Hank

Datsyuk and Zetterberg will start the season as centres. You can guarentee it. The top 6 wingers will unfold out of training camp but my money is on Filpulla, Hudler, Homer, Cleary, Sammy and Grigs. Our lines might look something like this: Hudler-Zetts-Homer Filpulla-Dats-Grigs Cleary-Franzen-Sammy Ellis-Draper-Maltby

Oh absolutly. All SB's go against the Cap. And toby91_ca, you're right. I got the numbers wrong. The article I initally read had him listed as receiving $4M the last few years. I still think he can be a bargain at $6.4M 6 years from now if he continues playing like he does. GordieSid&Ted, I understand what you're saying. But thinking like Kevin Lowe I thought it was a good contract to offer someone like Vanek. He's only 23 and he scored over 40 goals. Yes, he did have Briere on his line most of the year, but I saw quite a few games and the man can create offense on his own. The argument could be made that Briere wouldn't have had 95 points without Vanek. Also, look at the Oilers draft history. Their scouts are brutal: 02 - 15 Edmonton Jesse Niinimaki C Ilves Tampere (FNL) 03 - 22 Edmonton Marc-Antoine Pouliot C Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL) 54 5 7 12 18 04 - 14 Edmonton Devan Dubnyk G Kamloops Blazers (WHL) 04 - 25 Edmonton Rob Schremp C London Knights (OHL) 1 0 0 0 0 05 - 25 Edmonton Andrew Cogliano C St. Michael's Buzzers (OPJHL) 5 players in 5 years and only 2 have played a game in the NHL. And that's not even including past draft busts like Jason Bonsignore. Obviously 1st rounders aren't very usefull to them. I don't personally believe anyone not named Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux deserves over $5M to play hockey. But that's the NHL nowadays.

Yes, he averages $6M a year. But they will have paid most of it upfront so by the end of the contract he's only a $4M player. Considering that the Sabres have raked in a butt-load of cash the last two seasons with their long playoff runs, paying $8M over 2 years in signing-bonus cash is nothing to them right now. If he's scoring 50+ goals 4 years from now, he'll be the bargain of the NHL.

Nope. Buffalo's actually getting a pretty good deal. He'll be on the fringe of his prime and only making $4M a year. Regher should send Lowe a thank-you card.

And it's official. The Sabres have matched the offer. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/Default.aspx

I think SB's still count under the Cap. The Oilers probably had some capital in the bank and figured to pay out a large sum now rather than later. I have a feeling the Sabres will match this offer. It's very close to what they offered Drury so I'm sure it's financially feasible for them. Although, they probably figured they could have signed him between $4-5M per year. Oops. I wouldn't. A guy like Vanek only comes around now and then. There have been WAY more first round busts or half-ass players than good ones. Remember guys like Rob Neidermayer, Chris Gratton, Alexandre Daigle, Jason Bonsignore, Hugh Jessiman, Manny Mahaltra, Pavel Brendl? All of them were top 10 picks. And all of them did not live up to expectations. Vanek is a 23 year old 40 goal scorer. I'd give up 5 1st rounders for him without batting an eye.

Not sure if anyone else caught this on Rogers Sportsnet but it's been reported that Prongers wife spoke with the Nylanders about life in Edmonton. It sounds like Mrs.Schlonger referred to it as "Siberia" and said their family wouldn't be happy living there. That's what caused Nylander to find another offer and eventually take $2.5M less to sign with the Caps. I know that some people might think of Edmonton as 'cold' and 'distant' but that couldn't be further from the truth. Sure, it gets cold there in the winters but it's absolutely beautiful country. If you're an LA socialite, then yes, you'll hate it. But I can't imagine anyone that would rather raise their kids in the murder capital of America over one of the most beautiful, quiet and quant cities in Canada. Lowe also expressed frustrations with how Edmonton is percieved and mentioned that they may hire a concierge for the families of new players to help the transition. He's also talking about tendering offers to RFA's. It sounds like he's getting pretty desperate. http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/article.jsp...705_130438_4996 P.S. For those wondering, Nylander and Pronger were teammates in Hartford in the mid 90's. It sounds like they became friends and still remain close.

Would you pick up Bondra for 1 year at $1-2M? He looked like he still had some gas in the tank.

