Jesusberg

I had a dream last night where Eaves threw a huge hit in the corner, then Abs did the same in the opposite corner... then the puck went up the middle and Helm had a huge open ice hit. All three guys dropped the gloves and had an all-forward brawl with the other team...

Make it happen.

I think he should for sure hit the 20 mark. Adding Modano and Hudler (who also has playmaking skill) to the line is really going to be a boost. Couple that with all the hard work Dano has put in this summer and I expect big things out of him. I think it's awesome that our top 3 lines are all going to mirror each other.

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom
Franzen-Filppula-Bertuzzi
Hudler-Modano-Cleary

Each has a sniper, playmaker and net presence. Looks really good on paper. I'm pretty pumped about this season.

I'd love to see Willie here. He's got snarl and if you f*** around with him your dead.

There's Willie post-concussion issues, talking to a little girl in the stands.

“Big announcement Thursday,” Modano sent in a text Monday.

Modano: "Everyone, we're here today so that I can announce that my wife has yet another name. She will now be known as Willa Mandy Ford-Modano. Also, I am not Jon Heder. Thank-you."

Turco's mentality...

Well I'm not too sure who "Abdelkater" is, but I don't think Justin Abdelkader is going anywhere either.

Cal should ditch the windshield and answer the bell on some of his questionable hits though..

That's my main issue with Clutterbuck and Kaleta. I hate when people get chased after a CLEAN hit, but if you throw one that's nasty you should defend yourself.

Also...

Dear Andy Sutton,

We don't have much of the dollar dollar bills ya'll, but please come to MoTown and mow down the competition. We will give you around 1 million, and allow you to sleep with Emma Andersson. Of course, we will have to ask Zetterberg first. I'm sure that being the leader that he is, he will allow this to occur because it is for the good of the team.

Signed,

An Unrealistically Optimistic Fan  

I don't have a problem with this at all. Detroit utilized it with two of their players. I don't see why people would be bothered by this when Holland's done it as well.

I've always been a big fan of Zetterberg... not that my username gives it away or anything  

I think he's almost virtually a lock for the "C" once Lidstrom retires. With Pavel showing signs that he will return to Russia, and Zetterberg being locked into his contract, I don't think there's another choice.

Just curious too, I wonder who will get the other "A" once Draper is gone as well. I have a feeling that maybe Rafalski and Kronwall will rotate an "A", with Pavs hanging onto the primary "A". There are just so many good players and character players on the team it's difficult to choose.

Looking at the title I thought this was a thread suggesting that the Red Wings trade for Cal Clutterbuck.

We shouldn't judge the toughness of our team quite yet when we still have the possibility of adding another tough player. Tough #6 dman (hnidy,exelby etc) + Abby full time + maybe a more physical tough Ericcson and this team wouldn't be that bad toughness wise. Not great by any means but much more respectable .

This would go along way in Ericsson getting some slack from fans, and perhaps a little more confidence for himself. He's about 6'4, 220lbs. Clear the net man, you're a beast!

Let's stop and think for a minute here. Wings reportedly offer Modano and contract, 3-4 teams jump in too. Wings reportedly offer Maltby a contract... huh? huh? Yeah.

Holland's basically cheating here. It's like when a guy sets his g/f up with another guy so he can dump her without feeling guilty. Kirk Maltby is being dumped.

/end crazy, hopeful theory.

She's a sugar mama?  From what?  No ways she's made that much money from playboy.

EDIT:  Mandy Modano is a she not he.

Haha, I was just teasing. She just seems to have a decent amount of control over where Modano goes... at least according to the reports.

Modano lost millions from bad financial decisions.

Yeah, but he's got a sugar mama in Willa Ford. Maybe that's why she's wearing the pants at the moment.

I was all for this when it first started, but even I'm starting to get a little bit deflated by the wait and news about other teams jumping into the rush. I wouldn't be too disappointed if Modano didn't sign here I guess, as it could cause some healthy competition for the 3rd line center spot.

Ultimately I'd still love to see Mike here, but I guess it wouldn't suck as bad when I heard the news initially. I just wish we all had an answer one way or another, because I'd still like to see the team sign another defenseman.

Would anyone here object to rolling with our current forwards? I just want Helm and Abs to be done deals at this point too... I like Helm too much to lose the guy.

EDIT: Also, from talking with other writers and staff from Hockey's Future , they have mentioned that scouts were pretty high on Abdelkader before he really started to get playing time for the Red Wings. I saw certain flashes of offense from him last year and maybe in a more consistent role he could blossom a little more.

I just think the issue with a Hudler-Abdelkader-Cleary line is that there's not too much finishing power (aside from Huds I guess, but who'll pass to him?).