Holland IS Searching for a Free Agent!

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

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[HudlerFanatic 4]

Red Wings must restore defensive dominance to overcome free agent losses

Posted by George James Malik July 05, 2009 13:17PM

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2009/07/re...re_defensi.html

Hudler's name is mentioned at all....just a part of the article....kinda long...

July 5, The Oakland Press:

"........The Red Wings still have a solid nucleus in Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Nicklas Lidstrom, Niklas Kronwall, Tomas Holmstrom, Chris Osgood, Dan Cleary, Brad Stuart and Brian Rafalski. However, the time is now for the likes of Jonathan Ericsson, Darren Helm, Valtteri Filppula, Justin Abdelkader, Ville Leino, Jimmy Howard and Jakub Kindl. No more holding the young ones' hands down in Grand Rapids........"

thoughts on article......???

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

Bertuzzi

Moen

Veilleux

One of the three, please!

[betterREDthandead 58]

Seems like there's a lot of Travis Moen hype for no reason. The board is probably going to crash similar to years past when the Wings lost out on marquee players like Brad Winchester, Adam Hall, Brendan Witt, etc.

Moen would be a solid addition but he's not that great.

Who was it that the board was all over his nuts until he got himself into a hit-and-run? Was that Mark Bell?

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Who was it that the board was all over his nuts until he got himself into a hit-and-run? Was that Mark Bell?

Yepp, and now he's a free agent again

[Icesurfer 75]

Stephane Veilleux

Quote...."Has good size, defensive instincts and the ability to play a physical game. Also owns some offensive upside and can play both wing or center."

[Icesurfer 75]

Jason Ward

"Works hard every shift and knows how to take care of his own end. Doesn't mind playing a crash-and-bang style. Is a quality teammate."

[Icesurfer 75]

Manny Malhotra

"Assets

Is an accomplished defensive forward. Has good size, speed, leadership qualities and face-off ability.

Flaws

Has not met offensive expectations. Lacks both confidence and polish in the offensive zone. Is somewhat prone to injury.

Career potential

Checking center.

[Icesurfer 75]

Chris Gratton:

Assets

Has a great combination of size and two-way savvy. Displays decent hands and a mean streak. Is solid on face-offs and sound defensively.

Flaws

Has questionable hockey sense, which limits him in the scoring department. Isn't as complete a player as his package suggests.

Career potential

Checking line forward.

[Icesurfer 75]

Marcel Goc

Assets

Has outstanding speed and creative instincts in the offensive zone. Is a capable player in all game situations.

Flaws

Must gain more strength in order to withstand the pounding of an 82-game schedule. Needs more time to fully develop his all-around game.

Career potential

Second line center.

[Peleshob 0]

I'd take any of the following in terms of a grit/skilled guy:

Bertuzzi

Bell

Moen

Yelle

Gratton

I think any of those guy would bring a lot to the team. The latter two are good on face-offs, too.

[Icesurfer 75]

stephane yelle

Assets

Is a good skater and gutsy shot-blocker. Has excellent anticipation when killing penalties or opposing quality centers. Provides leadership.

Flaws

Has an extremely limited scoring touch. Plays injured a lot, which limits his overall effectiveness. Is starting to wear down physically with time.

Career potential

Checking line center.

[Icesurfer 75]

Jeff Cowan

Assets

Has good size and strength in fighting off players in the corners. Owns a deceptively quick shot and skating ability. Is extremely determined and feisty.

Flaws

Though he's determined and gutsy, he often loses a lot of fights. Is somewhat miscast playing on one of the top three lines. Will take a bad penalty.

Career potential

Fourth line winger.

[Icesurfer 75]

Mathieu Darche

Assets

Has produced points at all levels, except the big league. Displays sound offensive instincts. Is a good-sized winger for the NHL level.

Flaws

Skating issues have prevented him from securing a regular spot in an NHL lineup over the years. Still needs more work in the defensive zone.

Career potential

Reserve winger.

[Icesurfer 75]

Junior Lessard

Assets

Oozes hockey sense and natural offensive ability. Is also an industrious worker and sound team player.

Flaws

Needs to prove he can produce in the NHL at 6-0, 195 pounds. Must overcome the burden that comes with being a Hobey Baker winner.

Career potential

Reserve right wing.

[Icesurfer 75]

Jamie Lundmark

Assets

Has enough versatility to fill in anywhere up front. Has good hands, which complement a well-rounded game. Is creative with the puck and still owns untapped scoring potential.

