LeftWinger

IF anyone needs to waive his no trade clause, it's rafalski. I dont want them to re-sign lilja either, but last seasons timely surege into the playoffs just happened to coincide with Lilja's return so I do believe Holland may offer him back, I just hope it's for under a million so if we need, we can use the cap space at the deadline. I am not convinced Kindl is gonna make it, but I was wrong about Howard, so I hope I am wrong about him. Oh, and guys/gals, for the record, as much as dont like the guy, I hope I am wrong about Hudler and hope he does great the next two years here...

Here's what I hope, if Holland does re-sign Bertuzzi, Eaves, Miller & Lilja (we know he's siging Abby and Helm, thats a no brainer.) I just hope he does it all while leaving a couple million just in case we need to get "THAT" player come trade deadline. It will be nice to be able to actgually make a trade without worrying about salary for salary. If we are going to ice the same team this year outside of the additions of Hudler/Ritola & Kindl, two of which wont get too much playing time, it'll be nice to have those couple of million available. Maybe if Lilja doesn't work out, then we can get that 6th defensman.

This is good news, he didn't work out the first time, and (unfortunate of his injury) he didn't work out this time. I assume they wanted hi for his powerplay skills, but it just never worked. I am glad it was only a 1 year deal.

Ya, that Larry Murphy guy was a bust we got from Toronto for future considerations.

Pound for Pound there is, was and will never be another Vladdy. Period. Kronwall hits like a girl compared to Vladdy. And that's a compliment to Kronwall, I am sure he'd accept it. I would hate to see the "NEW" NHL officiating pick him apart, because you know they would!

Why Holmstrom? Holmstrom steps it up when needed. He has always been a playoff scorer, he seems to up his game then. If he can still net 25 goals regular season and 5-10 playoffs, then $1.8M is WELL worth it. Why do you think Draper and Maltby stuck around so long? They stepped it up in the playoffs consistently, now they are replaceable, right now, Tomas Holmstrom is NOT replaceable, well not unless you are gonna replace him with Ryan Smyth or Ryan Geztlaf and that's not gonna happen for less than $2M... Plus 10,000 points for Holland AND Holmstrom for this deal! (not to mention he could've easily gotten $3M on the market, that saves us $1.2M in Cap Space to spend elsewhere) Lids for $6.2M Holmstrom for $1.8M That's TWO 4 time Stanley Cup Champs, who are the BEST at what they do for $4M a piece! When you think that Lids could've gotten $10M and Holmstrom $3M, that's FREAKIN AMAZING!

Catch 22. Last time we had a couple of guys who were more than willing to drop the gloves was 2008, and you see how that worked out. Yet, having a pure fighter on this roster doesn't seem to help. Dallas Drake and Aaron Downey actually contributed in other ways than fight (Drake more than Downey) and we cannot forget how happy we all were after Lappy leveled Lidstrom and had to eat fists later on, right? Plus, Drake was a huge part of our Stanley Cup run. Brad May is no Aaron Downey and Todd Bertuzzi was no Dallas Drake, it's obvious what has been missing since 2008, but to what extent do we need a tough guy? We've seen that May barely helped us at all in the playoffs and we never really got that Dallas Drake type player (thank you salary cap) when we needed him. That being said, I do believe we need a player that is more than willing to drop them, yet be out there for 60-70 games instead of 15-20. He needs to be able to skate, hit and fight and do it well enough that people are looking twice before they run Datsyuk or Hudler. Admittedly I don't really know too much about the guys being mentioned around this place, outside of recent research on Exelby. If we could land someone like Drake (if they are out there) it would really help this team, but as for a pure fighter who is gonna sit for 27 minutes a night and only play 15 games, I think we can pass on that type player...

isn't it funny how some people can say pretty much the same thing and get multiple positive votes, then this guy gets a negative? Weird how that works, eh?

Sorry, but if you said "WHOA!" and was excited about Jason Williams, I really feel sorry for you. About the next to nothing part, Eaves was next to nothing, picking up Miller off waivers was next to nothing, $1.5M for Jason Williams was a waste of money. Could've had Manny Malhotra (who wanted to come here) for $700,000. For 14 goals and 33 points, THAT'S next to nothing, comparing that to Bertuzzi's 18 goals and 44 points, even THAT was a waste of $1.5M! Malhotra 6'2" 220lbs, sure sounds like a forward we could've used. But we spent double on Williams... So last off season blew in my book, hopefully there are a couple of WHOAS! this off season... BTW Malhotra is a UFA again, how about a nice next to nothing contract for him?

