TNBT

This is a rediculous trade for Atlanta. Kovalchuk is an elite player in this league, and he's still young. He and Hossa will be an awesome duo who along with guys like Holik and Lehtonen could help to lift the Thrashers into contention this season. The Sedin Sisters aren't worth anything near what Kovalchuk is. I'm loving the Kovalchuk/Hossa/Lehtonen trio. If they stick together they will be an awesome nucleus for the future of hockey in Atlanta. So if the Thrashers are going to break up that trio and trade one or more elsewhere, I certainly hope that it is to the Wings.

It has to be the Pistons for me in a landslide. Hockey and basketball are far and away my two favourite sports. I grew up playing basketball from the time I could walk.

I guess I should probably give my opinion on Ryno while I'm here. I'm excited to see what this guy can do when he develops. He is just going to keep on getting bigger, and by the time he has filled out he is going to be huge. You would think that he will become more and more physical as he gets bigger, and I think that he, assuming that he develops his skills as well as his size, has the potential to be a very important player for us in the future.

As far as I can gather, the rule says that prospects have to be signed within two years of being drafted, but I have yet to hear or read anything about them having to play in the NHL or AHL upon signing. I agree 100% with what norrisnick on this one. The new NHL rules screw teams with rich owners like ours, so whilst Ilitch can't spend his money on salaries under the salary cap, he can certainly spend it on signing most of our propects and then let them develop at a nice pace in the juniors instead of having to sign them and rush them into the AHL.

I seem to be the only one here, but I'm actually very excited about getting Abdelkader. He has nice size at 6'1, 195lbs. and he's still only 18 so you know he will get bigger. He's a top skater and is good in all aspects of the game. He doesn't have any glaring weaknesses, which at this young age is a great sign. He has so many years ahead of him before he gets the experience to push his way into the Red Wings lineup, and by that point he will be bigger and stronger, and will have improved across the board. Holland copped a lot of crap for his draft choices, but considering we were drafting reasonably late in the 1st round, I think Holland did pretty well. Kindl will make plenty of Wings "fans" eat their words, and as I mentioned above, I'm pretty excited to have Abdelkader on board too. He is a gritty player who isn't afraid of contact, and with the size he will have by the time he breaks into the Wings lineup, he will be perfectly suited to the Grind Line, and depending on how much he improves his already solid offensive skills, he could also make for a pretty decent scoring line player. Seeing as how no one has mentioned this yet, here is his profile from redwingscentral.com: STRENGTHS - Good at just about everything, with no glaring weaknesses ... natural skater in all facets (speed, quickness, agility, acceleration) ... responsible two-way player, smart in his own zone ... plays a hard, physical game ... competitive, in-your-face puck-pursuer ... isn't fazed in traffic ... good on faceoffs ... solidly built ... has a quick release on accurate shot ... capable set-up man ... WEAKNESSES - Upside is unclear at present: can he become a top-six forward or is he a two-way, third-line role player? Answers are on the way ... not a flashy player by any means ... doesn't appear to have game-breaking offensive skills ... could use more velocity on shot ... PROJECTION - Abdelkader is a solid, hard-working prospect who doesn't have any glaring weaknesses. He should develop into a solid third-liner, but if his offensive game comes along at Michigan State the next few seasons, he has potential as a top-six forward.

Kopecky is becoming a real pain in the ass. The guy has tremendous talent and great size for the pro level, but he is just so damn inconsistent and either doesn't know or doesn't care about what it takes to become a star. I agree with the decision to keep him around, as it isn't really costing us anything and I wouldn't want to give up on a talent like him and see it come back and bite us on the ass in a few years, but if he doesn't get his s**t together real soon, I wont mind if we show him the door. He's 23 years-old now. That's not washed up or anything, but at that age he should at least be starting to show some signs of consistency and passion.

I don't know what else I can add to this thread other than to say that I too believe that we will see Grigorenko spend this season in Russia to (hopefully) allow him to return to 100% before bringing him over next season. Where he will play next season (Detroit or Grand Rapids) will depend on who we still have on the team from the current roster and any new additions that we make, but I am pretty confident that Grigorenko will be in either one of our North American teams next season.

