egroen

That's 40 points 3rd to last place in goals scored, Anaheim, is not replacing. Even Weight had 10 goals last year, and Selanne may not be back. How is Anaheim even making the playoffs? 40 points in 68 games is still a top 6 forward for Detroit last year... just not worth anywhere close to $4 million.

Thanks. I love it they have to pay for Burke's mistakes. Despite Bertuzzi not being worth $4 million, he still produced. Anaheim better hope Selanne comes back quick, if at all, or they are going to be hurting even more for scoring than they did last year.

$1.95 million - not bad for Bertuzzi. Calgary owes nothing of his Anaheim salary as he was bought out... though the Ducks will still have to account for 2/3 of it in their cap for this year.

Boyle is "pissed" at TB and ripping apart their management in a lot of interviews. So glad that sort of thing does not happen with Detroit -- really just from being able to avoid signing bloated contracts.

Could you imagine if he was making $6-7 million a year as a Red Wing all these years? Letting Fedorov walk turned out to be a great thing... I highly doubt his play would have been that much better as a Red Wing. He might have gotten bought out after the lockout, in fact. There is no way Fedorov goes back to Russia... no way.

I do agree he should take league minimum... or very close to it. Every single dollar is going to be important this season.

Helm is still waiver exempt so barring an incredible training camp, he may still find himself in GR a lot... but with frequent call-ups while Kopecky is still out and definitely for the playoffs. Red Wings are sure to keep him around... our grinders are getting up in age and he and Abdelkader are great options there.

Getting right down to it, if the Wings lose in the playoffs, I bet there is a good chance the victor has a nice shot at grabbing Hossa the next year Wings fans will be pissed, but even that is worse than what Pittsburgh experienced... he was traded to Pitts and was only there 4 months. A lot of us also realize and accept that Hossa may only be a one year thing. He kept Pittsburgh as an option, did not lie, but did not play his cards early and say: "I really want to go to Detroit, but if that does not work, I'd still play for the Penguins." Come on, no one is going to say that! Fedorov is booed and Shanahan is not because we still actually wanted Fedorov.

I have to see more than a few bad line changes to think it's time for him to call it quits. Last year was the first year he was ever a liability on the ice... that could mean it will be a quick downhill, but I am more than willing to see him again. He has good outlet passes, is strong in the corners, good in front of the net, is one of the leaders, plays well positionally and has a mean edge to him... all that still trumps his lack in speed.

If it does go to arbitration, it will favor Holland as Flip's numbers are pretty low. $1.6 million would be my best guess. But I do doubt it ends up going to arbitration.

According to that research paper: .... so his numbers show that Lidstrom, with 70 pts and a run away Norris win was "not far above his fair price"? Crap, we've been overpaying Lidstrom! As for Osgood, I would say he is easily the best value in the league for goalies. His salary is a complete steal.

It's a salary dump... and they are not done. They will probably be looking to trade Chechoo... possibly Michalek.

You never bothered to reply to my post averaging the East vs. the West spending on defense. It was about a 20% difference. I think you are in the minority in denying the West values defense more than the East. I have a feeling that has become even more skewed since then. You still think there is no significance to that whatsoever?

There is no East/West mentality, but more and more defencemen are moving to the West for forwards and the West spends significantly more on defence than the East.

I ranted a bit about saving such an unbelievably high amount until the trade deadline as we did last year. Holland made the right call without over paying for anyone... but it's not like Ovechkin was going to be available for all the cap space we were saving. I had preferred to see most of that cap space filled at the beginning of the year on free agents that we have for the full year and do not have to trade away prospects and picks for. Well, I got even more than I wished for so I am more than happy to be bored at the trade deadline

Almost eerie.... do they all really need to have the obvious spelled out for them? Why did he think Detroit had a better chance? Really? Are you kidding me? Is this not the same Detroit team that just beat Pittsburgh? With Hossa on it? And hasn't said Pittsburgh team already lost a few of its impact players? I feel like we're so close to the answer!

Beats the hell out of the $2.5 million Pittsburgh was paying him.

The great thing I take away from Holland's radio interview yesterday was the situation with Lidstrom's contract. I think we can pretty much assume Zetterberg will not be making more than $7.45 million... I've certainly been wrong before, but I have a tough time seeing Zetterberg demand more than the captain.

These are just too funny... thought I would share some:

Ericsson will be playing the greater majority in GR - non factor. Quincey will probably be lost to waivers. Or he will have to finaggle a quick trade of Meech, Lebda or Lilja. One or both of Downey/Mac will be signed to league minimum and two-way contracts... small impact to cap. Filppula can still be signed to $2 million very easily... up to $3 million with some creativity.

Heh... Burke is still fuming over Lowe and blaming him for single-handidly creating this market: http://www.latimes.com/sports/printedition...0,1767418.story

Here's a link that has a lot of Toronto's reasons for the deal put together: http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=16043

Almost $4 million a year -- wow. Dallas fans are pissed!

I am literally blown away. In a cap world, this is far more impressive than '01. And you thought the rest of the league hated the Red Wings already?

The consequences are nil... this is just... perfect.