RyanBarnes!

I don't trust Osgood. I'd consider Osgood for Roloson an upgrade.

Ryno had the best game imo. Axelsson stood in front of the net a couple of times. Ritola was hardly noticable. I spotted Kenny Holland in the stands. He'll probably end up drafting the whole team now.

For once, I don't blame them.

Sounds like a plan! I don't know. Are you sure you wouldn't rather have another power-play specialist defenceman? I'm sure! Sidenote: If Ozolinsh is out, then Salei might no longer be available. I've heard rumors about Jillson before, but a friend of mine suggested teammate Kalinin could be a Holland type. He's had troubles staying in the lineup. Probably because of head coach Lindy Ruff's tough style.

Sounds like a plan!

Unless a move is made, this team will end up with another early playoff exit.

I'd take Redden. Don't think he'll go anywhere though. Jovanovski has become a defensive liability rather than the force he used to be in Florida, but I'll take him over Schneider of course.

Bell and Witt works for me too! Well, LaCouture never got a real shot in Detroit. He was stuck on a line with minor leaguers in the preseason. Had he gotten a chance to play with Franzen and Draper from the beginning he might have done more. Still Holland's excuse is a joke, saying that LaCouture did everything that was expected from him but that he chose a player for use in PP. Right, when is Cleary gonna play PP?! At least Holland could've been honest about it; "I prefer to keep my team soft".

And while you're at it, take Jim Vandermeer too.

The chance of Kindl becoming a number 1 defenseman is not much greater than finding a top 6 physical forward late in the first round. Nobody said elite powerforward here. Those are the ones gone in the top 5. Um, have you seen the way Kindl is tearing up the OHL this season? He's been dominating. He was also ranked #4 overall by ISS before he struggled in his first year with Kitchener last year, which is why he slipped to the Wings at 19. Sounds like a solid #1 candidate to me. #1 D-men fall out of the first round all the time. Ever heard of Niklas Lidstrom? Yeah a no. 1 candidate, but most NHL players were stars in juniors. Doesn't mean he will be a no. 1 defenseman for sure. With Detroit's history I'd be happy if he becomes a top 3 defenseman. Yeah the name Lidstrom rings a bell, but that was ages ago. Not that I remember saying that no 1. defenseman never fall out of the first round but... Ever heard of Morrow or Malone? Drafted at 25th and 119th respectively. Morrow is a damn good player, but he took a his good sweet time developing. People here would have called for his head long before he ever developed into what he is now. Malone is 26 and is still struggling to establish himself as a top-six caliber forward in the NHL. He definitely has the potential to be a big contributor...but he's not following through on that. I don't know what Morrow you've been watching, but Brendan had an immediate impact on the Stars when he entered the league 2 years after being drafted. Malone's the victim of poor management in Pittsburgh. Suddenly they decided to buy every big name free agent out there and sacrificed a lot of youth doing it, not only Malone. Stupid. Morrow is far better now than he was when he came into the league. When he came into the league he was inconsistent with his offense and his defensive game needed a lot of work. He was consistently physical, but he showed the ability to be so much better and that is what would have gotten him run out of town. Think about how people treated Fischer...Fischer was generally considered a damn good defenseman around the league, but because he wasn't already dominating and had shown that he was capable of it, fans were calling for him to be traded. Well, that's only natural. Nobody would want a player to peak in his rookie season.

Or is it because people tend to overrate Red Wings players? I'd say that is just as common. No use for Gomez in Detroit.

Double header coming up tonight! Snow rules!

Don't worry Heaton. I think you do a good job argueing for the optimistic side. You always backup your view with real arguments and you stick to the hockey related stuff.

The chance of Kindl becoming a number 1 defenseman is not much greater than finding a top 6 physical forward late in the first round. Nobody said elite powerforward here. Those are the ones gone in the top 5. Um, have you seen the way Kindl is tearing up the OHL this season? He's been dominating. He was also ranked #4 overall by ISS before he struggled in his first year with Kitchener last year, which is why he slipped to the Wings at 19. Sounds like a solid #1 candidate to me. #1 D-men fall out of the first round all the time. Ever heard of Niklas Lidstrom? Yeah a no. 1 candidate, but most NHL players were stars in juniors. Doesn't mean he will be a no. 1 defenseman for sure. With Detroit's history I'd be happy if he becomes a top 3 defenseman. Yeah the name Lidstrom rings a bell, but that was ages ago. Not that I remember saying that no 1. defenseman never fall out of the first round but... Ever heard of Morrow or Malone? Drafted at 25th and 119th respectively. Morrow is a damn good player, but he took a his good sweet time developing. People here would have called for his head long before he ever developed into what he is now. Malone is 26 and is still struggling to establish himself as a top-six caliber forward in the NHL. He definitely has the potential to be a big contributor...but he's not following through on that. I don't know what Morrow you've been watching, but Brendan had an immediate impact on the Stars when he entered the league 2 years after being drafted. Malone's the victim of poor management in Pittsburgh. Suddenly they decided to buy every big name free agent out there and sacrificed a lot of youth doing it, not only Malone. Stupid.

