Booster313

These people are all crazy...68 will be easy. You should go double or nothing that the Wings hit 82 Wins...and then go 16-0 in the playoffs!

So I did, upgrade Kovlachuk then.

I don' think Hossa will end up on the second line all year, I fully expect a Z,D,Hossa line at time throughout the season. In no order: Crosby, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Hossa, Malkin, A.O., Heatley, Iginla, Malkin, Lecavalier. Honorable mention: Thorton, Kovalchuk, Spezza.

Nothing offical yet...but it's all but been confirmed. I think it's possible it could still fall through.

Then they need to go to their respective bosses and say this is what the problems are this is what I am going to do to fix it and this is the time table needed and if they aren't given this area to work in then don't accept the position. It also depends on the state of the team, some teams are only a piece or two away, (The Red Wings when Bowman took over.) Other teams need a top to bottom overhaul. (Leafs, Kings, etc...) I will equate it to my job. I am a bank manager and recently took over a poorly performing branch. I am not going to turn it into the top branch in the state or the region in one quarter, you have to start by changing the culture and getting everyone to buy into what you are doing, you'll have to weed out some people along the way and keep building the core, eventually the results will come, and when they do come they will stay long after I've left because the foundation is in place...too many GM's try too keep the Dam from breaking by sticking their fingers in all the holes...that only works for so long.

Good for him, he was a good fit there and he gets to play with AO. Not a bad deal.

You missed my point. To win a cup one year and then not make the playoffs the next is not acceptable to me as a GM. I understand that you can't build a winner over night but you should be progressing towards something...not degressing. The Red Wings have been knocking on the door for 14+ years and haven't looked back. Other teams should stop worrying about winning now and set a more realistic goal of winning long term.

I called and they said that no players will be there. Some woman that works within the organization is bringing it. Should be a good time! I can't make it unfortunatly. Take lots of pictures!

Your pretty much right on!

That shouldn't be too hard...did you catch his parade day interview????

I agree it is a fun thread in a NHL08 sort of way, it's just that I had a long conversation about GM's pulling this crap (2 yr 20mill for Sundin?!) vs what the Wings did. Which one really works? Then they wonder why their teams continue to suck, the NHL can't compete with the other three major sports and why their prized UFA's get run out of town. Or if they do win the cup it's a fluke and they often don't even make the playoffs a year or two later. (Tampa Bay, Hurricanes.)

If I were a GM I would stop trying to fix things overnight and plan a long term dynasty. I would start by hiring the best scouts, GM's, and coaches available. I would continue to draft top quality players and build around them. I would create a tradition for winning by making sure that only players with that mind set came here. I wouldn't try to fix things overnight...rome wasn't built in a day. Too many GM's think landing the next big FA will fix their problems. It couldn't be further from the truth.

Welcome aboard! I too am hoping for a PC! I was so excited at Dom's 02 conference. Plus I want to get my Hossa jersey B4 training camp.

There is no way that Hossa should make more than Zetterberg's new deal. It would send the wrong kind of message.

I would love to see Lidstrom get to at least eight Norris trophies

I'm just saying your Lidstrom looks like he could kick some ass!!!!

It's very possible, it depends on how much Z wants and how bad Hossa wants to stay. You also have to factor in Franzen's contract in there. Hopefully he won't chase $$$.

Completely off topic but your signature is creepy...It looks like Lidstrom but in a sinister video game sort of way...the look in his eye creeps me out. EDIT: I think it's the eyebrow arch.

Reading that article espically the last part...almost brought a tear to my eye.

Wow it's amazing what players are getting paid. No wonder Fedorov is looking for 4mill per, if Nolan get's 2.5...I'd want at least 3.5!!!

I think if everyone here is being completely honest they would agree with you. The bottom line is that no one likes to be rejected by someone they like. Hossa rejected the Pens. But he did it for himself, he made a move that he feels will be a better fit. He didn't do it for a paycheck and there has to be some admiration in that.

I think...and hope that he will stick with 93...39 belongs to Dom...or another goalie someday.

LMAO...why not? The Red Wings are an equal opportunity employer!

I don't think anyone wants to loose him, I certainly don't it's just a matter of how much you are willing to pay him. He may turn into a Datsyuk or a Zetterberg in time but the Red Wings are a team that isn't built of salary chasers. If that's your goal then go play somewhere else, if you want to be a Red Wing for life well then get in where you fit in. It remains to be seen which is more important to Flip. Remember a lot of us thought unfairly of Datsuyk that he was a money chaser when he signed in Russia and almost didn't come back here as an RFA. Then he proved us wrong by taking a long term deal under market value for his second contract. Let's just wait this whole thing out and see...it could be a good or a bad thing.

I agree with you but this is the problem in the NHL today..certain GM's are willing to overpay to entice a player to come to their sub-par team. Matts Sudin is a talented forward with gas left in the tank but if he is worth 10million per well then What's Crosby, Ovechkin, Malkin, and Zetterberg, etc worth? I think Fed's fair market value is around 2 million with bonuses because he still has the potential to dominate.