Canucks may take another RFA shot

[detroit4life 0]

OK, first of all, Filppula is going to be a star in this league. When? Who knows. He is getting better every single game, and only time will tell.

Lets not forget Datsyuk took four seasons to hit the "point per game" mark. Zetterberg took three seasons. So give Flipper two more seasons and you might be saying "damn, Vancouver locked him in at $4M per year for the next five years?? We were robbed!!

So I personally hope they make the offer and he takes it. That would free up a roster spot for Mac or Downey. And we would get their draft picks. Which will be in a great position next year because they not only lost Naslund, but they announced that they will NOT be re signing Morrison as well. So if you think that Wellwood and Bernier are going to be suitable replacements for Naslund and Morrison, you are dreaming. If Van doesn't sign some big names soon, they are in a world of hurt.

And if we would friggin trade away Hudler and Samuelsson we would be set for next year. God I hate those panty wastes.

[Chairman Maouth 97]

...keep dreaming. Vancouver can't even get someone to play for them for $10MM per season. Hey, if Filpulla wants the cash, then cool, we'll take your picks and don't cry if by the grace of the hockey gods you get that lottery pick, and we end up with Tavares or similar, that would be a great trade...

...either way we win, we either keep Filpulla or get 3 picks from you...

Well, it seems your mind is made up and there's nothing we can do about it. You drive a hard bargain Mr. Holland.

[Guest mindfly]

No offer sheets yet... goodgood

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...ffer_sheet.html

[omnipotent_hudler 0]

OK, first of all, Filppula is going to be a star in this league. When? Who knows. He is getting better every single game, and only time will tell.

Lets not forget Datsyuk took four seasons to hit the "point per game" mark. Zetterberg took three seasons. So give Flipper two more seasons and you might be saying "damn, Vancouver locked him in at $4M per year for the next five years?? We were robbed!!

So I personally hope they make the offer and he takes it. That would free up a roster spot for Mac or Downey. And we would get their draft picks. Which will be in a great position next year because they not only lost Naslund, but they announced that they will NOT be re signing Morrison as well. So if you think that Wellwood and Bernier are going to be suitable replacements for Naslund and Morrison, you are dreaming. If Van doesn't sign some big names soon, they are in a world of hurt.

And if we would friggin trade away Hudler and Samuelsson we would be set for next year. God I hate those panty wastes.

Sorry but Filpulla's totals are vastly inflated due to the team he's playing on, especially the defense he has making passes to him. I like the guy but he will never really be anything more than a solid utility/defensive forward

Edited July 5, 2008 by omnipotent_hudler

[Aussie_Wing 354]

OK, first of all, Filppula is going to be a star in this league. When? Who knows. He is getting better every single game, and only time will tell.

Lets not forget Datsyuk took four seasons to hit the "point per game" mark. Zetterberg took three seasons. So give Flipper two more seasons and you might be saying "damn, Vancouver locked him in at $4M per year for the next five years?? We were robbed!!

So I personally hope they make the offer and he takes it. That would free up a roster spot for Mac or Downey. And we would get their draft picks. Which will be in a great position next year because they not only lost Naslund, but they announced that they will NOT be re signing Morrison as well. So if you think that Wellwood and Bernier are going to be suitable replacements for Naslund and Morrison, you are dreaming. If Van doesn't sign some big names soon, they are in a world of hurt.

And if we would friggin trade away Hudler and Samuelsson we would be set for next year. God I hate those panty wastes.

Oh heck yes, because they're so invaluble and offer this team so much more than Filppula does now and in the future!

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Oh heck yes, because they're so invaluble and offer this team so much more than Filppula does now and in the future!

No. But freeing up a possible 3M in cap space would make it a hell of a lot easier for the Wings to retain Franzen, and possibly even Hossa. With Franzen, Datsyuk, and Zetterberg all likely here for another 7 years at least, Im hardly worried about a Filppula loss. Especially if a Vancouver 1st rounder is involved. That could be a top 14 pick.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

No. But freeing up a possible 3M in cap space would make it a hell of a lot easier for the Wings to retain Franzen, and possibly even Hossa. With Franzen, Datsyuk, and Zetterberg all likely here for another 7 years at least, Im hardly worried about a Filppula loss. Especially if a Vancouver 1st rounder is involved. That could be a top 14 pick.

Filppula's $2 million contract will hardly be the deciding factor in whether we re-sign Hank, Franzen and Hossa. You're dreaming if you think it is.

[dicksmack 33]

I hope we keep Flip. I think of him as our "Finnish Feds": Seeing him do the Fedorov (outside, cut inside) move and score in the Final, makes me sure he made a few GMs salivate. Babcock said he had high-end skill and it's clear that he does. He plays very well at both ends, can work the pk, and is trusted by Babcock. It only hurts if your special players get poached as RFA's --Val is one. It'd be nice to have the picks and knowing us, it'll give us a special player in return but I hope it doesn't come to that. His best career move in the long term is to stay here. With this high-proflie team, he will get amply compensated for signing for a bit less money now. If you look at VAncouver, you'd think a team in their position wouldn't dare part with those picks; however, they may not be able to do what we can with draft, and they know it. They might as well overpay for a rising star.

[Majsheppard 203]

Mlive reports that Vancouver sports radio says an offer sheet is coming.

