newfy

The wings really need a fourth line center badly. Emmerton just doesnt cut it and its still a weakness that hasnt been addressed this offseason. Abdelkader needs to play wing and shouldnt be stuck at center because of a lack of someone that can play it.

What is the liklihood/what does everyone think of Sheahan or Andersson taking that fourth line center spot this season? Both are big and very strong defensively and could be a good youth injection. I know the wings usually take their time with prospects but playing between Tootoo and Abdelkader and getting some PK time wouldnt be terrible for their development.

In that one game he played, Sheahan looked to be a presence out there working the boards and looked solid. With his size/strength combo and lack of a good 4th line center, is this the year where the wings jump a prospect in earlier than usual? Helm made his debut at about 21 did he not?

I wouldnt mind seeing something like this take place if a fourth line center isnt aquired

Its no secret everyone ants some top 6 firepower, but the bottom 6 is terrible on Detroit right now and could use a makeover. Its my birthday saturday and I'll be gone all weekend so I'm gonna make this thread now. The bottom 6 could use some physicality, and could also use one more NHL centerman (sorry Emmerton). A lot of us fans dont want to overpay, but the wings have 4 players to sign, and are still 8 million under the cap floor! I think 4th line center is a huge need for this team, the wings just werent the usual well balanced team last year they usually are

At center in place of Emmerton the number 1 choice would be Gaustad. Decent age, fairly tough, great defensively, big and strong. Amazing face off guy as well which I value in a bottom 6 centerman. He could become overpriced however. He could play third line and Helm down on the fourth could eat up a tonne of PK time as well

After him, I think Konopka is the only guy I really would think of putting in there. He can PK, and is a faceoff beast as well. Not a great all around player but provides things the team needs compared to Emmerton. He is physical, a faceoff specialist and will fight quite a bit. For a million bucks, at least he provides something.

Dark Horse: Darryl Boyce. Good defensively, somewhat tough, fairly physical and just solid all around player. Definitely better then Emmerton and would come fairly cheap. He works his bag off every single game.

I wouldnt mind seeing a physical winger added to the fourth line as well, with a solid center and winger added the bottom 6 would be back to contributing I think.

Travis Moen would be my top pick at winger, he is a VERY strong PKer, hitter, chips in offensively and can fight as well. He can be counted on for aruond 25 points as well. I would pay around 2.5 for Moen

Number 2 is Brandon Prust. He is one year removed from 29 points, and still had 17 last year. That is very similar production as most of the wings bottom 6 players. He was the third most used PKer on the leagues 5th best PK last year. Hes a big hitter and pretty much the ultimate "energy" player. While producing the same (or more) points as guys like Miller, he will go out there, run anyone, fight anyone and get under the other teams skin. Hes still only 28 as well. This is what us fans have been looking for for the wings. An enforcer that can play the game VERY well. Being from London, Detroit is pretty much tied with Toronto for the closest team and I actually cant see Toronto going after him with Brown already.

There are a few other guys I could see helping the bottom 6. Ryan Carter had a great playoff and is a potential center, I also like the idea of David Moss as well. Matt Bradley is being bought out and wouldnt be bad either