p_diddy_datsyuk_13

The Buffalo Sabres, along with at least 3 other teams (Detroit and Toronto being two), had an issue with a relocation to Hamilton. Detroit draws rather heavily from Southern Ontario, even the far reaching parts, and of course there are the Leafs. There is no doubt that a Hamilton team would have little effect on Toronto, but the fact remains the principle as Balsillie continues to look to circumvent NHL rules in order to invade the markets of at least 3 other teams. There is no doubt that the Hamilton area could likely support an NHL team, but the existence of a team there would mean the Sabres would be forced to relocate, and given the recent history of the NHL being committed to its markets, they would just be walking themselves into another Phoenix type situation where they are supporting the franchise, which has happened in Buffalo before. I do not forsee there being a team in Hamilton in the near future for this reason, as the Sabres had problems in the past, and this would just worsen them.

Are you serious?? 2M for either one?? We would be lucky to get Zherdev for $3 million. All indications are that Lilja will start the season on IR, leaving us with enough to add someone for $0.5 million.

The NHL does not want Balsillie to have a team because his only ambition is to move to Hamilton. The league is afraid, and rightfully so, that a move to Hamilton would put the nearby Buffalo Sabres out of business, and they are right. Buffalo is a small market team that draws heavily from across the border, and a team in Hamilton would claim A LOT of those fans. It is not that the league does not want Balsillie to have a team, but rather what his plans are once he gets that team. If he were to suggest a move to back to Winnipeg, or to Quebec City, then this would not be an issue, but the fact that he would move the team into a competing market is what sealed his fate as a potential owner. This is something that not been mentioned this time around, but WAS MENTIONED by people league-wide the last couple times he tried to buy a team. They will not allow him to move a team to a competing market. This is not a move by the NHL itself, but collectively by the owners of the rest of the teams in the league, which was unanimous due to the other markets nearby, INCLUDING DETROIT!!

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Ecklund is reporting that Mats Sundin is holding out until the Hudler situation is resolved with the possibility of him coming to Detroit. He is also reporting that, and he is not the only one, Jason Williams could return to Detroit. Lastly, Eklund says that the Red Wings have also inquired about Rob Niedermeyer. No matter who the Wings sign, they will likely wait until after Thursday when they will know the outcome of the Jiri Hudler situation. Eklund Rumors

Given the effect of inflation and constantly rising prices of all goods, it will always have an upward trend... maybe slowing for a year or two at a time, as it will do this year and possibly next, but the general trend sparked by constant inflation is up, so that is where the cap will go, due to its tie to revenues.

Eklund is reporting that Marian Hossa suffered a shoulder, thought to be a rotator cuff, injury during the playoffs, explaining how terrible he was. Hockey Buzz

Eklund reports that the Panthers have signed Alex Tanguay, however this is Eklund, so we will wait for a real source to report on this... Hockey Buzz

It will only be for one year... they are likely to at least offer Malts and Homer a contract next year, albeit at much lower salaries, Malts $0.5 Million and Homer $0.75 Million, as they have both slipped in productivity in their respective areas. This next offseason, we will have anywhere from $12-13 Million coming off the books. Factor in the expected fall in the cap, I estimate based on the NBA's projections (and the fact that the NHL's sponsors are nowhere near what the NBA's are), the cap will drop to around $50 Million, nearly a $7 Million falloff. So all that being said, the Wings will be able to reload next offseason, and may even get a very legitimate shot at a marquee free agent, Kovalchuk anyone?? For all the great years we have had, this will be on where we come back to earth...

Exactly... he just needs to have consistent linemates... he never played on a top line this past year for more than a couple shifts at a time before he was moved to another line.

This + Ice Time = Hudler Gone... He consistently outplayed Val Filppula during the regular season, I am not talking about the playoffs, the regular season, he was consistently outperforming him, and still was stuck with 3+ fewer minutes per game.

Not exactly... Holland said just a few weeks ago on the radio that if he is going to be here, it will be in a position where he can get a ton of minutes, 3rd line at a minimum.

I would rather see them go after Zherdev.

McKee is one of the best stay at home D-men in the league... he won't score a lot of points... hense why St. Louis released him and his $4 million cap number, but look at his plus minus throughout his career, it has been positive nearly every year, and a lot of years he hasnt even gotten to double digits in points... a very solid pickup for pittsburgh

Nick Boynton is listed on the Anaheim roster on NHL.com which means he has likely signed with them, but it has yet to be announced. Anaheim NHL.com Roster Seems they are going to field a formidable d-corps to go along with their revamped offense, Boynton will provide another option on the powerplay. Their top 4 d-men are still pretty good and their top six forwards borderline on scary, they will score alot more next year. Perry/Getzlaf/Ryan Selanne/Koivu/Lupul Niedermeyer/Whitney Wisniewski/Boynton

For all of the years we haven't had to rebuild, here's one we will... nothing major, but a year off to clear some cap space and then it will be time to reload next year!! Hopefully this will be an exciting year, we should get to see some a lot of youngsters for a change!!

