e_prime

It's been said before and I'm gonna say it again. Offer him the Hudler deal -- 3 million for three to five years. Whatever he wants. If he takes it. Sweet. If not. At least it was tried.

Just messin' around, dude.

Yes, it should read: "for to replace hudler" or "i've already seen this thread."

From Wiki: He has traded away defensemen Zdeno Chara, Wade Redden, Bryan Berard, Eric Brewer, Darius Kasparaitis, and Bryan McCabe; goalies Roberto Luongo and Tommy Salo, as well as forwards Olli Jokinen, Todd Bertuzzi, Raffi Torres. Milbury has also come under fire for his draft day decisions such as choosing Rick DiPietro first overall in 2000 over Dany Heatley and Marian Gaborik; as well as his decision to include the 2001 second overall draft pick (Jason Spezza) as part of the Alexei Yashin trade. No sarcasm here. I would trust anyone on this site to run my club better than Mike Millbury did. We can all do better than "Mad" Mike.

a. biron is a better goalie than joeymac. having watched him play last season, it's obvious that he wasn't helping keep the islanders in games. (not that ANYTHING the islanders were doing last year was keeping them in games.) b. because they have the money to do this. biron at 1.4 million is extremely cheap for a team that, even with this signing is still $20 million under the cap. also, as mentioned before dp is most definitely going to be on the ltir, so... no cap issues there. c. biron will be great trade material at the deadline, he's also known as one of the "nicest" guys in the league. while he might not like being waived, he's gotta know at this point that it's an extreme possibility. besides, he's already being treated better than how he was in philly. snow knows that he has an anemic defense and that he needed something to keep his team in games. so, he's building from the net out. he now needs to work on the "out" part. i'm sure that the islanders will be sitting on the cap floor given their current ownership struggles, but it'd be nice to see them spend some of that 20 million on an veteran "impact" forward to work with their young core. the flyers do not know WHAT to do when it comes to goaltending. i guess they are just happy they have a 'tender that can fight as well. but this is philly. philly is even harder on their QBs and goalies than Detroit.

This just in: New York Islanders sign Manny Fernandez to a $1.2 million/1 yr. deal. Garth Snow sez, "I love me some goalies." I kid. I kid.

As I live in New York, and like to watch hockey... I watch the Islanders. (or at least try to, keep the game on until I start heaving things across the room in frustration) If we can look past the insanity that were the Mike Milbury years... and trust me it's hard. What he gave up... *sigh* Anyway, let's look back at last year's goal tending situation. DiPietro injured after a couple starts... really? Ricky? Shutdown for the season, again? - currently lifetime Islander/LITR Joey MacDonald, remember him?, did absolutely nothing to help an already sagging team. - currently UFA Wade Dubielewicz sent down and then when they tried to bring him back up he got snatched off of waivers by Colombus. (Still a bit of a learning curve with Garth yet) Personal note: While no rock in net, this was the guy that when push came to shove yelled, "Get on board boys!" and carried the Isles into the playoffs in '07. He was also a fan favorite. Who doesn't love to yell "Dooooooooooobie!") - he signed with Minny this offseason Yann Danis - Was probably the brightest spot in the bunch, but still, not a starting goaltender in the NHL. - signed with NJD So, I was chatting up a buddy of mine the other day talking about how signing Rolly was a great move after all the chaos that they had in net last year. He said, "they're gonna sign another goaltender." All matter-o-factly. I laughed and argued that now that they had inked Munroe to a two way deal, they could now start Rolly at the beginning of the year and have Rick backup and if he needed even more time, they could bring Munroe up to backup. Way better than last year, right? Well... looks like he was right. ...and honestly, do I blame them? NO. They have the money. Their defense hasn't been helping their goaltending keep them in games. Even with the Biron signing they still have almost 20.05 million in cap space, so even if they just want to hit the cap floor... they still have enough dough to sign a couple forwards and another D-man. The only thing that makes me worry... I do remember a certain goaltending carousel that occurred in Detroit a few years back. This situation may be different, because I know Rolly has been part of a tandem system and Biron, whether he wants to admit it or not, would probably flourish in a system like this. I still wonder how good ole' Ricky is taking this?? Maybe he's not going to be ready until LATE in the season? Maybe Garth doesn't trust him to be ready? Lots of questions around a guy who's supposed to be your franchise player, and your backbone. Oh, right... that's Tavares' job now.

gcom007, I second that emotion. and for further review: From Twitter: Zing! RT @DownGoesBrown: Blackhawk doctors are trying to determine how Marian Hossa tore his rotator cuff. Already ruled out: trophy lifting

LGW... Always ready to over-analyze... ...oft neglectful to read the whole story... ...and ready to bash Eklund at a moments notice! Yay Team!

