I think we're going to win it all next season

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

That's a Cup winning lineup all right.

Hudler and Cleary on the 2nd line will most certainly put us over the top.

[Guest Grayne Wetzky]

Next year is a repeat of this year which was a repeat of last year. Good team, but a few old guys that drag it down, and a coach who's hands are tied by the general manager because the old guys have contracts that aren't any good anymore.

With Holmstrom, Bertuzzi, and Rafalski in the line-up, the Wings have no chance. It would take way too many breaks (and I mean broken bones to the 3 I've mentioned and NOT Franzen) to get the Wings the cup next year.

[hockey23 79]

Next year is a repeat of this year which was a repeat of last year. Good team, but a few old guys that drag it down, and a coach who's hands are tied by the general manager because the old guys have contracts that aren't any good anymore.

With Holmstrom, Bertuzzi, and Rafalski in the line-up, the Wings have no chance. It would take way too many breaks (and I mean broken bones to the 3 I've mentioned and NOT Franzen) to get the Wings the cup next year.

So if Rafalski breaks a bone next year the Wings have a better shot at a cup?

[Guest blueadams]

That's a Cup winning lineup all right.

Hudler and Cleary on the 2nd line will most certainly put us over the top.

put em on the third line then...put the 8 mil on the second. smart arse.

[Buppy 1,720]

Here's why: assuming that Lidstrom resigns for about the same price, that a backup goalie is signed for around league minimum, and that Brendan Smith makes the team, we're going to have about 11.9 mil in cap space available to fill three roster positions (here's a link to the math if you'd like to see it for yourself - ). That's enough to add three '4 mil a season'-level players to this roster, aka Franzen-level players.

...I realize that Holland's not going to be wasting all of our cap space just because he can. But I also realize that he's never once in his career let more than a half million or so in cap space go to waste. If there aren't good long-term contract options available, I think that he'll fill out the cap space with the best short-term contract options available (i.e. veterans). I don't watch enough non-Wings hockey to speculate on the possible additions, but I think that we're going to be seeing a much, much better looking team out there next season.

Filppula-Datsyuk-Franzen

Hudler-Zetterberg-Cleary

*?*-Helm-*?*

Mursak-Abdelkader-Holmstrom

Bertuzzi

Lidstrom-*?*

Kronwall-Stuart

Smith-Kindl

Janik

Howard

*?*

plug three '4 mil a season'-level players into those question marks...scary.

The problem is, aside from Richards, none of the $4M (or more) forwards are all that good. Gagne might be a good upgrade, or he might be injured/mediocre. Other than that there isn't a single available forward I'd be excited about or even expect to be any more productive than Bert/Homer.

There are no 3 FAs, especially for $4M each, that would really put us ahead of anyone. As long as we get one good defenseman who can QB the PP, we'll be in the mix. Whatever we get after that isn't going to make that much difference.

[Guest blueadams]

The problem is, aside from Richards, none of the $4M (or more) forwards are all that good. Gagne might be a good upgrade, or he might be injured/mediocre. Other than that there isn't a single available forward I'd be excited about or even expect to be any more productive than Bert/Homer.

There are no 3 FAs, especially for $4M each, that would really put us ahead of anyone. As long as we get one good defenseman who can QB the PP, we'll be in the mix. Whatever we get after that isn't going to make that much difference.

I don't understand what's so complicating about this. They don't need to be better than Bertuzzi or Holmstrom. They're still on the team. They need to be better than Eaves and Miller/Draper/Modano.

Will they be? Yes.

Will we be better? Yes.

Will it put us over the top? I think so.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

put em on the third line then...put the 8 mil on the second. smart arse.

Hey, they're your line combos.

Besides, 8 million wouldn't be enough for a good 2nd line.

[Hank Dats 'N Homer 81]

Ya know, it it werent for blueadams we wouldnt have a new thread to read and respond to each day. The only downside is that he seems to post the same thread over and over again but with a different title. Why do we all fall for it every time???

