Echolalia

I would much rather have Bertuzzi than Shanahan.

I cannot wait for the Winter Classic

I think Bertuzzi is a fine option at this point in his career as well as the Wings'. If he comes here, he's not going to be a top scorer like he was in Vancouver. Nobody is expecting that. Last year he put up a bit over 40 points in Anaheim. That's about what you would expect for a second liner. In fact, that's right on pace with many of our players, including Cleary, Filppula, Hudler, and Homer. Bertuzzi is another big body, and although he doesn't use it as much as he used to, one of the stipulations that Holland may very well expect of Bertuzzi is that he play more to his size. We just won the cup, and Holland openly stated that we will be carrying an enforcer this year. I'm not saying Bert is an enforcer, by any means, but the fact that Holland openly addressed one of our needs as needing more grit or physicality is worth note, because 1) its the Red Wings, and 2) its Ken Holland saying it. Bertuzzi won't be an enforcer, but he may be big body that Flip and Hudler can rely on to open space up for them. He could also potentially be a mentor for Franzen, as Bertuzzi in his prime was one of the best power forwards in the league, and Franzen is shaping up to have that kind of potential. When he was with the Wings he was coming off a massive injury and hadn't played in a year. I'm all for giving him another chance, this time with an entire year with the Wings and his being more healthy. Besides, his price will most likely be a record low considering he was just bought out. 1 year, 2-3 million. Maybe even some bonuses, but I really think theres a lot more potential to him being here than most of you are seeing.

Yeah, my post was made just to be funny. If this next Sammuelson even gets a shot at training camp he will have already exceeded my expectations. I mean... he is a Sammuelson

I don't think we can afford both.

I think our odds are looking pretty good. Toronto has had a clean shot at pulling him back in and he opted for free agency. But wait! Toronto sells his rights to Montreal! And with free agency opening up in a couple days, its looking like Montreal also failed to bag Sundin. Either all this talk about his wanting to play for a cup is only part true, and he's looking to get a huge contract offer, or he has a plan of his own in mind to pass up the team he has captained for his entire career, and the best cup-contending Canadian team in the league. Things Detroit has going for it: 1. We're probably the best Stanley Cup contenders out there. I mean, we did just win the cup and all. 2. We're chock full of Swedes, so it would be a friendly environment. 3. We're in the Western Conference, so he wouldn't have to worry about facing his former team. 4. With Drake most likely retiring and the roller-coaster ride our second line is always on in terms of scoring, Mats should know he would have a valuable role here in Detroit, not only as a veteran leader to "win the cup for", but as a reliable source of scoring; two of his most notable features, I might add. 5. Being oddly close to the Eastern Conference, we're still relatively close enough to Toronto to make visiting any family/friends back home a much smaller inconvenience than other Western Conference teams. 6. We have enough money to offer that he wouldn't be taking a substantially massive paycut to belong to a cup contender. Yes, there will be a paycut, but it won't be "unrespectable" or a "steal" by any means. 7. As stated above, he as already purportedly declined both Toronto and Montreal. Out of the 27 other teams in the league, very few can offer the above in the magnitude that the Wings can. 8. Hockey players come here to retire, anyway.

The thing is he's already hit the bottom, and if he wants to be a part of a successful hockey club anywhere, he needs to realize that he needs to change some things. If he comes here, he will be here as a backup, and pulling his s*** isn't going to do nearly the amount of damage as it did in Ottawa. First off, he officially has a history, so any team (not just the Wings) will be much more efficient to either whip him into shape or ship him out of town if he starts acting up. Secondly, a veteran, family-like team like the Wings wont be as phased if Emery tries to start something. There might be a couple games where everyone is a bit off, but like I said, Emery won't have the opportunity to singlehandedly derail the Wings' run for the cup. He would be shipped out by then, and the rest of the locker room would get back to doing what they do best. In the end it all boils down to him blowing a good opportunity in Ottawa, and whether he wants to earn that spotlight again, because if he screws up again, it may very well be his last shot going down the drain. I'm sure he knows that.

At least this way we can get rid of our old Sammuelson. Heck, this new guy was picked in the 7th round, too, so he should be even better

They are not making the playoffs. Who are they going to beat out for a playoff spot? This is my official prediction Wings Sharks Calgary Dallas Chicago Ducks Colorado St. Louis (believe it)

I'm happy with Downey. He fits what we need perfectly. We don't need him to be a goal scorer, or a passer, or a defensive forward. We got that already. The only thing our team lacks in an enforcer, and in the lowest common denominator. Downey knows his role, and he thrives in it. As an added bonus, hes not one of the 80 other enforcers in the league who are recklessly hotheaded, either. He never fights when our team is leading and can risk turning the momentum (unless of course Lids is run at). He's smart, and for the most part, when he goes to the box, he's not going alone. On top of that, last year he won the majority of his fights, so he's solid in his job. Its not like he's Norton or some imitation enforcer who cant hold his own. He fits the bill. He's happy here. The locker room is happy he's here. The fans are happy he's here.

it sure does take you a lot of words to say absolutely nothing

He is definitely talented between the pipes, young, and has the capability to be a solid number one with "game-stealing" skills. But if it came down to taking a player who's attitude is their biggest weakness (which, lets face it, no locker room can handle more than one of those), I would take Sean Avery over him any day of the week.

I think the Central division is slowly getting stacked. Filatov to the Jackets too

Man, all these trades are making this feel like the deadline. How exciting

Its time for another "Good News, Bad News"!! The Good News? Jokinen finally gets out of Florida! The Bad News? Hes to the Coyotes...

Datsyuk has such a marketable personality. The goofy foreign kid whos always in goofy situations. Its like a sitcom or something.

How can you fail to see it? Its right there in a nice organized paragraph

Doesn't leave much for the imagination

I like that rule. It speeds the game up.

THE COLORS, DUKE! THE COLORS!

Man I want Prospal wearing a Wings' jersey so bad.

While they're at it they should abolish the stick regulations.

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sport...1&no_cj_c=1 a little more fuel for the Malone fire

Since the Wings took home the cup, I've been browsing around the forums looking at who the favorite pick-up for the summer would be. Now, I knew there were a couple of you that didn't want him even at the deadline, but for a summer pickup I'm completely surprised at the number of people on these boards that are against having him on our team. I have no idea why, either. He seems like he would be the perfect fit for our team.

I think Kyle Quincey, Derek Meech, Jonathon Erikson, or Jakub Kindl can be our options if Stuart bolts.