2012 Off-Season (formerly 2011)

[TSE]

I think I heard they had 10 million left or thereabouts, or at least enough to sign one significant offensive player. I think they were just trying to figure out what they wanted to do with goalie first, so we should be signing some goalie or forward eventually.

[ajaX82]

I like White and he wasn't expensive. He will compete for a top-4 spot, probably second pairing with Stuart. I'm perfectly fine with that. Hes tough and gritty and will bring a nice spark

Commodore is a nice 7th defenseman. He is huge and mean and probably has a chip on his shoulder. For a one year cheap deal, there is little downside.

This does mean that our boy Brendan Smith is probably due major time in GR all year. Which is fine. Let him develop and play huge minutes there, come up and take Lidstroms spot next season. cool beans

Love the Eaves signing. Great 3/4 winger. Miller is fine too...im not as enamored as some but he is a great 13th guy. The Ericsson signing is somewhat iffy and I'll live but homie has to step his game up

I'm glad we didn't go out and spend money just to spend it. Some of the contracts thrown around were silly. With Nicks numbers off the book next year and the cap space still this year, we will have some cash to go get a brand name forward. **** Brad Richards for that length and cash

We did good. Real good. I'm pumped

[ajaX82]

From TPL, updated slightly by me, as players for next year. lines not seriously made up, just people kinda slotted

Datsyuk :: Zetterberg :: Franzen
Holmstrom :: Filppula :: Bertuzzi
Hudler :: Cleary :: Eaves
Miller :: Abdelkader :: Helm
(Mursak :: Emmerton)

Lidstrom :: Kronwall
Stuart :: White
Kindl :: Ericsson
(Commodore)

Howard
Conklin

http://theproductionline.us/page/2/

Now trade Hudler (apparently we are really trying), move Mursak into his spot and bam...I like it

[Mr Swagtastic]

I wouldn't be so quick to trade Hudler I like him as a offensive spark. Homer is getting up there in age I believe in his late 30's and same thing with Bert so we need to hang on to Hudler unless we get a good deal for him.

I with you on the not over spending part, Tim Conelly (sp) is a perfect example of that would have liked to get a Eric Cole or maybe even offer Alexi Kovelev a cheap deal to be a 2nd line winger and put Bert on the 3rd line and see how that goes.

We also need a backup goalie in the worst way. I feel that is a major reason we lost to San Jose if we had Nabakov we might have had a cup this year or at least beaten San Jose. Looking at the names there isn't a good person I mean you have Ray Emery who I easily pass on so the only other notable names out there are Marty Turco who I pass on unless it's dirt cheap. Martin Gerber who is too old right now (38 I believe?) and Hannu Toivonen who might be worth a cheap look. I would offer him a cheap 2 way deal if he out plays Ty Conklin then keep him if not send him to Grand Rapids.

I still like Marek Svatos as a signing for us he could be a good cheap goal scorer and potential 2-3 winger when Homer and Bert call it quits soon

[TSE]

Ahem, I'm ready for some trades, what are we waiting for?

[ajaX82]

Joey Mac back on board, probably as an insurance policy and a nice #3 goalie. I bet he plays in GR most of the year

[TSE]

Looks to me like they are planning on him being the #2 goalie, and our best of our top 3 goalie prospects will all play elsewhere but be competing to be the 3rd guy when one of the first 2 gets hurt or if MacDonald ends up sucking. That's a wrap at goalie I guess. They still will sign one pricey offensive player and then apparently make no trades and then game on.

Our team theme song:

"Young MacDonald, Howard first, EE-I-EE-I-O"

[Mr Swagtastic]

Why bring back Joey MacDonald the guy sucks ass. Man he is nothing more then a starter for Grand Rapids. Man the Wings should have used that money elsewhere

[TSE]

Apparently because the Wings disagree. He didn't get much playing time last year, but in the time he did he played really well, and a lot better than Jimmy Howard per average minute. Howard is the #1 player we have on the team TO complain about, he was about dead last statistically in key categories last year, and that was our weakest link during the regular season, GOALTENDING PLAY and defense to support it.

[ajaX82]

Looks like Ozzie is retiring

[Mr Swagtastic]

Looks like Ozzie is retiring

Man that guy was killer for us, played huge when we needed him to do so, his 1996 season will always be one of the best ever the guy went 39-6-5 with a 2.17 GAA which is insane considering there was still a lot of good talent back then.

Just looking at his stats they are pretty good 401-216-66 with 50 shutouts and a 2.49 GAA. Those might get him into the HOF in a weak year. He's in the top ten for wins so many a call to the hall is in his future?

[ajaX82]

Looks like Ozzie is retiring

Man that guy was killer for us, played huge when we needed him to do so, his 1996 season will always be one of the best ever the guy went 39-6-5 with a 2.17 GAA which is insane considering there was still a lot of good talent back then.

Just looking at his stats they are pretty good 401-216-66 with 50 shutouts and a 2.49 GAA. Those might get him into the HOF in a weak year. He's in the top ten for wins so many a call to the hall is in his future?

I don't think he is a HOF guy, but a helluva player and a class act. Mad respect for him.

Even better? He has been hired by the team to work with our young goalies. I would love to see him with McCullum all next season specifically.

Either way, great player, great guy, glad to see him in the organization.