Flaws

Needs to add more consistency in order to emerge as a quality NHLer. Must start burying his chances. Can he fulfill expectations?

Career potential

Fourth line forward.

[Icesurfer 75]

Marcus Nilson

Assets

Has sound checking ability and plays with tremendous energy and grit. Uses his body effectively and is incredibly versatile in defensive situations.

Flaws

Is not a big goal-scorer, since his hands are below average. His work ethic has led to plenty of injury trouble throughout his NHL career.

Career potential

Checking line winger.

[eva unit zero 271]

If we could sign Hudler and one of the guys listed, and not have any cap troubles...

Pyatt please. 6'4", 235 lbs, capable of scoring 15-20 goals and 30-35 points while being defensively responsible and physically abrasive.

The lines could then be:

Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Holmstrom - We know this line. We like this line.

Franzen/Hudler/Pyatt - Two big, defensively skilled wingers with good shots on Hudler's wing? Sounds good to me.

Leino/Filppula/Cleary - Excellent two-way line, probably the best third line in the NHL.

Helm/Draper/Maltby - Gritty 4th line with good speed and defensive ability, hopefully Draper and Maltby take a cue from Helm and don't repeat their poor performances last season.

[Icesurfer 75]

Brad Isbister

Assets

Possesses a tremendous physical package and plenty of pro experience. Is effective in the corners and can play either wing position if need be.

Flaws

Has not been able to shake the tag of chronic underachiever. Doesn't use his size nearly enough to maximize his offensive game. Misses too many chances.

Career potential

Reserve winger.

[chrisdetroit 189]

Hopefully Bertuzzi !!!!!!!

We need a big tough Canadian kid because I am tired of seeing the Wings pushed around. What about George Parros, isn't he available.

I can't believe that Mcarty and Downey aren't going to get resigned.

LOL

[LeftWinger 5,152]

Ok, icesurfer, that is great research, but do ya think maybe you could have put it all in one post?

Just want to say, I remember back a few days before UFA season began, I mentioned three names that I (personally, not because I know the game, or can be a GM) would like to see here (if only because I like their style of play.)

Alex Tanguay

Stefan Yelle

Travis Moen

(once in a while I added a name or two to the pot as well, ie. Orr, Axelsson, Fiddler, etc..)

...boy did I get flamed by more than a few members! I think one guy told me to keep playing NHL 09! I laughed because the last EA Sports NHL game I played was NHL 95!

Anyhow, not everyone has warmed up to Tanguay yet (probably because he would cost too much) but more and more I am seeing Moen and Yelle mentioned. Is it maybe because everyone else you guys wanted has gone somewhere else? Or is it because these two guys fit the mold of someone that could really fill a need on this club (defensive, penalty killer, shutdown guy)? I don't know if Holland will sign any of those guys, but until they are signed somewhere else, I will continue to beat the drum of Moen and Yelle (sounds like someone getting whooped on! Moen and Yelle )

Even if he doesn't, I am all for bringing up Abby fulltime and Oulahen as well... Youth Gone Wild!

[chrisdetroit 189]

Bertuzzi 08/09 stats 66 gmes 15 goals 29 assisits 44 points 74 PM

just imagine how much he could do on Dats line

Oh for Christ's sake. He was already here. He did nothing. Why do you think that it would be different this time. He;s 2 years older. Did he get better? Did his back heal?

Move on...

[Icesurfer 75]

My final list for gritty checking type forward with some size and maybe some scoring ability and cost less than Hudler:

Travis Moen

Stephane Veilleux

Chris Gratton

Jason Ward

Manny Malhotra

Marcus Nilson

[ShanahanMan 473]

If we could sign Hudler and one of the guys listed, and not have any cap troubles...

Pyatt please. 6'4", 235 lbs, capable of scoring 15-20 goals and 30-35 points while being defensively responsible and physically abrasive.

The lines could then be:

Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Holmstrom - We know this line. We like this line.

Franzen/Hudler/Pyatt - Two big, defensively skilled wingers with good shots on Hudler's wing? Sounds good to me.

Leino/Filppula/Cleary - Excellent two-way line, probably the best third line in the NHL.

Helm/Draper/Maltby - Gritty 4th line with good speed and defensive ability, hopefully Draper and Maltby take a cue from Helm and don't repeat their poor performances last season.

Good call on Pyatt, I think he's exactly what we need.

[Rice 42]

The trouble with Pyatt is his mental/emotional baggage. He tragically lost his fiancee last year. Who knows if he can be the same player again...