RedWingAbner

Gcom, I'm not familiar with you, but you seem like a very intelligent person. Be very careful with your words, because Z and D for C will find a way to take something out of context, argue that you made that point, and then think that an argument has been won. He'll call you stupid too, but that's just cute, I think.

It might seem easy to someone not on the same plane. I liked Kesler, still do, but that doesn't mean that I overvalue him (as you do with Flip). It also doesn't guarantee that every single player I like will follow the same career path, so your argument is dumb. By saying "Well, Kesler put up this point total and now he puts up this point total, blah blah blah, so you obviously are dumb blah blah blah" is just white noise. Kesler makes $1.75 M and I liked the fact that he was gritty, I never mentioned that I liked that he put up numbers that seemed in relation to his cap hit. Summary, just for you: Just because there is league precedent for a guy to have a vast improvement, it doesn't mean Filppula is anything more than a 3rd liner. Also, my sarcasm regarding the HHOF is plain to see. You look stupid by continously arguing with me without making a solid point. I keep telling you that he's a fine 3rd liner and it pisses you off so much you have to call me names and get pissy.

No need to be snotty; if not for me and my obvious anti-Filppula bias, how else would he know (perhaps somehow....hope against hope and all that) that you are soulmates?

Well, if gcom will admit it, then..... So.....we have to wait through another season (his 5th) for the potential of him playing a full season for my 40 point observation to be true? Oh no....wait.....he's never topped it in 3. But if he had a career ending injury right now, I'm sure the HHOF would put him in based on potential and his ppg. I like the guy, but he is what he is. He's a 3rd liner. You think more of him than I do, that's fine. I have guys like that as well (Maxim Lapierre, Ryan Kesler). No biggy.

Ru-dy. Ru-dy. Ru-dy! If you'll let me, I'd like to make another movie reference. It's a bit more than a chant, though. "Coach McGinty, what will it take for your team to come back in the 2nd half?" "Heart." And then, Shane "Footsteps" Filppula....err...Falco took the field. In all seriousness, heart is nice, but if you don't care if one of your "top" forwards never reaches a certain level of scoring, you should be a fan of a beer league team. Although with Filppula.....all bets are off, as he and his followers live in Bizarro world. Maybe Bizarro Filppula would be worth his pay but people would hate him? Sorry, I'm a bit punchy. Enjoy your evening.

Even when he was playing well, he was overpaid. That contract term is one of the reasons this team is where it is. There's a reason that Mathieu Schneider only got 2 years when he signed with Anaheim....why did we respond by handing out 5 a forward who plays defense full time?

I appreciate Val. He scored a really nice goal two years ago, and at different points in time, he's received praise from Mike Babcock AND Teemu Selanne. Plus, point streak! Can you believe what an offensive dynamo he is? I mean, 21 points in 32 games? I am amazed that he can combine this with his amazing defense (a respectable -7 this year, thank you very much!) and still manage to bring home ONLY, ONLY $3 M. /sarcasm. Nice guy, decent 3rd liner, and fan favorite perhaps bordering on bicuriosity for some.

I can't tell...perhaps because I am livid....are you agreeing or disagreeing that you would want Getzlaf over Datsyuk? Or, are you saying Anaheim would jump on that because Datsyuk's better?

Really? Ken Holland built this empire? Scotty Bowman assembled the pieces and left behind a Cup-winner that Holland had in 1998. In 2002, he spent what, an additional $20 million to bring in Hasek, Hull, and Robitaille? And in 2008, most of our top contributors were Hakan Andersson finds with late picks. The "empire" you speak of is Rome--Holland is just the current caesar, not the architect.

Really? We aren't Atlanta. We can trade a star for a star. Prior to the cap era, that happened quite a bit. And really-- I hate to admit it-- but is there anyone here who wouldn't take Getzlaf over Datsyuk right now? At the very least, it's intriuging.

Oh, ok then. Yelling at Ken Holland is stupid, but not trying to right the ship because of "too much adversity" and our core players not caring=makes sense. If your core players aren't playing hard, f**k up their lives by sending their ass out of town. The ones that stick around realize that it could happen to them and start playing well. Trade 1 core player and see what happens. I guarantee they start playing better, so long as the deal is BEFORE the deadline and they realize it can happen again and playing on the Red Wings doesn't mean that you will stick around forever "because its an awesome organization" regardless of your play.

