Pick 1 of the 3 for next year:

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Hudler produces, and only makes bad gaffs every once in a while.

[wingslionstigers 12]

Its also very funny that you have so much faith in all these unproven players you know nothing about. According to you, you can just pick rookies off the tree pay them 700k and have a successful hockey team. Everytime they ask for more shed them and pay the next set of rookies 700k. Lmao. Yeah ok.

Yeah your right too solid defensive players are so easy to replace. Then why don't all the teams in the league have them? Man you need to realize what would happen if you started to let proven valuable players like flips get away. You would find out players like that dont come around often. You could go ask Helm himself. I bet he would tell you himself that he looks up to flip and at every practice is trying to learn from him. Yet your trying to tell me helm can replace flip at the bat of an eye. Dude YOU KNOW NOTHING.

[egroen 384]

I voted Hudler, but am seeing a strong case for Sammy right now. Filppula is just not impressing me this year.

If Hudler got an offer sheet for around $3 million, I would take the draft picks and run, turn around and sign Samualsson for a nice hometown discount and trade Filppula's non-productive ass out of here.

No offer sheet for Hudler, then I would sign him, let Samuelsson go and get what I can for Filppula.

Though it could all change 3 months down the road.

Yeah your right too solid defensive players are so easy to replace. Then why don't all the teams in the league have them?

The Wings can afford to lose a defensive player or two.

They will have Datsyuk and Zetterberg for some time, and those are our best.

Cleary is stuck here for a few more years and is great on the PK. Draper and Maltby are more than capable.

Franzen and Samuelsson if they stay, are also good. Helm and Abedelkader would also get time if they make the team.

Edited November 27, 2008 by egroen

[eva unit zero 271]

I can't choose. Filpulla can be let go. I think it's fair to say it'll be a long time before he reaches his potential, if he ever does. For some reason it's just not clicking for him, and hasn't ever since his first year here. Let him go.

As for Sammy and Hudler, I'm torn. Hudler is streaky but can be an amazing player. Sammy can't shoot worth a can of beans, but he's solid defensively.

I'd say, all things considered, I'd keep Sammy, if we're not talking long-term. Defense wins championships and in order to win the Cup again the Wings have to bring back their backchecking defensive-awareness, so Sammy wins out over Hudler, but barely.

Ideally we let go of Filpulla and Kopecky, resign Hossa, and keep Hudler and Sammy, but I doubt if the cap and contracts will allow that.

Hudler has not been streaky this season; he has consistently been scoring points.

Hudler has scored 18 points in 21 games this season. He opened the season going four games without a point, and did not score a point in the losses against Montreal or Vancouver, which is only the second instance of consecutive games without a point for Hudler. He has scored 18 points the last seventeen games. Pavel Datsyuk, by comparison, has 17 points in the same 17 games. Outside of the season-opening slump, Hudler has not gone more than two games without scoring a point; By comparison, Hudler has multiple 3+ game point streaks. You can call that streaky if you want...I would call it consistent.

[Slave 31]

i want to keep flip and huds, sammy can go, after lasts night game he is reminding me moer and more of lang,, he might be decent defensely but way too often last night he was floating and coasting out there. there were quite a few plays where he could have beaten a montreal to the puck with an extra stride but didn't he just looked lazy. The flip and hudler line looked really good minus a couple giveaways, they had energy and went hard the entire game.

[uk_redwing 495]

Hudler has not been streaky this season; he has consistently been scoring points.

Hudler has scored 18 points in 21 games this season. He opened the season going four games without a point, and did not score a point in the losses against Montreal or Vancouver, which is only the second instance of consecutive games without a point for Hudler. He has scored 18 points the last seventeen games. Pavel Datsyuk, by comparison, has 17 points in the same 17 games. Outside of the season-opening slump, Hudler has not gone more than two games without scoring a point; By comparison, Hudler has multiple 3+ game point streaks. You can call that streaky if you want...I would call it consistent.

*yawn*

[glasgowcelticwing 18]

Both Flip and Huds are real good players IMO. but if I was to chose between the two of them i'd say Hudler cause he has a greater goal scoring potential when put on an offensive line with some decent linemates the lil guy sure can bury the puck.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Hudler.

It's not even close.

[DatsyukownzU13 1]

They are all pretty expendable. Leino can play Sammy and Hudlers role easily, while Helm can replace Fil. It's hard to pick between the two but I'd go for Hudler or Fil depending on the contract that Hudler is going for.

[Nev 1,085]

Filpulla>Huds>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Sammy

It saddens me to see how quick the folks on here are so quick to stomp on Flips grave. Have you all forgotten how he shut down and totally outplayed Evgeni Malkin just a few months ago? We all knew his ice-time would be down this season & his numbers with it. Plus he's always been a streaky player and he's not had his hot streak yet. I kinda think of him as a 2nd line Jere Lehtinen - good for 15-20 goals and excellent defensively.

