Bucci on the Wings

[rick zombo 3,739]

I think the team does need something to put it over the top.

But those of you suggesting the Wings need to add 3 or four players are going a little overboard.

I think the consensus is that a big winger with scoring upside, and a physical, defensive-blueliner are the two holes that need to be filled.

- Malone would be great. I'd trade Hudler for him. But I'd rather trade a 2nd round pick and Emmerton or something, and keep Hudler.

- I think Hal Gill would be a good addition on defence. He's a guy I could actually see the Wings being able to afford. He's being waaaaaaaaaay over-used in T.O. and with a reduced role in Detroit, I think he would be a nice fit.

Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Holmstrom

Malone - Filpulla - Hudler

Maltby - Draper - Cleary

Franzen - Kopecky - Drake/Sammy

Lidstrom - Rafalski

Kronwall - Lilja

Chelios - Gill

Lebda

Hasek

Osggod

Edited December 21, 2007 by rick zombo

[YoungGuns1340 1]

IMO, the Wings might have a shakey goaltending future. This could be their best chance to win the cup. I used to be against it, but with how the Wings have been playing this year...f*** it and go for Hossa, even if it does cost Flip or Hudler and a 1st rounder plus X.

As for Foote, I think thats somebody the Wings definitely need to take a look at. Without a doubt, a nasty, gritty, big (at this point in his career) stay at home Dman who can still plug big minutes and wouldnt cost much.

[Kutcher 0]

IMO the wings should grab chris neil, and foote, who cares what we lose, there is enough talent on the team for the next 10 years to build around.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

IMO the wings should grab chris neil, and foote, who cares what we lose, there is enough talent on the team for the next 10 years to build around.

Chris Neil will not be available.

Thanks for posting this.

In my opinion, the Wings need to be bold and make a big deal to get over the hump and win the whole freakin' thing.

If that means shipping off Hudler, Lebda or Filpulla then they have to do it. But I would want a premier player in return.

Jovocop has been looking better and better in the desert. He'd be a nice fit.

But Hudler for Malone might scare me though. I'm a big Malone fan - he's big, physical and has hands. But he can be streaky too. Who's to say he doesn't pull a Calder and disappear come playoff time?

If we're going to deal some key peices of our future I want as little left to chance as possible. A player like St.Louis would have to be involved.

The problem is by the time the deadline comes around there's a legit chance that only 2 or 3 teams will be out of the playoff picture. That doesn't leave a lot of dance partners to tango with.

St. Louis has so much trade value its sick. I would love it if the Wings ever got the chance, but itd probably take something like Hudler, Cleary, Kronwall, Kindl, and a 1st to get him. And even then Detroit would probably be outbid. Great player, great contract, great age. Hes got an NTC, but he might trade it to go to a contender..I just dont think we could land him...or that they would trade him.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

I was thinking about Blake the other day, he doesnt fight, but you know when he's on the ice, he isnt afraid to throw his weight around, and when douchebags like Keith Tkachuk start hitting our guys, Blake wouldnt be afraid to throw a big hit on him. Foote is more physical, I'd love to get either.

Hudler for Malone I'd do in a second. I'd still ask Phoenix what would it take for Doan, and if the price wasnt too bad, I'd make the deal (Even in it involved Filpula or Kopecky) Also, if a guy like Asham or someone like him were available, I may give up Sammy for him.( I dont hate sammy, just if we could get Doan, he'd be useless for us on the 4th line.

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom

Malone-Franzen-Doan

Maltby-Draper-Cleary

Drake-Asham-Downey

Lidstrom-Blake

Rafalski-Kronwall

Chelios-Lebda/Quincey/Ference/Meech

[YoungGuns1340 1]

You guys are crazy if you think Holland would ever trade Hudler for Malone straight up. This is a classic case of the grass always being greener on the other side. Yeah, Malone does have the physical package, but there is a good reason Pens fans include him in their trade proposals constantly and why management has put him on the blcok time and time again. According to Pens fans, he can play like a 2nd liner..but just as often as a 4th liner. And all in all, he belongs on the 3rd line.