[Guest Grayne Wetzky]

Ya know, it it werent for blueadams we wouldnt have a new thread to read and respond to each day. The only downside is that he seems to post the same thread over and over again but with a different title. Why do we all fall for it every time???

It's the offseason. Take it easy on him!!

[Buppy 1,720]

I don't understand what's so complicating about this. They don't need to be better than Bertuzzi or Holmstrom. They're still on the team. They need to be better than Eaves and Miller/Draper/Modano.

Will they be? Yes.

Will we be better? Yes.

Will it put us over the top? I think so.

They do need to be better than Bert/Homer, because those are the players being displaced. Bump Homer down to the 4th line and Bert to the bench, then they won't be any more productive than Eaves/Miller. They may be better players, but they're complementary players. They need other good players to complement in order to be effective. You're just moving some players to roles they aren't suited for and replacing them with other players who aren't significantly better.

The grass is always greener, but just because a player is new doesn't mean they'll be good, nor does it mean the team will gel. A lot of people were excited to have a 3rd line of Huds-Mo-Cleary. Our 3rd line of Leino-Flip-Willy looked impressive on paper and in the preseason. Neither produced like Huds-Flip-Sammy despite similar talent. They really weren't any better than Eaves/Miller/Draper/Helm/Abby.

If anything you get one scoring forward to round out a 3rd scoring line. Two scoring forwards doesn't add anything unless you're upgrading from one we already have. Upgrade Hudler to a $6M forward then maybe it's worth talking about, but good luck finding that trade.

IMO we'd be better served adding two of the top available defensemen. We were already 2nd in the league in scoring (1st most of the season). Plus a better defense could ease the transition when Nick eventually retires.

[Guest blueadams]

They do need to be better than Bert/Homer, because those are the players being displaced. Bump Homer down to the 4th line and Bert to the bench, then they won't be any more productive than Eaves/Miller. They may be better players, but they're complementary players. They need other good players to complement in order to be effective. You're just moving some players to roles they aren't suited for and replacing them with other players who aren't significantly better.

The grass is always greener, but just because a player is new doesn't mean they'll be good, nor does it mean the team will gel. A lot of people were excited to have a 3rd line of Huds-Mo-Cleary. Our 3rd line of Leino-Flip-Willy looked impressive on paper and in the preseason. Neither produced like Huds-Flip-Sammy despite similar talent. They really weren't any better than Eaves/Miller/Draper/Helm/Abby.

If anything you get one scoring forward to round out a 3rd scoring line. Two scoring forwards doesn't add anything unless you're upgrading from one we already have. Upgrade Hudler to a $6M forward then maybe it's worth talking about, but good luck finding that trade.

IMO we'd be better served adding two of the top available defensemen. We were already 2nd in the league in scoring (1st most of the season). Plus a better defense could ease the transition when Nick eventually retires.

okay, buddy..

keep homer and bert right where they are. replace eaves and miller with two random 4-mil players.

Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Cleary-Zetterberg-Bertuzzi

Hudler-Filppula-Abdelkader

*4mil?*-Helm-*4mil?*

are we better? yes...significantly.

Edited June 1, 2011 by blueadams

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

okay, buddy..

keep homer and bert right where they are. replace eaves and miller with two random 4-mil players.

Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Cleary-Zetterberg-Bertuzzi

Hudler-Filppula-Abdelkader

*4mil?*-Helm-*4mil?*

are we better? yes...significantly.

4 mil apiece on 4th liners? No thanks.

[LeftWinger 4,961]

Next year is a repeat of this year which was a repeat of last year. Good team, but a few old guys that drag it down, and a coach who's hands are tied by the general manager because the old guys have contracts that aren't any good anymore.

With Holmstrom, Bertuzzi, and Rafalski in the line-up, the Wings have no chance. It would take way too many breaks (and I mean broken bones to the 3 I've mentioned and NOT Franzen) to get the Wings the cup next year.

Did I miss something?

I find it hard to understand that if Rafalski does anything while retired (including but not limited to, breaking a bone,) it would have any kind of affect on the Wings...

