LeftWinger

those players are both under contract this season already, just how does signing a player for next year affect this years cap? I do believe though I heard mentioned that Holland could only sign one before the trade deadline, so maybe that has something to do with it too. If that is the case sign one of them and come to a verbal agreement with the other. But yeah, one of either Franzen, Hudler or Fippula are gone no matter what. Probably Sammy too!

how about this food for thought? Hossa could get top dollar as a UFA, right? As could Z, Dats, Lids. So all Holland does is look at his FA's (Huds, Franz, Sammy and Leino) and say, look. I understand you can get more somewhere else, but so could've these 4 superstars. You make the choice. Now, these guys, Huds and Franz especially, should take a que from the stars and sign for LESS as well! If Hossa is worth $8.5M and he signs for $6M, then Huds and Franz, who could fetch $4M should maybe not get more than $2.8M. Sure that still is more than the Cap, but that should be the max they should be looking for to stay here. Realistically they should accept whatever would keep the Wings under the Cap after signing Hossa, bringing up Ericsson and Howard. But, we are probably gonna lose two of them (Franzen, Hudler, Leino or Filppula(trade))

all the screaming about who is better, Huds, Flip, Franzen. Lets just sign Hossa long term, finish the season and see where we get in the playoffs! We do not need to make a decision on Flip, Huds or Franz until July 1. Most important, if Hossa is willing to sign here for a avergage of $6M then get him under contract, see where you stand AFTER the playoffs and make decisions then. This is a lot of distractions, even if we signed Hossa to a $10M contract today, Franzen to $6M and Huds to $7M, it wouldn't effect the Cap until next season! Most Important, GET HOSSA SIGNED! Let the rest fall where they may! Who knows, maybe Holland trades Kronwall to free up some cap space? Similar contract to Flip's, free's up $3M. If Ericsson is the ready for the NHL, then bring him on! Give him 2nd line minutes! Now you can bring up Kindl as well if you trade Kronner.

Hossa made the right choice. Even if he signs long term, of course that doesn't guarantee a Cup. How about this perspective, years of losing in Ottawa (a couple almost seasons) and years of losing in Atlanta. Got whipped in the finals by Detroit. He hopes to win a Cup (or two if he re-signs long term) but if he never does, at least every year he will be here, he will be at or near the top of the league in wins, almost always be a favorite to win the Cup, and more times than not, make it at least to the conference finals if SCF's. Bottom line, he made the right choice because from now until the end of his career (if he stays) he won't have to worry about a re-build process every other year and he will have fun playing year after year. Not saying he hasn't enjoyed his career up until now, but I am sure having the best or second best record most of the time makes it a lot more enjoyable coming to the rink everyday! Best Franxhise in the NHL, best franchise in Sports, best franchise in the World. Noone can argue ANY team against that statement. I dare you too...

would that statue include Joey Kocur and Martin LaPointe? They were both on Drapes and malts line BEFORE McWaste-of-capspace was.

you are right, but these players came back and became HUGE parts of the franchise even after they retired. Of course things were different back then too. I guess maybe 33 has a slim (albeit slimmer than 96) chance to get there, but where would it stop? you put 33 up, then 91 has to go.

Babcock is trying to get Osgood ready for the playoffs. Of course letting in questionable goals isn't helping and Babcock is noticing. He said after the game that he wasn't dissappointed with the teams play and energy, but they just have to keep the puck out of the net. Shot at Ozzie (again.) He is giving him his chances to return to 2008 form. He will probably start Osgood game 1, but you better believe, another 0-2 start and Conklin is in! Or if you read in another thread, Broduer would be in!

