Andy Pred 48

Apart from getting a #1 netminder, the next thing would to be a big powerforward to play on Dats line. St.Louis is a good player no doubt, but I don't bye into the idea of swapping him for Dats would be an upgrade on the Wings. Now if you get ARTYUKHIN, EVGENY from Tampa for Pavel's line for Williams or like, that would help the team.

Oh Bugger, I forgot about that Barnesy!!

Well i never thought I would be saying this but it is just possable that we may have been knocked out in the 1st round by the eventual Stanley cup winners? The Oilers continue to ride on Rolson and he is being huge for them and a potential CS winner. A part from a couple of games in the last series against the Av's they continue to soak up the pressure get outshot and hit teams on the break. They now take a 2-0 lead back home and could see off the Duck's by Thursday! Anybody else find this a bit far fetched?

Correct me if i'm wrong but the guy who has just been voted MVP in the n/m has never been drafted? I believe he has played over here in the minors, and had a handful of games for the Vipers in the old IHL back in '98 but no one picked him up. I was curious to know if anyone can remember him playing here and what he was like? Judging by his stats he seem's to have gotten better as he's gotten older. Last season he played for Russian Elite side Ufa Salavat Yulayev, where he shared the n/m duties with Sergei Nikolayev. In the Russian Elite league last year he posted 1.98 GAA and a 0.923 save % in 38 games. Not too shabby in what is regarded as the next best league to the NHL. He's registered at 6' and 175lb, and is 32 in August, so not over the hill in goalies states. Any thoughts , if anyone fancies checking it out his team mate who is also undrafted and only 22 could be worth a shot. Dmitry Makarov, good age and size and looks to be just coming into his own.

Niklas Kronwall was this year's big winner in the awards category Niklas Kronwall of Sweden was named tournament MVP for Riga 2006 by the IIHF. The only other Swede to be so honored was Mats Sundin in 2003. The MVP award was instituted in 1999. Way to go Nik!!

It's not looking good for the Minnesota Wild's attempts to re-sign star forward Marian Gaborik to a long-term extension. Recent reports in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune had Gaborik rejecting a five-year deal worth $5.5 million per season and his agent suggesting the only way to settle the impasse could be via arbitration. If that occurs, Gaborik will be awarded a one-year contract, after which he'll be eligible for unrestricted free-agent status. That could force the Wild to trade him at some point next season rather than rise losing him for nothing. Out of our league if 5.5m a year ain't enough, now a trade might be possable, but who or what?

Guys who possably wont go early for the first 3 rounds. Frazer McLaren 6'4.5" 225 LW potential grity 4th line enforcer. Alexei Shvalev 6'2" 198lb D potential depth stay at home 5/6 D. I wasn'y being dismissive Vadim, i think the 2 guys are one's we should go for. They aren't projected to go in the early rounds so we could possably pick them up with a 3rd pick, I liked the look of them both, maybe I just worded it wrong.

Griffs up by 3 games to 2, winning in Winnipeg 3-2 with Howard putting on a master class in the second half of the game, listened on Wood radio great game and had you on the edge. Huds and Flip played great but overall the team made a fast start and then hung on in there. can see Jimmy H getting a place on the Wings next year if he keeps this up.

Guys who possably wont go early for the first 3 rounds. Frazer McLaren 6'4.5" 225 LW potential grity 4th line enforcer. Alexei Shvalev 6'2" 198lb D potential depth stay at home 5/6 D. With the Wings first 2 picks on who might be available to them; 1st Round; Juraj Simek 6'1" 189lb W; fiesty scoring winger. Tomas Marcinko 6'4" 187lb C; playmaking 2nd line centre. Nigel Williams 6'4.5" 226lb D; steady with offensive potential 3/4 D. Carl Sneep 6'4" 210lb D offensive Q/B style productive 1/4D.

Kenny is so far the standout player on the blueline at the WHC. Get it done Mr Holland;

i think tonite will be a full house as the Griffs need to tie the series

Has Lebda gone back to the Griffs? he was listed on their playoff roster for the Calder, so I would think the Griffs would want him in the line up.

I think that Blatak will be over in GR next season and they may pair Kindl with him too ( both Czech's) could help. Just to add to the org topic, I thought this was interesting on the latest prospect report; Kolosov is a rarity in the Red Wings system -- a big, physical force with a mean streak. The Red Wings like what Kolosov has to offer, and are expected to sign him to a contract and get him into the professional ranks in 2006-07. maybe the Storm? do you think.

