SwedeLundin77

This is probably way premature, but it's just nice and fun to speculate sometimes.  DO NOT take this seriously, critique all you want, but don't take this as a "I believe this is the way things actually will be" kind of post.  More like, "maybe this could happen".

So, in 2 years, Lidstrom, Holmstrom, Bertuzzi, Osgood, and Draper will all more than likely be retired or moving on (probably only Bert).  So I'm just speculating, again, but with the prospects we have, maybe this is something we could see at that time:

Hudler - Datsyuk - Franzen
Tatar - Zetterberg - Nestrasil
Cleary - Filppula - Ritola
Helm - Abdelkader - Eaves


Okay so that was a lot harder than I thought, I was sort of thinking about plugging Sheahan into the system in a couple years, which is unlikely, but I thought with his size and physical and mental maturity it could be possible.  But for what the team needs, Tatar may be more ready, and Nestrasil is a RW with some good size who can score too.

I figured you'd plug Flip into the second line and Sheahan could center the 3rd line to start his NHL career... playing in on the powerplay and PK.



Oh and the Defense:

Smith - Rafalski
Kronwall - Stuart
Ericsson - Kindl
Kolosov/Pyett

To KrazyGangsta:

He's a college kid, big Effing deal, it's not like it's a testament to his character.  That s*** happens much more than you think, to a lot of people.  I have friends who were just like me and weren't crazy drinkers or anything but just so happened to get caught.  Do you actually live in the 21st century?

Exactly, we have alot lacking in two areas, size and top scoring prospects.  We have a metric ton of role players.  The biggest problem for us was last year is the only two forwards that filled that size and scoring level requirements were Johan who was injured and Bertuzzi who was a turnover machine.

a 19th pick may not necesarly get you both of those things, but at least this kid is not 5-10.  We shall see about them in many years... though I would gladly put this guy in right now over Bertuzzi.  At least we still have Tatar!

You just got decent size with that pick, he's 18 and 6'2" 200lbs right now.  As far as offensive minded players in our system - do a little research: Tatar, Nyquist, Ferraro, Emmerton (has the ability, just needs to take it up a level), Nestrasil, and Pare (has the ability).  All these players have the ability to be top 6 forwards and also be sound defensively.  

Sure we don't have any 6'4" behemoths in our system right now, but skimming our prospects, we have plenty of guys who are 6' to 6'3" who will make an impact.

Stop trying to be experts because next to Holland and co. you don't know s***.

Nice to waste a 21st overall on another abdelkader  

Because some random dude says he'll project that way, you just jump on the bandwagon? Seriously, do some research and think for yourself.

i hate this pick the more i think about it

Let's leave the "expert" work up to Nill, Hakan, and Holland people...  They obviously know what they're doing and you're all bickering like a bunch of 12 year old boys who just got grounded for looking at porn.

I'd much rather have a forward who can play both sides of the puck and has good size.  He's still a kid and has the skills and talent, so now he just works on strength and let the coaches do the rest.  Don't be too quick to judge just because you think some other guy "might" project big.  We have more picks and we are notorious for late round gems.  We have a solid group of guys both up and down and this just adds to that.

It looks like it's going to be either...

Filppula-Datsyuk-Holmstrom
Franzen-Zetterberg-Bertuzzi
Hudler-Helm-Cleary
Miller/*FA-Abdelkader-Eaves
Draper

OR

Hudler-Datsyuk-Holmstrom
Franzen-Zetterberg-Bertuzzi
Abdelkader-Filppula-Cleary
Miller/*FA-Helm-Eaves

...the thing that drives me nuts about both lines (and hence, resigning bertuzzi) is that a very, very talented offensive player - hudler or filppula - will be wasted on a line that has two players with no hands - cleary and helm/abby.  

i guess i like the second combination more, but really, i don't like either choice.  it's going to take a cap-miracle signing to improve the situation.

If Babcock's quotes about next year are to ring true, Flip will not be on the third line.  Bertuzzi will more than likely be a 3rd line winger playing on the second PP.  Hence the lines will probably look more like this:

Hudler - Datsyuk -  Holmstrom
Filppula - Zetterberg - Franzen
Cleary - Helm - Bertuzzi
Miller - Abdelkader - Eaves
---Draper/Ritola/I. Filppula

You might even see these pairings, Babs mentioned this as well at some point

Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Holmstrom
Hudler - Filppula - Franzen
Cleary - Helm - Bertuzzi
Miller - Abdelkader - Eaves
----Draper/Ritola/I. Filppula

I think either way would be fine, if the second pairing of Huds, Flip, and Franzen get it done, and surely they're capable of doing so, why not put the super first line back up there and let the Euro-twins work their magic like a few years back.  I think that would be the best.  Cleary and Bertuzzi could play up too in case someone isn't pulling their weight at even strength - talking about Holmer....

I almost wish they'd trade Draper, but it would be nice to have that veteran savvy on the back side of the offense.  I am really pulling for I. Filppula, but I just think it would be cool to have brothers on the team.  He looks like he could pan out, but I know i'm probably just dreaming.  Who knows, maybe Eaves walks for more money, you never know.

Ritola may be traded since we already have Draper as a reserve and he's not longer able to be freely waived down to GR.

frolov will probably go to russia along with kovalchuk. marleau will sign with someone for some big cash. that means big bert is good....colby armstrong would be dope too...i think he would make a great wing.

I'd say, if we can pull it off, go out and get either Lombardi or Armstrong, either one would be fantastic on this team and could play either 3rd or 4th line.  

I also personally believe keeping Eaves would be a better option than Miller, although I do like Miller quite a bit.  Eaves has more offensive potential and has been and is a defensive shutdown forward.  If we can get him for under a million on a multi-year contract, I'd say pull that trigger.

Yes, I think Lids will return for one, maybe two more seasons.  But I'm a little confused as to where you're getting this 1.66 cap hit?  If he signs for 5 mil the first season and say 1 mil the second season, the cap hit would be 3 million, correct?

Beyond the cap questions, the reason I believe he'll return is because he still has a daughter in high school here in Michigan.. I think she's 16 or something like that.  She would have a year or two left in high school and I can't imagine Nic pulling his kid out of a school that she's so close to graduating and pulling her away from all her friends.  Ultimately family is going to be a big decision point, and this seems like a pretty logical argument for staying.  Besides, the guy wants to go out on top, and still has plenty of fuel in the tank.

Bring him back for a 1year contract at 3 million.  Possibly invest a couple million you're saving there on a TOUGH d-man who will knock some bodies around.  This d-man would serve as a replacement for Lilja, if it makes sense to do so.  Then you have said d-man and Ericsson/Kindl.