Changes in the offseason

[eva unit zero 271]

If the player is young or hitting their prime, the Wings won't trade or sign them because it'd cost too much to get them and Holland doesn't mortgage the future.

Think of projects like Cleary or Miller or guys like Rafalski who came here. Burns, Doughty etc won't be coming here until they get their big big payday and finish those contracts and come looking for a cup after they already got their money.

If he's replacing a player who made similar money and was similar skill or worse, but ten to fifteen years older... why not? Because? You underestimate the power of the... Ken Holland.

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

I want these super long term deals to end. We're getting kinda screwed by Rafalski and I really am worried what would happen if Dats/Z/or Franzen ever got injured. Also we need some speed and youth on the back end. Lidstrom retiring is really going to suck for this organization and we have to start developing/sign replacements for him

Those days are gone. Holland was one, if not the first, to use long contracts for a salary cap benefit. Now since New Jersey, Philly and Chicago ruined it by going to extremes, long term contracts are less attractive. I bet we'll see fewer long term contracts this season.

[Majsheppard 203]

Edit: I think you're dreaming if you think that someone won't offer Brad Richards significantly more than $7m per year.

The word is he is seeking a five year+ deal in the range of 6.5-7.0 Million.

[Majsheppard 203]

Those days are gone. Holland was one, if not the first, to use long contracts for a salary cap benefit. Now since New Jersey, Philly and Chicago ruined it by going to extremes, long term contracts are less attractive. I bet we'll see fewer long term contracts this season.

I disagree. It depends only on how the player turns out. If anything it seems more attractive when you can bounce the player to the AHL.

Look at what even a six year deal has done for Pavel. Made him a steal at his current salary due to inflation. Same goes for Zetter. I remember the same being said for Kronners contract. Franzen might be the illustration of how it didn't work if he remains inconsistent, but it is still a good deal as of right now. Rafalski himself looked like a bad signing in terms of being expensive, but good in terms of talent. In a few years it was a friggin steal. If he signed a deal and became UFA when Campbell did... Could you imagine us signing him back for 8 million?!?!

It has worked out for many teams, and there are just as many teams where it was a huge bust.

Most of them have circumvented this problem or dealt with it. It comes down to how the player turns out, which is how any contract really works. It seems pretty clear that overpaying is a problem that becomes less noticeable over time. I would like to see more of the clear cut bluechips signed to age 37. I know if Helm wants that term for somewhere around 2-2.75 Million, I would take it in a heartbeat. It will eventually be a steal.

Edited June 11, 2011 by Majsheppard

[Guest Crymson]

The word is he is seeking a five year+ deal in the range of 6.5-7.0 Million.

No, the word is that he's seeking something in the range of $64m over eight years. It's not like he's going to be taking a paycut when he's the #1 free agent forward of the offseason.

[Majsheppard 203]

No, the word is that he's seeking something in the range of $64m over eight years. It's not like he's going to be taking a paycut when he's the #1 free agent forward of the offseason.

6.5 to 7

[Konnan511 1,736]

If he's replacing a player who made similar money and was similar skill or worse, but ten to fifteen years older... why not? Because? You underestimate the power of the... Ken Holland.

I'd never underestimate the power of a Jedi Master.

Let's offer six million for Weber or Doughty. What happens? The other teams match. We offer 6 mil for Burns. What happens? They don't match, we lose 4 first rounders and drastically overpaid for an above average defenseman.

Holland offers 6 mil (total) for two top 4 UFA DMen. What happens? We get two good DMen without giving up any assets. Plus, you're also assuming that the players we'd make offers for are of equal skill or better when in reality only one is. The rest are worst.

[FNCardascia 0]

I think the cap size will factor in considerably in determining our off-season moves. I'm not a personal fan of going after a big name RFA... That's just wayyyyyyyyy too much to compensate. I wouldn't mind something like this... Give or take a few work-arounds. Again, this is my ideal image.. I'm sure everybody has one, right?:

FORWARDS

Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) / Johan Franzen ($3.954m) / Teemu Selanne ($4.500m)

Brooks Laich ($2.066m) / Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / Daniel Cleary ($2.800m)

Todd Bertuzzi ($1.937m) / Valtteri Filppula ($3.000m) / Tomas Holmstrom ($1.875m)

Darren Helm ($0.912m) / Justin Abdelkader ($0.787m) / Jiri Hudler ($2.875m)

