Are we doomed?

[Umah Bloodomen]

Well, typically I don't engage in such sports-related discussions, but it looks like the Red Wings finally allowed Sergei Federov to slip through their fingers.

More info can be found here, compliments of ESPN. (http://espn.go.com/nhl/news/2003/0719/1582918.html)

Things in Hockeytown just haven't been the same since 2002. **shakes head** :D

I am a bit surprised that Anaheim dished out the money for him. :p

[The Amazing Rando]

Didn't you catch the comment in the car thread? I didn't mention who, but I told you he'd get the cash. ;) I think the Wings stand a chance this year, as you made a couple other acquisitions that will make a big difference.

The only real questions now are: How do you get rid of Cujo-Or do you? What is going to be done with him? It's gonna be hard keeping 2 $8mil(that right?) goalies. If you deal Cujo, which looks like it must be done, not that he was an overachiever last year, will the Dominator still be that good-or has he figuratively "lost a step"-not sure what the hockey equivalent for goalies would be. ;) Then after this year, what do you do for a goalie, as I'm assuming Dominik is gonna re-retire (or maybe in two years). His comeback will only be temporary IMO, so what do you do for a goalie then, especially if you get rid of Cujo.

[Umah Bloodomen]

Well, according to the local news here, they are trying to deal *Cujo*, and he's not really that upset by the decision. (He actually willingly applied to terminate his contract). To my knowledge, Hasek had only one year left on his contract when he went up for free agency, which is why the Wings had to act fast. *Mac* (Darren McCarty) did as well. It's a go for Hasek to play this season, and according to him, he's been practicing. I am sure though, that retirement will again be in his future once he has no more contractual obligations.

We still have Legace as a third option, however I am sure we'll be scouting for a more major goaltender in addition to a couple of secondary ones.

EDIT: Yes, I saw your comment, I just didnt' want to further hijack the thread with good ol' sports talk. :p

Besides, I figured someone would pay the dough as well, I just didn't expect it to be Anaheim. (Of all teams, why Anaheim?) **shakes head** :p

[The Amazing Rando]

Well, Hasek had a 3-yr contract or something like that, two years with the option for a third if the team wanted it. They exercised the option because he still will be a good goalie, that's not really disputed, it's just how much. In any case, they would rather take him even if his skills have dropped some, rather than let another team have him and they have to face him. After this season, though, I have no clue. They did have a time limit to make their decision on whether to exercise the 1-year option, but it really wasn't that short of a period of time. Not that it was a hard desision.

I was unaware that Cujo was so fine with the decision tho. I know he has a no-trade clause, so I can't believe he'd just be willing to drop it unless he knew he was going to a contending tea (which is why he went to Detroit). And this means limited options, as his is a hefty contract to pick up as well.

As for why Anaheim, they lost a major player to Detroit and need to replace. There are a few major stars out there for free agency, but Federov would have to be amongthe best of the best. Plus, they were contenders last year with a small market club. Adding a replacement for a lost star with another star will help keep them contenders, plus Federov provides them with a veteran leader on the ice. That is something of major value to a young club. He will be able to emmensly help them by adding his playoff knowledge to the limited experience they have had. It's not everyday you can add someone that can help the club and help the young players mature quicker.