[T.Low 1,011]

No. But freeing up a possible 3M in cap space would make it a hell of a lot easier for the Wings to retain Franzen, and possibly even Hossa. With Franzen, Datsyuk, and Zetterberg all likely here for another 7 years at least, Im hardly worried about a Filppula loss. Especially if a Vancouver 1st rounder is involved. That could be a top 14 pick.

And lets face it, in this salary cap era, as a team, gets better, its more difficult to keep it together. So as much as l hate to see Filp go, you may be right.

Its got to be a balance of semi expensive star players, older cheaper verteran players, and younger talented cheaper players. Once the young talented players start to mature, then the weeding out process begins. Its a very dynamic situation and process, but Holland and company seem to have a handle on it.

[wingsdiehard13 33]

I'm torn. I love Val. But if they offer him a substantial amount of money, we could let him go, get good picks, and possibly be able to retain Z, Mule, and Hossa.

Edit: Spelling

Edited July 5, 2008 by wingsdiehard13

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

If Flip leaves, expect to see Sammy continue playing on the 2nd line.

[omnipotent_hudler 0]

If Flip leaves, expect to see Sammy continue playing on the 2nd line.

*commits suicide*

[Guest Dump-N-Thump]

It could be worse, we could have Hudler on the 2nd line.

[Phazon 24]

*commits suicide*

samuelsson scored 3 goals in the stanley cup finals, which was most on red wings. He is not as bad as you make him to be.

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

It could be worse, we could have Hudler on the 2nd line.

How is having a more offensivily gifted player than both Filpulla and Sammuelson worse?

FAIL

[Phazon 24]

How is having a more offensivily gifted player than both Filpulla and Sammuelson worse?

FAIL

flip is getting overrated around here. The guy has scored 36 points with the best team in the NHL at 24 years of age. He is worth like 2 million max.

[Booster313 138]

I would love to keep Flip and I think most likely we will but like most people I am confident that if he does leave the compensation will be well worth it. Let the chips fall where they may.

[Superman54 91]

I just hope Vancouver doesn't put out an offer sheet out at all. I love Filppula, so I just hope that situation does not present itself. If they do, and it is too much too match, obvouisly its more wise to take the picks. But although I do not hate Samuelsson, Id much rather have Filppula on the 2nd line.

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

I would love to keep Flip and I think most likely we will but like most people I am confident that if he does leave the compensation will be well worth it. Let the chips fall where they may.

Agreed, plus if we do lose Val, Holland may bring back another Defensivly responsible forward that begins with an F.

Possibility of a top notch prospect + Federov's possible return>>>>> Filpulla

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Filppula's $2 million contract will hardly be the deciding factor in whether we re-sign Hank, Franzen and Hossa. You're dreaming if you think it is.

What does 2 million have to do with anything? If Flip gets signed to an offer-sheet, it'll be way above 2M. Read within the context, AW.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

It could be worse, we could have Hudler on the 2nd line.

God forbid we put a guy who actually could produce 60 points on the 2nd line.

[Dabura 12,232]

So I personally hope they make the offer and he takes it. That would free up a roster spot for Mac or Downey.

[detroit4life 0]

Why is everyone so against having Mac or Downey in the lineup? Are you blind? did you not see how they affected the rest of the team when they played? Lidstrom for one, has said that he loved having Downey in the lineup because it gave the star players more room to move. He knew that he was protected from the goons in the league. Do you even remember the years without an enforcer? Jason Williams getting run? Had to be carried off the ice. Holmstrom gets double elbowed by Pronger and Niedermayer from behind? Cut wide open. Hasek gettin raped in the crease by every team we played. No one did a damn thing about it.

Now insert Downey,Drake and McCarty into the lineup. Lidstrrom got ran by Laperriere, Downey beat his ass. No one else has ran a Wing all year. Before that or after. Anaheim tries to bully us this year like they did in the playoffs. Downey beats Parros' ass. Datsyuk got trained by Dallas Drake on how to throw a bodycheck, and he leads the team in hits during the playoffs. McCormick tries to make a name for himself in the playoffs by pickin on what he thought was an aging McCarty, and Darren went toe to toe with him. Your telling me they have no impact?? When was the last time Detroit won a Cup? Do you remember? 2002. Who was in the lineup that year?? Darren McCarty. Jiri Fischer, Sean Avery and to a lesser extent Brendan Shanahan. Tough players who can protect our stars.

We need Mac and Downey playing next year. Or expect an early exit from the playoffs. Has history taught you nothing?

tell me how this lineup would not succeed:

Datsyuk - Zetterberg - Holmstrom

Cleary - Franzen - Hossa

Maltby - Draper - McCarty

Abdelkader - Helm - Downey

Lidstrom - Rafalski

Kronwall - Stuart

Quincey - Lilja

Osgood

Conklin

that team would have speed, skill and toughness. We could trade Hudler, Lebda and Samuelsson for picks. Let Filppula go and collect more picks. The 08/09 draft could see Detroit with 2 or more picks in every single round. And trading those players away would free up money. Something Detroit likes to have near the deadline "just in case".

[Dabura 12,232]

Downey is good for a few measly minutes in meaningless games and McCarty was absolutely horrendous at times in this past run. They each bring something positive to the lineup, but I can guarantee that if we lose Flip, Holland won't be saying, "Phew! Now we can squeeze in Aaron! THANK GOD!"

Edited July 5, 2008 by Dabura