RyanBarnes!

I'm sure most people would agree with this, but I don't. You do not need an all star defense to win the Stanley Cup, as proven by the Kings this year. I think the series vs Preds showed that the Red Wings top priority should be to add speed, size and scoring to the forward group.

Last year's showing was a really miserable one from the Red Wings, it reminded me of the days back in 2003-2007 when I used to go crazy in these forums. Eventually they turned things around however and won a Cup in 2008! Missing out on Suter was a bad blow for sure. I was feeling very optimistic of the chances of landing him. Not sure what options are out there right now, but clearly Kronwall will have to step up big next season. I know he can. Overall I still like the defensive group including Kronwall, White, Quincey and Smith, although Kindl and Ericsson have a lot too prove. The forwards group leaves a lot too wish for though. When Helm went out, the Red Wings had absolutely no speed coming out of the neutral zone. I think Zetterberg, Datsyuk and Hudler were the only ones that were dangerous offensively. I hope Kenny can put together an attractive package of Franzen and Filppula and trade for more speed, scoring and size. Franzen has proved himself too streaky last couple of years and Filppula seem incapable of producing in the post season. It will be interesting to follow what happens this offseason, and to see what team the Red Wings will ice next season. Nash would be an exciting player to watch in Detroit, but I dont see that happening. Maybe the chance is slightly greater that Ryan will find himself wearing red and white, who knows, right? At least I hope to see a line of Abdelkader-Helm-Tootoo out there making things hard on the opposing team. I'm also very excited about Smith!

I disagree. I was actually thinking the other day that there are unusually few top goalie profiles in the league right now. Sure there are a few goalies posting great numbers but overall I think that 10 years back the GAA would be even lower in the top ten. I did a quick check on NHL.com comparing 00-01 to 09-10 and this seemed to confirm my theory. The SA% is probably higher though, perhaps because the goalies face more shots in todays fast paced game. Also the season is still young. The GAA is likely to increase after a full season and the SA% to decrease a bit.

I don't remember money being a part of Primeau departure at all. It was about ice time. Hence the comment "big fish in small pond" by Jimmy D posted earlier.

Primeau didn't want to be stuck behind Yzerman and Fedorov in the center depth chart.

It should be Ozzie.

Simple, because Maltby doesn't scrap... and not much else good either. Maltby is pretty useless nowadays. Side note: It wasn't a dirty hit or anything but it is so nice to see Downey step up in that game. I loved to see Babs yelling too! Babs got heart and passion.

Holland would never trade for Cote, but Lappy could be a fit, in theory -that is.

Well that's one way of interpreting it I guess, but my point is that Maltby has nothing to offer but experience. He is not nearly as efficient as he used to be. Modano sure adds experience but that would not be his prime contribution, he is still a more talented player than Maltby ever was and given Detroit's prior success with similar players (Larry Murphy, Steve Duchesne, Brett Hull etc) I have no reason to think it would not work out.

I cannot think of a single reason for the Red Wings to sign Maltby -not even for depth with a two-way contract. He is finished and his spot is best filled by some youngster. Expereince is terribly overrated in a organization like the Red Wings. They have all the expereince they need. It is not a big deal if a rookie make a few mistakes in the regular season, it will be compensated by the energy and enthusiasm they usually bring to the lineup. I don't have particular high thoughts on Lilja either, but an extra veteran defenseman at the right price is always nice to have come playoffs. I would however prefer to see the Red Wings pursue a Boynton or McKee type if possible, but the price tag would likely be higher. Modano, I think would be an excellent fit in Detroit. The Red Wings have a history of succesful veteran signings and the center postion has in my opinion been a key factor for the winning teams of the past half-decade at least.

FYI, Latvian's are not too fond of Russians, so even if they could communicate, it is not necessary they would be best friends.

No matter what you think about Chelios, that is a decision you must admire and respect. It's pure love for the game.

Note to Semin: Skill will only get you so far in the NHL. The rest is hard work.

I wasn't very impressed with Osgood's performance vs the Canucks. I think there's probably room for a general improvement.

If Hudler can't convince Babcock that he is a second line player then I don't think there's a spot for him at all. There are better and cheaper options for the third and fourth lines.

I feel Maltby can easily be replaced by the younger Helm, who is also a defensive specialist. As usual people use the experience factor to defend the presence of a familiar face, much like with Chelios. Detroit is a very experienced team so they can afford to sacrifice experience for youth in Maltby's case. Overall I would like to see Maltby and Kopecky out and Helm and Downey in to add more speed and toughness, but I suppose Kopecky is around to keep Hossa happy more than anything and this will not change.

I agree, Helm should be on the team. He adds much more than Maltby at this point.

Had Hossa begun racking up points in the pre-season and early in the season -then I would worry because those players usually wear off quickly, but Hossa has been around long enough to know that no cups are won in October. Hossa is a reliable scorer, I think once he gets going he can score 40 again.

Iginla takes a penalty when trailing 3-0? Big deal! Him yelling a little bit at the ref, showing some emotion, might even spark the team enough to get them back into it.

It is painfully obvious that re-signing Chelios will be a mistake, a decision based on "politics" (some call it loyalty) rather than logic. Lilja is a more durable 5th or 6th defenseman than Chelios, but ultimately I think Lebda will be leaving.

Lilja will be gone by trading deadline is what I suspect, but not before that.

I think Lebda will be the one to get traded. Him and Meech are similar, perhaps Meech has slighly more potential, but Lebda has the better market value since he's got more NHL experience.

McCarty's enforcing days are over. Great to have Downey back! He's got heart!

I think Maltby's game has dropped significantly the last few seasons.

Yes, he played for Team Sweden during the WJCH. At the time I believe he was three years younger than most players (17 yrs). He is draft eligable next year and from what I have heard he is a lock to go top two.