NeverForgetMac25

Why? Laraque is 10-times the *hockey* player that Downey will ever be, and can chip in with an (albeit) occasional point. While I appreciate Downey keeping the opposition honest in the games he played last season, the Wings would benefit much more from Laraque than they ever would from Downey. Scoring: Advantage Laraque Fighting: Advantage Laraque Size: Advantage Laraque Sorry, but Downey doesn't stack up against Georges. As I said, I'll take him in a heartbeat for the right price.

Given the bolded situation, unless his relationship with Cliff and the Leafs have soured that much than he would probably just stay in Toronto. He bleeds blue, and as long as the relationship between him and Leafs isn't irreparable, signing with another mediocre (or worse) club is a pointless, lateral movement if he *seriously* wants to win the Cup.

I wouldn't mind Laraque at all in that role. I'd take him if the price was right.

If all that's true, then I feel sorry for him....and the Leafs fans because it just doesn't seem MLSE knows how to get it right. I can't blame Cliff for trying once or twice, but after a guy tells you that he wants nothing to do with being a rental player, you honor those wishes.

No he didn't, but my point was what's the purpose of his agent bringing up to the media that the "Leafs were prepared to pay him $7 million" when its clear to everyone that all Mats wants to do is win a Cup. I understand his agent is just trying to do his job and make his money, but you would think Mats would be telling him to put out comments like, "Mats is only interested in going to a contender" or "Mats one and only goal is to win the Cup this season" rather than bring up what the Leafs were supposedly prepared to offer.

WTF. I'm not sure who's profile I got those numbers from but I swore I was looking at Sundin's. I retract the statement in regards to points. That being said, I still don't think he's worth $7.5 per at this point of his career and given his lone goal of winning the Cup.

While Mats is as consistent as they come, the open market should not be offering him a 2 year/$15 million contract. Mats is 37 years old, and the past 3 seasons he's averaged 77.3 points per season. To put in better perspective, Datsyuk is 29, and since the lockout, he's averaged 90.3 points per season, and his current salary would $800,000 less than what you believe Mats should be making. Could Sundin get a 2 year/$15 million contract on the open market....its possible, but IMO its overpayment at this point of his career. $6 is more reasonable, and $5-$5.5 if he wants to give his new team a better shot at winning the Cup. *** Edited to reflect correct numbers from Sundin. ***

Does anyone else find it hilarious that Mats is rumored to want $7 million, yet "all he wants" is to win the Cup?

Of course it would be smart to have someone that could step in in the event of an injury,but those that feel Denis could step in and be serviceable need to "use their heads" IMO. As BRTD mentioned, if J-Ho can't beat out Denis for the starting job, we really shouldn't even be bothering with Howard. Also, Denis has no resume to back up your statement that he is "a good insurance policy".

$2.8 million this past season, and was set to make $3 million in 08/09. Cap Hit of $2,866,667

Yeah, because he's had such success over the years figuring out how to beat Detroit, I'm sure the Kenny & Co. were ready and waiting when Quenneville was let go. [/sarcasm]

You know whats worse than eklund? .......and eklund wanna-be! e5 Edit: (Tori) Spelling

Not to be rude, but there's a reason the Lightning are buying him out. No offense to Tampa Bay, but if they're buying him out what makes you think the Wings (who will be contending again next season) should bring him in?

Not for a backup goalie, they aren't. That's all the Wings would be in the market for unless an injury were to hit Oz.

This may very-well be a "saving face" type of statement given the current cap problems the Penguins have. Plenty of Penguins need to be let go or shipped out in order to secure their future stars, and Roberts knows d*mn well he's not a part of that. He may just be throwing this out there so other GM's know he'll be available when July 1st hits, and thus giving him as many opportunities as he can in order to make the best location decision.

