This Rolston guy is one greedy MFer I guess. All he’s talked about is being underpaid for the last three years. I’d like to see him win something first...or maybe get in his first fight.

Posted by kevin from boston on 07/01/08 at 08:58 AM ET

How does that make him greedy?  He is 2 hours from finding out his market value.  I am sure most people would do the same.  Plus, he may get an offer from a team he’d rather play for than Tampa Bay.

Posted by NHLJeff from Boston, MA on 07/01/08 at 09:00 AM ET

Alright Kenny, get it done.

Posted by mudshark on 07/01/08 at 09:01 AM ET

I gotta think Detroit is his final destination when all is said and done today… although Atlanta seems likely as well.... I heard they are also pitching him an offer today..

Posted by PuckHound61 on 07/01/08 at 09:04 AM ET

Although the Rolston to Detroit looks nice on paper, I have to fall back on what Holland has stated earlier.

Short term contracts.  Don’t forget, Z, Franzen and Flip have to be signed.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 07/01/08 at 09:06 AM ET

@ Kevin

Here is the list of guys who have potted 30 or more goals in each of the past three seasons: Ovechkin, Kovalchuk, Heatley, E. Staal, Zetterberg, O. Jokinen, Gaborik, Lecavalier, Iginla and Rolston. That’s it, there aren’t any others.  So it’s no surprise he wants to test the market.

Posted by Dave on 07/01/08 at 09:08 AM ET

He’d be wise to stay as far away from Atlanta that he can. That team just sucks the life out of everyone there.

Posted by Franco from Mich on 07/01/08 at 09:11 AM ET

kevin -

So his ring he won with the Devils doesn’t count?

Posted by Primis on 07/01/08 at 09:22 AM ET

Short term contracts.  Don’t forget, Z, Franzen and Flip have to be signed.

I wouldn’t think that would be as much an issue for Rolston as for, say, Hossa.  He’s 35, so I think he’d take 3 years for the right price.  Sign Flip up for a 3 yr deal- I’d be rather surprised if either side wanted to commit much longer than that given Flip’s upside is bigger than his actual numbers at this point- and give Z and Mule term, and I think we have enough to get Rolston.  Same for Sundin, though I’d be surprised to see him leave TO.  I think he’s just gotta decide whether he still wants to play or not and, if so, he comes back to Laff Land…

Posted by mudshark on 07/01/08 at 09:25 AM ET

Why not go to Tampa?  They are offering very good money…

The only possible explanation is to go home...to Detroit.

Posted by w2j2 on 07/01/08 at 09:48 AM ET

Apparently good youth hockey programs are important to him, for his son.

Tampa might be getting better, but they can’t compare to many other cities in that respect.

And why should he only want to get paid more if he gets in a fight?  Scoring goals helps to win more than punching someone, in many cases.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/01/08 at 09:58 AM ET

w2j2 -

Why not go to Tampa?

Maybe Rolston doesn’t want to lose 5 of every 6 games?

Maybe he does want DET, but it doesn’t have ot be the only explanation because God, TB is an even bigger mess now than before…

Posted by Primis on 07/01/08 at 10:01 AM ET

Primis:  Good point.  Clearly money is not the only issue in his plans.

Posted by w2j2 on 07/01/08 at 10:06 AM ET

I think a lot depends on Stuart. If he walks at noon, then I think Rolston is a guy that makes sense because they’ll have a little more money available to extend over term if they decide to go with Ericsson, Meech, or Quincey full time. I would imagine right now they’re earmarking something like 3 - 4 mil over 3 or 4 years for Stuart.

As much as I liked Stuart, I think it makes the most sense for them to let him go. Ericsson was clearly an NHL player, and I’d imagine there’s a market, even if only for a late-round pick, for a guy like Lebda, Meech, or Quincey who are out of options.

Posted by Nathan on 07/01/08 at 10:20 AM ET

he’s 35 and been one of the most consistent and solid 2 way players for several years.  some lark franchise might throw him $5 Mill.  His years are numbered so you can’t blame him for trying to take in an extra million for 3 years.  Once your playing days are over, Million dollar a year jobs are pretty hard to come by.

The other side of the coin is to what extent is his desire to play for a serious cup contender, and although the Wild have been a good team they aren’t really in that small group of contenders.  in fact right now with 16 players already on contract the red wings might be the only team that could be called a serious contender.

how much is a cup run worth to him versus the max salary he could get, which he would not get from detroit.  if youth hockey is important to him, than welcome home to michigan Rollie.

Posted by RWBill from the Old Dominion, waitin for Jan 31 Wings invasion on 07/01/08 at 10:20 AM ET