Drake_Marcus

Love the Onion! Funny article.

You can say that again-- he was a beast in the playoffs for HV71. I can't wait to see how he does next season. It'd be nice to get him over to Traverse City to see what he can do with the other prospects and to get him some serious tutoring at the gym. The only thing holding him back from the AHL is his lack of muscle.

Virtually zero. Lidstrom and Holland have said many times that he'll retire a Wing. Stevie moving to TB doesn't change how Lidstrom feels about the Wings organization.

I know! Just look at Holland's recent history with early draft picks-- all small Europeans: 2006 1st round (traded pick) 2006 2nd round (41st overall): Cory Emmerton 6'0" 188lbs (Ontario, Canada) 2006 2nd round (47th overall): Shawn Matthias 6'3" 211lbs (Ontario, Canada) 2007 1st round (27th overall): Brendan Smith 6'2" 190lbs (Ontario, Canada) 2007 2nd round (traded pick) 2008 1st round (30th overall): Thomas McCollum 6'2" 205lbs (NY, USA) 2008 2nd round (traded pick, 3rd round pick used to get 6'3" D-man from USA) 2009 1st round (traded pick) 2009 2nd round (32nd overall): Landon Ferraro 6'0" 171lbs (BC, Canada 2009 2nd round (60th overall): Tomas Tatar 5'10" 179lbs (Dubnica, Slovakia) --> Youngest player in AHL, on fast-track to playing here soon since he signed his entry deal as an 18 year old. 5 of the 6 last 2nd and 1st round picks were on North American skaters of heights between 6'0" and 6'3". The only exception was picked 60th overall, is considered the best offensive prospect in the organization and has been fast-tracked to the NHL with a draft-year contract signing (you have 3 years to sign draft picks before their rights are lost) and a move to professional hockey at age 18. Do you ever get tired of being incredibly wrong?

It doesn't really matter for these guys-- Holland wouldn't trade them to a team they weren't willing to go to anyway... that's just not his style. In the end the NTC is really just a formality for the Wings.

Agreed. Ozzie is a guy who's played for two other teams but is still considered a Red Wing for life. I doubt he'd be as opposed to moving to TB as someone like Draper, Holmstrom or Maltby would. I'd still like Ozzie to be a part of the Wings' organization once he retires, though.

Keep posting in the official TB forum. I just saw a piece of tumble-weed.

What do you guys think of Austin Watson? He's ranked at #14 right now but was #25 midseason. He's a Wings fan who likes Franzen... here's his scouting report:

Yeah, apparently Stevie rejected their offer at least twice and each time the new owner came back with a sweeter deal. I've also read that there's an ownership stake in there for Stevie. Any chance Matt will do up a LGW clone for the Lightning? Or a subforum here?

Really? In that case I agree on Macfarland. Sheahan's another guy who seems to have fallen pretty far in the rankings... but something made NHL central scouting rank him 5th midseason...

I just want the Wings to either trade up for a pick who can enter the league young or go for a high risk high reward player. It'd be great to finally have someone who could step in this coming season... but picking no better than 19th overall for 20 years makes that tough.

He wants to play for the Wings?

Hopefully never. It's not like the Wings made the wrong decision. Holland is considered the best GM in the league by many hockey observers. Stevie isn't leaving the Red Wings family. In 20 or 30 years he'll be hanging around the rink like Gordie does now. Luckily he's not retarded.

Only insecure men are afraid to show their emotions.

Good for Steve. Don't be so down guys, nothing about Yzerman's legacy has changed and in the end he was a hall of fame player not a hall of fame manager. Is this really a blow to the Wings? I'm happy for Stevie-- he's wanted this and knew Holland wasn't retiring anytime soon so it was inevitable.

Awwww damn it. Did anyone read Seguin's profile? His favourite NHL player is Zetterberg and his boyhood idol was Yzerman. Do want!

I wish they could move up 9 spots to grab Niederreiter. Tyler Pitlick has a pretty hilarious name, why not take him? edit: spelling

As named here on the iihf website (pdf link): http://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/230/IHM230000_85I_1_0.pdf Congrats Pavel.

Ahhh to be 12 and cruel again. Good times.

Now this is an interesting legal precedent... Bettman will not be pleased.

It's too bad that Komisarek hasn't caught on... he's one of those guys everyone wanted on their team when he was a UFA... Funny how a season on the Leafs changes your stock.

Nothing could bring these boards together quicker than another Kocur. *sniff*

So you're saying I can't convince you to dress up like Cherry? Man, no one is going to buy into my new clothing line. ... diplomatic. The good thing is you posted this right after the guy above so you ended up sounding polite.

I'd be patient and move all the old s*** out the back doors of the rink. Keep throwing kids out on the ice and forget the veteran line-up-- the Leafs actually looked better last season when they iced a rookie-heavy line-up.

At least your team is packed to the gills with trade-bait. I can haz Setti? Oh snap! Reunite Kubina and Kaberle? Worked for Toronto!