LeftWinger

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!

Great News! As long as it doesn't chew up too much of the Cap. I knew of the 4 guys in question, Holmstrom would be the most likely to re-sign. I wonder if Yzerman was eyeballing him up at all?

and how long did you watch Chelios before he became a Wing. How many folks hated Vladdy around the league, but would've loved him on their team at one point in his career he was considered the dirtiest player in the league. Maybe you personally wouldn't want him (just like I try to defend myself for not liking Hudler just because he is a Red Wing) but the majority of fans would like him here. Just like they all cheered for Chelios and even when we signed Hatcher and traded for Clark.

He sucked here because he injured himself a few games into the season, then wasn't 100% percent when he came back, then because of Buttman he had to get bought out of his contract, so could never return to form in Detroit. He did have decent seasons in Philly before he retired...

Its time to get on your horse and Gallant off in to the sunset. No matter what happens, we will all be Wings fans and root for them until we're in our Graves These puns are getting a little KOURN-ey-KOVA... We all better get a Hanlon on our emotions, because it's gonna be a rough year!

All this Pronger hate, but if he someday became a Detroit Red Wing he would be loved. Remember he hate for Bertuzzi, Chelios, Reindeau, Clark, Ulf Samuelsson? These guys were all hated, yet when they put on the Winged Wheel you all cheered for them. That is why, as much as I love LGW, most of you guys are full of the Red Kool Aid. I particulary would like to see Pronger become a Red Wing, much like Hatcher did. I like players for players, not who they play for, hence the reason I still cannot stand Hudler, McCarty or LaPointe. Not that they weren't good at what they do or did, just don't like them and on LGW if you don't like a Red Wing, you aren't a true fan according to most, and you can go root for another team if you don't like any particular Wings player. God forbid someone say something negative about Yzerman, like in person he is a stuck up prick, I know, I have met him plenty of times, he ranks right up there with Gretzky. I have nothing against his importance to the Wings and now to the Lightning, just in person, he isn't what most of you think. And I am not talking about the Yzerman who is paid to be pleasant when it comes to autograph sessions and the like. God forbid, someone doesn't like Lidstrom either... EDIT: See, some ****** gives me a negative just because I say something that doesn't place anyone who plays for the Wings on a pedestal next to God... Hey ****** bag, you're funny, you think Yzerman cares for you? Now you're really delusional!

I hope Chicago loses because I cannot stand their coach! Have disliked him since he was whining and crying while coach St. Louis... It's just too bad Detroit couldn't have made it to the WCF so we could knock him out of the playoffs yet again!

I say get rid of the Shootout AND the 1 point for losing! It really inflated the point totals this season and takes away from the "team" sport that this game is supposed to be. You want more one on the goalie, call more penalty shots...

Hence the reason we trade up to guarantee our pick. If Holland really wants him that is. I just hope that whoever he picks, it's someone 6' or higher and 215lbs or more. I personally am tired of the small skilled players, or the 6 footers that weigh 180lbs and cannot throw the body... but, eh, that's just me! http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/kirill_kabanov 6'3" 176lbs? Plus the injuries? No Thank You.....

Of course I pick McIlrath, but our luck he"ll get picked right ahead of our pick!

Kind of a misleading title to the topic, it actually sounds like there is a trade in the works. Honestly though, I dont think there is anything Holland would be willing to give up that Yzerman would want or that would bring us something in return. Especially a "Blockbuster" trade. I think all this "Steve YZerman is so loyal to the Wings he will do anything to help them" crap needs to stop. Steve is now "Grateful" to the Wings for all the support and loyalty, but now and until he is no longer with Tampa, he is 100% dedicated to the Lightning and bettering their team. That being said, as long as we're on the fantasy kick, I would love to somehow pry Hedman out there! Convince Rafalski to waive his no trade (yah right) to get Hedman, then trade up to guarnatee us drafting McIlrath and our defense will be set for when Nick retires and beyond! If we could also somehow get Johnson out of LA! Ok, ok, fantasy over, back to reality.... I do agree with an earlier poster though, trade Hudler to them for whatever...

Are we talking money no object or under the cap? No Object : Kovalchuk Under the Cap : Willie Mitchell

sorry, while I understand the point you are trying to make, I had to correct last years #2 overall. I still wish the Wings would've made a deal for that #2 pick...

^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^ Trade prospect and our #1 pick!