Chris Neil

[DatsyukownzU13 1]

Apparently the Senators are looking to deal him for a defenseman. We definitely have a plethora of D-men and could use a bruiser who would be an upgrade to downey or Mac.

What do you think about trading Lijla, Lebda or Meech to the Sens for Neil? I think his salary is around 1 mil a year which is respectable for a bruiser that can actually skate and play hockey.

Personally, I love Neil. He's 29 and can skate, fight, hit and agitate.

Here are some clips:

Hits and Agitates

Fights

Skates and Scores

[Guest Hatethedrake!]

I like Neil, but where would he play on the Wings?

Franzen/Datsyuk/Hossa

Cleary/Zetterberg/Holmstrom

Hudler/Filppula/Samuelsson

Draper/Helm/Maltby

Kopecky

Maybe Helm stays in Grand Rapids and Drapes centres Malts and Neil? I hope Helm is on the team because of his laser like warp speed.

[DaKineMaui 8]

Apparently the Senators are looking to deal him for a defenseman. We definitely have a plethora of D-men and could

Personally, I love Neil. He's 29 and can skate, fight, hit and agitate.

Your post/video presentation makes an excellent case. Goodbye Lilja? Please? Please?

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Your post/video presentation makes an excellent case. Goodbye Lilja? Please? Please?

Lilja beat up Neil last year by falling on top of him.

If you're going to deal anyone, deal Lebda, since he's softer than a teddy bear except for when he parties. Neil would be a nice fit on this team and he could take Kopecky's spot. With Avery and Tucker in the West, we need our own agitator.

[DatsyukownzU13 1]

I like Neil, but where would he play on the Wings?

Franzen/Datsyuk/Hossa

Cleary/Zetterberg/Holmstrom

Hudler/Filppula/Samuelsson

Draper/Helm/Maltby

Kopecky

Maybe Helm stays in Grand Rapids and Drapes centres Malts and Neil? I hope Helm is on the team because of his laser like warp speed.

That would be the main problem... I was trying to make up some line combos to further the argument but I couldn't really figure out where to fit him in. All I know is that the red wings desperately need someone that can fight with players like Datsyuk, Hossa, Z, and Filpulla getting pushed around. We all know Maltby will be quicker to turtle or cross check someone in the neck than to fight and back up his teammates (personally, I'm kind of sick of his little routine because he doesn't even really hit hard anymore).

Someone come up with some line combos!

[DaKineMaui 8]

Someone come up with some line combos!

Oh God - here we go!

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Samuelson+Lilja/Lebda for Neil. We get bigger and tougher, the Sens get there defenceman, and they get a responsible 3rd liner with comparable offensive output to Chris Neil.

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Filpula-Franzen-Hossa

Cleary-Draper-Neil

Maltby-Hudler-Downey/Kopecky/McCarty

Plus, he can nail the big boys if he has to

Edited July 12, 2008 by Detroit # 1 Fan

[Guest Hatethedrake!]

Lilja beat up Neil last year by falling on top of him.

If you're going to deal anyone, deal Lebda, since he's softer than a teddy bear except for when he parties. Neil would be a nice fit on this team and he could take Kopecky's spot. With Avery and Tucker in the West, we need our own agitator.

I'd feel more comfortable during the season knowing that our stars have protection in the line-up. Neil would be an ideal choice. Plus he can play a regular shift on the 4th line and not hurt you.

I think the only thing on Kenny's radar right now is a new deal for Flip. After that he will be able to see how much Cap space he has to work with. Neil definitely would not hurt the Wings. I'm all for it but do not expect it to happen.

Then again, I did not expect the Wings to get Hossa either! LOL

[DatsyukownzU13 1]

Samuelson+Lilja/Lebda for Neil. We get bigger and tougher, the Sens get there defenceman, and they get a responsible 3rd liner with comparable offensive output to Chris Neil.

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Filpula-Franzen-Hossa

Cleary-Draper-Neil

Maltby-Hudler-Downey/Kopecky/McCarty

Plus, he can nail the big boys if he has to

I like that idea.

It would be nice to have Cleary, Maltby and Neil together. That would be a fast, hard hitting line.

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

Lilja beat up Neil last year by falling on top of him.

If you're going to deal anyone, deal Lebda, since he's softer than a teddy bear except for when he parties. Neil would be a nice fit on this team and he could take Kopecky's spot. With Avery and Tucker in the West, we need our own agitator.

Except Lebda can actually skate, and might be the best skater on the team, certainly the fastest. He fits into our system, for cheap, much better then Lolja does.

[Echolalia 2,961]

I think this lineup is probably the best way to go

Dats Zetterberg Homer

Franzen Filppula Hossa

Cleary Hudler Neil

Draper Maltby Kopecky

McCarty and Downey, if not traded, will work their way into the roster for necessary games.

However, I think its overkill having McCarty, Downey, and Neil all on the same team. McCarty I can't see going to play at any other team, simply because all of his support comes from Detroit, whether its playing hockey or battling personal issues, so he's most likely a shoe-in. That leaves either Downey or Neil, and to be honest, I'm happy with Downey. He's not as hockey-smart as Neil is, but we don't need him to be. Same with if Neil were to come here. We would be paying an extra half million for a mediocre hockey sense that isn't necessary for this team. It would be nice to have him, but its not worth it in my opinion at least.

