Who do you think needs to go?

[Guest Agalloch]

Are you kidding? That would be AWESOME. That line would ALWAYS have someone in front who was very good at deflection goals.

Although if you prefer, swap Smyth with Hudler or Hartnell.

Bertuzzi and Smyth are very similar. Although it's only been two games, Bertuzzi and Holmstrom on the same line isn't working.

Sniper/Playmaker/Grinder (don't know what else to call it, someone like Holmstrom)

Is ideal for a line IMO.

[eva unit zero 271]

Jamie McLennan ?

That's an interesting choice.

But by all means not a bad one.

Though it wouldn't be smart to have proven backup do the work instead of2 talents who are eager to get in the mix.

McLennan is the only goalie on the market I am interested in if Hasek doesn't return. Giguere is the only goalie worth pursuing for the starting job, and he's way too expensive. All the others available are to expensive to be Ozzie's backup and not good enough to start ahead of him. Which leaves McLennan, who should cost no more than 500k or 600k, and is a very solid backup.

[Kp-Wings 3]

Lang should go. Datsyuk, Filppula, Zetterberg, and Hudler are all natural centers with a level of skill. Lang's money can be used on a guy like Smyth or Hartnell who will not only bring grit and physical play, they will be natural wingers who can put up points.

Maltby shoudl go. He makes far too much for what he brings, and is already outperformed on this team by several cheaper players.

My ideal lineup for next season, assuming no roster players are traded. Free agent acquisitions are underlined.

Smyth/Zetterberg/Holmstrom

Hudler/Datsyuk/Hartnell

Calder/Filppula/Kopecky

Cleary/Draper/Maltby

Samuelsson

Lidstrom/Kronwall

Schneider/Vishnevski

Lebda/Chelios

Lilja

Osgood

Liv/Howard/McLennan

Are you serious? Hartnell?

Hartnell is a dick. He'd never fit in on this team. That'd be like brining in Tootoo. It won't work.

[imisssergei 0]

Belfour and Joseph have MUCH worse numbers.

Joseph's are particularly bad, actually. He may be the worst starter in the league who still has his job.

The only fair comparison for goalies is save percentage. I think Belfour is at .901 and Joseph is at .890ish. Dom has a much better team in front of him than either of those to. And the Wings play in a weaker division. All I am saying is while Dom has been good, he hasn't been great. Rob Luongo, he is GREAT

[Guest Agalloch]

Giguere isn't that good anyway. He's definitely a product of Pronger and Niedermayer, since, without them, he's been mediocre throughout his career.

We're screwed for goaltending next year if Hasek doesn't return. There's pretty much no one on the market, except Backstrom, whom I'm almost positive will resign with Minnesota.

[FinWing 26]

Lang and Maltby should certainly be gone. Maybe Schneider too, he's valuable on the PP but defensively not very good and might cost too much for what he brings. I don't know if Hasek should be gone but he probably will.

[eva unit zero 271]

Bertuzzi and Smyth are very similar. Although it's only been two games, Bertuzzi and Holmstrom on the same line isn't working.

Sniper/Playmaker/Grinder (don't know what else to call it, someone like Holmstrom)

Is ideal for a line IMO.

Smyth is faster and more skill-oriented but still brings the power game.

But sure, swap Hudler with Smyth. Then we would be able to see once and for all if dats is ever going to produce in the playoffs--playing with two PFs, if he still was blanked come postseason, he'd be shipped out immediately!

[Rice 42]

4. Igor Grigorenko - Yeah, I know he isn't on the NHL roster, but I am just tired of hearing about how good this guy 'will be'. I understand that the accident set him back a bit. And I know that he has a lot of pontential. But if he can be so good, and he has all this potential, why are we calling up Ellis and Langfield? Trade this guy, get a pag of pucks for him, at least we can use those. He is 24 (as of april 9th) so even if he was to finally crack the Wings roster next year, add the 2-3 years of NHL development he would be 27. At best he would get us 4 good years. He is damaged goods. By the way, Igor was drated 62nd over all in 2001, that means everyone else passed him up twice. I know the Wings are great at getting the late round gems, but come one, cut the cord. In this case, we wouldn't need to really replace him with anyone, just give some younger guys a chance.

