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I didn't see this posted yet, thought I would spread the image. The webpage wasn't working for me but it was for others. http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ru&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&eotf=1&u=http://www.sports.ru/hockey/148215182.html&act=url http://cmsimg.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=C5&Date=20130411&Category=NEWS10&ArtNo=304110586&Ref=AR&MaxW=300&Border=0&Livonia-company-assists-former-Red-Wings-defenseman-s-recovery

I would love to see a first round series against Chicago. Not sure the Wings would win, but it would be great fun to watch and a good way to end an era. From a coachig perspective, the regular season's all about your team and the system, the playoffs are about the other team. And Babcock's a good series coach. Chicago's deep, confident, strong, and on their game, but their D and goalie aren't great and can be exploited. I'd like to see what Babcock comes up with. Doesn't mean I think they'd win, but if they make it in I'm not going to write them off just yet. I hope it happens.

I think I'd bawl my eyes out if he walked unassisted to the podium seats at Lidstrom's number retirement next year.

2011 2nd round. he stole 2 of the 3 games leading into game 7. Earlier this week vs Colorado when the Wings collapsed a 3-0 lead into a 3-2 lead, who outright robbed their chance with less than 30 seconds to go? Sure as hell wasn't Cheveldae. How many games has he kept us in THIS SEASON ALONE while our offense has sputtered around in circles and given up horrific turnovers and breakaways? 2010 after the olympic break when Detroit was in 9th place, who stood and delivered a rock solid performance in the pipes to get us to the playoffs even though Lidstrom, Z, Datsyuk, and others were hurt that year? say what you will, but he's done the job.

This cliche is about as overused here as "I like our team". It's also interesting that you left LA out of that list you made of teams that made big moves (Carter, Richards, etc), and yet they won the Cup because of them and are still looking good this year. Chicago has recovered quite nicely from their after-Cup fire sale to be a top contender again and Pittsburgh barely gave up anything for their "rentals" this year. I would say those GMs have done a nice job. esteef

Yeah true. He's always floating around the crease, never able to stay on his feet and never uses his size. F******* awful. I mean the guy is 6'0. Never seen him at the offense either. Worst 2-Way player I've ever saw. Should have traded him for a 7th-Round pick. Holland is the worst GM in the league. Did I forget anything ?

You're so laughably far off that I question why you even made that post. The Blackhawks have won four in a row at JLA. The Wings have won five of their last nine games at the United Center, and eight of their last 15.

Good news. Glad to have Jimmy here for the long haul.

back from the game. Thoughts. 1. Flat beer and stale hot dog buns suck, even when those only cost $1 each. 2. jarnkrok is noticabley smaller than everyone else on the team. Guys like tatar, Mursak, and Almquist are clearly bigger than he is. 3. griffins played a terrible game. only Mursak showed any energy. Which as a smaller puck possesion team is death. 4. neither Ned or Sproul played. Might be waiting untill after they clinch? Now, jarnkrok. I hope O spelled that right. Ok, for those hoping or thinking he will be with the RW next year, sorry not going to happen. if it does it means we are truely screwed. he isn't close to being ready. TBH, I am not sure he is ready to play at the AHL level. Granted this is/was just one game. But I didn't see anything to be excited about. he was the 4th or 5th fastest skater we had tonight. Mursak, tatar, pare, and Jurco all were faster. Didn't show much in terms of great play making either. For most of the game, he skated back and forth in the middle 1//3 of the ice. Rarely got deeper than the face off dots. Had 1 shot IIRC. Was only allowed to take 1 faceoff. he lost it badly and ferraro took the rest of the faceoff for the rest of the game. Now I understand, this was his 7th game for the griffins? He is very young and very new to the North American game. Point is, he has a long long way to go. Which is fine. We need to know these things. is he ready, then trades and UFA are not so important. But he isn't. Which tells the brain trust what we need to do this summer. I will be very interested to see how much he grows and improves between now and next season.

