gcom007

Turn off your totally fake and hideous HD people. The servers cannot handle the bandwidth!

If Modano's awful at $1.75 if he hits all the bonuses, what's Flip going to look like at $3 million if Modano ends up putting up as many points as Flip this year? I think both will be in the 40-50 point range, Modano will most likely score more goals, play solid defense and bring hall of fame leadership and experience into the dressing room. All for around half the price of your boy Mr. Flip. It'll be interesting to see how you rationalize this stance as the season goes on, as again, Modano is so much more than just capable of putting up 40-50 points on this team. With Huds and Cleary plus power play time, I'd say 40 points is a given, 50 points is likely and only time will tell how much further he could go.

Washed up? The Stars were washed up, not Modano. At 40, he's certainly not the player he once was but he's a far cry from washed up. The guy can still fly out there and even in a rather awful Dallas situation with minimal minutes, a weak supporting cast and backroom difficulties, he put up descent numbers. In Detroit, he's getting a hometown hero's welcome, he's got a great organization that has already gone above and beyond to make him feel welcome and wanted, he's got a great surrounding cast of players and he's going to be working in a system and in a role that suits his style as well as his age. He's not going to have to carry anyone. He's only going to be adding to an already solid core, and he'll add a lot, no doubt. Just like Bertuzzi last year, he may not be the same player he once was, but at that $1.25-1.5 million price tag, he's an absolute bargain. I'll go out on a limb and say that I have little to no doubt that you won't feel the same way about this signing by the end of the season. If he stays fairly healthy and plays say 70-75 games, I think he's fully capable of scoring 20-25 goals and putting up 50 points. I think 40 points is a given on this team. It's tough to find guys that can put up 40-50 points for $1.25 million, let alone guys with the kind of experience Modano has, not to mention the fact that he's already creating a buzz that's going to lead to merch sales and more people in seats. These days, that matters too. I'M THRILLED!!!!!!!!!! Yep. Echoing my thoughts. Can't say it enough, $1.25 million. WE PAID JASON WILLIAMS $1.5 MILLION LAST YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!! By seasons end, this will look like a HUGE bargain.

I think there's a lot of potential for Eaves to wind up getting some power play minutes this year either up front or possibly on the point even. I really think he's just a good break away from becoming a potent scorer. He's got the tools, he's already shown he can actually do it, he just needs to keep gaining confidence and when he gets that break, run with it. Hopefully it's not too much right away though so we can sign him long term for a reasonable amount!

Modano Confirms He Will Play For Detroit http://starsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/08/modano-confirms-he-will-play-for-detroit.html

And out of Dallas... http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/hockey/stars/stories/080310dnspostarsmodano.171c7170.html

Thursday is the 5th, the day he said he'd likely be sorting out his decision.

If Howard can keep improving and solidifying his game, it'll definitely be time for Osgood to wave goodbye to a great career. If Howard struggles and Osgood proves he can still do it down the stretch, he'll be back. McCollum is a goalie; who the hell knows how he'll be in a few years? Nobody as of now.

Remember, even if he decides he wants to play, according to reports they haven't talked money yet. That's not to say it'll be a huge sticking point by any means, but deciding to play and signing the deal are two different things, and with the Probert funeral and all, I wouldn't be shocked to find out that they've been working on getting it locked down and signed the last few days. I still think we'll hear that he's signed tomorrow afternoon, though could easily see it announced over the weekend or Monday too given the circumstances. But I really think he's going to sign, and that it's more in progress than we know.

I about died laughing when I read Eklunds commentary on the matter.

I think we'll know later today or tomorrow, and I feel pretty confident that he'll be a Wing next year. I don't think he would've come out and put this much thought into it if he wasn't serious, and I don't think he's ready to be done. I couldn't care less about his number either!

