Dabura

No, I wasn't aware. Please educumuhcate me.

And anyone who says Burke isn't a good GM honestly needs to cool off. Every GM is going to screw up and lie. Not every GM is going to win the Cup.

Someone axe this clown already.

That's where my mind went first. But I have a feeling he'll get one more crack at it in SJ.

The thing with Hossa is, there's no uncertainty as to whether he's "the real deal" or not -- he absolutely, unequivocally is. This is the same guy who netted a hat trick against the Wings this past season playing for a woefully outmatched Thrashers team (who went on to cream the Wings in that game, if memory serves), and then went out and almost singlehandedly pushed the Wings to seven games in the SCF. If Ken "Caution" Holland can sign him to a solid contract, then there's no "risk"; he's not going to pull a disappearing act, and even if he does come up short on the scoring side of things (which he won't. Not with a supporting cast like the one the Wings can give him), he'd still be a better defensive forward than Mule or Flip is at this point in their respective careers. I don't know what data this "playoff flop" argument is based on. Like YoungGuns said, Hossa: 61 playoff points / 75 playoff games = .81 PPG Datsyuk: 54 playoff points / 82 playoff games = .66 PPG And, as eva explained, this past postseason was his first spent on the first line. It's no coincidence that this was his "breakout" postseason performance. Similarly, as eva also pointed out, this past regular season was the first in which he scored fewer than 30 goals (29 to be exact) since the '99-'00 regular season. That's the very definition of consistency. But a lot of this is sort of moot, as Holland might not even have to choose between signing Hossa and retaining a core player like Franzen. Hossa at about $8 million + retention of our present core is possible. Not likely, but not impossible. And again, if there's even a slim chance this can be pulled off, Holland will make a phone call. And for good reason; adding Hossa to our top-6 (sans Sammy) would give us one of the sickest one-two punches in NHL history.

Firstly, the fact that he turned down the Pens' offer doesn't necessarily mean he won't take a paycut to play elsewhere. If anything, the fact that he turned down that sizable offer suggests he could be looking for more than just a good financial situation -- i.e., playing for an even more competitive team, such as the Wings. Secondly, the fact that he turned down an offer from a Cup contender after stating he wants to play for a contender doesn't mean he's being hypocritical, contrary to what you seem to be implying. Maybe he just doesn't want to play for the Pens. Are they the only Cup contender around? Apparently not. Thirdly, as NN said, there are players on the Wings' roster right now that aren't truly needed. The "need" argument is a soft one; if you're Ken Holland and you learn there's a chance you could have Hossa and possibly still have room to retain your core players, you make a call. Doesn't mean you necessarily have a great shot at snagging him (like I said, it would take a miracle), but it's worth inquiring, especially if you hear whispers about, say, the Stars and Sharks pitching substantial offers. Fourthly, to the guy who said he'd take Franzen over Hossa: wtf.

Not that I don't think Malkin will re-sign, but talk is pretty cheap these days.

Yeah, I realized I left him out right after I hit "Add Reply." Homer's definitely on the secondary side. So that gives us five secondary scorers, maybe six if Franzen falls off the wagon, maybe even seven if Franzen falls off the wagon and Leino impresses. So, yeah -- Wings want an elite scorer or no scorer at all. But, all things considered, only an act of divine intervention will land Hossa with the Wings this season.

As it stands, we have three goal-scorers in Hank, Datsyuk and Franzen, and four secondary scorers in Cleary, Flip, Sammy and Hudler (possibly five if Leino is a revelation at training camp). To be brutally honest, though, Hank is our only tried and true, bona fide goal-scorer; Datsyuk is still a playmaker first and a scorer second, and Mule isn't a sure-thing yet. All of this is to say, I agree with YoungGuns -- if Holland's going to out and get a scoring forward, he might as well go for the cream of the crop.

No, they're not. He's a big, fast, clutch, defensively responsible goal-scorer who has the potential to be pretty much unstoppable if given the right supporting cast. The playoff flop argument is silly, unless you want to include Pavel Datsyuk in the discussion.

Also, about Nolan -- the guy's had about 8,000 chances to come here over the last five seasons. That he hasn't means he doesn't want to come here and/or Holland doesn't want him. For what it's worth, I've heard he's an ******* from several people who would know.

I'm sure management's keeping tabs on a few players. Overall, though, I can't see Holland going after anyone remotely interesting this summer -- unless it's a defenseman meant to replace Stuart. With the emergence of Franzen, our secondary scoring is set -- at least in Kenny's mind. We're probably going to lose Drake, but his spot will likely be given to Kopecky in that case. Helm may even make the lineup out of training camp. Point being, there won't be a perceived need for a guy like Nolan (again, at least in Kenny's mind). On the blue line, I think we either pick up a solid #3/#4 guy or no one at all. Certainly not a rugged journeyman-type depth guy. And that's not even considering the various re-signing efforts Kenny needs to manage. I don't mean to be a downer, but realistically, Leino is probably going to be the Wings' "big" offseason pickup -- and he probably won't even make the team....

Same. But I have no problem with being wrong in this case.

Things have certainly become a little more interesting in Penguin Land over the last few days, eh? I imagine Shero was planning on losing Hossa or Malkin. But with Hossa testing the FA waters and with Russia knocking at Malkin's door, the extremely remote possibility of losing them both has to look at least a little less remote. Then you can compound that with the Habs' wheeling and dealing, which could ultimately involve Hossa....

I doubt we're intently "looking" at anyone in this pool.

I would.

In the East, it's probably either the Pens or the Habs. Maybe Boston. If he goes out west, probably SJ, maybe Dallas. My guts says the Habs.

Wow. Good news!

Cujo won't be back. Next thread.

I was thinking the same thing. Hossa on the Sharks is an absolutely nightmarish thought.

Oh, I had thought Pronger gave it back when Niedermayer returned. Show's how closely I've been following this soap opera.

If Niedermayer ends up returning, he should forfeit the "C."

Oh, I believe it. Why? Just look at those names you listed. The Pants are experts in self-mutilation.

McCollum?! That guy owes me money!

Abdelkader's not ready.