egroen

Definitely Buff without the logo.

Every man has his price

Amazing how much slower the game is with this ice.

How long was he waiting to sneak that in? Jackass.

He was great. Especially considering he just came back from a broken leg.

Heh, I actually like Doc. I'm kinda (not completely) shocked at how many can't stand Daniels and Redmond (fans of other teams).

Yup - I don't mind it at all. The ASG is boring and the voting is ridiculous. Hopefully this will cause them to make some major changes to the game as well as the voting, and if not I am just fine with the Wings staying home.

Last I have read, there is a decent chance the cap goes up 2% for next year -- that would be a big help. The year after is when it could stay the same or actually decrease, but Lidstrom's contract ending will possibly give a lot of flexibility at that time. I would be suprised to see Lidstrom demand over $7 million after next year.

By your own admission, Filppula could be considered the 5th best defensive forward on this team, 6th if you count Draper. Yet he currently makes more than all but Datsyuk. All the players you mentioned are 30 or younger and are better offensively than Filppula as well. As an offensive forward where do you rank him? Behind Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Franzen, Hudler, Cleary, Samuelsson - yet he is currently paid more than all but Datsyuk. Yes, he is redundant. And he makes too much money right now for a team that wants to win the Cup each year and not sit back and wait on potential. Filppula's contract may be a great deal in 4-5 years, but I do not want to lose someone proven like Franzen or even Hudler to sit around and hope for it. That is what is comes down to - keeping young and already better players in the system over potential. If Flip remains on the team, you will lose Hudler and you very well may lose Franzen as well. That makes my choice easy. I would rather pay Helm, Leino, Abdelkader under a million to wait and hope on potential over paying Filppula $3 million to do essentially the same thing.

I will be able to live if Filppula turns into a first/second line two-way forward putting up 50-60 points a season -- on another team, as long as we get get a good return for him. That is his potential, and Zetterberg & Datsyuk are already better centers (and not that much older); Hudler is outperforming him offensively by a lot, as well as Franzen - and both can play center. Even Cleary is outperforming him and can play center. Filppula is just in the unfortunate situation of being a redundant player on the Red Wings team. We have plenty of players more effective than him defensively, both younger & older and plenty of players more effective than him offensively both younger & older.... plus players in the minors who may have just as much, if not more potential than him. It is a good signing if he is traded, because I believe Holland could get a great package for him.

I would like to keep Zetterberg, Franzen and Hudler -- and I think the only way it can be accomplished (and give any cap flexibility) is by trading Filppula. It has less to do with his ability or future ability than with the current state of the Wings against the cap.

Holland could have signed him to a shorter term contract for a hell of a lot less with a wait and see approach, and arbitration would not have worked out kindly for Filppula, who was holding out. As it is, his contract is a good one... but with the glut of talent on the Wings team, it may serve them better to get a nice return on it from a trade.

I agree. I also think you look at getting a nice return for Filppula for some added flexibility.

Q can get the Hawks to the playoffs... and then have his ass handed to him by the Red Wings. I love tradition.

Maybe Hossa and Lidstrom will sit out for half the year?

I laughed out loud at the clip and then harder at your comment.

If Hossa will sign for under $5 million he's a keeper!

Lesson learned against Chicago: Hit Kane!

March 26, 1997 -- The Brawl December 2, 1995 -- Red Wings beat Patrick Roy and the Canadiens 11-1 (forever changing the face of the NHL) December 26, 1996 -- Fedorov scores all 5 goals against Washington, including the OT winner June 7, 1997 -- Wings win the Cup for the first time in 42 years after sweeping Lindros and the "Legion of Doom" The 2002 series against Colorado was intense and full of great moments.

Incidently, the Norris family created the Norris Trophy after James Norris' death largely because of Red Kelly's play. It was fitting he won it the first year it was ever presented. He received a lot of recognition back in the day, it's just been over the past couple decades he has been overlooked. I've emailed Ansar Khan (who has Kelly as his #7 Red Wing of all time - I also asked for an explanation of that) and asked him to bring it up some time if he gets a chance. I'd love to have him ask about Larry Aurie as well, but that would be cruel and possibly get him kicked off the beat, for whatever strange reason.

From your original comment I thought you were saying Kelly's jersey deserves to be retired just as soon as Fedorov's does IE. NEVER -- I forgot you were also in favor of Fedorov's jersey being retired (I take a lot of crap for that). Lindsay was not just one of the best LWers ever (admittedly the weakest position throughout the NHL's history), but one of the best forwards ever. He has an Art Ross and has been top ten in the league in points 8 times; also lead the league in goals once with ten years in the top 10 for goals. I think he is still the only forward ever to lead the league in points, goals, assists and PIM (though not all in one season, of course). Fedorov's prime was just too short to contend with that, and though Fedorov is clearly better defensively, both were playoff monsters. Ultimately, I would like to see the following guys have their jerseys retired: Early Cup Years Larry Aurie (officially retired in '38, unretired by Illitch) Syd Howe Ebbie Goodfellow Dynasty Years Add Kelly Modern Years Add Lidstrom and Fedorov to Yzerman's jersey. That's 3 each from the early and modern years -- which seems appropriate and not excessive.

A while There are three pretty distinct eras of Red Wings' success, and it would be nice to see that history honored in the rafters. None of the players from the first two Cups are up there (despite Aurie's jersey having been officially retired decades ago), and I think they should get some representation like the latest Cup teams will with Yzerman and Lidstrom.

Kelly, Sawchuk and Lindsay are about on par; amongst the best all-time at their positions. I have Fedorov, Delvecchio and Abel at a level right below. Ilitch retired Delvecchio and Lindsay in 91, Sawchuk in 94 and Abel in 95. Red Kelly is still alive, and has been admitted to the Hall of Fame as well as had his jersey "honored"by the Maple Leafs - could this be the reason Illitch never retired his number? Simply because it was honored elsewhere?

I know I have advocated Fedorov as deserving of the honor, but Kelly is more on par with Lidstrom than he is with Fedorov.

I'm seing nothing but a legal hit on that last one... What am I missing?