b.shanafan14

I love that the Illitches have molded the franchise into such a preferred destination for players. Not only is it the focus on winning, but I think that the organization really helps out getting newcomers situated in the community and the lockerroom environment with the mix of quiet, stoic leaders like Nick and character guys like Osgood Draper etc really helps players feel at home. Another thing to take into account is the style of play, and i think Holland finds players who compliment the Wings' system and play to the players' strengths which make people want to stay. In regards to Hossa, its been discussed to great length that he isn't the best as the number one guy, but is great as a complimenting winger when he doesn't have to be THE guy. Sound like someone we picked up at the deadline and just signed to a 4 year deal? Stuart had a similar career pattern as Hossa, bouncing from place to place, expected to be a number one pairing guy, which doesn't suit him. So he gets to Detroit, and finds near instant chemistry with Kronwall in the second pairing and is allowed to play to his strengths. I think most players when they are really honest with themselves, would rather find a place like Detroit thats a great environment, both in the lockerroom and the community. Every player wants to find a fit that gets the most out of their play, because success is what makes people happy, achievement, accomplishment, chemistry, comraderie, security - the Detroit Red Wings offer all these things and have become known throughout the league as a team that takes care of their players. I think any player in the league would be clammering to drop a million off the bill to get that package.

Filppula, Howard, Ericsson, Downey/Mac/Chelios Everything here on out is IN house, KH even confirmed. Hate to see anyone go, but someone has to.

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom Franzen-Filppula-Hossa Cleary-Kopecky-Samuelsson Hudler-Draper-Malby Something has to give here, because we have Helm touted as the next Draper, can't not play Hudler who has been playing great. I personally think Kopecky or Samuelsson is the odd man out, more likely Sammy because I think we have plenty of Wingers. I like the idea of DZH staying together, and I think the FFH second line could be incredible too. Then again, that all depends on Flip's play, hoping he gets signed quick. Hossa may be here under the assumption he gets either Pav or Hank centering him, tho I think with our top line being the main focus, swapping Hossa for Sammy on the Filppula line spells double PWN, since they tore it up in the playoffs with an inferior winger in Samuelsson. Should be fun to watch...

Didn't Lilja already get signed by Toronto under the alias Jeff Finger?

From the Holland interview on the Hossa signing, KH mentioned signing Filpulla and he said he is discussing either short term or long term, and KH said he is fine either way. Sounds extremely positive. At the end of the day, I'm nervous cause I like most want it done, but i think Val is a classy guy and loves it here and its more just a matter of crossing Ts and dotting Is, deciding if he wants to get locked up long term now or more short term to have room for advancement. KH is the best GM in the league, he isn't going to mortgage one of the Red Wings potential lifers for a one-year contract that we all know is over and done with after this coming season.

KEN HOLLAND IS EMBUED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT!!!! WTF!?!?! IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING??? SO IF WE RESIGN FLIP, DO WE JUST SCRAP THE SEASON AND TAKE THE CUP AS A FOREGONE CONCLUSION?? I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS, PINCH ME! WE HONESTLY GOT HOSSA TO SIGN A SINGLE YEAR!? HE MUST WANT TO GET THAT CUP OUTTA THE WAY ASAP!

I like that the Wings have offered him a 1 year, $7 mil contract. I think that is perfect. Its not chump change or a cut, its just not insanity and it gives Mats his best chance to win a Stanley Cup. Really nothing to lose here. I just hope Kenny gets to signing Filpulla already. All the Wings really need is another scoring winger to play with Flip, but if we can land Sundin (which I still give only about a 25% chance of happening) thats good too. More likely is a cheaper player with a finishing touch (which is not Bertuzzi, some people are confused. ANYTHING BUT BERTUZZI

My thoughts exactly. Its like the Red Wings are the only team working a conservative system of paying players, albeit out of neccessity and just plain good business sense. And the Wings are one of the teams that could work beyond the cap. Its ridiculus, ever since the lockout there have been these contracts where you just shake your head, the Finger and Huet signings especially this year. Its just escalating again, and the owners have noone but themselves to blame (except the Illitches, they can blame the other owners). When Wade Redden is coming off a few disappointing seasons and you give him the same pay check, right around what the Wings are paying Pavel Datsyuk (granted under huge discount) and Huet is making more then Martin Brodeur... and they wonder why players want more money?

