VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted May 29, 2010 Interesting spin. I was just told a story by my future mother-in-law. For the record, no one involved in this story is a hockey fan so they have no interest in fabricating a story. Turns out, a friend of hers was on a flight returning from Florida and she sat next to Kris Draper. A few rows back was Osgood. My first thought was: Wow, that's a coincidence considering Yzerman's recent appointment. So, with what little information I have given you: Coincidence? Maybe returning from a vacation? Why weren't their families present then? Just going to help Yzerman get settled in? Paying an "official" visit? It seems strange considering that Osgood would likely want another starting job for a team needing a goalie to work for an old friend. Draper we all expected to stay, but with the new Tampa operation and Detroit not really needing him, perhaps Holland is agreeing to part with Draper to give Yzerman some veteran talent in exchange for a role player or draft pick? Or is it all nothing? Weird coincidence at the very least. 1 2guns reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted May 29, 2010 If the Lightning are willing to trade the Wings assets for those two I'm fine with it. It'd suck to see them go but hockey is a business... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uk_redwing 495 Report post Posted May 29, 2010 Steve Downie please. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
king_malice 17 Report post Posted May 29, 2010 id be curious to know who else was with them and why they didnt sit together ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buppy 1,720 Report post Posted May 29, 2010 I highly doubt Stevie's first act as GM would be circumventing tampering rules, and we surely would have heard something if he had been given permission to speak with any of our players. It's certainly no more than coincidence, assuming the whole story isn't BS in the first place. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yzermania19 1 Report post Posted May 29, 2010 (edited) Draper and Osgood are BFFs and most likely returning from a vacation. Stevie's not even in Florida now - he came home for a day yesterday then left for Toronto today for the NHL draft combine. But personally I wouldn't have a problem with either of them signing with Tampa. They would give that team strong veteran presence, and it would free up a couple of roster spots for younger players here in Detroit. However, the most likely Wing I could see signing with Tampa is Maltby. Draper and Homstrom are possibiities too. Maybe Lilja. But I don't think Ozzie would - he still has another year left on his contract and the Wings need him to back up Jimmy. Regarding the tampering issue - is it considered tampering if the players are UFA? If Stevie wants to talk to Maltby, for example, after July 1, he's UFA - he's not under contract to the Wings, and the Wings don't have to give permission to another team to talk to him nor does another team have to give the Wings compensation if he's signed. Edited May 29, 2010 by Yzermania19 1 Lidstrom for life reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CenterIce 83 Report post Posted May 29, 2010 They could have been visiting him. Nothing wrong with that. They were not talking contracts, though. I don't see Yzerman wanting any thing to do with tampering his first week on the job. Draper and Osgood still have a year left on their deals. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted May 29, 2010 Draper and Osgood are BFFs and most likely returning from a vacation. Stevie's not even in Florida now - he came home for a day yesterday then left for Toronto today for the NHL draft combine. But personally I wouldn't have a problem with either of them signing with Tampa. They would give that team strong veteran presence, and it would free up a couple of roster spots for younger players here in Detroit. However, the most likely Wing I could see signing with Tampa is Maltby. Draper and Homstrom are possibiities too. Maybe Lilja. But I don't think Ozzie would - he still has another year left on his contract and the Wings need him to back up Jimmy. Regarding the tampering issue - is it considered tampering if the players are UFA? If Stevie wants to talk to Maltby, for example, after July 1, he's UFA - he's not under contract to the Wings, and the Wings don't have to give permission to another team to talk to him nor does another team have to give the Wings compensation if he's signed. I don't know what day it was, it wasn't necessarily today. I was just told about it today. I think it may have been yesterday or the day before. I don't think the story is BS, because as I stated, they have no reason to make it up and probably didn't even know Yzerman got the job down there. So I'm sure it happened. The implications of it are what we should be debating. It probably was nothing but it's an odd coincidence. I only doubted their families were with them because Draper was next to the "source." But I could be misinterpreting. He could have been across the aisle with his wife or whatnot. Again, I'm sure it happened, just not sure if we should make anything of it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockey13Playa 240 Report post Posted May 29, 2010 Hmm, makes my brain wonder. But like stated, probably just a visit/vacation. Nothing more, nothing less... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bannedforlife 403 Report post Posted May 29, 2010 Florida has better golf courses than Michigan 4 2guns, heinz57, Drake_Marcus and 1 other reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yzermania19 1 Report post Posted May 29, 2010 I agree with Centerice and Hockey13Playa, if it wasn't a vacation, they may have just been down there to support Stevie during the presser. Reminds me of a funny Stevie said on the radio yesterday. When asked about poaching any Wings players or personnel, he replied, "I'm pretty sure that would be considered tampering." The show host said, "nothing like getting you fined in your first few days on the job!" Stevie chuckled and said, "Yeah, maybe there's some kind of one-week grace period in which I could plead ignorance." Sorry, I thought Drapes was UFA too. Oops. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted May 29, 2010 Well it wasn't tampering when Holland chatted with Osgood all the time. A simple invite to hang out and help him get settled, even never discussing business, would send the message to those guys that they'd be welcome down there if they expressed interest. Business isn't always simple back and forth over a table, you know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yzermania19 1 Report post Posted May 29, 2010 Oh I know, I was just wondering how far "the rules" go and whatnot. I'm sure Stevie leared a few, ahem, "techniques" from Kenny regarding "hanging out," as you put it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HankthaTank 1,100 Report post Posted May 29, 2010 (edited) With as nice as it's been in Michigan going to Florida would be a bit of a fail but I don't really think these guys hang here much in the offseason. Hence, Florida trip isn't really out of the realm of the possible here. Think we're delving a bit too much here but hey, makes great thread banter. Edited May 29, 2010 by HankthaTank Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted May 29, 2010 With as nice as it's been in Michigan going to Florida would be a bit of a fail but I don't really think these guys hang here much in the offseason. Hence, Florida trip isn't really out of the realm of the possible here. Think we're delving a bit too much here but hey, makes great thread banter. We probably are, but like you said it's something fresh to talk about. I'd hate to see Ozzie go but he probably has the best reason to. I think he could have a great season next year. Last year was a fluke for everyone and one more shot (actually getting playing time) could bode well for him and give us a great tandem once again. If he has the attitude to stay we need to keep him. Draper...well...I'd hate to see him not retire a Wing but there's simply no room for everyone anymore. I'm not sure if he HAS to go, but with Helm coming into his own, is Draper's faceoff skill worth it? I'd have to go look to see his stats last year to know for sure. 1 Veery reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HankthaTank 1,100 Report post Posted May 29, 2010 We probably are, but like you said it's something fresh to talk about. I'd hate to see Ozzie go but he probably has the best reason to. I think he could have a great season next year. Last year was a fluke for everyone and one more shot (actually getting playing time) could bode well for him and give us a great tandem once again. If he has the attitude to stay we need to keep him. Draper...well...I'd hate to see him not retire a Wing but there's simply no room for everyone anymore. I'm not sure if he HAS to go, but with Helm coming into his own, is Draper's faceoff skill worth it? I'd have to go look to see his stats last year to know for sure. I've definitely suggested the Draper retiring thing for a while but it appears we have 1.583 mill to eat if he does sooo may as well squeeze as much out of him that we can. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z and D for the C 712 Report post Posted May 29, 2010 Not sure what the goalie situation is like in Florida, but I wouldn't be too surprised to see Osgood traded over there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miller76 463 Report post Posted May 29, 2010 Where in Florida were they traveling out of? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CenterIce 83 Report post Posted May 29, 2010 Not sure what the goalie situation is like in Florida, but I wouldn't be too surprised to see Osgood traded over there. Mike Smith and Antero Nittymaki Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Lidstromboli Report post Posted May 29, 2010 (edited) Niitymaki is alright but definitely not a number one goalie. Looking at Mike Smith's stats is enough to never want him on your team. Edited May 29, 2010 by Lidstromboli Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,794 Report post Posted May 29, 2010 Please tell me that Williams was with them? 2 Branton87 and Konnan511 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedFX 48 Report post Posted May 29, 2010 I think everyone's reading a little too much into this whole thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted May 29, 2010 Hockey players returning from Florida after being eliminated from the playoffs???? Oh my!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yzermania19 1 Report post Posted May 29, 2010 Yeah, most likely, but it makes for interesting discussion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted May 29, 2010 Florida has better golf courses than Michigan And Disney Land! (World?) 1 Lidstrom for life reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites