quality UFA's remaining

[Majsheppard 203]

I agree with everyone that Eklund is a pompus ass who makes things up and rarely gets anything right.

However this list he came up with I agree with nearly completely and I thought it was worthy of sharing.

Some quality adds in there for any team, is there any of them you would like to see go to any particular team?

Any additions?

SOME KEY REMAINING UFAS

The Fab Five (Of Painstaking Indecisiveness)

Mats Sundin: Proving money can’t buy decisiveness…

Joe Sakic: “looks” to be returning. Should be returning

Teemu Selanne: “likely” to be returning. Please return and play in Montreal

Peter Forsberg: He is. He isn’t He is. Flip Foppa….

Martin Straka: Is he or isn’t he depends on who you ask in his own camp.

True Possible “Difference Makers”

Pavol Demitra-The cream of this crop..Vancouver appears to be once again out in front..

Sergei Fedorov-Had a real resurgence in DC, I haven't seen the guy that happy at the rink in a long time. Amazing spot for him, but NJ has some play, as will Montreal.

Jason Williams- Really young and talented 27…can play power play point and Chicago will regret not tying him up. IMO

Mark Recchi-At the trade deadline he wasn’t moved because Atlanta was trying to get him back

Brendon Morrison-Decision coming Monday.. Solid Center.

Ladislav Nagy- injury hampered last year… but he is a sniper and maybe the best natural scorer left.

Owen Nolan- Huge revival in Calgary, but he should really return to San Jose given the state of affairs

True Puck Moving D-Men

Steve Montador- Slowly making a name for himself under the radar in FLA. Good alternative to Boyle in Ottawa.

Bryan Berard- Proved very valuable for the Islanders last year, could he be Philly bound?

Joel Kwiatkowski- talked up highly by many as a one of the best puck moving d-men outside the NHL as he starred for the Wolves in the AHL. The Thrash would be wise to snag him.

“C Worthy”: Character Additions and Great Team Players

Brendan Shanahan-Any player who can lead the NHL can lead your team. Has already received offers and has always wanted to play in Montreal.

Jason Smith-Another go-to-the-end of the earth guy. The Sabres are looking at him and with great reason..

Teppo Numminen-Seriously has potential for comeback player as well. Teppo just does everything so well that you often don’t notice him until he is out of the line-up. Flyers like.

Rhett Warriner-One of my personal favorites. I really feel the Sabres to need to jump. Back to Buffalo?

Michael Peca-Again Peca will Peck and Prod you. Hate to play against the guy, but love to play with him. Back to Buffalo or Atlanta?

Jim Dowd-Huge defensive player who you can put out at any time in any place. Philly or NJ good bets.

Grit and Heart

Darren McCarty-Really pull for this guy. Was awesome to see him win the Cup.

Bryan Smolinski-Bryan can play serious minutes and has the ability to step up.

Stu Barnes- Solid shut down forward who has been a cornerstone and staple of the Dallas Stars.

Joe Dipenta- Always feel he is perhaps one of the more versatile D-men

Solid Depth Forwards

Trevor Letowski

Sephane Yelle

Matt Cooke

Sergei Brylin

Chris Gratton

Jeff Hamilton

Randy Robitaille

Brad Isbister

Aaron Asham

Martin Lapointe

The Solid Depth D-Men

Nolan Pratt

Marik Malik

Jaroslav Modry

Bret Hedican

The Comeback Players Could Be’s

Sandis Ozolinsh

Geoff Sanderson

The Specialist

Yanic Perreault

[Guest Crymson]

If Filppula re-signs here and if we sign Downey or McCarty, we won't have the cap space for anyone else.

Holland has said that we are virtually done in free agency, save re-signings.

[Redwingsfan18 1]

I could have made this list up - Eklund is just stating the obvious. I still don't get why many of the fine folks on this site still go to his page I haven't gone there in over 5 years and never will with all the crap he comes up with.

Regardless, I think all these guys will end up somewhere. The guy who stands out to me is Brendon Morrison. If I was a GM, this is one of those kids I think just needs a change of scenery and could help out a team a lot. He had it made on Vancouver, when they had a solid team a few years ago, and I think he's just lost his way there. If the Wings were lacking or needed someone, I'd hope they'd go after him. No idea where he ends up though, thats for sure - he could fit in a lot of places.

Guy's like Shanahan, Peca and Recchi will end up somewhere as time goes on to fill a veteran void. I wouldn't be surprised if one of those or even two end up in the Central with Chicago or Columbus - two teams with lots of youth and minimal veteran presence.

Everyone on that list will end up somewhere, most are quality players.

[#18 the _Hoss_ 2]

Nicely done ! If we could land somebody for a year it would be really unfair to the rest of the league.

[wings1fan19 0]

Todd Bertuzzi is not on that list lol

[Guest Dump-N-Thump]

I think detroit is the only team where we have a log jam at Forwards and Defensmen.

