Players Linked to Wings for Deadline

[jason_0931 0]

Agreed. I'd be willing to part with Filppula, Ericsson and a 2nd round pick for Hossa signed to a long term contract. I see comments that management has made Ericsson untouchable -I don't see the point in that when it boils down to trading for someone of Hossa:s calibre. He should be right up there alley, except he's not undersized.

I am sorry guys, but I just would make that deal!!!! We are giving up to much of OUR future to secure a guy like Hossa and there is no guarantee he would sign a long-term deal ( I think he is signed for one more year after this). While he is a great player, he is not worth giving up Filppula, young guys and draft picks, too steep a price for me.

[dallas27 7]

You can't say no to Hossa and then ***** about secondary scoring and size. He has both. A lot of both.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

This is total speculation on my part, but I wonder if this really will be the year Holland would sacrifice some of the future to make a big trade at the deadline.

The Wings made the conference finals last season and had a good shot at winning the series.

Despite the current slump, the team is tearing up the league.

Lidstrom is 37 and still playing amazing hockey, but he's not gonna be in the lineup much longer. That will be a huge hole. (Holland has also alluded to retiring when Lids does).

This is likely Hasek's last season.

Next season will likely be an Osgood/Howard tandem. Howard is unproven and from past experience Holland doesn't have a ton of faith in Ozzy as the #1.

The Wings have almost 5 and half million of cap space burning a hole in their pocket.

If you were going to pick a year to go all in, seems to me this would be it.

Edited February 13, 2008 by haroldsnepsts

[RyanBarnes! 293]

I am sorry guys, but I just would make that deal!!!! We are giving up to much of OUR future to secure a guy like Hossa and there is no guarantee he would sign a long-term deal ( I think he is signed for one more year after this). While he is a great player, he is not worth giving up Filppula, young guys and draft picks, too steep a price for me.

Players like Hossa are usually signed to a deal BEFORE being traded. This is simple logic since it will up the trade/return value.

[RedWingsFanatic 4]

This is total speculation on my part, but I wonder if this really will be the year Holland would sacrifice some of the future to make a big trade at the deadline.

The Wings made the conference finals last season and had a good shot at winning the series.

Despite the current slump, the team is tearing up the league.

Lidstrom is 37 and still playing amazing hockey, but he's not gonna be in the lineup much longer. That will be a huge hole. (Holland has also alluded to retiring when Lids does).

This is likely Hasek's last season.

Next season will likely be an Osgood/Howard tandem. Howard is unproven and from past experience Holland doesn't have a ton of faith in Ozzy as the #1.

The Wings have almost 5 and half million of cap space burning a hole in their pocket.

If you were going to pick a year to go all in, seems to me this would be it.

Good point.

Still, I don't think I'm willing to let go of Filppula, Hudler, Kronwall, etc. for a guy like Hossa. I just don't think there is a big enough name on the free agent or trade market to throw away all inhibitions.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Good point.

Still, I don't think I'm willing to let go of Filppula, Hudler, Kronwall, etc. for a guy like Hossa. I just don't think there is a big enough name on the free agent or trade market to throw away all inhibitions.

I can't see them trading Kronwall.

He's our third horse behind Nick and and Raf. Without him, there's a pretty big hole in our lineup.

Filp or Hudler I could see one of them going in a deal if it brought in the right guy.

Edited for repeating myself, repeating myself.

Edited February 13, 2008 by haroldsnepsts

[Dabura 12,232]

If it ain't broke don't fix it!!1

We're in first place for a reason!!1

We have all the scoring depth we need!!1

[Dabura 12,232]

Also, what is this "guy like Hossa" crap? What, you mean a guy who's big, knows how to put the puck in the net and is generally a pain in the ass to play against, even for the league's elite shutdown players? That kind of a guy? I can't imagine why we'd want to sacrifice a guy like Hudler for a guy like that.

Seriously, reality check time.

[RedWingsFanatic 4]

Well, I mean, is having Hossa for a playoff run better than holding on to the potential of Filppula or Hudler? I'm not sure I know the answer to that question, but I'm not about to cave in to a team's demands. If we can lock up "a guy like Hossa" for longer than a few months, then yes, I would probably be willing to trade away a guy like Jiri Hudler.

