uk_redwing

I'm surprised how many people think Brunner is going to be an instant success here when he's never played North American hockey before...especially as he's on a two-way contract I wouldn't be surprised if he started in Grand Rapids but hey I'm old fashioned and wear a sensible cap. Obviously, at this point in time, we're a borderline playoff team probably leaning on not good enough but I don't think for a second we'll begin the season without adding anyone else.

I think this basically means that the Wings have a bit longer to negotiate with Quincey. I assume (hope) that's the only reason. I also hope that Abs not filing means he's close to signing.

The alternatives: http://capgeek.com/ufa_finder.php?position_id=D&stats_type=ICE_TIME That's a very weak defensive free agent pool right there. I think Holland will sign Kubina, as he tried to do previously.

How the hell did you get from the original question to posting YET ANOTHER lines thread?

Don't you have your own thread to post your never ending lines? I wouldn't mind if you actually wrote something with substance to go along with all your lines, but this thread is as thin as a lot of people's patience with the constant line threads spam. Stop spamming.

Good signing. Very, very tough player who puts up a ton of points from the 4th line. I love agitators. Hopefully in a few seasons he'll be on a 4th line with Mitch Callahan. I can see it now... Tootoo - Abdelkader - Callahan

I agree with everyone else who said "noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!" Come on Kenny, you can do better than that!

Needs more lines.

I don't think it's panicking to get upset today if we don't acquire anything meaningful today. Our team has been slowly getting worse, exiting the playoffs earlier and earlier, and our defense is an empty chasm compared to what it was even last year. If we are keen to avoid a rebuilding phase and stay competitive and ensure we have a postseason, there's going to have to be some big moves. If we don't get Suter, at least we have Ericsson and his $3.2m contract.

I don't think Holland has the option of his "we're happy with what we've got" or "re-signing Helm was our free agent day pick-up" cliché crap this year because the team as it stands now won't make the playoffs. For once, he can't just sit on his hands and complain about everything being overpriced. There's no such thing as overpriced. Salaries have gone up as the cap has hyperinflated and other teams are managing to sign top players and be competitive so it's no excuse. There are no excuses, they've all run out. Make or break tomorrow. It should be exciting, at the very least.

It's worth noting Hudler only peforms when it's a contract year as well. 2007 - 15 goals, 76 games (contract year) 2008 - 13 goals, 81 games 2009 - 23 goals, 82 games (contract year) 2010 - Russian Hooker Year 2011 - 10 goals, 73 games 2012 - 25 goals, 81 games (contract year) Money motivated indeed.

Would rather have Abby as a 4th line centre with Prust keeping check from the wing.

With all the concussion issues? Eek. Not that he doesn't deserve every penny. Fantastic player and hope he stays injury free for the rest of his career...except for playoff finals.

We just drafted a heavyweight fighter in Mike McKee.

Hardly any of which come from fighting... Smith is a great fighter and won all 5 of his fights last season in the AHL/NHL. He'll be fine.

Anser Khan reporting that it's unlikely he'll sign. We know Hudler is money motivated. Doubt we'll see him back. Remember the cap hits on Franzen ($3.95m) and Filppula ($3.5m). He's not going to be offered more than that, weak market or not. One dimensional player with very little postseason product. He won't be missed as some seem to think.

Have to say, the finale of the Man City game was something special. As a Liverpool fan, it was the best way for City to win the title. Build up the Mancs***es then watch them fall down to earth with a bang.

He should have just grabbed Hossa's head and slammed it into the boards But seriously, Torres is scum and I'm glad he's been booted from the NHL for a while.

Each to their own As to being a sniper or not, I'm pretty sure he's got a pretty high shooting %. Just checked and its 19.7%, ranked 25th in the league. That's sniper territory, surely? There are many reasons I wouldn't choose to bring back Hudler. He's just not the type of hockey player I would have on my roster, given his salary and physical and defensive shortcomings.

In what sense? Just because I say his playoff performance shouldn't immediately earn him a spot on next seasons roster, especially given the salary he'll be demanding? He's a sniper who didn't show up as one in the playoffs. Both his playoff goals were scored in front of the net. If we want someone to do that we might as well bring back Holmstrom at a fraction of the cost and spend the cap money on a sniper that could actually turn up as one come post season.

Wow, he had two playoff points and was invisible for 99% of the time. Bring him back for next year

He had knee issues this season and I'm confident he could be back to his best next year. His net presence on the first line would be very useful as well.

He also said in that interview that the Wings are looking to get bigger and "tougher" due to the belief of there being a trend in physical play and success recently. So I'd expect at least one new 4th line addition in the Prust/Gaustad mould. I wouldn't be surprised to see Kindl moved, Smith paired with a returning Lidstrom and a physical dman added as well. Someone who isn't called Mike Commodore and can actually get along with Babs. If Hudler doesn't return, I will be happy. No point spending money on regular season goals if they mean nothing come playoff time, especially as he will probably be able to get more on the market. Let him go I say! I'll play along for once. FORWARDS Danny Cleary ($2.800m) / Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / Zach Parise ($7.500m) Valtteri Filppula ($3.000m) / Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) / Johan Franzen ($3.955m) Gustav Nyquist ($0.875m) / Darren Helm ($1.400m) / Todd Bertuzzi ($2.075m) Cody McLeod ($1.500m) / Paul Gaustad ($2.900) / Justin Abdelkader ($1.300m) Patrick Eaves ($1.200m) / Drew Miller ($0.838m) DEFENSEMEN Nicklas Lidstrom ($4.800m) / Brendan Smith ($0.875m) Niklas Kronwall ($4.750m) / Ian White ($2.875m) Jonathan Ericsson ($3.250m) / Kyle Quincey ($3.550m) Bryan Allen ($3.575m) / GOALTENDERS Jimmy Howard ($2.250m) Joey MacDonald ($0.550m) Cap Used: $68.6m Cap space: $1.4m Hmm. I've tried to make a roster that allows for balanced lines. The second line is a bit all skill not grit, although theoretically if Franzen actually used his size and gave 100% effort it would be fine. Defence is virtually the same but with Smith coming in for Stuart and Allen coming in for extra size in rotation. I don't see us having room for Suter if Lidstrom returns. Given how badly Stuart played last season, that's an improvement anyway. Forwards wise, a straight swap of Hudler for Parise with Nyquist coming in full time and a tough, net-driving 4th line to get the garbage goals. Hurray. NHL12 experience put into practice.

People are allowed to be happy at rivals misfortunes. Lighten up you gloomy f***ers.

Shanny said it did in his video.