RyanBarnes!

Why split Dekeyser and Smith? If anyone should be demoted it is Ericsson.

Good for Toots, glad to see him back in the NHL again.
Even gladder to see that it could push Brunner out!

So I was going through a bunch of my Dad's old things and stumbled upon one of his NHL contracts from the Red Wings lying in between the pages of an old program.
I've never seen an NHL contract before (let alone from the 70s) and thought it was interesting and that I would share for others interested as well.
The salary and bonuses give an interesting perspective in comparison to today. The average salary (according to the HHOF) in 1970 was $18,000.

No it is McCarty. But you are right McCarty was a middleweight and compared to him Callahan is a lightweight. Probert was a heavyweight.

Jensen should most definitely make the opening roster over kindl. If "tie goes to the best player" that should be a no brainer. Kindl just gets worse and worse and Jensen has been one of our best dmen thus far. He has the puck moving ability, sound defense, and RH point shot we need so desperately. I see Callahan's sandpaper replacing Andersson and Jensen replacing Kindl. Atleast i hope so...

I think you might be underestimating the skill level of Torres, Tootoo and Asham slightly. They put up much better totals in juniors than Callahan and had they stayed in the AHL they would probably been on the PP too. It is true that they have a limited role in the NHL but there is certainly more to it than the skill variable. When comparing Callahan to Maltby I was trying to convey his "weight class". I know you dont care much about that stuff but that was my intention.

Mac usually stayed away from the heavys and let Probert or Kocur handle them, but I agree he wouldnt back down from a challenge. I dont think it is fair to put Callahan in the fighter category though. He is like a Maltby that will fight.

Yes, and this is because the league will protect the dirty players. Scrap the instigator rule and leave the policing to the players. If a guy is willing to face the music after running a star then so be it, I agree there's no stopping them, but at least dont protect these clowns. Let there be another Lemieux beatdown. I bet more than a few players would think twice and even change their game. Frankly, it cannot get worse than the current state.

I definitely think Red Wings fans place a higher premium on skill than most other fanbases, but do not forget that despite Holland's position on fighting, the Cup winning team's all had a physical presence. Some more than others. For example, the modern era Red Wings have yet to win a Cup without Darren McCarty in the lineup.

Yes, and this is because the league will protect the dirty players. Scrap the instigator rule and leave the policing to the players. If a guy is willing to face the music after running a star then so be it, I agree there's no stopping them, but at least dont protect these clowns. Let there be another Lemieux beatdown. I bet more than a few players would think twice and even change their game. Frankly, it cannot get worse than the current state.

I definitely think Red Wings fans place a higher premium on skill than most other fanbases, but do not forget that despite Holland's position on fighting, the Cup winning team's all had a physical presence. Some more than others. For example, the modern era Red Wings have yet to win a Cup without Darren McCarty in the lineup.

Because many of them know they can hide behind the refs. And I dont necessarily mean the instigating rule -I mean literally hide behind the refs, and the NHL will let them. For what reason? To clean up its act...??

Yes, and this is because the league will protect the dirty players. Scrap the instigator rule and leave the policing to the players. If a guy is willing to face the music after running a star then so be it, I agree there's no stopping them, but at least dont protect these clowns. Let there be another Lemieux beatdown. I bet more than a few players would think twice and even change their game. Frankly, it cannot get worse than the current state.

Yes, and this is because the league will protect the dirty players. Scrap the instigator rule and leave the policing to the players. If a guy is willing to face the music after running a star then so be it, I agree there's no stopping them, but at least dont protect these clowns. Let there be another Lemieux beatdown. I bet more than a few players would think twice and even change their game. Frankly, it cannot get worse than the current state.

I would love to see Callahan steal Miller's spot. More grit and possibly also better scoring touch.

I would love to see Callahan steal Miller's spot. More grit and possibly also better scoring touch.

Everyone says Smith played better because of kronwall, I'm not going to argue with that, but my question is who played better and elevated their game more with kronwall, I thought that Smith-kronwall was our best d pairing all year.

The Quincey/Smith pairing has never worked and Babs just keeps reverting back to it if that is the case again. Smith needs someone that allows him to jump into plays and be more active offensively. He played his best hockey by far with Kronwall as his partner last season. I don't care so much if the Wings leave Kronwall and E together, but at least play Smith with DeKeyser.
Quincey on the third pairing with whichever other mistake is necessary or ideally Marchenko/Ouellet instead.

I would love to see Callahan steal Miller's spot. More grit and possibly also better scoring touch.

I would love to see Callahan steal Miller's spot. More grit and possibly also better scoring touch.

I would love to see Callahan steal Miller's spot. More grit and possibly also better scoring touch.

Alfredsson should just retire. He emptied the tank last year in the Olympics. He was completely invisible after the break. I would rather see Mantha in his spot.

Alfredsson should just retire. He emptied the tank last year in the Olympics. He was completely invisible after the break. I would rather see Mantha in his spot.

It is not exactly a friendly environment in Europe either. This is just a bad idea and it could turn sour really quick.

It is not exactly a friendly environment in Europe either. This is just a bad idea and it could turn sour really quick.