AMEN! To go along with the OP's suggestion, of ALL those numbers, may, MAYBE the only that has a VERY slim chance is #96. But I very much doubt it. If, as the OP stated, they win another Cup in the next 2 years, or even three-peat, #30 could and should be up there after #5 goes up. I still hold a thread (although him not coming here at the deadline or singing as a F/A hurt him) I hold a thread out there for Sergei. He has the stats, he will go in the Hall, but yeah, the Wings are a franchise that honors the players that start and stay with them. As much as I think #91 deserves to be up there, it probably won't. So, #18, NO. #33, NO. #25 HEEEEELLLLLLLLL NOOOOOOOOO! #96 slim possiblity, #30 has a better chance than that (another Cup should guarantee it (along with 400 wins.)) #5, no brainer.

I am in no wat discounting the Wings trading for a goalie, you never know what Holland has up his sleeve, BUT, with Jersey in 1st place in their division and more than a good chance that COULD be a finals match up, I highly doubt either team is going to trade someone to the other that gives the other team the edge. That is almost like trading inter-divisionly. Broduer would look great in a Wheel, but Jersey would be dumb to give us the player that would almost guarantee us a Cup especially if meant that we would eliminate them in that process. Broduer wouldn't come cheap, probably Kronwall or Filppula and Hudler. As much as I do not like Huds, that trade would go down as a worse one than the Federko trade, especially if they beat us in the Finals. Not saying it won't happen, but I would be astounded if it did! Then we'd also have to hear the Devils fans saying how they are the dynasty and the are the team of the decade all because they beat us again!!!

are we talking about Gordie Howe or Mark? Asking Gordie to rank a player is like asking Muhammed Ali to tell you what year it is! Gordie can tell you all about Dennis Hextal or Bobby Hull. How about we ask Steve Yzerman about Fedorov and maybe Babcock about Datsyuk? Both in their prime Fedorov wins just because of the "NHL" that he played in. Put a 24 year old Sergei Fedorov in the New NHL and look out! Dats has slick moves, but I think he wouldn't be as effective in the clutch and grab era where Fedorov dominated. Two different players two different eras. Hey I got it, lets compare Howe and Gretzky...

this is all crazy, Holland is going to re-sign the one that allows him to keep Hossa. So, whether they keep Hudler or Franzen or Filppula. Two out of the three, or one, it'll be whoever accepts the least amount of money, because Hossa is priority #1. Like it or not, one or two of these guys are gone before next season. everyone has their argument and minutes to points ratios and blah blah blah. It all comes down to icing the best possible team under the salary cap. Hossa is staying. Someone (or a couple of guys) is going. I think its safe to say, this team will be intact throughout the playoffs so lets sit back and enjoy the best team in the world and start another 4000 threads about who is staying and going after July 1st.

Hudler at $3M, means either Franzen walks for free or Val gets traded. Cannot pay Hossa $6M (if that is what it turns out to be) Val $3M and Huds $3M. Then you can forget about re-siging Leino, and bringing up Helm/Ericsson/Howard because there is only $9.4M available. So Hudler signs for $3M and you lose Leino to F/A and Ericsson/Howard to waiver. Yeah, Hudler is WELL worth keeping for that price. I have said all along that Val has to be traded in order to re-sign Hossa and either Huds or Franzen, but neither of which would sign for $3M. If Huds wants more than $2M (which he is worth considering Filpulla's contract) he walks. Now if you let Franzen walk and trade Val, then you could give Hudler $3M, that would wash with Val's contract. But you need that extra $3.4M to resign Leino and bring upi Helm/Ericsson and Howard (or re-sign Conklin.) Icing the best team means re-signing Hossa. Franzen and/or Hudler should see this and sign for a discount. Either way, Val just may be gone as well.

so you are saying that Filppula would be easier to trade than letting Hudler sign woth someone else? Because it is Filppula that is not playing up to his $3 million contract right now, so a lot of teams would consider him overpaid. Now Hudler at $3 million (to most other teams) looks a lot better than Filppula at $3 Million. They way you need things explained to you, it may as well be rocket science. Face it, Hudler just may be gone next season, then who's teet you gonna suck on?

