Turretin

I have no problem with Holland running the numbers and making an offer to Hossa (with the reality that it would be lower than offers made by a handful of other teams). My guess is that Holland's plan involves more serious pitches to a couple "tier 2" UFAs (like Rolston). Also, I don't think the management has quite forgotten how we lost to the Ducks in 07. You can never have enough good D. All that said, I understand that Hossa would fit and plays sound 2-way hockey. However, a 2-way forward is different than a defenseman.

I guess derailing is better than railing it. I think Hossa's got to be a little torn. He is 30 years old, so this is his time to get that fat pay-check that he will try to live off of for the rest of his life. On the other hand, he probably wants a cup, meaning he won't be able to demand as much. Tough choice. If I'm in his shoes, I can't say that I wouldn't take the money. I definitely wouldn't sign until I saw what teams were offering as a UFA.

Fine, but you see how that is a tautology don't you? You asked "Give a legitmate concern about adding Hossa" and then when one is presented you respond: "Oh, I assume that Holland won't do that." That's okay with me. In fact, I agree with your post, which is why I don't think we are going to sign Hossa.

BTW, I love franzen, but he is not in the same class as Hossa. Different players and different potential. Hossa>Franzen 9 times out of 10.

I think the only really legitimate argument is that you don't want the team to bind itself that tight. Now, whether it is too tight is debatable. What isn't debatable is that by signing Hossa the Wings would have less flexibility than they do now. It seems like the Wings trend over the past 5 years has been to let everyone else freak out over the "trendy" pick and then come in and get the tier 2 guy that fits the system. That's why I wouldn't hold my breath for Hossa, but would be hopeful for Rolston.

You're completely right Harold. My point is that I made some pretty stupid decisions when I was his age, and it took quite a knock to the head to get me to grow up. This was his first real knock. I hope, for his sake, that it wakes him up. You're not blackballed until you show yourself to be a chronic screw-up.

Dominik Hasek once said that it takes a european player about 5 years in the NHL to care about the Stanley Cup more than Worlds or Olympics. Luckily for us, I think it's been clear the last two years that Datsyuk has hit that point. Malkin is another matter.

Actually the fact that he's only played in Ottawa militates in his favor. I mean, he didn't choose who drafted him, he just played the cards he was dealt. Maybe he's a bad kid or maybe there is a lot of crap going on in the organization that we don't know about. He has yet to show that he is the cancer, but if he screws up in one more organization, he will have a tough time getting back.

I laughed when they hired him and laughed even harder when they signed Cloutier. His damage will take quite a while to undo.

NFM, Would you pick him up for lots less? I'd be sorely tempted. You know he is a locker room cancer but you never know how much this ordeal has broken him. At one time Cleary was acting like this. Kid's got all the talent in the world.

It's not just the 15 mil. You're money goes a lot farther over there. Really, I could criticize him just as much for saying no as saying yes. It's his life and he needs to do what will make him happy.

You want a logical rule change that will increase scoring? Reinstute the icing rule for when you're killing a penalty. That's the way we used to do it.

I'm sorry, I can't help myself. It was set up perfectly to watch people take the bait. This site really gets me through the work days sometimes. EDIT: Clarity

Do you think the Wings will go after Campbell?

As for stickhandling and strength on the puck: Datsyuk > Zetterberg > Crosby. In all the hockey I've watched, Datsyuk is a ways beyond the other two.

Not likely. From a GM's perspective, there is more to a hockey team than winning the Cup. You don't trade away the fan's second favorite player for some guys who nobody is attached to. People flocked to Mellon for the first time in years to see Crosby and Malkin. If you want to ship out a promising forward for defense, his last name is staal.

Everyone is forgetting one of the most talented all around forwards in the league. This guy is really underrated (an example would be everyone on here forgetting him). Honorable Mention: Jere Lehtinen

If you look at the Pens board, I get the feeling that we saw the best that Brooks Orpik has to offer. Sounds like he is usually a big liability that lays on a lot of cheap/borderline hits. Isn't he the one that basically stopped Erik Cole's development?

Guys who are up on market value, I have a question: How does this effect Stuart's UFA value/expectations if at all? Seems like a low contract.

Datsyuk - Zetterberg - Holmstrom Hudler - Filpulla - Franzen Samuelsson - Draper - Cleary Helm - ? - ? Assuming Drake retires, then as far as I'm concerned, you have a pool of talent that is either (1) unproven, or (2) closely matched: Maltby Kopecky McCarty Downey Leinno Abdelkader Looking at how stout the D is, I think you add in 1 more UFA to the mix and that leaves a lot of guys for 1 spot. My point is, I don't think that Kopecky will win that race. Maybe he does, but I doubt he stays in the line up for more than 30 games.

2 goals and 3 assists since Feb 1 is "coming on"? Drake brought intangibles, this guy doesn't have intangibles. Drake is one of those veterans that you pay all year for his leadership and courage. Kopecky doesn't have a career of experience behind him. GP G A P +/- PIM 2007-08 DET 77 5 7 12 2 43 I am not saying Kopecky is awful, I am saying that there are guys waiting in the wings who should not have to wait just because he was in line first. The best players should play and in a deep organization, that means Kopecky should be traded. Again, hope I'm wrong on him.

I am just going to respond to your Kopecky comment because that is all that's relevant to this topic. The assessment is more than on pure "minutes." You have to look at the tools which are required of a player in the nhl and then ask "Does this guy exhibit gifts that can make him an everyday nhl'er?" Now, Datsyuk took a while to develop, but he exhibited tools that let you know there was something there. For example, look back at the '02 playoffs if you have the game footage, quite interesting to see those "flashes." Kopecky has not exhibited that playmaking ability, so then you look at "Well, does this guy pitch in with physical play? or Does he have intangibles?" I don't see that from Kopecky. It's not so much that he is big but doesn't hit, as much as it is "Look kid, if you want to stay around in this league, your best chance (given your skill set) is to be an energy line guy. That means hitting." This is not to say he wouldn't have some value for another team in the league. I am just saying I don't think he has a skill set that the wings need night in and night out. EDIT: Clarity

What in the hell is going on here? I seem to have stepped into the middle of a LGW's stress fest. I am not speaking for you I am just giving my opinion. By impact player I meant "player who can make an impact." I don't think Kopecky is one of those guys. I don't think he will ever pan out to be an everyday guy on the Wings. If I was wrong about the hopes of fans, then fine I was wrong, but calm down. This is the internet, there is no way I can not "leave your opinion up to you." Am I taking crazy pills here? Let's get back on topic and talk about Kopecky.

Holy sh*t. Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed eva? My point was this: every Red Wings fan that kept his or her eye on prospects saw Kopecky's big body and hoped he would be someone that could use it. BTW, I stand by my assessment: I don't think Kopecky will ever be an impact player. Hope I'm wrong, but I just don't think he has "it."

Congratulations! All coaches dream of steering the ship. He is coming into a very talented team and won't have to live with too much losing. Great position to step into. Hope he never wins 1 game against Detroit.