Kenny's made changes alright, I mean he brought in guys like Commodore. esteef

I understand and you're right, consistently making the playoffs like the Wings have is great. Holland's career as a whole has been pretty good. What I'm wondering is, why is there are article ranking Holland as the best GM in the league when he has done very little in the past three years while the team's performance has been declining. I get that we're "rebuilding" and going with younger players, but does that mean he's doing a good job by doing nothing?

Second round exit in 2010 Second round exit in 2011 First round exit in 2012 I doubt we'll get out of the first round this year, providing we even make the playoffs. This team has gotten worse over the years. The people he has brought in have been either injured or are a waste of time.

Right. That's kind of my point. We've lost players left and right and we're replacing them players from the AHL. The salary cap has been going up, those players leaving is freeing up tons of cap space and he hasn't traded for or signed, hardly anyone. We're doing a little worse each year, our cap space is growing, our problems are increasing and Holland hasn't done anything during this time. Again, don't get me wrong, he's done lots for the Wings over the years, but to post an article proclaiming him the best GM in the NHL when he's done very little over the past few years is bizarre.

I think the Kindl's of the world would agree with your last sentence. Some guys need the challenge of the big leagues in order to excel. I also feel Nyquist should have been with the big boys all year.

I'm hoping that this season has opened Holland's eyes a bit. I don't think the Wings can afford to keep prospects in the minors forever and sign old former Red Wing free agents to fill the gap. Because of the cap, you have to give jobs to younger, cheaper players. We no longer have the luxury of paying future hall of famers several million to play on the third line or sit in the press box to fill in for an injury. Not saying play a guy full time at 18, but by 21 or so, these guys need to be given a chance to play and not continue to rot in Grand Rapids.

DeKeyser was practically wearing a Wings jersey to Toronto to be pawed at by the other suitors. The kid wanted to be a Wing from the start, all Kenny had to do was not screw it up. It's not like Kenny could've been outbid for him by other GMs due to the entry level contract because you know he probably would have been. I'm glad we got DK but he basically jumped into Kenny's lap. esteef

Haha, I watched Brendan Shanahan's video explanation of the incident. According to Shanny every player is responsible for their own tongue, and much like their stick, they must be held responsible for ensuring its proper use. Additionally, while there was clearly intent to lick, no penalty was assessed by the on ice officials. Furthermore, it must be taken into account that Jeff Halpern was not injured as a result of the incident and was able to return to the ice later that period after squeegeeing off his visor. In Summary: Clearly intent to lick No "licking" penalty assessed Halpern was not (physically) injured; no mention of the psychological effects Because of this the Department of Player safety has decided to issue a warning to Buffalo's Steve Ott. He will be considered a repeat "licker" going forward.

Many forget that while he may not be perfect, there isn't a GM who is, and he's less imperfect than almost everyone else out there. Anyway, it'll be funny to see HF's Wings subforum explode over this. Most of the residents there are inveterate pessimists who believe that they're more expert than coaches and GMs alike.

The same people who complain about our prospects not being inserted into the line-up are the same ones advocating signing a 30-year old winger in David Clarkson. Not trying to point the finger at anyone in particular, but this guy is basically what Dan Cleary was 3-4 years ago. I've paid close attention to Clarkson, and the word "streaky" doesn't even begin to describe him. Burst out of the gates early, then went about as cold as Brunner did. Let the contracts for these older players run out (Cleary, Miller, Sammy, Bert, etc.) and bring along the younger players. Why pay for a band-aid? That would just take away a spot from one of the kids. The "grass is always greener" mentality is just crazy around here sometimes. I think people just want change, no matter what that change is. This team isn't going to be that great for about two-three season... let's deal with that.

Thats like asking me why I breathe....

Babcock and Holland said it was strictly to allow DeKeyser to sign his ELC. Once the 23 man roster limit goes away on Wednesday he'll be right back with the club.