Exactly. As for Lebda, while I agree that he seemed better in the SCF's, as a whole I still see him jumping up a lot. It's tough to teach a kid with that type of mindset to sit back because its a natural instinct you have. I played Center my whole life, and I'll be the first to admit I could never play defense because I don't have the mind for it. While I'd be "responsible" I'm still more often than I should going to look for the pinching opportunity or try to hold the puck in when I should retreat. To me, Lebda comes off as that type of player. It's almost as if he's been playing the wrong position, and should be a forward. That offensive urge just doesn't go away even though you can teach a guy to sit back, and thats what gets a team in trouble. I think you and I both agree that the absolute best answer *right now* doesn't lie with a current Red Wing. Perhaps next year it will, but like we both said......Who this year?

You think so? Here's the predicament I have with that: Style. Lebda is a speedy Dman who jumps up on the play, which is exactly the type of guy Kronwall is. He flourished playing alongside Stuart because the second Stu noticed Kronner was going for the big hit, he backed off to cover. Lebda doesn't seem like that type of a partner, rather he's the kind of guy that likes to jump up whenever he can. I fear that pairing would get the Wings in trouble a little too often. Lilja on the other hand, is a stay-at-home defensive-defenseman, who will never pinch, and always get back especially when Kronwall decides to lay a guy out coming out of their zone. Before you say anything, I *absolutely don't want Lilja on the second pairing* but rather a guy that plays a similar defensive style, proving big hits here and there, and without the mistakes Lilja has been prone to make once in a while. Obviously, the Wings don't have anyone that fits that billing on the current roster *at this point*, but I do feel a safer partner for Kronwall is best in order to keep allowing him to push forward, make those bone-crushing hits at the blueline, and someone that will allow him keep up his level of play without fear of having to always push back. Easier said than done though.....I know.

TBH, it just doesn't seem likely that he'll be back. While I'd love to see him stick around, I'd be very willing to bet Kenny is working the phones right now of UFA agents figuring out if a guy fits the role and place Stuart will leave, and if so...if the price is right. I absolutely would like to see a UFA brought in to replace Stuart shoud he depart, but I'm not going to be heartbroken if the right player/deal doesn't present itself. Kenny has made solid deadline deals, and I'm sure a similar one to this year will be made toward the deadline if the Wings run with what they have.

Who's advocating not looking in another direction to bring in a solid linemate for Kronwall? I most certainly didn't imply that. What I said was that he's a solid bottom pairing guy and great depth move. I would never imply that he should be consistently playing in the top 4 alongside Kronwall, and I do think he can be signed for a reasonable enough amount (and term--1 year) in order to still bring in a solid number 4 guy. While the team (and the Wings brass) may be conceding in not going after a guy like Stuart until the deadline (or on a "when/as needed basis"), I most certainly would like to see a guy from the beginning of the year. That being said, holding off until the midseason or the deadline does have its advantages as well.

There's always the trade deadline if he isn't cutting it.

I'd absolutely like to see the Wings start the season with Howard. Give him a solid amount of starts and finally give him the chance to follow Oz upon his retirement.

$4.5 million per for Shea Weber....No Thanks!

I know I'm late in throwing in my 2 cents here, but here goes anyway. For those that are all pissed off that Lilja maybe be re-signed, you really need to put things in perspective. While I agree that Lilja isn't a beast out there, and can't replace Stuart as the Wings 4th Dman, he's still a *solid* option for the bottom pairing, and fills holes rather decent. He's probably the best shot-blocker on the team and he can step in when the Wings need him. Lilja isn't going to get much of a raise, and the Wings have plenty of cap space (especially since he'll get a 1-year deal) for the upcoming season. It's just always a good idea to have enough Dman depth so your team isn't put in a situation like it was after the deadline in '07. Couple that with the Wings ability to bring in a deadline Dman based on where they are at come February of '09 and the Wings are in the same spot they were in last offseason.....a great one! I swear to God, the Lilja hatred on this site has become so d*mn trendy.

This coming from a guy who's nothing but an Anaheim-slappy, and said Burke was the best GM this past season. Of course drafting comes down to some luck, but it also takes the right people in place to find these gems. No one will deny that the Wings got lucky with Z or Dats, but that can be said about any GM who finds late round stars. The Wings' brass just find them more often, which speaks volumes for the the type of scouts the Wings have.

This is all I could find: http://sportsnet.ca/hockey/2008/06/20/sundin_canadiens/