Mighty Wings

He came back from his suspension and got 2 assists in the last game. His line looks like this 1-7-8 in 13 games.

So far 11 games played, 7 G 14 A. Just continues to get better and better. He's looking like a steal already in the 6th rd.

We also passed up on radek smolenak (TB 73 overall, LW 6'3 204) who has good potential as a top 4 winger as well as scorer. HF's description of Smolenak after last season's performance:

He also grew by a slight margin; his official height and weight last yr was 6'1-195. Now he's 6'2-203

He's the starter now, since the supposed #1 goalie is struggling. Another good news for the wings is that nicklas backstrom (#5 pick this yr), the eventual linemate of ovechkin is also playing on that team. It should make larsson more confident and most importantly be able to win.

I think he means by dealing lang and datsyuk seperately. To answer the question, not top line talent, unless they get back someone in their contract yr.

It says on eliteprospects.com under rumored transactions, and we're one of the 2 teams he will probably sign with. The initial article is in slovakian. If possible anyone out there that can translate it?

Wow. So far so great. He was supposed to be the backup initially, but looks like he's getting a chance more often. Exactly what the wings were hoping for.

He's not gonna be 170 after 2-3 yrs. He'll be fine.

Yeah you're right, they have until 2008 to sign him. They won't rush him, even if he has his best year. Although, If the wings like what they see, they'll bring him over to Grand rapids next summer.

Yeah not surprising given his upside. Is he playing C or LW? I know he can play both positions, just wondering where he's getting the bulk of his mins?

some LW = filppula

I don't know what to say. He is the softest 6'6 player in the history of the game. He is anything but gritty and at times doesn't play hard. I'd even take gionta over the eric daze of 3-4 yrs ago.

You gotta get him if its just hudler and a 1st. I just hope its hudler not filppula, grigs, or howard. I agree with RB! in theory, but rather than wait until the trade deadline to overpay for a goalscorer anyway, you might as well get gionta now. He is gritty, doesn't mind mixing it up after the whistle and posseses plenty of speed, which we don't have too much of. Bottom line, he fills a need. Its not like the line he played on in NJ had big bodies either(Elias-Gomez-Gionta). Even if u are that concerned about big bodies, u can just line up homer on the left side of his line.

I hope the wings sign May. RWC scouting report said this regarding May: reliable and steady in his own zone .... smart positionally ... willing to play a physical game ... strong skater with good mobility and lateral movement ... makes good decisions ... poised with the puck ... intelligent passer ... hard worker ... He definitely lived upto those things in TC as he was probably the best/one of the best d-men on the team. I don't know if Stamler will make it. As of now, he is only a defensive d-man with a physical presence and nothing more. He has issues with mobility, and was clearly exposed in TC. He also has to improve his all-around game.

Yes he has good skating for someone his size. He isn't the type of player who initiates the hitting nor does he light people up. But when necessary, he's not afraid of paying the price in order to get a scoring chance. I'm sure systemfel can provide a better descripton of him I don't think kindl is going to be as good as people think he will. For a guy who's 6'3 he is disappointing physically. He doesn't clear the crease or use it to hit people. He's pretty much a "slightly better defensively" version of Patrice Brisebois (I hope that made sense). On the other hand, Jeff May (not even listed on the top 20) is someone under the radar everyone should watch out for. He's somewhat similar to quincey, without as much offensive upside. He was very good in the tournament and has good leadership skills. He's easily better than most of the d-men ranked between 11th and 20th.

I know another way. How about gettin kenny to go through a wendy's drive-thru, naked.

I'm actually confused about something. They want a defenseman back, yet they have mclaren, hannan, ehroff, carle, jorges as their top 5 and a couple more above average def. prospects. Whats wrong with that? Almost any team in the league would rather have such a defense-corps. But if they still want a defenseman, IMO we should attempt a 3-way deal, as the d-man would be provided from the 3rd team to SJ. Also by getting Marleau, It still leaves us with 3 centers, although for just 1 more yr.

Thats not bad. Calgary has tremendous depth on the blue line, so they can afford to give up hamrlik. I'm not sure from our perspective whether we should trade datsyuk to a conf. rival, and help their needs just because we want marleau. The bottom line is, the 3rd team has to benefit from the trade, otherwise they won't be in.

http://tsn.ca/columnists/darren_dreger.asp HE could be waived if the leafs sign carter. If this happens, any thoughts on O'neil? Has underacheived over the last few years and also battled injuries. However, he is in his prime and is a quality player when he's on top of his game.

In a Bruins weblog titled "A BlockBuster Trade In The Works" and this is what it said: to DET- Rick DiPietro G, Paul Mara D, Jason Blake LW/RW to NYI- Tuukka Rask G, Niklas Kronwall D, Boston 1st, Detroit 2nd to BOS- Henrik Zetterberg LW, Denis Grebeshkov D Detroit trades Zetterberg, Kronwall, 2nd for DiPietro, Mara, Blake New York trades DiPietro, Blake, Grebeshkov for Rask, Kronwall, BOS 1st, DET 2nd Boston trades Mara, Rask, 1st for Zetterberg, Grebeshkov Wow, I mean why couldn't we think of this before.

Are u kiddin me? Luongo is an unbelivable young goalie, but he is by no means a brodeur yet (unfair comparison). On top of that look at his long term deal and comapre it to zetterberg's $2.65 mil/3 yrs which is an absolute steal. Value-wise he's unparalled with the exception of youngsters like ovechkin, crosby, phaneuf.

I think holland would've been run outta town, even for trading zetterberg for luongo straight up.

Ah, the almighty Eklund.

I can do better, how about Datsyuk (and 3rd rd pick, if nec.) for ryder and komisarek?