Detroit # 1 Fan

In Kenny's mind, anything is possible.

I'm confused by it as well. It was confirmed he met with the Leafs brass on Monday, why wasn't Kenny and co. at Newport Sports yesterday? Perhaps we'll never know. But it does confuse me that we were "all in" but never had a face to face.

As bad as the roster looks, and as bad as losing out on Stamkos is, it might be a blessing in disguise. We have to play young players now, we don't have a choice. No free agent that we could woo is going to make us a contender. At this point I wish Kenny would just buyout Ericsson and we go really young on the back end, a bump in the road for one reason during the retool could do a lot of good.

Holland talked to his agent at the draft, that was it. Ansar Khan just posted an article and this was the opening line: The Detroit Red Wings never got the opportunity this week to speak with their main target in free agency – Steven Stamkos. The Wings went "all in" on a guy they didn't even get a chance to sell themselves to, that's a bad look. Not quite as bad as 2012 when we sold ourselves to Ryan Suter, and he say no thank you. I wanted to be positive and have an open mind this year, but it sure is shaping up to be more of the same stuff we've seen since the last impact signing we made in the 2008 offseason.

I really hope the cap drops next year, by 3-5 million. We have something now that a lot don't, young players on ELC's mixed with 24-30 yr olds on affordable deals. If we can get rid of Howard and Ericsson next summer by either the expansion draft or trade, we will have so much more flexibility for trades or hopefully FA's forced to market by a lower cap. Well, hopefully anyway.

All three top picks in the 2010 dealt, and Chiarelli traded away two of them

Weber's foot speed is almost gone, if anyone watched the playoffs they'd see that. Stats and the eye test don't lie, Nashville's D went from best in the league to... still best in the league. Josi-Subban are going to be incredible together.

Nielsen for 5/6 mil over 4/5 years is crazy. At this point, Okposo is the only big name guy I'd give money too. Honestly I'd take a flyer on Eric Staal for cheap on a 2 year deal to fill our void at center and provide some insurance as Larkin moves to C full time in the NHL. If anything Kenny should be hard after a defenceman now via trade.

Pierre Lebrun just tweeted: The Red Wings by the way, would have loved to pitch Newport/Stamkos, but never got the chance this week. Should probably be a wake up call, we were never really in it.

Yeah, the amount of guys who say it's TO or bust in Canada right now are infuriating. And yet Dreger and McKenzie, the two who's insight I believe the most, say the Wings are a real possibility. This has gone on long enough though, I agree with that. Friday needs to hurry up.

Don Sweeney is doing some nutty stuff so far into his GM tenure, I'd like Trouba but not via offer sheet. Cheveldayoff better get a barn rental in northern Manitoba so he and Sweeney can settle things the way Brian Burke wanted too back in 2007

Have you looked at the FA lists the next couple of years though? No guarantees a big top2 D-man hits the market, considering we have two big holes: #1 center and #1D, shouldn't we at least fill one of those needs logically? Plus, Stammer at 10/11 per year won't hamper us going forward if Howard and Ericsson come off the cap next summer.

I wouldn't say anyone is saying we go to the other extreme. Adding a big winger or two doesn't make us Anaheim or Boston, it would give us a nice mix.

After the disaster down the stretch this season, I'm open to absolutely anything... well except for trading Larkin, AA, or Mantha

He can't sit. That's why if you signed the three of them, one of Nyquist/Tatar becomes the main part of a package for a D upgrade so Mantha plays on the 3rd line. Truth be told I think we're arguing about a dream scenario, but hey, who knows.

Sure is, but to me, it's doable. I believe that because, once you have those three one of Nyquist/Tatar can be traded for defence help, and bingo Mantha on the 3rd line. And while people don't love it, Jurco being in the lineup is better than him being out and Martin-Glendening-Jurco could actually establish a cycle, chip in and play physical. I sure won't get my hopes up, but man, what a dream scenario.

Adding a superstar, and two big nasty canadians.... I just can't see it But 2 of 3 would be fantastic.

Apparently that's hot air, Lucic called the report "bulls***" to a Boston beat guy on Twitter a little while ago. We've been officially linked to Stamkos, Martin and Lucic thus far. Plus rumors of Brouwer, Backes, Erikkson and Okposo. I like a lot of those names so I think one way or the other I'll be happy on Friday. (though Stamkos would be one hell of a birthday present )

If we land two impact forwards, and the price isn't insane, I'm cool. Lucic while a big piss baby, is 6'5 and mean as hell. I'm sure he'll change our opinions of him quickly if he signs.

Martin would be nice. Leads the league in hits every year, chips in 8-10 goals a year and isn't a black hole possession wise for a bottom sixer. If Stamkos doesn't work out, of the secondary guys I hope we get Ladd. 20-30 goal scorer, leadership, physical play, pretty fast player. As intrigued as I am by Lucic, 6 years for a big guy like him at 28 is bad business.

Hope he's in GR when the regular season starts, complete non-physical 4th line plug. I like Glendening, his tenacity and faceoff ability are reasons to keep him around. Pair him and Miller up and the 4th line will get caved in every shift.

I'm really heavily on the Stamkos wagon, but even I say stay at 10. It's already a ridiculous number IMO, but that's where the league is going. 12 is lunacy but Tim Murray is Tim Murray. If he chases the money, fine. But we're a better fit for him than Buffalo who are overloaded at center as is.

I meant Martin.... haha.

Stamkos and Martin were teammates in Sarnia once upon a time, and he's from Windsor. Probably would take less than market value to play with his buddy. I agree with the Fowler thing too, I'd go after Trouba pretty hard. See if Nyquist+Smith+1st could get it done, maybe add a prospect. Then we'd have room for whatever.

Yeah, if this were next summer no doubt they'd have the cash to get it done no doubt. All of the s*** contracts they took off of teams hands to move out Phaneuf and others are up next summer. But as of now, they'd really have to work at it. We're in the best position money wise to offer Stamkos, well us and Buffalo but those f***s are so irrelevant I wish they'd just go away