The Wings certainly have a lot of good looking prospects this year and in the years to come. It will be interesting to see where these guys end up this season. I for one am hopeful that Bootland gets a chance on the Grind Line or even on the 4th line this season. I think he will be a really handy player for us in the future, and will play a role very similar to Maltby's. I'm also anxious to see how Big Snake goes. If he shows the talent and toughness that I have been hearing about, then I will be one happy little Wings fan. Kindl is another guy that I am interested in. There were a lot of people bashing him around here after the draft, but I think that he will turn into a pretty decent player. His offensive skills are noted, but he isn't as soft as people make him out to be. He's not Konstantinov, but he plays reasonably physical and isn't totally opposed to contact. People didn't see that last season, but if you think about it, his entire game was a bit off last year, both offensivley and defensivley. With a couple more years to adjust to the North American style of play and to fill out physically, I think he will come along in leaps and bounds. Kindl reminds me of Fischer. He was considered a offensive defenseman in juniors much like Kindl. Fischer didn't have a spectacular rookie season but had a very good sophomore year scoring 78 pts while adding 141 PIM. I think Kindl is capable of something similar. I see certain elements of Fischer in Kindl as well. Fischer was considered to be an offensive defenseman but struggled in his first season in North America, but when he got some experience and adjusted to the style of play, he picked up his scoring and also showed a solid physical side to his game. That is sort of the development I expect/hope for from Kindl. At this point in his career, people see Kindl as just an offensive defenseman, but like Fischer, I think he will show more of a physical, tougher side this season and in the future.

When are the Wings expected to post their roster? Also, it will be interesting to see how teams propspects go against each other, but it will be even more interesting to see how those prospects go when they get to go against experienced NHL'ers in the future.

The Wings certainly have a lot of good looking prospects this year and in the years to come. It will be interesting to see where these guys end up this season. I for one am hopeful that Bootland gets a chance on the Grind Line or even on the 4th line this season. I think he will be a really handy player for us in the future, and will play a role very similar to Maltby's. I'm also anxious to see how Big Snake goes. If he shows the talent and toughness that I have been hearing about, then I will be one happy little Wings fan. Kindl is another guy that I am interested in. There were a lot of people bashing him around here after the draft, but I think that he will turn into a pretty decent player. His offensive skills are noted, but he isn't as soft as people make him out to be. He's not Konstantinov, but he plays reasonably physical and isn't totally opposed to contact. People didn't see that last season, but if you think about it, his entire game was a bit off last year, both offensivley and defensivley. With a couple more years to adjust to the North American style of play and to fill out physically, I think he will come along in leaps and bounds.

This is awesome news! Of all the young goalies in our system, Howard is the one guy I think could be a really top player at the NHL level. I really doubt though that he will be brought into the Wings team this season though. He did all there was for him to do in college, and now I think the Wings will want him to learn the extra stuff there is to learn from playing in the minors for a season or two before bringing him into the Wings team.

Exactly. If we can only keep one of the two, then I would advise Holland to do this to Zetterberg:

Ever get the feeling that you've put way too much thought into this?

I went with what turned out to be the majority and gave Holland a B. I'm not too sure how the other guys will turn out, but I'm happy that we got Kindl. He struggled a bit last season, but he has a lot of talent and I'm confident that once he adjusts to the North American style of play he will start to thrive. A 1st defensive pairing of Kindl and Kronwall in the future is going to be very good. I was really hoping to add Benoit Pouliot, but when our 1st round pick turned out to be as low as it was, I was happy with Kindl who I think will prove to be a steal.

I'd have to say that Steveie deserves it for being such a loyal and dedicated Wing for almost as long as I've been alive. Also, I'm hoping that (although it's very unlikely), Yzerman will play this year and another, and break Gordie's point-scoring record.

I'm really conflicted here. On one hand, I hate the Maple Leafs as a rival, but I think I respect them so much that I actually like them. Know what I mean? As for the Senators, I don't mind them and they have some of my favourite non-Wings in Redden, Spezza, Hossa, etc. and they have one of my top 5 favourite all-time goalies in Hasek. I'm actually planning on calling my son (if I ever have one) Dominik. I even got my fiancee to agree to that somehow... Montreal got my vote here, as similar to the Leafs I admire and respect the team and it's history a great deal, but unlike the Leafs, I don't hate them. Also, Theodore is an awesome goalie, they signed one of my favourite Wings (Dandenault) and they have another guy I like in Kovalev. I don't particularly like Edmonton, but I don't dislike them either. They look great after adding Pronger and Peca, but I don't really like Pronger because of how he tried to take out The Captain's injured knee in the 2001/02 playoffs. It sure was funny that Pronger hurt HIMSELF in the process though... I don't mind Vancouver, but I think it's more that I like some of their players more than liking the team itself. They have my second favourite #19 in the league (I'll let you guess who that is) and I love Bertuzzi, despite all of the cr*p he recieved because of "The Incident". As for Calgary, I'm not a big fan, but adding McCarty makes me like them a whole lot more. However, I can't bring myself to like them that much after I drank a slab (24 bottles in case you guys don't use the term "slab") of this Canadian whiskey and cola called "Calgary" the other weekend. Damn I was sick the next morning.

