LeftWinger

...put it this way. You are right about Downey and McCarty. Right about Quincey and right about Filpulla, BUT lets just say he gets an offer from someone else for $3.5 million. Do you match? I say no. Take the draft picks, because more than likely it'll be a team that may have a pretty high draft pick in 09'. If, lets say, the like of Phoenix or Carolina signs him and we get their #1, could very well be a lottery which puts us in contention for the #1 which will be John Tavares and (I know we don't need him, could not afford all these stars) could you imagine the trade offers we'd get for that #1? Hey, it's a possibilty. So, either way, we win. Even if we didn't score the #1, a top 10 draft pick would be well worth the loss of Filpulla. So, first choice is to offer Filpulla somewhere around $2MM. Second choice, let him test the waters... ...Ericsson is going NOWHERE! He will spend time in GRR this year with some call ups, but next year after Chelios is done for sure, he will be up all season long... ...anyone know how Kindl is coming along? I he close to being a Wing or is he gonna end up traded? He should be close to coming up I would think. That is why I think they should've given Lilja just a one year deal. Heck maybe Lebda is out soon. Not sure, but gonna have to make room for these guys sooner or later. I think the first one to go will be Meech, unless he converts full time to wing, then Lebda or Quincey... Lids - Rafi Kron - Stuart Ericsson - Kindl Lebda/Quincey or Meech ...hows that for defensive paring in a couple of years? Whew!

...fixed it for ya! Kopecky won't be ready by the start of the season. And if they sign Bert (still possible) he may end up traded... ...I hope this rivalry starts back up! It is far better to have an original 6 rivalry than one with Columbus! If it does spark the rivalry back up, all the more important to sign Downey to a long term contract! Downey over McCarty!

...I agree as well. If you are gonna add someone, why not address a need, instead of a high profile player? Fedorov address a need, Bertuzzi or Naslund address a need. They are all upgrades to Drake and wouldn't cost too much to have for a season. All would prosper with our talented centers and be a better offensive option than Drake (not that Drake was considered an offensive option.) ...forget the high dollar UFA. Go small, mid level. Bertuzzi, Naslund, Fedorov, Shanny maybe or nobody. Helm could easily replace Drake's minutes... ...but it seems that Holland is going to wait a see what Hossa and Sundin do, then go after the likes of a Fedorov or Naslund. Hopefully, they're still there by time he comes calling. Then again, does it really matter? Even with all the movement today, nobody really bettered themselves enough to take the Wings out. The only way the Wings don't repeat (even with the current roster) is if they beat themselves (or injuries.)

...I'm just worried about throwing 7 million to Hossa when you have Z gonna make 7 or more, Dats already makes almost 7, Lids makes over 7 and Rafi makes 6. If you just average 7 for all thats $35 million for 5 guys. And if they make a pitch for Miller, thats about 8 more million or more!

...if we're just going by guys 'dying' to win a cup. We could get a player in that state of mind named Owen Nolan. He's pretty much replace Drake (if not a little bit of an upgrade) and he would cost pennies compared to Hossa or Sundin... ...I may be having a brain fart, but I don't recall Nolan winning a Cup yet... ...how motivated would he be? Would he be considered 'dying' to win a Cup?

...of course, not counting 1996-97 & 1997-98. I don't recall changes in the off season, oh besides getting rid of Vernon...

...I cannot believe that Hossa or Sundin haven't been signed yet, anywhere! Maybe they want too much money? I cannot believe that Sundin would want more than $10 million, maybe he just is not interested in Vancouver. I dunno, seems other than the two mentioned above, most of the "talent" is gone, so now anything could happen. Jagr is intriguing, would play good on our team. There is just too much mid-level talent left now to even wish for anyone. Sundin and Hossa are still the two big dogs, but shoot, Jagr or Shanny or Feds, all would shore up some scoring and power play and be a very good replacement for Drake's roster spot...

...actually, they have about $12,000,000 left under the cap...

ok, so, if this is true, next year the Wings are gonna pay three guys nearly $21 million? What do they give Franzen? If he continues along the path he started in March, he'll be getting 4-5 million, if not more. Can we afford 4 players at $26 million? ...I really hope this is NOT true, it will only complicate things later...

