YoungGuns1340

And it should definitely be a consideration, as replacing Lidstrom is essentially impossible. Holland may have to re-evaluate his goaltending philosophy. The cap going down + Luongo willing to take a paycut could also potentially result in a palatable contract as well.

Hudler and Sammy are gone if Hossa stays. And outside of Leino (who would likely have to be traded too - check the numbers) the Wings dont have anyone in the system who can step in and be a good offensive forward. Helm and Abdelkaders are checkers at best.

Id like to see what these stats look like for minors only, assuming these include majors and misconducts. It might put other teams closer to the Wings in terms of difference.

Have you watched this season at all? Lilja has been better than everyone not named Lidstrom in his own zone.

Forwards signed: Datsyuk - Hank - Homer Cleary - Draper - Filppula Maltby - Helm Dmen signed: Lidstrom - Rafalski Stuart - Kronwall Ericsson - Lilja Lebda - Meech Goalies signed: Osgood Howard Total: 48.96M, after trading Lebda. Option I. Sign ONLY Franzen to 4M, whatever length -Cap = 52.96, 9 forwards -Sign Leino = + 975k -Hope that Hudler is willing to take a 1 year, ~2.2M deal -sign a 12th and 13th forward to 500k apiece -Total = 57.136M (2 goalies, 7 Dmen, 13 forwards) -And still not under the current cap -Lost = Primary: Hossa, Samuelsson Secondary: Lebda, Chelios, McCarty, Kopecky, Downey. Option II. -Signing Hossa and Franzen - lets say, to a combined, idealistic 10M - giving you 10 signed forwards. -Cap = 58.96M without two 4th line forwards and a 13th forward. -Sign 3 forwards @ 500k apiece = 60.46M (13 forwards, 7Dmen, 2 goalies) -Lost = Primary: Hudler, Leino, Samuelsson Secondary: Lebda, Chelios, McCarty, Kopecky, Downey. -And still not under the cap Option II Solution -Trade Filppula -Salary = 55.96, forwards = 9 -4 forwards x 500k apiece = 57.96 -Lost = Primary: Hudler, Filppula, Leino, Samuelsson Secondary: Lebda, Chelios, McCarty, Kopecky, Downey. -And still not under the cap Option III. Signing ONLY Hossa, ~ 6M, whatever length Total = 54.96 (2 goalies, 7 Dmen, 9 forwards) - Is a condition of Hossa re-signing that Kopecky is re-signed? Give Kopecky 750k. Total = 55.71, now with 10 forwards. - If Detroit signs Leino to a similar contract he had this year (975k), then that puts Detroit at 56.685. Now 11 forwards. - But Detroit still needs 2 more forwards, so 2 forwards at 500k = 57.685 - If Detroit wants to get closer to the cap in this scenario, then they DON'T re-sign Leino, but trade him. Thus 3 forwards x 500k - Total = 57.21 -Lost = Primary: Franzen, Hudler, Leino, Samuelsson Secondary: Lebda, Chelios, McCarty, Kopecky, Downey. - And Detroit still isn't under the cap. And keep in mind, anyone we trade in these scenarios is going to require prospects or picks in return - no salary.

Do you understand that our offense is the only reason we have the record we have this year? Depleting our offensive depth with fat contracts, especially when the cap is without a doubt going down, means no room to address goaltending OR defense, in the off-season OR the deadline.

Yeah, youre right. For some reason, I thought Franzen got the second assist.

Nope. According to every stats site I looked at - including NHL.com - he didnt get the point.

I just looked at the video of Filppula's goal on NHL.com, and Franzen didnt touch it. I can see where they would think he did, but he didnt. That puck goes straight from Datsyuk to Lidstrom, with Flip banging home the rebound. Pavs was robbed.

I was wondering that exact same thing. I dont have any fantasy hockey interests, but I DO want to see Datsyuk hit that 100 point mark. Did Franzen tip it or something?

I was somewhat devestated when he was traded to Philly. I was hoping that he'd still test the market. I was in Buenos Aires, Argentina looking up hockey news and I was pissed. I wanted him on the Wings, even after he had been a pain in the ass for so long.

Are you new to the Red Wings? When Zetterberg's 06-07 year was cut short, he spent THE ENTIRE season with Holmstom and Samuelsson. Everyone knows that. That line was crazy good, and it was the talk of the town because Zetterberg turned Homer and Sammy into legit 2nd liners. And yeah. When Zetterberg and Hank played together last year, Datsyuk had a career year too. Fancy that.

I guess you disagree with depth then. Because the whole point of my argument is that the gap is not big enough in terms of how they've performed this season (again, as Red Wings) to warrant a $2M difference in salary, which essentially means Franzen PLUS another player, and Hossa. Again, to spell it out for you, Franzen + depth > Hossa alone "all day long."

Zetterbergs most prolific season was cut short by an injury. When he was injured, he had something like 40 points in his last 24 games. Playing with who? Samuelsson and Holmstrom. So no. Zetterberg doesnt need Datsyuk. Zetterbergs having an off year by all accounts. Datsyuk is having the best of his career. Its unfair to use this season as some sort of all-time breaking point. We'll call this after next season, if it appears nothings changed.

Looking back over this season, given that its almost over, there has turned out to be a much smaller gap between Franzen and Hossa overall. Suddenly Frazen has 55 points in 63 games, where Hossa has 66 points in 68 games. Thats .87 PPG to .97 PPG. Not exactly the big advantage I was expecting Hossa to have. Now, what Im not saying is that Franzen is equal to Hossa, but Im not convinced that Hossa as a Red Wing is worth 6M, and 2M more than Franzen as a Red Wing. Notice how I said "as a Red Wing." This pertains specifically to how the Wings are built, and for whatever reason, Franzen seems a better fit than Hossa. And just to spell it out - because inevitably someone will have troubles comprehending this - yes, Hossa has the better release, is the better defensive forward, and the better passer. But Franzen has shown that he can improve in all of those areas and be a force in his own right. In particular, I've been impressed with Franzen's passing game lately. (I wonder if he had a personal goal of reaching 30 goals this season, and now that hes hit it, is willing to give the puck up a little more to his teammates).

Nah, it wasnt that ugly. The Wings played a pretty solid game all around, with the exception of their shot choice and the giveaways. But all areas were pretty solid.

Good thing the Oilers offense was putrid. Lidstrom - 4 Giveaways Kronwall - 3 Giveaways Rafalski - 2 Giveaways.

Haha. Whats Edmontons plan?

Cleary...you idiot.

Call your time out MacT!!!! Oh wait....

He wasn't set. Hossas quick release makes goalies look bad. Yay! Chance for an empty net! Give it Hank for his 30th!

Who needs 3 periods?

Hahahahahaha

Lets get the EN now.

So...should we keep em?