RyanBarnes!

You mention balance YG, but someone like Sopel would make Detroit's defense awfully unbalanced in my opinion.

Devellano's statement is in line with just about any statement coming outta management around this time of year: "We're looking, but don't get any crazy ideas". This is no more, no less.

And the possibility that Markov was a big part of the success didn't appear to you? I'd take Markov over Schneider (or Sopel) in a heartbeat. He's a great fit with Lidstrom.

I'm a bit surprised people want Sopel so badly. He's not exactly known for his defensive game. I think Detroit has enough offense from the blueline already. I'd rather have Markov back, but I guess he's outpriced himself.

All Quincey has to do is to take a roughing penalty now and then -he does that and he'll be Detroit's toughest defenseman in an instant.

It's because Detroit has no team toughness. If Detroit had one or two guys dropping the gloves on a more or less regular basis, I think a lot more players would stick up for themselves and their teammates.

From my point of view Datsyuk earned himself some slack with his recent playoff performance. Goals are goals. Fluky or not. The issue at hand was PP. That was not a penalty in my opinion, and even if it was -it didn't cost Detroit the game. Lilja cost us the game in a critical fashion. Up till that point Detroit had every chance to win the series -even without a great PP.

Quincey -he suits our needs better.

That call was awful. Period. Are you kidding me?! It was game 5 OT. In a game where the Ducks scored the game tying goal with only seconds left to play. Not to mention the victory would have put Detroit in the series lead. Talk about a psychological win for the Ducks! That loss was huge. If I'm not mistaken, Detroit managed to win game 2 despite being grossly outplayed by the Ducks, and PP was how they did it.

No, that was a ridiculous call by the referee. Calls like that is the perfect example of what's gone wrong with the new rules. That shouldn't have been called by any standards. That's exactly what I'm talking about. It was the most stupid move I think I have ever seen. How can a guy like Lilja even think of trying to skate the puck up middle ice, in front of the net -when facing two Ducks? How can he not see them coming miles ahead? That couldn't have happened to anyone, that was the kind of boneheaded play that could get you benched for an entire series.

Lilja cost us the Ducks series, that's enough to get my vote.

Kenny did well at deadline. This doesn't change that.

Hudler also didn't play vs the best checking lines or top defensemen. I've said all along that I don't think Hudler will become a NHL regular and will head back to Europe. Looks like I could be right...

My opinion is that the Flyers made a steal here. Pitkanen is terrribly overrated.

Agreed, but if you think Hudler is that guy you're mistaken.

Upgrade from Schneider, no doubt.

lol, me too!

Great, now Holland can focus on the important players.

Word is the Islanders could be willing to deal Satan for Boynton. If true, Detroit will have a tough time matching that offer. That is unless Phoenix is really looking to dump salary. In that case Hudler might be an option.

FYI. Kindl has played in GR, although not a whole season. Further, I don't think anyone has said Schneider is easily replaced by Kindl. I doubt anyone said Kindl should replace Schneider at all. I however, said that Schneider is replaceable, and by that I did not necassarily mean by a specific or even a single player. The loss of Schneider can be offset by several other players, for example Kronwall but perhaps also Kindl to some extent.

Sounds good.

I have a hard time believing anyone would want to see anything different from that. Some might want him to chip in a few goals now and then as well though.

Everytime I see a thread including Carter's name I feel obliged to reply. Pass! I'll pass on Nolan as well. I like Bertuzzi more.

It's a shame Calder won't be back, I liked the energy he brought to the lineup during the regular season. Given some time, he might have showed up in the playoffs too.

Of course you don't, because you would like the Red Wings to ice the same core year after year. I think it was pretty evident that Schneider is replaceable when he was lost to injury in the playoffs. The Red Wings did fine despite also having Kronwall on the injury list. My theory is this, Schneider's ice time is partly what keeps Kronwall from developing. Schneider is strictly an offensive defenseman and Detroit is set in that department, even without Schneider (again I can't believe Detroit did not draft Petrecki ).