NeverForgetMac25

Actually, I think he'd do great things for the game working directly for the NHL. He seems like a good fit and the type of mind that's needed to help sort-of adjust the sails slightly from where the NHL is heading.

Who said he was useless? What the majority of us are saying is that what he offers to the team versus what they could get elsewhere has finally met and its now looking more in their favor to let one of the log-jammed players in. BTW, if someone stated that the "Wings management has a bit more knowledge than the "experts" on this board" in every thread, what would be the point of having forums? They can (and do) have more knowledge than anyone here, but that doesn't mean we don't have the right to discuss what we all feel is the best route for the team to take.

Packer487: In regards to coming around these parts, I just don't visit the Water Cooler or the Other Sports section much anymore. TBH, I really come to this site for my love of hockey and the Wings, but with the Packers season starting back up and the conversations you, timothy1997 and I had in the 2007 thread, I'll make sure to post in here a little more often. Sidenote: I'm heading to Packers Family Night this Sunday at Lambeau Field and I'll let you know my impressions on Monday. Don't worry, I've still got 'em. The funny part is that when this whole come-out-of-retirement saga began I found myself on the Packers Management's side, but as its progressing even into this morning, I find myself more and more in Favre's corner and really disappointed in the Packers Management. To think, my taxes were being offered to keep the greatest QB ever to play the game to stay away from the team he brought a championship to even after he proved last season that he's still got it. What a joke. BTW, yes I still have your Newspapers. Let me know when/if you make it up to GB and we'll grab a beer and talk football.

8 Wins. I just don't think they're there yet. A more balanced attack from the start of the season will help Detroit, but not enough to overtake GB or MIN. They'll finish 3rd at best in the division, IMHO.

As recent as the 06/07 season I'll give you, but last year his age finally started to catch up to his play *based on his salary*.

But HS, what about MENTORING? Who gonna teach these kids?

You can when their return isn't as great as someone else that'll be making less and play more games.

Every single year since the lockout I've been all for letting him leave when he's ready because he was very valuable to the team in his role, his salary was great in the Cap era, and he was reliable for his pairing. That is until this past season (especially the playoffs). Look, I'm all about loyalty....its one of the main reasons the Wings are successful, but this is the first time since he's been signing one year deals where he's started to look like the money and amount of games played versus his level of play have started to not only even off, but is finally heading in his favor rather than the Wings.

At this point in their respective careers: Meech (Cap Hit: $483,000, potential of 82 games barring health) > Chelios (Cap Hit: $525,000 roughly, potential of 50-65 games)

Rafalski signed a 5 year deal.

:nonono: Why?

Without a doubt....Hossa.

Awh...no more lovers spats between Burke and Lowe. Can you step up Tambellini?

TSN Reports the Story

Well, if the Wings brass spells "brain" with a "t", we're not missing much. After hearing this, I now wish the Leafs had worked something out with him last year. Atleast he wouldn't have been in the same conference much less division. A big thanks for everything Scottie and best of luck (except against the Wings).

QFT Horrible day for Wings fans.

The upper half of the 'C' will go to Daniel, while the bottom half goes to Henrik.

I completely understand and know that's a huge factor in determining player salary. My point is not about the amount of money that Lilja got based on his veteran status or the fact that he was an UFA. The point is if the Wings felt they had an equal in Meech/Quincey/etc., why bother ponying up twice that amount for UFA Lilja. I know players like Meech and Quincey don't have the bargaining power, but the Wings management has the vision to know when a player that would make half as much would be able to *completely* fill the shoes of one they should walk away from. That's my point. It has nothing to do with Lilja and his bargaining power.

Oh good God, Matt........them's fighten' words!

Did you mean to reply with this post in this thread?

Actually, put this way...I can get on board with. Same here. Which is also part of what went in to his salary *this* season. To say that the kids can do everything Lilja can for half the price I feel is inaccurate because of the veteran and big-game experience Lilja brings. The kids can't say that and as a result the comparison is not simply a matter of ability.

I could see that happening. Personally, if this is the case I would also think that Kenny would sit down with Lilja to again go over the situation and the log jam. To top it off, if this is the move that takes place it would be great to see Lilja moved to a team that he doesn't have a problem with even though he has no say in it (due to not having a NTC). Generally, when a player is moved they talk about what they're looking forward to, and briefly touch on the time with their previous team. It would great if he was moved on good terms and let the media know about it.

TBH, I don't feel I am blowing this out of proportion. Don't misunderstand me, moving Lilja is probably the best thing due to his contract and the situation the Wings are in, but players do frown on teams that sign and trade. Will it ultimately be the downfall of the Red Wings if they were to move him, most likely not....but it doesn't look the best either after a player committed 2 more seasons to your club after he was a part of winning you a Stanley Cup. I understand that situations change, and with the log-jam on D along with the Cap crunch Lilja makes the most sense, but I'd also like to look at some other alternatives before just saying, "lets dump Lilja". Sammy's name has been thrown out there, and all though I'm not 100% keen on dumping him, its worth consideration given the current Cap situation. Perhaps Kenny was forward with him, but who's to say Kenny didn't have anything finalized with Stuart at the time Lilja signed? Perhaps he brought Lilja back thinking his chance of getting Stuart 5 minutes before the free agency period began was slim. If the Wings had equally viable NHL level talent to Lilja, they wouldn't pay twice the price to Lilja as they are those kids.

An "unnecessary" player that just signed a UFA contract just a month ago. Again, its just bad business.

And how would you have handled that situation any better? As you say later in your post, the Wings are about building a competitive team and at the time had an unlimited check book. What would your "classy" solution to that situation have been? What kind of question is this? Talk about ridiculous, beyond unrealistic, and something I never insinuated. How do you expect the Wings to continue building a competitive team if they sign and trade UFA's? What UFA in their right-mind would sign with us knowing that they could be moved less than a month later to some crap organization?