Drake_Marcus

Someone used all their minuses for the day on little old me. I hope it felt satisfying champ.

-Brian Lashoff -Logan Pyett (Nill is high on him) -Adam Almqvist (had another big year in Sweden-- looks like another Rafalski with better hockey sense)

I'd gamble on Kabanov higher than the 2nd round. Pulkkinen and Larsson would both be strong additions to the system. I'd like to get Pulkkinen most out of all the 2nd rounders you've listed (aside from Kabanov). Bjugstad has great size and potential but I worry about high school players sometimes. Being able to let players slowly develop definitely benefits a guy like Bjugstad. Also I like that his last name contains the word jugs.

Again you're clearly confused about how brain damage works. Concussion 1: Damn man. Get well soon. Concussion 2: This is worrying. Try to avoid contact with your head. Concussion 3: s***, that wasn't that hard of a hit... how'd you get concussed? Concussion 4: f***! Another concussion? Do you remember math anymore? Concussion 5: WTF? How did you get a concussion opening a jar of peanut butter?!? Every concussion comes easier than the last. Go read up about Eric Lindros. A guy who has 4 concussions in his history is an injury waiting to happen. Franzen and Zetterberg don't have injuries that cause them to be more prone to getting injured. They've healed and are fine now. Savard's brain is damaged. It will never be the same again no matter how long he waits and rests. Brain injuries are extremely serious and not even remotely comparable to a knee injury or injured shoulder. But hey-- if I don't agree with you about trading a young, upward trending player for a 32 year old with a frighting medical history I must be a slappy.

I can get behind that choice. McIlrath is a solid choice, but don't be blinded by his size and fighting. If a significantly better player is available you have to take the best available player as they say. No?

That's a retarded assumption. 32 years old. Has suffered FOUR concussions. Hey Einstein, why don't we just sign Eric Lindros. Wow... you obviously have very limited medical knowledge. Google "cumulative effects of concussions".

For a 32 year old guy with concussion problems? Savard is trending downwards and Hudler trends upwards. If the Bruins feel Savard was still such a key asset they wouldn't have him on the block when they clearly need scoring. Also note that Hudler is 6 years younger than Savard and hasn't hit his prime (or struggled with concussions).

You'd change your mind if you saw where Granlund is ranked.

Bert takes enough offensive zone penalties as it is. No need to add more.

It could be because it's so obvious?

Checkmate.

Niemi is easy to get to if you can score early. His mental toughness is very suspect. It's either a shut-out or a blow-out with him.

If Florida would make that deal I'd do it without question. Losing Meech is worth going up 6 spaces. I wouldn't part with Ritola to move up 6 spots. Ritola hasn't had a chance to show us what he can do in the NHL and has lots of untapped potential right now.

Two young roster players for a 32 year old player with injury issues?

Savard is an elite playmaker. No question. He's capable of being a point per game player and then some. The only problem is that he's 32 years old. He already hit his prime and is on the down swing. The 5 seasons before last he was always a point per game or better player. Last season he was a 0.8 ppg player. On top of that he's not a 30+ goal scoring playmaker like Datsyuk. Savard's only scored 25 goals twice and his career high is 28. In general he's a 20-23 goal a year guy who puts up 60+ assists. His career high years were 97 and 96 points. I wouldn't trade Hudler plus a 1st for him. Hudler is 6 years younger and hasn't hit his prime yet. Huds is more of a goal scorer and that's what the Wings need right now. If Savard wasn't in his 30's I'd be all for this trade, but I feel like we're going to overpay for a player who's on the down swing. The Wings are in a reloading phase right now and need to focus on youth until the next Cup window opens (although I think it's open for the 10-11 season but they won't be favourites next year and once Lidstrom is retired the window will slam shut). Now if the Bruins will take Rafalkski going the other way I'd be all over that deal. I'm only happy with it if it makes the Wings younger and doesn't make them worse. And don't even bother saying "derp NTC derp derp". I'm aware of Rafalski's NTC and understand how they work (the player can waive them).

The other factor, in my opinion at least, is that North American players are over-scouted compared to most European players (although the 1st round Euro prospects are usually very heavily scouted). As far as the Russian-factor goes I can see why teams are hesitant to draft them in the top 15, but if you have a top 3 talent like Kabanov who slips you should take him if you're a team like Detroit who can afford to let the kid mature.

I wouldn't put faith in the list printed in that article. There's no way in hell Holland or Nill would reveal their draft plans to the media because they don't want to tip their hand to another club. The guys who are suspiciously off that list (Kabanov and McIlrath for example) are equally in play as the rest of the players listed. That list looks like the reporter assembled it themselves. I want to stress again that organizations are very secretive about their interests and draft plans.

Unfortunately Kovy is going to demand a minimum of 8 mil. I'm betting he wants Crosby/Malkin/Ovi money.

That's pretty pricey for Marleau... I figured he's get a $6,000,000 deal with a bit more term.

Weird. I figured they would keep Fraser because he would be a cheap 4th line centre to use next season.

Yeah-- assuming you ignore math that makes sense.

Big Mac please. Bring another Michigan boy home to the Wings!

Reasoner was a buy-out candidate in Atlanta so I think they won on that swap. Buff is a cocky *******. I'm happy for classy guys like Toews and Keith. But Bufyglien? He's always acted like a punk on the ice.