DEFENSEMEN

Nicklas Lidstrom ($5.400m) / Christian Ehrhoff ($3.100m)

James Wisniewski ($3.250m) / Tomas Kaberle ($4.250m)

Brad Stuart ($3.750m) / Niklas Kronwall ($3.000m)

GOALTENDERS

Jimmy Howard ($2.250m) / Brian Boucher ($0.925m)

SALARY CAP: $63,500,000; CAP PAYROLL: $63,417,044; BONUSES: $0

CAP SPACE (20-man roster): $82,956

I know... I know... It's a long shot. All these UFA signings are based upon last year's contracts... Sans Lids. The Finnish Flash is going to have to take less since he'll turn 41, but he still had an impressive year. Everybody else, I see roughly making the same... This is not even considering diving into the farm, (Smith, Emmerton, Mursak, etc.) The weakest link in this group now? As much as I liked him before he went to the K, it's now obviously HUDLER.

[Buppy 1,720]

I think the cap size will factor in considerably in determining our off-season moves. I'm not a personal fan of going after a big name RFA... That's just wayyyyyyyyy too much to compensate. I wouldn't mind something like this... Give or take a few work-arounds. Again, this is my ideal image.. I'm sure everybody has one, right?:

FORWARDS

Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) / Johan Franzen ($3.954m) / Teemu Selanne ($4.500m)

Brooks Laich ($2.066m) / Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / Daniel Cleary ($2.800m)

Todd Bertuzzi ($1.937m) / Valtteri Filppula ($3.000m) / Tomas Holmstrom ($1.875m)

Darren Helm ($0.912m) / Justin Abdelkader ($0.787m) / Jiri Hudler ($2.875m)

DEFENSEMEN

Nicklas Lidstrom ($5.400m) / Christian Ehrhoff ($3.100m)

James Wisniewski ($3.250m) / Tomas Kaberle ($4.250m)

Brad Stuart ($3.750m) / Niklas Kronwall ($3.000m)

GOALTENDERS

Jimmy Howard ($2.250m) / Brian Boucher ($0.925m)

SALARY CAP: $63,500,000; CAP PAYROLL: $63,417,044; BONUSES: $0

CAP SPACE (20-man roster): $82,956

I know... I know... It's a long shot. All these UFA signings are based upon last year's contracts... Sans Lids. The Finnish Flash is going to have to take less since he'll turn 41, but he still had an impressive year. Everybody else, I see roughly making the same... This is not even considering diving into the farm, (Smith, Emmerton, Mursak, etc.) The weakest link in this group now? As much as I liked him before he went to the K, it's now obviously HUDLER.

[FNCardascia 0]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PR_rzF8ofw

[Datsyerberger 279]

We offer 6 mil for Burns. What happens? They don't match, we lose 4 first rounders and drastically overpaid for an above average defenseman.

Actually, 6m would be a 1st, a 2nd, and a 3rd. I'd trade those assets for a year of Burns and a chance to have him on the team/possibly re-sign him.

But uh, Burns isn't RFA this offseason (and he's UFA next).

I think the cap size will factor in considerably in determining our off-season moves. I'm not a personal fan of going after a big name RFA... That's just wayyyyyyyyy too much to compensate. I wouldn't mind something like this... Give or take a few work-arounds. Again, this is my ideal image.. I'm sure everybody has one, right?:

Here's what I saw when I read the cap numbers of that roster:

FORWARDS

Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) / Johan Franzen ($3.954m) / lolwut

lolomgwtfbbq / Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / Daniel Cleary ($2.800m)

Todd Bertuzzi ($1.937m) / Valtteri Filppula ($3.000m) / Tomas Holmstrom ($1.875m)

Darren Helm ($0.912m) / Justin Abdelkader ($0.787m) / Jiri Hudler ($2.875m)

DEFENSEMEN

Nicklas Lidstrom ($5.400m) / lmfao

rofl / lol

Brad Stuart ($3.750m) / Niklas Kronwall ($3.000m)

GOALTENDERS

Jimmy Howard ($2.250m) / Brian Boucher ($0.925m)

SALARY CAP: $63,500,000; CAP PAYROLL: $63,417,044; BONUSES: $0

CAP SPACE (20-man roster): $82,956

Just being honest.

Edited June 11, 2011 by Datsyerberger

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Here's what I saw when I read the cap numbers of that roster:

Just being honest.

hahaha "lolomgwtfbbq"

[eva unit zero 271]

I'd never underestimate the power of a Jedi Master.

