Heaton

For calling it a clean hit?

They just said it was clean.

http://redwingscorner.blogspot.com/2008/09...ining-camp.html

I'll guarantee you the player who ends up taking his place when he leaves will be the same bane of peoples existence. The problem really isn't Samuelsson, it isn't even the way he's used on the ice it's what people expect from him is the problem. Sure he plays 14-16mins a game, sure he's on the point when he really doesn't generate much but the fact of the matter is he's one of the safest players (breaking Cleary's jaw aside) that you can put out there. He doesn't turn the puck over, he busts his ass on defense and he shoots a ton which is what every player should be doing. He's not a great player, he's not even a very good player he just is exactly the kind of player that this team and other teams need to fill spots for virtually no cap hit.

So we replace Samuelsson on the 3rd line with Hudler. Who replaces Hudler on the 2nd line?

Not only not on the team, he'd be on a different team.

If Hudler were going to be traded, he'd be gone.

The only team the Wings need to "worry" about is the Ducks and that's because of Giguere, nothing else. Every team in the playoffs has a chance to beat every other team but Giguere has our number.

Man, from what I saw if this kid would considering sticking around for the Griffins for just one season I could definitely see him making the team next year.

That's probably the most opposite of statement of how Downey played last year that you can get. If anything, compared to other enforcers and how McCarty played in the playoffs, Downey was too careful.

Eh, not so fast. While I think Holland and co. have a general idea of what they're going to do, if Lilja is noticeably better than some of the other guys trying to take his role I would expect Lilja to stay and other arrangements be made for the guys who aren't up to snuff.

No, Burke is just too egotistical to take a realistic offer.

He's GM of USA Hockey.

Per RDS and Sportsnet.

I think there's a lot of questions about that at this point. I certainty haven't given up hope but while the front office has come out and said that Jimmy will be with the team next year I'm curious to see how short the leash is.

Come on, let's use some common sense here. A text message breaks a monumental story of Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman coming out of retirement? No chance.

He's 23. This is his 3rd contract and he's giving up years and years of free agency. Staal would've gotten more than Hossa on the open market.

He kinda is thinking like Ken Holland. Eric Staal is the Hurricanes top player by far, he's the face of the franchise. The 'Canes have a decent salary structure and they need to have Eric Staal locked up to be competitive for the foreseeable future.

Sammy shoots how the majority of players should shoot, just not as accurate.

Kopecky was friends with Hossa's younger brother first so I'm assuming that's how they became friends.

SJ is going to re-sign him.

He is expected to be a top 6 forward (just like he was last year) he just won't be next season to start.

It was, but game 5 in against Pittsburgh was enough to give Filppula - Datsyuk - Holmstrom another shot at the beginning of the season.

Nah, going by Babcock's track record he'd have tried Filppula - Datsyuk - Holmstrom at least to start the season and then when/if it didn't work (again) he'd go back to old faithful. It's Babcock's mission to get them to center their own lines.

Pretty much spot on. Next year will be tight for sure mainly because Holland is greedy and will want to keep every (rightfully so). He'll want to bring Samuelsson back at a slight raise and of course the big ones. He'll make it work because Hank and 'Stein want to stay here, no one is leaving. Once Hank is re-signed by January and Franzen before or shortly after, all the fears will be washed away.