bringback91

I'm thinking 34. Seen him in some highlights wearing that #.

Per Djoos. Just joking, if any it would be the white (away) one.

Big E blows. So does O'neill actually.

Besides the fact I think injury should play a part in ranking. Z's an awesome player no doubt, but this incredibly high pedastal he's put on by some is becoming comical. Who was centering Z for those 35 games, cause from the start of the season, he and Datsyuk were on different lines. Then when reunited Z played on the wing for a while with Datsyuk centering til his wrist was injured, then Dats was moved to Wing for pretty much the rest of the season.

Your right, I mean really IMO the best way to decide a list like this should be divided by position. I mean what makes a great forward is different from what makes a great dman. Some decide a great dman by points produced which is the wrong way to go about it. For example I think both in their primes Vladdy was a better defenseman that Lids. Didn't have the offensive skills obviously but if it came down to one or the other in a one goal game I'd pick Vladdy. And goaltending is even tougher to figure. I guess the way I'd do it is act like you had the first overall pick in a fantasy draft. Me personally would go goalie, then dman. Cause a great defenseman is way harder to find than a great forward, and a great goalie is the hardest of all to find. I guess my point is it's damn near impossible to do a list like this. To much personal prefernce invoulved thorugh homerism, to what style of game and position you like the best.

Ward is about all I would want them to pick up off that roster. (thats obtainable anyway) Not a fan of Murray either, and I don't see the Wings over paying to get him anyway. Sorry to those of you who'd like to offer either Hudler, Maltby, or Lilja that's just not going to get it done. I wouldn't worry to much about the second line, Z and Dats will be split and I think Grigs is going to make an impact. Maybe not on the second line (i think he will) but maybe on like the third or something and open up the possiblity of Flip playing up with Datsyuk (those guys have great chemistry). As far as Kovalev, there was a minor amount of speculation of him coming here before Montreal. Maybe your right about him, but he'd be a far superior pick up to Murray.

He's there. 36 on THN and 22 on Fox sports. While fox sports is way more accurate, it still has a couple flaws and also contradicts itself. Like for instance if Joe Thorton as they say has been "Over the last two years, the best player in the NHL" why isn't he ranked #1? They must have meant the best player after the best player in the leauge. But all in all seems to be to be far more accurate.

Heart of a giant, or a brain of a flee. Just saying. Some people can and will fight when needed, that's great. But some realize there's just no place for them in that course of action. That makes them no less of a man or a friend. I'd feel like crap if someone I knew jumped in a fight I was in and got there jaw broke, adult leauge hockey or in a bar. I say if your in a fight 1 on 1 and both were willing everyone should stay out of it. If someone gets "jumped" on or off the ice, sure get invoulved. But that doesn't mean my friend who's 5-7 150 lbs. should square off with someone 6-3 210. Nor should Stevie, Dats, or Z. Grab a guy and hold him back if it's a brawl on the ice. Who wants Z out for 4 months cause he ate a punch he couldn't handle?

Hell yeah! G n' R! Gotta get him that Velvet Revolver CD. Scott Weilend's the man. Anyway, Eva's last post is absolutly correct. But even if he did sign the contract and never left, I think he'd of been bought out anyway in favor of Lids.

I woulnd't mind seeing a "fighter" on the team simply cause I like to see a fight every now and then. Don't think they are nessicary to win, nor do I think they'd do much at all to deter a potential cheap shot or anything like that. It'd be perfect if you could have one extra guy on the bench. That way you wouldn't have to sit a better hockey player just to get a fighter in the lineup.

