Lines for 2008

[Guest ZDH]

I like Kyle Calder, and hope he stays, but Kenny basically came out and said he won't be resigned (see topic: Holland talks about the playoffs).

I think we can also expect Hudler to be gone. If not, then he'll be benched for someone, Kopecky probably, because Hudler and Babcock seemingly don't see eye-to-eye. Just my opinion anyways.

The Hudler fans will hate me for saying this but I will anyway...

Ideally, I'd like to see Hudler traded for a big 4th line centre. Or traded for a draft pick to sign an Adam Mair (UFA by the way) type player. We have enough skill players up front in Z, Dats and Flip. I'd like to see a 4th line with a big centre and 2 big wingers. Guys who can grind it out and hit people.

But then again we have Grigorenko and Kopecky so maybe we should give those 2 a chance. Have Mule centre those 2 for the 4th line. Grigs is supposed to be strong and built like a tank and Kopecky is big and likes to use it. I like his game.

I like Hudler but I think the Wings need to have more size and snarl on that 4th line.

But I expect Huds to be on the team because of his dirt cheap salary. Any time you can add a talented player to your 4th line at a cheap salary you have to do it so you can afford the other expensive players like Nick and Dats and eventually Hank.

I'd also like to see Sammy replaced with a big winger. I like our top 3 lines but I'd just like to see us build a nasty, big 4th line which can also take a regular shift. Franzen is suited for such a line. Maybe add Adam Mair and 1 other big forward who can skate a bit. Maybe a guy like Laperriere. He is not very big but he plays hard and with an edge. He might be too expensive for a 4th line though.

Edited May 26, 2007 by ZDH

[zetterbergfuturemvp 0]

I like Kyle Calder, and hope he stays, but Kenny basically came out and said he won't be resigned (see topic: Holland talks about the playoffs).

I think we can also expect Hudler to be gone. If not, then he'll be benched for someone, Kopecky probably, because Hudler and Babcock seemingly don't see eye-to-eye. Just my opinion anyways.

ya calder is gone and i agree with hudler being gone eventually and i just think its really really stupid considering he got 15 goals with almost no ice time and no real talent on his line , if he played with zetterberg for example he can be a 30 goal scorer ......if he wont come back i say we use him as trade bait for a good young player or package him in a deal for a high 1st round pick if were lucky .......but i wouldnt trade him

id LOVE to see a hudler zetterberg hartnell line next season

The Hudler fans will hate me for saying this but I will anyway...

Ideally, I'd like to see Hudler traded for a big 4th line centre. Or traded for a draft pick to sign an Adam Mair (UFA by the way) type player. We have enough skill players up front in Z, Dats and Flip. I'd like to see a 4th line with a big centre and 2 big wingers. Guys who can grind it out and hit people.

But I expect Huds to be on the team because of his dirt cheap salary. Any time you can add a talented player to your 4th line at a cheap salary you have to do it so you can afford the other expensive players like Nick and Dats and eventually Hank.

I'd also like to see Sammy replaced with a big winger. I like our top 3 lines but I'd just like to see us build a nasty, big 4th line which can also take a regular shift. Franzen is suited for such a line. Maybe add Adam Mair and 1 other big forward who can skate a bit. Maybe a guy like Laperriere. He is not very big but he plays hard and with an edge. He might be too expensive for a 4th line though.

4th line center ??? LOL thats it ???? thats a major insult to hudler dude , sure hes not big but 15 goals with almost no ice time and no real offensive linemates and alll you want in return is a 4th line center ??? you want that you can go after wayne primeau in the summer, hudler for a 4th line center = no thank you lol

[Guest ZDH]

ya calder is gone and i agree with hudler being gone eventually and i just think its really really stupid considering he got 15 goals with almost no ice time and no real talent on his line , if he played with zetterberg for example he can be a 30 goal scorer ......if he wont come back i say we use him as trade bait for a good young player or package him in a deal for a high 1st round pick if were lucky .......but i wouldnt trade him

id LOVE to see a hudler zetterberg hartnell line next season

4th line center ??? LOL thats it ???? thats a major insult to hudler dude , sure hes not big but 15 goals with almost no ice time and no real offensive linemates and alll you want in return is a 4th line center ??? you want that you can go after wayne primeau in the summer, hudler for a 4th line center = no thank you lol

I don't think Hudler's value is as high as you think it is. Babcock does not play him that much. Why is that? If that is the case then why keep him?