...that is the question. So far, there has been a very good amount of movement. But, is it me, or did anyone really put themselves in position to knock off the Wings? Maybe Chicago got better, but did they really get good enough to make it to the Cup finals? The Lightning made some good moves, but are they gonna beat the Wings in the finals? Colorado got worse in goal (if that is possible.) San Jose got worse. Pittsburgh got worse. I just don't see anything that makes me say Uh-Oh! Even wherever Hossa or Sundin end up, if not Detroit, are they gonna be the one who takes Detroit out of the playoffs? If Sundin goes to Vancouver, will that be enough to knock Detroit out? Maybe, if he stays in Montreal they could challenge Detroit, but really, I think the only team that got better what they needed to get back is Detroit. They needed Stuart, they got him... ...thoughts...

...well, maybe they're not out of the picture for Sundin. Sundin must be mulling over whether to take the money or get a Cup. Guarantee the Wings are not gonna offer him $10 million, but if Sundin was all about money, don't you think he'd already be a Canuck? Maybe he is considering a 7-8 million offer from a "contender." ...any word on Naslund or Fedorov?

$5 million per? Wow, good non-signing Holland! Not worth $5million here, especially for 4 years... ...Sundin, Bertuzzi, Fedorov, Hossa, Shanahan, who's it gonna be? Are they ALL money hungry, or do they want to win? Obviously Rolston was money hungry, New Jersey = no chance to win a Cup...

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=11074&am...=topRelated_nhl ...list of available free agents. UFA and RFA...

...the longer this day goes on, the more I believe there will be a #91 back on the Wings. Obviously Sundin isn't hell bent on playing for the Wings or he'd be signed already. Same goes for Rolston. Sure, it could still happen, but the longer it goes on, it just means that Sundin and Rolston are more interested in cash than Detroit. That's cool. If Naslund or Fedorov come in, they can provide 20-30 goals and vastly improve or second power play unit. Hey, we got Stuart signed and that was the most important issue today, anything else would be icing on the cake! ...heck the "Old Friend" Holland spoke about could very well be Shanahan or LaPointe as well (who knows...)

...definately do not want to overpay him, but he scored 25 goals and had 30 assists on a dismal vancouver team last season. Even if he came in and equaled that total, he would be worth a shot if he was all that was left... ...Sundin is a point a game man. Either one of them would relish playing with all our Swede's and if either one got to play with Z and/or D, you'd have to imagine their point total would go up, especially Naslund. Sundin and Naslund are both snipers, give them the setup skills of Datsyuk or Zetterberg and they just may be worth it. Shoot, sign them both!

...he did score 31 in 2004, but yeah, he has had some low years since. Washed up, dunno about that, but he would be a suitable replacement for Drake. Similar production, loads more pontential, but yeah, for me if not Rolston or Sundin, then may as well be noone, unless Feds or Bert will take less than 1.5... ...hey, Holland gave Petr Klima a shot in 1999 so why not give Feds a shot in 2009? ...bottom line, if you cannot get Rolston, throw 8 million at Sundin for the season and see if he bites...

...agree, but if Rolston wants 4.5 million for 3 years, forget it. Sundin canbe had at any amount for 1 year, so we could throw 8 million at him if needed to get him here. But if he wants a 2 year deal, then forget it. Hossa wants more than 7 for multiple years, forget it... ...what do you have left? Naslund, Fedorov, Tucker, Bertuzzi? Maybe you sign noone and cross your fingers for so repeat magic! But, Drake will need to be replaced and Kopecky won't be ready for the season to start. What do you do? Naslund, Fedorov or Bertuzzi? ...in reality you could probably get Fedorov or Bertuzzi ALONG with Sundin, if Sundin would accept a 1 year deal. I think both Fedorov or Bertuzzi may cost less than 1.5... ...Don't know where they are gonna play, but Helm has minor league options left and wouldn't have to clear waivers, so maybe Fedorov and Sundin or Bertuzzi and Sundin or Naslund for that matter!!! ARGH!!!! MAKE IT STOP!!!!! ...if you cannot get Sundin, then go for Fedorov/Bertuzzi or Naslund/Bertuzzi... ...I dunno! With so much money available for this season, the possibilities are endless, all depends if they would accept a one year deal... ...whatever happens, you HAVE to re-sign Filpulla and then save as much money as possible for Z and Franz...

