So...you guys happy with your signings?

[Defenseman13 0]

Man, I hate trades. Sometimes I love them, on the acquisition side of the coin, but seeing good players go hurts and make you say WTF?

First off, the Schneid and Burtuzzi going to Anaheim...yikes. The ducks must be destroyed, and this doesn't help. He'll be buddies with Parros no doubt... it'll be like back in the day when he was lurking with Jovanowski when he was a Canuck.

We lost Guerin, which as much as I detested him in the past (and still am not over seeing him in teal) he was a good addition for us. And Hannan going to the Avs?!?! This is a big WTF, as we don't have a replacement,

So, I think it's safe to say that the Sharks and the Wings blew it... gave up leads that we should have kept. As I see it, the Sharks are worse off than they were... and I say this with some trepidation, as I still feel that we blew it as opposed to lacking talent, so we're still a contending team. BUT, one of out main weaknesses, our D, is questionable now. Hannan has been with us...damn, maybe 11 seasons? Since 98 I think, and he plays 20-30 minutes a game, not exact on that either.

I think D might be an issue...I'm a little worried to say the least. However, we are getting a new interior to our arena with the cool 360 LED things, as well as new jumbotron and updated logo. Yay.

How do you guys sit with the Wing's movements?

I say this about the Ducks...

Edited July 10, 2007 by Defenseman13

[stillwater 186]

What trades?

[#19=Legend 29]

i got over the schneider departure pretty quick after i saw we signed rafalski. but im still not over the bertuzzi departure. the wings blew it on that one IMO.

they werent trades they signed via free agency.

Edited July 10, 2007 by #19=Legend

[StarsWingsFan 0]

I don't recall the Wings making any trades.

[Defenseman13 0]

I don't recall the Wings making any trades.

That's the general consensus of Shark fans, that we pretty much stood still. And I'm not referring to "trades" as much as I meant players coming and going. Oh well, if it ain't broke....yada yada

Edited July 10, 2007 by Defenseman13

[StarsWingsFan 0]

I've been following what the Wings have been doing as closely as I can, but I recall most of the players leaving via free agency.

If there have been trades that I'm not aware of, I apologize.

[Guest Agalloch]

We got Rafalski as a replacement to Schneider, which is a huge upgrade. Lang, Bertuzzi, and Calder were all terrible for us, and were weighing the team down, when guys like Filppula were getting screwed and should've gotten the second line minutes. I don't really care about Dallas Drake, but we upgraded our defense (though we lost Markov, Lilja was outstanding in the playoffs and should replace him nicely), and got rid of dead weight. Addition by subtraction.

[betterREDthandead 58]

Rafalski in place of Schneider is an upgrade. I'm not disappointed about the loss of Bertuzzi.....it would have been nice to keep him, but not at the price Anaheim signed him at.

I don't mind how this offseason has gone. There are spots open to continue evaluating the up-and-coming talent that the Wings are going to need. There's room for guys like Filppula, Hudler, and Grigorenko to shine. These are names we've been hearing for a while and it's time to see what they got. Lots of overspending going on, but not by the Wings, which will be a plus in the long term.

[theman19 47]

i get what you mean. Actually i rather like our tradeoffs. (I think that's a better word, tradeoffs)

Rafalski in my opinion is an upgrade of Schneider. Granted, Schneider is a beast on the pp (but didn't show it much last year), but i like Rafalski's D and his passing ability. Part of our pp problem was there was to much shooting from the point and not enough passing down low. I think Babs and Holland saw that and went for a puck moving D man. As far as drake goes, meh,.....Bertuzzi has to capablity to be an absoutlte game breaker. But he hasn't broke a game open in two years and honestly i don't see him doing it on the ducks. If he's the same Bert he was here in those few games he played with us, he's no different than drake in my opinion. Lastly i believe Lang's role will easily and much more enthusiastically be filled by fillpulla when all's said and done. This kid is the real deal and soon everyone will know it.

Edited July 10, 2007 by theman19

[b.shanafan14 733]

I say this about the Ducks...

hahahaha

not worried about the Ducks, if Teemu and Scott Not-Nik-meyer are in fact gone they are not an upgraded team, they can have Bertuzzi and Schneider.

I am loving the Rafalski acquistion and looking forward to Grigorenko in the NHL, as well as what I expect to be break out years for Hudler and especially Filppula.

Hate the Dallas Drake acquistion cause I never liked the guy when we played against him because of cheapshots (ala Lebda hit), but since we got him for league minimum I guess I can't complain.

Really wanted Markov back and it looks like that won't happen. Wanted Kozlov or at least Nolan, but both are signed elsewhere. We still need another top-six forward. Don't really want Yashin (sounds like another Lang) and I know Shanahan most likely won't be back.

I have a lot of confidence for next season and I'm loving how our young talent is looking. Though I would have preferred a busier offseason from the Wings.