After reading a comment from Ken Holland on the Detroit News' website (I will leave the link below), it sparked my interest as to whom the Red Wings may target with Jiri Hudler gone. "Certainly if there was someone out there with the capability of scoring 10-20 goals, we'd be interested." There has been some talk of Ales Kotalik, and he would certainly fit the bill of this type of player. He is capable of at least 20 goals, though he has struggled the last couple years, but if the Wings can offer him around $2 million I think they may be able to get him. Kotalik would provide a monster shot, something we have lost three of (Hudler, Hossa and Samuelsson), and I think that is something the Wings are looking for... Another player they could look at, Maxim Afinogenov. He has struggled mightily the last couple of years and for a low salary, and with the Wings' history of bringing in players who turn their careers around, he may be a possibility to fill out the final roster spot, though he would have to do it at a low price, likely less than $1 million for a year, but a change of scenery may do him some good from the Buffalo Sabres who have struggled the last couple of years. Detroit News - Jiri Hudler signs with Russian team, won't play for Wings

At the trade deadline?? The problem is not that there is nobody out there, but rather we have no space to add anyone to the roster at a high price... we just have to bite the bullet for a year and make a couple big moves next summer when we will have $9-12+ million to spend (depending on what the cap does) and only a couple million to be used resigning people.

I am not saying Filppula was bad, but give Hudler the kind of ice-time that Filppula gets on a regular basis and lets see what happens, Hudler outproduced Filppula in the regular season with 3 minutes fewer ice-time per game, and was doing the same through the first two rounds of the playoffs until his playing time was cut back against Chicago, at the same time Filppula's ice time increased, giving Filppula 4 more minutes per game on the second line... and don't go saying "well, when Hudler gets ice time he doesn't do anything" because he never gets it on a consistent basis, he never gets it long enough to build any chemistry on the second line... there were a couple games this last year, when Hudler was put on a line with Hossa for a few shifts at a time and the two combined to score a couple goals, but then just as he seemed to get going, they put Hudler back on the 3rd or 4th line. Hudler needs consistent playing time, with consistent linemates... something he has yet to get in his time with the Wings. He is a sure-fire 2nd line player who just needs more ice-time. He is not a penalty killer, an never will be, that is why we have players like Helm, Draper, Zetterberg, Datsyuk and Filppula. Hudler is a proven scorer, but when the Wings' needed him most, he played just a couple shifts in the 3rd period of game 7 against Pittsburgh, as he was buried on the 4th line with Draper and Maltby. If they can find him the ice-time that he was supposed to get before they signed Hossa, then he could blossom into a 60-70 point per year player. But don't expect big numbers in the finals from a player whose coach is only playing him 10 minutes a game.

Tanguay??? uhhhh yeah, no way we will get him without having to make a trade, and with the injuries he has had the past few years, there is no logic to trading away someone to sign him... no thanks

This comparison is coming from the fact that they are both right handed shooting wingers... and he proved in Buffalo that he can be a second line winger.

Not a bad move for either party... Koivu needs a fresh start, and Anaheim needs some experienced playmakers at center for the second and third lines... that was their week link this past year in the playoffs, as they heavily relied on one line... With Lupul coming back, likely on the second line, they need someone to center his line which could either have Selanne or Bobby Ryan on the other wing... Even though they lost some defense this offseason, I think that with their improved offense, they have a chance to contend. Watch out for them!! Ryan/Getzlaf/Perry Selanne/Koivu/Lupul Niedermeyer/Whitney Wisniewski/Brookbank Even though their defense isn't as offensive as it has been for the last couple years, I expect them to be very good/ dangerous... expect them to add another d-man too!!

Oulahen has proven himself to be a legitimate defensive forward who can play against the other teams top line... if he can do that, he wouldn't be a defensive liability and can likely do the same in the playoffs, like Draper used to be able to do... I think we give this guy a shot, and if he can't do it, we move on... for the price it will cost, with there being a good chance that this is Maltby's last year in the Winged wheel, we should see what happens, especially considering we need cheap players... On the note of Kolosov, I personally heard from a couple of the Red Wings scouts that they see this kid blossoming into somewhat of a Vladimir Konstantinov... that said regarding his offensive abilities for a big d-man and his ability to hit. However, while he has the ability to hit, he doesn't yet do it enough... however one of these scouts said that as the past season went along, he was hitting more and using his big figure more, thus prompting the Konstantinov comparisons... with this said, this is what he could be not what he will actually be, regardless, whatever he turns into, will still probably be 2 years down the road, despite his smooth transition to North America.

He would be a FANTASTIC replacement for Samuelsson... has a fantastic RIGHT HANDED shot, great from the point on the power play... could benefit from playing with better players... would be reasonably priced... the one difference between him and Samuelsson is that Kotalik can actually hit the net with his cannon.

After signing Mr. Hossa, the Blackhawks have about $4.5 million to spend, and Cam Barker is a restricted free agent too, and he will take about $2.5 million to sign, then they need a couple more depth players, so it will be tight. They would likely NOT match anything over 2 million, and I believe that RFAs who sign offer sheets must sign for at least 2 years, so that makes their ability to match an offer sheet tight.