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http://redwings.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=106102 Wow does it look amazing! Can't Wait until 2017, Long Time Coming!

Why? They actually enjoy life. My point was, they wouldn't tear down a Yankee Stadium or a Montreal Forum or a Boston Garden. There's history in those buildings and players and fans felt something special when they went to a game. Now you have these big corporate named arenas with more seats and more comfort, but less atmosphere. It's not as memorable and not as great an experience. Every time I meet someone who went to a sporting event at the Boston Garden or at the Chicago Stadium, I ask them about it. Don't really care about the TD Garden or the Air Canada Center, and nobody will care in 30 years about them, because they will probably be demolished by then. Not much time to make history there. As a fan, I want to attend a stadium where legends played. You can do that in Europe, but not here. Unless you go to Lambeau Field, Wrigley Field or Fenway Park. We'll see how long those last. Maybe it's a cultural mentality. In Europe, they have famous soccer stadiums that have been around, in some cases, over 100 years. They'd never think of demolishing those. Maybe it's because Europe has more history than North America and has been around much longer. We haven't been around long and want to make our stadiums look brand new every 20 years. So yeah, I'm sad they're demolishing the JLA arena. It's where Yzerman, Lidstrom and so many other greats played. Couldn't they hold other events there? Concerts and such. You're a European-American aren't you? Or are you Native American?

Re: Trading Howard... Hell no. Unless it makes perfect sense for us. This is a two-goalie league; if you want to win the Cup, a 1a-1b tandem is pretty much a prerequisite (unless you have a perennial Vezina candidate who's durable as hell and consistently excellent). Look at what Darling did for Chicago. Look at what Vasilevskiy did for Tampa. Look at what Talbot did for New York. Look at what Hammond did for Ottawa. Hell, look at what Ozzie did for us in 2008. Hasek faltered (as designated starters are wont to do), and we needed a starter-caliber replacement. If Ozzie is instead some random backup, do we win the Cup that year? Howard-Mrazek would and will be one of the league's best tandems (if not the best), and it'll cost us a combined cap hit of, like, $7M. It's pretty much an ideal situation. Howard was an All-Star last season (pre-injury, of course) and his "backup" is a prodigious stud. They'll push each other, bring out the best in each other. It'll be great. For the first time in foreverrrrrr, I'm not the least bit concerned about the talent in net.

He's so damn good he broke his own ankles this time.

Everyone has their own thoughts on what the wings needed to address in this draft so I thought it might be interesting on how each of us grade how the wing did in this draft. I feel their top need was right handed defense men and they did end up taking two although I wish they would have gotten one of those top defense men they were gone and the kid they grab will end up being maybe a super star one day. I also question their choice of picking a goalie didn't feel that was a top need. All in all I would give the wings a solid B for this draft. Feel free to disagree with me and give your own grade.

I hope to see him and Pulk on the 3rd line with a decent center

Well, I wasn't comparing them across every issue. Of course there's things we do better than them. The ads on European hockey jerseys are even worse. The only point was about arenas. I like the older arenas with history. But there's a lot more, obviously, that goes into it (like politics). I understand why the city of Detroit needs to do this. I'm just lamenting how there's so few buildings left with history. The Nassau coliseum was a dump, but those great Islander teams of the 80's played there. Same thing with Rexall place and the Oilers. At least people went into that building knowing that's where Gretzky and those great Oilers teams played back in the day. I've always wanted to see a game there. The JLA has not been around for 50 or 60 years, but 35 years is as long as you'll see in today's sports world. In a few years, Madison Square Garden will now be the only old building left in the NHL.

Well he's staying. https://twitter.com/HeleneStJames/status/615526583877693440 I'm curious to see how Blashill will employ Jurco. He has coached him and knows him pretty well. I dunno.. I smell a strong breakout year. He certainly has the tools, good hands, big, strong. Hasn't used his attributes to the max.

I'm black.

Awesome story about the Wings' last pick, Adam Marsh. Considered a "problem" by some, he may turn out to be a late round steal. This may be the first pick that has Blashill written all over it, given that the kid was originally drafted by the Indy Ice, Blash's former team. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/ct-hockey-billet-family-adam-marsh-spt-1123-20141121-column.html#page=1

Nyq-z-Abby Tatar-sheahan-pulk Helm-larkin-jurco Miller-glendog-ferrero Something like that if Larkin gets a chance while datsyuk is out..? Idk if he will but I wouldn't be opposed. Our line up could benefit a lot from a Joel ward type signing. But I'd only want him for two years probably and it's looking like he wants four. Either way, I hope pav makes a full recovery asap. He's our best defenseman.

We're not European. Thank god.

