Majsheppard

I wouldn't. Smith however is the sticking point there. Substitute Emmerton for Smith and I would do it. Of course they wouldn't. I think the thing to remember about firsts is if we kept going like we are, we would be giving them picks that are 2nd rounders in many reguards. This isn't like a lottery pick.

This is why I feel we need to get aggressive on d. Four picks for Weber sounds like a deal when you figure that is what we will need more than anything. RFA is a legitimate fix four us. I suggest we step up and make the team better now so Lids can win again, and get someone so solid we can stay together for longer.

No one ever says I don't want to stay at a place, it ruins your ability to negotiate. I bet he is a Predator next year, but I do not thing it is a given that he will always be one.

I also might consider giving up a few picks for Yandle. I doubt Phoenix would match an offer sheet.

Thanks. I will say that this is why I hope for the unsuspected and unbelievable move. I pray for a Weber deal just to prove that we still have a mystic element. It feels like the Red Wings can fix themselves, but it doesn't mean I am not going to hold my breath every time we get into trouble. I will always worry that times will be bad in the future. In my life I just worry that life will be worse. Because we know we had the good things but they never seem to last. Oh please just last.

I hope those rumors are untrue, I haven't read much supporting them. I will say that I don't think he will ever be more than a number five because he has everything to be a top four guy but always seems to shrink in the role. He could be a great number five though, if he develops. I just assume he will always want more than what he will get here, and it will be up to his personality if he takes his role here. I am just worried that he might end up being our solution to this new Raf problem... and if that is the case then Lidstrom should just retire now rather than play next to Ericsson all year long. I have to say more than anything, Raf retiring makes the early exit all the more painful in every sense. We have to wait longer to find out what will become of our team AND a class act misses a good shot at leaving on top. So sad.

I am now so sick with anxiousness...

I have never been overly impressed with Burns. The only reason I think anyone can poach Weber is because he is almost a UFA and Nashville sucks as a place to play. I would debate it sucks to live there too, but that is completely a perspective thing. I know that if I was drafted there I would count the days until I could leave.

I like the way you think. However, I don't like the odds. However it shouldn't upset people so much to WANT this to happen and hope for it. I stand by the fact that a one year deal could force the Preds to allow it to happen, better still would be it forcing him to become a UFA a year from now where he could go anywhere but Nashville. I HATE NASHVILLE! I wouldn't mind that either. Logan Pyett has that quality about him to fill that role. I don't ever think he will contribute much but there are worse options for spare parts. Too soon though for that IMO. Janik would be a better option for a 7th. That being said, let us not worry about our 7th guy when we now have to worry about our number 2 and possibly number 1 dman...

Don't shoot the messenger. Holland has stated he wants to keep E. There are also reports that he turned down two million per year from us... If Holland is worried about team continuity, which he shouldn't, he might overpay Ericsson. Now maybe that Bogo trade that was rumored to be on the table could resurface and take care of that for us. Though I doubt Atlanta would want the rights to a UFA for a week in exchange for the rights to an RFA. Even if we through in Hudler and a pick.

I really don't get all the excitement for him leaving. Every replacement plan has cons that outweigh the pros. Considering that the amount of time left for us to win with Lidstrom... You just cannot expect this to help us take advantage of a closing window. This truly makes for a rebuilding project, one that I really do not want to do at this stage of the game. I was expecting him to stick around at least two more years, and get a ton cheaper too. Now we have to spend more money to get someone else who will produce less. Not good.

Weber is obtainable if the Preds don't sign him before July 1st. As an RFA they can match anything, but at a certain point they might rather take the picks. I believe he can be an extremely expensive addition that you might not have been willing to take unless your defense sustains a critical loss, and it is possible that Lids running out of time and Brian retiring could be just that. I still think the only way to get him is to offer him a good one year contract. The Preds might just realize that they will get nothing better from trading him after matching, and with UFA a year away and Weber taking a one year deal they might know they won't keep him. You are right he is a franchise player, but remember he might not want to stay. The only way to tell is if you let him become a UFA and any team with some balls can offer him a one year contract that will make that certain. Doughty, however, is too young for that to be an option. I think it is far more likely we will go to FA for one addition, and this ensures we keep Ericcson and most likely will overpay him now... The names thrown around aren't that great to be honest, and no one really fills what we would lose with Brian. I really don't like this.

Not so fast.

I think we really should offer Weber a top dollar contract for one year now. There really isn't anything to lose because if we don't get a solid replacement for Ralf and possibly Lidstrom we will take a bigger fall. I would have to say this might be the straw that leads to our rebuilding phase. I think we should also definitely make a play for Bieska and look at that Bogo deal again. It seems we will definitely have a shake up, whether or not Holland wants it. Of course it is also possible we just roll with E, Kindl, and Smith. Though I wouldn't like our chances at a cup...

I like the idea of Bob better than Chelios... what do you think?

I hope for a sign and trade. E and Hudler for Bogo! do it damn it.

I really just want Osgood back. I am convinced he was just injured. I expect him to be able to chip in at least 10-15 wins.

Well, it seems Ken wants to keep E. I don't think they could get this deal done anyways. I really wish it would happen though.

I also want to say, right now. I am going to be LIVID if they put us in a division with the Penguins. LIVID.

Panthers to Kansas City is a possibility to me. That is a dumb, dumb plan. Why not just realign now, like it is that hard to do???

Brewer or Bieska sound better to me.

Unless they help the team in ability to play as well, I don't want them. I think Shane O'Brien would help. The rest of the names seem like a waste of precious cap space. I like Carcillo, but not enough to justify a trade, unless we were just dumping garbage of course. Honestly I think it is scoring that we need more than anything. We need a goal scorer, and trade is the only way to get that unless we go after Richards. Grit is lacking, but I cannot justify a roster spot for any of these guys over what we already have.

What about Nill??

True. I am just going to say, I think the four picks would be worth it. I want to offer him a one year sheet. Nashville will definitely take it, but then he would be UFA next year. Yeah, but this guy is the franchise. They would sign him and cut someone else. Which is why, if I were him. I would be looking for a one year so I could get out.

Alex Tanguay might be the best value on the list.