Like I said, I like Malone, but take a deeper look at Malone. Hes 28, and his career high is 44 points. Hes about to be a UFA. Hes incredibly incosistent. And hes got 14 points...while averaging nearly 17 minutes of ice time per game. No, Hudler doesnt bring the physical package in any way, but hes not particularly inconsistent, he is signed for another year at a cheap price, and hes got 8 more points than Malone (33% more points) despite averaging 12:30 a game in comparison. And hes 5 years younger than Malone to boot.

im not saying dont trade for Malone, Id just rather see it done for something like a propsect/pick package, or something like Sammy and a pick..

[rick zombo 3,739]

You guys are crazy if you think Holland would ever trade Hudler for Malone straight up. This is a classic case of the grass always being greener on the other side. Yeah, Malone does have the physical package, but there is a good reason Pens fans include him in their trade proposals constantly and why management has put him on the blcok time and time again. According to Pens fans, he can play like a 2nd liner..but just as often as a 4th liner. And all in all, he belongs on the 3rd line.

Like I said, I like Malone, but take a deeper look at Malone. Hes 28, and his career high is 44 points. Hes about to be a UFA. Hes incredibly incosistent. And hes got 14 points...while averaging nearly 17 minutes of ice time per game. No, Hudler doesnt bring the physical package in any way, but hes not particularly inconsistent, he is signed for another year at a cheap price, and hes got 8 more points than Malone (33% more points) despite averaging 12:30 a game in comparison. And hes 5 years younger than Malone to boot.

im not saying dont trade for Malone, Id just rather see it done for something like a propsect/pick package, or something like Sammy and a pick..

But Hudler for Malone would be a classic case of Detroit trading from their strengths (small skilled forwards) to address their weakness (big wingers with offensive upside).

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

im not saying dont trade for Malone, Id just rather see it done for something like a propsect/pick package, or something like Sammy and a pick..

If Pittsburgh would accept that, that'd be way better then trading Hudler for Malone. Hudler, if he continues on his pace could get us a big name forward/defenceman.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

But Hudler for Malone would be a classic case of Detroit trading from their strengths (small skilled forwards) to address their weakness (big wingers with offensive upside).

Yup. And under those terms, so would a Datsyuk for Torres trade...

Hudler is 16th on the team in ice time. If he, instead of playing 12:30 per game, played 16:30 a game (still less than Malone and many others ), hed have 29 points in 35 games scoring at the same pace he is now. The kids got talent in spite of his size, and the only way he should be traded at the deadline is for a bona fide talent in a package deal, a la Hossa..

[Nev 1,085]

Well, as the guy who put the question to Bucci (hey ma, I'm on ESPN!) I figured its about time I registered and posted here.

As others have pointed out, Jovo is a no-go because of his long-term big money contract. Foote is affordable. Anyone know Blake's contract ($/yrs)? TBH I think we should go for more of a lesser known name as we wouldn't have to give up as much, and we're not actually looking for a top-pair defenceman.

As for forwards, Torres is someone I thought we should try to pick up ever since they dumped us out of the playoffs.

Malone, yeah he teases Pittsburgh with his size and skill (like so many players), who knows maybe he could be (yet another) player who finds himself right at home in Detroit?....but I don't see the Pens swapping him for Hudler - they need quality defencemen and goaltending, not more skilled forwards and the wings don't have either of the former to spare.

Obviously Samuelson is the #1 expendable, if we can't swap him for someone physical we could maybe send him somewhere else for a 2nd or 3rd that we can add to the trade war-chest.

Hudler....Babcock *still* doesn't seem to like him much, no matter how many points he puts up. From the moment he made the roster he has been Babcocks scapegoat. Maybe Babcock feels he needs to ride him hard, or maybe he's just Mike Gartner to Mike Keenan with the Rangers......