Hmmmm, I thought I explained it well enough for even the simple minds to understand. I KNOW THE DRAFT IS A CRAP SHOOT AND YOU ARE PRETTY MUCH DRAWING STRAWS BY TIME THE 7TH AND 8TH ROUNDS GET HERE, ALSO THE WINGS WEREN'T THE ONLY ONES TO PASS THESE GUYS UP. I simply said it would be nice to have taken a chance on one or a few of those guys instead of just drafting what we always draft. And as for being a Euro hater, you couldn't be more wrong considering my favorite player of all time is Sergei Fedorov (and no I didn't become a fan after he was here, been a fan of the Wings for over 30 years.) if you don't believe me, just go research some of my post on trade day 2008, when we almost got Fedorov back, but someone didn't want him in the organization again... I realize you consider yourself pretty knowledgeable, but I am just so used to hearing Holland say "bigger and faster and grittier" every draft ad every July 1st, only to come up with Jiri Hudler, Yuri Butsayev and the like, then pass up on people who contacts Holland first (Manny Malhotra) but decide to sign Jason Williams instead for the same money, ya I get a little angry, but hey, I am not Holland, I just wish he wouldn't say we need this and then go out and get that. I am glad Datsyuk and Zetterberg have worked out, ya and a lot of his late round picks, but one can wish that he would gamble on that big, gritty guy once in a while cant I? Seems to me Byfuglien is doing pretty well for himself for being obese, much better than Blom or Collar. But like I said before, its a roll of the dice, how many teams in the first 6 rounds wish they had drafted Pavelski? Exactly, they were just examples of Holland only looking at a certain type of player, yet all the time saying we need a different type of player. Hell, I hope Emmerton works out, as well as Tartar. So, keep your racial implications to yourself, and if you think the USS Liberty wasn't on purpose, then talk to someone who was there...

Well, all that I know about Exelby is what I read in this thread and what I can look up at hockey-reference.com. Since you never know when the next hit on Lilja is the last one and Lebda and Meech pretty much are NOT what this team needs, he would be a nice #6 d-man. Especially id Ericsson steps it back up, we'd have two d-lines that would be simply punishing and then Nick and Rafalski would handle the scoring... I am still not sure Kindl is gonna make it though, even with all the injuries and defensive issues this team had last year, he was given a couple of chances and couldn't hold a spot on the roster, not even for a week or two. I was at the Edmonton game he played in and he absolutely look horrible...

I had heard that Emmerton was losing ground on the trail to Detroit, but there's always injury call ups to see if he can hang. Just another one of Holland small skilled players that uses his entire time up in the minors and misses his chance to crack the lineup. I would just love to see a Holland TOP draft pick make the club before his time is up in GRR. Not that I am complaining with his results, but wold love to see and young 19-20 year old make this club and have a great impact. Of course that would probably mean NOT making the playoffs a few years in a row and even sucking so bad we get a top 5 pick, so really, I think I rather stay in the 20's-30 and making the playoffs every year. Just once though, I would like Holland to come across a Corey Perry or Joe Pavelski and actually draft him, like if somehow a miracle happens and McIlrath falls to 21 and Holland actually drafts him. Ahhhh, wishful thinking!

Ya, I just haven't seen Holland do that kind of stuff (trade UP) but one can hope. This guy can and will be in the Big Leagues well before he is out of minor league options, unfortunately that is also not the kind of player Holland drafts. The last guy to come right from the draft to Detroit was Primeau, but he went down to Adirondack the next year for over 40 gmaes before coming back up here. Even the great Nick Lidstrom was drafted in 1989 didn't come over until 1991 after two more seasons in Sweden (but that may have been a contractual reason) so really, the last guy to be drafted and be on the team for good the next season was Steve Yzerman, so not really been a Wigs tradition unless it was a top pick (like Primeau.) Looking at Holland's picks, even Datsyuk and Zetterberg took a couple of years to get here after they were drafted. So it's really not his M.O. to draft a player that will make the club that same year (unless he gets a #1 thru #10 and lets hope we don't suck that bad no time too soon!) Well, after all that gibberish, I certainly hope we can get Dylan, he could be the next guy to be here before his options are up. I believe he is that good of player. Odds are, if he goes to Anaheim, he will be in their lineup from day one, especially if Little Neddy Neiderlender (that naughty naughty boy, you're so bad, you bad bad boy!) retires. Not that he could fill Neddy's skates off the bat, but he is good enough to crack their top 6 for sure! I believe he is better than Kindl and Ericsson, so there us no reason why he couldn't come in a play here, but Holland has his seniority list that he like to follow...

