Leaderboard

People hate on Nielsen and his contract (I'm not a big fan either), but the same people would have been b****ing and moaning if Holland was rumored to be in on Nielsen but ended up elsewhere... "No one wants to come here. We couldn't even convince Frans Nielsen to come here"...

Really? Look at the UFA contracts given out last year. Best example I can give is a a 33 year old David Backes who is a top 6 maybe even top 9 forward getting 5 years 30 million (got 38 points this year in 74 games). Perceived top D-men don't hit UFA often, I admit anything can happen but to think he wont cash in big from someone I think is a bit naive.

Oh I think Holland's goal is to return to the playoffs next season, definitely. However, it sounds to me like the approach will change. I'm guessing he will try to shed cap to become more flexible, and go with more kids instead of the usual vets.

Well if we somehow managed to scrounge up an extra 10 points this season (finishing just ahead of the Flyers) we would be picking 2nd overall and be guaranteed one of Patrick or Hischier... Nothing is guaranteed by losing, especially the way the draft lottery is set up. The goal should always be to win hockey games.

100% agree. We have landed a lot of UFA's over the past few years. Funny how when the "nobody wants to come here argument" is shut down the argument is always shifted to "Well look how they have performed" as if that has any connection to the original argument. In the minds of some, Suters wife wanting to live in Minnesota = Nobody wants to come to Detroit.

Related note: he's basically the only high-end defenseman in this UFA class. http://www.spotrac.com/nhl/free-agents/defenseman/ufa/ Assuming "GMs gonna GM," he's going to get a lot of tasty offers. And he'll have leverage. "Don't wanna give my client what he wants and deserves? Have fun trying to convince your fan base that Dmitry Kulikov is a 'real good' consolation prize." Of course, again, it's widely believed that he has his heart set on NYC. Grew up in New York, was a Rangers fan, reportedly would like to move closer to home, the Rangers need a high-end puck-mover in their top four....

Nielsen was meant to replace ("replace") Datsyuk and help extend the playoff streak. I'd like to think the fact that we're now officially a basement team has changed things and that Holland is not going to desperately do everything in his power to sign Kevin Shattenkirk, who isn't necessarily much better than Mike Green and who doesn't appear to be interested in becoming a Wing. Even if Holland does go all out for Shattenkirk, it's no secret that Shattenkirk wants to be a Ranger. Or, at least, that's what the rumors have been saying for the past year and a half. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up in Edmonton.

You're probably right, I wouldn't argue that. I guess my point is that none of us know what any of these GM's are thinking and until the time comes our GM should be preparing for all potential situations. If either of those two don't go #1, I would hope Holland has an offer ready. Most likely won't be accepted, but one thing I have learned in life is to be successful you can't be afraid to ask. Who would have thought Nill could have gotten Seguin for what he did, you never know.

Phaneuf isn't very good. Karlsson is amazing.

lol, hockey players are just big bearded kids. this is so funny, like the hate Bettman gets, and how they just take it all in. at some point you just love to hate the guy ...or is it the guy you love to hate?

PIT was not a worthy opponent? IDK, I think they probably went to the SCF two years in a row for a reason... My point is, if Malkin was suspended in that game, as he should have been, the Pens probably don't win the game, and after that everything is butterfly effect. Max Talbot's game 7 dump in becomes irrelevant."Flat play" by the Wings in game 7 becomes irrelevant. The whole rest of the series is changed, and changed in our favor.

He's a distraction to his teammates. If he can put the NBA attitude behind him and stop being such a defensive liability, he might be able to crack the lineup.

Stockholm syndrome.

You would think the new state of the art arena would attract some players as well. Although that may have more of an effect on veteran UFA's than unknown kids that would have to play for a spot, likely starting in Grand Rapids. Either way, we still are attracting players every year, and people that say otherwise are just looking for s*** to complain about...

Their odds are definitely smaller then they were 10 years ago, but it doesn't mean that you "can't" get anyone, or that you shouldn't try. One thing they do have is the history and linage of being the Detroit Red Wings, and a down Detroit team is still going to have a chance.

True. But if Patrick or Hischier is available at #3, I have to think Nill takes him. I believe his "I'm open to trading the pick" stance is predicated on the assumption that Patrick and Hischier will be the first two players off the board. If Patrick or Hischier is indeed available at #3, then that pick might as well be the #1 pick.

Well just to clarify, I dont think the top 2 D on each team are necessarily top pairing guys, I think the top 62 D are top pairing guys. Some are elite, some are above average, some are below average, some are bad (for top pairing guys). I agree with you in that some teams have zero top pairing guys (the Wings), and some have more then 2 (the Preds) and I pretty much agree with everything you are saying. I think most of us agree that Shattenkirk is going to be paid like a top 10 or top 5 guy, but in reality is not close to that.

YESSSS!! What a game! That's how you rebound at home! Game 7!!

Every year we hear that guys are going to get a huge deal and they don't. I'm guessing 6 years and just south of $6 mil per. Sent from my LGLS676 using Tapatalk

No

No thank you. This organization needs to commit to a multi-year rebuild.

Shattenkirk is going to get MASSIVELY overpaid and the last thing this team needs is another bad contract. In my opinion he is a very good 2nd pairing defenseman / power-play quarterback. He's not a legit top pair guy. No thanks!

He will, and it will be a mistake that hurts the rebuild. Sent from my LGLS676 using Tapatalk

can we be in the running for filip forsberg instead