Detroit Red Wings & the NHL

[Prime2]

NHL Draft 2015 was everything that I expected, great to see Connor McDavid launch his NHL career, the speed and hands which have not been seen in 30 years according to Gretzky.
The event has really changed, attended in 2001, south Florida, same venue, if there were 1000 in attendance, I would be surprised. Sat right on the glass not but 20 feet away from each team.

Now, General seating, upper bowl, there had to have been 15K fans.

Cup was on hand, as well as all the NHL Trophy Brass not unlike the HHOF in Toronto!
Oilers steal Cam Talbot from Sather and the Rangers for a 3rd, 5th, & 7th pick and in more Rangers salary Cap dumping news, Carl Haglin is sent to Arizona for peanuts. Dougie Hamilton to Flames from Boston for nothing, the wheels have come off in Bean Town.




Players arrive via bus























Crosby came by to share his greatness.

[Hannibal]

The Wings have cut Steven Weiss loose and signed Mike Green.

[Prime2]

Added Brad Richards too, just got a whole lot better. Holland should still be charged with treason for still sucking Euro/Russian dick in the draft though.

[froot loops]

Two Euros that the Wings drafted just became 1st ballot Hall of Fame rs

[Mike]

Richards and Green play absolutely no defense but we should be better offensively.

[Hannibal]

Richards is totally washed up at this point.

[Prime2]

Wings add 2 very good players without having to give up any of its young core, sounds like a win to me.

Green will be paired with DeKeyser, formidable. RG is also one of the best puck movers in the game, Detroit is going to score some goals.

[paul daugherity]

I wouldn't say Richards is washed up. He has probably 2 good years left. $3 million per year is too much though. I don't think he is worth that. I would have liked to see him in Chicago for one more year. But at that price, I am glad Chicago passed. He did step up when needed during the playoffs.

[Hannibal]

Green is exactly the type of player that they needed. But there's still the big question of whether he'll show up in the playoffs. Historically, he hasn't.

[Prime2]

McDavid, McWatch:

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/connor-mcdavid-joins-oilers-for-first-time-on-ice/#4333487239001

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/McDavid+gets+rookie+initiation+Oilers+orientation+camp/11180351/story.html

[Prime2]

I wouldn't say Richards is washed up. He has probably 2 good years left. $3 million per year is too much though. I don't think he is worth that. I would have liked to see him in Chicago for one more year. But at that price, I am glad Chicago passed. He did step up when needed during the playoffs.

1-year could be worth 4 Million. Bob McKenzie: Brad Richards' playoff bonus is $250,000 for winning one round, another $750,000 for winning two rounds. #TSN

The 35-year-old from Murray, Harbour, PEI scored 12 goals and added 25 assists over 76 games in his first season with the Chicago Blackhawks, helping the team win their third Stanley Cup in six seasons. He had three goals and 11 assists in 23 playoff games.

Richards signed a one-year contract with the 'Hawks last summer after stints with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars and New York Rangers. The Canadian won his first Cup with Tampa in 2004 (won the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP) and also made it to the final in 2014 with the Rangers.

He was selected by the Lightning in the third round, 64th overall, of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. Richards has 288 goals and 616 assists for 904 points over 1058 career NHL regular season games. The one time All-Star has netted 36 goals and 68 assists in 141 career playoff games.

[froot loops]

I'd gladly give up 1 million of the Wings money for a guarantee of the Eastern Conference Finals.

[Hannibal]

Meh. Those are Bertuzzi/Cleary numbers.

[paul daugherity]

I liked Richards, but there is no way he is worth $4 million per year. That is
an overpayment. His numbers were good, but not that good. He also was not great at the dot, which at times was a problem. Plus, he was consistently put on a line with Kane, and Kane makes a lot of guys' offensive numbers look much better (e.g. Michael Handzus the previous 2 seasons). I am not saying that Richards won't do well, I am just saying he is being overpaid, and maybe temper your expectations of how much he can deliver.

[jaadam4]

Lol, if all his escalators are met he's damned sure worth that. Don't over think the Richards signing. He's an insurance policy for Dats with him missing the start of the season and a place holder for Larkin next year. Getting a player of his caliber for one year at that price is awesome. We have plenty of cap space and the FA market sucked unless you want to overpay for a shitty center on a multi year deal ala Weiss again.

Low cost high reward.