Dabura

Rafalski's an elite player and a proven champion. He's doing everything he was brought in to do -- namely, provide a veteran, o-minded presence on the blue line and help the PP. I'll admit that he's made his fair share of bad plays this season, but I'm sure he's still adjusting to the system. At the very least, he's unequivocally better than Schneider.

Wrong, false, incorrect, etc.

I've gotta think the prospect of PP time with Hank, Dats, Lids and Raffi is a selling point in and of itself. Let's not forget: the guy's got more than a few things to prove to the world and to himself, what with all of the talk about him being an "underachiever," and a "defensive liability," and "Kovalchuk Jr.," and a "disappearing act" and what have you. I'm sure he'd love nothing more than to step right into a roster that would afford him the room (read: defensive support and setup men) he needs to blossom into an absolute Monster with a capital M in the o-zone. Give him a playmaker (Dats/Flip), a hard-nosed grinder-type (Homer/Cleary), and Nicklas "Jesus" Lidstrom behind him and you've got yourself a recipe for domination. Or hell, if Babs is feeling tired, he could just stick him on a lights-out line with Hank and Dats and take a nap every time they're on the ice (because, honestly, no shutdown line would be able to contain that s***. Not even Chrissy P. and co.) But listen to me...waxing vaguely optimistic....I'm/we're likely only setting myself/ourselves up for heartbreak.

Because, like I said, he's good in all three zones. Watch him play; it's the truth. It's kind of a moot point, though, because you typically don't bring in a sniper for his defensive abilities.

I try.

IMHO, the worst thing this team could do with these losses is be complacent. These losses shouldn't be swept under the rug and forgotten about -- quite the opposite.

Luck has nothing to do with it.

Seriously. In terms of raw offensive prowess and sheer goal-scoring talent, he could give Dats and Hank a run for their respective checkbooks. And his +/- is, I think, a bit deceiving; he's actually very good in all three zones.

I agree with all of that (EDIT: Re: Matt), and all of that leads me to believe that -- as much as I'd love to see Hossa sporting the Winged Wheel come the playoffs -- this is a crazy-ass pipe dream. We all know how Holland deals with long-term contractual considerations: he shuts out the background noise (i.e. potential acquisitions) and devotes all of his attention to re-signing. Which is fine; that's good general management. But it means, as I think we're all probably aware, that he won't look to bring in any heavy-hitters (let alone ones looking for big, fat long-term deals) until Hank is locked up. And this is saying nothing of the other costs, i.e. the folks we'd have to part with. A 1st rounder...sure, I could see that. Hudler...well, I'd have no problem cutting him loose, but I can't help but think he's more or less "safe." A prospect...now the odds start to look steep. I honestly think we're more likely to net Sundin than we are Hossa. Which would be fine. But I can pray. Right? mehhhh

Talk about having the wrong attitude....

Like Matt said, Hossa would be stoopidly amazing on this team -- but they'll have to give up a lot and lock him up long-term, and I have no reason to think management is willing to do either of those things. "If it ain't broke dur dur dur lawlzz!1"

Wings, meet Hossa/legitimate goal-scorer. Hossa/legitimate goal-scorer, Wings.

ftw

playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs playoffs I half-agree with Nick, though. Draper I'd like to keep. Maltby? Wouldn't mind cutting him loose at this point.

Hudler. I like Franzen's garbage style; he's well-equipped for the postseason.

Foote would be sick.

I won't say I'm happy the Wings lost, but wakeup calls like this are what the team (and organization at large) needs more than anything else -- assuming they take them as wakeup calls, that is. I've said it once and I'll probably say it a thousand times more: regular season dominance means jack. For the past 10+ years the Wings have shown a knack for failure on the big-stage when the stakes are high and wins and losses actually mean something. Unless changes are made to this roster, we're in for another postseason heartbreak, guaranteed. Holland had better have a top-4 blueliner and/or a top-6 goal-scoring winger lined up come deadline month.

OK...but you're basically just stating a truism -- rentals are risks. Personally, I'm surprised how many people here seem to be anti-rentals, especially with arguments like "We're doing fine" (the Wings always do fine in the regular season) and "Forsberg would be better" (seriously? The guy can barely play anymore, let alone be an elite force like Sundin). I know we're all supposed to hate the Leafs and everything they stand for, but I don't think a lot of you appreciate how good this guy is, even in this late stage in his career.

Sundin at 37 is more valuable than Jiri Hudler will ever be. Bottom line, the Wings are in the business of pushing hard for the Cup every season, and adding Sundin would make an already tremendous team even more dangerous (assuming the deal is reasonable, of course). It's one of those deals you have to pull the trigger on if the price is right, imo. Problem, of course, is that the price likely won't be right. So: meh.

Two very different players with very different situations.

Probably Satan.

I'd rather have someone who costs a bit more and performs accordingly, especially if that guy is going to be given key minutes (i.e. second-line duty, PP time.)

I'd stick him on the second line, personally. ZDH + a line anchored by Sundin = Domination. Even the Ducks' D would be spread thin. And if somehow the opposition's shutdown lines get the job done, Babs can always swap players between the lines. Our top 6 is scary enough as it is. Throw in a big-time, big-bodied, ultra-clutch goal-scorer and there will be no stopping this team. But yeah, like everyone's saying: not happening. *sigh*

Sundin is as safe a rental option as there ever was; he doesn't take nights off, and if he were to come here, it would be because he wants one thing and one thing only: to win it all. And there's no doubt in my mind that he'd do just that. Seriously, imagine our top 6 with him in it. Sick.

Yup, and I can't see management giving up either of those guys. Certainly not our future #1 in net. Sundin would be an absolutely incredible addition and would all but guarantee a Cup. Personally, I'd give up a lot to land him, but I don't think Holland would.