wings4thecup06

I'm not sure about that. Weiss has been hurt the last 2 years so that's a non starter, Sammy was just plain old and washed up, and Booth. Meh. Still, adding Campbell could be a good one, may have to ship Kindl the other way to make it work. Thoughts?

True, but we don't know what (if anything) might come after Boyle. Whether it be Alfie, a trade for Kesler, Edler or whatever. The pieces get added one by one generally not all at the same time.

But you can't go from middling idiot to top of the class through signing any one player, unless your team is that close anyway (e.g the Hawks). For the Wings and most others, it has to come through a series of signings, trades and prospects that have stepped up the game to the next level. Boyle won't help us win the Cup, but he could be part of a piece that if everything comes together in the right way, will help us win.

Screw it. Just bring up Sproul for the entire year, and if he can't cope, send him back down for a bit and bring up Ouellet. If he struggles bring up Marchenko. Repeat until finding a prospect that feels comfortable at the NHL level.

According to Pierre LeBrun, Garth Snow is now shopping the rights to Dan Boyle. Surprise surprise. Should we trade our 7th round pick?

Per Bob McKenzie: 'DET puts Jordin Tootoo on buyout waivers.'

I agree. Right now, everything you read is bs because nothing can realistically happen (besides a few players being bought out) until the draft next week. I do feel that there is that fine line also. Part of me would love for management to go 'screw it', kids all the way, and stick Mantha, Jurco up from the beginning along with Mrazek, Sproul and Ouellet. And then the other half of me wants KH to go and acquire a top end D man or a forward with some size and grit. All we can really do is wait and speculate. I know 3/4 of this forum wants to go and tear down the Joe because of the Cleary news, but maybe we could focus on the positives coming up next week?

4 years and $5.5m? Or will this just add to our logjam?

I can see the Winter Classic, shaking with anxiety after being traumatised by last years events……'put me in a traditional market, please.'

Anyone think that Stastny would be a good pickup from Colorado? Heard rumblings he might make it to UFA?

Good move, like I've said before, I think my preferred option would have been to have Mrazek up full time, but this is fine too. Gus had a solid season.

Maybe, but a player development coach isn't playing the games with you, showing you how its done when it counts. Taking those hits just to make plays, not giving up on icing calls etc etc.

I'm sorry, but are people suggesting we trade Z away just so we can acquire an overhyped up 18 year old? Call me stupid, but seriously? Why would you want to trade away our best player, leader and galvaniser? The man had back surgery for heavens sake and was still better than 90% of the team vs the Bruins when he came back a month early. I'll trade him away when he's retired. Thanks

Exactly. And this is the reason why I'm not sitting here s****ing my pants over this just yet because it makes sense to have a veteran guy like Cleary go to GR and show the kids what great work ethic is. Like someone else said, if he makes the team it'll be because he's played well, not because he's entitled.

I don't think it will be though. Cleary was awful last season, and if he's really that bad, he won't make the team out of camp and if they do sign him to the 2 way deal, he'll go down to GR. I don't see how he'll make the roster at all this year with the development of the kids and how they've come on, and the logjam we currently have, with or without Alfie. That said, if KH signs him to a 1 year, NHL deal without a 2 way element, I will not be happy, and I think it'll cloud every other move KH makes this summer on this board for sure.

Yea, don't overpay for that garbage. He should have taken that money and ran with it. He fit really well in Ottawa Having thought about Gus coming back on a 1 year deal, actually it makes a lot of sense: Gus played well and carried us last year for a good portion when Howie was out and struggling. Nothing wrong knowing you've got a capable backup there who can step in. Plus, I thought he played well on very short notice in the playoffs. Mrazek only has 11 games NHL experience. I know, I know, I think he'll be our number 1 guy in 3 years time, but is there really the need to rush him? I'm postulating here, not stating this as my opinion - I'd personally like to see Mrazek as the backup This is the last year of that Mrazek is waiver exempt, so this is likely the last chance he'll get to have some 'seasoning' and say for example, he started struggling if the Wings brought him up, they could send him back down to GR to work on his game. Not suggesting this is the way the Wings operate, but as Mrazek is an RFA next season, if he doesn't play many more NHL games, he hasn't got a lot of bargaining power. I think the Wings might be fully aware of the fact that this guy is going to be damn good, and now they've got Howard locked up for 5 years, I don't know if they'd want to face the scenario where Howard's got 3 years left on his deal and Mrazek is already showing he's a better goalie. Keeping Mrazek down for another year means the Wings can better control his salary increments so that it doesn't clash too much with Jimmy. Just my thoughts As for Clearly, if it's a 2 way deal then fine. Just as long as he plays well if/when he gets called up to Detroit.

Exactly. And if those players improve but we've got a log jam on the NHL roster then we can flip them for picks.

Gus played well, but this should be a one year deal max. Mrazek needs to play with the big boys

Yup, will definitely be an interesting situation to keep an eye on. Although it makes me wonder, why him? What has he done? demanded more than they think he's worth? Is he a bad presence in the locker room?

Proven or not, the return would have to be a bit more than just Shattenkirk if you want me to give up Mantha and Nyquist. Our need isn't that glaring that I think we should sacrifice two potential 30 goal scorers. Yes you have a point on the unproven part, but these 2 have got tons of potential IMO, especially Mantha, who looked like he responded quite aptly to his critics this season about his inconsistency. Nyquist isn't done yet either, the guy is 24, he's played 97 games and has 32 career goals. I accept we need an upgrade on D, but I don't think this is the solution

And I think that last sentence is precisely the problem. Nash and Vanek AREN'T worth $7m +, its just that some idiot decided they were and now everyone else wants more. Sorry I'm ranting about how I hate inflated salaries. What do we think happens with him? He gets really pissed at Colorado for messing him around 2 years ago, and now they're trying to reduce his salary? What are the options here?

I think we'd be better served making a legit offer to Niskanen instead of trading a massive amount away for a top 2 D man (say Shattenkirk). It'd make more sense and we wouldn't have to sacrifice important pieces to get what we need and solidify the back end. You would seriously offer Mantha?

And it's true, I agree, we need more physical, tough NA's on our team. And I think it's all about finding the correct balance, which is why I feel Callahan should be playing with us next season, and essential that we get a healthy season out of Helm.

I think there was a clause that was entered into the CBA after the 04/05 lockout that stated a club could elect to take a player to salary arbitration….don't ask me for more specific details though. I'd take ROR in a heartbeat.

Good thread idea. Definitely going to have many slow Hockey news days this summer myself, so i'm going to need this I think to curb the withdrawal symptoms