wings4thecup06

Intriguing. But now frees up some cap space for them to possibly re-sign Stralman...

Indeed. Trade him over to us.

Why? I mean I have nothing against Bert, but no sympathy really. He nearly killed Steve Moore after all. Really he should have been banned for life.

I just don't see them trading Mantha anywhere for absolutely anything, outside of maybe Crosby. It'd be nuts. They've been talking all year long about how high they are on him especially after his performance this season. Just go on youtube and watch the draft video where the Wings pick him and Mantha walks up to the stage, towers over Babs and shakes his hand. The smile and awe on Babs face is priceless. Its like he's thinking inside his own head 'now this is the kind of size we could use'. 6'4 dynamic snipers don't come along everyday. I wanted Iginla in a Wings jersey for a long time, although it means I'll have to forgive him for all the s*** he gave several Wings in the playoffs while with Calgary a few years back. Would be a great add though, that's for sure. MIght make Alfie expendable though

hmm, who's guessing he won't sign? http://islanderspointblank.com/islanders/isles-trade-for-dan-boyle-from-san-jose/ Also per arthur staple at newsday

While that;s what the market might have become, do you think you could survive quite happily on $12.5 million for another 40 years? I think I could. I'm just saying.

True. I was only 14 at the time of the '02 cup, and hadn't got into hockey until about 99, right after the back to back. So '02 for me was the most special because it's the first one I celebrated in the moment if you will.

Maybe, before this board blows up. Has anyone considered the possibility that whenever a rumour gets out that a high quality player wants out (ala Thornton), KH a co would make the call anyway just to enquire what it would take and what the market is? Because then if KH finds that SJ wants X, Y and Z for Joe, then he can call back Vancouver and be like, SJ will give me Thornton for less than you're asking, bring your price down! just a thought.

In that case he won't sign a two way contract will he, and end up just leaving. Andd all this will have been for nothing!

He's being paid $6.5 million the past season, cap geek has his career earnings already at $12.5 million! Seriously, only a few people ever get to earn that kind of money. I'm sure an extra $1mil less isn't going to kill him just to get his name on the cup

While some of that may be true, there's a couple things right now that I think work to change that. 1. The emergence of several kids who carried us has (hopefully) shown KH that some of these guys can be slotted in and it's not all about veterans anymore 2. We've got a good amount of cap space for the first time in I can't remember 3. We've also got a gluttony of good, mid level prospects who we could potentially package to get something decent in return. While the recent history might suggest otherwise, I think KH will do something decent this offseason.

You'd say no to Kesler? Even at the right price?

Well yea i was more referring to the fans that aren't at the rink (those that turn up)….

I agree on this one. Just after the Olympic break Franzen was on fire, there was the hat-trick in Ottawa that essentially kept us floating for a while and then Gus got hot for the rest of the year and carried us. I know what you mean though, Franzen is really frustrating that he is so streaky, I wish he'd be more consistent too. I think most of us here will probably remember though that he went to sleep when it counted most this year, and that's the playoffs.

Perhaps, but realistically, if we did tank, how would everyone feel? Would it decimate the fan base for instance?

Can anyone imagine though if we did do a Colorado and tanked the year and ended up with McDavid?

This really, isn't what I'd called being 'realistic' though. It's being negative and bringing a defeatist attitude when the draft, free agency and our roster for next season hasn't even formulated yet. If you're expecting the Wings to win the cup every year then you are setting yourself up for failure because it'll never happen. Yes all of us here want the Wings to do well, but surely being a realist would mean realising that the Wings won't win the cup every year?? I mean, winning one is hard to do, let alone two. You obviously disagree, but IMO this team is trending up. They're getting rid of excess baggage (aside from Clearly but that remains to be seen), are healthy, will most likely have their two best players back and ready to go (Z looked great in the two games he played against Boston, and there's no reason to suggest why a summer of rehab and conditioning shouldn't have him even better), we've got young guys coming up who are largely responsible for getting us in last season and have bright futures ahead, and we've got arguably our most exciting prospect for as long as I can remember (Mantha) turning pro and possibly challenging for a spot. So what's not to like? Rebuilding on the fly isn't exactly a painless process and we've seen that the last two years. But with the pieces we have, it definitely doesn't suggest we're going to suck. Too many people here I think are getting down on the Wings already even though the offseason really hasn't even started to get going yet. Am I the only one who's excited about the future of this team?

My money says he'll end up in Anaheim. Getzlaf and Spezza down the middle would be ridiculous

I think for me, the thing about Mrazek that has me so high on him, is that he's absolutely excelled at every level. He barged his way into the GR and seized the number 1 job there and has been awesome for 2 seasons. He was terrific in the World Juniors (Goalie of the tournament I believe), and every time he's got the call to the Wings, he's played great too. Everytime you hear anyone talk about him, they also mention how determined, competitive he is and how he wants to be the best guy on the ice every night. That kind of attitude combined with the skill he has shown so far, as we all know, separates the good from the great. Obviously he may never put it all together on a consistent basis, or he may win multiple Vezinas. We're going to find out though for sure.

I'll be really sad if those numbers come to fruition, because it'll just epitomise how ridiculous pro athletes salaries are. 1 year in the league and you can make big bucks.

How awesome is that? I'm so excited about DK. I don't think he'll be Lidstrom good, but a number 2 D man perhaps. Absolutely cannot wait for sunday for the new schedule to be released so we actually have something proper to discuss! Are we going to get back our customary new year's eve game? Any guesses for who the Capitals will play in the winter classic?

I don't know, I reckon in 2 years it might happen and then we'll shop Howard. Don't get me wrong, I like Jimmy alot, but if he doesn't show this season why he earned that big contract in the first place I don't see him being able to withstand Mrazek. Kid is going to be good. They'd be too stupid not to make Petr the starter if he performs as well as he can.

Wasn't it more a case of the fact that he was a Wings fan growing up?

Because with Gus injured, we can call up Mrazek, and he'll run Howie out of town and steal the starting job…..

So how about Kindl, AA, Andersson and Ferraro? If we're going to unload our baggage, might as well get on with it! I don't think KH will sacrifice our 1st when it's the highest we've picked in a long time. That said, it's not a great draft so I could see it happening. I'd want it to be spent on someone a bit higher up the food chain than Campbell though