Drake_Marcus

Shot blocking is apparently very, very expensive. Still, if Stuart can get 3.75 million, his elite counterpart should be able to top 4.5 million, no? But yeah, 5 million for a d-man who scored 1pt more than Ericsson while playing 28mins a night is steep. He's really good at everything not offense related, though, so he'll get it from someone. Careful now-- Lebda's agent just spit his coffee out with excitement. Michalek will have lots of suiters too. He's got lots of potential.

I'd go with: Franzen Datsyuk Holmstrom (Abdelkader rotated in) Filppula Zetterberg Bertuzzi Miller Helm Eaves Abdelkader (Holmstrom) Draper Cleary

I'd consider giving Abdelkader top 6 time just to get his crashing and banging out there at the same time as more dangerous players. When he's causing havoc physically it opens up offensive opportunities.

Who would take 8 million instead of 12 million!?! he can go to Russia for 4 years, rake in the cash, then come back to the NHL as a veteran and join a contender for cheap so he can get his cup. He'd have to be a pretty terrible businessman to turn down 12 million for 8 million unless there's some other contracts involved (being a spokesman for some hockey manufacturer, for example). On HNiC they were talking about contracts as high as 5 million a season for Anton... that's a steep price for a player who doesn't provide offense. I'd still consider it, though, given his shot blocking numbers.

He scored 25 goals this year. Offering him 1 million would be spitting in his face. If he comes back for 1.5 million I'd be very happy. How is that the least bit inditing? Look at Helm-- if it wasn't for his skating he wouldn't make an AHL team either... but that doesn't change how useful he is to the Wings outside the fantasy framework of "if it wasn't for his _____".

He should've texted me! The answer is always to shoot it at the other team's net.

Get 'er done Kenny!

Agreed-- it can't hurt to give Ericsson a shot on the PP.

That's a really tough choice to be honest. I'm glad I don't have to make it.

Howard was the best player on the ice in games 4 and 5. Shouldn't that count for something?

Do you have to mention this every time there's an Abby thread?

Me too man, me too.

Why'd you take out game 4? Do you have a valid statistical reason or did it just not fit with your hypothesis?

I didn't mean to direct the annoyance at you... I was more annoyed with the OP for not laying the blame on the guys who're playing 20+ mins a night and making the big bucks. Ericsson's been playing his role well. He's limited his mistakes in the playoffs compared to the regular season. His play last year in the post season isn't something we should assume is long gone, but it sure didn't hurt him to be paired up with Lidstrom instead of a recently off the shelf Lilja or an all around risky Lebda. Ericsson's play when his confidence is up is too good to throw the towel in now.

I was an Ericsson fan when he was an unknown in Grand Rapids. I'll be damned if one s***ty season will stop me from supporting him now. He'll have to disappoint me more consistently than that before I give up on his potential.

Well I'm right. He's the only d-man who hasn't been on the ice for a Coyote goal so singling him out right now seems pretty stupid. What's more concerning-- mistakes that lead to goals or mistakes that don't? That's a pretty damn easy question to answer.

The chances that Game 4/5 Howard shows up on Tuesday are much, much greater than those of God-mode Osgood showing up. Regular season Osgood won't win game 7, we'd have to pray that Ozzy just flips the switch. It'd be utterly foolish to risk putting Ozzy in in game 7 at this point.

I know, right? I mean I can't count how many goals against he's been on the ice for so far in the playoffs. No wait, I just did: ZERO.

Bah. Our PK blew that game. The Wings came out of the gate really strong then they fell apart once the PK failed them. Not a good time for the PK to s*** the bed. All we can do is hope the Wings bounce back as well as they have after all of the other losses.

No question that would've been called back if the tables were turned and Holmstrom scored it. Jovo got away with one last night.

I loved watching him make Prucha forget math last night. That was an awesome hit.

Hey man, get your own shtick! Yeah guys... I mean you can definitely question Carman's taste, but he's still a loyal Wings fan in the end. Like people say, though, there's no accounting for taste. That must be why he's willing to support those despicable Penguins on the side.

What what WHAT? I wish I could've been there to stand up for that valiant Wings fan. Now if I knew how to fight that statement would be more helpful, but whatever. I'm sure the guy who started the fight got thrown out by security.

Man I miss hearing Ken and Mickey! I wish we could paste their commentary over the VS crews.

I hope they throw the book at that sick f***.