Let's offer six million for Weber or Doughty. What happens? The other teams match. We offer 6 mil for Burns. What happens? They don't match, we lose 4 first rounders and drastically overpaid for an above average defenseman.

Holland offers 6 mil (total) for two top 4 UFA DMen. What happens? We get two good DMen without giving up any assets. Plus, you're also assuming that the players we'd make offers for are of equal skill or better when in reality only one is. The rest are worst.

Burns is a UFA next year, not an RFA.

And my comparison was specifically Burns to Rafalski, as far as your "youth" comment.

[Konnan511 1,736]

Burns is a UFA next year, not an RFA.

And my comparison was specifically Burns to Rafalski, as far as your "youth" comment.

Still doesn't take away from my overall point in regards to your "youth" comment.

[eva unit zero 271]

Still doesn't take away from my overall point in regards to your "youth" comment.

Wait, do you mean this one?

If he's replacing a player who made similar money and was similar skill or worse, but ten to fifteen years older... why not? Because? You underestimate the power of the... Ken Holland.

I don't see how your statement has any relation to what I said at all, other than the fact that you brought up Holland coming up with alternatives to trying to sign Weber or Doughty; which isn't the point because that brings RFA into the argument. Burns is currently signed and turns UFA next summer. It's like dropping Rafalski for Ehrhoff. What do you lose? He's younger, cheaper, less injured, better player (right now) so why would Holland not make that move with Rafalski retiring? Tell me PLEASE what your logic is on this?

[krsmith17 7,191]

I know a lot of people are going to hate some of these signings but they all make sense to me, and right now I am Ken Holland so this is what the team would look like next season. Feel free to bash any of my moves but quite frankly I don't care what all the know-it-all, wanna-be GM's think, just throwing some ideas out there...

My main goal was to find some solid right-handed shots to add to the line-up. I think it really hurts us having a team 95% left-handed shots, especially on the powerplay and in the faceoff circle...

So let's get to it....

Up front I started out with Draper and Modano retiring. Then I resigned Eaves to a reasonable $850k ($100k raise), let Miller walk and traded Hudler for a prospect and a late round 2011 draft pick.

First, to replace Hudler I signed Nikolai Zherdev to one-year $1.75m, a slight pay-cut due to the fact that he is running out of options in the NHL, but I am willing to take a gamble on him. Also, knowing he would start the season playing alongside Datsyuk helped lure him here. I know a lot of people are sceptical about this signing just because of his lack of defensive ability, but let's be honest, was Hudler that much of a better defensive forward, hell no. And with Zherdev's offensive upside I'd take him in a heart beat, so I did. Put him on a line with Datsyuk and Filppula (two of the three most defensively aware forwards on the team) and not only would it make up for his lack of defense but it would help his defensive game watching these two guys working their asses off at both ends of the ice. Zherdev is more than capable of putting up 50-60 points on the top line with Pav and Fil.

Then I went out and signed Tim Connolly to a three-year $4.5m per, to fill the void of a right-handed centerman we desperately need. I don't think it would be too much to think Connolly could put up 40-50 points in a third line role with Bert and Cleary.

So my Forward Lines look something like this...

FORWARDS

Valtteri Filppula ($3.000m) / Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / Nikolai Zherdev ($1.750m)

Tomas Holmstrom ($1.875m) / Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) / Johan Franzen ($3.954m)

Daniel Cleary ($2.800m) / Tim Connolly ($4.500m) / Todd Bertuzzi ($1.937m)

Justin Abdelkader ($0.787m) / Darren Helm ($0.912m) / Patrick Eaves ($0.850m)

Jan Mursak ($0.550m) / Cory Emmerton ($0.533m)

I think they're solid looking lines with a lot of chemistry and depth... Mursak and Emmerton would be our first call-ups and could possibly be inserted into some sort of rotation involving Abdelkader, Eaves and possibly Holmstrom... If Holmstrom were the odd man out I would have Cleary up in his slot with Hank and Mule, bump Abby up with Connolly and Bert and Mursak with Helm and Eaves, another solid option in my opinion...

On the back end I started out with Rafalski retiring, letting Salei walk, Lidstrom resigning a possible final one-year $6m contract, and Ericsson resigning at a reasonable three-year $2.2m per contract.

