eva unit zero

Avery is a third liner at best. Forwards on the Wings better than Avery: Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Bertuzzi, Holmstrom, Cleary, Lang, Hudler, Filppula, Calder, Draper, Franzen. Avery is about on the same level as Malts, Sammy, and Kopecky.

Irrelevant. They all score more than Malts, AND are better defensively. Yes, the guy was a part of 3 Cup wins. But he's a shadow of what he was then, and more importantly, he is redundant. He brings nothing that several other players don't already bring and do a better job at. Sammy is the only other guy you can really say is in that situation where his presence is a redundancy. Which is why I said one of them should sit.

Every time the Wings have gotten the team I picked as a 'good matchup' the advantages turned to disadvanates. Last year I picked Edmonton because they had the worst goaltender of any playoff team and aside from Pronger didn't have the defense to keep up with our offense. Saw how that worked out for us.

Sammy or Maltby, depending on whether we want the extra offensive kick or the extra defender. Lineup would be Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Holmstrom Hudler/Lang/Bertuzzi Calder/Filppula/Franzen Cleary/Draper/Maltby(Samuelsson)

When Alabama crests, you get Detroit?

If Dom doesn't retire, we don't need a goalie then do we? Seems to me that the only foreeeable situation that would call for a new goalie is Dom retiring. And as it is a very real possibility, that's what I went with.

Because Lidstrom's peak was so high, he'll win two or three more Norrises at a level well below it?

Hudler's second star would disagree with you...

Kindl is nowhere near ready to take Schneider's spot. Kronwall is the logical choice within the organization for that. If you don't think Kronwall is ready, and you want to dump Mathieu, you are advocating signing a free agent to take his place. Kindl taking Schneider's place in any way other than roster spot is not going to happen. Kindl is not even close to as good now as Kronwall was in 04-05. One has to assume Kronwall is still in that ballpark, meaning he is still far better than Jakub.

I simply brought that up to show that Niedermayer isn't worth twice what Schneider is. As for the rankings, it's pretty clear points and plus-minus are big factors, and I have to believe from the rankings that it is based on per-game rather than overall total--Schneider would have 60 points on 13-47 if he had played 75 games at his current pace...one assist behind Nick and tied with Souray in points. PIM and goals also seem to be involved. Boucher and Phaneuf ahead of Visnovsky proves this.

Assuming Hasek retires, McLennan is the cheapest available goaltender who would be an acceptable backup, and the only one likely to make less than Osgood. Giguere is the only FA option to upgrade on Ozzie, and he will cost likely 6-7 million. I'm not prepared to put that kind of stranglehold on our cap, and neither is Holland. So assuming Dom leaves, it's either Osgood/McLennan or Osgood/Howard or Liv.

Who do you suggest that won't kill our cap? There is no worthwhile defensive defenseman who is also a great skater available on the market. The only guy who is a noticeably better than Schneider in both departments that I can think of offhand is Scott Niedermayer, who makes better than 6m and is almost certainly unavailable. And according to TSN, Schneider has been better than Niedermayer this season, statistically. http://www.tsn.ca/fantasy_news/feature/?fid=10465

McLennan is included in the event management decides to sign a veteran backup. I would prefer Liv out of the three, as he is more developed than Howard and therefore stands to lose less developmental benefit than Howard by being the NHL backup rather than the AHL starter. Following that model, in 08-09, one of Liv or Ozzie will likely be gone, with Howard on the team.

I suggested replacing Ozzie with McLennan when?

Smyth is faster and more skill-oriented but still brings the power game. But sure, swap Hudler with Smyth. Then we would be able to see once and for all if dats is ever going to produce in the playoffs--playing with two PFs, if he still was blanked come postseason, he'd be shipped out immediately!

McLennan is the only goalie on the market I am interested in if Hasek doesn't return. Giguere is the only goalie worth pursuing for the starting job, and he's way too expensive. All the others available are to expensive to be Ozzie's backup and not good enough to start ahead of him. Which leaves McLennan, who should cost no more than 500k or 600k, and is a very solid backup.

Are you kidding? That would be AWESOME. That line would ALWAYS have someone in front who was very good at deflection goals. Although if you prefer, swap Smyth with Hudler or Hartnell.

Belfour and Joseph have MUCH worse numbers. Joseph's are particularly bad, actually. He may be the worst starter in the league who still has his job.

Lang should go. Datsyuk, Filppula, Zetterberg, and Hudler are all natural centers with a level of skill. Lang's money can be used on a guy like Smyth or Hartnell who will not only bring grit and physical play, they will be natural wingers who can put up points. Maltby shoudl go. He makes far too much for what he brings, and is already outperformed on this team by several cheaper players. My ideal lineup for next season, assuming no roster players are traded. Free agent acquisitions are underlined. Smyth/Zetterberg/Holmstrom Hudler/Datsyuk/Hartnell Calder/Filppula/Kopecky Cleary/Draper/Maltby Samuelsson Lidstrom/Kronwall Schneider/Vishnevski Lebda/Chelios Lilja Osgood Liv/Howard/McLennan

cprice was right. People are bitching about it because Bertuzzi is a Wing. It was a fair call and anyone who ******* either did not see it or has no clue about the rules.

Glad to know Ottawa fans are being encouraged to root for Detroit!

It was a high stick (2:00) It drew blood (additional 2:00) It's pretty cut and dried.

Schneider is the best defenseman aviailable for under 4m. There is NOBODY who is better than him and will make less than that that is avilable as a UFA.

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I don't think he deserved more than 1-2 games suspension...yes it was a bad board, but the injury resulted at least as much from WHERE he hit the boards as HOW he hit the boards. What he really deserved was to have his face pounded....but the officials put a stop to any chance of that.