Learn2LuvIt

But if we wouldn't had given up all those players,,,,how would the dope roster you put together even be out on the ice?

Totally agree. Next season he becomes an UFA and then we are at zero value other than maybe an advantage to re-sign him. I don't think he's our goalie of the future. Get something out of him and piece the goalie situation together until we confident that we are at minimum a 2nd round playoff team. When the "kids grow up".

I think I've seen this thing before at a Grateful Dead show in 88' at the Greek Theater. Whoa and wow.

Thanks for everything Z!! You gave us everything you had, all the time. So grateful. So many great memories you have given us all. Your PK shift in the 3rd period in game 4 of the 2008 SCF, against the Pens, 5 on 3, will always be the "bar" for what TOTAL SELFLESS EFFORT represents. Thanks again

IMO...I'm thinking he will be offered the Seattle job (IF they get a team), but he'll decline and head "upstairs" for the Wings in an advisory role (SVP and Alt Governor) . I'm thinking Jimmy D at age 75 might step down. Kenny will be 63 this November, and that would make him 64 by the time his first season with Seattle is getting underway (if the team ramps up by 2019-2020 season). He's got 4 kids who most are still in the area. Really nice home in the area. He has summer vacation home in Ontario which is a fairly short drive (considering) from the Detroit area. I just don't see it. At his age, what he's already accomplished, doesn't need the money, moving literally all the way across the country to Seattle (or at least spend 2/3 of his year away from his home and family). I don't think he will.

I would highly likely assume that the Wings as a $650+-million dollar organization forecast their costs (as does every big time $$ organization) from year-to-year, 3 year, 5 year, 10 year outlook. In my experience, this forecasting with an aggressive stance, and tends to overstate costs and expenses for protection (and for publicly held companies...better odds to "beat the street"). I would guess that they forecast for their team to always be at the top cap $ for their employee cost/expenses. Meaning, they forecast to always be at the cap$. I don't think they make forecast with anything but that as it would leave them in operational position of vulnerability. They understand the huge cash that can/would come with being successful (going to the playoffs/long runs in the playoffs/winning the Stanley Cup)...so to not forecast that they will be at the cap$ would be an error. "We'd like to be successful, but we didn't budget for it"...or "we can't acquire X player because we didn't budget for his salary". I couldn't care less if the Wings are at the cap and I don't think this ultimately effects ticket prices. However, a brand new $850+ million dollar arena is a different story when it comes to ticket/concession prices.

Passing the bad contract around until he finally ends up with a really bad team that's willing to stomach the production vs. the money$.

As in like a billion $$ in his 401K??

It would be nice if the NHL stopped with the year-after-year Winter Classic games. IMO-It's lost it's luster and now seems like a on-going challenge to see what novel stadiums/setting they can play the game. It's obvious from the news that Chicago and Boston are playing in South Bend that the actual teams playing in the game are kind of random/hand-outs. I'd make it a every other year, or something different/staggered timing to create more desire and "buzz" to watch. It's become a bit lame. Have they played the Winter Classic at Arthur Ash Stadium yet?? Augusta National??

IF additional revenue by doing this would prompt NHL teams to lower ticket prices where I can actually take my kids to a game without forking over a month's mortgage payment...then maybe. However, I know better and understand. It's a business and doing this would only go to bolster team's bottom line$$.

Not saying that I don't think every avenue should be investigated when it comes to the health (short AND long term) of players, Especially considering the speed of the players today, the size/muscle these guys are packing, and the bulked up armor/equipment in today's game. However, isn't this a free will sport? Don't players choose to play in the NHL fully knowing what could happen? I guarantee their parents knew when they invested all of the time and money to cultivate the player making it to the NHL ranks. So...are we protecting players from themselves?? Our sport we love so much has always been like this. It's what makes hockey fans to passionate, and non-hockey fans so indifferent. LIve by the sword...die by the sword. BTW...hate to see players go down like Lindros did...but he did have his head down while gaining the offensive zone at a high rate of speed....what did he expect in a Conference Finals game? Which brings up another question to pose...could some of this be eliminated with better coaching? I know there has been a huge push in "Pop Warner"/youth football, high school, and college to teach better fundamentals to the youth involved in the sport. The right way to hit and tackle, QB's leaving receivers out to hang with vulnerable passes over the middle, etc. . I will say, I'm pretty sure Gordie Howe and tons of other older players who've played in the league would definitely teach that if you skate with your head down while handling the puck... you're going to get nailed.