This is exactly it, because last season Pittsburgh had the 30th and the last pick in every other round and Detroit had the second from last, of course they traded the 29th to Tampa to move down, but ya, this is correct and that should land us at 21.

Ya, If the Wings would've had a first round pick they could've drafted Shea Weber, Corey Perry or Patrice Bergeron, but they probably would've have taken a small skilled player that would still be in the minors and or went back to Europe by now. Of course they may have taken Howard still, just a round earlier. On a side note, if Anaheim gets McIlrath like this guy mocks up, I will absolutely develop an ulcer and probably keel over and die! (which would be good news to some of you guys here, eh? ) I know the draft is a crap shoot, and Detroit isn't the only team to miss these guys, but here's an exaple of what Holland looks for instead of what he "SAYS" we need: 2003 Draft. Positrion #194 Detroit drafts Stefan Blom, #205 San Jose drafts Joe Pavelski, #226 Detroit drafts Tomas Kollar, #245 Chicago drafts Dustin Byfuglien. But, like I said, they weren't the only ones to pass on these guys, I just wish Holland wasn't so small skilled minded when it comes to actually drafting someone. Every year, he says when need to draft size and grit, same as July 1st, we need to get bigger and stronger. Then he drafts Tomas Kollar when Dustin Byfuglien is sitting there. Oh well! I guess by time the 7th and 8th round comes around you are just drawing straws as to who is left... I still hope they trade UP to get McIlrath, dunno who we'd trade though, except for a prospect. BINGO! Score one for the USS Liberty! Mistake my ASS!

I will have to say I haven't paid too much attention to this guy. He wouild be a nice addition on the third pairing, him and Ericsson (if he can find his mean streak again) could make a very good pairing. That being said, not quite sure he is a Ken Holland type of player, and i will leave it at that. Also watching the video, once he puts on the Detroit sweater, all of those hits will most likely be called penalties. edit: I just hope that Meech/Lebda and Lilja are all NOT in a Wings uniform when the season starts...

agreed, I think we need a fresh new face up front and on D...

Thats ok, I get negged by someone who has an issues with me just because I dislike Hudler. I think its hilarious.

Hamilton Tigers

Well this is pretty good news. The way I read it is, Bertuzzi either chooses to play a couple more seasons with Detroit for at the most Holmstrom's money OR retire and make nothing... Considering Helm and Abdelkader, yes they will both get raises, but they will probably only get the minimum required by the CBA, since Abby didn't really earn a contract that pays him a million or more and Helm only made just under $600,000 last season and, as important he is to the future of this team, he didn't do enough to nearly double his salary, so I would expect if not the minimum, no more than $750,000. As for Miller and Eaves, with Hudler :puke: coming back and Ritola out of options, there is really only room for one of these guys (if Bertuzzi comes back.) With Holland saying he wants to sign a grinding 4th liner, I dont see how he can sign all these guys. I am fully on board with a #6 defensman, I really hope he just doesn't opt to re-sign Lilja, but who else is out there in the million dollar range? Same with a grinding forward, it'll have to be someone to come in for $1.5M or less...

But...But...He didn't shake King Sid's hand!!!!

I wouldn't mind seeing Holland offer Owen Nolan a contract instead of Bertuzzi for Holmstrom money. Or maybe Tanguay... You're right Bertuzzi was just too inconsistent, but Holland loves him and will prolly offer him the same as Holmstrom, too bad there isn't enough roster space to add a Nolan or Tanguay as well... Damn you Hudler!

Peeeeew! Who FEDERKO'd? MIO My-o! That's a Low price! Got my MCGEGNEY of Blue in the fridge now! That Yzerman is such a GOODFELLOW. (NOT!) Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this WALLIN... My Doctor prescribed GIACOMIN for my flareups....

What excites me about this season is, Holland is actually landing our UFA's at a huge discount. If the Cap goes up by $2M we should be able to add at least a solid defender to shore up the defense.

Yes indeed if that is true then awesome! Hopefully if they re-sign Bertuzzi, it will be similar numbers! I see a good July 1 coming soon!