note - due to a temporary URL problem, any comments prior to 1:25pm ET may have been temporarily lost. Sorry.

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 02/26/08 at 01:27 PM ET

I called Michael Ryder to Detroit a couple of weeks ago.  I still think it would be a good fit.  No speculation on who might go the other way.

Posted by PDXWing on 02/26/08 at 01:31 PM ET

No call to worry yet.  Kenny Holland hasn’t made a move yet and Jokinen and Hossa are still on the market.  I think that’s a good coincidence.

Posted by TDeters on 02/26/08 at 01:43 PM ET

I don’t get why people are freaking out that Holland hasn’t made a deal yet.

The problem he’s facing is that he’s hamstrung by the injury bug right now. And I don’t mean that he’s not getting fair offers because of it.

Because the injuries are so bad right now, no (realistic) amount of trades—whether we’re talking Hossa or that turd Nagy—can put this team back into true contention.

The only thing that puts the Wings back in the race for the Cup is health. If they don’t get healthy, they don’t stand a chance, even if they trade for Hossa/Jokinen.

So let me ask you, what would you do if you were Kenny? There’s not a whole lot you can do. Sure, if the right deal comes along, you want to snag a guy like Hossa or Jokinen. But your team is still a first-round loser until they get back Lidstrom, Rafalski, and Kronwall.

A trade, no matter how big, will not be a panacea for what ails this team. Some magic plant in the rainforest, or genius doctor might be, though.

Posted by Nathan on 02/26/08 at 01:49 PM ET

Ryder has been struggling in Montreal this year - very badly.  Some fans have taken to calling him “Milk Carton Mike” and lamenting when he does score a goal, because it means almost certain loss.

I don’t get why people are freaking out that Holland hasn’t made a deal yet.

Auction mentality - or “OMG it’s Christmas Eve and I have nothing I need a gift for my parents I know my Mom will love this little figurine thing to collect dust on her shelf!” panic.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 02/26/08 at 02:02 PM ET

The Toronto Star’s Damien Cox weighs in on a potential Antropov trade and who (or more likely what) should go the other way

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/30690

Posted by Arthur2sheds on 02/26/08 at 02:04 PM ET

This name is one I’m still watching: Nik Antropov.

Ditto Chief:—That is exactly what my tea leaves said.  In between taking shots of Uncle Jack and sacrificing chickens to the Hockey Gods that is.

Nathan is spot on too:  Wouldn’t matter if the Wings get hold of Hossa and/or Jokinen; their “D” is more porous than Sponge Bob at the moment.

Of course, healthy “D” and Antropov on the #2 line after trading Slammin Sammy would make me smile much more than these shots of Uncle Jack

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 02/26/08 at 02:08 PM ET

I think that Holland assumes the roster will be healthy when the playoffs start.  With Cleary, Rafalski, Hasek, Kronwall, Draper, Chelios, Lidstrom (good lord we have a lot of guys hurt), we’re back to an elite team.  However, I still think more secondary scoring and one more tough defenseman puts us over the top.  Maybe secondary scoring is more important, since we’ve added McCarty for grit.  Therefore, I’d still be thrilled if we got Jokinen or Hossa.

Posted by TDeters on 02/26/08 at 02:11 PM ET

Nothing??  We got Nothing??  All that cap space—for what????

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 02/26/08 at 03:01 PM ET

No worries, I have it on good authority that the only thing holding up announcing the big trade is that Hudler keeps screaming about being duct taped into the same shipping box with Sammy.

Can’t say I blame the lil’ imp.

(shoot the F’n puck, Hudler.)

Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 02/26/08 at 03:02 PM ET

Holland made no moves?  None?  So when Anaheim smothers the Datsyuk - Zetterberg line and we get nothing from freaking Samuelson, etc.??  Jeez.

Posted by TDeters on 02/26/08 at 03:06 PM ET

Hossa IS a Penguin… holy shiiite.

Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 02/26/08 at 03:11 PM ET

What was he supposed to do - overpay like the Penguins did for Hossa?  He’s hamstrung by injuries and everyone else in the league knows it.

Nik Antropov is one of the decent players on the Leafs they should keep.  Jokinen is reasonably priced and the face of the Florida team.  Hossa went to the Penguins for a ton of talent - and if they don’t cash in big time this year and he leaves after the season, that is a serious loss on their part.

Cap space is only any good if you can make a decent deal - and if guys don’t get healthy, no deal is going to help.  You can’t simultaneously get four top defensemen in one day.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 02/26/08 at 03:12 PM ET

Brad Stuart (initials B.S.) a Wing.

Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 02/26/08 at 03:18 PM ET

Wings acquire Stuart for a 2nd and 4th round pick a la Mirtle http://mirtle.blogspot.com/2008/02/detroit-gets-stuart-from-kings.html

Posted by pilgrim on 02/26/08 at 03:20 PM ET