[Learn2LuvIt 252]

We got Rafalski as a replacement to Schneider, which is a huge upgrade. Lang, Bertuzzi, and Calder were all terrible for us, and were weighing the team down, when guys like Filppula were getting screwed and should've gotten the second line minutes. I don't really care about Dallas Drake, but we upgraded our defense (though we lost Markov, Lilja was outstanding in the playoffs and should replace him nicely), and got rid of dead weight. Addition by subtraction.

I agree for the most part except for the bit about Lilja. He single-handedly lost a very important playoff game for us (give away in front of the net....Selanne Scores in OT). In fact, that was the momentum shift we never were able to recover from.

I agree he shouldn't be totally judged on one play, but saying he was outstanding is reaching.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Man, I hate trades. Sometimes I love them, on the acquisition side of the coin, but seeing good players go hurts and make you say WTF?

First off, the Schneid and Burtuzzi going to Anaheim...yikes. The ducks must be destroyed, and this doesn't help. He'll be buddies with Parros no doubt... it'll be like back in the day when he was lurking with Jovanowski when he was a Canuck.

We lost Guerin, which as much as I detested him in the past (and still am not over seeing him in teal) he was a good addition for us. And Hannan going to the Avs?!?! This is a big WTF, as we don't have a replacement,

So, I think it's safe to say that the Sharks and the Wings blew it... gave up leads that we should have kept. As I see it, the Sharks are worse off than they were... and I say this with some trepidation, as I still feel that we blew it as opposed to lacking talent, so we're still a contending team. BUT, one of out main weaknesses, our D, is questionable now. Hannan has been with us...damn, maybe 11 seasons? Since 98 I think, and he plays 20-30 minutes a game, not exact on that either.

I think D might be an issue...I'm a little worried to say the least. However, we are getting a new interior to our arena with the cool 360 LED things, as well as new jumbotron and updated logo. Yay.

How do you guys sit with the Wing's movements?

I say this about the Ducks...

Dont you think the Sharks will still add a defenseman?? I wouldnt be surprised to see Markov, Sutton, or Souray in a Sharks jersey. All would be decent options, IMO. Bell sucked for you guys, and Guerin wasnt a reason you guys got to where you were in the standings, and certainly wasnt much in the playoffs. Maybe not addition by subtraction, but I think the only relatively big loss was Hannan. And there are still decent options through which to replace him.

I agree for the most part except for the bit about Lilja. He single-handedly lost a very important playoff game for us (give away in front of the net....Selanne Scores in OT). In fact, that was the momentum shift we never were able to recover from.

I agree he shouldn't be totally judged on one play, but saying he was outstanding is reaching.

Wrong. The momentum shift we were never able to recover from was the tying goal with 47 seconds left in the game on a bulls*** call against Datsyuk.

Bertuzzi made a cough-up nearly identical to that of Lilja in Game 6. So did Lang, but not against the Ducks. What Lilja did in the playoffs did a lot more in keeping us in the playoffs then pulling us out of the race.

Edited July 10, 2007 by YoungGuns1340

[Learn2LuvIt 252]

Wrong. The momentum shift we were never able to recover from was the tying goal with 47 seconds left in the game on a bulls*** call against Datsyuk.

Bertuzzi made a cough-up nearly identical to that of Lilja in Game 6. So did Lang, but not against the Ducks. What Lilja did in the playoffs did a lot more in keeping us in the playoffs then pulling us out of the race.

Ok...I guess trying to skate the puck through the middle of your own zone and coughing the puck up to one the best natural goal scorers in the league in overtime of of Western Confernce Finals playoffs game is no big deal. Lija was OUTSTANDING..... In fact, the momentum had already swung and it was probably an OUTSTANDING play to give it up like that and get the game over with. Geez, what am I and about 50 thousand other Wings fans thinking. The reality is that we didn't want him to try and win the game for us and take any risks, but just don't loose the game for us.. and unfortunately in that case that's exactly what he did....and it couldn't have come at a worse time.

I'm not sure why your so defensive (unless your his mother), but I didn't say he was horrible, I just said that calling him OUTSTANDING is a major stretch.

Blaming a loss on a "bad call' is lame anyway.

[Defenseman13 0]

Hopefully we will get a d-man... unless the powers that be think the youngsters can fill in. Vlasic (pickles) is epic... the kid was a rookie playing 19+ minutes a game.

oh, and I still say THIS about the Ducks...

[Guest Canadian Wings]

Well, the Shakrs did f*** all so i would be depressed if i was you. The Wings lost schneider and got a better defenseman in rafalski. Sure we lost bertuzzi, lang, and calder but calder didnt do anything (literally), lang we didn't want back and isn't a player you win with (lazy), and bert i did want but anaheim took a gamble so i guess we'll have to see how that works out. we could have got someone to take bert's place but the market wasnt too deep.