Dandenault was one of my favourite players on the team and it p*ssed me off to see him go. With his speed and versatility, he was a great player to have around. If he was still here (assuming that we would have still made all the moves that we have since he left) then I would have played Dandenault on the wing. With Delmore and hopefully Simpson added to the Wings blue-line corps, we would have had enough depth back there to allow Dandenault to move up to RW. Playing Dandenault at RW on the Grind Line with Draper and Maltby would have been great, as although he wouldn't have made up for the loss of the pure grit and toughness of McCarty, he would have added a different dimension that McCarty never could; speed and a bit more offensive talent. The Grind Line would have been probably as good with Dandenault at RW as it was with McCarty there, but it would have been a completely different line in terms of it's character and makeup.

I can't see why Legace wouldn't be here this season. With Osgood and Legce, we have two quality goalies signed for $2 million. You wont find many teams with two legitimatley good goalies for that price. With the Wings cap problems, we can't afford to move either Osgood or Legace, as the idea of going through the season and the playoffs with only one goalie isn't too appealing, and to add another goalie who is as good as or better than whichever of the two we gave up would cost us more than we are paying Osgood and Legace.

With the new CBA, do salaries have to match when a trade is made, like in the NBA and other sports? If so, then lets do Schneider for Lindros and Allison, whose combined salaries add up to about the same as Schneider's (if I remember correctly). *** Yes, I was being sarcastic in case it wasn't obvious.

Probably not next season either. If he's playing in Europe this season, then I would like to see him get a year under his belt with Grand Rapids before we bring him into the Wings lineup. If we really need it though, I guess he MAY be rushed in after this season, but it would be preferable if he wasn't.

It's unlikely that we could get Hossa even if we DID include Datsyuk, so I doubt that we would have any chance at all if we tried to get him WITHOUT giving up Datsyuk. As has been previously mentioned, Hossa is younger and bigger than Datsyuk, plus he is better across the board, and he is more reliable than Datsyuk. I can't see this trade happening even with Datsyuk in it. Perhaps is we gave them Datsyuk AND Zetterberg then we would have a shot at Hossa, but I wouldn't wat to give up two young guys for one.

SH*T!!! That sounds like a great idea!!! While we're at it, why not bring back Howe, Lindsay, Sawchuck, Abel, Delvecchio, Quackenbush, Stewart, Kelly and all those other guys and we can re-create the old Cup winning teams from the 50's? *** Yes, I am aware that we couldn't bring all of those guys back even if we wanted to as some of them are now skating on that big rink in the sky.

OK, lets see what we have here... A trade involving Lidstrom leaving the Wings? No need to read any further. The answer? F*CK NO!

I agree with pretty much all of the comments so far. Trading Draper would be the final nail in Holland's coffin as far as Wings fans are concerned. Draper is signed to a relativley small contract, is one of (if not the) best defensive forwards in the league, and despite not being a dangerous scoring threat, he's good at faceoff's and can move the puck well. He is all heart and gives his all every single game. I honestly can't see a Draper trade happening. Well, it better not happen. I was surprised that Holland brought-out McCarty, so I couldn't imagine him giving away another fan favourite like Draper or Maltby. I agree with whoever it was who said that if anyone HAS to go, it should be Schneider. I like Scheid's as much as the next guy, but he's like 36 years-old and Holland goes and gives him $3.3 million when we still have Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Kronwall unsigned. If we really have to lose someone, trade Schneider for draft pick(s) and give his minutes to (hopefully) Simpson, Rivers and Delmore.

Hey, I was just wondering how highly people here regard RedWingsCentral.com in terms of their prospect rankings? Is their list in roughly the correct order? Are their player profiles and career potential information reasonably accurate?