RyanBarnes!

I also think the Red Wings managed to hit quite a few posts.

Goaltending was a non issue in my opinion. Howard did his job and he bailed out his defense more than a few times too. As pointed out, the Red Wings made things simple for Rinne, by shooting from the perimeter and not crashing the net and creating traffic in front of the him. Further I think the Red Wings wasted a lot of good opportunities by overpassing the puck in PP. The real key in my opinion was that the Red Wings had no speed whatsoever from the neutral zone to allow them to blow past the Preds defense. Many times I saw FIlppula all on his own against three defending Preds. Since he had no speed he had no choice but to circle around and wait for his team mates to catch up. Look at the goals scored in 2008, most plays were on the rush. This past series I think the Red Wings looked exactly like the 2003 and 2004 editions of the Red Wings when they couldn't score on Giguere and Kipprusoff: No speed, no heart.

I'm not so sure. In the article he is quoted saying that he is only interested in playing in North America, not in Europe, because he likes the small rinks more. Sounds to me like he still enjoys the game enough to consider playing else where.

Generally speaking, I think there's been a big shift in Europe lately. Winning is much more important to the new generation of hockey players and there's another understanding of what it will take to win. One big reason is that this generation grew up watching the Stanley Cup on TV, much like the kids in Canada and the US.

True, but... Filppula was the only significant offensive forward that didn't score a goal. Zetterberg scored twice. Datsyuk scored. Franzen scored. Even Hudler managed to score twice. What's even worse is that Filppula struggled to create much in the offensive zone at all.

The Bleacher report had an interesting take on a Nash vs Ryan trade I think. I found one thing quite odd though. It downplayed the fact that Ryan had much better line mates than Nash, something that I think would probably top the other arguments mentioned, except one maybe, and that is the high price a Nash trade would command given that Columbus is a division rival. On the other side, I'm not sure Ryan would be much cheaper when all is said and done. That is, If Ryan is available at all. There seems to be two sides to that story. Put on a line with Datsyuk I think Nash would be a 50 goal scorer, but I'm not so sure Ryan's production would increase that much. In the end, I'd be just as happy -be it Nash or Ryan. .

Why not? Detroit have 3 good centers but only 2 can be given top minutes on the scoring lines. This means Zetterberg must be moved to the wing, but both Datsyuk and Zetterberg are better than Filppula at center, while Nash is a better winger than Fillpula, and the natural goal scorer that we look to pair with Datsyuk.

Do you care to incubate on this a little? It would be interesting.

I keep seeing Brunner's name all over LGW and some place him in the top 6 even. I admit that I had never heard of the guy until he was signed, but I'm still confident that he will have a hard time cracking the roster, let alone play top 6 minutes.He might have been the top scorer in the Swiss league and all, but frankly that doesn't compare to the NHL by any means. For example one look at Brunner's teammates this past season will show that NHL familiar's Josh Holden and Glen Metropolit posted similar numbers as Brunner over the past three seasons. Granted, Brunner is a lot younger, but still I think it says something as Holden struggled to crack the NHL rosters, while Metropolit was a journeyman good for about 30 points with the Bruins, the Thrashers and the Canadians. I would be surprised if Brunner did not spend most of the season in GR.

Maybe it is because everybody keeps cycling the puck until the opportunity is gone, rather than shoot the puck? Babcock should implement a PP rule to allow a maximum of 5 passes -then you finish the play with a shot on goal! Just a thought...

Yes, I will second that. He is a young, physical defenseman. Much more useful to the Wings than Filppula at this point.

I guess you mean Kocur? Kocur was known to throw possibly the hardest right in hockey and it destroyed people. Tootoo is not even close, he is an agitator.

Right on. This element has been missing from the Red Wings game since Maltby retired. Maltby used to get under people's skin and he was, much like Tootoo is, despised by the rest of the league.

I could see Holland taking a chance on Carlo Colaiacovo.

Actually it is very difficult to say even after reading the original article too, but I guess him signing a two way contract might say something about that. He is no stranger to what that means. I would guess that he is saying that he is focused on earning a spot on the Red Wings.

Rundblad is the master of offensive give aways. Red Wings fans who think Kindl is bad, wait till you see this guy!

Let's be realistic here, the pool of available elite defensemen is not deep. The Red Wings will still need to pay a price for a top defenseman like Boumeester. I dont see the Flames taking on Cleary and Bertuzzi. It will take Franzen and a solid prospect minimum.

Tampa will not move Hedman anytime soon. Too big of a investment to give up already.

Agreed, I think both Franzen and FIlppula should be cut loose. Franzen is too streaky and I cannot see FIlppula take the next step while being in the shadow of Datsyuk and Zetterberg.I'm almost certain that the Red WIngs will sign Semin, not Doan. I'm not too thrilled about this but hopefully he will produce alongside Datsyuk. As for trading I would love to get Ryan but as for defense, I would prefer Bouwmeester over Yandle, simply because I think Bouwmeester would be able to develop into a force in Detroit. As for me not posting in years, no I have mostly been reading for the last years, but I have always followed the Red Wings and now I'm back!

I hope for a one year deal at most. Semin should be kept on a tight leash.

I think Holland has shown time and time again that he is not. It has been all about adding without subtracting with Holland for the last decade. That might have been a winning strategy for many years, but with no risk, comes no reward. I think life after Lidstrom will demand a change of strategy.

I dont think Holland is considering deals for Smith, he is what Fischer was before he landed a full time roster spot with Detroit: Something that every GM covet but not available. Such a shame that Detroit struck out of luck with Fischer, but I'm very excited to see what Smith can bring to the table in the future.

Bouwmeester is definitely an option that I think the Red Wings should take a long hard look at. His contract will decrease his market value and far worse players than him have had their careers resurrected in Detroit.

Maybe take a chance on Hannan?

Smith would be the deal breaker for me. I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger on the others. Maybe the Ducks would take that package for Ryan?