But my whole "guy like Hossa" thing stems from the fact that I don't really see him being a player that will guide us to the Stanley Cup. I don't think there is really a player available in this year's crop that will dramatically increase a team's chances. Hossa is a fantastic player, but I have bad Todd Bertuzzi dreams when I think about adding a guy at the trade deadline just for the sake of adding somebody and shipping off years and years of potential.

Edited February 13, 2008 by RedWingsFanatic

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Agreed. I'd be willing to part with Filppula, Ericsson and a 2nd round pick for Hossa signed to a long term contract. I see comments that management has made Ericsson untouchable -I don't see the point in that when it boils down to trading for someone of Hossa:s calibre. He should be right up there alley, except he's not undersized.

I'd rather give up anyone else in our system, and that might even include Howard before Ericsson.

The wings may be deep in defensive prospects, but not big, hard hitting, stay at home defensemen who manage to lead their team in points during their second year as a pro. Think about that. Ericsson is a stay at home, bone cruncher kinda guy that manages to put some decent numbers on the board and makes the AHL all-star team even though he's playing on a horribly struggling team all year.

Quincy is a solid 3rd pairing guy, second if he manages to improve more. Ericsson is just ozzing with potential though, and remains the kind of defensive prospect the Wings can't afford to give up. I'm hoping this season isn't a fluke for him.

[sixer 37]

Hossa blows in the playoffs, we need a top notch goalie and some grit to take out some ducks and we're gold.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

Hossa blows in the playoffs, we need a top notch goalie and some grit to take out some ducks and we're gold.

55 games played, 13 goals, 22 assists, 35 points. Not exactly "blowing" IMO.

[RedWingsFanatic 4]

Hossa blows in the playoffs, we need a top notch goalie and some grit to take out some ducks and we're gold.

I think this is a joke?

[Salviaman 104]

Hossa blows in the playoffs, we need a top notch goalie and some grit to take out some ducks and we're gold.

As i recall Datsyuk sucked until last years playoffs. Maybe Hossa will break out and win the Conn Smythe Trophy, no one knows when a player will break out and dominate, just give him a chance to shine on a elite team.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

I think this is a joke?

I don't think so. He's going through a bunch of threads baiting people for a goalie war.

As Wings_Dynasty pointed out, 35 points in 55 games is hardly blowing.

I wouldn't mind Hossa, I just wonder what it would take to get him. Every trade deadline, reason seems to go out the window as GM's lose their minds and overbid for guys.

[sixer 37]

As i recall Datsyuk sucked until last years playoffs. Maybe Hossa will break out and win the Conn Smythe Trophy, no one knows when a player will break out and dominate, just give him a chance to shine on a elite team.

Hossa doesn't have a ring, is -3 in the playoffs and isn't the guy I'd prefer to get. Datsyuk is an elite player, Hossa is not.

Hossa also tends to play around the net, you would not see Hossa crashing the net to score a gritty goal and will only get worse from here on out, as he grows older.

Maybe I was a little harsh with his past playoff performances, but he's not the one to lead us by any mean, more of a secondary scorer. I'd prefer a top notch goalie and do away with the stress that injury prone Hasek and average Osgood would give us in the playoffs.

[Dabura 12,232]

Hossa will be looking for a long-term deal. If that's not what he ultimately wants, then no, don't go after him. As far as I know, though, it is. So this "Too much uncertainty!" business can stop.

We have a secondary scoring problem. We've known this since the end of last season, when the need was so obvious that management identified it in no uncertain terms. Instead of bringing in a legitimate scoring threat, we honeymooned with largely unproven youngsters, only one of which (Hudler) is a "goal-scorer" by trade. It was a lazy makeshift plan that would have ended only three weeks in had Zetterberg not taken it upon himself to carry 95% of the offensive load himself.

But see, the thing is, secondary scoring is supposed to come from your secondary guys. While Zetterberg has truly become one of the elite forwards in the NHL, he, by the very nature of his role on this team, can't help our secondary scoring problem. Babcock has tried sparking something by putting Datsyuk on the second line, and though it has worked pretty well, using a first-liner to help a lame second line is a copout solution.

What we need is a scoring winger to anchor the second line, preferably one with a big body. Hossa is tailor-made for that role and would almost certainly give us a lights-out top 6. He's not Todd Bertuzzi; he doesn't have all of that baggage, he's an infinitely more complete player, and he's only now heading into his prime years. He's a potential franchise guy.

