Dabura

I was only commenting on your Hamrlik-Weber-by-way-of-eva comparison. Hamrlik is under-utilized in the sense that he has proven he can be a first-pairing guy. I'm not questioning his placement, I'm simply saying what he's doing right now isn't his bread and butter, at least historically. Weber, again, is a different story altogether.

You said Rolston at one year and, what was it, 2.5 is no more reasonable than Hossa at one year and 3. I understand what you're saying -- your point is that both are impossible scenarios, so any nitpicking is moot. But honestly, to even put Rolston on that level (no more reasonable than Hossa at 3 million? Actually, it's a lot more reasonable. Not that it'll happen) is ridiculous. Maybe it's just a matter of semantics, but either way, I think you're very much overrating Rolston's potential value to this club. Again, he wouldn't have most -- if any -- of the perks he's enjoyed elsewhere. The argument that he'd be far and away our best 2nd-line guy is based on circumstances that wouldn't be present in Motown. Think of it this way. Some family buys this fertilizer. The fertilizer needs lots and lots and lots of rainfall if it's going to work well. But hey, no problem -- this family lives in Seattle. So, of course, it works like a charm. So then this family from Las Vegas comes along and asks where they can get some of that stuff, to which the Seattle family says, "Um...you guys live in Vegas. This stuff needs lots and lots and lots of rainfall if it's going to be really effective, or at least worth the price they charge for it." That's kind of what's going on here.

I may be mistaken, but I think this is a lousy comparison given eva's point -- which seems to be that Hamrlik has been under-utilized in Montreal. Which I happen to agree with.

Does egroen typically ***** when Holland refuses to give up prospects and players at the deadline? Somehow I doubt it. You're crying about a truism: some people swing one way, others swing another way. Just saying.

In ESPN's defense, at least it's not Sports Illustrated. In Sports Illustrated's defense, at least they have that annual swimsuit issue.

The problem with Feds is, even if he were an absolutely perfect fit for the Wings right now, there's that awkwardness. I remember reading about how someone -- Holland or Babs, I believe -- asked some of the Wings who were around for the Fedorov era how they'd feel about having him back. If memory serves, the response wasn't exactly enthusiastic.

Again, we have a lot of depth. Yes, Drake may retire. No offense to Drake, but whatever. Give Kopecky his minutes. If Kopecky fails, try another scrub, preferably at league-minimum. "Problem" solved.

Why not just keep the best line hockey together and only disrupt it for a world-class player like Hossa or Sundin, not a second-liner who will put up "pretty good" numbers for half of his four-year contract before losing his greatest asset -- his speed -- to the ravages of time? Especially since Homer's production is heavily dependent on playing with both Zetterberg and Datsyuk. The guy would have to take a big hometown discount to be worth it. I'm interested to see if he's willing to do it, but it's extremely unlikely. I'm talking 2-5-3 for two years.

No.

I think he's here for the long haul, but it could be another season before he sees regular ice time in the NHL. I say get it. Why not. #52.

Holland shouldn't give Flip or Stuart more than 3. If someone wants to take either of those guys at something ridiculous like 4.5, more power to them.

Talk about a sinking ship.

I think it's worth it just to screw Burke in the ass. OK, maybe not. But you get my point.

If it's between those teams, and if he does truly want to play for a legitimate contender so badly that he's willing to take a reasonable paycut, I've gotta think the Wings are the sexiest candidate there. I've also gotta think, though, that the Habs, Sharks and Stars are interested as well.

That's absolutely laughable. I understand and respect your point that neither Hossa nor Rolston is going to sign a one-year deal at this point in their respective careers, but your value judgment is way off here -- and in this thread in general, it seems. To address the Hossa-Rolston comparison: the former could easily fetch 9 on the open market, whereas the latter will ultimately get something in the neighborhood of 4. And I'll tell you why: Hossa - A lights-out, world-class scoring forward with a strong defensive game, of which there are barely a dozen in the NHL. Rolston - A solid second-liner with a great defensive game. Yes, yes, I know -- Brian Rolston can walk on water and turn water into wine. He can't, however, maintain his recent production in Motown. This is a no-brainer. Rolston's production has been what it's been not just because he's a good player, but also because he has gotten a ton of ice time, played with the likes of Gaborik, and manned the point on the PP. Those are things he wouldn't get with the Wings, for reasons others have already explained. So, again, pass on Rolston.

Exactly: he's "pretty big." I would rather see Kenny save the 4 million or try putting it towards a bona fide elite scorer than sign another "pretty big" player who "won't score a ton, but will totally make up for it with ___." We have enough guys who won't score a ton but will totally make up for it with solid defensive play and leadership and what have you. The guy's also getting up there in age, so if he's looking for somewhere around four years, he'd probably peak at about halfway through his contract. At least with Sundin, you'd have him for two years at most.

I think between Franzen, Flip, Cleary, Sammy and Hudler, the need for a $3-4-million-dollar guy who's not an elite scorer just isn't there. Also, I understand he has a big following here and everything, but him taking 3-5 for one year isn't similar to Hossa taking 3 for one year. I'm not really sure how you're reaching that conclusion, or what relevance it has.

That's assuming money is his only concern. He said before he was shipped to Pittsburgh that he wanted to play for a perennial contender and would be willing to make less than what he conceivably could make elsewhere if it meant playing for such a team. So then he goes and gets traded to the "favored" Pens, who, of course, get their asses handed to them by an unequivocally superior Wings team. And then, in the offseason, he rejects the Pens' retention offer. I could certainly be wrong, but I think he's willing to take a paycut. Doesn't necessarily mean I think he'll take one from the Wings, but to say he's just going to go to the highest bidder is pretty baseless, imo. In all honesty, I think Hossa is more likely than Rolston. Rolston would give the Wings nothing they don't already have. That's pretty big money for a guy who's basically going to be redundant on this team.

If you want to continue that argument, bump the proper thread. As for Jay -- he'd make our top-4 absurdly absurd. Which is why we won't get him.

Rolston would be a depth guy for the Wings -- maybe a second-line energy guy at best. The Wings, however, have more than enough depth guys and secondary scorers. Why bring in more of what we already have for $3-4 million? Personally, I'd rather see that $3-4 million (Rolston will probably ultimately fetch 4) be put towards a big-name signing. NN said it best: go big or not at all.

I realize we're contractually obligated to hate him. Truth be told, he makes our job very easy (e.g., "He's gonna get it," fighting with a visor). However, I'd absolutely love to see him on the Wings.

This.

If Kenny is actually serious about signing a true enforcer (doubtful), Avery is out of the picture, as he's more a pest than a actual enforcer. You want an enforcer to do just that: enforce -- i.e., beat the stuffing out of people, scare them away from doing things, etc. Avery's more likely to annoy than intimidate. You also don't want your enforcer to have an inflated ego. As for the "I like Downey, but I'd prefer ___" argument -- again, that's all well and good, but you've also got to be willing to spend more money, then. Downey's not one of the premier enforcers in the league today, but he does what he's supposed to do, and at league minimum. If all the Wings need is someone who's going to look out for its youngsters, drop the gloves every now and then, and help boost the team's overall morale, then they might as well stick with Downey at 500 K.

Same time next year?