[zetterbergfuturemvp 0]

I don't think Hudler's value is as high as you think it is. Babcock does not play him that much. Why is that? If that is the case then why keep him?

i definetly dont think hes worth as little as you think he is , definetly not worth a 4th round pick , sometimes coaches and players dont get along doesnt mean the player is not good .....im sure if hudler was put on a 2nd line on a good enough team he can get 25 goals at least , so thats gotta be worth something more then a 4th line player

[Flip-check 6]

I don't think Hudler's value is as high as you think it is. Babcock does not play him that much. Why is that? If that is the case then why keep him?

I got no idea about Babs not playing Hudler, but I think the guy's pure skill is pretty high. His size is the only drawback to him as a player--watch him sometime next season (he'll probably be around, you couldn't get much for him anyway), he's got good puck handling skills, he keeps his head up, and that 15 goals on limited ice time is a great indicator.

Mike's kept him off the ice, but it isn't because he doesn't have potential.

[Dabura 12,232]

Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Holmstrom

Franzen - Hartnell - Bertuzzi

Maltby - Draper - Cleary

Pyatt - Filppula - Grigorenko

Lidstrom - Kronwall

Lebda - Sarich

Lilja - Chelios

[Guest Crymson]

I personally don't trust Dom in the net at age 43 and would prefer them to

trade someone like Lilja for a goalie. Perhaps Theodore who I know Colorado

would love to get rid of and would probably play much better on a team

with this much talent.

This made me laugh. Lilja for a goalie? Maybe we could get Mike Dunham for Lilja, but nobody more. Theodore? Sorry, but I don't think our AHL team needs a $6m/yr goalie, and that's where he'd end up with the sort of play that he exhibited this year. Sure, the facts that he isn't really that great, that he's a cancer to the locker room, that he can't behave off the ice, and that he costs a crapload all mean that Colorado would probably let him go for very little, but they're also reasons why no team will want him. Ever.

On another note, everybody should note that Cleary will never, repeat NEVER play on a checking line again after the production potential he showed in the playoffs this year, most especially the seven points in six games he logged against Anaheim. Babcock will not put a guaranteed source of points on the checking line for the mere possibility of "spreading the scoring." That slot will go to Franzen. Cleary is simply too potent a scorer to limit him by putting him with Draper and Maltby; this would be highly silly, an EXTREME waste.

Edited May 26, 2007 by Crymson

[Dano33 41]

Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Holmstrom

Kozlov - Drury - Grigorenko

Maltby - Draper - Cleary

Franzen - Filppula - Samuelsson

Kopecky

Lidstrom - Markov

Kronwall - Chelios

Lebda - Stuart or Sarich

Quincey

Kindl

Hasek

Osgood

I can dream can't I?

and just to add something, I doubt that Grigorenko is going to play in GR, he would be back in Russia in 3 weeks time IIRC, he's going to be at least the 13th forward next year

Man, would i love to see this. definately the winner so far.

[Guest ZDH]

Man, would i love to see this. definately the winner so far.

Grigorenko on the 2nd line and Flip on the 4th line? Definitely NOT the winner for me!

Edited May 26, 2007 by ZDH

[Dabura 12,232]

Cleary is simply too potent a scorer to limit him by putting him with Draper and Maltby; this would be highly silly, an EXTREME waste.

I think calling it an "extreme waste" is a bit much. It depends on the composition of the roster; I can certainly imagine circumstances in which it wouldn't be silly.

Edited May 26, 2007 by Dabura

[WiNgSowN 0]

Obviously it's going to be

Z-Dats-Homer

Smyth-Flip-Bertuzzi

Cleary-Hudler-Samuelsson

Maltby-Draper-Franzen

Extras= Igor G. and Kopecky

Lidstrom-Markov

Kronwall-Lilja

Chelios-Kindl

Extras=Lebda and Quincey

Howard and Ozzie

I think Hasek is done and if we don't get smyth I think Igor is in and Unfortunately I think Calder and Lang are gone but whatever the lineup it won't matter because wings own in 07-08!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BringHomeTheCup! 0]

I don't know why I always find myself reading these threads. Everytime I read them, I am left wondering if anyone understands how things work, or if you are just basing your thoughts based on your latest offseason in NHL 2007.

