Let’s squash some hopes and dreams, shall we?

Malik has an article up this morning that chronicles the remaining free agent targets as they apply to the Red Wings (it’s wayyyyy at the bottom of that article). I know a ton of fans are pining (wrongly) for Todd Bertuzzi and others are all aboard the Taylor Pyatt Hype Train.

Allow me to take a few minutes and end those fantasies now.

Todd Bertuzzi — talking to three teams, all of them in the Eastern Conference and the United States, which not only rules out the Wings, but also the Maple Leafs who were supposedly the front-runners. My money is on Philadelphia who is one goon short of a prison riot.

Taylor Pyatt — his agent, Todd Christie, has had no contact with anyone in the Detroit organization.

Manny Malhotra — a pitch was made to Detroit by agent Paul Krepelka, but apparently the Wings didn’t bite.

Mike Grier — apparently the player is more interested in the team, than the team is in the player because of his “limited offensive ability,” but if he’s still available in September and willing to play for less than $1M, the Wings would consider it.

Robert Lang — the club has — thank God — no desire in bringing him back.

The remaining free agents that are being kicked around as possibilities are as follows:
— Jason Williams, who has been offered a one-year deal.
— Petr Sykora, who we also addressed in this article.
— Maxim Afinogenov, who my Sabres fan friends tell me is useless.
— Vinny Prospal, who was bought out by the Lightning this week.
— Patrick Eaves, who was bought out by Boston after a trade from Carolina.
— Alex Tanguay, but the Wings likely can’t afford the top remaining free agent.
— Mats Sundin, who made a fortune last year and likely won’t decide until March if he wants to play again.
— Mike Comrie, who went to U of M.
— Mike Peca, who can’t stay healthy.
— Mark Bell, who can’t stay out of trouble.
— Marcel Goc, who I addressed way back when.
— Blair Betts, likewise.
— Dominic Moore.
— Dan Fritsche, one of the younger UFAs this season.
— Rob Niedermayer.
— Jiri Novotny.
— Peter Schaefer.