HenryMalredo

Players like Hartigan have been going overseas for years.

Amen!

So all the guys on the Wings who play tough in corners, fight for the puck, and have no problem laying out big hits are soft because they don't want to drop the gloves? Honestly, If seeing borderline NHLers drop the gloves is what is most important to you, most cable packages have a channel that occasionaly show minor-league hockey.

I know everyone on these boards is ready to bow down to Lowe because he insulted Burke, but Lowe one of the worst GMs in the league. He sounded like an idiot even when insulting Burke.

This would be applaud worthy if it where a competent GM attacking Burke, but unfortunately it is Kevin Lowe.

You're presenting McCarty's numbers in his prime. McCarty is not in his prime anymore. He hasn't hit double digits in goals in several years. Currently, Samuelsson is by far a better player.

Honestly, this next year's Canucks team doesn't look that much better than some of those bottom-5 Florida teams Luongo backstopped.

If the Canucks sign Flip to an offer sheet worth a first rounder, the Wings would be crazy to match. Even with Luongo, next years Canucks team is probably a lottery team.

The movement and/or the expansion of hockey teams has little to do with whether the region has "hockey weather" or not, despite what narrow-minded hockey fans say. I mind it hilarious when people suggest that the NHL put teams in third tier areas like Saskatoon, Hartford, Regina, Maine, Halifax, etc. It will never happen. These areas could probably support minor league teams (and some of them do), but they can't support NHL teams. Thats just the way it is. I know sometimes people point to the example of the Green Bay Packers as an example of this working on the Pro level, but Green Bay is an exception to the rule for pro sports. Even with the rising Canadian dollar, if another Canadian team is added, it will be in Ontario, and nowhere else.

Revenue is different than profit.

Lets move the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Islanders. They're obviously in markets that can't support the NHL.

Phoenix and Florida have never done much of anything. If it weren't for their history in the 80's, I wouldn't mind seeing the Oilers gone. Move those three to Vegas, Hamilton, and Kansas City. Please no Hartford, Winnipeg, or Quebec. None of those teams were ever worth losing sleep over.

Easily replaces Malone's offense. Won't replace Hossa, but they didn't need them during the regular season is. I know most on this board love to rag on the Pens for some reason, but any team with the young talent they have is gonna stay good.

I never said they didn't have some importance, but they're replaceable, and the OP's point seems to be that they were essential for the Cup run, which is not quite true.

Yeah, I remember how essential Downey and Mac were to the team in the playoffs..........

How many years in a row has this topic always seemed to appear?

Second worst signing of the day (behind the Redden signing).

Does anybody remember the good old days when people would freak out if if they heard from someone's brother's girlfriend's cousin's gym teacher's dentist that Holland might be interested in some former Wing? Now almost everybody is begging for former Wings to be brought back for god knows what reason.

I'm not seeing this "bring veteran in who has never won the Cup = success". I mean, I guess it worked with Wendel Clark, Stumpy Thomas, and Curtis Joseph................. I know with Drake, this was considered the main thing, but until the playoffs, he didn't really show all that much, and no one really got nostalgic about him until the finals. On Nolan, I believe he rejected a trade to Detroit a while back when he was with Phoenix. Maybe things have changed since then, but does anyone know if this is correct?

Shannahan won''t be back. He and Babcock did not see eye to eye.

The Wings have an amazing first line. The ZDH line is not going to be broken up. There is no need for a first line player, it would be a complete waste of money. The Wings have no set second line. Franzen, Cleary, Samuellson, Hudler, Flip have provided secondary scoring before, but they provide no guarentees. Somebody like Hossa or Sundin aren't gonna come to the Wings unless they're only going to play for cheap and are going to play on the second line. The Wing's top line has been broken apart before, but Babcock always puts them back together because they are the best first line in the NHL. Please tell me who you would take off that line to make room for a Hossa or Sundin?

Players want security, they want to know that they won't suddenly be shipped off to some place like Buffalo or Edmonton in the middle of the year.

Um, you do realize the Wings have one of the best first lines in the NHL, right?

Negotiating isn't done immediately. Maybe he'll agree to a deal that is probably equal to what he's worth, maybe he'll agree to a deal that overpays him, we won't know until a deal is signed. If he wants to try and get some more money, thats his right.

Thats how negotiating works. Why should a player agree to the first offer they get?