YoungGuns1340

Yup, I was thinking that too. Brian Rolston fits Detroit's requirements - great skater with speed and defensive awareness, and even more importantly he fits Detroit's needs - goal scorer, shooter first (with that incredible wrister) and good size. The fact that he's a Michigan native is an added bonus, and a marketable one at that. I would personally be very satisfied with a 2nd line of Cleary-Filppula-Rolston.

Have we already forgotten that he was the one that cheap-shotted Hank and is the reason Hank now has back issues? Imagine him doing that to Selanne, Campbell, or Richards...I think Kennys on to something.

I agree with you, but under certain circumstances only. Detroit is in a special situation, up until July 1st, 2008, as I think the Red Wings will already have a deal in place for Zetterberg at the first moment hes eligible to re-sign. At that point, the majority of our cornerstones will either 1) be locked up for a good 3 more years (Zetterberg, Rafalski, Datsyuk, Kronwall, and possibly Cleary) or 2) their paychecks are only going to be decreasing over the next few years from this point forward (Draper, Maltby, Lidstrom, and possibly Homer) Therefore, this idea of "carrying $5 million to the trade deadline" was an exception to the rule, not a new trend in Red Wings economics, as there were a couple things to consider at last years deadline: 1. Few players were willing to sign one year contracts, which were the only things Holland was willing to give out due to reasons mentioned above unless we were a) replacing a key player a la Rafalski for Schneider or b) that player was going to come on the cheap 2. The players that Detroit really needed to add - a #3/4 Dman and a 2nd line forward - were either in the minority, or overpaid. Really the only two players we could've signed that even now make sense looking back are Brad Stuart - who wanted to sign in California, pushing Detriot out of contention for his services and Mike Comrie - whom they probably chose not to sign because he would be taking valuable development minutes away from Flip, as they likely wouldve played that same 2nd line center position, and because hes had some glaring attitude issues in the past and I'm guessing probably wasn't a player Babcock was too high on adding to the squad. That's why, in my opinion, we won't be seeing this 5M in cap space at the deadline next year. Once July 2nd, 2008 rolls around, I expect Filppula, Cleary, and Zetterberg to be locked up, and possibly Lilja as well. If we have open spots due to Cleary and Lilja wanting to test the market on July 1st, then we'll likely see Detroit being big players, particularly for UFAs that they can sign for a good 3-5 years.

Ryder would be cheap after the season his having, and he has started to pick it up. He could still end up with 20 goals after his horrendous start. Hes a goal scorer first, and thats what Detroit needs. As for Huselius, I'm not a huge fan of him either, but I put him on the list because I could DEFINITELY see Wings management having interest in him. A skillful, crafty Swede with decent defensive awareness? Might as well order the jersey for him already..

I'm with you and McGuire on this one too, but it really depends on how Howard progresses. If he plays lights out in his 20-30 starts next year, you can be sure Holland and co. will let him pass. However, I would not at all be surprised if Miller's agent contacted Detroit. I remember reading reports a couple years back that it was Miller's dream to play for the Red Wings. And if thats the case, I wouldn't expect Miller to demand a through the roof salary.

I dont think Sammy and Lilja are going to re-sign for lousy 50k and 100k raises. Lilja is looking at 1.5M per season, according to reports, and the market for a guy like Sammy is easily 1.5M, especially 2 seasons from now. I could easily see both of those guys testing the market, and if that were the case, I'd like to see Lilja replaced with Commodore for next season, and Samuelsson replaced with Chris Neil the following..

Honestly, I hate this roster. Nothing against you, Eva, considering you don't know what our future holds, but guys like Sammy, Kopecky, Lilja, Hudler, etc. Obviously we shouldn't sell these guys off for picks, but why not replace - namely Sammy and Lilja - with rough and tumble North Americans once their contracts are up? In my opinion, one of the reasons we've been having trouble filling up the Joe of late is because we don't have very many players fans can identify with. I love Hank as much as the next guy, but theres no doubt its harder to identify with him than it was with Shanahan, for example. Here are some affordable options, with a couple exceptions. The majority of these guys are under 30, have great character that the fans would really grow to love, and would play a type of game that Detroit has been missing for a long time. But most importantly, most of these guys could be signed to relatively longterm contracts that would integrate them into Detroit's core, which would help give the Wings a stronger identity. UFA Dmen 1. Mike Commodore 2. Brad Stuart 3. Jason Smith 4. Brooks Orpik 5. Aaron Ward UFA Top 6 1. Ryan Malone 2. Brian Rolston 3. Daymond Langkow 4. Michael Ryder 5. Kristian Huselius UFA Bottom 6 1. Sean Avery 2. Chris Gratton 3. Chris Kelly 4. Jarkko Ruutu 5. Matt Cooke

Who the hell cares? TSN: "The Wings are the team to beat" Rest of NHL: "Oh! Well...look at that! Pack it in guys. No point vying for the cup. Its going to Detroit..." Who thinks like that? If anything all this means is "bring your best game when you play the Ducks". Duh. I hate to break it to you, but EVERY playoff opponent is "the team to beat" when its win or go home..