Speaking long-term, Hossa is more valuable than Hudler, Flip and Kronwall (not combined, obviously). Hudler is, like Hossa, a goal-scorer, but his upside is far inferior. Hossa plays a shifty "puck wizard" game like Hudler does, but where Hudler will always be pushed around, Hossa is a really big guy who uses his size to great effect, making him extremely difficult to contain. Additionally, he plays a solid game in all three zones. You wouldn't know it looking at his +/-, but remember: he plays on the Atlanta Thrashers.

So shipping Hudler is a no-brainer. I'd be more hesitant to let go of Flip and Kronwall, as the former has the shown the makings of a great playmaker and the latter has become an important part of D. However, their contributions (present and future) can be replaced. Hossa, being a potential franchise guy, is someone you can build a team around -- and right now, not three or four years down the road when half of the present roster will be gone.

Bottom line: The real "risk" here would be taking a guy like Hudler over a guy like Hossa, not vice-versa.

Edited February 13, 2008 by Dabura

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Hossa doesn't have a ring, is -3 in the playoffs and isn't the guy I'd prefer to get. Datsyuk is an elite player, Hossa is not.

Hossa also tends to play around the net, you would not see Hossa crashing the net to score a gritty goal and will only get worse from here on out, as he grows older.

Maybe I was a little harsh with his past playoff performances, but he's not the one to lead us by any mean, more of a secondary scorer. I'd prefer a top notch goalie and do away with the stress that injury prone Hasek and average Osgood would give us in the playoffs.

and exactly what top notch goalie should we bring in at the deadline to replace our current goalies?

[RedWingsFanatic 4]

I really don't want to give into your demands and start a petty fight about goaltending, but if you think our biggest need at the trade deadline is a goaltender, you are delusional.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

Hossa will be looking for a long-term deal. If that's not what he ultimately wants, then no, don't go after him. As far as I know, though, it is. So this "Too much uncertainty!" business can stop.

We have a secondary scoring problem. We've known this since the end of last season, when the need was so obvious that management identified it in no uncertain terms. Instead of bringing in a legitimate scoring threat, we honeymooned with largely unproven youngsters, only one of which (Hudler) is a "goal-scorer" by trade. It was a lazy makeshift plan that would have ended only three weeks in had Zetterberg not taken it upon himself to carry 95% of the offensive load himself.

But see, the thing is, secondary scoring is supposed to come from your secondary guys. While Zetterberg has

truly become one of the elite forwards in the NHL, he, by the very nature of his role on this team, can't help our secondary scoring problem. Babcock has tried sparking something by putting Datsyuk on the second line, and though it has worked pretty well, using a first-liner to help a lame second line is a copout solution.

What we need is a scoring winger to anchor the second line, preferably one with a big body. Hossa is tailor-made for that role and would almost certainly give us a lights-out top 6. He's not Todd Bertuzzi; he doesn't have all of that baggage, he's an infinitely more complete player, and he's only now heading into his primary years. He's a franchise guy.

Speaking long-term, Hossa is more valuable than Hudler, Flip and Kronwall (not combined, obviously). Hudler is, like, Hossa, a goal-scorer, but his upside is far inferior. Hossa plays a shifty "puck wizard" game like Hudler does, but where Hudler will always be pushed around, Hossa is a really big guy who uses his size to great effect, making him extremely difficult to contain. Additionally, he plays a solid game in all three zones. You wouldn't know it looking at his +/-, but remember: he plays on the Atlanta Thrashers.

So shipping Hudler is a no-brainer. I'd be more hesitant to let go of Flip and Kronwall, as the former has the shown the makings of a great playmaker and the latter has become an important part of D. However, their contributions (present and future) can be replaced. Hossa, being a potential franchise guy, is someone you can build a team around -- and right now, not three or four years down the road when half of the present roster will be gone.

Bottom line: The real "risk" here would be taking a guy like Hudler over a guy like Hossa, not vice-versa.

Great post. Agree with almost all of it. Hossa is much more of a threat than Flip and Rex combined. I would be hesitant to send them both to ATL for Hossa, but, they can be replaced with a good draft pick. They are not irreplaceable. Kronwall would be a really hard player to let go, he is the #3 Dman IMO and physicality in the post is what he will bring. Hossa, on the other hand, is a "franchise winger" according to TSN and the players given will reflect that.

Hudler/Flip, a prospect or 2, and a pick or 2 for Hossa.

