MoscowDynamo

I like this move. All 6'5" 225lbs of it.

I think it will be the biggest trade in NHL history! Both teams, each firmly believing that the other is the better team, will simply swap entire rosters...or just trade jerseys. At least that's the leak from a hockey source. Sadly, I think a lot of "Wings' fans" would be far happier with Calgary's players than our own.

Why trade for him now instead of just signing him this summer? That's your question? Oh, I don't know...I was thinking that something pretty big happens in the NHL between March and July...am I wrong here?

I suggested this very trade proposal a week or two ago (no, I don't have SI connections) and was jumped all over for proposing what would be "the worst trade this organization could ever make" (ahem...Seth). Funny to now see it now gain some purchase when it's in print in a mag. I really see this as a win/win trade for both teams. Boston almost certainly will lose Sergei to free agency this summer. Detroit almost certainly have 2 or 3 prospect centers that are at least as capable as Hudler at the NHL level. Pull the trigger...

WOW! NOW THAT'S GRIT!!

OK. Firstly, let me say that my proposal did not involve a pick (those days had better be over, Kenny!) It was: Samsonov for Hudler. Secondly, this "best center prospect" you speak of is 5'9" 178lbs. He is the style of player the Wings system is in abundance of. He is quickly being leap-frogged by the likes of Valteri Fillpula and Tomas Kopecky (who we get a preview of against San Jose). Not to mention he is tucked in with a long list of center prospects which includes (in addition to Flip and Kop): Himelfarb McGrath Oulahen Ellis Lofberg A lot of these guys are hitting the make it or break it stage of their careers. Do we keep them all? Lastly, we have Dats, Franzen, Draper and Lang all under contract after this year. Now can you explain this desperation to hold onto Hudler with all Kenny's might? A gritty winger NOW is 10 times as important as a potential, small, Euro center who has spent his time in the AHL. Remember, Datsyuk and Zetterberg spent NO time in GR. There's a reason Jiri has spent virtually all his time there. Plus, if the fear is we'll lose Sergei to free agency, I say a Cup can do a lot to sway a player to stay.

How about Hudler for Samsonov? Straight up. Boston will lose him to free agency this summer anyway and will have a solid prospect center to show for it. Detroit gets a gritty winger who could work some magic with Datsyuk and is still well stocked in the center department. OR Hudler for Kozlov...Vyacheslav, that is...

I love how you put the rumor in quotes. As if this is supposed to legitimize it for me. Then you boldly list the source as "hockey leak". Was this someone you overheard mumbling next to you at the urinal at your local arena?

Keith Tkachuk?!? Are you freakin' kidding me?!? Do you know how many empty-net goals that homo has? Even more than Iafrate had!! PASS!

Hudler may have a bright future in the NHL. Might not. The only reason I'd trade him is we have too many Hudler types of prospects and current players already. Small, skilled snipers who don't pound opposing D men in the corners dominate this team. Why hang onto another one if he can bring something of value and a needed dimension to this team?

I would definitely trade Hudler for Witt. But is a defenseman our biggest need right now? Come April defense will not be our concern. It will be scoring goals in tight games where digging in the corners and fighting off checks is key to winning games, just like every year. A big winger who can put the puck in the net is far more valuable than another d man IMO.

Oh, for a second there I thought these were trade rumors involving Shane Doan of the Phoenix Coyotes. Whew! Sorry. Anyway, yeah, I'd trade Lang and Grigorenko for Crosby. I'd trade Datsyuk and Hudler for Sidney, too.