mackel

Howard is accustomed to playing tons of games even back to backs. Unless of course they are serious this season about resting him.

I just can't help but think he's being showcased, specifically to Edmonton.

Naw he's the best goalie they have healthy at the moment.

No my point is that Mrazek is 2-3 years further down the development road than Patterson. So a straight across comparison isn't that useful.

He's also 2-3 years further along in his development.

His trade value is very high, he's stuck behind Howie for quite a few years and we'll have jake Patterson coming up soon enough.

I was thinking along the lines of one of our experienced guys ie "leaders" like Bert, Sammy or Cleary so we could clear a roster spot. Add in a career AHLer to us.

I'm not so sure. They would be getting a potentially high end goaltender the same age as the rest of their core group. We'd be getting a potentially high end forward, with a higher ceiling than any of our own prospects.

Crazy thought... How would people feel about a Mrazek for Yakupov trade... Perhaps with some spare parts along for the ride but those two being the key players swapping sides?

I think the problem is with "fighters" not fighting. I have no problem at all with a guy like McCarty, Shannahan, Drake, Big E, etc having the odd tustle when the chips are down. I do have a problem with guys like Parros, Orr and the like who have no business being in the NHL. These guys are in the league exclusively to fight, any points they earn or plays they make are minor miracles. I like tough hockey players who can fight when called for, I don't think a player who can only fight at the NHL level has a place in the league.

Agreed. Kind of like the Wings did a few times with Osgood. Only our management had sense enough not to grossly over pay a 'good enough' type goalie.

I'm not sure skill sets has anything to do with it. With viable (cheaper) options available still in the UFA pool. Why trade and give up an asset, even a 7th rounder to help out another team? Not buying out Bertuzzi was a mistake IMHO.

Aren't we above after we sign our RFAs?

Here's a question for our cap/CBA experts. What happens if the Wings can't shed some salary before the season begins? Given the number of UFAs out there that are as good as what we want to cast off, and they would cost only their salary nothing back in trade. This might actually happen?

I think Crawford is a lock in goal... Also Bergeron will be a starter on this team.

My point was that you have no point. You're proposing a guy who missed a ton of time while injured would have out scored players that weren't hurt. The only place he did that was in your imagination. Fact is, Sammy is old and broken down, to the point where he could barely play this season... Let alone outplay anyone.

And their is no way you can legitimately say that he would have, because, well.... He didn't. Simple as that. You may think he would have but that doesn't mean he would have.

Hopefully we get Alfredsson and better yet I hope he convinces his countryman Nick Lidstrom to come back and join him.

Seeing the name "Sammy" on that roster almost makes me sick... What about Tatar? Isn't he out of minor league options?

As far as potential draft picks go, what about Max Domi? I'd like to see him in the wings system. Thoughts...

Hers a link to the TSN mock draft. http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=92324

I've seen a lot of Nestrasil in junior, when he played with the PEI Rocket. From what I saw I highly doubt he sees the NHL, and if so it'll be with a different team a few years from now. He's a lazy player who has skill, but has no work ethic at all. Unless that changes in a hurry he's a bust.

"The Kaiser". As in emperor. And if he's playing well. We could always say that "the kaiser" is on a roll...

If PK Subban is only making 2.875, why would Kindl and especially Smith command more than 1 or at MAX 1.25... I think Holland should take a page from Montreal's playbook here and hammer out a couple of good short term, reasonable money contracts for these 2. If a guy like Subban didn't get offer sheeted, then we should have absolutely no fears of that happening with Kindl and Smith.

If the blues fail to make the playoffs the 1st is deferred to 2014 and the Flames get a 4th this year.... So it's maybe not even a 1st in this years supposedly strong draft class...