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There is no "culture of mediocrity". Teams have down times. Deal with it.

Isn't Mexico in North America? Seems unfair to not have representation.

Nastasiuk!

It's never a good thing to have injuries, but I think Ericsson's hip and Kronwall's knee might be a blessing in disguise. Hear me out here... Ericsson on his best day is a solid #5 big bodied penalty killer. But on his worst day, he's a turnover machine whose breakout pass isn't the same since his hand injury a few years ago. Kronwall, up until last year, did as good a job as a career #2D could do filling in as a #1. But injuries killed him last year, and in both of these cases their injuries don't seem like they can be fixed for sure by surgery. Now, why this could be a blessing in disguise. Since Kenny won't make a trade, because he doesn't make trades, I'd like to see Ouellet and Sproul get chances this season. Ouellet has looked NHL ready since 2013-2014 when he played against Boston in the playoffs, and has had tons of games since. Just like Marchenko, I feel when he gets a real chance he won't give it up. I think he could be a solid #4 guy, I really do. And Sproul, I've always believed has untapped potential. He's 6'4, can skate, can move the puck and has been improving in his own zone every year. We won't contend for the cup with the defence we have right now, so I'd rather these "overripe" guys get a chance. I don't want to lose either of them to keep Ericsson, or a broken down Kronwall. Those guys can be put on IR if need be, and we can get looks at two second round picks who deserve a chance.

Lots of US / Canadian examples of this with the best Cdn hockey players playing for NHL teams in the US and having children while playing there, or having US wives, etc. Classic example of the dual citizenship is Brett Hull.

Oh please someone photoshop this

This is a false narrative that has been created which depicts Holland as the antagonist who is single handedly ruining this team with all his horrible players and the "Swedish Mafia". Also in this false narrative, "Mr.I" who is the protagonist is sitting back just waiting to make his move and save the day because he is the best owner in sports and has nothing to do with anything Red Wing related during this treacherous time. The reality, Ken Holland/Wings Management AND the Illitch family have plan in place to do a re-build on the fly while still staying competitive/keeping the streak alive. I know some like to say that this not a re-build, but they are wrong. I fully admit, it is not a tank job where any player over the age of 25 is being moved in order to land a top 5 pick multiple years in a row while praying that they turn into elite cornerstone players, but it is still a re-build. Anyone who looks at this logically and keeps emotion out of it can see that. The amount of turnover we have had over the last 5 years is more then I can remember in my entire lifetime in that short of a period. The Wings are in an odd position, we are in a time of parity where teams can go from non playoff teams to contenders, or Stanley Cup champs to non playoff teams in one season, they have a team that is good but not great, they have the streak, they are not contenders, they have really good young kids, but they also have declining vets. They cant use the words "re-build" in the media as that implies giving up, but they also cant say they are going for it, as that just makes them look dumb. Again, a very odd situation. Luckily we have some building blocks in place (Larkin, Mrazek, DD, AA, Mantha etc.) that will either pay off within the next couple years, or prove to be a failure. We are definitely missing that 1A d-man, but if we can land that, I dont think we are too far off with Larkin/Nielsen/Helm/Glendening down the middle, and all that talent on the Wing. Also, anything that thinks the Ilitch family doesn't care about the streak and that it's all Ken Holland, please try to consider using logic.

I don't care how much Ott wanted to be a Red Wing. I still hate this signing. I remember a few years ago when Cleary was still on the team and the overriding sentiment was that he was better than any AHL alternative would have been. Then he went to the AHL and was just as bad as he was in the NHL. That's exactly how I feel about Ott. He's pretty much washed up. I'd MUCH rather have Callahan in that spot. He can do everything Ott can do, but more cheaply. AND he'd probably score more given how underrated his offense is.

Team NA vs. Team Europe is my dream final.

Get 'em Dano!

I don't always agree with you but this is spot on.

It's a f****** PTO, if he succeeds he will get a job on re griffins and given the amount of remaining talent there chances are his veteran experience will be very welcome. Maybe a call up here and there if the Injury bug comes back. Like it not Cleary making the GR roster or not is going to be the least of the Wings problems this year.

Were you expecting something like this?

Oh yeah, I remember he didn't go down to GR right away. That all makes sense. It'd be better to have ex-NHL as the vets sharng advice, so more power to Cleary for doing that.

Because it's conspiracy theory month.

I have no idea why a PTO would make a person so mad. As many posters wrote above, it allows him to be part of the early training camp process which hurts absolutely nobody.

This. Was going to say when I watched some of the GR games he wasn't that bad. He should be nowhere near the NHL though.

He had 15 points in 35 games playing on I'm guessing the third or forth line. Having a veteran presence like him in the AHL is not a bad thing and can only help with player development. I want him no where near the Wings, but I'm just fine with him playing on the Griffins as long as he can hold his weight.

Cleary has a legendary work ethic. He goes to camp. He shows the kids what a work ethic looks like. He fills an empty leadership role in the locker room and forward spot on the ice while Abby plays for USA, and then he goes on his way, either to GR, another team, or retirement. Since he's on a PTO, we're getting his services for free.

The guy is out there having fun with his old teammates. I don't think anyone has any real plans of signing him and I'm sure Cleary is aware of that.

Only on Letsgowings.com would the ramifications to a PTO be a firing of the GM lol. I guess this thread didnt have have its Helm quota yet.

Same right now, Got the Dh to 110 now working on my druid.