Suter p'ed off more people than David Poile.

As for Detroit, sure Nash would make them tougher upfront but their gaping need is on defense, losing Lidstrom, Stuart and Rafalski in the last two summers.

And here's the other thing, unless Holland tanks the season and waits for a "shot" in free agency next year, they have to trade now for improvement. And their prospects are OK, not great. And no one is out there waiting to give Holland a sweetheart deal to keep the Big Red Machine humming. In fact, any GM dealing with Holland right now has a TON of leverage. If Detroit fans think Tomas Jurco and the kid from Finland are going to get them Nash, they are dreaming.

Great Lakes, Tough Times.
- John Jaeckel

The thing is, they probably do think that. I've seen more than one myopic post from Wings fans who feel they're entitled to the best players simply because they're the Wings. Those days may be ending.

D

The thing is, they probably do think that. I've seen more than one myopic post from Wings fans who feel they're entitled to the best players simply because they're the Wings. Those days may be ending.

D
- Predaceous

Please...I think Preds fans here like to go out of there way any chance they get to get in a nice jab at the Wings...its in people's blood here in TN.

Please...I think Preds fans here like to go out of there way any chance they get to get in a nice jab at the Wings...its in people's blood here in TN.
- Hockeytown4life

Why don't you spend a little more time on the Red Wings' boards so you can see what everyone is talking about rather than accuse Preds fans of making this crap up?

Why don't you spend a little more time on the Red Wings' boards so you can see what everyone is talking about rather than accuse Preds fans of making this crap up?
- Predaceous

Denial....party of 1???

both of these teams are two of the best run in the league. they will be fine

Denial....party of 1???
- Hockeytown4life

Talking to yourself is the first sign of senility.

Ok, this is even better than the tweet about Leipold's quote from April 11. Here's the entire quote.

"We're not making money, and that's one reason we need to fix our system. We need to fix how much we're spending right now. [The Wild's] revenues are fine. We're down a little bit in attendance, but we're up in sponsorships, we're up in TV revenue. And so the revenue that we're generating is not the issue as much as our expenses. And [the Wild's] biggest expense by far is player salaries." — Craig Leipold, Minnesota Wild owner, to Star Tribune on April 11, 2012

Nice job Leipold.

EDIT: Here's the Puck Daddy article. It's a great read.

http://sports.yahoo.com/b...erfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Please...I think Preds fans here like to go out of there way any chance they get to get in a nice jab at the Wings...its in people's blood here in TN.
- Hockeytown4life

People hate the wings from coast to coast.

First thing I thought after the signings, thank goodness they didn't go to Det, Pitt, or Philly.

both of these teams are two of the best run in the league. they will be fine
- stayinthefnnet

Detroit is pretty well run.

Pittsburgh tanked for years in order to stock up on talent, the team damn near moved, I'd say that lowers the average just a bit.

Weber making his plans? now Suters gone...will he stay in Nashville?

Weber making his plans? now Suters gone...will he stay in Nashville?
- Canuckfan2006

Weber knows he can get incredible $$ right now. He might also realize the risk of playing a year without #20 could diminish his perceived value. Poile should know this too and should consider trading Weber for top return.

I think the Weber storyline becomes the most interesting in the league right now (I am bit biased of course!) as the decision the Preds face with him is huge. Do they lock him up long term and build around him or do they move him for a top 6 fwd, assets and picks? I can sit here and make a case for each option.

Weber knows he can get incredible $$ right now. He might also realize the risk of playing a year without #20 could diminish his perceived value. Poile should know this too and should consider trading Weber for top return.
- Fangor

This should be settled well before the start of the season. Weber knows that the time to cash in is now. If the CBA changes, he may not get a fat contract like Suter got. Or if his #'s go down without having Suter that could hurt his status some. It would be a big roll of the dice to wait until he's an UFA next season. So if he's smart, he'll either sign long term soon, or request a trade.

People hate the wings from coast to coast.

First thing I thought after the signings, thank goodness they didn't go to Det, Pitt, or Philly.
- tootooisapunk

I, for one, don't hate the Wings, respect the crap out of them and will root for them in some instances.

BUT . . . Red Wing fans have been kind of a bit overconfident that the party will just keep rolling on, maybe out of a bit of a sense of entitlement or just being unwilling to see it coming.

They will, without serious injuries, be a good team next year. But Holland has a much tougher job now and, like I said, they will have to give (a lot) to get in terms of improving through trade.

I, for one, don't hate the Wings, respect the crap out of them and will root for them in some instances.

BUT . . . Red Wing fans have been kind of a bit overconfident that the party will just keep rolling on, maybe out of a bit of a sense of entitlement or just being unwilling to see it coming.

They will, without serious injuries, be a good team next year. But Holland has a much tougher job now and, like I said, they will have to give (a lot) to get in terms of improving through trade.
- John Jaeckel

No doubt i respect them, and they are good and have won alot but I still hate them, maybe that's why I hate them. It's hard to hate teams that suck.

I, for one, don't hate the Wings, respect the crap out of them and will root for them in some instances.

BUT . . . Red Wing fans have been kind of a bit overconfident that the party will just keep rolling on, maybe out of a bit of a sense of entitlement or just being unwilling to see it coming.