Spectors I'm not gonna lie. Of those four players mentioned, Flip is the least integral to his team. Detroit's already got two all star centers locked up for their top lines, and theyve got no top line wingers on the squad or coming up in the system either. If Kenny thinks he can fit Hossas demands under the cap and re-sign Hank, I see no reason why not to do this. If we re-sign Hossa, it'll be long-term.

I was reflecting on our team last year. And considering Bert and Calder didnt do much of anything...Im kind of happy with the outcome. Bert, Lang, and Calder took away a lot of icetime from Franzen, Cleary, and Filppula, and those guys really came out for the playoffs in a big way. Energy, hunger, speed, grit. All Stuart does is strengthen us in what was actually our achilles heel last season - depth on defense. And another thing. Most teams that go on to win the cup only make depth moves anyways. Not too many make a blockbuster deal and go on to win the cup. And finally, one thing I think we have over teams is our chemistry. And adding mac and Stuart dont do too much to that.

People can argue because they´re smart and know the game on this board. You, on the other hand, come off as more and more of a ****** bag with each post you make. As for Markov not signing, he wanted a MULTI YEAR CONTRACT, something that Holland wasn´t wiling to give. He also wanted more than he was worth. Why do you think 29 other teams passed on Markov too?

People are still bitching about the Hossa trade? The Thrashers got a kings ransom for him!! If you want to feel bad for someone, look at the Habs. What did they do? Trade away their starter? Haha, poor fellows...

Yeah, well I think a lot of people maintained that they would accept Fedorov as a ¨last resort¨. Considering when he was shipped to Washington, he WAS a last resort, Im not surprised..

Not to mention, MAB over Cheli? Sure. On the powerplay. But thats about it. I remember when he was playing for the Oilers in 06. He was the really the only Dman that the Wings could take care of when he was on the ice. His point shot is nice, but his defensive game is a disaster. EDIT: wrong bergeron

Please, folks. Murphy, Schneider, Lilja. All these guys came to Detroit and overperformed. Thats exactly what will happen with Stuart. The one reason I like this deal is that Stuart can move the puck, while still having size and a bit of an edge (although hes not all out physical). Hes EXACTLY the type of Dman that is going to fit into Detroits system. Considering that the Red Wings have been scouting Stuart for WEEKS, Id take their opinion over yours... Good pick up, but I actually wouldve liked Fedorov here as well, considering we probably couldve gotten him for Meech straight up..

Yeah, like I was saying earlier, all those who thought Stuart was going to come here and lay on the bone crushing hits...youre sorely mistaken. Im not gonna bash the move, because I think Stuart is the type of guy that could fit into Detroit system, but still...this team is the softest contender out there..

Kilger to Florida....cause Gratton was traded to Detroit!! *gets on knees and prays*

You know what the best part about this is???? Holland stated in the summer that he wouldnt sign a Dman to a contract that was more than a year long. Brad Stuart signed a contract with LA that was how long? One year. For how much? 3.5M. In short, Detroit couldve had Stuart in the off-season, and how much would it have cost them? Nothing. Nice job on making yourself pay out TWO picks for something you couldve had 6 months ago Kenny. Pat yourself on the back with that one..

Okay okay...this makes me feel better. Size and Grit on the back end for next to nothing. Not bad, not bad. Wouldnt have minded a Stoll/Fedorov/Fedotenko addition though, after we lost out on all the big fish.

He didnt sell the team for a cup run??? AN AHL DMAN AND A 2ND or 3RD for PROSPAL?? AN AGING DMAN AND A 3RD for SALEI??? Holland f***ed up. Plain and simple. Deals couldve been had, and they wouldnt have been rentals either. It wouldve been one thing if the team stood pat, and others did too, but the Caps, Avs, Stars, Ducks, Sens, Sharks, Flyers, and Pens have ALL gotten stronger.

I cant believe...with FIVE key injuries to this lineup.....having won ONE game of our last NINE....that Holland did nothing. EVERY team that had issues, addressed them. The Wings sat on their hands. I guess Darren McCarty was the answer to all our problems.. Wings and Habs fans need to have a pity party..

What? Where did you hear this??

haha, cause Bernier is huge? Ive heard Sharks fans left and right complain about how this guys got some very suspect hands. Hell be lucky if he nabs 30 points on the season...

Detroit trades for Fedorov... ...and Anaheim, Dallas, Ottawa, San Jose, and Colorado point their collective fingers and laugh.

Can Montreal just come out and ******* say theyve got Hossa already??? This is ******* driving me nuts...