Then I went out looking for two solid right-handed shots, one that could chip in offensively and help out on the power-play (replacement for Rafalski), and the other to give us a little more depth and help out on the penalty kill (replacement for Salei). So I signed James Wisniewski to a four-year $3.75m contract and Anton Babchuk to a one-year $1.8m contract, two perfect replacements to help out our team and give us a little more balance and depth on the back end. No, I don't think Wisniewski is going to completely fill the loss of Rafalski, but he can definitely help us out. He's not going to make that first breakout pass like Rafi could and there's not too many in the league that can but he brings just as much to the table in my opinion. He's a slight upgrade in size but much harder on the puck and can clear the front of the net as good as anyone and is not afraid to drop the gloves. Not to mention he can put up pretty reasonable numbers, he's not a quarterback on the power-play but can defintely help out if paired with Lidstrom which I would do for the first PP unit. As for Babchuk, I think he is an upgrade to Salei and would pair great with Ericsson. Babchuk is not quite the same stay at home style defenseman as Salei, he is a little more mobile and has a decent shot from the point.

So my Defense Lines look something like this...

DEFENSEMEN

Nicklas Lidstrom ($6.000m) / Niklas Kronwall ($3.000m)

Brad Stuart ($3.750m) / James Wisniewski ($3.750m)

Jonathan Ericsson ($2.200m) / Anton Babchuk ($1.800m)

Jakub Kindl ($0.883m)

Like the forwards, my main goal was to pair guys that I think would complement each others style of play, would mesh well together, as well as looking for balance in the pairings.

When looking at the goalie situation, first Ozzie retires and I let Joey MacDonald walk. Now I'm looking for a decent goaltender for a reasonable price that can play 25 - 35 games when called upon. So I signed Brian Boucher to one-year $850k. Boucher is a decent back-up goaltender that can play well behind another solid goalie, he had a decent season last year but struggled in the playoffs when he was the number one guy. I think the pressure got to him a little but as long as Jimmy can stay healthy and on top of his game I think Boucher is very competent to play a solid 25+ games for us.

So the goalies look like this...

GOALTENDERS

Jimmy Howard ($2.250m) / Brian Boucher ($0.825m)

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)

(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)

SALARY CAP: $63,500,000; CAP PAYROLL: $60,692,044; BONUSES: $0

CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $2,807,956

I think this team is capable of not only making the playoffs but as long as we're relatively healthy we can win it all in 2012. We still have a little flexibility with $2.8m in cap space to make a move at the trade deadline if necessary.

[hockey23 79]

--Reply to krsmith17--

-No thanks to Connolly. $4.5M is too much for someone who has only played in 70 games one time since the lockout.

-I'm not a fan of Zherdev at all, and I highly doubt Holland would even consider him

-We will not get Wisniewski for $3.75M

-A Babchuk-Ericsson pairing would cause every LGW'er to gouge their eyes out within the first month of the season.

[Guest Crymson]

Edit: Meh, screw it; I'm not going to spend time responding to the idea of those signings.

Edited June 12, 2011 by Crymson

[krsmith17 7,191]

HAHAHAHAHA F*CKIN HILARIOUS....

God Damn Trolls have nothing good to say about any ideas....

--Reply to hockey23--

-Yes Tim Connolly has only played in 70 games one time since the lockout but you failed to mention that he has 250 points in 302 games since the lockout (0.828 points per game). Which isn't bad playing on a team like the Sabres. He was also playing on the top line for the majority of his time in Buffalo and you can argue that his points per game won't be as high playing on our third line but he also won't be playing against top players in the league all the time. He can easily put up 40-50 points, that along with the fact that he's a right-handed centerman that we desperately need I think he's well worth $4.5m.

Let's look at a comparable cap hit on our team shall we... Johan Franzen's cap hit is $500k less ($3,954,545) but his salary for the 2011-12 season is $750k more ($5,250,000)... Seems how you're so fascinated with passed numbers, since the lockout Franzen has played in 395 games and put up 219 points (0.554), (significantly lower than Connolly wouldn't you say?) and yes his point totals are getting higher, but his injuries are becoming more frequent meaning, like Connolly neither are expected to play a full 82 games...

-Honestly, I don't really care who is or isn't a fan of Zherdev, the guy would put up big numbers on a line with Datsyuk and that's all I care about. Can you or anyone honestly say you were a huge fan of Hossa? I doubt it, he's an offensively gifted player like Zherdev and before he came here he lacked on the defensive side of the game like Zherdev. He was put on a line with Datsyuk for the better part of the year and he flourished in his role and began to quickly learn defense playing alongside the best defensive forward in the world...