The chance of Kindl becoming a number 1 defenseman is not much greater than finding a top 6 physical forward late in the first round. Nobody said elite powerforward here. Those are the ones gone in the top 5. Um, have you seen the way Kindl is tearing up the OHL this season? He's been dominating. He was also ranked #4 overall by ISS before he struggled in his first year with Kitchener last year, which is why he slipped to the Wings at 19. Sounds like a solid #1 candidate to me. #1 D-men fall out of the first round all the time. Ever heard of Niklas Lidstrom? Yeah a no. 1 candidate, but most NHL players were stars in juniors. Doesn't mean he will be a no. 1 defenseman for sure. With Detroit's history I'd be happy if he becomes a top 3 defenseman. Yeah the name Lidstrom rings a bell, but that was ages ago. Not that I remember saying that no 1. defenseman never fall out of the first round but... Ever heard of Morrow or Malone? the last two first round picks the Wings have spent on Power Forwards are: Ryan Barnes. Keith Primeau. It's understandable why Detroit might shy away from drafting them. Primeau has developed into a solid player, but he did it after he was forced to elsewhere as the team's best player. Barnes is..well..a minor leaguer. Using that logic, Detroit shouldn't go anyway near big defensemen. I don't need to mention them again, do I? Quit making excuses, because there are no.

I'd do Lang and Holmstrom for Murray and Boynton in a heartbeat. It would take care of a lot of issues. Zetterberg could finally play centre. Murray adds size and goalscoring touch upfront. Boynton adds size and toughness on defense. Murray has a huge contract though.

The chance of Kindl becoming a number 1 defenseman is not much greater than finding a top 6 physical forward late in the first round. Nobody said elite powerforward here. Those are the ones gone in the top 5. Um, have you seen the way Kindl is tearing up the OHL this season? He's been dominating. He was also ranked #4 overall by ISS before he struggled in his first year with Kitchener last year, which is why he slipped to the Wings at 19. Sounds like a solid #1 candidate to me. #1 D-men fall out of the first round all the time. Ever heard of Niklas Lidstrom? Yeah a no. 1 candidate, but most NHL players were stars in juniors. Doesn't mean he will be a no. 1 defenseman for sure. With Detroit's history I'd be happy if he becomes a top 3 defenseman. Yeah the name Lidstrom rings a bell, but that was ages ago. Not that I remember saying that no 1. defenseman never fall out of the first round but... Ever heard of Morrow or Malone?

The chance of Kindl becoming a number 1 defenseman is not much greater than finding a top 6 physical forward late in the first round. Nobody said elite powerforward here. Those are the ones gone in the top 5.

Should have gotten Blunden like I said, he's scoring at a good pace in the OHL this season.

Not necessarily. I'd prefer the Red Wings to address a big need. At the time another defensemen was not it.

And on a sidenote: Blunden is doing pretty good...

I don't think a pick alone will do it. I can see Toronto shipping either Stajan, Wellwood or possibly Colaiacovo and a pick to Washington for Witt if need be.

Piece on Filppula from theahl.com: http://www.theahl.com/AHL/OnTheBeat/2005/1...01/1332705.html

I'm hoping he could turn out to be a Gleason kinda player. Gleason used to be a flashy offensive defenseman until he decided to work on his defensive game and even developed a physical presence. It seems that Kindl is willing to play that type of game. He needs to bring it to the NHL level though. It's a good thing he's still young then. Another year in Kitchener after this one should help. And considering his totals this year it'd be interesting what he could be capable of next year. peace Yeah, should be interesting.

I'm hoping he could turn out to be a Gleason kinda player. Gleason used to be a flashy offensive defenseman until he decided to work on his defensive game and even developed a physical presence. It seems that Kindl is willing to play that type of game. He needs to bring it to the NHL level though.