LeftWinger

this is getting absurd, of course more teams are going to contact him, nobody wants Detroit to win again, so as soon as they all found out that it was Detroit most likely going to get him, they all started calling...

The only way he becomes a ****** in my mind, is if he signs somewhere else. Why? Because had he not said its Detroit or retirement then there wouldn't be that sentiment, but since he said that and if he winds up in Minnesota or San Jose, then most of the fans would feel stabbed. Not that he has to sign here, it is his life and decision, but then he shouldn't say what he said about this being the only place he'd play...

Well, I never expected the decision to take even this long of time (although its been only a few days,) I hope it doesn't drag on too much longer. Sure he has to decide if he wants to play another season, and I guess its a hard decision for him, but from my low income point of view it looks simple, either dont play and make nothing or play and make another million dollars and possibly win another Cup. I know Holland is gonna give him whatever time he wants, but Mike, just sign it, please, or come out and say you're retiring. Just make a decision so the entire Red Wings nation can exhale...

This is good news. I have not seen Smith play, but I have seen Kindl play, it wasn't too impressive, but could have been jitters. I hope Smith does well, its about time one of our actual "KIDS" make this club, not spend 5 years in GR then come up when they have no options left. I hope he makes a great impression (along with Kindl.)

Yes, Abby has GR eligibility left, if we face cap or roster issues, he will be sent down, but I do believe Ritola will be the odd man out with Draper being the 13th forward...

Isn't Mike Modano the highest scoring American born player EVER? I think he has even more points than Brett Hull. My point is, Brett Hull came to us when he was 37 and played here until he was 39. He NEVER had the wheels Modano HAS. He was pretty one dimensional (until he came here, and he was still sub-par defensively.) How bad did that work out? Listen guys, like I said earlier, he is not here to be our savior, so that right there is lifting a lot of pressure off of him. Even last year everyone in Dallas looked to Modano to win games for them, he couldn't do that from the 4th line leftwing position! He will have a more important role here sure, but he has a hell of a lot better top 6 ahead of him than he did in Dallas, plus the prospective line-mates of Cleary and Hudler is gonna give him tons of assists and energy as well. He still has a great shot, it may be too much to expect from him, but given enough time on the PP and if he and those guys click, he may end up with 20-25 goals and 30-40 assists. Heck, Brett Hull scored 25 goals and had 43 assists in his last year here,and that was while he was 39 years old. Guarantee with all the line juggling Babcock does, Modano will find himself playing with Dats or Zetts a few times this season too. This is a win win situation for all involved (well except Dallas, when they eat crow watching Modo raise the Cup.) I seem to remember Larionov wasn't too shabby at 41 years old in 2002 either, especially in the playoffs. And who was that guy, what was his name? Oh yeah, Chelios, he was also 40 in 2002, and played very well for a few more years at least. Just cause the guy is 40, doesn't mean he cannot play, when Yzerman was 40, he played in 61 games, scored 14 goals and had 20 assists, all with a bum knee, a lot of times playing 3rd line center behind Dats and Lang, would you guys take those stats from Modano for $1.5M? SIGN HIM UP!

Well, if Ward comes back, he'll be back in #27, is it against the rules to give Modo #09?

Draper will split time with Miller and Eaves (if Eaves signs) the odd men out are Meech and Ritola. Pav -Z - Homer Franz - Flip - Bert Hud - Modo - Cleary Miller - Helm - Eaves (Abby has GR eligibilty, so he can and prolly will be sent down) Draper I just hope after all are re-signed, there is enough for a $1.2M d-man or the #6 spot.

I bet he signs tomorrow. Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Hudler-Filppula-Franzen Cleary-Modano-Bertuzzi Eaves-Helm-Abdelkader Miller/Draper I like it. I kinda figured he that he wouldn't play anywhere else. (as a matter of fact, I saifd that earlier, buit it was more of me talking and wishing at the same time! I am glad he feels the same!) Besides, the other "favorites" aren't interested and Detroit really doesn't have any big buck UFA aspirations so, Modano fits Hollands bill to a tee! He is exactly the type of UFA that Holland loves to sign! I am a bit surprised at the offer of two years, but I guess they feel Mike has it in him to play two more, then so be it. I like it. I know he is not the 6'4 230lb. guy I always clammer about, but I do like him here. Also, I do believe he will provide Hudler with a lot of awesome setups, possibly propelling HUdler over 30 goals. I also predict, if Modano takes the 2 years, he will be celebrating at least 1 more Cup and his 600th goal! edit: Could this be Filppula's last year to prove he deserves second line minutes? I am not bashing him, I like Filppula, but he makes $3M, time to start putting the numbers up...