I'm IN as long as he gives out sweet nicknames day 1 of camp

Although he may command a hefty price tag... he'll settle for less money$ because he's a home-town kid and wanting to keep the childhood dream of playing for the Wings alive

Were these tickets (e.g. $400) via a private party seller/3rd party/ticket vendor, or via direct from the LCA certified ticket provider? If a private party, yes, typically these prices will go down as the game day approaches. Especially on game day within an hour or so of the puck drop. A lot of these private party/3rd party/ticket vendors have systems and algorthmn's in place to maximize profits but to also make sure the tickets get sold and they are not left with a dead asset. You may also want to call the LCA Box Office and check their pricing (their number is 313.471.7575....I was doing some investigation myself so I had the number handy). Also, never a shortage of good tickets being sold outside the arena on game day. Heck, if you even wait a few minutes after puck drop you can get super good deals. Good luck!

"Better" would need to be defined further. Feds - More talented Stevie - Better overall impact on his team

Agree with these sentiments. Plus, you have to consider the Canadian contingent that has a heavy hand in the whole HHOF process/Board of Directors/Selection Committee. More of late It's gotten more representation from people who's home country isn't Canada (e.g. Igor Larionov), but you have to be a no-brainer, LOCK, if were a player from Russia.

Got it! I thought they lent players to other teams in their own league...that's what threw me. Thanks for the explanation. Makes total sense.

Interesting. Just curious on how the lending of a player to another team works? Why would a team want or benefit lending a player to another team?

Was Stevie sent down to GR at this point?

And my son who is currently 5...but showing tons of promise

Umm...this Wings team right now, I don't think there is any case to be made that Vanek was a forward we didn't need. This team needs upgrades up-and-down the roster if we plan on competing at the highest level. I'm liking where the direction of the roster is headed (especially in the past month), but we still have a long way to go.

I don't care...these are not shots at me...I'm not saying these things.

A few on some other non-LGW forums, and I heard a local sports radio guy comment that the money was "a little rich" considering some of his struggles last year. I love the deal from a team perspective though. We got a great deal on him. Let's keep him happy, give him a little rope, let him play, and let him go full on BEAST mode. If he does have a few bumps in the road this year, and I hear any chatter about him going down to GR for any reason, I'm sending that person a box of bee's.

I have the opinion that the short term deal was more a move by he and his agent to ultimately hit the free agent market quicker (2 years), with a much higher payout. IMO-Mantha and his internal team know/believe how much of a stud he is, and his potential for the next 7-12 years. They realize how young he still is, and that he still has some growing pains and development to fully adjust to the NHL game. Hence the slump he fell into last year. This slump I believe also pulled the offer $$ down on this current contract signing. But again, they fully believe he'll be an offensive FORCE and highly coveted in the league very soon (especially considering his size). This was a smart move by he and his agent. Get great money (some believe he got too much $ on this deal) for a short term deal, and hit the market in two years where his value, by their hopes and speculation, will have skyrocketed. Smart. I'm not a big believer in pro athletes with very shrewd agents, doing things for good will and kudos. Everything has dollar signs $$ behind it.

Are you Samuelsson's mom?? (kidding). Easy.... not making fun with spite, just a comment in which i was drawing a comparison. Hard shot and overrated/overpaid. And...It wasn't cliche, it was pretty true based on what most in the media around here were talking about at the time. BTW...when reflecting on your own team's past successes....aren't all goals in the playoffs pretty big?? I thought you might insert a video of Boyd Devereaux and his important goals from the 2002 playoffs as a justification. Those bring back fond memories as well.