Wouldn't mind. ANYTHING is better than Bertuzzi at this point.

That makes two of us, but then again I have tremendous man-love for Shanny and I hate Bertuzzi second only to Pronger

sucks that Rolston is gone, I'm just nervous about Bertuzzi, I was sick when he came at the deadline in 06-07, if we actually pay him money i'm going to be physically ill. BERTUZZI is s*** Sign someone else, and lock up Flip.

the "old friend" referred to was Bertuzzi, it was said right in the article. And since thats the case, NO THANKS

If we are looking for someone to just sit and float on Flip's line, NO THANKS, BERT.

Bertuzzi was a formidable power forward for like a 4 year span and that was about 3 years ago when that ended, he is lazy and doesn't fit into the Wings system, he didn't do well for us a year ago, he won't do well now. He is not a worker, he is a lazy shell of his former self looking for someone to be dumb enough to bank on him and sign him for long enough to retire with a paycheck.

BERTUZZI IS A PIECE OF WORTHLESS CRAP! PLEASE KENNY, NO! Anyone who thinks Todd Bertuzzi version '08 would be a good signing, including Ken Holland, is out of their mind. Stick to pwning Ken, don't take a step back....

Another Tampa Bay signing? And more shocking, one that might actually help them more than the 13 forwards they've already signed??? Can I start hating Lightning yet, on grounds that they are apparently the next Pens (Yay Crosby! Yay Pens! = Yay Stamkos! Yay Bolts!)

My thoughts exactly, its like a bottomless pit for good forwards, with no defense to speak of and unproven goaltending. And last I heard they'll prolly move Boyle to get space, its laughable at this point. Saddest part, they are either going the way of the Rangers (big signings, next to no return) or the Penguins (shoot the lights out in the offense heavy East, get murdered in the West). My bet is first round exit as the higher seeded team. (At work, so this may just be temporary belief that I can see the future caused by boredom)

WAY TO BE! At first I was thinking we paid more than we wanted to, but when you think about it, we got him for cheap and he is the ideal partner for Kronner. Think about this: Kronner and Stuart for a whole season to build on near instant chemistry, an emerged monster in Franzen, most likely a 3 year deep Filpulla centering a line with said Mule and possibly a scoring winger like a Rolston, now we just need a 4th liner to fill the Mac/Drake spot, all set! Today might be a great day...

So at this stage, at least considering TB trend in the off season this year, I'm interested to see what other people think, cause I myself am on the fence really. Does anyone think this is going to spell return in the upcoming season, or are these just the next team to go the way of the Rangers, throwing huge contracts at the flavor of the week, bulking up on offense just to flounder? Either way, my gut says we're going to be hearing a lot about a team from Tampa, though I still don't see them doing much in the playoffs.

Please sweet merciful god, no. No Emery. He will destroy the team, send him to the minors. Wings want character guys and when they said they wanted to carry an enforcer they meant a skater who fights the opposition, not a goaltender who will get upset and go after Homer the first time he parks himself in the crease during practice. Emery is poison.

hahahahahaha of all the random things..... GO PAV haha hilarious!

saw all these, and i remember watching a bunch a while back, not too many on youtube, but does anyone know where they are from/where all of them can be found?

GO WINGS! WIN IT IN THE IGLOO! PLEASE, I DON'T THINK THE HEART CAN TAKE ANYMORE PLAYOFF HOCKEY

got this far, saw basically how i feel, quoted it. more than anything I'm furious about some fluky goals, extremely soft goalie interference penalties, not one but two, and in OT no less. Hudler penalty was earned, but it should have been the first kill, not the third. but in the end, the Wings dominated play and its sad sometimes when a team dominates play that heavily and manages to lose a game, especially this time of year. remaining extremely confident, and if anything, it will be nice not to have fans chanting "we want the cup" with half a period left to play up by one, that was ridiculus. Go Wings, win it in Pitt

Couldn't be more pissed about two more soft calls to put the game on the Penguins' plate. The refereeing in this series has become a disgusting double standard in favor of Pittburgh, all due to a combination of Pens' bitching and moaning and what we all know is only the "dream match up" if Bettman gets a game 7. Better win it in their barn... And I think its funny how in the rule book must be an asterisk next to roughing, cross-checking, slashing, and high-sticking that says if it happens to Holmstrom anywhere on the ice, disregard.