Do you realize how hard it is to repeat in today's NHL? Especially when you have lost or have to had traded away a great deal of your depth. Detroit kept most of their team in 2009 and almost did it, but yet didn't. Pitt lost a few key ingrediants on the D and didn't get past the 2nd round. Chicago will be competitive all season, but will not come near repeating. So if Mike's idea is to play a couple more season in the hope of getting one more Cup, he should not sign with the Hawks. Not saying Detroit is the favorite, but of all the teams rumored to be interested, it actually is his best opportunity. Besides, who would rather be on a line with, Hudler and Cleary or Marcus Kruger and Ben Smith? If he doesn't sign with Detroit, he will retire...

Ya, but if Eaves signs too, then we have all four. Draper will be the 13th/14th forward along with Miller and Eaves rotating, let Ritola go back down thru waivers. Abdelkader has GRR eligibility so he will be sent down without having to pass waivers.

Third Line Center to start, could play higher if he performs (injuries as well will shake the lines up) and at least 2 powerplay unit, I would say that is a pretty good role on this team...

Ya, I am sure Steve is pretty devistated... (side note, I was searching for more info and stuff and ran accross the Hawks Book, HAWKEYtown, they are so envious of us!) Anyway, again, RIP Probie!

Does anyone know if any of his fellow pugilists have said anything? Would be very interested to hear any words from Ty Domi or Marty McSorley...

What most people need to remember is that the Wings arent trying to sign him to be their offensive savior. They are interested because at this stage of his career, Modano is basically the ultimate role player. He can bring offense to a 3rd or 4th line while being solid two way, still functional on the PP, and brings leadership. He has his name on the cup. I also cant see who could be a better mentor to Helm. They are basically the same type of player and Modano may be able to teach Helm how to finish a little better.

Gordie will allow him to wear #9... Nah, but this is VERY intriguing news!

HEH HEH! Ya, I never heard that story, but know who you are talking about... regarding the program cover, it could've been a number of folks, Torrie Robertson, Kevin McClelland, Chris Mcrae, they were all fighters that year...

unfortunately, being the pricks that they are, the Hawks will probably beat us to it, like he was theirs and theirs only... I swear to God, if they do something with the #24, I will personally burn the United Center down!!! (not really, but I will be pissed!)

I wouldnt mind seeing #24 taken out of circulation and maybe, MAYBE, have them put a 24 sticker on their helmets for the season. Probie was one of three Red Wings that I really wished could've been part of that 1997 Cup, him, Dino & Shawn Burr... ...all the battles he fought for this team, he deserved to raise the Cup with them.

Um..... nope... Delvecchio...

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=326672 It's over... The Biggest Baddest Bruise Brother of ALL Time! Probie takes his final knock out... Does anyone know if this is still the record?

Sad, sad news.... He is one of the reasons I became a HUGE Wings fan. I have met him more than a few times, talked to him personally on a few occasions, despite all his problems, he was really, REALLY a nice guy. I am heartbroken today...

everyone has their wish list and some people agree and some people don't. In this very slow off season for the Wings who just look to add veteran grit and some secondary scoring have already welcomed Hudler back to add (hopefully) 30-40 goals. Big Bert should again get near or just over 20, as will Holmstrom, and Nick, well, Nick will be Nick... They need to decide on their RFA's, Helm and Abby are no doubt coming back, Miller and Eaves are questions, if Holland already offered them all contracts, what is the hold up? I am sure he did not low ball Helm or Abby, but he prolly tried to scale back on Eaves and Miller, anyway, my wish is (and this is just me) sign Modano and Aaron Ward for a combined less than $2M and spend $3M on your remaining three of the four RFA's. Are they what we need to make us the team to beat? Prolly not, but they both add veteran leadership and even at 37 years old, Ward still plays with some snarl, and Modano can net 10-20 goals along with adding some help on the power-play. It's obvious we aren't making a big UFA splash, but these two can come in here, add depth and scoring to the bottom 6 and 5-6 spot on D, and they could be the little spark we need, along with Hudler adding his scoring to put us that much closer to Stanley... on a seperate note, per TSN, I guess Kovalchuk has said no to LA. Hmmm, wonder what the offer was...

It is of my opinion, that until they are out of it, the Detroit Red Wings are the team to beat. But what do I know?

Copy that! And I even gave you the positive for that one! I was just stating we are always up against the Cap so we hear that statement all the time.