To the OP, seriously? Bertuzzi as the 13th forward? If the Wings sign three $4M players, two of them will be on the defense... Eaves and Miller are pretty much locks to re-sign, Mursak cannot be sent down without clearing waivers and Hudler is going to be traded... I don't get where that makes Bertuzzi #13 on the list... Even if Holland pulled Brad Richards out of his ass (not intended to sound that way, pervs) Bertuzzi would still be AT LEAST on the third line...

[LeftWinger 4,961]

okay, buddy..

keep homer and bert right where they are. replace eaves and miller with two random 4-mil players.

Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Cleary-Zetterberg-Bertuzzi

Hudler-Filppula-Abdelkader

*4mil?*-Helm-*4mil?*

are we better? yes...significantly.

Tanguay or Jokinen Datsyuk - Filppula

Bertuzzi - Zetterberg - Fanzen

Eaves - Helm - Cleary

Miller - Abdelkader - Holmstrom

Mursak

...Tanguay or Jokinen will cost way less than $4M a piece, spend the money on the defense, even if it means giving Ericsson a one year $2.5M contract to prove he deserves more next go round.

(re)sign

Lids ($6M)

Ericsson ($2.5M)

Wisniewski ($4M)

if you wanted to keep Smith in GRR for another season, then add a Jovo for ($1.5 - $2M) or a higher end player like Pitkanen, but Joni is gonna cost more like $5M since he already makes $4M...

Lids - Stuart

Kronner - Wiz

Ericsson - Jovo

Kindl

that would be a nice solid lineup that I would be happy with....(not that Ken Holland is too worried about what makes ME happy)

just a question for anyone out there, can teams carry 14 forwards and 7 defensmen or is it only 13 forwards? If they can have 14, then you could try to get two forwards and keep Mursak and Miller to rotate in and out of the top 12...

[Guest Shoreline]

Next year is a repeat of this year which was a repeat of last year. Good team, but a few old guys that drag it down, and a coach who's hands are tied by the general manager because the old guys have contracts that aren't any good anymore.

With Holmstrom, Bertuzzi, and Rafalski in the line-up, the Wings have no chance. It would take way too many breaks (and I mean broken bones to the 3 I've mentioned and NOT Franzen) to get the Wings the cup next year.

Don't forget Chelios, Hull, Robitaille, and Fedorov. Damn old guys.

[Guest blueadams]

4 mil apiece on 4th liners? No thanks.

i just ripped all of my hair out

Did I miss something?

I find it hard to understand that if Rafalski does anything while retired (including but not limited to, breaking a bone,) it would have any kind of affect on the Wings...

To the OP, seriously? Bertuzzi as the 13th forward? If the Wings sign three $4M players, two of them will be on the defense... Eaves and Miller are pretty much locks to re-sign, Mursak cannot be sent down without clearing waivers and Hudler is going to be traded... I don't get where that makes Bertuzzi #13 on the list... Even if Holland pulled Brad Richards out of his ass (not intended to sound that way, pervs) Bertuzzi would still be AT LEAST on the third line...

too much wrong with this post to bother responding

[Guest Grayne Wetzky]

Don't forget Chelios, Hull, Robitaille, and Fedorov. Damn old guys.

All Hall of Famers.

Holmstrom/Bertuzzi/Draper/Rafalski = all NON-Hall of Famers.

[Guest Shoreline]

All Hall of Famers.

Holmstrom/Bertuzzi/Draper/Rafalski = all NON-Hall of Famers.

Don't forget Lidstrom. He's a one-career wonder.

[Guest blueadams]

All Hall of Famers.

Holmstrom/Bertuzzi/Draper/Rafalski = all NON-Hall of Famers.

do you not get it?? or are you just really good at pretending not to?

[Guest Crymson]

I was hoping that you could make this thread without a section on lines.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

I was hoping that you could make this thread without a section on lines.

It wouldn't be a Blueadams thread without lines and criticism of everyone else's opinion that doesn't match his.

[Guest blueadams]

I was hoping that you could make this thread without a section on lines.

i was hoping that i wouldnt have to see your presence in this thread.