egroen

LOL!

He's only 25, has improved every single year with limited minutes and put up over 50 points last year. That is absolutely worth $3 million. Hopefully he is not worth $3 million *and* a 2nd round draft pick to another team.

On the open market, Hudler is easily worth $3m. Just not to this Red Wings team... and Flip is not worth it either.

No -- the 10% exceeding limit is only for the off-season. The maximum salary you can pay anyone is 20% of the cap in the year they are signed, as a side note... But if the cap was at $50m and you lose 4 players to LTIR for a total of $20m in cap numbers -- you may exceed the $50m cap by the full $20m, while those players are on LTIR. Article 50.10 of the CBA talks about LTIR and tha cap.

Yeah, that would sting. These numbers suck -- basically makes it easier to snag RFAs. That's all the league needs... more movement and higher salaries.

If there is any chance of Hossa signing at close to $4m, trade Flip for draft picks!

8 6 6 6 4 4 3 1 1 1 = $40m over 10 years $4m cap hit

The salary can decrease each year by 50% from the lesser amount of the first two years on the contract. 10 - 10 - 5 - 1 - 1 = Legal 10 - 10 - 4 - 2 - 2 = Illegal 10 - 8 - 4 - 1 - 1 = Legal 10 - 8 - 3 - 1 - 1 = Illegal

Go get Rajala!

Bye-bye Hossa!

All true -- only addition I can offer is that in 1) It's not actually whether they 'sign' after 35 but if the contract takes effect after the age of 35.

I think it is closer to -- If Hossa signs, either Kronwall or Filppula is gone. I really have not seen a roster with Flip and Hossa that fits under the current cap, without trading a NTC guy. Flip and Kronwall are really the only guys that relieve enough cap space.

I know both Zetterberg and Datsyuk gained inches, as well as a lot of pounds since being drafted. But they were virtually unknown, so could be taken much later in the draft. Rajala is definitely a known prospect, and I have a hard time seeing him last well into the second round. I wouldn't be surprised even if he went mid 1st round.

Neil didn't turn down that contract for a chance at more money - that's for sure. I'd be thrilled to see the Wings pick him up for $1m, but probably not gonna happen... There will be a lot more opportunity for signings like this in the next couple years as players like Maltby, Holmstrom and Draper retire.

I hope Rajala is avoided like the plague because of his size, and the Red Wings pick him up. The more I read about this kid, the more irresistible he gets... You can always sign free agents for size and grit - but rarely for skill like that.

I'm not sure if the Norris winner and runner-up were ever on the same team, like Lidstrom and Chelios in 2002. Cheios was also a beast in the 2007 playoffs and really stepped up when the team needed him with Schneider and Kronwall out. I'll always miss his candid interviews, as well.

I'm still rather surprised by this. He was still a valuable member of a Capitals team that was improving by leaps and bounds. Well, I guess he finally gets to be the star of his own team! .... could still be a negotiating tactic.

I kind of like having at least one player who can concentrate and excel on offense. This team is chock-full of responsible two-way players (and Hudler is not ba at all, just not up to what we are used to in Detroit) -- In fact, I'd be fine with him cherry-picking ala Brett Hull.

This gets brought up a lot for some reason -- Sure, if Mario never un-retired, he would have retired with a higher PPG than Gretzky (2.01 vs. Gretzky's 1.92). But Gretzky continued to play well into his 30s and with a bad back. If Gretzky had retired after 12 years (when Mario retired the first time), his PPG would have been 2.315 -- well higher than the 2.01 the first time Mario retired.

It would be sweet if he pays in GR -- if he does not feel like moving.

Man, I have screamed my head off at him so many times -- but I have to say I am going to miss that rat bastard. Brought a ton of value for the price he was willing to play for... This could also mean Hossa is a real responsibility - because without Hossa, Sammy would have a great shot of remaining.

Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Heatley Franzen - Helm - Hossa Downey - Draper - Maltby Leino - Abdelkader - Kopecky Lidstrom - Ericsson Rafalski - Lebda Meech - Kindl Kolosov Osgood Howard There -- No problem fitting Heatley in!

... at least he does not make the Cup sleep on the wet spot.

Like Crosby (whining, diving), Mario deserved a lot of the criticism he received early on in his career -- he coasted on talent, did not work hard or train hard consistently and smoked a hell of a lot of cigarettes. Mario has since admitted this numerous times. Like Crosby will, it took Lemieux a while to overcome that perception -- but he certainly more than redeemed himself to hockey fans every where. Gretzky was no angel either - he whined and complained plenty (so did Yzerman). Don't get me wrong - I am not defending Crosby as I sincerely do not like him - but other greats have had deserved criticism early in their careers.

You are not keeping Hossa and Filppula AND Hudler -- there is no possible way (unless you start trading guys with no-trade clauses - good luck with that). So, the only way we see Flip and Huds both on the team next year is if Hossa is gone -- which is not the end of the world. Hudler can handle centering the 2nd line -- here's why: 1) He is playing with two defensively responsible wingers -- Franzen and Hossa 2) He is playing with two big, fast, physical wingers who can make room for him 3) Short of Datsyuk, he is probably the best passer on the team -- ideal for Franzen and Hossa 4) He also has a wicked shot, will pot goals and rebounds from Mule and Hoss 5) Ever single time I have seen him play with Hossa, they score Filppula would do fine there as well -- but I think Hudler is a better fit (for those wingers) and would do better at it. If Flip is traded, you have Helm and Draper as the remaining centers. If Flip is here and Hossa is gone, you have a lot of flexibility to toy with lines.