Leaderboard

Except this year no one here will be complaining about Franzen's contract or us bringing back Cleary. (I'm going to pre-empt someone's joke of "don't speak too soon.")

Pretty much the only thing I didn't like with Blashill was his player usage. It's been beaten to death, but he relied way to heavily on the vets and underutilized the kids. Blashill should not be fired, Firschweiler on the other hand, that guy has to go. I'm okay with Granato leaving as well. Two new assistants with a new perspective, fresh ideas and hopefully better speciality teams will help this team immensely... Blashill took over a very similar team (with the addition of Richards and Green), previously coached by Mike "hockey god" Babcock, and had a very similar result - playoff bubble team, bounced in the first round. Firschweiler took over a top ranked power-play, previously coached by Jim Hiller, and made it into one of the worst in the entire league. Special teams, in my opinion, was the teams biggest downfall. Both the power-play and penalty kill were way too conservative. The power-play had very little movement, way too much passing, not enough shooting and way too much one and done. The penalty kill was way too passive, we did a good job taking away shooting lanes but never took away passing lanes. A successful penalty kill needs much more pressure on the puck and not allowing so many cross ice passes opening up the easy one-timer. I still believe this team has a bright future, and Blashill is still the best coach for us right now. As long as he can clear his head this offseason, and come to the realization that this team can't rely on Datsyuk (if he's back), Zetterberg and Kronwall anymore, I think we'll be fine. We need to hand the reins over to the kids, Larkin, Mantha, Athanasiou and company need to take on much bigger roles to start next season.

We are setup with a core of Larkin, AA, Mantha, DD, and Mrazek, and secondary scoring in Nyquist, Abby and Tatar, and potential prospects in Jurco and Pulkkinen. We have holes on D, but I am sure that will be addressed. Its almost as if people would be happier if he were awful. I think the problem here, is people get their hopes up when we play well or appear to be a very good team, then when that reality comes crashing down after a bad loss, an early elimination etc. people get emotional and that is when you hear the "fire Holland" "fire Blashill" talk etc. You have to look at this current situation as a re-build, and accept the fact they we likely wont be contenders again for a few years when Larkin and co. mature enough to lead this team. I dont want anyone else right now as the GM of Detroit because who else out there has 3 cups as GM from essentially two generations of players, and has set said team up with a core of players that can hopefully lead us to another. Is it a sure thing, of course not. But, to truly assess this new crop, people need to give it time. We were contenders from 1993-2011, its just not reasonable to expect that to go forever. There are no GM candidates out there that are better or more experienced then Ken Holland. But if I had to choose someone if Holland chose to step down, my choice would be Yzerman.

Im hoping either Abby, Larkin or DeKeyser

Living in Minnesota it's like you want to see them do great but secretly love the failure.

Now that's the spirit!! I say regulation. They are in front of their home crowd and just have to believe themselves. Let the Hawks over inflate their self worth along with their fans and just win this!

Turned out pretty good when we gave the C to a youngster too.... but we are talking A not the C so I think Abby or DK would be candidates. I see Larkin getting the C in 2 years when Z hangs them up especially if he keeps growing into the role.

First of all, your quoted passage isn't straight forward. It says "Despite the fact that the Family Code includes a general rule that stipulates spouses should support each other from a financial point of view an ex-spouse is only entitled to alimony when:" So...He wouldn't have to pay Alimony, but he has to support her financially...which sounds like the same thing under a different name to me. Second, If you re-read the Mitch Albom article, it specifically mentions that he still has a good relationship with his ex-wife: "...his desire to rejoin his daughter Elizabeth, who is being raised in Russia by Datsyuk’s first wife, Svetlana. While the former couple enjoy a friendly relationship, Datsyuk said, he felt too absent from the day-to-day affairs of his child, and worried, as she entered adolescence (she is now 13) that he wouldn’t be there for guidance." Even if he would have to pay less, you're friend's theory seems a pretty extreme way to screw over the ex-wife. It would probably also alienate his daughter. It seems pretty unlikely, especially from a guy who seems like (and was voted by other NHL players in a few polls I've seen over the years) one of the most likeable guys in the league. Also, if alimony were a motivation, why would that be a pressing issue that he would have to leave now and not just wait until next year. He's a multimillionaire and will make even more when he plays in the KHL. Why would the 25% (or whatever it would be) of next year's 5.5 million be so precious to him? I prefer to respect him and take him at his word.