Either way, I get the impression that Babs wouldn't be sorry to see him gone, regardless of what Holland thinks. Filpulla is ringfenced IMO.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Well, as the guy who put the question to Bucci (hey ma, I'm on ESPN!) I figured its about time I registered and posted here.

As others have pointed out, Jovo is a no-go because of his long-term big money contract. Foote is affordable. Anyone know Blake's contract ($/yrs)? TBH I think we should go for more of a lesser known name as we wouldn't have to give up as much, and we're not actually looking for a top-pair defenceman.

As for forwards, Torres is someone I thought we should try to pick up ever since they dumped us out of the playoffs.

Malone, yeah he teases Pittsburgh with his size and skill (like so many players), who knows maybe he could be (yet another) player who finds himself right at home in Detroit?....but I don't see the Pens swapping him for Hudler - they need quality defencemen and goaltending, not more skilled forwards and the wings don't have either of the former to spare.

Obviously Samuelson is the #1 expendable, if we can't swap him for someone physical we could maybe send him somewhere else for a 2nd or 3rd that we can add to the trade war-chest.

Hudler....Babcock *still* doesn't seem to like him much, no matter how many points he puts up. From the moment he made the roster he has been Babcocks scapegoat. Maybe Babcock feels he needs to ride him hard, or maybe he's just Mike Gartner to Mike Keenan with the Rangers......

Either way, I get the impression that Babs wouldn't be sorry to see him gone, regardless of what Holland thinks. Filpulla is ringfenced IMO.

Pittsburg would take a Hudler for Malone swap and run while the rest of the hockey world would be wondering wha the hell Ken Holland was thinking. And Pittsburg could use another skilled forward. Hudler is having a better year than Sykora, who is probably their #3 skill guy after the obvious. After that it drops off and youve got guys like Letang, Roberts, and Staal, the latter two not even really having much skill and Letang still developing.

As for Foote, I dont think hed cost too much. And no, we arent looking for a top pair Dman, but Foote isnt that. In fact, neither is Blake - a player that we should not even think about going for. Hes good for as many giveaways as Lilja these days.

As for Babcock not being fond of Hudler, that still may be true, but Babs isnt the one doing the trading. Hudler wont be sold off unless its in a package for a marquee player.

And Id love to have Torres too, but hes still got at least another year on that 2.25M per year contract and hes been slumping and/or injured this year. It might be worth it if we thought wed have the cap space next year though.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Thanks for posting this.

In my opinion, the Wings need to be bold and make a big deal to get over the hump and win the whole freakin' thing.

If that means shipping off Hudler, Lebda or Filpulla then they have to do it. But I would want a premier player in return.

Because bringing in a premier player would guarantee Detroit the Cup? I wouldn't trade Hudler or Flip, end of story.

I don't know why I read these threads as they always get me down. I can't believe people would be so willing to give up our young stars.

Edited December 22, 2007 by Aussie_Wing

[canadienhater 0]

Because bringing in a premier player would guarantee Detroit the Cup? I wouldn't trade Hudler or Flip, end of story.

I don't know why I read these threads as they always get me down. I can't believe people would be so willing to give up our young stars.

why do we want to fix something that is not broken we were a couple of injurys away last year and the fact is i feel rafalski is an upgrade over schneider. in closing trade picks or prospects but nobody off the active roster

[Donaldjr2448 43]

why do we want to fix something that is not broken we were a couple of injurys away last year and the fact is i feel rafalski is an upgrade over schneider. in closing trade picks or prospects but nobody off the active roster

I'm sorry guys and gals, but I have to agree, trade no one. I would rather do trades in the offseason,or pick up and offseason FA than trade our talent now. You give up way to much in midseason trades, I think we have a good team now, so lets stick with what we have. I don't think that St Louis, Chicago, Minnesota, San Jose, Colorado, Dallas, Vancouver, have what it takes to beat the Wings in a 7 game series. The only teams we need to worry about is IMO Calgary and Anaheim. I think Calgary is better that last year and of course Kipper is awesome in April. Anaheim, I think is weaker that lastyear, but of course Giggy can win a series.

