Who would you take, solid 2nd liner, or Dman.

[calfan 0]

We are scoring now as we do every year in the regular season... can that 5th or 6th d-man light the lamp on a continual night in night out occurance after April 8th? thats the bummer... we need a forward that is playoff compatiable.

You mean you need a "clutch" performer? (couldn't resist).

Then you don't need a rental, you need to trade talent for talent. Send Datsyuk or Zetterberg for Vinnie L.

[OsGOD 3]

You mean you need a "clutch" performer? (couldn't resist).

Then you don't need a rental, you need to trade talent for talent. Send Datsyuk or Zetterberg for Vinnie L.

Exactly i am not big on the renta players... You can never get to attached to them and then it cheapens the winning. a wise leader once told me, "struggles only makes victory that much more exciting"

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Kubina is probably the best defenseman who might be available. He's good offensively, capable defensively and physical. He has not played well for Toronto the past few years, but has been playing well this season and has performed well in the postseason.

If we can get Kubina for the same kind of assets that would get us Blake (likely), and we can fit it under the cap (possible depending on Cleary, Flip, and Hank), why WOULDN'T we want to do it?

That's the real question.

Kubina is not physical. I've watched every Leafs game of this season, and many from last season. He gives a good facewash and uses the stick well. Hmm, sounds like Mathieu Schnieder, who is as much, if not more physical. Since we're throwing out crazy names, (Kubina is, if Toronto could, they wouldve moved him long ago, why havent they? Nobody wants them!) Lets get Schnieder back, same kinda ridiculous contract, better scoring, more physical, yeah he's smaller, but if you dont use your size, your not gonna be an effective NHL player. (Ex. Jassen Cullimore.)

[MacK_Attack 108]

if Toronto could, they wouldve moved him long ago, why havent they? Nobody wants them!)

No-trade clause (limited).

There's a never-ending market for defencemen, especially at the trade deadline. If push came to shove, the Leafs could trade him.

Edited February 8, 2008 by MacK_Attack

[Dabura 12,232]

Exactly i am not big on the renta players... You can never get to attached to them and then it cheapens the winning.

"Cheapens the winning"? Seriously?

I don't know where this recent backlash against rental players stems from. Whatever the case, it's dumb.

[Aeothe Kaear 0]

I want Kubina or Pitkanen.

Kubina would be a great pickup and would do very well as a support player in Detroit's system. Pitkanen has all the tools to be an very solid blueliner, is very good with the puck, and is physical. If we can get Kubina for a reasonable trade and find a way to fit him under the cap for the next few seasons, that would be great. I would probably be more ready to give up a decent prospect for Pitkanen, as he is young and damn good. Kubina could probably be had fairly inexpensively; he's having a solid season for the first time since joining the Leafs, but the organization and fans are so sick of him they will likely look to move his 5m by the deadline for whatever they can get.

I would hope that Meech/Quincey, McGrath/Emmerton, and a 3rd-4th round pick should be able to get either of those guys.

Only in fantasy land for Pitkanen. You're dreaming if you think the Oilers want to move the chief asset they got from trading their popular captain, a young defenseman with star potential, at all... let alone for a package like that.

[OsGOD 3]

"Cheapens the winning"? Seriously?

I don't know where this recent backlash against rental players stems from. Whatever the case, it's dumb.

Hell yeah 97 meant so much more to me than our bought '02... Sorry it just does... but i also don't follow the thinking of 95% of the population either... I would rather get a player for a long time deal anytime in the year than use a player for 2months and then kick 'em to the curb.

[vangvace 12]

"Cheapens the winning"? Seriously?

I don't know where this recent backlash against rental players stems from. Whatever the case, it's dumb.

I believe it's a lack of recent rental success and an overemphasis on the value of draft picks and prospects

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Only in fantasy land for Pitkanen. You're dreaming if you think the Oilers want to move the chief asset they got from trading their popular captain, a young defenseman with star potential, at all... let alone for a package like that.

Actually, hes been rumored all season to be on the block...