[Defenseman13 0]

Well, the Shakrs did f*** all so i would be depressed if i was you. The Wings lost schneider and got a better defenseman in rafalski. Sure we lost bertuzzi, lang, and calder but calder didnt do anything (literally), lang we didn't want back and isn't a player you win with (lazy), and bert i did want but anaheim took a gamble so i guess we'll have to see how that works out. we could have got someone to take bert's place but the market wasnt too deep.

huh?

[Guest Crymson]

I agree for the most part except for the bit about Lilja. He single-handedly lost a very important playoff game for us (give away in front of the net....Selanne Scores in OT). In fact, that was the momentum shift we never were able to recover from.

I agree he shouldn't be totally judged on one play, but saying he was outstanding is reaching.

Lilja also scored our only goal in that game.

He lost the series by himself just as much as Sheed lost game six in the 2006 NBA finals by himself, which is to say not at all. One mistake does not make one responsible for the loss of a series.

Besides that error, Lilja played fabulously. I object to your attempt to scapegoat him.

Ok...I guess trying to skate the puck through the middle of your own zone and coughing the puck up to one the best natural goal scorers in the league in overtime of of Western Confernce Finals playoffs game is no big deal. Lija was OUTSTANDING..... In fact, the momentum had already swung and it was probably an OUTSTANDING play to give it up like that and get the game over with. Geez, what am I and about 50 thousand other Wings fans thinking. The reality is that we didn't want him to try and win the game for us and take any risks, but just don't loose the game for us.. and unfortunately in that case that's exactly what he did....and it couldn't have come at a worse time.

I'm not sure why your so defensive (unless your his mother), but I didn't say he was horrible, I just said that calling him OUTSTANDING is a major stretch.

Blaming a loss on a "bad call' is lame anyway.

Clearly, Paul Coffey was responsible for losing us the 1996 WCF by scoring on his own net in game one too then, huh?

[Kira 451]

All things being considered, I'm content with what we have right now, and I don't think we need to sign anyone else.

I want to see the kids step up and assume more responsibilities...Jiri, Valtteri, Tomas Kopecky...these three need to prove they are ready to take on a more important role on the team. And if Igor Grigorenko works out, I'd like to see him perform well too.

Last year's team was picked by everyone to finish no better than sixth. And look what happened. This year I figure they will think the same thing of us, and I'd like to make them eat crow again.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Drake , Rafalski and Hasek all solid signings.

[Cicada 4]

Ok...I guess trying to skate the puck through the middle of your own zone and coughing the puck up to one the best natural goal scorers in the league in overtime of of Western Confernce Finals playoffs game is no big deal. Lija was OUTSTANDING..... In fact, the momentum had already swung and it was probably an OUTSTANDING play to give it up like that and get the game over with. Geez, what am I and about 50 thousand other Wings fans thinking. The reality is that we didn't want him to try and win the game for us and take any risks, but just don't loose the game for us.. and unfortunately in that case that's exactly what he did....and it couldn't have come at a worse time.

I'm not sure why your so defensive (unless your his mother), but I didn't say he was horrible, I just said that calling him OUTSTANDING is a major stretch.

Blaming a loss on a "bad call' is lame anyway.

blaming it on a single player is just as bad

don't disrespect the pain train

[eva unit zero 271]

Man, I hate trades. Sometimes I love them, on the acquisition side of the coin, but seeing good players go hurts and make you say WTF?

First off, the Schneid and Burtuzzi going to Anaheim...yikes. The ducks must be destroyed, and this doesn't help. He'll be buddies with Parros no doubt... it'll be like back in the day when he was lurking with Jovanowski when he was a Canuck.

Schneider and Bertuzzi are a downgrade for Anaheim. The team that only beat us with two of our top three defensemen injured is not as good as they were. Detroit compensated by replacing Schneider with Rafalski, a HUGE upgrade. Bertuzzi was a nonfactor, Calder was a nonfactor, and Lang was a nonfactor. Their minimal presence will more than be replaced by some combination of Drake, Hudler, Filppula, Kopecky, and Grigorenko.

We lost Guerin, which as much as I detested him in the past (and still am not over seeing him in teal) he was a good addition for us. And Hannan going to the Avs?!?! This is a big WTF, as we don't have a replacement,

Hannan is actually the one guy I expected the Sharks to really try and retain. I do think he was overpaid by the Avs, but it's not as if he's irreplaceable. The Sharks DO have a replacement for Hannan; Rivet. And if Rivet can't play the big minutes like Hannan did? Carle and Vlasic could take on a couple more, and McLaren probably as well. You guys should not miss Hannan in the regular season. If your guys are still looking like a contender come March, there will likely be a defenseman acquired for depth. But at this point, the Sharks look just fine.

