Erik327

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/rumors/post/Modano-likely-to-return-but-not-to-Dallas;_ylt=Ag6wywDhi7j65Hul2n6t8mx7vLYF?urn=nhl,250311 If Modano decides to play for another year or two, what are his feasible options? Minnesota, where they don't have much going on, but remains a favorite? Chicago, where the salary cap is already in deep trouble, even if he signs for the minimum? Washington, a place where he already declined a trade to? Or Detroit, his hometown city, with the hopes of pulling a one year deal (ala Dallas Drake) to finish his career with a team that has a very possible chance of rebounding and taking the cup one last time? I'd personally LOVE to see him here at the league min, or near it, and bring him to assist with the younger guys (Abdelkader, Ritola, Tardif, etc. etc.) who are the future in their skating techniques and playmaking skills. Comments, ideas, possiblity of this happening?

I'd be open to Cheechoo only at the league minimum. He's got acceptable scoring / playmaking skills, and is a solid agitator. He wasn't recieved well in Ottawa, but has a history that is well read. I doubt he'd work well with our system, but for a two way contract, it'd be worth the risk.

The bottom line is this......... Bertuzzi is NOT the player he was 6 or 7 years ago. His role has changed, and when he signed in Detroit, it was understood on both sides of the table that he would be needed to do a few things well, and anything else would be icing on the cake. To his credit, he hasn't taken bad penalties the way the Canadian press said he would, and he has performed adequately. Lets wait before passing judgement.

That's too bad for Downey. Seriously, like Phoenix is rolling in all this talent that they couldn't find a spot for him? Anyhow, I think Downey is looking for a one way NHL Contract which would preclude any 2 way or AHL deal. Retirement may follow shortly. Too bad, he was my favorite Wing while he was here. Best of Luck, Aaron!

I was there and saw it. I thought it was a fair move, Tardif should've followed suit and got his off too, as there was time once he saw what was going on. Nonetheless, kudos to Tardif for going up against a proven toughguy like Lappy, and it was a nice takedown too, even though Tardif didn't get many shots (if any) in. I miss Downey. What i'd give to see him in a winged wheel whaling on a retreating Laperriere.

Agreed. Race should have nothing to do with signing a player. I don't care if he's blue and bald, if he can score and is a team asset, i'm for him. Plus, I would hope that Mike Grier would see himself as a hockey player who happends to be black, not a black who happens to play hockey.

I've got to say Grier is our best bet. He's consistant, gritty (ala Dallas Drake), and a hometown boy. Bertuzzi wouldn't be bad, but he's got that issue with the poor timing on his penalties, and his chemistry with our squad is questionable. Peca? Nope. Brings little to the table. Anyone think about Mats Sundin? He stayed faithful to Toronto for a cup run in 07-08, and didn't want to be traded anywhere (not just Detroit, ANYWHERE). By 08-09 he was out of the picture due to Hossa's early signing w/ us, therefore he couldn't even CONSIDER coming to Detroit. Now he's a UFA, and if he'd like to end his carrer with a cup, now would be a good time for him to take a paycut and join the Wings.

Sweet interview, thanks for the post. It was interesting to learn that the fight vs. Boulderice isn't among his favorites, although it's still a classic.

Downey's role is strictly that of an enforcer. He (as well as Babs and Kenny Holland) knows he's not a goal scorer, a fantastic skater, or a playmaker. But he brings energy to the locker room and fights well when needed. I'd like to see Downey remain, frankly due to the higher number of fights the league has seen in the years since the lock-out. The number of fighting majors has steadily increased, and with that, the role of the enforcer is being re-born. But similarly, in a cap world, an enforcer must have other skills (P-kill, Clutch performer, etc.), which i'm afraid Downey doesn't have at this time. I've followed Downey since he was in Hampton Roads (ECHL), and i've always been a big fan of his. I'd like to see him hang around, as it gets old watching half-assed no-talent ass clowns with big size throw the likes of Lidstrom, Datsyuk and Zetterberg around because they can. Norton was a waste. McCarty Isn't a heavy weight like he was, Lilja shouldn't fight, and Malts and Draper aren't enforcers. God, I miss Probert and Kocur........