Aussie and I get into it over prospects from time to time, but I see where he's coming from with his concern here. However, I think they'll get a deal done for an amount that won't hold up the process too much. The fact that we just signed two guys we didn't develop to great deals and we're still pursuing Modano leads me to believe that when it all shakes down, everything will be fine. If I thought it would seriously hurt our ability to keep young guys in the fold, I'd be totally against it too, but I think they'll find a good number, and I think in turn Modano will end up looking like a HUGE bargain by seasons end. He's not the Modano of old, but with a descent role, some power play time and the quality of the guys around him, I think Modano could easily put up 40 if not 50 points, including 20 goals. If we can get that and legendary veteran presence in the locker room for a million or less, it's a great deal. On top of that, he's a hometown guy who would be giving us the rights to his "swan song," one that caps off one of the greatest hockey careers from an American player. You better believe there would be an element of "Let's send Mike Modano out a champion!" There's just far too much I like about this deal, especially considering I've been saying for years that I'd love to see Modano finish his career as a Wing if he were to leave the Stars. If you're a single-team guy for most of your career and you're going to go to another team, there's no more fitting place to end than your hometown team. That's the only way you make a move and don't taint the "loyalty" element of your career.

You mean, the Red Wings management actually has a plan and they even know more than us?!?! No way. Lies.

Elliot, are you thrilled? Why yes, I am! What about the one-year deal? Well, sure, I would've liked to have seen a career-length contract, but eh, you can't win 'em all. I'm just happy to have him back! This is most excellent news.

I know, but I can dream...I think he'd be insane to sign a 5-year deal right now. But if he wants to for a $1-1.5 million cap hit, by all means!

Hmm, good idea! I still think if the Caps had've kept their heads straight in round 1, they would've gone to the Finals for the East. I don't know what in the hell happened to them. Well, I know, but you know, I don't...one of those things. That's playoff hockey, though I still think they're grossly underestimated as they were the year before. And to be perfectly honest, the only reason I didn't call the Hawks for the Cup straight out is because I knew I was already way over the top for most here in suggesting they would rep the West in the Finals! With Scotty Bowman consulting, it was tough for me to doubt some of their moves; I've learned not to. The Hossa signing definitely was huge, but to me it wssn't even so much the fact that it was a big name guy so much as the complete game Hossa stood for, and when you go and sign a guy like that, to me, you're coming out and saying that your stars are going to bust ass and your team is going to be adapting to a more responsible system. While hardly outstanding, they did very much develop a more complete team-D game (lead by Hossa, as management referenced throughout the year) and while the goaltending was always a wild card, I just had a feeling that one way or another, they'd work it out and they did just that. Here's the thread I made featuring some of the opinions, though I was getting it all over in other threads as well for suggesting the same thing... http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.php/topic/59757-2010-cup-final-prediction-hawks-vs-caps/page__hl__blackhawks And I wouldn't go out on a limb for Chicago this year like last, though I certainly wouldn't count them out at this point either by a long-shot. A lot can happen between now and April. The team still has a solid core of top-level guys, and heaven knows what tricks the Bowmans have up their sleeves down the stretch. Again, I've learned to not doubt Scotty Bowman's influence. I didn't doubt it last year, and it's why I felt confident calling Chicago to go the distance. It looks rough now, but they'll still be competing at the start of the season, this time with even more confidence and experience, and they'll likely improve their roster and be in the running for the Cup next year again. That said, I also think Detroit will have a much stronger showing this year as well so long as injuries don't hit at the wrong time. If I had to pick today, I'd say Detroit vs. Chicago in the Western Finals, and anyone's guess as to who comes out alive. Out of the East, I've still gotta go with the Caps. They were too close in 2009, and 2010 felt far too much like a fluke that'll only make them stronger this year. So yeah, Modano, woo!

Good. Next, Eaves, please!

Trust me, I remember distinctly. Why? I made a thread saying they were going to the finals for the West (I was off on the Caps out of the East) and just about everyone and their mother came out to rip me to shreds and alert me of all the reasons why they're still terrible. Short, short, short memories around here...

