Eklund: Is Holmstrom Decision Imminent?

Of course! He's done, he can see the sunset.

anyone know what he might be looking for money wise?

injury plagued and slowing down aside.. if the price is reasonable.. its worth the gamble

anyone know what he might be looking for money wise?

injury plagued and slowing down aside.. if the price is reasonable.. its worth the gamble
- Dozzer

No...his time is done. Can we get a Canucks vs Leafs debate going AGAIN, they're much more fun than talking about this old horse.

No...his time is done. Can we get a Canucks vs Leafs debate going AGAIN, they're much more fun than talking about this old horse.
- LeftCoaster

Hahaha oh God no, please. I can't take it anymore

It looks like the rebuild in Detroit is imminent. No UFA's this year, lost out on Weber for next year. Most of their core is either retiring or getting ready to. I wonder if Detroit will opt for the bottom out rebuild or the quick rebuild model. They seem to have a weakness in goal and their defence is looking a little thin these days. Of course you have Batman and Robin putting up their points. It's the secondary scoring that may also be a problem going forward.

I didn't even know Holmstrom is a UFA.

It looks like the rebuild in Detroit is imminent. No UFA's this year, lost out on Weber for next year. Most of their core is either retiring or getting ready to. I wonder if Detroit will opt for the bottom out rebuild or the quick rebuild model. They seem to have a weakness in goal and their defence is looking a little thin these days. Of course you have Batman and Robin putting up their points. It's the secondary scoring that may also be a problem going forward.
- JohnnyReb

Your right jimmy Howard is weak

Remember that soft deadline Sundin had. It was in August. He didn't sign untill December or something.

It looks like the rebuild in Detroit is imminent. No UFA's this year, lost out on Weber for next year. Most of their core is either retiring or getting ready to. I wonder if Detroit will opt for the bottom out rebuild or the quick rebuild model. They seem to have a weakness in goal and their defence is looking a little thin these days. Of course you have Batman and Robin putting up their points. It's the secondary scoring that may also be a problem going forward.
- JohnnyReb

Their two big offensive catalyst's are Zetterberg, who is 32 in October and signed for nine more years as well as having a wonky back, and Datsyuk who is 34 and shows signs of slowing down a bit. It took a long long time, but their run is coming to an end.

Their two big offensive catalyst's are Zetterberg, who is 32 in October and signed for nine more years as well as having a wonky back, and Datsyuk who is 34 and shows signs of slowing down a bit. It took a long long time, but their run is coming to an end.
- LeftCoaster

Makes you wonder why they let Hudler walk away like that.

Their two big offensive catalyst's are Zetterberg, who is 32 in October and signed for nine more years as well as having a wonky back, and Datsyuk who is 34 and shows signs of slowing down a bit. It took a long long time, but their run is coming to an end.
- LeftCoaster

I think so and the UFA's see it coming. A year ago, they were talking about getting Suter and Weber would follow the next year. They would have rebuilt their defence, once Lidstrom retired. It didn't happen, when Minnesota grabbed Suter and Parise. I can see them dropping out of the playoffs this year, and maybe next, then start rebuilding the core slowly. I don't think that they can rush it this time. Jimmy Howard is an OK goalie, but no star in net.

Makes you wonder why they let Hudler walk away like that.
- flamminghead

I wonder if they let him walk for cap reasons. They saw him as a source of secondary scoring only. He would never step into the shoes of Zetterberg or Datsyuk. They're probably hording cap space going forward. They also might have their betting chips on a work stoppage, like a number of large market teams that seem to be holding back.

Of course! He's done, he can see the sunset.
- LeftCoaster

I hear sunsets are much more serene and relaxing with cup rings and millions.

Your right jimmy Howard is weak
- Genev21

Jimmy Howard gets more praise than he should. He had a roller coaster first couple of years.

He was red hot to start this past year, missed some time with a minor break in his hand, and regressed back into an average goalie.

I havent seen anything to say he is above average yet. Not at all saying he is bad, but people put him in the top 10 of hockey, which he isnt. If youre 11-20, thats average.

In no order, Lundqvist, Quick, Rinne, Miller, Thomas (even though he is taking the year off) Kipper, Halak, Luongo, Price, Backstrom, Ward

Makes you wonder why they let Hudler walk away like that.
- flamminghead

Younger guys like Nyquist and Brunner are taking his role. They have like 16 forwards under contract, they didn't really need Hudller, they need to revamp their defense. They might wind up trading forwards for defenseman especially if Holmatrom resigns.

Well? With Detroit heading toward a rebuild, it should make the Winter Classic competitive, with the Leafs being also in rebuild mode. Looks like a 6 - 5 outcome for either team.

Jimmy Howard gets more praise than he should. He had a roller coaster first couple of years.

He was red hot to start this past year, missed some time with a minor break in his hand, and regressed back into an average goalie.

I havent seen anything to say he is above average yet. Not at all saying he is bad, but people put him in the top 10 of hockey, which he isnt. If youre 11-20, thats average.

In no order, Lundqvist, Quick, Rinne, Miller, Thomas (even though he is taking the year off) Kipper, Halak, Luongo, Price, Backstrom, Ward
- FourFeathers773

i'd take Rask, Pavlec, Fleury over Howard

i'd take Rask, Pavlec, Fleury over Howard
- TheFondler

The case could definitely be made for more, but I stopped at 10 just to show he falls into that average middle class

Did you guys hear? Canada just won gold at girls on trampolines.

i'd take Rask, Pavlec, Fleury over Howard
- TheFondler

Not sure about Pevelec. He has the skill but too inconsistent

Well? With Detroit heading toward a rebuild, it should make the Winter Classic competitive, with the Leafs being also in rebuild mode. Looks like a 6 - 5 outcome for either team.
- JohnnyReb

detroit and to a lesser degree the devils seem to stay competitive every year even when they are considered "weak"

i wouldnt count out detroit until they show that they are going downhill

I hear sunsets are much more serene and relaxing with cup rings and millions.
- MindFr3eak

Wouldn't know, as I have neither.

Jimmy Howard gets more praise than he should. He had a roller coaster first couple of years.

He was red hot to start this past year, missed some time with a minor break in his hand, and regressed back into an average goalie.

I havent seen anything to say he is above average yet. Not at all saying he is bad, but people put him in the top 10 of hockey, which he isnt. If youre 11-20, thats average.

In no order, Lundqvist, Quick, Rinne, Miller, Thomas (even though he is taking the year off) Kipper, Halak, Luongo, Price, Backstrom, Ward
- FourFeathers773

I thinke we will see more of Howard looking like how he started last season before the injury.

You guys know Detroit have G Thomas McCollum, D Logan Pyett D Kindl and D Smith, F Tatar, F Jurco, F Nyquist, F Mursak and F Frk in prospect pool. I'm sure Red Wings Fans can put more prospect names...
- NOAH_U

Of that list, the only ones I think have some potential to be top pairing/top line NHL guys are Jurco, Smith and Frk, though all have some drawbacks (and Frk is probably a longer way away). Tatar/Nyquist might be decent second/third liners. I'm not particularly impressed with either Mursak or Kindl -- both are probably career role players. Pyett is a long shot. McCollum is awful.

Off the list, I'd add Mrazek (goalie) and Pulkkinen (forward) as guys that have high-end potential but are definitely works in progress.

Bottom line, while the Wings could strike gold and turn one or two of those guys into NHL all-stars, I'm far from sold on any of them. And Smith is probably the only one that might be there in the next 1-2 years.

We just have to hope that Datsyuk and Zetterberg stay productive long enough for a few of those guys to (hopefully) emerge or a marquee free agent to stop on by.