I made the case over at my blog for the Red Wings to try and sign Brian Rolston and Alex Auld.  Mats Sundin or Marian Hossa would be great additions but I am skeptical either would sign in Detroit.

Posted by Dave on 06/27/08 at 08:49 AM ET

I’ve stated this a number of times in other posts that I think the Wings may go the trade route instead of pursuing UFAs because the Wings have too many guys who have to play in the NHL this year and too few slots for them. I’d love to see Kenny try to swing a trade for Knuble, but who he targets is up to him (although I’d appeciate it if he’d run any deals by me first).

If the Wings go for a UFA, I hope it’s one of the following (in order): Malone, Rolston, Ryder or Naslund. If Stuart moves on or his shoulder issue is a real problem, then I’m guessing Kenny will try to land a suitable replacement...if any are left by the time Stuart’s situation is resolved. And it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if they brought in a veteran back-up for Ozzie.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 06/27/08 at 08:58 AM ET

Hossa has to be #1 on everyone’s list. He’s hit the jackpot with the cap going up, and he’ll get 9 million per year. If he goes to a team that allows him to play his role well; that is, one that doesn’t rely on him to do everything, he’ll be a valuable asset. Chicago would be a perfect fit for him, he could do a lot for a young team like that.

Posted by JAMESinMI on 06/27/08 at 09:02 AM ET

July 1st 2007 doesn’t exist for Sabre Fans. Nothing happened that day. Nothing.

Sabre fans want Orpik, but he might be too pricey now. Alex Auld would be nice to back up Miller. Liles would make sense for need. And a experienced forward with leadership skills.

Posted by Jonathan from Buffalo on 06/27/08 at 09:05 AM ET

Sure, I’d love to see Hossa with a winged wheel on his chest. But realistically, Rolston is my best hope for the Wings. I’d be cool with Naslund too.

That said, I’d be perfectly fine with no moves.

Posted by Nate A from Dark side of the moon on 06/27/08 at 09:31 AM ET

I’m still hoping the Sharks can land Campbell but if not, we really should go after Redden or Foote to get a better veteran presence on that team (Rivet’s alright but not enough).  Maybe even try to lure Teppo Numminen away from Buffalo (if he’s even going to play).

I’d love to see Hossa in San Jose.  Can you imagine Hossa and Thornton on the same line?  They’d be terrorizing defensive pairs… if their chemistry works. 

All in all, I think Redden would be the best choice.  He will be under less pressure in San Jose than in Ottawa and I think he will perform better because of it.

Posted by Matt Fry from Winnipeg on 06/27/08 at 09:39 AM ET

I am hoping the Blueshirts bring in defenseman Marc Streit.

Posted by pIrishman35 from White Plains, NY on 06/27/08 at 09:48 AM ET

Why would Detroit add anyone? Maybe a defenseman....they are loaded.....When I look at free agency I see great teams that have high payrolls like Detroit. That’s the way it should be. Then there are small market good teams with cap space but you know they can’t use it like Buffalo or Nashville. Then you have poor to mediocre teams like Boston with high payrolls and no cap space to try and improve. This is the definition of incompetence.

Posted by kevin from boston on 06/27/08 at 10:00 AM ET

As a, cough, cough, leaf fan, I don’t want any UFA’s.  Most notibly UFA’s over 28, or UFA’s with salary demands in excess of 4 mill. 

A UFA like a Brooks Orpik, or a Liles would be nice, but can’t see them wanting to walk into a rebuilding team.

I’d like for them to take a run at an RFA like a Danny Carcillo, or Winnet out of Phoenix.

Posted by Jim_Korn on 06/27/08 at 10:19 AM ET

As a Canadiens fan I admit to being initially caught up in the Mats Sundin mania but further review leads me to believe the Habs would be better off pursuing one of the big name defencemen on the open market.
Wade Redden, joining Markov, Hamrlik and Komisarek, would give us a terrific top four defensive unit to play in front of two very young goaltenders.

Posted by greggiemchabfan from Cape Breton Island, Canada on 06/27/08 at 10:24 AM ET

I don’t really have a wishlist for the wings, I trust whatever Kenny does. I do however have opinions on some of the posts here regarding UFA’s the Wings should target.

1) Brian Rolston - although he is a local guy (Flint), he has come out and said that this is probably his last chance to cash-in and he is looking for the green and term. Holand can do either, but not both. NO

2) Marian Hossa - See Brina Rolston x 2. NO

3) Ryan Malone - Also trying to rope the cash cow, but on top of that, I believ him to be over rated as a 4-5 mil player. 2-3 mil? then we can talk. NO

4)Mats Sundin - Want’s a good place to work, respect, some money, short term...... uh oh, I think we have a live one here. I’ll put him down as a possible, too many other teams are in the mix to make him a definate.

Truthfully outside of Mats, I only see Kenny picking up a cheap servicable goalie (ala Conklin, Denis) and some good role players and saving the cap space for Zetterberg and Franzen, not to mention Phil and Huds.

Posted by WingMan19 from Metro Detroit on 06/27/08 at 10:28 AM ET

Just be prepared for defensemen signing for outrageous amounts of money - just like last year. Schneider at 4.5 million? Come on… Orpik, though a great defensive defenseman, will be vastly overpaid. (4 mil a year based on one shift in the finals? Insane, but good for him.)

With spending the way it’s going to be, Brian Campbell is going to be set for life… like, Oprah-style set for life.

Posted by JAMESinMI on 06/27/08 at 10:57 AM ET

I could see the Canucks dealing Bieksa to Carolina for Williams in the only trade they make this off-season.

Then, Gillis makes offers to Hossa and Demitra, possibly Malone. 
$21 million will get you a lot this summer.

Andrew Hutchinson from the Rangers would be a defenseman to look at, Mark Streit another.

Conklin would be a good backup, Valiquette and Auld also.

Posted by PuckHound61 from Speckville USA on 06/27/08 at 11:09 AM ET

Conklin would be a good backup

Yes he would, he’d be a great backup on any team. however, I just don’t see Pittsburgh letting “Conk-block” go.

Posted by JAMESinMI on 06/27/08 at 11:13 AM ET

1) Brian Rolston - although he is a local guy (Flint), he has come out and said that this is probably his last chance to cash-in and he is looking for the green and term. Holand can do either, but not both. NO

If Rolston goes for about what Ryan Dixon of the Hockey News predicts in his article on Rolston ($13M over three years), the Wings definitely could afford that. The cap is projected to go up another $6M-$7M again next season and that will cover most of the extra that the Wings will pay Hank and the Mule.

The Wings have shown they love local boys and we all know Babs loves two-way players. Rolston is a perfect fit on both counts. And why wouldn’t he want to finish out his career close to home and with an excellent chance of winning one or more Cups?

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 06/27/08 at 11:15 AM ET

As Kevin pointed out, there are no glaring needs for the Red Wings. Even if Stuart leaves, it won’t be the end of the world. (Just juggle the pairs and keep the youngsters—and Lilja --under the watchful eyes of Nick Sr. and Raffi. If that doesn’t work out, pick up someone at the trade deadline.)

That being said, I too would love to see Knuble come back to the team. I highly doubt the Flyers will agree to a deal for Lilja, Quincey and Maltby though. Nevertheless, I’ll run it by Kenny next time he calls.

Rolston is another guy I’ve wanted to see in the Winged wheel for a long time. But I seriously doubt he’s looking for a one- (or even two-) year deal.

And given the opportunity, who wouldn’t want Sundin on their team? Same for Hossa. But my (ever-growing) gut tells me neither one of these will happen. Sundin seems a lot more realistic than Hossa though, if only because of term.

I think Ryder could turn out to be a huge bargain. A change of scenery will probably do wonders for him, as it did for Ribeiro last year.

