Wings out of picture for Sundin, Hossa, Rolston

[UKWING 8]

Not sure I really agree with that. The Pens have some holes heading into next year. Obviously, they'll be pretty good, but I wouldn't list them as a cup favorite. To be honest, and I said this during the Finals, I think three, possibly four teams from the west would have beaten the Pens this year in the finals. And I don't think they will be as good next year as they were this year.

whilst the pens will not be as strong next year they will still have a great chance of making the finals. they were by far and away the best Eastern team this year and they will still have crosby, malkin, gonchar and fluery. if hossa re-signs then i would make them the eastern favourites again.

[Reds4Life 51]

whilst the pens will not be as strong next year they will still have a great chance of making the finals. they were by far and away the best Eastern team this year and they will still have crosby, malkin, gonchar and fluery. if hossa re-signs then i would make them the eastern favourites again.

I think Flyers are the best in the East at the moment. Pens without Hossa and Malone still are good team, but definitely weaker than 07-08 Pens. Rangers might be dangerous too, depends on whether they can get some solid wingers.

Also, Tampa Bay will be strong team (in the East ). I would not call Pens eastern favourites..

[UKWING 8]

I think Flyers are the best in the East at the moment. Pens without Hossa and Malone still are good team, but definitely weaker than 07-08 Pens. Rangers might be dangerous too, depends on whether they can get some solid wingers.

Also, Tampa Bay will be strong team (in the East ). I would not call Pens eastern favourites..

i did say that if they re-sign hossa then i would make them east favourites. the pens were much better than the rest of the east this year so even though they won't be as good next year, they will still be one of the favourites.

[StevieY9802 6]

But that doesn't mean he just doesn't sign Z or Franzen or Filppula. That's absurd. Unless Franzen wants Malone money in which case we should let him walk whether we sign Hossa or not.

Cut corners with guys like Draper/Holmstrom/Maltby/Lilja/Samuelsson and bring in cheaper kids and sign Z when his contract ends and the new cap is announced.

You do pretty much anything but give up core guys that carry the team.

I didn't say that he would sign Z or Mule OR Filppula. I just said that it would be hard to sign all of them if they signed Hossa since they don't have many expiring contracts between now and next summer. Signing those 3, plus Hudler and Kopecky and Ericsson and Howard I guess too even though the last 3 won't take up much cap space, puts them around 52-55mil for 09-10. Signing Hossa puts them near 60mil. Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall and Stuart won't get touched to make cap room for Hossa, Lebda and Lilja wouldn't free up much space so getting rid of them by next year wouldn't really help. And you say bring in cheaper guys than Draper, Holmstrom, Maltby and Sammy but Sammy's contract is up next summer anyways. Without him they are still at 38mil. Maltby makes under a million so not much cheaper than that around anymore and are you really gonna trade or cut Draper or Holmstrom just to help make a little room for Hossa? That is my point and that's why I don't think Hossa will be here. And yes Holland does have a plan laid out looking ahead.

"I'm interested in a player on a one-year deal, or a soft (low salary) two- or three-year deal,'' Holland said. "We can't be paying in the (four- or five-million-range) for a long-term deal because we'd be in trouble in '09.''

And that is why he is the best GM in the league and not like some of the idiots out there we saw yesterday. Maguire and Pang saying Finger is making more money than Nik Kronwall. Wow.

[alowicious 0]

I didn't say that he would sign Z or Mule OR Filppula. I just said that it would be hard to sign all of them if they signed Hossa since they don't have many expiring contracts between now and next summer. Signing those 3, plus Hudler and Kopecky and Ericsson and Howard I guess too even though the last 3 won't take up much cap space, puts them around 52-55mil for 09-10. Signing Hossa puts them near 60mil. Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall and Stuart won't get touched to make cap room for Hossa, Lebda and Lilja wouldn't free up much space so getting rid of them by next year wouldn't really help. And you say bring in cheaper guys than Draper, Holmstrom, Maltby and Sammy but Sammy's contract is up next summer anyways. Without him they are still at 38mil. Maltby makes under a million so not much cheaper than that around anymore and are you really gonna trade or cut Draper or Holmstrom just to help make a little room for Hossa? That is my point and that's why I don't think Hossa will be here. And yes Holland does have a plan laid out looking ahead.

"I'm interested in a player on a one-year deal, or a soft (low salary) two- or three-year deal,'' Holland said. "We can't be paying in the (four- or five-million-range) for a long-term deal because we'd be in trouble in '09.''

And that is why he is the best GM in the league and not like some of the idiots out there we saw yesterday. Maguire and Pang saying Finger is making more money than Nik Kronwall. Wow.

Ken Holland is a god. How the hell did he pull Hossa in for a 1 year contract?

When you run the best sports franchise and have a chance at the Stanley Cup every year, it makes people think.

And then a 1 year contract giving both parties an out if it doesn't work.. Awesome! Thanks Kenny!