With ref the minors one kid to keep an eye is the young Belarus D. Drafted in 2004 151 overall, this kid is bulking up nicely. At draft was 6'4" 187lb now listed at 202lb with Cedar Rapids in the USHL. Plays the body well and has a +7 rating for 2nd on his team. Not an over offensive player but has put points on the board. I'm getting good vibes about this kid, not 20 till May. Vlady MKII? Well lets hope so, i'm keeping an eye open for this name to appear in the future.

Petr Kumstat. Czech elite league. 6.05 198lb F 47 16 12 28 34/ age 24. Alexander Stepanov. Russia 5.09 216lb F 49 12 12 24 62 / age 27. Ville Koistinen. Finnish. 6.00 198lb D 56 8 26 34 70 / age 24 None of the players have been drafted but have made an impact on their teams, the Russian lad is not tall but is built like a tank and hits the net hard and doesn't mind getting his nose dirty. The czech is a tall fast winger, but could do with hitting the gym to put on another 15-20lb to complement his frame. Has an eye for goal and plays both ends well. The finnish guy is an offensive D playmaker, good hands and keeps it simple in his own end, moves the puck well and knows when to join the rush. Probably not up to the Wings level, but wouldn't do GR any harm in having a look.

Don't get to carried away with Grigs not coming over, nothing is for definite yet and there's plenty of guys over here who play on the national team for Russia. We have one already and that could be 3 by the start of next season.

This is the guy I think will be coming over next year, possably to GR and see how he gets on TOMEK VALTONEN , 6' 1" and 210lb SCOUT COMMENTS "He's a big, strong guy and his skating has gotten better. He's older, he's more developed mentally, and he's been a pleasant surprise. His upside is as a third- or fourth-line winger, just crashing and banging." -- Red Wings director of amateur scouting Joe McDonnell (January 2004) ... "He's gotten a lot stronger, his skating has improved, he has better quickness, and he's learned to accept the role he has to play. He plays hard, he's got a banging hit. He's got a role and he's kind of found that niche and done a good job with it." -- Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill (May 2004) ... Stats this year; 51 11 6 17 130 .

looks like Jiri blew out big style coming in with a nil point -3 rating in his last 2 games. This is the sort of form which I think is costing him a place on the Wings roster. Unless he has a stella post season, I think Filpulla and Grigs will be the guys to play up next season leaving Hudler in GR or being moved on. Pity really as the guy has great skill's just needs to be more solid in his own end and possably pack on a few pounds too.

With 2 home games left Hudler is 4 points shy of hitting the 100 plateu, and with the Griffs playing bottom placed San An tonight he should have a great chance to be near it for Sat's final game. Has Mac been sent back to GR or not ? he has a outside chance of hitting the 60 goal mark if he has. Booter is also 12 mins short of the 400 pim's, could be a great couple of days in Grand Rapid. Good luck to all the guys and hope they get the point they need to secure the title.

One RFA I would really like to see in a Wings jersey is Marian Gaborik, he will be available this summer, Grig's Dats and Gabs kinda has a ring to it!

I expect that Kindl will be in GR too, he's having a solid season with the Rangers.

The Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League on Monday signed defenseman Terry Virtue to a standard player’s contract. Virtue, 35, is one of the most esteemed defensemen in AHL history. A 13-year league veteran now playing in his 15th pro season, he stands among the AHL’s all-time leaders with 853 games played (16th overall and fourth among defensemen) and 1,796 penalty minutes (T12th), along with 90 playoff appearances (14th). Virtue won Calder Cups with the 1998-99 Providence Bruins and 1999-2000 Hartford Wolf Pack, becoming one of only 17 players in AHL history to win championships in consecutive seasons with two different teams.

Judging by the lack of movement before the deadline, one can read into it that, the coaching staff are happy with what we have. Also they may have a few faces up from the minor's next year and the like's of Hudler, Grigorenko and Quincey could be in the frame for a shot, Who know's!?

If this goes thru, how about a cheeky bid to try and get local boy back to Motorcity. I think Legwand would be great in a Wings uniform and I think he could fulfil his potential back home, maybe deal Hudler and Rivers plus a draft pick. Just feel the chance for him to play for his team would be the making of him. Any thoughts?

A player who had a great Olympics and has previous NHL games under his belt is the Finnish forward Ville Peltonen. Currently playing in the Swiss league, at 33 is probably a little old for long term but could do a job on the 3/4 lines in the run in and playoffs. Not sure about the cost of getting him thou, but he is a tenacious forward who can put up some numbers too.