Exactly. Even when healthy, this team looks shaky.

Um, maybe it's time to realize that we have a brittle team and thus move out some of our fabrige' eggs?

God forbid Ken Holland get off his ass and do something to make this team better. "Stay the course," and "We won't be active" should punch his ticket out of town. And before you flame me because he's the "best GM in hockey," I say he's the luckiest. The Wings consistently have low picks turn out to be gems----from Europe. That's Hakan Andersson's job, not Ken Holland. I am so sick of his lazy attitude, and yeah I'm venting, but come on. This team is barely a playoff contender. Why are we staying the course?

This conversation is so horrendous that a puppy just died. Granted, Ericsson may never be more than a 6th defenseman. Brett Lebda is the embodiment of terrible at his position. He's fast, but so is a runny nose. Brett Lebda is constantly out of position, thinks his offense is a real asset (it hurts us because of his dumbass moves), has no physical game, and (yes, this is a knock on Ericsson as well) is a turnover machine. There is a reason that everyone but you and Brett Lebda's mom hates Brett Lebda. It's not because you are seeing something there that we're not. It's because he's awful, but his cap hit is low, so he sticks around. I am sure that you will rebut this argument, and I am not ignoring you when I don't reply. It's just that I am so sorry for you, assuming that you must've had a head injury or are suffering from dementia, and I don't want to take away from your family's visitation time. All kidding aside.....Brett Lebda SUCKS.

Out in round 1. Hossa is the eternal playoff curse-- look it up. The Portland Winterhawks only won their championship (the only one he's been a part of) when he was injured during the deciding game and couldn't finish-- thus, the team avoided the curse.

While I agree that it may take more to cut some salary to take him on, Holland has done magic before. I just hope he remembers how to do it.

My proposal: To ATL: Filppula ($3M), Williams ($1.5M), Leino ($800K), Ericsson ($900k) To DET: Kovalchuk ($6.4M) Edit: Waived--Brad May, Brett Lebda or Derek Meech. Alot to give up. Alot. But......with Lilja coming back, you are replacing Ericsson, who is a UFA after next season, anyway. Williams is fodder.....but as a UFA, he just fills a role for ATL this year. Atlanta gets some young talent in Filppula and Leino. The Wings clear some cap space (it HAS to be done before next season) and instantly become a major factor in the West again. You certainly sacrifice some defensive depth, but man, the forwards would be amazing. Lines: Kovalchuk-Datsyuk-Bertuzzi Franzen-Zetterberg-Cleary Holmstrom-Abdelkader-Miller Draper-Helm-Eaves Lidstrom-Rafalski Stuart-Kronwall Lilja-Meech/Lebda Howard Osgood

Really? A guy whose career high is 40 points making $1.5 million........if anything, he's underpaid by about $1.5 million. (Sarcasm) That one goes out to all you Filppula lovers; I'm just kidding, btw.

USA vs. Russia to see who gets into the gold-medal game; USA wins 4-3 to advance to play Finland. Actually.... G: Canada S: Russia B: USA 4th: Sweden

This is not a "I hate Filppula because he missed an empty net" thread. My question is-- has Filppula maxed out his potential? As a tweener 2nd-3rd liner, I think he is effective. However, at $3 mill, I think we are paying him like a 2nd liner and maybe it is time to explore moving him. I know Filppula is favorite to some on the boards; It is often said in trades you have to give something to get something. At this point, I think that it would be wise to explore the idea of moving him and seeing what his trade value would be. Honestly, the way defenseman are at a premium, I'd be intrigued by a Filppula for Jack Johnson deal--though I doubt it would happen because of the West/West teams involved and the standings as of now. Flame on.

I wish I could get paid on potential. I think we all do. I'm not going to rehash any arguments here, but the thing that I am really wanting to see is 2 1/2 years from now when this contract is up.......we'll see then if it was worth it. (I know that some of you feel this way now).

Maybe I'm mistaken, but I don't see Brian Burke doing anything close to "friendly" with Detroit. He may deal with them, but only if they overpay immensely. Too much bad blood w/Anaheim and Vancouver.

Yep. So we have 3 full seasons to go on. Thus far. You can't have it both ways. You can't say that I don't have the numbers to back up what I say, then disclude the fact that I am using his track record. Anyways, this is pretty much wrapped up in terms of interest level. Nice talking to you (really....not being sarcastic).

As I said, you are right on that point.