2010 free agent class

[wingsownnhl43 14]

http://capgeek.com/contracts.php

To me, surprisingly, I dont think this team needs much. Drastic changes are not needed. The core of this team is still amongst the top 5 of any core in hockey.

The problem with our team right now, 1, is obviously injuries. Getting Val, Franzen, and Kronner back is very important to the success of the red wings. I dont count jason williams because i didnt want him here to begin with.

2. We have way too many fourth line caliber players. With the cap, and how strapped we were last season, and injuries... this is to be expected. but Holmstrom, Maltby, Draper, Abdelkader, Leino, D. Miller, B. May, Eaves, Jason Williams (yeah hes a fourth line player), is just wayyyyy too much.

3. I think our defense is running on name recognition. I believe Kronwall, Stuart, and Ericcson are solid. Lidstrom is noticiably getting older. I still think hes a top four defenseman, but he is no longer invisable. Rafalski is just plain overrated.

As far as our forwards go I like the top two lines consisting of Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Franzen, Val, Cleary.... We need to add a couple third line players that can give us both grit and a secondary scoring punch. Guys like Max Talbot, Jordin Stall, even Dan Cleary, or Ryan Malone.

Are there any of these type guys available in the 2010 class?

[wingsownnhl43 14]

Ideally, for next season I would love to add two 2nd/3rd line fringe type forwards instead of 3rd/4th type guys and also one big solid stay at home defenseman.

Thats the cliffnotes version of my OP.

[Theophany 110]

Homer will either retire at the end of this year or will take a significant pay cut.

But you're saying that the guy that's tied for the most goals on the team is a fourth liner; if that's so, I wish we had more fourth liners.

The simple fact is that a lot of people don't understand what specialists are; Brad May is one, Draper is another (Helm is following in his footsteps), etc. Homer is one of the best specialists on the ice. Ask people in Chicago if they'd rather have Homer over Byfuglien.

To be completely frank and honest, we're running with a lot of grit and toughness right now. Good old North American boys like Bertuzzi, Miller, May, Abdelkader, etc. We need Franzen and Filppula back, and less grit. Cleary is great because he's got a decent set of hands, but most of our other North American kids lack hands.