I like Miller a lot for what he is and I do hope we keep him. I just think Eaves has a lot more potential to not just continue in the same role, playing at the same level, but improve dramatically and take on perhaps a much bigger role. I've got a good feeling about him, as said, similar to the feeling i had about Franzen before he broke out. He's got the skill and the work ethic. You keep doing the right things and when your head is all in, all you need is the right moment to break out and suddenly nothing is the same again. If a guys going to come out and surprise us on this team, I really think it's Eaves.

Again, agreed. Of all of our RFA's, I think Eaves is the guy with the most potential to be a successful Wing for a long time. I really, really hope we lock him up long term. Keep the cap hit low, but give him security and a spot for the long run. He won't get Kronwall/Flip money, but I'd love to see a 5-year deal, and by the end of it, I would not be shocked to see him playing at or above the level of Kronwall/Flip. Like you said, I don't think we've even scratched the surface yet. He's a guy that I really think could break out a most Franzen-style in the next year or two. I'm not saying he'll be a 40 goal guy like Franzen can be, but I think he's got a lot of offensive upside to his game...it's just waiting for a defining moment to break out and come to fruition. With more confidence and long-term security, in a great organization like the Wings, this guy can easily exceed his earliest expectations and production in Ottowa. In any event, hearing that he's close to signing is great news.

I know it's definitely a different situation this off-season with the Hawks due to cap hell really hitting home, but at the same time, many were saying the same things about them last year. No defense, no secondary guys, terrible goaltending...yeah, then they won the Cup. Every great team is dealing with their own version of cap hell more and more year after year. That said, I would be shocked if Chicago wasn't in the running once again next year.

Whatever +1 means, and I think it's good, you get one from me for this. I absolutely, completely agree. I love Eaves and as great as he was this last year, I think he still has a lot to show. I had a real good feeling about him heading into last season and when he finally got his chance, he really delivered. Another thing I don't believe you mentioned, though likely inferred, was just how great of a head he has on his shoulders. He's a smart guy with a great work ethic who isn't about taking anything for granted. He seems to come from a good hockey family that instilled real good values in him. I will be utterly and completely devastated if we don't lock him up. He has fast become one of my favorite players, old or new. You just know you've got a good guy on your hands when he gets dumped by his drafting team, comes in for $500k, works his ass off in camp showing up for every extra meeting or practice for every role just to learn as much as he can, only to not get much of a chance as the season started. And does he keep working hard?!? You bet! Harder and harder, until he got a chance, and even then he kept working, and as we all know, he certainly kept his spot in the lineup down the stretch. And I'm hoping for another 10-15 years of it! Man, can't say it enough, I love Patrick Eaves.

While Hudler went through arbitration, it was more a matter of technicality due to his Russian contract, as Holland and Hudler agreed to a contract before arbitration. So for all intents and purposes, Holland's record is still intact. "In effect, the Red Wings and Hudler agreed to the deal before the hearing, but lawyers for both sides went through the arbitration process because Hudler did not want the KHL to think he had negotiated a contract beforehand, which might have jeopardized his deal with Dynamo. The KHL maintained it was free to sign Hudler because he was a restricted free agent who didn't have an NHL contract." http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2009/08/arbiter_awards_jiri_hudler_two.html

Here's a stat that I dig...well, I'll ask it in the form of a question... How many RFA's has Holland failed to work out a deal with before arbitration became necessary, whether the players filed or not? The answer is telling of my concern, or lack thereof, in getting deals done for Miller and my favorite new Wing, who I already hope will finish his career as a Wing, Patrick Eaves.

I'm not sure what I might rationally think about the idea of bring Modano to the Wings, but I have to say, as a longtime fan of Modano, I've always loved the idea of him finishing as a Wing in his hometown. He'll always be a star, but I thought it would be a cool ending for him. Again, how that translates into cap-era rationality, I'm not sure, and I'm not going to go there now. Not my job.