They will, without serious injuries, be a good team next year. But Holland has a much tougher job now and, like I said, they will have to give (a lot) to get in terms of improving through trade.
- John Jaeckel

Not that I'd expect you to do so as a Blackhawks blogger, but you haven't spent much time in the Wings' forums. There are certainly delusional fans that just believe Ken Holland waves his magic wand each season and the team will contend, but there are plenty of us who understand the reality of the situation. The Wings are at a crossroads. They need to choose whether to attempt a fast rebuild by moving a few players or they need to aggressively trade and take some risks to attempt to stay among the elite teams. The worst thing they can do is nothing, and slowly fade as we've all seen them do the past couple of seasons. This team has been losing a little piece of Lidstrom each season - no PK time, down from 30+ to about 20 mins per night, a slower step here and there. No doubt I'd want Lidstrom back in a heartbeat, but the loss has been slowly coming along (similar to Yzerman post knee injury). No question losing two of their top 4 D hurts like hell, but I don't think the forward unit is any worse than last season, and it is currently deeper. Hudler was only effective when paired with Datsyuk, and Holmstrom was either hurt, in the box, or in babcock's doghouse on the bench. Howard takes way too much blame and I think the Wings net is just fine if he is healthy. Is this team a Cup Contender? Nope, and they won't be without some serious help on defense and a better scoring winger. However, this team also didn't go from continual playoff team to bottom of the barrel. If this team stays healthy, they likely still make the playoffs, but changes have to be made to keep pace with the rest of the league moving forward. Bottom line, informed Wings fans know that this team needs a decent bit of work to get back to where they want to be.

EDIT: After reading my opening line, I just wanted to make sure you knew it wasn't intended as a slam. I just know you spend a lot of time following up on the Hawks and I am sure you don't spend a ton of time in the wings forums (as I very rarely see you post in there).

Come on...you honestly think anybody is afraid of the Minnesota Wild now?? They might
manage the 8th or 9th seed if they are lucky. Not bitter...just calling it like I see it.
- Hockeytown4life

First, I just came to read the reaction of Nashville fans... but I see I can't escape the constant negativity of Red Wing fans. Oh well, keep calling the Wild a crappy team and continue to believe that adding two top-tier free agents will hardly improve our team.
But anyways, it sucks we had to steal Suter away from Nashville. A classy organization with fans to match it. One of the few arenas I've been in where the opposing teams' fans did not once belittle or disrespect us or our "marginal" hockey club. Here's hoping you guys manage to lock Weber up long-term. I'd still be ecstatic about the future if I were a Preds fan.

First, I just came to read the reaction of Nashville fans... but I see I can't escape the constant negativity of Red Wing fans. Oh well, keep calling the Wild a crappy team and continue to believe that adding two top-tier free agents will hardly improve our team.
But anyways, it sucks we had to steal Suter away from Nashville. A classy organization with fans to match it. One of the few arenas I've been in where the opposing teams' fans did not once belittle or disrespect us or our "marginal" hockey club. Here's hoping you guys manage to lock Weber up long-term. I'd still be ecstatic about the future if I were a Preds fan.
- SotaPopinski

Thanks for the compliment...we do try to keep it classy...but I don't expect that Suter will be welcomed back with open arms when he returns. After hearing Suts talk about wanting to stay (and telling Poile the same for so long) it will be difficult. When Kayria left for more money (back when ownership was in a world of hurt etc) I understood...this just feels different.

As far as the Wild go...this upgrades the team tremendously. I think people forget just how good they were in the first half last year. You guys could be dangerous this year!

You do realize the Preds tied for 8th overall in offense last season, right? We were one of two teams that had 11 guys with double digits goals. We don't have a sniper, but Hornqvist almost scored 30 goals for the second time in 3 years. I'd still like to see Poile bring in a top 6 forward, but the team did pretty damn well offensively last year.
- Predaceous

This x 10!!

No doubt i respect them, and they are good and have won alot but I still hate them, maybe that's why I hate them. It's hard to hate teams that suck.
- tootooisapunk

I, too, think the wings suck.

I, too, think the wings suck.
- wings-suck

Huh! You've never given any indication of that before.

I, too, think the wings suck.
- wings-suck

Huh! You've never given any indication of that before.
- Predaceous

Yep...first I heard that too!!!

If Nashville loses Weber too I imagine Pekka Rinne will start to regret signing there, as good as his contract is for him.

First, I just came to read the reaction of Nashville fans... but I see I can't escape the constant negativity of Red Wing fans. Oh well, keep calling the Wild a crappy team and continue to believe that adding two top-tier free agents will hardly improve our team.
But anyways, it sucks we had to steal Suter away from Nashville. A classy organization with fans to match it. One of the few arenas I've been in where the opposing teams' fans did not once belittle or disrespect us or our "marginal" hockey club. Here's hoping you guys manage to lock Weber up long-term. I'd still be ecstatic about the future if I were a Preds fan.
- SotaPopinski

Easy with the generalization there, bro. That's one guy on here. I'm actually happy for Minnesota fans. God knows you guys deserve SOMETHING after the year in year out empty promises of the Vikings. But seriously, was happy you guys ended up with some top tier talent. Wild fans deserve it, and I hope you guys do well.

EDIT: Sorry to Nashville that Minnesota's gain was your loss. I like Nashville too. Sucks to lose a guy like that, and especially under apparently dubious circumstances. I'm at odds with what would be best for your team right now, with regard to Weber. You could get a king's ransom in assets, but then again, if you CAN lock him up, that's a nice cornerstone. Good problem to have, I guess. I just hope he doesn't "Suter" you guys down the road. That would blow. Obviously.