There are a lot of fallacies in your post but I'll address the biggest one -- this one. Grigorenko isn't with the Wings yet because he hasn't been signed. The Wings own his rights but he hasn't been signed to a deal yet. He's had a solid year in the RSL and he needs to be given a shot in the NHL. The key to winning a Cup is developing talent from your own system. What do the Wings have to lose? It's not like Grigorenko is going to garner much value. Give him his shot.

[interminded 1]

McLennan is the only goalie on the market I am interested in if Hasek doesn't return. Giguere is the only goalie worth pursuing for the starting job, and he's way too expensive. All the others available are to expensive to be Ozzie's backup and not good enough to start ahead of him. Which leaves McLennan, who should cost no more than 500k or 600k, and is a very solid backup.

True, he is relatively cheap and he's a solid backup.

(and a very nice person IMO)

But what about Live / Howard ?

Another year in GR ?

You have to give them a legitimate shot at some point, don't you think ?

[imisssergei 0]

There are a lot of fallacies in your post but I'll address the biggest one -- this one. Grigorenko isn't with the Wings yet because he hasn't been signed. The Wings own his rights but he hasn't been signed to a deal yet. He's had a solid year in the RSL and he needs to be given a shot in the NHL. The key to winning a Cup is developing talent from your own system. What do the Wings have to lose? It's not like Grigorenko is going to garner much value. Give him his shot.

The only reason he hasn't signed with the Wings is because he doesn't want to play in the minors over here. I just don't think he is good enough to play in the NHL, so at some point we have to move on. If he really has as much potential as we all hear about, then surely some team would be willing to give up at least a pick for him.

[Rice 42]

McLennan is the only goalie on the market I am interested in if Hasek doesn't return. Giguere is the only goalie worth pursuing for the starting job, and he's way too expensive. All the others available are to expensive to be Ozzie's backup and not good enough to start ahead of him. Which leaves McLennan, who should cost no more than 500k or 600k, and is a very solid backup.

Biron is a UFA as well. He'd be a much better option than McLennan.

[imisssergei 0]

Lang should go. Datsyuk, Filppula, Zetterberg, and Hudler are all natural centers with a level of skill. Lang's money can be used on a guy like Smyth or Hartnell who will not only bring grit and physical play, they will be natural wingers who can put up points.

Maltby shoudl go. He makes far too much for what he brings, and is already outperformed on this team by several cheaper players.

My ideal lineup for next season, assuming no roster players are traded. Free agent acquisitions are underlined.

Smyth/Zetterberg/Holmstrom

Hudler/Datsyuk/Hartnell

Calder/Filppula/Kopecky

Cleary/Draper/Maltby

Samuelsson

Lidstrom/Kronwall

Schneider/Vishnevski

Lebda/Chelios

Lilja

Osgood

Liv/Howard/McLennan

Seriously, McLennan? How is that any sort of upgrade over Ozzie? At least Ozzie has been the mainstay backstopper for not only a great team, but also a cup winner. What has McLennan ever done? That's right, nothing. At some point we do need to see what we have with Liv and Howard. Liv showed us what he can do with Sweden, and Howard is supposed to be the next big thing. So lets see it.

[Rice 42]

The only reason he hasn't signed with the Wings is because he doesn't want to play in the minors over here. I just don't think he is good enough to play in the NHL, so at some point we have to move on. If he really has as much potential as we all hear about, then surely some team would be willing to give up at least a pick for him.

The reason he hasn't signed with the Wings is because he can make a lot more money in Russia. We've been hearing about his potential because he has the potential to become a good scorer in the NHL. He needs a shot.

