Wings changes for 2007/2008 season

Wings run is finally over. I have to say it was a great season coming up just short in the conference finals. I don't think many expected Wings to go this far. I would expect some changes, some moves by management to be ready for the next season. There are a few question marks on the team at this point. One of the biggest ones is Hasek. Is he going to come back next year and will he be able to go through another season? He's up there in the age category and it is difficult to say how well he'll hold up if he decides to come back. If he retires, we are going to have some goaltending issues. I just don't see Wings resigning Calder and Lang after this playoff run. As far as Bertuzzi goes, we saw flashes of what he can provide, but at what cost and how healthy he is going to be. He already said he wants to stay and so far he fit in rather well, so that's a good sign. Cheli is 45 and how longer he can perform is another question mark. Markov is not the guy to stick around so the book is open on him. We are going to need another center to replace Lang. Hopefully someone with the passion for the game. There are a few free agents that are available on the market: Buffalo's Chris Drury and Daniel Briere, New Jersey's Scott Gomez, and the Islanders' Jason Blake and Ryan Smyth. There are even rumors about bringing back Kozlov to play with Dats.
At this point Wings have $32 million tied up with 15 players. They need to resign Cheli, Schneider, and possibly Markov. Bert may command a hefty salary. The cap for the next year should be somewhere around $47 million, so that leaves some room to maneuver, but will be interesting.

We need to add another quality blueliner and 2 quality forwards.

Something that irked me on the CBC broadcast, during the second intermission, was an interview with Brian Murray (Ottawa Coach) and how he helped construct the Ducks when he was the GM in Anaheim.

He said, the blueprint was to draft big, fast and CANADIAN.

Most of the Wings best high energy players are Canucks. Maltby, Cleary, Draper. But none of them are particularly big.

Lang has got to go. The guy is every European stereotype. Skilled but with questionable motivation. Can disappear for long stretches (games).

I'm not too impressed with Lebda, but I would like to see Quincy get some more opportunities with the big club. Lilja has developed into a quality D-man, but he just has to avoid getting too cute and overhandling the puck.

Zetts and Dats took the next step, but have several yet to go.

Bertuzzi shouldn't come back unless the Wings medical staff is 100% sure his back problems aren't chronic.

Off the top of my head, Jamal Magloire.

Rick Fox, Bill Wennington and Todd MacCulloch are former Canadian NBAers.

Chelios re-signs for one-year deal
Chelios re-signs for one-year deal - Red Wings Snapshots - MLive.com

Some other Wings happenings:
MLive.com: Everything Michigan

This is not really much, I wonder what can Holland get for that.

Dom is back!!! This was very very important.

Hasek returning to Wings

I think his son goes to school in Michigan.

I believe this is the case as well. And I think he has a business in Birmingham.

According to Free Press, some interesting muttering out of Toronto:

THE TICKER: Do the Leafs covet Scotty?

Here's another rumour out of D-town:

One squeaky wheel doesn't want Bertuzzi back - Red Wings Snapshots - MLive.com

Here's a pretty good review of Wings farm system by Hockey's future magazine:

Hockey's Future: The #1 Online Prospects Magazine (Covering the WHL, QMJHL, AHL, OHL, College, The NHL Entry Draft, and All Junior Hockey)

A thing to note: Grigorenko is fairly high on that list. Hopefully he can come back close to the form he's displayed before the accident.

FYI, the cap is expected to be around $48~$49 million next season.

I never thought I would see the Wings have most of their core locked up with 80% of the cap. lol