There's also a little bit of disingenous talk with the salarys going on here - Flip is making 2.0M this year (yes, I know his cap hit is more). You are also comparing players at different stages in their careers - Flip has just signed his first major pro contract, Helm is still on his entry contract. Its like saying Hank is a better player than Dats because he only makes $2.9M to Pavels $6.7M. I know its a Salary Cap world but to some extent you are comparing apples and oranges when talking about their relative worth.

The only, and I mean ONLY way I can see Flip being traded is if it needs to be done to keep Hossa, Hank & Mule (and then its bye-bye Huds and Sammy as well)

[Reds4Life 51]

Sammy for 1.2 million > Hudler for 1 million >> Filppula for 3 million

Filppula can be easily replaced by Helm as a 3rd line center. Both of them are not gifted offensively, they are very simillar players.

[tommingthepuck96 1]

Why do you think Crawford said this? "He talked about how almost every team in the league would love to have Filp as their second line center, talked about that at length, and how in Detroit there's hardly any ice time left for him on the 3rd line."

The quote was how filp is good enough to be a second line center on just about any other team in the game. And how hes not getting the ice time to be putting up the points other stars are.

And i agree, not only is flip not getting enough ice time/pp time, hes also not playing with the skilled players that samuleson and hudler have on their lines.

Why do you think at the end of games, with like 5 minutes left when detroit is losing/tied babcock always bumps filpula up to play on the top 6 with zetterberg and franzen?

Edited November 28, 2008 by tommingthepuck96

[Dabura 12,232]

Leino can play Sammy and Hudlers role easily, while Helm can replace Fil.

I'd be extremely impressed if Leino stepped right in and replaced Hudler's production just like that. He'll need time before he can do it. I love Helm, and I think he's great on the fourth line -- but that's not where Flip plays. And they play very different games.

I think Flip is overpaid. Wouldn't lose much sleep over him leaving. Hudler's been performing and I think he's a pretty long way from fully realizing his potential, which is saying something. If I had to give $3M to one of these two guys, it would probably be Hudler. Sammy has value, though, and he'll continue to be a good bargain. I'm interested to see how much he asks for.

[Lidstromrules16 7]

Sammy for 1.2 million > Hudler for 1 million >> Filppula for 3 million

Filppula can be easily replaced by Helm as a 3rd line center. Both of them are not gifted offensively, they are very simillar players.

more like Hudler for 1 million>Sammy for 1.2>>Filppula for 3.

Hudler makes the Wings 2nd PP unite just as, if not more dangerous than the first unit. Sammy makes me wince.

Edited November 28, 2008 by Lidstromrules16

[wingslionstigers 12]

I give up on you guys 70% on this forum know nothing more about hockey than what shows on the stat sheet.

Have you all forgotten how he shut down and totally outplayed Evgeni Malkin just a few months ago?

Exactly someone gets it. Somebody understands that Helm and Leino cant do that. WTF is with you guys and Leino anyways. How do you even know this guys worth a f***? You guys just assume every player in our farm system is going to be able to come up and blow your minds away. The guy had a decent preseason. Guess what he was playing against 70% AHL players during the NHL preseason.

[Dominator2005 558]

I would keep Hudler (and I'm not his fan at all)... So far, he's consistently been scoring points.

Flip is way overpaid right now... I would trade him and let Sammy walk.

Brink Helm and Leino next year to replace Flip and Sammy...

[wingslionstigers 12]

C Darren Helm 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0.0

OMG1123215 helms on pace for 0 points and to say he could replace flips.

D Derek Meech 10 0 2 2 -2 6 0 0 0 7 0.0

-2 on pace for 16 points

Want to go by stats boys then lets do it. Well now you say well they don't get as much ice time. Well there on the bench if they were as good as flip we all know babs would give them more ice time.

[Nev 1,085]

Sammy for 1.2 million > Hudler for 1 million >> Filppula for 3 million

more like Hudler for 1 million>Sammy for 1.2>>Filppula for 3.

No, and no. Because next season Sammy and especially Huds will be making significantly more than they currently are.

Hudler may want to walk anyway if Babs keeps treating him like his little ***** no matter what.

[OsGOD 3]

wow i was sweating bullets for a second when i saw the question... then when i saw the choices i knew i was going to ace it... HUDDLES hands down... duh!

[DatsyukownzU13 1]

I give up on you guys 70% on this forum know nothing more about hockey than what shows on the stat sheet.

Exactly someone gets it. Somebody understands that Helm and Leino cant do that. WTF is with you guys and Leino anyways. How do you even know this guys worth a f***? You guys just assume every player in our farm system is going to be able to come up and blow your minds away. The guy had a decent preseason. Guess what he was playing against 70% AHL players during the NHL preseason.

He's putting up better numbers than either Fil or Hudler did in the AHL as well (well he's on pace for somewhere around Hudler's best season, which was his 3rd in the AHL). Hudler isn't anything special on defense. Fil isn't anything special on offense. Sometimes you need to take chances. I'd say 2nd in points in the Finnish Elite League followed by a strong preseason in the NHL and 20 points in 18 games in the AHL (his first season in North America) is something noteworthy.