So, I think it's safe to say that the Sharks and the Wings blew it... gave up leads that we should have kept. As I see it, the Sharks are worse off than they were... and I say this with some trepidation, as I still feel that we blew it as opposed to lacking talent, so we're still a contending team. BUT, one of out main weaknesses, our D, is questionable now. Hannan has been with us...damn, maybe 11 seasons? Since 98 I think, and he plays 20-30 minutes a game, not exact on that either.

The Sharks didn't blow it. They let Hannan go for more than he's worth, they picked up some solid picks for their backup goaltender and an overpriced fourth liner, and they replaced their leaving defenseman with a similar, yet cheaper option. The Wings, as I detailed earlier, didn't blow it either. The one player each team lost that required a replacement was replaced. Both teams were able to keep their rosters generally together and contending without handcuffing their cap.

Looking at Anaheim down the road:

Penner will be looking at probably 2.75m/3yr. That means Kunitz, Getzlaf and Perry will see at the very least comparable deals, and likely more. Bryzgalov will likely be traded, but if he stays he won't command more than 2m unless he's starting, which means Giguere is traded. Meaning a sudden increase of at the least 9m, possibly closer to 11 to 12m at the end of this season. Assuming the Ducks go with their current roster (plus one more defenseman) ,that would put them up to the cap on the low end, and a couple mill over on the high end, before accounting for any increase. Which is fine, until you look at the fact that Kunitz, Getzlaf, Perry, Ryan, Pronger, Giguere, and Bryzgalov and their combined 25m would be the only players on the roster not hitting UFA after 08-09. Even if you assume the cap is up to 56m at this point (continuing the average 3m increase) that's 31m to spend on players. McDonald, Pahlsson, Niedermayer and Moen will together be around 11m, and Beauchemin will fetch 3m. That leaves 17m to spend on six forwards and five defensemen. They still would need a top six forward and at least one top-four defensemen, which would cost upwards of 10m total for the two players, meaning the remaining five forwards and four defensemen would HAVE to be minimum-salary players just to fit under the cap.The Wings are not in nearly as bad cap shape as the Ducks are over the coming seasons, and the Wings have a better roster to begin with.

[Hank Dats 'N Homer 81]

Im neither impressed or depressed about our losses or pick ups. I am ganna miss Bert because i think he would have been stellar this year, but it was to much of a risk to take for the money, so we will see how it goes for him in anaheim. I liked calder but he tailed off towards the end, and it seemed like Babcock had something against him so he would have been wasted talent here. Rafalski was a good pcik up, but not as good of a shot from the point as matty. Good passer, better defense, but not as good of a shot, so a fair trade off i suppose. Dallas Drake i guess will make our third like stronger, he does the same thing as Maltby just alot dirtier, which i hate when on another team but might appreciate when hes in a wings uniform (again). So im waiting on judgment with him. Im intersted in seeing how much of these young guys step up, so we will see how it goes.

[edicius 3,269]

I agree for the most part except for the bit about Lilja. He single-handedly lost a very important playoff game for us (give away in front of the net....Selanne Scores in OT). In fact, that was the momentum shift we never were able to recover from.

I agree he shouldn't be totally judged on one play, but saying he was outstanding is reaching.

Lilja was easily the second-best defenseman on the ice for us most games in the playoffs. Some games, dare I say, he even came close to outplaying Lids (i.e. Lids was having a rare off-game).

Sure, he blew it on that play and he knew it...but he was also the only Wings goal scorer that game, if I recall correctly. Hockey gods giveth, hockey gods taketh away. If not for him, we wouldn't have even BEEN in OT.

[Learn2LuvIt 252]

Lilja also scored our only goal in that game.

He lost the series by himself just as much as Sheed lost game six in the 2006 NBA finals by himself, which is to say not at all. One mistake does not make one responsible for the loss of a series.

Besides that error, Lilja played fabulously. I object to your attempt to scapegoat him.

Clearly, Paul Coffey was responsible for losing us the 1996 WCF by scoring on his own net in game one too then, huh?

I'll say this one more time for your clarity. I'm not blaming anything on Lilja, a mistake is a mistake, he did score that game, and he did play pretty solid defense most of the series...but saying he was Oustanding during the playoffs is a major stretch. Is that clear!! If you are under the assumption that Lilja played outstanding during the entire playoffs, then I'm not sure what your definition of oustanding is?

I'd rather ride the train of reality or what has been referred to in this thread as the "pain train" anyday, rather than be a total slappy for the Wings. The Wings are by far my favorite sports passion, but I'm not going to ignore reality and good hockey sense to praise the them.

Edited July 10, 2007 by Learn2LuvIt

[glasgowcelticwing 18]

I'm happy with the player's we've signed Rafalski and Drake , but i'm still pissed about losing Bertuzzi.