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

Except Lebda can actually skate, and might be the best skater on the team, certainly the fastest. He fits into our system, for cheap, much better then Lolja does.

Lebda is fast, but being fast dosnet make you a good player or gurantees offensive talent. He isn't Paul Coffey, its not like his rushes ever amount to anything.

However Ottawa is in DIRE NEED of some stay at home defensemen, so Lilija for Neil straight up is possible. Lebda, we would probably have to throw in a late rounder or something but id still take that deal in a second. Neil isn't like most enforcers, he almost put up 20 goals, and with our system I think we may be able to get 15-20 goals outta him consistintly. Add to that a gritty game, decent size, fighting, and basic defense awareness and Im liking the Idea definatly.

Edit: For all those who don't like him and consider him dirty or just a goon, I saw a great deal of him when I stayed iwht my Cousins up in Ottawa during my winter break, and he would quickly become a fan favorite. Hes basically like a Drake and Cleary Mixture, who will drop the gloves and can even be used on the pp in the slot in a pinch. He has a better than average wrister that he can unleash in the slot, its just hes not the best skater, but if our lineup is ever decimated by injuries its certaintly a better option than anyone not on the pp lines currently besides Filppula

Edited July 12, 2008 by EZBAKETHAGANGSTA

[Jericho613 74]

Neil can score too, not alot of scoring, but more than Downey and Mac. I don't see that happening though. It would be nice to see a Neil for Lilja trade, but the Sens would probably want Meech or Ericsson or a combination of 2 though.

[wingsdiehard13 33]

I would be all for Neil. However, I think it's very unlikely.

[jvxp 0]

Except Lebda can actually skate, and might be the best skater on the team, certainly the fastest. He fits into our system, for cheap, much better then Lolja does.

Leba can skate but so can Meech and Helm. I dont think Lebda is the fastest on the team. Meech and Helm are just as fast if not faster. I say do the trade Kenny! I watched Neil in Grand Rapids and he is one tuff son of a *****.

[T-Ruff 47]

We're not going to be trading Lilja after recently re-signing him.... I would be in favour of Neil completely replacing Maltby in our starting lineup.

Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Hossa, Holmstrom, Franzen, Filppula, Cleary, Hudler, Samuelsson, Neil, Draper, and Helm/Kopecky could be regulars, with Helm/Kopecky, Maltby, McCarty Downey for depth.....

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

We're not going to be trading Lilja after recently re-signing him.... I would be in favour of Neil completely replacing Maltby in our starting lineup.

Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Hossa, Holmstrom, Franzen, Filppula, Cleary, Hudler, Samuelsson, Neil, Draper, and Helm/Kopecky could be regulars, with Helm/Kopecky, Maltby, McCarty Downey for depth.....

Neil has long been on my wishlist. He's one of the few heavyweights out there that can play the game. And the nice thing about Neil, he isn't a happy go lucky heavyweight. He plays mean. He plays with a chip on his shoulder. He isn't what I would call dirty but if you have your head down he will try to end you.

I love Chris Neil.

Yes, he can play. But this is the reason why I would kill to have Neil on the Wings: He plays on the edge no doubt

Edited July 12, 2008 by GordieSid&Ted

[Dominator2005 558]

Great idea - exactly what we need... Lebda + Meech or Quincey (with bonus Sammy) for Neil. I would love to trade Lilja but he just signed for 2 more years.

[DatsyukownzU13 1]

A little update...

Apparently the two main players for Chris Neil are our rivals the Blackhawks and the Predators. I sure hope that he doesn't land with either of them..

[Guest Crymson]

Great idea - exactly what we need... Lebda + Meech or Quincey (with bonus Sammy) for Neil. I would love to trade Lilja but he just signed for 2 more years.

Holland has said that Lilja is an insurance policy for if none of the kids are ready for this season. If they're ready, Lilja is trade-bait.

[Anomalously 0]

Also said that D deals were being made in September. With interested parties now, Ottawa probably isn't waiting until Detroit decides if Ericsson, et al. are ready.

[jvxp 0]

Holland has said that Lilja is an insurance policy for if none of the kids are ready for this season. If they're ready, Lilja is trade-bait.

?

[egroen 384]

He did say Lilja is an "insurance policy", but never implied Lilja would be traded.

[Kp-Wings 3]

Teams don't just get rid of versatile players like Neil, especially for a scrub like Lilja. If they really are activily shopping him like everybody says, he'll fetch a much nicer return than that.

...and as for Lilja, if he is traded, it'll be for future considerations, a low round draft pick, or possibly a borderline NHL player on the bubble to crack a lineup. It's amazing how people here come out and say he flat out sucks and isn't worth a half-eaten sandwich, yet when trade time comes, he'll bring in just about every top 6 forward imaginable. He is tradeable, yes, but for a player like Chris Neil? No. way.

Lilja is an insurance policy; that's why they brought him back. Even if the kids are ready, that doesn't mean he'll be gone; he'll probably just sit the bench and be an injury replacement. The Wings aren't just going to immediately get rid of him after just having re-signed him to a 2-year extension.