The fact of the matter is we aren't going to likely have all these players next year, so you have to look for cheaper alternatives to fill the gaps. More often than not that is going to come from the minors, especially when one player has been doing significantly well.

[wingslionstigers 12]

He's putting up better numbers than either Fil or Hudler did in the AHL as well (well he's on pace for somewhere around Hudler's best season, which was his 3rd in the AHL). Hudler isn't anything special on defense. Fil isn't anything special on offense. Sometimes you need to take chances. I'd say 2nd in points in the Finnish Elite League followed by a strong preseason in the NHL and 20 points in 18 games in the AHL (his first season in North America) is something noteworthy.

The fact of the matter is we aren't going to likely have all these players next year, so you have to look for cheaper alternatives to fill the gaps. More often than not that is going to come from the minors, especially when one player has been doing significantly well.

I respect your point of view and its right. Can't argue with you bro. You actually know what your talking about and back your opinion with some real facts. Although what im really arguing against with this other guy is pretty much he has no respect for flip or his skills, he sees nothing besides the stat sheet. Hes basically saying flip can be replaced by anybody at anytime and they will do just as good. He doesnt understand flip is one hell of a player and is worth every dime of 3 mill and he doesnt see it for one reason, because he doesnt appear on the stat sheet enough. Anyone that actually pays attention in depth and pays attention to whos doing what couldnt say nothing more than good things about flip. He doesn't understand Leino or Helm could not fill flips shoes by any margin this or next season. I'm not saying Leino wont be a better player than flip ever was. I think Leino could turn into a spectacular player. I do know one thing, it will be atleast 3 years off before Leino could ever fill the shoes of flip.

[Reds4Life 51]

I respect your point of view and its right. Can't argue with you bro. You actually know what your talking about and back your opinion with some real facts. Although what im really arguing against with this other guy is pretty much he has no respect for flip or his skills, he sees nothing besides the stat sheet. Hes basically saying flip can be replaced by anybody at anytime and they will do just as good. He doesnt understand flip is one hell of a player and is worth every dime of 3 mill and he doesnt see it for one reason, because he doesnt appear on the stat sheet enough. Anyone that actually pays attention in depth and pays attention to whos doing what couldnt say nothing more than good things about flip. He doesn't understand Leino or Helm could not fill flips shoes by any margin this or next season. I'm not saying Leino wont be a better player than flip ever was. I think Leino could turn into a spectacular player. I do know one thing, it will be atleast 3 years off before Leino could ever fill the shoes of flip.

Filppula is 3rd line center.

Leino is top6 winger.

I think if Hudler or Sammy demand too much money then we could see Ville in Detroit the very next season.

[wingslionstigers 12]

Filppula is 3rd line center.

Leino is top6 winger.

I think if Hudler or Sammy demand too much money then we could see Ville in Detroit the very next season.

Flips not a 3rd liner. Hes a second line player on any team in the NHL. He just hasnt fit so well with Z and Franz. Funny thing is at the start of the year everyones fantasy line predictions had flip on the second line. So your telling me because he has 8 points this season hes garbage now? What happened to everyone saying i want to see flip on Zs line? s*** now that he only has 8 points hes overpaid dead weight. Noone had a problem with his 3 mill salary last year. Funny how people around here work. Hes been playing just as well if not better than last season. Did you guys forget flip shut down the malkin line in the playoffs. Takes a pretty damn good player to beable to shut down what is a premier super star top dog of the NHL. Ohh but wait hes only got 8 points hes worthless.

[rage 24]

Filppula is 3rd line center.

Leino is top6 winger.

I think if Hudler or Sammy demand too much money then we could see Ville in Detroit the very next season.

Flip is also a 2nd line center man.

What's to say next year won't be a ZDH first line and a HFF second line??

Add in Leino to a filler role.

[rage 24]

Flips not a 3rd liner. Hes a second line player on any team in the NHL. He just hasnt fit so well with Z and Franz. Funny thing is at the start of the year everyones fantasy line predictions had flip on the second line. So your telling me because he has 8 points this season hes garbage now? What happened to everyone saying i want to see flip on Zs line? s*** now that he only has 8 points hes overpaid dead weight. Noone had a problem with his 3 mill salary last year. Funny how people around here work. Hes been playing just as well if not better than last season. Did you guys forget flip shut down the malkin line in the playoffs. Takes a pretty damn good player to beable to shut down what is a premier super star top dog of the NHL. Ohh but wait hes only got 8 points hes worthless.

I know you are new wingslionstigers, but I love your passion and posts man! Of course, I tend to agree with your thinking (must be cause it's right) but keep on posting man!

I'll be dammed if 70% of LGW fans know "nothing" about hockey though! I'd say it's about opposite.

I'd say about 70% of people just have their own opinion and it has nothing to do with the Red Wings as much as it has to do with hockey. So remember that, and WELCOME!!!!