...yep, oh well. Would've liked to have him here, but more important to save money for Z and Franz. I guess it's a year for Sundin, Fedorov or Naslund... ...if Rolston was willing to take 3.5, Holland would have him sewed up for 3-4 years for sure! Maybe Holland will pull some incentive magic out of his hat!

...this kinda sucks because Tampa has a ton of cash to throw at Rolston. Hopefully he like what Stanley looks like better than 5 or 6 million Washingtons.

...and Lindros was banging Brind A'Mour's wife in Philly. That is what resulted in the "blanket party" covered up by a fake "car accident" and then finished by the letting go of Eric Lindros... ..great teammate there (oh, great wives too, lets not make THEM out to be completely innocent) (if you're wondering, inside source) ...back to topic: Rolston, Sundin , Fedorov or Bertuzzi. Or nothing, doesn't really matter with this team, this year...

...you didn't think this was gonna be a Fedorov free UFA season did you? At least the Wings wouldn't be asked to give anyone up for him...

...well, that does make a lot of sense, but, Drake will be retiring, there's roster spot that needs to be filled. Who's gonna fill it? You gonna let Downey play 82 games? Split it with McCarty? Kopecky may not be ready for the season... ...you are gonna have to sign someone, you are gonna need the depth. McCarty and Downey along with Kopecky are gonna split your 13th forward position. I agree don't fix what's not broke, but there is a chance to either throw a huge 1 year deal at one of two sought after forwards out there, or make a couple year deal with one of two or three other less significant UFA's and make you club even better than it was last season... Mats Sundin or Marion Hossa - offer 1 year deals at a huge payday (unless they are looking for more than 1) ...then you have the Rolston story, we have already discussed him thouroughly ...now throw Bertuzzi in the mix along with Sergei Fedorov, both of which would come VERY cheap... ....any of the 5 mentioned above would be a very suitable and actually an upgrade to Drake. You cannot replace Drake's heart, but if we could land any of these guys, maybe a combo of 2 of them, we wouldn't be hurting our team, it'd only be knocking Sammy further down the pecking order where he belongs... ...Holland will sign someone as long as its by his terms, and this season, unlike prior, Holland has the upper hand when it comes to UFA's... ...love to see either Sundin and Rolston or Rolston and Fedorov here first choice. Any combo with Hossa and Bertuzzi along with the above mentioned second choice...

...this just in, I can reaf the headlines now! ...Fans turn Fedorov boos to cheers as he skates onto the ice with the #91 Winged Wheel! ...ok now to the subject of my post. Fedorov is approaching 500 goals. I would love to see him get that 500th in a Wings uniform. He would come cheap, probably cheap for a couple of years, if not only one. Hey, he would be my 4th choice behind Rolston, Sundin & Hossa. I'd prefer Feds over Bertuzzi for sure... ...Holland wanted him at the deadline, but refused to give up Filpulla (I am glad.) Maybe Holland is still interested. Sure he wouldn't have that Cup-less veteran drive, but he would bring tons of experience, provide a little scoring, bolster up our power play and like I said, I'd love to see that #500 be scored while wearing a Wings Uniform... ...if you're looking for a small move to shore up our Power Play and give us scoring depth and playoff experience, this is the move. Saves you tons of cash, even though we have tons to throw around for one season, but it also allows you to save cash for the trade deadline if something huge is needed... ....heck with all the names being thrown around as 1 year players, Fedorov may as well be thrown in there, he would probably come the cheapest and like I said, he ranks 4th on my list, maybe 3rd if Sundin is pretty comitted to Montreal...

...and I stand corrected! Thank you! but in all reality you can insert any vetere'ns name in place of Bourque and understnad what I was getting at. Oh well! Thanks again for the correction!

...well then that is the best bunch of guys jockeying for position to ever play for and Win the Cup! Matthias was expendable, he would have been another Stacy Roest another Greg Johnson or Jason Williams, he would have seen VERY limited roles in Detroit. Just too deep right now, which isn't really a bad thing... ...But, heck, just like the draft itself, these guys are crapshoots. Maybe, just maybe he could have landed on the #2 line. We'll never know, but he'll het more playing time right now in Florida... ...if you're a Matthias fan, then good for him, if you're a Wings fan, then crap, we could've just kept him... ...either way, it obviously didn't hurt this past season and something tells me, we aren't going to suffer too much for years to come. In other words, expendable...