Crymson

Sorry, not taking what Darren Dreger says as gospel.  Most of the times it seems like these guys just throw s*** on the wall to see what sticks.  Wasn't Datsyuk supposed to be going back to Russia? Mike Babcock leaving to coach Michigan?  Jarome Ignlina to Boston a done deal?  There's so many unfounded rumors, it's silly to give them any credence.  If Pavel wanted to stay, he was going to get a contract.  I don't really see how signing Datsyuk has any relevence to what Fipplua is going to do.  Clearly, if Datsyuk had indicated he wasn't going to sign another contract, it would have made keeping him more of a priority, but I don't see it as an either or thing. 

A writer at Kukla's Korner was the origin of the Datsyuk rumors, and it was Aaron Ward and Bob McKenzie who broke the Iginla story. More, the latter is hardly something to castigate them over, given that it was true until Iginla changed his mind.

Re-signing Datsyuk means two things: one, the Wings have no pressing need for another center; and two, the Wings have less cap space two seasons from now than they would have had otherwise. This makes Filppula both expendable and not very affordable, though I consider it highly doubtful that Holland would have given him what he's asking for regardless.

 

How long did he play in the ECHL, hardly at all?

Three games in the ECHL, two games in Detroit, 66 games in Grand Rapids.

Video highlights: http://www.mlive.com...iffins_fly.html

I wonder what centcougar thinks about the Wings prospects now....

He appears to have (unsurprisingly) gone entirely MIA from hockey forums after the Wild were eliminated. I did, however, locate one of his essays in the course of my search. It is an unengaging and highly banal piece, one written by an author who is clearly a less gifted writer than he believes himself to be. I give it a C-.

Rumor has it that Blashill will interview for the Stars' opening.