Grim

i suppose the league is deeming the age of 40 (for Zetteberg) as being reasonable and 42 (for Hossa) as not.

Reports that the offer is $2.5M per must be way off base... otherwise Jason Williams would SURELY have inked by now.

for all his goodness and potential, I just don't see Hudler florishing (shortterm) under Babcock's current scheme more than he has already. When Hossa was out or slumping, I seem to recall that Babcock tended to call upon Filpulla or Sammy moreso than Hudler. In a parallel scenario, I feel Helm is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Line him up permanently with Datsyuk and I'd argue you'd only see the output from both suffer. We'll be just fine with Leino filling-in Hudler's spot.

I need some history on this topic... how come Sundin isn't returning to the Canucks? did the Twins really eat up all that cap space??

I like Hudler a lot... but realistically, is he really second-line material on this team? His forte has been his improving stickhandling and the ability to produce in limited minutes. Increase his minutes and I bet the physically taxing regular season takes its toll. All this KHL bruha has done was throw a huge wrench in his arbitration process. will this really ramp up his value in the arbiter's eyes? we shall soon see. Every day of this ugly RFA process makes me thankful Kenny was able to extend Filpulla.

did the Wings give him a physical last summer??

Another measure for optimism is Anaheim ditching Pronger and Beauchemin. Add to that, the Hawks dumped Khabibulin. All we need now is for the Sharks to make a silly big-risk move...

some here are too quick to pile it all on Tallon. The Hossa signing reeks of Bowman. Cap be damned, its good for them in the short-term. If Hossa has trouble scoring, you can bet they'll try him at D.

Since when has Holland pulled off anything as savvy as a sign-and-trade?? If Hudler signs it will be solely for keeping him in Detroit. I wouldnt put it past Kenny to throw in a token NTC to boot.

nothing is gonna happen until after the arbitration period ends (Aug 6) and potentially longer since there is a filed grievance between NHL and KHL

I'm pretty sure the arbitrator only sets the contract value, ie xx dollars per... its still up to the Wings' org whether to accept the 1-year minimum or longer term length. If Holland balks, Huds walks away as a UFA.

I wholeheartedly agree... but how has our D improved this offseason thusfar? I also doubt having Howard as a fulltime backup will help.

At least it would keep them honest... and not keep Clowe for cheap.

the saddest Red Wing to see Hossa go will probably be Filpulla. Those two had something brewing near the end of the playoffs.

Anytime you can take a great player from a division rival... its a *good* move. That being said, the Wings should offersheet Ryane Clowe...

I believe Hossa was a great signing for the Hawks. Pretty much he took the Zetterberg-esque discount deal but this was one offered by Chicago. Ken Holland was pretty much backed up against the Cap and could do nothing to counter. One thing to consider... are Hossa and Madden enough to put the Blackhawks over the hump? I feel their shortcoming is still on the defense. it certainly won't help losing Khabibulin.

superstars are a fickle lot... better to have them all year and try to work-in their groove.

Got to give the Penguins their due... they made it to the past two finals. There is no reason to believe they won't be a serious threat to return next year.

KHL has a deal in-place for him at $3.8M (tax-free) per for two years. this nearly scuttled his talks with the Caps if it hasn't already. Kenny can't offer this guy numbers anywhere near that ballpark.

I wouldn't take Babs. The Olympics are an awefully short tourney... no chance to draw things out. Neidermayer will be captn... BANK on it.

Silly Penguin fan... winning the Stanley Cup is much larger than some petty issue with Hossa.

Hossa would be an idiot to take $4M. thats a 46% paycut from this season's pay.

True... but we can't count on Anaheim and Pittsburgh going away.

Howard is worthless. Is there a backup out there better/cheaper than Conks that can give us 35+ starts??

keep Conklin, trade Homer and Howard.