-I'd love to know how you are so confident we would not be able to sign Wisniewski for $3.75m? Because no players have come here or any other team for discounts at a real chance to win the cup... Not to mention it being his home state, so he was more than like a Wings fan growing up. And remember, I did have $2.8m in left over cap so if he wanted $4-4.25m I say we still go for it, he's a good defenseman with a lot of upside...

-A Babchuk-Ericsson pairing would cause every LGW'er to gouge their eyes out within the first month of the season. Hahaha I'd love to hear the explanation of this one... let me guess... another Ericsson hater... Both are young guys (27 years old) so they're bound to make mistakes, but they both also have a lot of upside... So if it doesn't work out split them up, there are countless ways to pair the 7 defenseman...

Keep complaining about everything fella's, I'd hate to have your negativity... I feel for you, I really do... actually not all that much.....

[Datsyerberger 279]

HAHAHAHAHA F*CKIN HILARIOUS....

God Damn Trolls have nothing good to say about any ideas....

--Reply to hockey23--

-Yes Tim Connolly has only played in 70 games one time since the lockout but you failed to mention that he has 250 points in 302 games since the lockout (0.828 points per game). Which isn't bad playing on a team like the Sabres. He was also playing on the top line for the majority of his time in Buffalo and you can argue that his points per game won't be as high playing on our third line but he also won't be playing against top players in the league all the time. He can easily put up 40-50 points, that along with the fact that he's a right-handed centerman that we desperately need I think he's well worth $4.5m.

Let's look at a comparable cap hit on our team shall we... Johan Franzen's cap hit is $500k less ($3,954,545) but his salary for the 2011-12 season is $750k more ($5,250,000)... Seems how you're so fascinated with passed numbers, since the lockout Franzen has played in 395 games and put up 219 points (0.554), (significantly lower than Connolly wouldn't you say?) and yes his point totals are getting higher, but his injuries are becoming more frequent meaning, like Connolly neither are expected to play a full 82 games...

-Honestly, I don't really care who is or isn't a fan of Zherdev, the guy would put up big numbers on a line with Datsyuk and that's all I care about. Can you or anyone honestly say you were a huge fan of Hossa? I doubt it, he's an offensively gifted player like Zherdev and before he came here he lacked on the defensive side of the game like Zherdev. He was put on a line with Datsyuk for the better part of the year and he flourished in his role and began to quickly learn defense playing alongside the best defensive forward in the world...

-I'd love to know how you are so confident we would not be able to sign Wisniewski for $3.75m? Because no players have come here or any other team for discounts at a real chance to win the cup... Not to mention it being his home state, so he was more than like a Wings fan growing up. And remember, I did have $2.8m in left over cap so if he wanted $4-4.25m I say we still go for it, he's a good defenseman with a lot of upside...

-A Babchuk-Ericsson pairing would cause every LGW'er to gouge their eyes out within the first month of the season. Hahaha I'd love to hear the explanation of this one... let me guess... another Ericsson hater... Both are young guys (27 years old) so they're bound to make mistakes, but they both also have a lot of upside... So if it doesn't work out split them up, there are countless ways to pair the 7 defenseman...

Keep complaining about everything fella's, I'd hate to have your negativity... I feel for you, I really do... actually not all that much.....

Uhhh. Okay, I personally agree with you about Connolly. I like Connolly. However, I'd rather us a (scoring) winger than a (playmaking) center. We have the latter in droves; the former, not so much. I think a team who needs a good center more will be more willing to pay Connolly. I wouldn't mind taking him for the right price... however, aforementioned needy teams will likely pay him more.

Now to the bolded: lololololol no, not even close. Many people here were fans of Hossa beforehand, self included. And he was certainly not a defensive bum before he came here. Hossa was recognized as one of the best backchecking wingers in the league and had a solid record of Selke votes before ever coming to the Wings. On top of that, he's far more offensively skilled and consistent than Zherdev, and a much harder worker. Zherdev has major attitude and commitment issues. They're very different... I suggest you do more research.

We won't get Wiz for 3.75. Actually, at this point I don't think we'll get him at all; last I read Montreal was rumored to be focusing on re-signing him and Markov. In any case, if he goes FA he'll get more than that and I'm not sure I'd want him anyhow (good offense, but he's got a lot of baggage). But even with baggage, if there's one thing that GMs pay for consistently, it's offense, particularly offense from the blueline. He'll get more than he probably should. Also, just because he's from Michigan doesn't mean he likes it and wants to come back. I'm from Florida and haven't missed a day apart from it. Not everyone likes where they come from.