There are so many things wrong with what everyone is suggesting Kenny should do in the offseason, I just don't have the time or energy to think about half of them. So, I am just going to give you a few quick thoughts.

First, everyone is forgetting DMac. No, I don't think Detroit should try to sign him, that's ridiculous. His buyout, I believe we have one more year left on the cap hit from this buyout. It isn't much, but it's still a hit.

Second, we are taking a cap hit on all the bonus money paid to Dom. I think he is owed somewhere in the ballpark of $600k.

Third, Kenny is a smart GM, best in the league. He is going to leave himself some breathing room underneath the cap. The cap is estimated to be $47 next year, look for Kenny to spend about $40-43 of that to put his team together.

Finally, as far as signing a big name UFA. It isn't going to happen. With names like Lidstrom, Zetterburg, Filppula, Draper, and Holmstrom, all up for free agency (some RFA) Kenny doesn't have the long-term room to sign a Smyth, Drury, or Giguere and keep these guys. Nor does he have the short term cap space. Kenny has at best, $13 to spend to fill out his roster, and he needs about 7 more players to do that.

EDIT: Also, Grigs will either be an every day player, or go back to Russia. The contract he signed has an out clause that basicly allows him to opt out if he is assigned to Grand Rapids.

Edited May 26, 2007 by BringHomeTheCup!

[Guest Crymson]

First, everyone is forgetting DMac. No, I don't think Detroit should try to sign him, that's ridiculous. His buyout, I believe we have one more year left on the cap hit from this buyout. It isn't much, but it's still a hit.

I know nothing about this; I know that the buyouts conducted after the cap was announced do not affect money under the cap. Is this a special case? I know we bought out several other contracts as well, CuJo's included. That one was big.

[kylee 727]

is this igor grigorenko kid the real deal?

i don't know very much about him at all.

[Guest ZDH]

is this igor grigorenko kid the real deal?

i don't know very much about him at all.

He was certainly the real deal 4 years ago when he dominated at the World Junior Championship for Russia en route to defeating Canada in the final. He was pegged to come over and join the Wings the next season.

But then he was in that bad car accident and he has been slowly recovering since then. He has played the last 2 seasons in Russia and by all indications is not back to 100% yet. His skating is not what it once was apparently.

I have not seen him play since he was in that WJC game against Canada. Man he was strong, skilled and tough. Plus he had top end speed and competed hard. He would have been a star for sure IMO. As good as Ovechkin, I believe.

Hopefully he can regain most of his form and have a solid NHL career for the Wings. He's only 5'10 but he's strong and built like a tank. From what I have read he has an excellent work ethic as well. So he should be one of Babcock's favourites. I hope he does well for the Wings. He deserves it having to work so hard to come back from that awful car accident.

Edited May 27, 2007 by ZDH

[bogeygolfer 4]

Bertuzzi/Zetterburg/Hudler

Datzyuk/Fillpula/Holmstrom

Maltby/Draper/Franzen

Sameulsson/Cleary/Kopecky

Lidstrom/Kronwall

Schneider/Lilja

Lebda/Chelios

Dom

Ozzie

Howard

[Draperfan 104]

I dont know why all of you are picking Bertuzzi for,he was just a rental(a mistake of a rental)Holland isn"t going to make the same mistake twice.

[glasgowcelticwing 18]

I dont know why all of you are picking Bertuzzi for,he was just a rental(a mistake of a rental)Holland isn"t going to make the same mistake twice.

Bertuzzi's a keeper , IF he stays fit he provide's the Red Wings with the Power Forward that we've all been crying out for .

[Guest ZDH]

Bertuzzi's a keeper , IF he stays fit he provide's the Red Wings with the Power Forward that we've all been crying out for .

