DatsyukownzU13

*cap space

I apologize if this has been asked before, but I'm trying to find a place to buy a Winter Classic jersey that I could get a player name on the back as well. I'm thinking someone other than the main Red Wings jerseys (aka Z, D, Lidstrom, etc.) so it would have to be somewhere where you can get the jersey customized. Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

And thanks to everyone else for the responses... I'll check some of those websites out.

That's my dilemma. I want either Filppula, Franzen, Hudler, or Hossa. But, I have a bad feeling whichever I get is going to be gone. So I might just get Kronwall. I wish we didn't have money issues.

Without thinking about the cap: Sidney Crosby and Dustin Brown.

Top line is brutal. Why not try Franzen with Datsyuk? Fil is far from a goal scorer and no one is going to shoot on that line! I figure he's doing that strictly to get Datsyuk to shoot (and in a perfect world score) more.

Why? Garon is never going to be a good goalie in the NHL. DesLauriers is pretty unproven, we already have a couple of those in our system. Roloson can steal games single-handedly. Take saturdays game against San Jose as an example (outshot 41-17, but won). I am not saying I would trade for him though, just wondering.

The answer. 2007 - 2008: Swedish Elite League. Rookie of the Year. Honken Trophy (Best Goaltender). 46 games, 2.29 GAA, .921 SV %. 2008 - 2009: First season in North America. 13 Games, 7 wins, 3 losses, 1 tie, 2.56 GAA, .912 SV %, 2 shutouts (after a slow start).

http://blackhawks.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?...2&catid=894

They are both expendable if we're trying to re-sign Hossa/Franzen in my book. Granted it would be a downgrade, we have players that can play that role in the minors (or sign someone for cheaper than ~3 mil).

Agree to disagree, but I definitely didn't see Sammy doing anything to directly set up those goals (hence the secondary assists). He's been playing well, nonetheless.

To be honest... that's about as meaningless of a stat as plus/minus. You could plug anyone into his spot and they could cycle it down to another player and they can score. I think he's getting overhyped for what he's done this season. Is he a bargain for what he's been doing? Yes. Could he do a lot of things better? Yes. The real concern I have is what's going to be the next bargain? Are the Wings really going to throw over 2 million at him in the offseason? Some would say 2-3 is fair, which his game might be stating itself... but not in our situation. Given the tight cap space, I don't think you can warrant giving him anything more than 2 million.

I hope he gets a cool white paint job on his helmet either way.

Why did he leave in the first place? I remember being away on a trip when this happened and never really heard the story.

This, however, I do agree with. Boggles my mind how quick he is to shoot without taking a look or thinking about passing (especially on the powerplay).

QFT. I'm one of the first people to call out Sammy at any opportunity, but he hasn't warranted anything but praise this season. 1.2 million for his play this season is definitely a steal. With that said, I really hope Kenny doesn't offer anything over 2 million if he has his mind set on re-signing him.

Vanek's goal was pretty nasty as well.

All the bold raises eyebrows for me. Sammy will most likely be a goner, I just can't see us spending 3 million for someone like him. Leino attempts to fill in for what I think is .850? Kopecky should be gone as well. Mac/Downey will be in GR. I highly doubt Chelios or Meech can demand anything more than .50 on this team. I don't really think Holland will let Hudler, Franzen and Hossa all leave in one off-season. I just can't imagine it.

What's up with the Jimmy Howard love? He has been horrible, once again, in Grand Rapids. If anything Larsson is probably more likely to get an NHL contract than he Howard is. I think Conklin will probably get signed to another 1 year deal, though.

I seriously wonder if Sammy ever thinks or looks before shooting. It makes me so mad.

Osgood has got to be one of the 5 worst puck-handling goalies in the league. Either that or just a terrible decision maker.

Every game is a new surprise to see what line Kopecky gets to anchor down for the night.

Give ZDHossa a chance for more than 4 shifts. The second line could consist of any of the following: Sammy, Flipper, Hudler, Franzen. Personally, I would like Hudler - Flip - Franzen, but I doubt Babs would demote Sammy after his start. Other than that... time and patience. I'm not bummed about losing the presidents trophy if we do, just want a playoff competitive team.

5-3 Ducks. Getzlaf (2), Perry, Selanne, R. Neidermayer. Hossa, Franzen, Hudler.

This is true as well. Wasn't it Marc Crawford that was praising Filppula, saying he'd be a 2nd liner on any other team? The only gripe I have with rating Fil offensively in the NHL is that he has never really had a great chance with top line wingers. He really should get some chance to play with Z over Sammy, but Babs loves him some Sammy. Leino is a projected top-6, which means he could end up being a top liner and he could also end up being a career AHLer. I'd rather see him replace Hudler or Sammy based alone on the fact that I know the skating ability is similar. Fil brings the intangibles of speed to a team that I wouldn't call fast in the first place. And everyone knows how important that kind of speed is in the playoffs.