I'm still pissed they're going to demolish the arena with the greatest non-corporate name in sports. This new arena looks cool, though, and I understand they want to be on par with other new arenas around the league. I just wish we weren't so keen in this country with demolishing legendary arenas. They don't do s*** like that in Europe.

I agree with krsmith. I also believe today's NHL premiers the offensive D-men. I'm fine with that, IF you as a defense man prioritize defense first, THEN can find offensive within the system implemented by the coaches. Seems some do not agree with that. Well good luck with that, at least you're in prime position to contend for the draft lottery. The qualities of a defense man in following order (to me): 1. Defensive skill and positioning (Lidström best in this category of all time), superior skating also in this point 2. Size, strength and hitting, also corner skills reside here 3. Outlet passing + superior understanding and feel of the game 4. Offensive skills 5. Death Ray shot from the blue line capable of breaking bones. So to conclude he clearly doesn't have size, but could still be a top 4 backend. Time will tell. I think Victor Hedman fills all of these points as a reference defense man in my oponion. But then again he was drafted at number 2, not 73.

Buppy, like I said previously, under 5'11" is what "I" consider small for a defenseman. I have no problem with skilled defenseman at that size, but when they are 5'10", 5'9" or 5'8", that's a bit undersized in my opinion... So no, I don't consider Kronwall to be too small, or Eriksson, who is also 6'0" by the way, Shinzaki... I also disagree that any of those 4 guys would make our blue line better. Sure, they may provide a bit of offense, but none are great defensively. I'd take a Kyle Quincey over a Torey Krug any day. That's just my opinion. PavelValerievichDatsyuk, no, you didn't have to read my mind. I thought it was pretty clear we were talking about defensemen here... Anyway, I'm not thrilled about the pick, but like I said numerous times in the "Draft" thread, I'll reserve judgement for now... I hope this kid becomes a stud.

If trading Howard could help us land, say, Brent Burns, I'd definitely consider it. We need a Brent Burns in the worst way.

I'm glad this is getting taken care of now, and not mid-season. I wish him a speedy and full recovery. The silver lining is that now Larkin can push for a spot during those first 9 games before he has to be sent down. That will take them to October 30th. Dats should be fine by then. No worries.

Cause I was showing guys 5'10" that have made the league. I was showing my point - didn't know I was supposed to read your mind and respond to your line of thinking. If you want to restrict the converstaion to D men, fine. You've listed a number of guys 5'10" and under who have made it to the NHL. I would also add Tyson Barrie. We do actually have some big guys on D, if Vili is a great offensive guy it would be fine to have one undersized guy back there. I appeciate that you thought there were better options. I haven't judged the pick, yet myself since I don't know much about him. I just don't think that size is everything (insert penis joke here). I would like very much if he became Krug, Rafalski, Ryan Ellis, Tyson Barrie...

when Feds gets his HHOF call Monday, the choice will be even more clear! Its time, make it so.

One kid I was hoping we would draft (for personal reasons) but am absolutely shocked he didn't get drafted at all, is local kid Nathan Noel. He's a right handed winger, not overly big at 5'11", 172lbs. but he was ranked 54 by NHL Central Scouting. He was drafted 3rd overall in the Q two years ago and had very reasonable numbers. He scored just under a point per game with the Sea Dogs last season. How does he go undrafted through 7 rounds?...

we have two off season acquisition. Don't forget we have got Qs ankle first.

Glad Babcock's gone. I don't think I could watch Miller-Glendenning-Ericsson for two and a half minutes of OT.

I agree that its too soon to throw the kid under a bus, but I'm not too sure he'll be utilized any differently than Babcock used him. Even if Blashill gives Jurco the benefit of the doubt, he still needs to outperform someone else above him on the depth chart, and right now its pretty crowded. Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Tatar, and Nyquist are likely not moving from the top six. Abdelkader has proven his worth on a scoring line and has bought his ticket to stay there. That leaves one opening on the top six that Jurco will be competing with Helm, Sheahan, Weiss, Pulkkinen, Franzen (if he returns), and anyone that Holland may pick up in the off-season. Heck, I just listed enough players that Jurco would have to compete for a third line spot as well. I'm not saying its impossible, but I also don't believe Blashill is the type of person to give Jurco the spot because of familiarity and/or success in Grand Rapids. If Jurco is going to play alongside the likes of Zetterberg or Tatar, he's going to have to prove he's a better option than the alternatives. Then again, Blash might really spread things out and we could see a potential third line with one of Tatar or Nyquist on it, which may also open things up a little more. Its tough to predict because nobody knows how Blashill will set the team up just yet. But my guess is that we see Jurco on the third line to start the season, likely with third-line caliber players. Where he goes from there is entirely up to him.

He would have to find a new number I think Oshie would be dealt first