Well no, there not incorrect or misleading. Yeah Datsyuk played one more year, I said "but that playoff stats have been all Datsyuks been judged by since he's been on the Wings, so here's a glimpse since Z's been in the leauge." Since Z's been in the leauge, miss that part? I also added regular season stats as well. However you want to slice up the numbers I guess, but how about we just do the last two seasons when they've been the two go to guys. Datsyuk regular season: 154gp. 55g. 119a. 174pts. +62 9gwg playoff 23gp 8g. 11a. 19pts. +2 2gwg. Z regular season: 140gp. 72g. 81a. 153pts. +55 19gwg. playoff 24gp. 12g. 8a. 20pts. -1 1gwg. So if anyone's being misleading it must be you. As you can see from the past two years alone, Dats has been slightly better offensively, and damn near exactly the same in the playoffs. Calling him "defensively capable" is really undercutting the guys defensive game. Maybe you like and prefer Z's STYLE of defense and all around play, but it's not mind blowingly more effective. Sure Z's got a better knack of scoring goals, Dats is better at setting guys up, different styles to be sure, but I just don't see this giant gap in playing ablitiy. Oh well, to each his own I suppose.

Sure your right. Although I do understand this coming from someone with a great dis-like for Datsyuk, who also thinks Hudler is just as good as Datsyuk. At least that's the arguement you've made a couple of times. Anyway while a matter of opinion, many would beg to differ just how MUCH better Z is than Datsyuk. I beleive they both seem to be equally great players with differing strong points in game, but neither one really out shines the other by any margin. I know alot don't like to use stats, and there not everything for sure, but that playoff stats have been all Datsyuks been judged by since he's been on the Wings, so here's a glimpse since Z's been in the leauge. Dats: Regular season GP:293 G:97 A:196 PTS:293 +/-:80 GWG: 14 Playoffs: GP:39 G:8 A:17 PTS:25 +/-:EVEN GWG:2 Z Regular season: GP:280 G:109 A:131 PTS:240 +/-:76 GWG:25 Playoffs: GP:40 G:15 A:10 PTS:25 +/-:-3 GWG:1 I mean, I understand the golden boy thing that some have with Z, I really do, but how much better some seem to think he is than Datsyuk is just plain silly. They've both had there share of underskilled linemates, as well as had each other to work with. Both have played in all situations, and both have played extended periods of time on wing, away from there natural position. The stats would beg to differ that z is so much better. Datsyuk is obviously no sloutch on D, lead the leauge in take aways. The leadership I love how fans seem to gauge it. Like really, how do you know how Z leads the team? They both seem to lead by example and thats the best way. Eh, I guess we'll just have to wait til the end of both careers just to see how "MUCH BETTER" Z really is.

Forsberg on the Wings? Right after they sign Big E, Trade for Raycroft, and get Morozov to come back from Russia.

At what exactly?

AGREED! :beerbuddy: Sign him up just in time to finish in 9th with Colorado, then back to MODO with him. Alot of people are so silly in Detroit. He's not going to be on the Wings.

While I also hate preferential (sp) treatment that's given to celebs, Paris didn't exactly hit and run causing injury to another driver though. IMO he got lucky himself. If that were me it'd be probably a year and they sure as hell wouldn't wait til after hockey season. This guy is garbage, I remember when he was getting the Witt, Hall, Asham, Doan treatment around here. People were just dying to get this guy in a Wings uniform. hahahha!

Author: Seydamet Abrekov (MK In Lada) Translated By: Eugene Belashchenko Date: 07/04/2007 Grigorenko's Red Wings - Togliatti Forward is Leaving for America 2007 Russian Super League (taken from another thread on here titled "Grigorenko Interview") sorry, don't know how to do links. I. Grigorenko: I signed a deal with Detroit in Moscow during the World Championships. My dream to get to the NHL has come true and I want to secure a spot in North American hockey. It won’t be easy to make Detroit’s main lineup, but it is definitely worth a try. Maybe it would have been easier not to leave the country, as some clubs pay even more than in the NHL? Especially since the taxes are so high in America… I. Grigorenko: Money wasn’t the primary factor, I just want to play in the NHL. I will always have a chance to come back home. You probably followed Detroit’s last games against Anaheim during the Stanley Cup Playoffs? I. Grigorenko: Of course. The games ended up being great! Nobody gave anyone an inch – everyone battled to the end. That is the kind of hockey that I like and that is why I am going to America. But you are a playmaker? I. Grigorenko: I am prepared for physical hockey and do not experience any problems with it. Let them be scared of me over there. How is your English?: I. Grigorenko: Bad. I will be studying or always carrying a translator with me (laughing). Is your family remaining home? I. Grigorenko: Why? My wife and my child are coming with me and we won’t be apart. Some eariler posts seem to be jumping the gun. A lack of patience. Sure he's got alot to prove, but can't deny his heart and attitude seem to be in the right place. As far as refusing to draft Russian players, that would be the stupidest thing a team could do besides refusing to draft Canadieans. Anyway I expect big things from this guy.

