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VM1138

Draper and Osgood Spotted Returning from Florida

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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.

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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.

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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 by Yzermania19

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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.

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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.

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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." :lol:

Sorry, I thought Drapes was UFA too. Oops. :mellow:

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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. ;)

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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 by HankthaTank

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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.

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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 huh.gif to eat if he does sooo may as well squeeze as much out of him that we can.

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Guest Lidstromboli

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 by Lidstromboli

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