LeftWinger

Wow, how does Barrie get a neg for this post??
I voted Wildcard too..look out little red minus button!

Just because someone doesn't like the fact that his opinion is Osgood is done. Instead of replying to his post and debating that they think Osgood isn't done, some narrow minded user just hits neg because they love Osgood and want him here even when he is 60.  The neg button should come with an explanation requirement. You should be required to explain why you disagree with someone so much that you give them a neg...

I like Osgood too, but I also believe he is done. Does that mean I think he sucks? No. He is just too injured to be the best option at back up goalie...it's just reality.


Hudler for Nabokov....boom...make it happen Kenny!

But just so I can get this straight, you think Hudler is a *****, right? And you want to replace him with Semin? Can I get you to confirm for me that you'd rather have Semin than a *****?

I don't disagree that they are but huge pussys, but at least Semin's ***** squirts and I can enjoy it more!

Hudler is just a useless dried up ***** that not only doesn't hit or battle for the puck, but cannot score for crap. So they are both pussys, but Semin at least scores...and unlike Hudler, if you put Semin on Datsyuk's line, he will flourish...

Emmerton is quick and has good skill, so would fit well as a substitute when Franzen/Holmstrom/Bert miss games, or on one of the top three lines if he makes the top-twelve. Conner doesn't have the hands or hockey sense to play an offensive role, but he is a hard worker and a good grinder despite his size; and he's fast. Conner in the lineup for Abdelkader would make for a Mursak/Helm/Conner line, allowing the Wings to utilize Eaves' shot on a scoring line.

Potential lineups with each player:

Hudler/Zetterberg/Franzen
Filppula/Datsyuk/Bertuzzi
Cleary/Helm/Eaves
Mursak/Emmerton/Holmstrom

Hudler/Zetterberg/Cleary
Franzen/Datsyuk/Holmstrom
Bertuzzi/Filppula/Eaves
Mursak/Helm/Conner

Both of those are solid lineups, but I think I prefer to run with this regular lineup:

Hudler/Zetterberg/Cleary
Filppula/Datsyuk/Holmstrom
Franzen/Abdelkader/Bertuzzi
Mursak/Helm/Eaves

It's certainly easy to plug Emmerton into Abdelkader's spot in that lineup as the third line center, also.

Hudler on all your top lines...

I prefer Emmerton AND Conner in the lineup instead of Hudler...

Holmstrom/Datsyuk/Filppula
Franzen/Zetterberg/Bertuzzi
Cleary/Helm/Eaves
Miller/Abdelkader/Mursak
Emmerton/Conner


...but seriously, if we are stuck with Hudler, I'd say unless there is a trade in the works, let them battle it out in camp.  I am leaning toward Emmerton because he put his "time" in, but if COnner is as fast as they say, he could compliment Helm and Eaves wonderfully... It's fun to be a Wings fan thus far this year!

I think his point was more that Hudler shouldn't be shuttled out for nothing in an effort to get Semin as a rental. Which you agreed with. Washington is unlikely to trade Semin for Hudler straight, and if they are trading Semin they will be wanting to drop $2m in cap space to be compliant. So if you put Hudler there, that means only $3.8m more in the deal, maximum. So who is added in? Filppula? Stuart? Ericsson? You're also going to see a pick and possibly a prospect given up. Still want to make the deal? I sure don't. We'd basically be looking at Huds and Flip vs. Semin and Emmerton. Which duo provides more offense? Which provides more defense? Which is better physically? Huds and Flip win on all three counts.

Hudler and the word physically together....

Hudler provides more offense than Semin? You slay me! Thanks for making my day funny!

As of right now, when healthy, Dats is best complete hockey player in the world. Thats regardless of what country.

Ryan

...AND regardless of Crosby being healthy or injured. Best COMPLETE hockey player. Period. (cue a carmen "Crosby Rules" reply)

I don't agree with the notion that Detroit doesn't pay players what they're valued, I think it's that players who WANT to come here don't mind taking pay-cuts because they know there are very few places that have a legit chance every year to not only make the playoffs, but make it far and challenge for a Cup...Detroit being one of them. Sure I wanted and wanted Wiz to be a Red Wing, but I didn't know his attitude towards being a Red Wing, like someone said it's his loss and he burned any bridge or chance of EVER becoming a Red Wing, so he is gonna have to just bounce around year after year making his $5.5M, guarantee he WILL NOT complete his contract in Columbus, if he makes two whole seasons I will be surprised. He could have come here for the same 6 years at a $4.5M to $5M per and knowing what we know about how Detroit treats their players, he would've not only finished that contract here, but finished his career here as well. Oh well...and concerning his comments and negativity about playing in Detroit, where is Patrick Roy when you need him?