A Babchuk and Ericsson pairing WOULD cause everyone to gauge their eyes out. I'm all for bringing Babchuk in for the right price and I don't mind Ericsson, either. However, aside from them both preferring the right side of the ice (afaik), a pairing of those two would be brutal. Kronwall - Babchuk, Lidstrom - Ericsson, Stuart - Kindl? That's better.

In regards to negativity.. well, personally, I'd rather be realistic and be happy when my expectations are exceeded than be foolishly optimistic and face likely disappointment.

Edited June 12, 2011 by Datsyerberger

[hockey23 79]

HAHAHAHAHA F*CKIN HILARIOUS....

God Damn Trolls have nothing good to say about any ideas....

--Reply to hockey23--

-Yes Tim Connolly has only played in 70 games one time since the lockout but you failed to mention that he has 250 points in 302 games since the lockout (0.828 points per game). Which isn't bad playing on a team like the Sabres. He was also playing on the top line for the majority of his time in Buffalo and you can argue that his points per game won't be as high playing on our third line but he also won't be playing against top players in the league all the time. He can easily put up 40-50 points, that along with the fact that he's a right-handed centerman that we desperately need I think he's well worth $4.5m.

Let's look at a comparable cap hit on our team shall we... Johan Franzen's cap hit is $500k less ($3,954,545) but his salary for the 2011-12 season is $750k more ($5,250,000)... Seems how you're so fascinated with passed numbers, since the lockout Franzen has played in 395 games and put up 219 points (0.554), (significantly lower than Connolly wouldn't you say?) and yes his point totals are getting higher, but his injuries are becoming more frequent meaning, like Connolly neither are expected to play a full 82 games...

Connolly isn't a bad suggestion, but I just think $4.5M is too much when our needs are defense and scoring wingers. Also, Holland has recently said that the top 6 to top 9 forwards are set, so I don't think it's realistic.

-Honestly, I don't really care who is or isn't a fan of Zherdev, the guy would put up big numbers on a line with Datsyuk and that's all I care about. Can you or anyone honestly say you were a huge fan of Hossa? I doubt it, he's an offensively gifted player like Zherdev and before he came here he lacked on the defensive side of the game like Zherdev. He was put on a line with Datsyuk for the better part of the year and he flourished in his role and began to quickly learn defense playing alongside the best defensive forward in the world...

Datsyerberger basically covered this. Hossa was considered a perfect fit with the Wings because of his great two-way play. He's nothing like Zherdev.

-I'd love to know how you are so confident we would not be able to sign Wisniewski for $3.75m? Because no players have come here or any other team for discounts at a real chance to win the cup... Not to mention it being his home state, so he was more than like a Wings fan growing up. And remember, I did have $2.8m in left over cap so if he wanted $4-4.25m I say we still go for it, he's a good defenseman with a lot of upside...

It's just based on reports and speculation, but everything I have read leads me to believe that he'll get $4.5+. Also, the cap could be $62.2M so that $2.8M in space would become $1.5M.

-A Babchuk-Ericsson pairing would cause every LGW'er to gouge their eyes out within the first month of the season. Hahaha I'd love to hear the explanation of this one... let me guess... another Ericsson hater... Both are young guys (27 years old) so they're bound to make mistakes, but they both also have a lot of upside... So if it doesn't work out split them up, there are countless ways to pair the 7 defenseman...

Ericsson and Babchuk are not strong defensively and are prone to turnovers. I would be scared every time those 2 came on the ice. Splitting them up would require one of them to essentially be a top-4 d-man and play against other teams' top 2 lines. That might be even worse.

[Buppy 1,720]

...

--Reply to hockey23--

-Yes Tim Connolly has only played in 70 games one time since the lockout but you failed to mention that he has 250 points in 302 games since the lockout (0.828 points per game). Which isn't bad playing on a team like the Sabres. He was also playing on the top line for the majority of his time in Buffalo and you can argue that his points per game won't be as high playing on our third line but he also won't be playing against top players in the league all the time. He can easily put up 40-50 points, that along with the fact that he's a right-handed centerman that we desperately need I think he's well worth $4.5m.

...

