NeverForgetMac25

Take a look at a guy like Datsyuk at $6.7 million per. When he signed that deal he was making 15.2% of the cap (individual player maximum of 20% due to the CBA), but as of next year given the cap does move up by $3 million he'll be making 12.6% of the cap. Not to mention what that percentage will look like 4+ years from now if the cap continues to rise the way it has. Sucks to be him.

Cross

Iginla is beyond solid.....mind if we borrow him for the playoffs since the Flames won't be playing in mid-April? Just messin' with you Cal......how you been? Haven't seen you around here in a while.

Sammy, Lilja(lebda either or), Quincey (or Meech) prospect and land Kessel (850 next year and then RFA) and Ward (UFA end of year) I don't see why Boston would want Lilja in return due his impending free agency and Samuelsson plus a prospect isn't a real upgrade over Kessel. Phil is younger, and locked up for a fair contract for his current performance, but has the potential to be a better deal next year, but is nothing to over the top *right now*. I don't see the point in moving Lebda for Ward aside from Aaron being a little nastier, but I assume you threw him in there due to his restricted status as compared to Kessel's. That being said, I see this trade as a wash that doesn't really do that much for the Wings, and thus......what's the point? That being said, is it fair....I would say 'yes'.

QFT

Actually, they would have a 1 in 16 chance. Also, don't misunderstand me when it comes to Blake, as I understand the question mark with bringing him in. I just feel the risk/reward ratio is a little greater than your perceive it. Nothing more.

You also can't neglect the fact that they might. Not to mention that they did last year. For the record, never once did I say Blake could replace Lidstrom if he goes down. What I said is he's a great addition that brings offense to the PP and is strong and physical in his own end. I agree with you in regards to Dom being hurt by losing his #2 and #3 Dmen last year, and the question I continue to ask you that you haven't addressed is why shouldn't the Wings go after someone to help bridge the gap (in case someone goes down) and adds to the PP regardless of how healthy our Dmen are this spring? No, I just don't agree with you. That doesn't mean I'm reading your posts with an argument already in hand.

Aussie, If this is too much to ask don't worry about it, but would you mind also posting the standings each week without the drop 3? I can't imagine it would be any more difficult since your database would include every week, and the drop 3 method takes away from that. Either way, I'd really appreciate it if you don't mind.

So the Wings Brass should just neglect it then? That doesn't solve anything either. You're right in saying the transition wouldn't be seamless for Blake, but it would be a hell of a lot easier for a guy who's played that style in the past.

Due to Blakes injury the Wings might be able to acquire him for less, and it won't cost the Wings as many offensive weapons to get him (which I know you're concerned about). Of course Blake might not be 100% but like Bert, there isn't an immediate need to rush him into the lineup. When he gets healthy the Wings PP would be dynamite.

My main point here is I do agree that the Wings need to add a secondary scoring threat, but I also feel its extremely important to add a cannon on defense that can log atleast decent minutes. Of course it doesn't have to be Blake, but his stock is going down due to the injury and the Wings might be able to get him cheap. If the Wings can do that, and add a guy *like* Rolston (I say like because Rolston isn't going anywhere IMO), they'll be in great shape. True the Wings could use another scoring threat, but they also need to make sure they have depth on D that can be that band-aid (especially on the PP) in case even one of our top-4 Dmen go down.

How about the fact that he has a cannon from the point and can be huge at SCORING on the PP? Was the complete meltdown of the PP last year not one of the main reasons the Wings were ousted?

And how is Rolston and a #4-6 Dman going to help the situation either?

Bingo!

Opie, you're completely contradicting yourself. First you talk about how out of sync Dom might have been due to not getting comfortable in front of his new Dmen last postseason, then you argue for bringing in a #4-6 Dman to round things out. Would that not be another Dman that Dom would have to get used to playing behind? Now lets say the injury bug bites our D again and you're once again in the same situation you were in last season. Then what? Would you rather have a guy like Blake that play's better all-around Defense and adds to the PP unit, which is essential according to you, or some #4-6 depth Dman that doesn't stand out in any way? Even though Dom (or Ozzie) would have to get used to a new body, I'd rather have it be a Dman that is better than any #4-6 man out there than a kid from the farm who "wants it". Then you go on to say that any team that loses two of their top-4 Dmen would be in bad shape, so how can you argue for bringing in another that not only adds phenomenal depth on D but offense on the PP? Then you talk about not getting rid of offensive players in order to not take away scoring yet you talk about bringing in a guy like Rolston who Minnesota would ask for an arm & a leg for. What do you think Rolston will cost in regards to players/picks? If you honestly believe the Wings can bring him in for something that won't cost the Wings their current offense or defense, by all means, I'm all ears. Please tell me who the Wings could move to bring in Rolston and a #4-6 defensemen that won't hurt the team, since you think my proposal isn't wise? That being said, I'm arguing for the Wings to add depth. It doesn't have to be Blake, but a guy like him helps our team in more than one way, and most importantly the PP. This is why I was so on board to bring in Forsberg. A guy that can provide playoff scoring that doesn't cost the Wings anything aside from money. Then you add a top 4 Dman and this team looks great. But how can you say adding Rolston will not change the current lineup? Again, I'm all year for your proposal for what it will take to acquire him?

Minor league players chomping at the bit to play for the Wings doesn't mean they're as good as Blake. I don't care how much they "want it", Blake is simply more talented than our Minor Leaguers. Lets take a look at the players that the Wings have "let go" according to you: - Feds left on his own. He was offered more money to stay in Detroit, but left anyway - He doesn't add to your point. - Kozlov was moved for a d*mn good reason and it paid off instantly - Again, that doesn't add to your point. - Lang wouldn't have signed with Detroit even if he had been offered a contract with the Wings. The Wings were not about to pay him the amount Chicago did, and rightfully so. I've supported Lang plenty when people were knocking him, but has been on the decline the past few years. Granted he came up huge last year in the playoffs, but since you said it, wouldn't it be better to have a younger player chomping at the bit to score? Lastly, continuing to blame the offense for playoff exits is getting old. I agree that a few years ago scoring was the issue, but its not all about the offense. As I've said before, scoring is always down in the playoffs, but its the teams with timely goal-scoring along with solid D/goaltending that move on. Last year, it wasn't a case of the Wings not scoring, nor was it a case of the goaltending letting the team down.....rather it was one too many Dmen being injured that ultimately cost the Wings the series and possibly the cup.

Sidenote: If you don't like a guy...fine, but that's not a valid reason for not bringing him in.

This is the exact type or rationale that costs teams in the playoffs. We *need* depth, otherwise you might end up losing 2 of your top-4 defensemen when you need them the most.

So because you dislike a player the Wings brass should just look past him? I didn't like Forsberg for a long time (and still don't really care for him), but he could help the Wings greatly come playoff time. You just need to put your ego aside, sometimes.

Quick FYI: I assume you copied & pasted the circled link. For some reason the tags Youtube uses are different than LGW. The easier way to do it, is just copy the URL and paste it inbetween the [ video ] [ /video] tags.

While I don't agree that Mac is the answer just yet, I agree in regards to Drake. I don't feel he brings anything to the team that sets him apart. Regardless of Mac, I would like to see Downie and an enforcer that can bring a little more to the table if the Wings tango with the Ducks in the playoffs again.

nm

Enjoy:

D*mn you Aussie for implementing the drop 3 rule. It hurts people that are consistent.

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