Red Wings News

Red Wings highly interested in defenseman Christian Ehrhoff, who'll be a free agent after buyout | MLive.com
Although the Ehrhoff situation certainly makes our decision a lot more difficult, I am still hoping that the Wings sign Danny Boyle. Why? Term. Niskanen wants and will probably receive a seven-year deal, and while Ehrhoff's deal may not carry that many years, his will easily be at least four years long. Sign Boyle for two years, have Sproul and Ouellet slowly ease their way into the squad, and when his contract is up, we have a younger and better option at that position.

Poll: What grade do you give the Detroit Red Wings for the 2014 NHL draft? | MLive.com

It is extremely hard to grade a draft class this early on, but I would give ours an A-.

Helene St. James: By trade or by market, Detroit Red Wings have got to improve their defense | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

If the Wings' goal is to improve their defense, the Sabres did them a huge favor yesterday. Even if the Wings do not sign Ehrhoff, his presence changes the state of the defenseman market.

NHL News

Lightning send Purcell to Oilers, acquire Gagner (for now?) | ProHockeyTalk
The Lightning and Oilers flipped players, but this trade may be only the beginning of something else. For those who understand it better, what benefit does Tampa Bay receive for buying Gagner out?

Lightning quick: Bolts flip Gagner to Coyotes | ProHockeyTalk
This was kind of like the Quincey deal when Tampa Bay acquired him from Colorado and then sent him to Detroit. Except this trade did not involve a first round draft pick.

Sabres use compliance buy out on Christian Ehrhoff - Die By The Blade
This move is going to have a huge impact on the free agency market.

NHL's $69-million salary cap could spark plenty of money-saving trades - The Hockey News
Although this lower cap will not really affect the Wings, it does affect a lot of the other teams, and what they can and cannot do this offseason.

Report: Lightning made best offer for Panthers’ top pick | ProHockeyTalk
You have to give Yzerman credit here. Sometimes, making an offer is better than not making one at all. I wonder what they were willing to give up in return for the pick?

Winners and Losers of the 2014 NHL Draft | Puck Daddy - Yahoo Sports
I was kind of surprised of that fact that only 77 Canadian players were drafted this year. Don Cherry must be lived.

Report: Jason Spezza nixed trade to Predators | USA Today
I cannot blame him whatsoever. In all due respect to the city of Nashville, it is not a big hockey market, which a player like Spezza probably wants to play in.

NHL rumors: Leafs, Penguins among teams interested in Martin Brodeur - CBSSports.com
Both Toronto and Pittsburgh would be good landing spots for Brodeur. Both teams have a clear #1 goaltender, but both of them have question marks in some area.

Report: Reimer requests trade from Toronto | ProHockeyTalk
The expected has become a reality. It will be interesting to see what Toronto receives in return for Reimer.

Panthers place Jovanovski on waivers for buyout purposes | TSN
A couple of years ago, Jovanovski might have been worth taking a look at, but now, do not even mention his name. He is 38-years-old, and scored five points in 37 games with the Panthers last season.

Vanek meeting with Wild today | ProHockeyTalk

You have to imagine that Vanek wants to sign a long-term deal with a team that he is comfortable playing for. The Wild seem to fit that criteria.

Cox: A revolution in blue paint thinking - Sportsnet.ca
Goaltenders tend to be more generational than other players, but the recent trend in the drafting of goaltenders is not as easy to explain.

Penguins accomplish nothing with James Neal trade to Nashville - SBNation.com
I really was perplexed by this trade. It did not save the Penguins any money, and neither Hornqvist nor Spaling can replicate Neal's play. That said, Neal is known for his "antics" and a change in the coaching staff for the Penguins might have meant a change in the player culture as well.

Let's Go Red Wings!