The first sentence in Kulfan’s article is sure to make the majority of the “19” spit out their coffee this morning:

The Red Wings are close to bringing back Andreas Lilja.

I don’t suppose Wing fan will have any trouble nominating their “whipping boy” if Kulfan is correct.

EGAD!  Cup fever must be consuming some of Holland’s mental capacity—that is the only conclusion I can reach.  That, or Holland is telling both Stuart and Lilja that he will only sign one of them.  It is all so confusing to me!!

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 06/24/08 at 08:04 AM ET

Jeff:
Holland knows that we fans need a whipping boy.  If is wasn’t Lilja, we would target Lebda.  If it wasn’t those two, it would be Maltby.

I found this very interesting:

Holland added the Wings will sign a goalie after July 1. Whether he will back up Chris Osgood or play in Grand Rapids (with Jimmy Howard backing up Osgood) will be determined during free agency when the list of available goalies becomes clearer.

One of the Deep Diggers, I think Helene, had a headline recently that said the Wings did not think Howard was ready for the big show.

This plan to pick up a ufa goalie verifies that thinking.

Posted by w2j2 on 06/24/08 at 09:25 AM ET

New goalies scare the bejeezus out of me. They’ll probably want a veteran so Coklin is out...hmm…

I hope Lila is an insurance guy, in case Stuart bolts and one of our prospects doesn’t look ready for a full NHL schedule. What I want from our defense though is Meech. The kid dominated in horrible-injury-Februrary and, to me, looks like a Raffy in the making. Not a #1 guy, but certainly a solid #2-3.

I don’t know what to do about Lebda. He’s usually the fastest guy on the ice and can dictate play with his speed, but I don’t feel entirely secure with him.

Either way, I call (3)peat.

Posted by Osrt on 06/24/08 at 09:58 AM ET

The Wings would like to sign Stuart for close to the $3 million per season Kronwall is earning. But reports from the draft indicated the Kings want to bring back Stuart...and probably would be willing to match the $3.5 million he earned last season.

So, let’s see, Brad. Do you want to earn $10.5M over the next three years and end your season in April each of those years or would you rather earn $9M and have at least a 50-50 shot at raising that shiny silver thing over your head another time or two?

I know the wifey wants to stay in L.A., but we’re only talking three years here. It’s your freaking career we’re talking about. Wake up, young man, this is a no-brainer decision.

On the other hand, if you screwed your shoulder up...take a hike.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 06/24/08 at 10:41 AM ET

So, let’s see, Brad. Do you want to earn $10.5M over the next three years and end your season in April each of those years or would you rather earn $9M and have at least a 50-50 shot at raising that shiny silver thing over your head another time or two?

Actually, the Kings feel pretty good about their team over the next few years.  Their thinking is that they are putting together a really good young nucleus of talent that can all grow in experience together and be very good very quickly.

My guess would be that is what they will be selling him.

Of course, he might also be satisfied with only winning the Cup once - it’s a little mroe rare to hear someone talk about how much they want to win it again, as when Lidstrom was talking abotu how six years was a long time to go without feeling like a champion.

If that is the case, then good luck Brad - but look out for that Swedish truck of a former defense partner if you jump in on the rush when playing Detroit! 

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/24/08 at 10:48 AM ET

Baroque wrote:
If that is the case, then good luck Brad - but look out for that Swedish truck of a former defense partner if you jump in on the rush when playing Detroit!

If not him, then the other “Swedish Truck” Jonathon Ericsson may make life entirely miserable for Stuart.

I very much would like to have Stuart back with the Wings.  He was a real complement with Kronwall.

Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 06/24/08 at 12:10 PM ET

God, please don’t let this turn into something similar to the Uwe Krupp mess.

Damn…

Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 06/25/08 at 11:21 PM ET