[imisssergei 0]

Biron is a UFA as well. He'd be a much better option than McLennan.

Biron will resign with Philly. He has said he wants to stay there, and Philly obviously wants him. Rumors have Biron and Philly in talks with a 3 year deal worth $11 or $12 million.

[eva unit zero 271]

Seriously, McLennan? How is that any sort of upgrade over Ozzie? At least Ozzie has been the mainstay backstopper for not only a great team, but also a cup winner. What has McLennan ever done? That's right, nothing. At some point we do need to see what we have with Liv and Howard. Liv showed us what he can do with Sweden, and Howard is supposed to be the next big thing. So lets see it.

I suggested replacing Ozzie with McLennan when?

[imisssergei 0]

The reason he hasn't signed with the Wings is because he can make a lot more money in Russia. We've been hearing about his potential because he has the potential to become a good scorer in the NHL. He needs a shot.

If he had all that potential, and was as good as you seemingly believe he is, sooner or later he is going to have to take that pay cut, which in all actuality wouldn't be that much when you included bonuses and endorsments, and come over here to play.

[eva unit zero 271]

True, he is relatively cheap and he's a solid backup.

(and a very nice person IMO)

But what about Live / Howard ?

Another year in GR ?

You have to give them a legitimate shot at some point, don't you think ?

McLennan is included in the event management decides to sign a veteran backup. I would prefer Liv out of the three, as he is more developed than Howard and therefore stands to lose less developmental benefit than Howard by being the NHL backup rather than the AHL starter. Following that model, in 08-09, one of Liv or Ozzie will likely be gone, with Howard on the team.

[imisssergei 0]

I suggested replacing Ozzie with McLennan when?

The Wings aren't going to bring in McLennan and keep Osgood, it wouldn't make any fiscial or logical sense. If you bring in McLennan, you are going to part with Osgood.

[Rice 42]

If he had all that potential, and was as good as you seemingly believe he is, sooner or later he is going to have to take that pay cut, which in all actuality wouldn't be that much when you included bonuses and endorsments, and come over here to play.

Right, which he has stated he is ready to do this summer.

[imisssergei 0]

Right, which he has stated he is ready to do this summer.

That's great, we can finally watch him on a regular basis and not wonder what he can do in the Noth American game. I predict not much.

[Aeothe Kaear 0]

The Samuelsson-for-pucks trade I was proposing (and got all kinds of s*** for) doesn't look so bad now, does it?

[Kp-Wings 3]

The Samuelsson-for-pucks trade I was proposing (and got all kinds of s*** for) doesn't look so bad now, does it?

You are, perhaps, the biggest Samulesson hater here.

And yet, you are also right at that same time.

[eva unit zero 271]

The Wings aren't going to bring in McLennan and keep Osgood, it wouldn't make any fiscial or logical sense. If you bring in McLennan, you are going to part with Osgood.

Assuming Hasek retires, McLennan is the cheapest available goaltender who would be an acceptable backup, and the only one likely to make less than Osgood. Giguere is the only FA option to upgrade on Ozzie, and he will cost likely 6-7 million. I'm not prepared to put that kind of stranglehold on our cap, and neither is Holland.

So assuming Dom leaves, it's either Osgood/McLennan or Osgood/Howard or Liv.

[Rice 42]

That's great, we can finally watch him on a regular basis and not wonder what he can do in the Noth American game. I predict not much.

Just curious, how many times have you seen him play?

[Hockey13Playa 240]

Assuming Hasek retires, McLennan is the cheapest available goaltender who would be an acceptable backup, and the only one likely to make less than Osgood. Giguere is the only FA option to upgrade on Ozzie, and he will cost likely 6-7 million. I'm not prepared to put that kind of stranglehold on our cap, and neither is Holland.

So assuming Dom leaves, it's either Osgood/McLennan or Osgood/Howard or Liv.

What makes you assume Hasek is going to retire after this season?

I haven't heard antyhing, or seen any indications that might hang up the skates.