Hasek close to re-signing..

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/stories/inde....xml&coll=1

I don't like the sound of that, and I am going to get extremely pissed if they don't re-sign Bert. He's who I wanted back more than any of the four. The guy is taking a decline in pay, and just wants long term.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

Damn it. Doesn't look good for Bert right now. Hopefully no West teams will cave and give him what he wants but shouldn't get: long term and $4mil a year.

[Superman54 91]

Im also super disappointed about probably not getting Bert back. At least Kenny knows we need size now

[T-Ruff 47]

Like I said....Kenny should give Bert his long-term deal.... 4 years, $11-$12 million....I want this guy locked up in Red..... We need Bertuzzi

Dom and his agent told me they wanted to wait a day or two and see where we're at. I'm hoping to finish this off in a day or two,'' Holland said. "We have the nuts and bolts of something in place. They told me there's no reason to be concerned.

That's good to hear, just as I was wondering what was taking Hasek so long.....

[wingnut22 81]

"Dom and his agent told me they wanted to wait a day or two and see where we're at. I'm hoping to finish this off in a day or two,'' Holland said. "We have the nuts and bolts of something in place. They told me there's no reason to be concerned. We've negotiated in good faith. I'm certainly optimistic, based on our conversation and our exchange of numbers, that we're very close. ''

tha' be givin' me some relief. I's be fearin' th' worst earlier about Dom! I still be wantin' Bertuzzi t' sign wit' th' Wings, an' I be hopin' tha' they can figure somethin' out.

Defenseman Danny Markov rejected a contract offer from the Wings last week at the entry draft in Columbus and is not expected to return.

was this already reported? was I bein' blind an' nah seein' it before? :

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

tha' be givin' me some relief. I's be fearin' th' worst earlier about Dom! I still be wantin' Bertuzzi t' sign wit' th' Wings, an' I be hopin' tha' they can figure somethin' out.

was this already reported? was I bein' blind an' nah seein' it before? :

I didn't even see that until you just quoted it. I wonder what the offer was. He's pretty much gone then.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Its encouraging to hear that Holland is aware of the lack of size/physicality on the blueline. Im not too worried about that. We can address that later in the season when cap hits are less.

As for Bert, what the hell? get that s*** done. And I dont know why they are so friggin set on adding another Dman. Rafalski and Quincey gives us 7. Im sick of hearing all this about how we need another Dman. Quincey proved himself already.

Hasek + Bert + Guerin + Quincey or Hasek + Bert + Hudler + Vishnevski

[wingnut22 81]

I didn't even see that until you just quoted it. I wonder what the offer was. He's pretty much gone then.

I can nah be rememberin' if I had heard tha' before or nah. I was kinda hopin' tha' he would be back too

[Rice 42]

I'd like to see Bertuzzi back but it's not the end of the world if he signs elsewhere. He's a big risk and I don't blame Holland one bit for not wanting him long-term. Back injuries don't just go away, neither does that emotional baggage.

Guerin, Kozlov, and Zubrus are the guys I'd be looking at if something can't be worked out with Bertuzzi.

[HenrikRules40 14]

Am I the only one nervous about our D?

[Rice 42]

I can nah be rememberin' if I had heard tha' before or nah. I was kinda hopin' tha' he would be back too

Holland mentioned it for the first time earlier today, I believe.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

Am I the only one nervous about our D?

I think our D is in great hands.

Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall, Chelios, Lebda, Lilja, Quincey. All very, very good. Plus if something goes wrong he'll probably add someone at the trade deadline.

As hard as it is losing Schneider, they upgraded with Rafalski. You'll very rarely see the guy make a mistake.

[Viperar 16]

damnit....wtf markov...now what? vishnevski?

[wingnut22 81]

Holland mentioned it for the first time earlier today, I believe.

aye, tha' be why I was nah seein' it before. Spent all day at work!

[Rice 42]

Am I the only one nervous about our D?

Our defense is at least as good as last year's. Markov's probably gone but he's replaceable. Rafalski is an upgrade.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

I can’t believe we wouldn’t sign Bertuzzi to a long term deal. Yes it’s a risk but as someone said above, we need Bertuzzi!

And Markov is all but gone too which IMO that’s a fairly big loss.

[HenrikRules40 14]

I think our D is in great hands.

Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall, Chelios, Lebda, Lilja, Quincey. All very, very good. Plus if something goes wrong he'll probably add someone at the trade deadline.

As hard as it is losing Schneider, they upgraded with Rafalski. You'll very rarely see the guy make a mistake.

I totally agree on the upgrade. But I really liked the rough edge Markov gave us. Who's going to take that over?

[WhiteLightning91 105]

Its encouraging to hear that Holland is aware of the lack of size/physicality on the blueline. Im not too worried about that. We can address that later in the season when cap hits are less.

As for Bert, what the hell? get that s*** done. And I dont know why they are so friggin set on adding another Dman. Rafalski and Quincey gives us 7. Im sick of hearing all this about how we need another Dman. Quincey proved himself already.

Hasek + Bert + Guerin + Quincey or Hasek + Bert + Hudler + Vishnevski

If we are going to look for another defenseman I would look at Stuart, Sutton, Sydor, or Hamrlik. Roman Hamrlik could cost too much though. Either of the other 3 I would be fine with.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

I'd like to see Bertuzzi back but it's not the end of the world if he signs elsewhere. He's a big risk and I don't blame Holland one bit for not wanting him long-term. Back injuries don't just go away, neither does that emotional baggage.

Guerin, Kozlov, and Zubrus are the guys I'd be looking at if something can't be worked out with Bertuzzi.

Blues arent in the running for Guerin, Ottawa apparently is making a push for him, which I could see happening. Of the 3 you mentioned, Guerin is probably the best option. s***ty playoffs aside, hes a big body, gritty, and hes fast. Hes a shooter first. Thats what we need. Hed be sick down low on the PP. On a short term deal (2 years max), he could be nice.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

I totally agree on the upgrade. But I really liked the rough edge Markov gave us. Who's going to take that over?

Yeah that's true. That's where a player like Sarich would of been good to get. Kenny will have to figure something out.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

If we are going to look for another defenseman I would look at Stuart, Sutton, Sydor, or Hamrlik. Roman Hamrlik could cost too much though. Either of the other 3 I would be fine with.

Brad Stuart will probably get more than Hamrlik. Sutton wants 4M per. Sydor...I havent heard much, so it might be a possibility, but if you want any of those guys, you can pretty much say goodbye to Kozlov, Bert, Guerin, Zubrus, etc. Vishnevski made 1.55 last year and finished the year out as a healthy scratch with Nashville. Hed come cheap and he hits like a train. Hed be great as a #6/7.

[HenrikRules40 14]

Yeah that's true. That's where a player like Sarich would of been good to get. Kenny will have to figure something out.

In Kenny we trust?

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

In Kenny we trust?

He needs to re-sign Bert, and then I'll start trusting him.

[joshy207 156]

Derek Meech is probably the 7th guy right now over Quincey... if I'm not mistaken, Meech would have to clear waivers to go to GR, and Quincey wouldn't.

Detroit's D will move the puck extremely well, but doesn't offer much of a physical edge.

[Superman54 91]

I'm starting to realize how much Im gonna miss Markov........DAMN!!!!