Don't care if he was/is injured. I don't want to hear this information used as an excuse now for this past playoff performance. Had this been common knowledge in the past, like during the playoffs, when it mattered... maybe there wouldn't have been so much pressure put on him to be our savior. As I'm sure that there was enough self-applied pressure from himself as a player to perform when it mattered most, I'm sure not talking about it probably took a lot extra criticism/sympathy/micro-scope analysis off of Hossa. Maybe a little less micro-scoping of this situation, on a player that maybe can't handle the spotlight, would just let a player play. (I know it's not the nature of sports, or sports-media, or superstardom... I'm not naive... but sometimes it might be nice.) All this being said, while I believe that Hossa could have been the difference maker in the series, he wasn't... and while that sucks, it's over.

Which begs the question, Who exactly ARE the Salary Arbitrators that preside over these hearings? This is a mess.

Test Howard in the big leagues this year... if he can't hack it, let 'em go and bring up Larsson. I think we need more Swedish players on team. Also, I love how **ANY** goaltending thread on this site turns into a bash of Osgood/defense of Osgood thread. The guy carried us in the playoffs. Case closed. Haters follow these three quick steps: 1. Remove head from ass. 2. Close mouth. 3. Move on.

I'm originally from Detroit, but yes... watching the Rangers flounder since Leetch and Mess left has been interesting to say the least. To be in a huge market like New York, it's gotta be hard to ice a team that doesn't feature some superstar names, etc. I think that in turn does not help with the forging of a professional and "team" oriented locker room. Personally, I like the Islanders better. I've always liked the franchise, and while it currently has it's ownership and building woes... (Charles Wang did himself no favor previously hiring Mike Milbury as a GM) Garth Snow has seemingly begun to "right the ship" and don't feel the pressures that the Rangers do when it comes to icing a team. The Rangers are THE NEW YORK CITY team, while the Islanders are simply a New York team. (okay, it's not that simple... ) ...and absolutely! The Draper, Maltby, Holmstrom situation is definitely sticky! You want to do right by players that have helped bring championships to a franchise. I would expect no less from the Red Wings organization. Like I said in a previous post, the day we trade loyalty to making those types of "splashy" deals the Rags make... is the day I find a new team to root for.

I am, by no means, suggesting that his value would be huge. He might, however, sub in for a late round pick if we are making a player+picks kind of trade.

1. Absolutely, slot Oulahan in with a two-way. Even if Maltby doesn't retire. We're not going to resign him. Right? If it doesn't pan out with Oulahan, you package him up and ship him out at the deadline or waive him. 2. This is really ruining your offseason isn't it LeftWinger.

It definitely seems that we have a negotiating tactic with him now. I guess I didn't realize we could accept the arbitration, but then assign him to the KHL. However, for the future... Let's say we retain his rights and he plays in the KHL for a year... and he wants to come back to the NHL he would be a UFA no? We wouldn't have exclusive rights to negotiate with him? Is that correct? EDIT: clarity

Very nice points Dobbles. I think you touched on somethings that no one else has mentioned. I think where people think we are too loyal, is while none of these contracts are backbreaking, and maybe they weren't just thought out well enough... is that Holland and the organization are not willing to trade away these players and contracts to another team. I'm sure that Holland could get someone to take Holmstrom or Draper off our hands... but would we get value in return? Maybe... maybe not... Sure we might be able to stockpile a few picks here and there to package up for trades... but we'd still need pieces of the puzzle for the team we ice. I'm not saying that I wouldn't love to have younger or cheaper pieces to ice, but because we are having the cap "problems" we are having... it's not really feasible without giving key components of a contending team. Do we really need the veteran leadership of Holmstrom, Draper, and Malts? No. ...but what value are we going to get in return? ...how much will it cost us in cap space to do so? Like I've said before, it would be great for Detroit to make "splashy" deals each and every year... but because we have a solid core locked (top two lines/top four defensement) ...it makes it rather difficult.

^THIS :rotflmao:

Can these two do anything without one another? ...and really, what are either of them going to say that is going to be remotely interesting. "Uh, well, I will try my best to mesh with the team." "Yes, we are hoping to contribute to a great team that went far in the playoffs next year."

I'm sure that they could withdraw the offer. ...but why would they? Hudler has stated that he only wants to be a Red Wing. (...or to play in the KHL ) Holland obviously wants him as a Red Wing or wouldn't have made the 5 yr/15 million offer. I think it's up to Hudler now. He either decides that he wants to be loyal to the team and takes the offer on the table... or he goes through with arbitration, and puts Holland in a very precarious position. Maybe we find out if Kenny Holland has a limit before he's willing to purposefully sign and trade. EDIT: throwing out what if's

Oh, RIGHT!! We can still negotiate!! ...and here's where organizational loyalty will probably shine. D. Continue to negotiate with Hudler and let him know that the 5 yr./15 million deal still stands. ...if Hudler takes the deal now, I think it shows he really DOES want to be a Detroit Red Wing.

