Barnes52

Vandermeer is a legit heavyweight, Bootland a legit middleweight. Bootland can score more but you're comparing apples and oranges in terms of fighting ability and willingness to fight.

I give up...they see something that I obviously don't. If they want to keep him around until he's like 33 yrs old to see if he'll develop like Lang, well I guess it's their money to waste.

Excellent news. I predict Bootland and Ellis will be in Detroit to fill out the 4th line.

I was thinking the same thing. The two-year limit doesn't say that a player has to be NHL or even AHL-ready. He just has to be signed. If after two years you still think a guy can be an NHLer, sign him to a small contract, and send him back to Sweden or the AHL if he's ready. You and Vadim are both right about that...it doesn't mean they have to be in the AHL or NHL to be signed, but how many prospects can you sign? It's inevitable you'll lose some, more than they did in the past

I like these signings. Filippula could be a Zetterberg type in the making. I'm worried about his strength though. EDIT: Looks like none of them are signed and the new transfer agreement makes drafting Euros more expensive. http://www.allsports.com/nhl/redwings/stor..._IIHFRules.html

Any more nuggets? Like who he wants to style his game after, what kind of game he likes to play, etc....Thanks

Coach Ireland likes him and is sticking to his philosophy of getting bigger, gritteir players. Ireland must not have gotten the memo from Holland about big players and ho they don't fit in this organization.

No idea, I think they'll re-vist that once they get their house in order.

And this team can't use more of that?

So? Bootland is more NHL ready, his game fits better than Himelfarb's right now. Bootland's game is offers more than Himelfarb, Himelfarb is a scorer and I don't think he's ready yet for the NHL.

Himelfarb needs another season in the AHL, but his problem is size. Hudler had a crappy year in Grand Rapids and also has a problem with size, being he's only 5'9" or so. The best of the bunch is Bootland, he had more goals than the others and brings an element this team needs, toughness and grit, but he needs to use hbis head a bit more. Kronwall is a lock to make Detroit

Kopecky actually was pretty dominant in the WHL. Which is generally a tougher and more physical league than the OHL. He's never played a full season and he's always had guys that stuck for him and had his back which is why he was able to survive. His game is finesse and no grit, I've seen enough to know that losing him is nothing because we already have a whole roster full of guys who play the same way

Huh? Bootland has played 22 games in the NHL, Kopecky had to buy a ticket. Bootland can score and gives Detroit toughness and grit, Kopecky gets a hangnail and he's out for months. Bootland had more goals, more points and lead the team with game winning goals. Kopecky wets his pants when an opposing player comes near him. He should try out for the woman's team in Slovakia, but he might not be tough enough

Kopecky is horrible. How can he justify a place on the team when every season he gets injured all the time. The only reason he played physical this year was because he was on a line with Barnes and Vandermeer. He's never fulfilled his potential as a scorer and he is shy with physical play. Bootland had more goals then he did and played in 22 NHL games, why give up on him now. Don't we have enough soft players? Agreed, i would keep Bootland and Robinson they are the only two with NHL experience. Can someone please tell me how the Wings tell Bootland to concentrate more on his offence last season, so he scored 14 goals and had 20 assists for 34 points and was a +5 on a s**t team but then they turn around and say he had a bad year. And 1 more thing he was a -8 with 14 points when he was called up by the wings and he did just fine. So i think he improved last year. And Kopecky has, what 7 goals? And he may get signed? I'm hoping they're serving notice to Bootland is all

Kopecky is horrible. How can he justify a place on the team when every season he gets injured all the time. The only reason he played physical this year was because he was on a line with Barnes and Vandermeer. He's never fulfilled his potential as a scorer and he is shy with physical play. Bootland had more goals then he did and played in 22 NHL games, why give up on him now. Don't we have enough soft players?

Grigorenko will not give up playing in Russia to play in our minor leagues

You may be right....at least I hope you are!

I'd like us to be a nastier, grittier, more physical team, especially at home," Ireland said. "I want teams coming in here thinking they're in for a long, miserable night." That's what I like to hear, maybe he'll convince the Wings of the same thing.

Agreed...that's what killed them this year

NN said it best, his upside is to be another Draper. Although not as physical I might add.

http://www.allsports.com/nhl/redwings/stor...eportCards.html He really stepped up his game this year and proved the naysayers wrong. He played better than Red Wings favorites like Jiri Hudler and Tomas Kopecky. I hope the Wings sign this kid, he can be a depth player and step in when McCarty retires or leaves

Great info Barnsey!

Oulahan is out indef..he got nailed by a bodycheck and had to be carried out in a stretcher. Has "concussion like" symptoms.