Fighting aside, it's the sticking up for your teammates is what I hope he does and then it rubs off on Abdelkader and Ericsson.  It drove me nuts when Stuart was targeted and got his jaw busted and Ericsson and Abdelkader did nothing what-so-ever. They just stood there and looked stupid.  Stuart, at the time, was Detroit's best defenseman and he was railroaded and knocked out of the season by a career minor leaguer trying to making a name for himself and nobody stood up for Stuart.  Commodore will do that when necessary, and if it leads to a fight or 4 or 10, then bonus for us! But Ericsson was signed and paid accordingly, not because of his offensive abilities, but his size and strength, this is the year he needs to display that and use it to his advantage. He needs to get mean, nasty and stick up for teammates. He needs to hang out with countryman Doug Murray and learn how to throw his body around.  E will never be a Lidstrom or even Kronwall in the scoring department, but he can before a fierce hitter and a physical body in front of the net, with the right influence and guidance. I believe the likes of Abby, Eaves and Miller can benefit as well, being physical, just go out there and without getting out of position, punish the other team physically! That is what made Aaron Downey so valuable to this team when he was here and especially in 07-08, he just ran everyone down and got the crowd and team into the game, it's too bad he got out of position alot though...

Kindl and Smith are going to be the odd-men out on this one, unless there's a trade in the works.

Lidstrom-White
Kronwall-Stuart
Ericsson-Commodore

EXACTLY the line pairings I want to see! Bravo! +1 for you!



For those of you who think it, it won't happen, Commodore WILL NOT be the 7th defenseman... He may sit once in awhile to allow Kindl some playing time, but Kindl (if he reamins a Red Wing) will be the 7th defenseman.

Thank You Holland, Thank You! I like this signing...not as much snarl as Wiz, but since when does Holland sign snarl? We all had our hopes, but once again Holland stayed true to his form and signed players that he thinks fit best with this team. Instead of Wiz and Montador, I got Commodore and White, both right handed shots, both good shots from the point, if Commodore can find his meaness back, we'll be sitting pretty. Here is how I hope the lines are:

Kronwall - Stuart
Lidstrom - White
Ericsson - Commodore
Kindl

Holland continues to say he doesn't want to box Smith out of a spot in the lineup, so I believe he and Kindl and to some extent Janik will be battling for that 7th position.  I wouldn't be against trading Hudler/Kindl for Nabakov and giving Janik that #7 spot and letting Smith do some split time in GR and Detroit.

Replacing Hudler with a UFA still available....I hear that Owen Nolan wants to come back to the NHL!

We could have paid him at that price, instead of paying Ericsson.

We could have paid him this, but Hudler at nearly $3m is so much better!

Should've signed Richards and just cut Hudler....

NHL Lockout coming up! GM's ruining the league again!

at Leino's contract!

Erik Cole, Brad Richards, Cam Barker, WTF Holland?

I can see him right now sitting by the phone waiting for it to ring.....Hey Ken, pick up the phone and make a call yourself, your phone does dial out you know?

Every team is making waves and Holland is DOING NOTHING!!!!

I have never been more disappointed in my life! Who is left on D? Barker, babchuk, Kaberle....

Holland BETTER have something going on because Lidstrom will miss the playoffs for the first time in his career with hat LITTLE Holland has done today....

Draft sucked and so far July 1 has sucked...I hope that if Holland continues this type of day, you all realize he needs to be fired!

About the only thing now to make up for this total lack of..well, ANYTHING on this day (when he said they are going to be MAJOR players on July 1st quote unquote) is trade Hudler and somehow land Richards or Stamkos...

Pretty bad when the Panthers are going to be better than the Red Wings this season....so far its a sad day for Red Wing fans... COME ONE HOLLAND PULL SOMETHING OUT OF YOUR ASS!