And I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have someone like Raffi Torres—a younger, faster, crazier/dumber version of Drake (without the PK skills), for lack of a better description. He’s not a UFA, so that would also require a trade. (I just looked at his cap hit, which is $2,250,000 for two more seasons, so nevermind.)

The team probably does need to add a veteran goalie as “insurance.” And strangely—even though I’ve never liked the guy—I’ve found myself wondering what Eddie Belfour is up to now. More realistic and far less proven, I’d probably suggest Auld, Conklin or Valiquette. (I also don’t think Raycroft is nearly as bad as many people make him out to be, but at this stage he’s a reclamation project, not “insurance.” Ditto for Emery.)

The problem with virtually all of these moves is that they would—in all likelihood—displace one or more guys who just finished working their butts off to win the Cup. Guys like Franzen, Filppula Cleary, Hudler, Kopecky and Helm, who have earned an opportunity for more ice time and don’t deserve to be shoved aside for a bigger name. That’s why I’m glad the team is in the capable hands of Kenny and the Braintrust(TM)...and not mine.

Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 06/27/08 at 11:18 AM ET

Yes he would, he’d be a great backup on any team. however, I just don’t see Pittsburgh letting “Conk-block” go

Then they better hurry up and get him signed, they have less than 100 hours to do just that, and Ottawa is very interested in him.

Posted by PuckHound61 from Speckville USA on 06/27/08 at 11:25 AM ET

I’d like the Wings to run down Brian Campbell if Stuart doesn’t resign. Campbell fits the Wings quick transition style and can put up huge offensive numbers in Detroit like he did in Buffalo. Rather keep Stuart’s physical edge but that looks to be less likely every day.

Posted by RWBill from jabbing a six inch sewing needle into my eye. on 06/27/08 at 12:39 PM ET

Ooooo...I like the idea of Conklin in OTT.  That would be great.

I’m also of the thinking that if the Wings don’t sign anyone this summer, I’m cool with that.  We’ll go with what we have for the time being and just tweak things along as the season progresses.  No need to overhaul any position for the new season.

But I truly think we’ll make a move for a veteran backup at the Feb. ‘09 trade deadline.  I really can’t see the Wings going with Howard as the backup for the playoffs.

Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 06/27/08 at 12:57 PM ET

If Rolston goes for about what Ryan Dixon of the Hockey News predicts in his article on Rolston ($13M over three years), the Wings definitely could afford that. The cap is projected to go up another $6M-$7M again next season and that will cover most of the extra that the Wings will pay Hank and the Mule.

Actually, The Globe & Mail has this nugget:

That can’t go on indefinitely. One of these years, perhaps even next year, revenues will plateau, and when that happens, the players will lose a significant chunk of their salaries in escrow, which will create unhappiness among the 750 or members of the NHLPA.

The wings are not going to plan on what might happen, they are very smart and calculated. Now don’t get me wrong, I would love to have Rolston. He’s usually on every fantasy team I have and he is Cleary times ten who can replace Samuelson on the point, but I just don’t see it.

Bertuzi is being baught out, don’t even start.... not even at 2 mil.

5) Brian Campbell - No way! Too expensive, overpaid, over rated and frankly not needed (Stuart or no stuart) we have too many good d-men in the pipeline. NO

Posted by WingMan19 from Metro Detroit on 06/27/08 at 12:58 PM ET

Leafs fan. Wee. Fun. Rebuilding or not, we need a quality center.  With Mats all but gone, and Porky McPork Wellwood gone, that leaves us with Stajan (uggh) and Antropov (bigger uggh).

I’d be trying to sign a decent, capable center and a scorer.  I’d have to say that if Morrison can stay healthy, he’d be a good choice for us.  If not, why not throw some money at an RFA?  Can’t hurt.

I’d also like to see Huselius for a decent price.  No overpaying like Tucker or Blake, but he’d be a nice touch for a couple years. 

And Hossa.  That goes without saying.  Hossa is awesome.

Posted by 41 Long Ones from Edmonton on 06/27/08 at 03:23 PM ET