The Wings are slowing showing they can win tight tough games this year, and I think that will help come playoff time, we don't need to trade our playoff experience players for guys who have never or who have not made the show in 10+ years.

[VM1138 1,921]

I'm sorry guys and gals, but I have to agree, trade no one. I would rather do trades in the offseason,or pick up and offseason FA than trade our talent now. You give up way to much in midseason trades, I think we have a good team now, so lets stick with what we have. I don't think that St Louis, Chicago, Minnesota, San Jose, Colorado, Dallas, Vancouver, have what it takes to beat the Wings in a 7 game series. The only teams we need to worry about is IMO Calgary and Anaheim. I think Calgary is better that last year and of course Kipper is awesome in April. Anaheim, I think is weaker that lastyear, but of course Giggy can win a series.

The Wings are slowing showing they can win tight tough games this year, and I think that will help come playoff time, we don't need to trade our playoff experience players for guys who have never or who have not made the show in 10+ years.

Jiggy only plays good hockey in the playoffs, so ANaheim will be a threat (assuming they make playoffs). Chicago kind of scares me, just because I don't understand how they keep beating the Wings. Calgary will be a huge threat, and probably the biggest challenge. I can't see any other team coming close to giving us trouble.

[chrisdetroit 189]

Thanks for posting this.

In my opinion, the Wings need to be bold and make a big deal to get over the hump and win the whole freakin' thing.

If that means shipping off Hudler, Lebda or Filpulla then they have to do it. But I would want a premier player in return.

Jovocop has been looking better and better in the desert. He'd be a nice fit.

But Hudler for Malone might scare me though. I'm a big Malone fan - he's big, physical and has hands. But he can be streaky too. Who's to say he doesn't pull a Calder and disappear come playoff time?

If we're going to deal some key peices of our future I want as little left to chance as possible. A player like St.Louis would have to be involved.

The problem is by the time the deadline comes around there's a legit chance that only 2 or 3 teams will be out of the playoff picture. That doesn't leave a lot of dance partners to tango with.

What? You ship off Lebda and replace him with whom? Lebda is very fast, he's not overly big but he can be very physical. Who do you want to play in his place? Meech? Quincy? No thanks. As far as Fillpula, he isn't going anywhere. He is very good on the puck and excellent defensively. You need to think this through, Lebda is not going anywhere nor is Fillpula. Sammy, maybe. Hudler, maybe. But we are not going to get Martin St. Louis for either of them so forget this "premier" player crap.

Jiggy only plays good hockey in the playoffs, so ANaheim will be a threat (assuming they make playoffs). Chicago kind of scares me, just because I don't understand how they keep beating the Wings. Calgary will be a huge threat, and probably the biggest challenge. I can't see any other team coming close to giving us trouble.

You haven't been paying attention this year have you? Aneheim better than last year? Are you on drugs? Aneheim is 1 game above .500. Last year they almost one the Presidents trophy. They are 28th in the league in goal scoring because they lost their 2 top scorers from last year in Selanne and Penner. And they just traded Andy McDonald for a washed up Doug Weight. So gone from last year - Selanne, Penner, McDonlad, Bryzgalov. New this year Schneider, Bertuzzi and Weight.

Better than l;ast year? No friggin way.

why do we want to fix something that is not broken we were a couple of injurys away last year and the fact is i feel rafalski is an upgrade over schneider. in closing trade picks or prospects but nobody off the active roster

Finally, somebody with some common sense!

[Louisville 112]

Footer is battle tested, is great positionaly, and plays with a mean streak when it is needed.

He'd be awesome for the playoffs, but I think we would need to see the Jackets take a swan dive for it to even be possible.