Chicago gave the C to a 19 year old. That turned out pretty well.

I'll also guess Abby. One day, Dekeyser will get one too and Larkin the C. I think that's our next wave of captains.

They should give it to Larkin. Larkin is a difference maker and already a role model in every aspect of the game (except physicality)

I thought for sure he had another year after next. Thanks for the info Son of a Wing. Regardless, I think he will be waived at the start of next season and will likely (hopefully) clear. If Sproul isn't our number 7 to start next season I'll be very upset... I don't think there's any chance he clears waivers, and losing him would be very disappointing...

I would go with DeKeyser, but I'm guessing it'll be Abdelkader. Interestingly, when one of Datsyuk or Kronwall was injured this year, Blashill opted to not give the other "A" to anyone else. So we only had one alternate during those games.

Larkin. He will be the next captain, may as well start to groom him now.

Yeah not everyone has to play defense. Especially if a guy can spend his time scoring 50+ goals.

He's not there to play defense. He scores 50 goals annually. Wish the Wings had a player like him.

Nice! Stoked to see Svech

Ok, same friend, same source within the organization. According to him, the fans aren't the only ones at their wits end with Holland. The scouts are livid and are trying to convince him the team needs to be bigger and harder to play against. Holland's stance is he still believes he can win with small, skilled, faster players and is against that type of change...also the Ilitches are also getting frustrated with it, so yes, the Ilitches do care about more than just the streak, they want more Cups. I hope this results in either Holland stepping aside or maybe he breaks his stance on the small skilled bulls***.

Yes, I would be shocked with that roster. First of all, Svechnikov will not be on the roster next season. Not going to happen. And secondly, despite Holland's reluctance to make trades in recent years, I expect to see at least one this offseason. Hopefully to acquire a top pairing defenseman.

Svechnikov is not close to being NHL ready in my opinion. He's at least one full season away, possibly two... Jumping from junior (especially the Q) to the NHL is not easy to do, even for the most elite of players. I wouldn't even be surprised to see him struggle adapting to the AHL at the start of next season, let alone the NHL...

For the last time, it is a REBUILD, what it is not is a tank job. When you get rid of every veteran on your team, you turn into the Edmonton Oilers, and it typically takes about 10 years to become relevant again. Not something I want to do, and thank god not something Holland or Mr. I want to do either. It's clear you will never accept this, I dont feel like going back and forth with you anymore. You dont believe me, just compare their roster today to the roster they had in 2012. Gone are Cleary, Fillppula, Franzen?, Datsyuk ?, Hudler, Bertuzzi, Emmerton, Holmstrom, Eaves, Lidstrom, White, Stuart, Conklin, Mursak, Conner, Brunnstrom, Kindl and Janik. In are Larkin, Nyquist, Tatar, Sheahan, AA, Glendening, Jurco, Pulkkinen, DD, Marchenko, Ouelette, Mantha, Jurco and Mrazek. That is alot of turnover in just 4 years. Granted some of those players in 2012 at the end of the list were not major contributors by any stretch, but the point is that we are re-building.

I just have a gut feeling that it'll be yzerman.. Seems like a very red wings move. Also his contract and Hollands are both up the same year; after the 2017-18 season I believe. Either way, I think holland manages out the rest of his contract then either retires/steps back into a different "higher" front office role or signs a new contract with the wings..

Yzerman? Admittedly, I don't know enough about potential GMs to make an informed decision. I just know that Yzerman is a demi-god and has that certain, as the French say, I don't know what.

You don't think Henry VIII or Ivan the Terrible would have him executed?