I don't know about that, talking about trading him for a center ranked 90+

1. Wil Kronwall reach #1/#2 Dman status within his current contract (next 5 years)? - Yes, I'd say a #2 though. He was unimpressive to me last year, but I think that was an off year. Next year will be by far his best to date, IMO. 2. Will Grigorenko prove to be a capable top 6 forward this season? - Yes, sounds like he's got the attitude and skill to make an impact, and if given the chance with Dats or Z, I'm willing to bet he'll shine. 3. Will Hudler score 20+ goals this season? - Depends on ice time and linemates, but I'll say yes. 4. Will Filppula have a 45pt season? - Sure hope so, could very well happen if on top 2 lines and some PP time. 5. Will Lilja get in more than 5 fights? - No, he and the coaching staff know he's more valuable on the ice than in the box. 2 max. 6. Will Rafalski have a career offensive year? - I think he will with the Wings being better offensively than N.J. 7. Who will be the alternate captains when Zetterberg gets the C? - If that happens, and within 3-5 years, Dats and Rafalski. Unless obviously there are some roster moves that would say otherwise. 8. Does Cleary turn out to be a one hit wonder, or does he repeat with another 20+ goal showing? - It'll be tough, though I don't care how much he scores as long as he keeps playing the same game I saw from him last year. I don't think he'll be seeing as much 2nd line or PP time. 9. What one forward, that is an 08 UFA as of now, would you like to see the Wings get at the deadline? - Obvious....#91 10. Of the players whose contracts expire in either 08 or 09, which ONE top 6 winger and ONE top 4 Dman (both in the 3M-5M range) and which ONE bottom six player (less than 2M) would you like to see the Red Wings sign? - I don't know.

Wouldn't it just be easier to say you like to watch hockey fights, and want a fighter on the Wings cause you love to see fights? To me that's the only logical arguement for wasting a roster spot. I love hockey fights too, but with how the leauge is structured now, there really isn't a spot for a player like Kocur on a team like the Wings. I thought the Wings this past post season proved they were damn tough. But maybe I'm the one with the short term memory loss?

Agree. I think some really undervalue the guy. He's exactly the type of player the Wings need back on the blueline. All business, D first, plays with alot of nastiness, and players actually feel it when the guy puts a hit on. Lids is great, hell even the greatest Dman in the game today, but I think he'd be the first to tell you it's great to have a guy like Markov out there with him. It's not like Markov was some bumbling idiot out there and Lids bailed him out every shift. I'd say no more than 3-3.25 for 2 years MAX. If that's not enough let the Isle's or Atl or someone like that overpay for him. But to say you could play Lilja, Meech or Quincey out there instead of him and not miss a beat is silly. Everyone wants a tougher Wings team, the guy is the definition of tough.

I know some fans are ridiculous. I didn't know that being in 1st in one of the toughest divisions in the leauge was "sucking". I'd rather face some adversity now than later. Besides, not using it as an excuse cause every team faces it, but the injuries aren't exactly minor, and seem to be taking a toll. They'll come around, than the wagon will be filled to the brim again.

He's gettin in. Thankfully it's not up to disgruntled Wings fans as to who gets in or not. Over 1000 gp. 1st Russian to over 1000pts. Let alone all the Red Wings milestones, it's actually quite evident he'll be in.

I'm gonna hazard to guess that he meant two WAY players. edit-- I wouldn't say the Hall is a slam dunk, more like an empty netter.

Have to go with Vladdy as well. The guy was a beast and one of my favorite Wings. Like others have said, no one has come close to replacing what he brought to the team. It's really a shame how his career came to an end. There's no doubt in my mind if he would've been able to stay around, the Wings would've gotten 1 more cup for sure.