Kp-Wings

Didn't see that coming! Conklin's a good goalie, so I'm happy with this move. He'll make a solid backup to Osgood if Howard doesn't pan out, and give Howard some good competition as well.

I can't believe he's even considering Bertuzzi. There are so many other 4th line players who, are not only tougher players (Bertuzzi really isn't that tough if you ask me, and he's one of the worst fighters I've ever seen), but don't come with the ridiculous amount of baggage he comes with either. I really don't want him back. Please go after someone else better.

I remember that, for the last couple of seasons, Vrbata couldn't buy a permanent spot in the NHL. And now, look at that, one good season later and he lands himself a nice 9-million dollar, 3-year contract. Tampa is going to have some serious scoring punch, but with absolutley no defense or goaltender to speak of, I can't imagine that they'll be Cup contenders. Still, they might find themselves in a Montreal-type situation, with a good regular season record, relying mostly on their offense. Considering how bad most of the East is, the Lightning can make the playoffs with all that offense; they just won't get anywhere after that.

Wow, great deal! I'm so happy to have Stuart back. Best defense in the league is back for next season.

Bad teams can take one look at the Philadelphia Flyers, and say to themselves "well, it's possible". They've pretty much become a source of inspiration, salary cap problems notwithstanding. The interesting thing about Tampa was that their problem really wasn't offense; it was and still is their no name defense and goaltending. Are they really trying to sell Filip Kuba as a top 2 defenseman, or Mike Smith and Karri Ramo as Stanley Cup goaltenders? Because, you know, their aim here with all these trades and signings seems to be that they want to compete for the Cup next year, yet still don't have the defense or goalie to do it. This is what makes this time of year so interesting. You never what kind of rabbit an NHL GM will pull out of his hat next.

Unless we've all of sudden gone back in time five years, I don't know why anyone would even be remotely interested in Naslund. He play's so soft that you wonder why he's even playing hockey. Like previous posters have mentioned, the guy has absolutley no passion at all. He's become the Swedish Yashin, without the huge contract and money, if that helps anyone out. Naslund is one pathetic excuse for a hockey player in his current form, and really, I hope he outright leaves the NHL. It's better for the game that passionless players like him are gotten ride of.

I should of taped that game for comedic purposes.

Since I've seen his name mentioned not only in this thread, but in numerous other threads as well, I think a simple fact needs to be stated for everyone: Owen Nolan is NOT coming to Detroit. I don't know why you guy's keep pulling his name from the woodwork year in and year out. The guy has had about 30 different opportunities to come here, whether it be through trade or being signed as a free agent, and has turned the Wings down EVERY TIME. Whether the guy has some problem with the Wings organization, the city of Detroit, or is somehow a closet St. Louis Blues fan, I don't know, but it's been pretty established that he has almost no interest in coming here. Don't get me wrong, I'd like to see him in a Red Wing jersey, but I'm just going off of what history tells me, and history tells me he doesn't want to come here.

At the terms of the deal, it's hard to really complain. The problem is Lilja as the #4 defenseman. We've all seen what he does when he get's too much ice time; he screws up, and badly. As a #5-6 guy who sees a more limited role, mostly used for the PK, he's not bad, but as a top 4 defenseman? I have no faith in him. If only Stuart was more interested in coming back... this whole problem could be avoided...

The best option for that boat would be Marc Denis. Secondly, you could instead go for someone like Raycroft or Jocelyn Thibault. Either way, you know what you're getting with all three of these guys, so I don't see any difference in any of them. Raycroft might have more potential because he's younger, but... well, you know...

Joey Kocur. I know one thing that move may lead to...

Kopecky is not a replacement for Drake. Drake was a hard nosed, in your face, character guy that could inspire his teammates to play better. Kopecky, on the other hand, is extremely soft, and floats around like a butterfly. He is not physical, nor does he really provide anything useful to the team at all. I really would like to see him gone by next season, but since that'll never happen, I won't get my hopes up. ...and another thing: the only reason Kopecky lead the Wings forwards in hits last year is because the Wings don't exactly have a lot of big, physical players (no, I'm not starting up that arguement again; just stating a simple fact). Had Drake not been injured for much of the season, or had Downey been a regular in the lineup, they would have both blown him away in hits. He really isn't physical at all, and in the rare moment he tries to be, he usually falls over because of his terrible balance. He has no offensive upside at all, and his defensive play is weak too, especially when compared to Drake, the guy he's supposed to replace, according to some. Plus, let's not forget two season injuries he's sustained in his only two seasons in the NHL. The guy just isn't a very good player in any form of the game, and I really don't see what other people see in him.

I must admit, when you put it that way, it could *almost* make sense.

Kopecky? Come on. We already have super-enforcer Andreas Lilja for that role. In fact, wasn't it you who suggested he play forward?

Tampa's roster has a lot of holes. If Roberts really wants to play next season, he'll make the team and have a spot, no questions asked.

The idea that Bertuzzi will come here for only about 1 million a season, and be the replacement for Drake on the 4th line is pretty ridiculous. There are plenty of stupid GM's in the league that take one look at Bertuzzi and his past numbers, and hand him a hefty 2-3 million dollar contract based on that fact alone. Plus, even though he was bought out, I'm sure Bertuzzi is still looking for a longer term deal than just one year. That's the whole reason he didn't come back in the first place.

I can remember the good old days when a mediocre player like Orpik would only get about 1-1.5 million a season. And these were the days without a salary cap, surprisingly. The business sense in the NHL has gotten worse and worse every year. If Orpik really get's 3-4 million a season, I'll officially lose all faith in ever being able to sign a player to a reasonable contract again.

On one hand, Emery probably is the best option available for goalies on the free agent market. Names like Andrew Raycroft or Marc Denis don't exactly strike a chord for being a good goalie. On the other hand, if the Wings are going to sign someone just to be a backup to Osgood, I'd rather have someone who's a lot more low maintenance. You guys keep bringing up this "family enviornment" about playing here, but how exactly is that going to put and keep Emery in his place?

Bertuzzi is useless. I'd take Shawn Bates (the other player bought out today) before I take him back.

There are numerous players who score hundreds up points in the QMJHL, but do absolutley nothing in any other league they play in. Take a look at Olivier Latendresse for proof of that. I know he's still young, but if he's currently bouncing around in the ECHL and the American CHL, the chances of him ever cracking an NHL lineup are extremely low. Same thing goes for this guy the Griffins just signed. He could be an NHL player, but don't count on it just because his stats in the QMJHL are good.

I thought Straka's agent confirmed that the signing in Europe was not yet official...?

See, there you go. Makes even more sense to bring him in. Hordichuk is by no means a star player, but since the majority of people on this forum are clammoring for 4th liners that do have at least some form of moderate skill, Hordy should fit the bill. He's a better all around player than Downey is, plus, he's a better fighter if you ask me. I don't see it happening myself, though, so whatever. It'll be a ways into the summer before we really see the final decision for the who the enforcer will be on the Wings.

Not exactly much competition, given that very few rookies played a part this year, but regardless it's a nice honor for him anyways. Hopefully he get's more ice time next season.

Hey, thanks for reminding me! Jason Allison is still a free agent, so...

Darcy Hordichuk might be available if Carolina can't re-sign him. He'll come cheap, is a good fighter and hitter, is a decent skater with good speed, and can occasionally provide offense as well (more than Downey, anyways). He's a better fighter as well, if that means anything to anyone. Really though, the Wings enforcer will probably be either Downey or McCarty; maybe even both, but nobody else beyond that. The Wings don't heavily go after enforcers.