Here's a link to the CBA. http://www.nhlpa.com/CBA/index.asp Article 12 pgs. 52-65 Absolutely no mention of the tradeability of a player that has gone through arbitration. -- This is where the topic of loyalty comes around again... Our choices: A. Accept the arbitration decision, sign Hudler to a one year deal and play him. B. Walk away from the decision and allow Hudler to become a UFA. C. Accept the arbitration decision, sign Hudler to a one year deal and trade him. What do you do if you're Holland?

These all look good to me... especially your first choice. It's my birthday... I need to get back to Detroit for this game!! I'm also very much looking forward to the Islander's home opener. Since moving to New York I've made it to at least one Islanders game each year. ...and I've got a good chance of getting some great seats for Tavares' first home game on the Isle through a hook-up. Never been to a season opener.

Right, it doesn't compare... because you'd be an IDIOT to sign Patty Marleau for 12 years. He is no Henrik Zetterberg. Moving on though... The Sharks really need to shake this team up not only because of cap woes, but because I don't think adding a "Dallas Drake" type player is going to put them over the hump. If you're talking about the same core of players having the same type of regular season again, sure... go for it. Win the division, win the conference, win that President's trophy.... oh, but wait... what's that sound I'm hearing? Is it another first round choke-fest? Could very well be... Joe Thornton — $7,200,000 Patrick Marleau — $6,300,000 Milan Michalek — $4,333,333 Ryane Clowe — $3,625,000 Jonathan Cheechoo $3,000,000 Joe Pavelski — $1,637,500 Devin Setoguchi $1,246,666 Jamie McGinn $996,666 Scott Nichol — $750,000 Jody Shelley — $725,000 DEFENSEMEN Dan Boyle — $6,666,666 Rob Blake — $3,500,000 Christian Ehrhoff $3,100,000 Marc-Edouard Vlasic $3,100,000 Douglas Murray — $2,500,000 Kent Huskins — $1,700,000 Brad Lukowich — $1,566,666 GOALTENDERS Evgeni Nabokov $5,375,000 ROSTER SIZE 18 SALARY CAP $56,800,000 PAYROLL $57,322,497 BONUSES $740,000 CAP SPACE $217,503

I think in the short term, specifically in this off-season when it comes to signing some of our key free agents; yes, it has seemingly bit us in the ass. Wouldn't we all love to have younger and cheaper pieces to fill in the roles that Maltby, Draper, and Holmstrom currently fill? Wouldn't we love to have all those goals, assists, and points back that seem to get brought up everytime we are lamenting the loss of our free agents? Wouldn't we love to wheel and deal the way so many clubs have in this off season? Yes, Yes, and Yes. In everyone's dream mechanics of being a GM of a hockey team/head of the organization all this would magically fall into place. Long-term we have an organization that attracts quality players who are willing to play for the team for a long period of time and are mostly willing to be paid for their services with a contract that is below market value. I will trade the three questions above to have this one constant. Sure, we may not win the cup every year... but year in and year out for as long as I can remember... this team and organization has been dedicated to the players and a team concept. The day this changes and we start trading essential assets and key prospects to make a big splashy off-season deal... will be the day I'll be looking for a new team to root for. In specific regards to Hudler, Hossa, and Sammy... I do not be-moan any of them for the decisions they've made in this offseason. Hossa is a massive talent and deserves to get paid and have a long-term deal (if this is what he now wants.) I hope that he is happy and I hope that he doesn't fall victim to whatever cap-woes may hit Chicago. (unless of course they trade him back to us) We still retain Hudler's rights as far as the NHL goes. As a prospect of the system, do I think Hudler deserves loyalty? Absolutely. Do I want him as a Wings uni if arbitration awards him more than 3 million for next year? No. I would hate to see the Wings handcuffed to the cap max. and be forced to trade key pieces if neccessity dictated it to stay under the cap. If Hudler is loyal to us and we are loyal to him, something will get worked out in his season with the KHL. Who knows, maybe Huds will shine over there and will warrant more respect and value as a goal scoring machine?? Netting him the contract and respect he supposedly desires with this franchise. How much loyalty truly existed between the Wings and Sammy? He was not a product of our system. He signed a three year deal with us back in 2006. How much emphasis was paid to signing Sammy this off season? Did he feel slighted? Knowing our cap situation did Holland offer even offer him a deal, let alone a raise? Was he worthy of an offer or a deal anyway when it comes to long term value, productivity, and need. I am so abivalent about this non-issue I am starting to lose focus on... who? I dunno. Maybe this is too "shiny happy," "even-keeled," or "voice of reason" ...but I for one am glad we are known as the franchise with loyalty.