J-Swift

I think Detroit feels as if Franzen has already developed, he is in his mid-twenties I believe, and there's no need to try and develop him in the minor leagues. He's strong and has grit, which is something Europeans typically pick up in the AHL, so there seems to be no need to send him down. While with Filppula, who I think can probably make it as Detroit's number two centre in a couple of years, is probably seen by Detroit management as someone who needs time to develop in Grand Rapids in order to achieve his full potential. I imagine the Wings feel they have a sleeper in Filppula, and want to make sure to give him time to become as good a player as he can.

To me, Malone is exactly what this franchise is looking for. I think he's the perfect replacement for Shanny in the coming years. Ryan Malone, is big, strong, and had twenty goals in his first full NHL season with the Pens in '03-'04. Don't get me wrong, Datsyuk has much more offensive talent, but he is not what this team truly needs. We already have finesse, we do not have size. If we could get Pavel over to Pitsburgh in a trade involving Malone, I'd think it would be a great move for us. Malone's apparently on the trading block because of the money he's asking for, but I doubt he's asking for more than Dats. I would imagine, however, that if the Pens are trying to get rid of Malone because of money problems, they probably don't want to take on Datsyuk who is also demanding a ridiculous amount. I think any trade to get a big, strong up-and-comer for Pavel would be a good move, as I really believe Datsyuk will bolt to Russia if he doesn't get the kind of money he wants.

Yeah, but defenceman who can move the puck are going to become extremely valuable with the allowing of two-line passes.

you mean that old belfour rumor with zetterberg? That rumour still makes me shudder.

I agree with you, if they signed Delmore, it better be for league minimum; I imagine they just wanted a depth, puck-moving d-man, and you can't really blame them for that. I gather, that if the Wings indeed signed Andy, that Holland is banking on these new rules actually making a difference, which I find unlikely. As for your venting, don't worry about it, I like the abuse.

I really thought that Dandenault was becoming a very dependable defenceman in his last few years with Detroit, but I guess he grew up a Canadiens fan, so you can't exactly get upset at him for bolting to Montreal. Delmore was a fairly highly regarded offensive defenceman a couple years back, but his stock has dropped significantly, I'm pulling for him mostly because he's from my hometow.

Maybe this signing (if it's true), is an attempt to replace Mathieu Dandenault, who I always felt was the Wings most underrated player.

Cujo coming back to Detroit is probably the stupidest rumour I've seen since it was reported that Belfour might be traded to the Wings for Zetterberg. Does Eklund even know that the NHL has instituted a salary cap? I am awfully sure that Detroit is done when it comes to goalie transactions.

I also saw it reported on an ESPN message board a couple days ago, saying that the Wings signed him Thursday afternoon, but I didn't believe it. I asked for a source, and got no reply. Also, concerning Delmore, I believe he had a hat trick for Philly in the playoffs a couple years ago, but I imagine somebody already mentioned this.

I should mention that Andy Delmore went to my high school, his picture is up in the hall. I know he played a bit with Buffalo last season, but truly did not fit into the system, and was traded later in the year.

Is Grigorenko actually expected to return to the same level of play that he had before the accident?

Yeah, that's right. Satan's celebrations are usually pretty sweet.

I'll take PJ Stock, he ain't big, but he's tough and a real team player.

Agreed. I hope we can put this rumour to rest. It's almost as bad as that "Zetterberg for Belfour" trade I was seeing on other message boards.

Didn't Zhamnov pull that move on Legace a couple of years ago, and I think Miroslav Satan did that move to Eddie Belfour last season. Then Satan took his glove off and pretended his hand was a cell phone, it was a pretty amusing celebration I must say. Although I'm sure neither Zhamnov's nor Satan's celebrations were as ridiculous as Kopecky's was.

And we have little reason to expect that he will.

This guy's going to be a career minor-leaguer with an attitude like that.

It's good to know that this Kopecky is not only an underachiever, but a cocky, showboating punk. What does he think he's doing talking up the goaltender like that?

Sporsnet.ca is indicating Hamrlik is close to signing a two year deal worth 3.5 million a season with the Flames. http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/article.jsp...812_191320_5924

I wanted Brendan Witt over Hamrlik anyway, but getting Witt is probably just as unlikely.

Yeah, I've been checking some other message boards, and a couple posters have said Hamrlik has signed in Calgary. I guess it wasn't realistic for Detroit to get him anyways, Hamrlik is an awfully good d-man, and was likely asking for a sizeable contract. He's probably in the same salary-range as Schneider.

Well put.

I'd take Zetterberg and Datsyuk over Gratton in a heartbeat. There's other players (not many though) who play a similar style to Gratton out in the market. And it's not like I'm worried about any UFA going to New York and becoming a good player.