-Honestly, I don't really care who is or isn't a fan of Zherdev, the guy would put up big numbers on a line with Datsyuk and that's all I care about. Can you or anyone honestly say you were a huge fan of Hossa? I doubt it, he's an offensively gifted player like Zherdev and before he came here he lacked on the defensive side of the game like Zherdev. He was put on a line with Datsyuk for the better part of the year and he flourished in his role and began to quickly learn defense playing alongside the best defensive forward in the world...

-I'd love to know how you are so confident we would not be able to sign Wisniewski for $3.75m? Because no players have come here or any other team for discounts at a real chance to win the cup... Not to mention it being his home state, so he was more than like a Wings fan growing up. And remember, I did have $2.8m in left over cap so if he wanted $4-4.25m I say we still go for it, he's a good defenseman with a lot of upside...

-A Babchuk-Ericsson pairing would cause every LGW'er to gouge their eyes out within the first month of the season. Hahaha I'd love to hear the explanation of this one... let me guess... another Ericsson hater... Both are young guys (27 years old) so they're bound to make mistakes, but they both also have a lot of upside... So if it doesn't work out split them up, there are countless ways to pair the 7 defenseman...

Keep complaining about everything fella's, I'd hate to have your negativity... I feel for you, I really do... actually not all that much.....

Hossa was a premier 2-way forward well before he came here, and I'd wager most people here were pretty big fans. I'd like Zherdev at your price; I think we can afford the gamble, but he doesn't comapre to Hossa at all.

Not a big fan of Connolly. He may be a RH center but he sucks on faceoffs. I'd rather someone more physical for a third line center and I'm not sure how well he fits the roster moving forward. He costs a bit much, but we're in good shape so that's not a huge deal. There are better options. A depth player like Adam Hall would give us a decent RH faceoff guy if we really think we need it.

Wis and Babchuk won't likely come that cheap, but you have room to spare. I'd like both guys.

[krsmith17 7,191]

Okay, first of all I'm not saying that Connolly in particular is the guy we "need" but we do need more right-handed shooters up front mainly a centerman. This has been pointed out many many times and is very evident when it comes to defensive faceoffs. How many times can you remember in the past couple seasons us losing draws in the defensive zone and the puck ending up in the back of the net. No, I'm not saying getting a solid right-handed centerman would eliminate this problem but it would definitely help us out a lot. So yes it is a need for our team.

All I have to say about the Hossa/Zherdev thing is that maybe my opinion on is a little biased because I have never been a fan, even when he did play here for a year I never liked him and was happy to see him go to Chicago. I am not a huge fan of Zherdex either but for you to say that Hossa is far more offensively skilled isn't completely true, I'd definitely give him a bit of an edge but Zherdev is 6 years younger and hasn't had quite the opportunitiy as Hossa to play with a lot elite players. Yes he has put up a lot of solid numbers over the years but there is not all that much difference in the numbers Hossa put up when he first came into the league with Ottawa, who were a great hockey team at the time to the numbers Zherdev put up when he came into the league with Columbus, a terrible hockey team. I'm not trying to argue that Zherdev is or ever will be as good as Hossa but I think Zherdev can put up huge numbers alongside Datsyuk.

Your last two points were pointless seems how I said previously that there is more money in the bank to spend on him and I would spend a little extra on him and as for the pairings like I said previously there are countless combinations but you or no one else can say for sure the combination would not work for certain...

I'm not going to be disappointed if this doesn't happen, probably because I don't expect this team to happen, it's just what I would do if I were Ken Holland, read the title of this topic pal...

[krsmith17 7,191]

Why the hell do people continuously say "unrealistic"... this is a topic, for people to throw ideas out there, to make a few moves to our current roster. It is very unlikely that Holland trades Hudler before July 1, but yet pretty much every single person wants him gone, and have made that move in their roster. Who cares what is and what isn't realistic, have fun with it, stop being so damn negative towards everyone...

[Guest Crymson]

HAHAHAHAHA F*CKIN HILARIOUS....

God Damn Trolls have nothing good to say about any ideas....

The fact that we disagree with your ideas does not make us trolls. And if we disagree with many ideas, perhaps it's because we feel that they are all bad ideas. Presenting a drove of ideas does not automatically mean that any of them are good ideas.

Excellent start (sarc) to your first day on the boards, by the way. You've been around less than 12 hours, and already you're making utterly false claims and insulting those who disagree with you.

Edited June 12, 2011 by Crymson