DatsyukownzU13

Iginla is more tan than the rest of them?

Updated with the old salaries (at work, will keep fixing later): Zetterberg (2.65) - Parise (3.125) - Kane (3.725) Semin (4.6) - Malkin (3.834) - Franzen (.942) Sharp (.825) - J. Carter (.9424) - Horton (3.0) Lucic (.850) - M. Richards (.9424) - Setoguchi (.850) James Neal (.822) Lidstrom (7.6) - Bouwmeester (4.875)* Burns (3.55) - Seabrook (3.500) Doughty (3.475) - Keith (1.475) Ericsson (.900) Backstrom (3.1) S. Mason (.905) Total Cap Hit = $56.4878

And the wrong contracts for Franzen and Zetterberg.

Tim Erixson from Sweden would be a nice fit for the Wings style of defenseman (smart, offensive-minded) and a lot of drafts have him falling near our #29. Wouldn't be surprised to see him go a little earlier than that, though.

I don't mind the deal because we could pick up a replacement for Fil at #6 with either Kane or MSP (both of which have a much higher upside than Fil) and Summers could easily evolve into the defenseman that Stuart is but I just don't see the Wings ever trading away two influential pieces to two consecutive Stanley Cup runs for gambles.

Zetterberg (6.0833) - Parise (3.125) - Kane (3.725) Semin (4.6) - Backstrom (2.4) - Franzen (3.955) Eriksson (1.600) - M. Koivu (3.25) - Giroux (.822) Lucic (.850) - Brassard (1.247) - Voracek (1.271) James Neal (.822) Doughty (3.475) - Bouwmeester (4.875)* Burns (3.55) - Seabrook (3.500) Volchenkov (2.5) - Keith (1.475) Ericsson (.900) S. Mason (.905) Varlamov (.822) Total Cap Hit = $54.277 *= went with the last contract signed (might be a UFA or RFA). A good mix of scorers (Kane, Parise, Eriksson, Franzen, Semin, Voracek) and playmakers (Zetterberg, Backstrom, Giroux, Brassard) on each forward line with a mixture of defensively responsible forwards (Zetterberg, Koivu, Eriksson, Parise, Franzen). Defense is big and physical, but completely reliable at all positions. Goaltending is young and unproven, but unmistakably talented. Reserves are young and talented. $2.423 million left over for mid-season tweaks.

It would have been nice to see Boston-Montreal at Fenway, but I figured the NHL would have to force more Ovechkin/Crosby/Malkin down our throats.

Best thread of the year.

Seconded. I was glad to see some of those guys getting their chance to hoist it (Gonchar and Guerin mainly, although Guerin already had).

$$$$$$$.

Get acquainted with No Trade Clauses.

Thanks for the kind words. Always nice to have fan's of other teams around here to add to the diversity and impartiality.

I would love to ditch Rafalski but he has a NTC. Our defense would be so much improved with JBo in that spot. As for some of your other players you like, I would never ever think to sign Ron Hainsey with that cap hit associated. I'm a big Volchenkov fan, but I doubt the Sens let him get away. No way Shea Weber leaves Nashville as an RFA.

The Ducks have allegedly traded Pronger to the Kings for Jack Johnson... so if we meet them in the playoffs again that's one less ****** bag to worry about (even though I could see Jack Johnson evolving into that role nicely). There's some good news.

Bouwmeester would be a huge upgrade over Ralaski (at least his recent play). Rafalski has looked lost in his own end, while Bouwmeester is the top UFA defenseman and is coveted by plenty of teams. If we wanted to get him, it's going to take a lot of cash because he'll get some big offers.

beat me to it.

I fail to see how 23 goals and 46 points in 79 games on arguably the worst team in the NHL as an 18 year old is bombing.

Welcome. I like having level-headed fans of the opposing teams around (if we end up being opponents that is).

Crosby is the best offensive player in the league. Now that he has further established his goal scoring ability (5 away from setting an NHL record in the playoffs with 14), it just adds to his resume of offense. There is a reason Malone, Guerin, Kunitz, etc. have looked great in Penguins jerseys when on his line. He's a great player and an amazing play-maker. Speaking most complete player of the three? Well none of the three are complete, so it really isn't worth debating.

Great hit by Oshie... I already like him a lot. I could consider it a bit of a charge but he looks like he's racing to get in the play and then it just happens to get thrown to Nash, so I thought it was clean.

Give the Blues that spot... I would love to play the Blues in the playoffs. Central is looking very competitive next year with the arrival of Columbus and St. Louis getting some studs back and more experience. Nashville always turns out a competitive team as well.

Harding or give Howard/Larsson a real shot for more than one game (speaking of next season obviously).

Seconded. You do realize Pavel Datsyuk is on this team, right? As for Fil, I really think he is pretty expendable. I would much rather have Franzen than Filppula. I don't think he's a bad player but I just think that we have enough players in our system that are relatively soft and aren't exactly bonafide scorers. Along with that, I think we could get some decent return on him as well, unlike Franzen who would just walk in Free Agency.

I love big rig.

What is Rafi's deal...