Drake_Marcus

Sweet. Bettman can go eat a bag of dicks.

Yeah, but the NHL's arguement is that by filing for arbitration after recieving the qualifying offer the player has committed themself to accepting the arbiter's decision. Like Shoreline said- the NHL is as guilty of poaching as the KHL is. That doesn't make it 'right' though. And the two players taken from the KHL were s*** anyway. Hudler's expected to be a star player in the KHL (not that that makes a difference in principle). Although, to be fair, the KHL established themselves as poachers early when they took Radulov even though he was under contract.

Once I saw Crosby punch a kitten in the throat.

This. Malkin had more right to raise the Cup first and act overjoyed.

This argument went both ways-- because the Wings gave Hudler a qualifying offer AND Hudler filed for arbitration the NHL felt that Hudler was contracually bound to accept the decision of the arbiter (pending the Wings' decision to accept the arbiter's offer).

Courtesy of Snapshots Blog: Grier was banged-up for a chunk of the 08-09 season, but the 34-year-old right winger, born in Detroit and raised in Boston, remains a big (6'1," 225 lbs.), gritty and defensively responsible winger who will occasionally drop the gloves if necessary, and, mostly...He's a solid citizen who's a leader both on and off the ice. He does come with a, "San Jose Sharks fans say he 'looked slow' while battling knee and "lower-body" injuries last season" warning, and if he wants to come to Detroit, he'd have to take a huge discount off his $1.775 million salary from this past season. I guess, "We'll have to see where it goes from here," to quote Mr. Fee.

Yeah, but I don't think for a second that the KHL will follow through on their promises. I'd love to have Hudles back. You know I'm a huge fan of his. I just don't trust the KHL.

That's from Khan(!) on the 22nd. Long after Medvedev made his statement on the transfer card. Holland expects the Hudler won't be here in October. I have no reason to doubt him. On top of that the KHL club has released a statement saying they expect Hudler to be there for camp on August 10th. Edit: fixed the name

Why wouldn't they want to re-up Gary- you give them the games for free and you move the NHL's playoff schedule around to suit the needs of NBC at a moment's notice (with no regard to how it effects the teams playing). f*** Bettman.

I believe that part is either a mistranslation or was intended to be a bit of BSing. George Malik believes the KHL will take Hudler regardless of what the results of the arbitration hearing are. Malik isn't the be all and end all, but I believe he's right on the mark when he says the president of the KHL is likely to go back on his word if it suits him.

Amazing that you managed to surmise that. Well far be it from me to steal the thunder of your insightful deduction.

People need to chill out about this. According to George Malik Williams doesn't sound like he wants to take the offer: If he was offered 2.5 million he'd have taken it, not sit around stating the ball's in Detroit's court.

The best GM in hockey should pass the torch to someone whose best argument for getting the job is "he's a hall of fame player"? WTF? No one of any importance has confirmed the value of this contract. I don't buy for a second that Williams was offered anything near 2 million. According to his interview he was offered the contract last week and apparently he sounded non-committal.

Reinsdorf gets the Coyotes for less than cost. Credators won't be paid off. A bid that's worth ~100 million more is rejected for political reasons. But the Coyotes get to stay in the town that causes them to loose 60 million a year. Classic Bettman.

Apparently the Wings are asking for 3 million a year and his agent is asking for 4 million a year. Whatever contract is offered the Wings won't walk away. But Hudler will most likely defect to the KHL. When he defects the Wings will hold his rights and he will be legally obligated to fulfill the terms of the contract set by the arbiter when he returns to the NHL in two years. In essence the Wings won't lose his rights, he'll just be shelved for two years (or possibly one if he decides he hates the KHL).

I can't find a link online to any reports saying the offer is for 2.5 million dollars a year. The only dollar value I've seen was when George Malik speculated the contract would be around 1 million based on the Wings' desire to sign a grinder as well. Edit: Any link aside from the original one on Hendricks Hockey

I have a hard time seeing Holland make a stupid move like this. *sigh* Please don't let this happen.

In terms of dickishness? I hope he doesn't think he is. That's no way to endear yourself to the lockerroom or the fans.

There is no way Sundin would walk into the Wings' dressing room and take a veteran Red Wing's number. Datsyuk wouldn't be asked to give up #13.

Leino will have a great season. I can feel it in my bones

From what I've heard Shanny and Babcock did not get along. That would probably be an issue for him if he were asked to return.

Ugggggggg. Not a good sign. Didn't they say earlier that Stuart had concussion issues for a full season earlier in his career? Hopefully Lilja can eventually recover and get back on track like Stuart did.

Ed Belfour has never broken the law. Ever.