Edited February 13, 2008 by Wings_Dynasty

[RedWingsFanatic 4]

Hossa will be looking for a long-term deal. If that's not what he ultimately wants, then no, don't go after him. As far as I know, though, it is. So this "Too much uncertainty!" business can stop.

We have a secondary scoring problem. We've known this since the end of last season, when the need was so obvious that management identified it in no uncertain terms. Instead of bringing in a legitimate scoring threat, we honeymooned with largely unproven youngsters, only one of which (Hudler) is a "goal-scorer" by trade. It was a lazy makeshift plan that would have ended only three weeks in had Zetterberg not taken it upon himself to carry 95% of the offensive load himself.

But see, the thing is, secondary scoring is supposed to come from your secondary guys. While Zetterberg has truly become one of the elite forwards in the NHL, he, by the very nature of his role on this team, can't help our secondary scoring problem. Babcock has tried sparking something by putting Datsyuk on the second line, and though it has worked pretty well, using a first-liner to help a lame second line is a copout solution.

What we need is a scoring winger to anchor the second line, preferably one with a big body. Hossa is tailor-made for that role and would almost certainly give us a lights-out top 6. He's not Todd Bertuzzi; he doesn't have all of that baggage, he's an infinitely more complete player, and he's only now heading into his primary years. He's a franchise guy.

Speaking long-term, Hossa is more valuable than Hudler, Flip and Kronwall (not combined, obviously). Hudler is, like, Hossa, a goal-scorer, but his upside is far inferior. Hossa plays a shifty "puck wizard" game like Hudler does, but where Hudler will always be pushed around, Hossa is a really big guy who uses his size to great effect, making him extremely difficult to contain. Additionally, he plays a solid game in all three zones. You wouldn't know it looking at his +/-, but remember: he plays on the Atlanta Thrashers.

So shipping Hudler is a no-brainer. I'd be more hesitant to let go of Flip and Kronwall, as the former has the shown the makings of a great playmaker and the latter has become an important part of D. However, their contributions (present and future) can be replaced. Hossa, being a potential franchise guy, is someone you can build a team around -- and right now, not three or four years down the road when half of the present roster will be gone.

Bottom line: The real "risk" here would be taking a guy like Hudler over a guy like Hossa, not vice-versa.

Yeah, I agree with all of that. Adding Hossa to a second line with, say, Filppula and a returning Dan Cleary is a really attractive option. So, in short, I'm willing to give up Hudler, but I do NOT want to part with Filppula.

As far as what else with give up along Hudler to get Hossa, that can be debated. But, I agree, signing Hossa to a multi-year deal is exciting and I think he does provide exactly what we need.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Great post. Agree with almost all of it. Hossa is much more of a threat than Flip and Rex combined. I would be hesitant to send them both to ATL for Hossa, but, they can be replaced with a good draft pick. They are not irreplaceable. Kronwall would be a really hard player to let go, he is the #3 Dman IMO and physicality in the post is what he will bring. Hossa, on the other hand, is a "franchise winger" according to TSN and the players given will reflect that.

Hudler/Flip, a prospect or 2, and a pick or 2 for Hossa.

Like I said, I'd be jaw droppingly shocked if the Wings traded Kronwall right now. Not that he's irreplaceable, but in the short term (assuming he's healthy) I think he is. He's our #3 guy, one of the more physical guys, and would leave a gaping hole on D.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Like I said, I'd be jaw droppingly shocked if the Wings traded Kronwall right now. Not that he's irreplaceable, but in the short term (assuming he's healthy) I think he is. He's our #3 guy, one of the more physical guys, and would leave a gaping hole on D.

I agree. The last thing the Wings should be doing is trading Kronwall. Regardless of how injury prone he is, hes been very effective as his progress continues over the course of each season and, like you said, hed leave a big hole if traded. Plus his contract is on par with the market these days, if not a little better.

I wouldnt be opposed to trading our young forwards either in a trade for Hossa. Thats just a no brainer. Its been too long since the Wings had any sort of sniper-type winger (Hull?), and even then Hossa is more than that. He plays a mature game with good awareness of the defensive zone, which is naturally the type of play that Babcock seemingly requires. Five years of Hossa wouldnt leave the Wings stinging from that trade at all..

[Dabura 12,232]

I question how big a hole Kronwall would leave. As good as he's becoming, the injury problems have gotten ridiculous and they're not going to stop.

But you're right, we're not parting with him anyway, so it's a moot point. In all likelihood, the same goes for Flip.