[theman19 47]

Hell yeah 97 meant so much more to me than our bought '02... Sorry it just does... but i also don't follow the thinking of 95% of the population either... I would rather get a player for a long time deal anytime in the year than use a player for 2months and then kick 'em to the curb.

you make some intresting points on here sometimes but i'm totally with you.

I hate playoff rentals, i don't really hate them when they're playing for my team,...but it's so awkward when they leave the next season.

No one on here likes the canes, but it's an example i can give since i never really like bert to begin with. When Carolina went out and got Mark Recchi in 06, i was super excited. Recchi was always one my favorite players to watch play. Well one Stanley cup later he signed with pittsburg and never looked back. Meanwhile, i look at my poster from that 2006 stanley cup team and there he is, him and doug weight,..proudly displayed as Carolina players. I don't know if any of that makes since but i would so much rather get a guy in a trade (like shanny) who came in, helped up win a cup,..then stuck around to help us win more.

I just get attached to certain players and i hate seeing them leave.

[theman19 47]

With the salary cap we're gonna see alot more "rentals" throughout the league...It all comes down to the fact that it's part of the business.

in the long term i don't think we will. The more Gm's that get burned like Atlanta and Nashville did last season the less likley you are to see a team give up their future for a playoff rental that isn't goign to help them. For every Mark Recchi story like in Carolina in 06, there's a Forsberg with the predators last year, Tkchunky with the thrashers,..etc. etc.

[OsGOD 3]

Once teams start realizing, buying your team isn't always the answer to winning the playoffs... especially not buying the team with only a month and 1/2 left... maybe this will mentality will drop by the wayside and teams will start learning how to draft stars and groom them internally instead of opening up their wallets every season for 3months of service at most.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

in the long term i don't think we will. The more Gm's that get burned like Atlanta and Nashville did last season the less likley you are to see a team give up their future for a playoff rental that isn't goign to help them. For every Mark Recchi story like in Carolina in 06, there's a Forsberg with the predators last year, Tkchunky with the thrashers,..etc. etc.

I disagree. I think its a never-ending cycle, where new teams every year will always pony up big offers for rentals thinking this could be their year. Last year, it was the Thrashers and Preds. This year, looking at the latest resurgence by a team like the Caps for example, they may say hey lets give our fans a thrill and put together a monster package for somebody. Or Pittsburgh, or Dallas, etc. Teams have very short term memories, just because the rentals didnt work last year isnt going to stop somebody else from stepping up to the plate and doing it the following year...and the year after that.

[Dabura 12,232]

Once teams start realizing, buying your team isn't always the answer to winning the playoffs... especially not buying the team with only a month and 1/2 left... maybe this will mentality will drop by the wayside and teams will start learning how to draft stars and groom them internally instead of opening up their wallets every season for 3months of service at most.

Taking on a rental player is not tantamount to "buying your team," nor is it something that is preventing any team from "learning how to draft" and groom their prospects. No GM sits there at the beginning of the season and goes, "Well I'll just neglect our farm because I know we'll just end up buying someone." Come on. If anyone has/had that probably, it was pre-lockout Holland. But he seems to have learned his lesson, so I don't see what the problem is.

I can understand not wanting to see us go for Sundin or Hossa. But your argument against the general practice of renting is lame. It'll look even lamer when the Ducks pick up Blake and/or Forsberg and pound us into the ground en route to their second straight Cup.

But they will have merely bought their Cup, right? They won't have truly earned it, right?

[HenryMalredo 2]

I believe it's a lack of recent rental success and an overemphasis on the value of draft picks and prospects

I'd rather the Wings trade for a cheap rental, than trading for someone with a large contract that will hurt them later (players like Kubina and Tucker).

[HenryMalredo 2]

IMO Kubina would be a pretty darn good acquisition; just his $5 large price tag is a tad undesirable...The only way I see Holland make a move for Kubina is if 1 of our top 3 Dmen get injured (God forbid), & is out for the remainder of the season/playoffs.

Kubina would be a great depth addition if he was a UFA at the end of this year, but since he has long-term contract, it would be a horrible addition. The Wings already have a large amount of money tied up in 3 defenseman. Kubina is paid like a first pairing defenseman, but he would never make the first pairing in Detroit.