[VM1138 1,921]

What? You ship off Lebda and replace him with whom? Lebda is very fast, he's not overly big but he can be very physical. Who do you want to play in his place? Meech? Quincy? No thanks. As far as Fillpula, he isn't going anywhere. He is very good on the puck and excellent defensively. You need to think this through, Lebda is not going anywhere nor is Fillpula. Sammy, maybe. Hudler, maybe. But we are not going to get Martin St. Louis for either of them so forget this "premier" player crap.

You haven't been paying attention this year have you? Aneheim better than last year? Are you on drugs? Aneheim is 1 game above .500. Last year they almost one the Presidents trophy. They are 28th in the league in goal scoring because they lost their 2 top scorers from last year in Selanne and Penner. And they just traded Andy McDonald for a washed up Doug Weight. So gone from last year - Selanne, Penner, McDonlad, Bryzgalov. New this year Schneider, Bertuzzi and Weight.

Better than l;ast year? No friggin way.

Finally, somebody with some common sense!

I never said Anaheim is better than last year. But Giguere plays great hockey in the playoffs and hot goalies always give the Wings trouble. Not to mention that even with all those flaws, Anaheim still managed to embarass Detroit what, 6-2 earlier this season? You're underestimating them. They may not be very good, but with Jiggy in net and the bounces always seeming to go their way against Detroit, they could be a tough underdog to beat. If they make playoffs, that is.

[irishtemper14+25 11]

I never said Anaheim is better than last year. But Giguere plays great hockey in the playoffs and hot goalies always give the Wings trouble. Not to mention that even with all those flaws, Anaheim still managed to embarass Detroit what, 6-2 earlier this season? You're underestimating them. They may not be very good, but with Jiggy in net and the bounces always seeming to go their way against Detroit, they could be a tough underdog to beat. If they make playoffs, that is.

embarassed us? i dont think u remember that game too well, the refs were calling the chinsiest penalties on us and none on the ducks...not to mention we scored to take a 3-2 lead but it was called back because holmstrom was in front of the net, not even touching the goalie and didnt have a hundreth of an inch of his skate in the blue

[YoungGuns1340 1]

I never said Anaheim is better than last year. But Giguere plays great hockey in the playoffs and hot goalies always give the Wings trouble. Not to mention that even with all those flaws, Anaheim still managed to embarass Detroit what, 6-2 earlier this season? You're underestimating them. They may not be very good, but with Jiggy in net and the bounces always seeming to go their way against Detroit, they could be a tough underdog to beat. If they make playoffs, that is.

Um...Anaheim won 6-3, the 6th goal being an empty netter, and the only way the Ducks pulled that one out was when the wings 4th goal which wouldve put them up 4-3 on the Ducks got arbitrarily called off even though it was a good goal.

[Dabura 12,232]

If this team keeps winning like this, I'm afraid Holland won't feel like messing with the chemistry of the team. Then we might be in store for another Cory Cross or Kyle Calder.

This is my big concern.

Bucci's no dummy; he didn't come out and say that the Wings need x and y, but he knows, just like any reasonable hockey fan knows, that management needs to make at least one big move to put the this team over the edge this season. The regular season means absolutely nothing. How many times have we seen the Wings destroy the competition in the regular season only to be upset in the postseason?

This season, it's, like Bucci said, an issue of secondary scoring and support on the blue line. In regards to the former: Hudler, Flip and Franzen are not going to cut it come the postseason. This team has been riding one line all season long. That may get the job done in the regular season, but it won't be enough in the playoffs -- especially if, god forbid, the team gets bitten by the injury bug again.

As for the D: too small, too offensive-minded. The rigors of a four-round, best-of-seven campaign would be too much for the Wings' blue line as it exists now. It'll get pushed around, it'll get rushed, it'll get sloppy.

I know you guys like Hudler. But I like the Cup more than you like Hudler, personally.

Edited December 23, 2007 by Dabura