the Winter Classic now on Jan. 2nd? The whole idea of the game was to be on New Years DAY, not the day after!!! Once again, Bettman bows down to the networks and OTHER sports. Spineless Jellyfish!

The game was pretty good while he wasn't around...

Well then he is right about running a good business then, why show the pengwhines play someone they may lose to? Show them playing the worst teams in the league so they wax them and then the whole country loves them even more! (and by whole country I mean the greater s***sburgh area)

Hudler for Semin straight up... I know Washington won't do it, but I can dream...

Geez, now he is starting to get Gretzky points, while sitting on the bench. Where's Tonya Harding when you need her?

Here, for you: http://shop.nhl.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=11757677 don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out...

I agree! The game was good without him, and it will be after he is gone. Whether he finishes his career early or late, I will always hate him and wish bad things on him. Hey Cindy, voodoo voodoo hoodoo!

don't even joke about something like that, I almost ***** slapped my monitor! LOL! Someone actually caring that Crysby stays in the NHL, that's a hoot!