Wingtory

Detroit made a seriously good move in acquring Stuart. In fact, as a whole, the trade deadline included McCarty too.

This is like getting Rouse and Kocur...only Stuart and Mac are both better players than Rouse and Kocur. Well, if Mac can complete his comeback bid.

Detroit is going to be tougher and grittier with Mac and Stuart in the lineup. Better yet, Detroit can now use any one of 4 guys on the blueline to shut down the opposition. Its not often Detroit adds a #1 or #2 defenseman as depth, but that's exactly what they've done. Stuart is that good.

Detroit gave up a 2nd round pick for Stuart.
Detroit gave up a 4th round pick (next year) for Mac.

At least that's how I view it. Looks like a major success to me!

Now Detroit just needs to get everyone back healthy and in game shape for Round 1!!!

wingsnut19

Success? Sure.

Major success? I dunno. Stuart is good, but he isn't a #1 or #2 defenceman like you claim. On the Kings he was a 4th defenseman, so I'd say on pretty much any team he'd be at best 2 pairing. To me, the only reason he'll push Lebda or Meech down the ladder is because he has size and won't be pushed around as easy. Despite being big, he isn't overly physical, but he does play a fairly good 2-way game and can play on the PP and PK. And I doubt he re-signs in the summer.

And you're getting far ahead of yourself with McCarty. Right now Mac is just AHL level talent, with poor endurance even by AHL standards. I'm still not convinced he's going to complete the comeback.

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ofhdhdy

I can't wait until the play-offs. I am pretty confident going in with this defense:

Lidstrom-Stuart
Rafalski-Kronwall
Chelios-Lebda/Lilja (I would prefer Lebda)

If Hudler (1 goal in last 26 games :(..) can heat up pretty quick, in time for the play-offs, and Cleary comes back, I am pretty confident in our chances of winning the cup!

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Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Hossa
Lidstrom-Rafalski

datsyukdangler1

Hopefully they all get well before the playoffs. I don't see them pairing Lidstrom with Stuart in my eyes. He will possibly play with Kronwall, but that's just what I think. Hopefully Stuart starts to use his size to his advantage and throw the body around. We all know we could definitely use that.