Downey, maybe?

unfortunately, Filppula isn't playing up to his contract, so he would be harder to get rid of. He may get us a 2nd round pick at best (since we have no room to add a roster player.) Hudler would get you at least a 1st and 3rd (maybe a 1st, 2nd & 3rd.) This isn't rocket science.

whether or not I like him makes no difference. We've had plenty of players on this team that I have not liked. But if Franzen and Huds wanted the same salary and you had to lose one of them, I'd rather get something in return for that loss. That's all I am saying, sure he may not be my favorite player, but if he stayed CHEAP and helped us win again, then I have no issue there, it just is getting more apparent that Huds is going to cost MORE than Franzen. But, If he does stay, it gives me someone to yell about!

What are you serious? Then we'd be forced to pay him something! And that something could interfere with the Cap! Stuff Hudler, let him sign for $4 million elsewhere. We damn well couldn't trade him for a 1st, 2nd and a 3rd! Get Hossa under contract NOW and then see who wants to stay, Franzen or Hudler. But as I have maintained for weeks now, it makes better business sense to see if Huds will get any offers from other teams, and if he'll sign it. if arbitration MAKES you pay Hudler $3.5 million, then you are screwed for ALL of your remaining F/A's, including Leino, Sammy, Kopecky and you can forget about bringing up Helm, you'll lose Ericsson to the waiver since he is out of options and he cannot be paid because of Hudler. Howard too! Tell Hudler it was nice, you've become a heck of a player, but there simply isn't room for you unless you accept $1.5 million.

Franz & Hossa Trade Filppula for a 2nd rounder, see if Hudler gets an offer for $2.6 - $3.9 and collect our 1st and 3rd. (if he nets $4 million, we'll get a 1st, 2nd & 3rd!) not unless Hudler sees the master plan a re-signs for a VERY modest raise.

it really tells you something about Datsyuk. Hossa could've politically correct and said, "I've played with a lot a great players and Pav ranks right up there..." but he said, he is the Best player. I wonder how Buttman feels about that? I can see Cindy right now, "...but Uncle Gary, you told me I was the best player! ...Uncle Mario! Uncle, I am the best player, right? Uncle Mario?" unfortunately, in order to be the best player, Buttman has to say you are, so until Datsyuk plays for the Pens or Ducks or any other of his teams, Datsyuk will only get the Pearson award, not the Hart...

I have already mentioned Mary Buttman putting a Detroit Clause in the new CBA NOT allowing players to sign (especially in Detroit) for less than they are worth! (a figure that he will determine) So when a player goes to sign here for $6 million, he is worth more, but if that player wants to sign in, oh, lets say, Pittsburgh or Anaheim he is only worth $5.9 million so $6 million is all of a sudden fine. Funny, Ken Holland and Mike Illitch are doing EXACTLY what this salary cap was meant to do, keep salaries down and allow smaller market teams a chance at big name players. Holland is playing the NHL's game to a tee, yet the NHL STILL treats Detroit like crap and like they are illigitimate step children! Get it through your head Buttman, The Wings are not only the model organization in the NHL, but in all of Sports! You should give up your evil campaign against us, we'll win either way! I also remember mentioning how this could get done by signing Hossa and Fanzen, then trading Filppula and letting Hudler test the water. I was called dillusional, hmmmmm, with all the talk about Hossa AND Franzen, it looks like Hudler may be the odd man out. (sorry, couldn't hlold that in)

to be followed by Holland saying, "Get off my lawn you brat! Run home to your mommy!" and YOU should be slapped by even mentioning Cindy's name with the Wings!!!

"Everybody knows if you want to stay here, you have to take less, so yes (I'll take less)." I think that about says it all!