It's basically an unwritten rule that you don't mess with other teams RFA's. Because if you do, you'll end up losing your own eventually. I really think that Bobby Clarke going after Ryan Kesler was one of the reasons why he quit. If any GM does that, by his own will, you can kiss any communications with other GM's goodbye. And it'll make your upcoming RFA's a massive target for teams you've tried to grab players from. So basically, if Holland were to do that, you can guarentee that someone's going to offer Zetterberg an outrageous offer and basically try to steal him away from the Wings or make his salary so impossible it'll screw our CAP for years to come. You can also say 'bye-bye' to a lot of the teams dealing with Holland when it comes to trades.

I don't see New Jersey trading him anytime soon. Sure, the wings could fill out an offersheet but that's a big no-no amongst NHL GM's. I heard one GM say that if anyone did that to him, he'd make it his mission to take every RFA that GM ever had the rest of his career.

Thanks for the link. I don't think Grigs missing this will be that terrible. The guy is either going to make the team or he's done as an NHL prospect. This is a great experience for kids like Emmerton, Mursak and Smith who are a handful of years away from the NHL. As 18 year olds they need to know how to train and eat right and how to prepare like a pro. If Grigs isn't ready by now, a 3 day camp isn't going to help him.

Iron Mike is a weird bird. He has a knack for liking non-Keenan type players and hating guys you think he'd be all for. For instance: When he went to St.Louis everyone figured he and Shanny would be a perfect pair and he'd hate Hull's easy going style. But it was Hull he loved and he eventually drove Shanny out. I predict he will hate Iginla and Phaneuf and canoodle with Tanguay. He'll then get Sutter fired, take the reigns as GM and trade Iginla, Kipersoff and Phaneuf for a 7th rounder, Wade Belak and Raycroft.

Just a joke.

Take it off! Take it off!

Thank you! His last season he recorded 60 points with 39 of them coming on the PP. He was getting less than .33 points per game even-strength. And this is with him playing on the 2nd line. Plus, he's lazy and he sucks.

The FOOD NETWORK?!?!?!??!?! What the hell???? Everyone knows that you can't ever find the Food Network! They should have signed with "The Antique Road Show"!!!!!

Maybe they could trick him with drugged Milk just like they did for B.A. Barracus on 'The A-Team'?

Yeah, I don't think he's played over 70 games in a while. But I think he still has some decent hands. At this point, I guess Kenny and the staff have to see if certain FA's are much of an improvement over what we have right now. I'd rather see guys like Hudler, Filpulla and Grigs get a chance on the top two lines before someone like Mike York.

Well stated. I've been a fan of O'Neills since he was with the Guelph Storm. And I think he was still a very good player until his brother died. That seems to have taken a big chunk out of his game. I do believe that he could contribute to this team given the right linemates and playing time. But I don't think the risk/reward ratio is leaning towards the 'reward' part too heavily. I hope he can bounce back with wherever he lands. Saying that, I don't think I'd be upset with any FA signing as long as their names aren't Lindros or Allison. Both are terribly useless in this stage of their career. Allison makes glaciers look like Pavel Bure.

Is this open to the public at all? Will it be at the Joe or in Traverse City? I hope Redwingscentral at least covers it.

Thanks. I hope they do a little bit of scrimmaging. I'm dying to hear how Grig's stands up against the other kids.

Me too. I'm dying for the Wings to develop a very good North American offensive player.

Good post. I'll admit that I was a major Holland basher last year. I thought we were really thin up front and didn't have the horses to play Babcocks type of game. But some of the kids got a chance and Kenny made some excellent trade deadline moves. He'll do the same this year. Without spending too much on a UFA it will give players like Hudler, Grigorenko and Filpulla to show what they can do. And then we'll have plenty left over in March to bring in a prospective UFA. But you won't see me ***** if we get Guerin. I think he'd be perfect here.

Unbelievable! What's up with all these long term deals? It's like noboby wants to sign for less than 4 years now.

That seems to be the common theme with a lot of them. From Axelsson, Ryno, Ritola to McGrath. I'm geeked about Mursak though. He plays big for his size and can really fly. I think he could be another Slava Kozlov type player.