I think it would be foolish for the Wings to not see what a healthy Bert can do for them. If he stinks next season and/or cannot remain healthy THEN you part ways with him. But we would all be disgusted if he went to another team and found his game again. We gave up a decent prospect in Matthias and a 2nd round pick, plus another one if we re-sign him. I don't see any available UFA out there who can dominate as much as Bert can, if he is healthy. Plus Bert will likely be taking much less money than those big name UFA's.

I'm looking forward to seeing a dominant power forward on this team. I know Shanny was when we first got him but he basically became a finesse player with size and a rocket 1 timer.

I'm surprised there has not been more talk on McCarty. He is an UFA. Does anyone think Holland gets him back? Kozlov has been brought up. I think Kenny needs to keep moving forward with the young guys. Filppula, Hudler, Kopecky and Grigorenko need the ice time.

Edited May 27, 2007 by ZDH

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Are these lines we can see happening for next year or dream lines for next year , K i'll do both.

Z-D-H

Smyth-Cleary-Bertuzzi

Franzen-Filpula-Samuelson

Maltby-Draper-Kopecky

Lidstrom-Sarich

Chelios-Schnieder

Markov-Lebda

Extras-Kronwall,Lilja

Hasek

Osgood.

Dream lines.

Zetterberg-Lecavalier-Holmstrom

Smyth-Cleary-Bertuzzi

Franzen-Gratton-Asham

Maltby-Draper-McCarty

Lidstrom-Sarich

Hannan-Schnieder

Markov-Chelios

Hasek

Osgood

[Guest ZDH]

If Holland can get both Bert AND Smyth on the Wings and keep Schneider, Markov, Chelios and Hasek then he should have a statue outside of the Joe.

However I don't see much happening with the Wings in UFA except for keeping most of their own players. 7 UFA's. I expect 5 back. Bert, Schneids, Markov, Dom, Chelly stay. Lang and Calder take the big adios.

If we got Vinny, then I'd pee my pants with giddy joyful glee.

Edited May 27, 2007 by ZDH

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

If Holland can get both Bert AND Smyth on the Wings and keep Schneider, Markov, Chelios and Hasek then he should have a statue outside of the Joe.

However I don't see much happening with the Wings in UFA except for keeping most of their own players. 7 UFA's. I expect 5 back. Bert, Schneids, Markov, Dom, Chelly stay. Lang and Calder take the big adios.

If we got Vinny, then I'd pee my pants with giddy joyful glee.

[glasgowcelticwing 18]

If Holland can get both Bert AND Smyth on the Wings and keep Schneider, Markov, Chelios and Hasek then he should have a statue outside of the Joe.

However I don't see much happening with the Wings in UFA except for keeping most of their own players. 7 UFA's. I expect 5 back. Bert, Schneids, Markov, Dom, Chelly stay. Lang and Calder take the big adios.

If we got Vinny, then I'd pee my pants with giddy joyful glee.

LMAO . If we got Vinny I think there would be alot of Wings fan's with wet pants .

[Kp-Wings 3]

Bertuzzi's a keeper , IF he stays fit he provide's the Red Wings with the Power Forward that we've all been crying out for .

Don't waste your breath. Draperfan is one of the biggest trolls on this board, and is more than likely Steve Moore in disguise.

[Systemfel 33]

Holmström (2.25) - Datsyuk (6.7) - Bertuzzi (2.5)

Cleary (.663) - Zetterberg (2.65) - Grigorenko (.9)

Franzén (.943) - Filppula (.733) - Samuelsson (1.2)

Kopecky (.5) - Draper (2.128) - Maltby (.883)

total: 22.049

Lidström (7.6) - Markov (3.0)

Kronwall (3.0) - Schneider/Preissing (2.5)

Lebda (.65) - Chelios (.85)

total: 17.100

Hasek (.75)

Osgood (.85)

total: 1.600

team total: 41.249

Pretty good, I'd say. Obviously you can switch around with our forwards because they're all pretty versatile.

Datsyuk - Zetterberg - Holmström

Franzén - Filppula - Bertuzzi

Cleary - Draper - Grigorenko

Maltby - Kopecky - Samuelsson

Edited May 27, 2007 by Systemfel