...to quote Bon Jovi, "it's all the same, only the names have changed..." ...whether it's NBC/VS/FOX/ABC/ESPN, it's always about someone else OTHER than the Detroit Red Wings! Are the Wings the Al Queda of the NHL? Are we the enimies no matter who was responsible for 9/11 or how many Stanley Cup/Presidents Trophies/Norris/Selke's/Bing/Conn Smythe are within the organization? Gimme A Break! ...if it's not Gretzky in the 80's, or Lindros in the 90's, Roy throughout his career, Pronger recently or Kathy Lee Crosby now, no matter who the Wings are eliminating from the playoffs, the Networks just will not focus on who the best players are or which team has been the most consistant and winningest and best throughout the 1990's and so far in the 2000's... ...Of course that is the power of the media, most (North) American's will believe anything they hear on TV even though they are seeing something completely different. If the media tells you that a man living in cave orchastrated the single worst attack on the USA since Pearl Harbor, then they will believe you. If NBC tells you that Cindy "Kathy Lee" Crosby is the best player in the NHL, even though, like 9/11, they can see right in front of their eyes that Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Hossa are far superior and more complete hockey players than Crosby can ever dream to be (maybe when he grows up, but not now.) Heck, most "experts" agree Ovechkin is FAR superior to Crosby in every aspect of the game, so why aren't the blowing him? Of course if the Wings face the Caps in the Finals, they will be, but at least Ovechkin is worthy of it, more so than Crosby. Datsyuk alone is so much better than Crosby and he proves it each time they play. Even a NON-Wings fan (of course they cannot be a Pens fan) would rank Datsyuk ahead of Crosby and possibly #2 behind the electricity of Ovechkin. But that media, those spin-masters that brain-wash the viewing public wants you to believe it was a man in a cave and that snot nose, crybaby is the best player in the NHL and nobody else compares... ...I am not one to wish injury on anyone at anytime, but just as Lindros was reaching his invincible status given to him by the folks that run the NHL, he was clocked 7 or 8 times a lost his marbles. (of course, the blanket party he received in Philly because he was boinking Rod Brind'Amours old lady didn't help his concussions to much either.) Give Kathy Lee a few mega hits at center ice or with his head down after a pass and the NHL will have to find someone else to call the prodical son. And I can guarantee he won't play in a Winged Wheel, yet he'll get elimated more than once by those same Wheelers! ...I don't claim to know who exactly was responsible for 9/11, I have my beliefs and it doesn't involve a man in a cave, as the media tells me I should believe. I also don't claim to know who the #1 player in the NHL is, I have my beliefs there as well, but again although the media tells me what I should believe, it does NOT involve a boy wearing a Penguin sweater, much like the one his gramma knitted him when he was 10.(<- I made that part up)

always LOVED Aaron! He is one of those "Old" Wings I would love to see come back and end his career "home." I would say it may be possible if the Bruins weren't so good, and he is a big part of that, so even as a UFA, I can see him re-signing there again. Why would you want to leave Boston? Besides, other than Cap space and a roster space, he would probably get only 5th or 6th on the depth chart here, and he is FAR better than that! Hmmmmm, I wonder how he a Lidstrom would play together? That would be cool! Oh well, love ya Aaron! (Btw, while here in Detroit, he lived around the corner from me (Woodhaven/Brownstown area) maybe that is why I am partial to him!) Good Luck Aaron! (unless we play you in the Finals, then "better luck next time!") edit: Gotta love a Wolverine! quick history on Aaron: Drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1st round (5th overall) of the 1991 NHL Entry Draft. June 11, 1993: Traded to Detroit by Winnipeg with Toronto's 4th round choice (previously acquired, Detroit selected John Jakopin) in 1993 Entry Draft for Paul Ysebaert and future considerations (Alan Kerr, June 18, 1993), June 11, 1993. July 9, 2001: Traded to Carolina by Detroit for Carolina's 2nd round choice (Jiri Hudler) in 2002 Entry Draft, July 9, 2001. so, for all you Hudler fans out there, you have Aaron Ward to thank for that! (kinda )

..yes it is, and to put to bed the "Card" issue, I will never turn it in again! to go along the lines of another user in another thread, I should have it tattoo'd on my ass!