Maybe it's because I'm a true NHL fan and hockey fan, but I don't view Ryan Suter and Zach Parise signing in Minnesota as the death blow for the Wings that many think it is.
I'm very excited that both players chose the Wild and that Minnesota is now relevant.
I'm also very excited that it looks like the Wings will lean a bit on rookies Brendan Smith and Gustav Nyquist next year. I've watched these guys a lot in GR, and they're going to be good.
I also don't for a minute think the Wings are done.
Pencil in a veteran D like Pavel Kubina, though I'd also be intrigued by Marc-Andre Gragnani, a young player whose stock has collapsed in the past year. Playing with the Wings, I wonder if he could rediscover his talents.
On that note, Peter Mueller - he of the many injuries - is a UFA still. Could be a bust due to his injury history, but could also be a cheap option to add 20+ goals to the lineup.
Shane Doan, Alex Semin, and Andrei Kostitsyn are also out there. I'm not expecting any for various reasons, but would love to see Semin on a short (2-3) year deal.
On the trade front, don't expect Rick Nash or Bobby Ryan. They would cost way too many assets. Don't expect Keith Yandle either, unless someone can convince Holland to give up Filppula for the top-pairind defender.
But the likes of Paul Martin, Jay Bouwmeester, Tobias Enstrom, Ales Hemsky, Cody Franson, Andrej Sekera, Ryan Whitney; not necessarily the best names, but all are guys who could bolster our lineup and I think could be had for the right price.
Ken Holland is considered one of the best GMs in the game by many. He's had an easy time of it for years, this summer he'll have to earn that title. And here's thinking he will and that he's not finished yet.
P.S. Forgive any spelling errors, as I wrote this on my phone at my cottage.