[awingsincebirth 0]

Kubina would be a great depth addition if he was a UFA at the end of this year, but since he has long-term contract, it would be a horrible addition. The Wings already have a large amount of money tied up in 3 defenseman. Kubina is paid like a first pairing defenseman, but he would never make the first pairing in Detroit.

Thank You.

No way Kubina is worth $5. As far as I'm concerned, any of the contracts inked by Ferguson should be completely untouchable. They were all terrible; the terms were too long and the cash was too high.

That said, after watching this game I am certain we need to add another top 6. Flip isn't guaranteed to show up every night, nor is Huds. Cleary was out, but still, I want another good solid top 6 winger. Make it happen Kenny.

[vangvace 12]

Offense wins games but Defense wins championships

[Izzy24 44]

I'd take both, in the person of a double-shifting Chris Chelios.

[Grittzkey 1]

Offense wins games but Defense wins championships

Either way, we poppin champagne like we won a championship game.

[glasgowcelticwing 18]

I wanna see the Wings bring back Feds . I think he'd be revitalised if he rejoined the Wings . you'd probably get him at a decent price , not having to give up much . resign him next season and let him finish his career as a Wing . Defense wise . i'm really wanting to see Jonathan Ericsson getting a chance , i know i know he's untried but he has the potential to be a monster on D for us . bleed him into the team now . get him in the set up and then come the Playoffs he'll be good to go. apart from that i'm happy with the blend of the team . i like that we arn't full of superstar rentals . we have a hard working team with skill . and the superstars we do have are home grown . I like that mix .

[e_mcgrath88 0]

Thank You.

No way Kubina is worth $5. As far as I'm concerned, any of the contracts inked by Ferguson should be completely untouchable. They were all terrible; the terms were too long and the cash was too high.

That said, after watching this game I am certain we need to add another top 6. Flip isn't guaranteed to show up every night, nor is Huds. Cleary was out, but still, I want another good solid top 6 winger. Make it happen Kenny.

Tomas Kaberle at 4.25 is a great price... i have heard the leafs might be interested in shopping him as well... with him we would instantly have the best D in the league.

[2probert4 8]

Kaberle would be a great deadline acquisition!...However me thinks new Leafs GM Fletcher would want something significantly more than what Holland would want to give in return; hence Kubina might be a more viable option.

Eventually Quincey and Ericsson are going to have to get a chance; Quincey didn't hurt us last year and I think he would do fine once again. The focus now has changed that Cleary is out for up to 8 weeks on getting another forward who can score here and there. Kubina isn't bad, but he's nothing special.....I agree with whomever said he may be a mentor for Kindl, but there are 2 damn good ones in Detroit named Lidstrom and Chelios that he could learn from as well.

[eva unit zero 271]

Tomas Kaberle at 4.25 is a great price... i have heard the leafs might be interested in shopping him as well... with him we would instantly have the best D in the league.

Kaberle is the one player the Leafs SHOULDN'T explore trading. He's their best defenseman and one of the best in the league, and he's not paid what he's worth. Compare with McCabe, Kubina, and Gill, who are all paid more than they are worth.

If Kaberle is available, Holland should inquire. Because he would be the PERFECT acquisition.

[HenryMalredo 2]

I'll be the 1st to agree that $5 million is probably too much for Kubina however with Kronwall's history of injuries, & a need for a top 4 guy - Kubina's salary could be squeezed under the cap...I don't agree with Eva unit Zero on too many topics, but this 1 we see eye-to-eye; Kubina is def a top 4 Dman with size, skill, & a bit of a mean streak.

EDIT - Kubina being Czech might also be a good mentor/partner to Kindl.

I just don't see Kubina as being a good long term fit for the Wings. The Wings can use some defensive depth, but with the players they already have under contract, plus the defensive prospects they have, I just don't see the point of adding a $5 million dollar depth defenseman like Kubina. Especiall if Cleary gets a big raise this summer and Zetterberg gets one next summer.