[Guest mindfly]

Consider straka lost either as playing GM for a team in czech republic or in Russian elite league (KHL)

[lfd250 1]

Where are all the E's? Same guy that had everyone going to Nashville?

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

I'd love to have Gratton or Asham, but unfortunately because they fight they, will have no place on this team as far as Holland is concerned.

[GSBrooks13 204]

I'd love to have Gratton or Asham, but unfortunately because they fight they, will have no place on this team as far as Holland is concerned.

Just like Downey and McCarty have no place on this team?

[Earthhuman 8]

I'd love to have Gratton or Asham, but unfortunately because they fight they, will have no place on this team as far as Holland is concerned.

Oh shut up. Be happy. He's icing another contender team.

[Superman54 91]

I'd love to have Gratton or Asham, but unfortunately because they fight they, will have no place on this team as far as Holland is concerned.

I guess a f***in stanley cup (excuse my french) isn't good enough for you!

[YoungGuns1340 1]

So are we going to ice our 5th and 6th NHL lines in Grand Rapids? Why on earth would we spend more money elsewhere when this team can barely fit its own players on the roster?

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Just like Downey and McCarty have no place on this team?

I doubt either of them is going to get any significant time next year unless there's injuries.

Oh shut up. Be happy. He's icing another contender team.

You shut up. I didn't say we needed those guys to contend, I just want to see a little more toughness next year. Is that too much to ask?

I guess a f***in stanley cup (excuse my french) isn't good enough for you!

It is, but that doesn't mean I don't want to see the Wings ever dress tough guys again. Some of you have a hard time understanding that having toughness around is not a bad thing, nor does it prevent winning.

Edited July 5, 2008 by GMRwings1983

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

I'd love to have Gratton or Asham, but unfortunately because they fight they, will have no place on this team as far as Holland is concerned.

Please go cheer for the Thrashers

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Please go cheer for the Thrashers

What is it with you guys?

You're all acting like a bunch of pansies. I didn't say we need toughness to win the Cup. I just enjoy the physical part of the game, and I want to see this team do a little more in that department. You guys need to get your heads out of Holland's ass and be a little more objective. Too many LGW members become convinced that fighting is somehow bad for hockey just because the Wings haven't done much of it over the years.

And where the hell did this Thrashers B.S. come from?

[Majsheppard 203]

No where did I say sign any of these guys to the Wings. If you read, its a thread about quality players left. You can root for other teams you know.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

No where did I say sign any of these guys to the Wings. If you read, its a thread about quality players left. You can root for other teams you know.

You guys are f'ing unbeilivable you know that. Root for other teams?

[Majsheppard 203]

You guys are f'ing unbeilivable you know that. Root for other teams?

So you have no second favourite teams?? Really?

I live the Wings, yet there are other guys I root for when not playing us.

[Guest Dump-N-Thump]

GMR FTMFW

[Swede40 0]

I'd love to have Gratton or Asham, but unfortunately because they fight they, will have no place on this team as far as Holland is concerned.

That's a good thing.

[lfd250 1]

You guys are f'ing unbeilivable you know that. Root for other teams?

I root for the Dallas Cowboy

Cheerleaders

[Guest Crymson]

I doubt either of them is going to get any significant time next year unless there's injuries.

You shut up. I didn't say we needed those guys to contend, I just want to see a little more toughness next year. Is that too much to ask?

It is, but that doesn't mean I don't want to see the Wings ever dress tough guys again. Some of you have a hard time understanding that having toughness around is not a bad thing, nor does it prevent winning.

Wow, I actually liked you for awhile when you were being positive. I guess six weeks out from the Cup is when you start complaining and being completely pessimistic again.

Too bad.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Wow, I actually liked you for awhile when you were being positive. I guess six weeks out from the Cup is when you start complaining and being completely pessimistic again.

Too bad.

How am I being pessimistic?

All I said is that I wish we had more toughness but that Holland doesn't usually go that route.

As soon as I posted that, a bunch of posters started making annoying posts about how I don't like the fact that we won the Cup and that I should go root for the Thrashers of all teams.

Too many posters here jump to idiotic conclusions too quickly. Kind of like you just did, Crymson.

[Guest Dump-N-Thump]

How am I being pessimistic?

All I said is that I wish we had more toughness but that Holland doesn't usually go that route.

As soon as I posted that, a bunch of posters started making annoying posts about how I don't like the fact that we won the Cup and that I should go root for the Thrashers of all teams.

Too many posters here jump to idiotic conclusions too quickly. Kind of like you just did, Crymson.

I think Holland is starting to bring in some toughness via the draft.. Cayer,Johnston and Oslund. He is probaly hoping they will evolve into more 2-way players. Moen/Neil type guys. I'am optimistic that Holland is trying to bring in some more toughness, He knows that the west is a physical beast. But at the same time he isn;t going to make wholesale changes just to adapt.. especially after winning the cup.