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"wow the wings had a pretty great draft, huh?......." *steps down as lightning GM*

Hey guys -- apologies for the issues. I was out of town when the forums went down earlier this week (part of a faulty security update that didn't completely finish) and didn't even realize it until someone reached out to me via the Facebook page. Should be all set now. Best way to get ahold of me if there are issues is through Facebook or via Twitter (@LetsGoWingscom).

*Zadina adds BigWillieStyle to his list* I also like how he doesn't even mention the Yotes. That is some top-tier shade-throwing right there.

FEELS GOOD MAN FEELS REAL GOOD

If anything can bring me out of the woodwork, it’s news of My Lord and Savior Stevesus Yzermanchrist making his long overdue return to the Motherland to (not) strap on his skates and lead us to a threepeat, a super bowl win, and the end of the Flint water crisis. The part of my brain that’s not having a fever dream hopes that all is well with his family, has tempered expectations that he will ever return to the Wings franchise in any official capacity, and will wait and see how this pans out like a normal-functioning human being. But I’d be lying if I said my initial reaction to the original tweets wasn’t to aggressively hump the nearest inanimate (or not—sorry Lesley) object whilst scream-singing Don’t Stop Believing. Whatevs.

https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/2018-nhl-draft-grades-sabres-panthers-red-wings-get-top-marks-for-their-picks/ Detroit Red Wings: A+ They should be absolutely enthralled with what transpired this weekend. Even if you look just at the first round, they landed maybe the draft's second-best goal-scorer at No. 6 in Filip Zadina, then got another steal with center Joseph Veleno at No. 30. http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/news/nhl-draft-picks-2018-grades-results-trade-rumors-rasmus-dahlin-brady-tkachuk-quinn-hughes/37z44iwdg3q5z9c3nm9j05h8 6. Detroit Red Wings — Filip Zadina, LW, Halifax (QMJHL) The Red Wings really needed a puck mover who can run their power play, but Filip Zadina is an elite forward they simply couldnt pass up. This kid fills the net and competes hard in all three zones. A real leader and sets a great example. Grade: A 30. Detroit Red Wings (via Golden Knights) — Joe Veleno, C, Drummondville (QMJHL) About time a team woke up and took the draft's fastest center, except Veleno is a premier playmaker who busts it from start to finish. Mark my words -- he will be one of the better NHL players to come out of this draft. Grade: A https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2782556-2018-nhl-draft-results-team-by-team-grades-for-notable-picks Detroit Red Wings: Filip Zadina, LW, Halifax, Grade: A Zadina has a terrific shot, and his ability to go to the front of the net is notable. He' also solid on both ends of the ice. Center Joseph Veleno, right wing Jonatan Berggren and defenseman Jared McIsaac all look like potential big-time contributors. So apparently all of these guys are clueless too.

it's confirmed Z-Z in the Top line...

Glad I'm not the first to mention this. Should Holland have started the rebuild sooner instead of holding on to the playoff streak? Sure, I won't disagree with anyone who wants to argue that point. However, all of you who see Hollands name and automatically scream about the sky falling, cannot claim these last 2 seasons of rebuilding haven't been wildly successful on his part. Tatar = 1st, 2nd, 3rd (fantastic haul for a middle 6 forward) Mrazek = 3rd, 3rd (great haul for a backup goalie that could be in Europe next year) Sheahan = 3rd (sucks we couldn't get more, but his value was at an all time low and we needed the cap for AA) Ott = 6th (fair) Vanek = 3rd (fair) Smith = 2nd, 3rd (highway robbery with Smith in the minors screwing up NYR's books) Jurco = 3rd (fantastic haul for an AHL/NHL tweener) Datsyuk = 2nd (between a rock n a hard place, traded out Chychrun for Cholo and got the cap space, fair) Kindl = 6th (thrilled just to get anything) I'm not at all mad about a single trade he's done since the rebuild started. And the Mrazek, Tatar, and Smith trades have me particularly happy. For a man who's never had to rebuild before he's doing grade A quality work so far. If you need every roster player to be traded in order to be happy, I think you're being a bit unrealistic with your expectations. Where I do draw issue, and where I think most of this boards frustrations truly lie, is with Blashill coming back. The whole "fresh voice" thing hasn't worked at all. Young players who had bright futures under Babs almost immediately regressed, and he's getting subpar performances from our vets as well (though aging plays a role with some). If we should damn anyone right now it's Blash, and if you wanna put Holland on blast, blast him for keeping Blash, otherwise Holland has been fantastic the last 2 seasons.

*singsongingitalong* Today's my birthday! Yes, it's my birthday! I'm going to the game! I'm taking my son. It's my son's first game. He's only three! I'm hoping we lose! Isn't that terrible! He's going to be sooo confused! Section 126 Row 24 if anyone wants to buy me a birthday beer (...or give me a punch to the gut for all my smartassedness around this joint over the years!) LGRW!

All realistic, unrealistic, and dream scenarios aside, please, please, PLEASE be our next GM. Please.

It is in our terms of service, and part of your agreement to post on this site. No politics. Period. No Trump jokes, no calling each other liberals, the only thing far right that should be discussed is the position of a winger. This is a strict policy that will be enforced after this warning. We want no part of it here, at all, anywhere. Stick to hockey and non-political discussion, this will be strictly enforced going forward. Keep it entirely off of these forums. Thank you.

Vanek signed for nearly the exact cap hit as Mantha, so obvious Mantha is done. Only you could be upset by this deal

So Lamoriello is Toronto GM with an agreement that he'll step away from Toronto to make way for Dubas when the timing is right. Apparently that right timing coincides with exactly the same time Toronto/Mississauga native, elite center, Johan Tavares is set to leaves the Islanders via FA. Lou then becomes GM of the Islanders John Tavares then signs with Toronto Lou then trades with Toronto to get an overpaid Matt Martin, giving Toronto cap relief. I'm not saying there's a conspiracy going on and Lou is a double agent, but I also don't trust Italians who've spent that much time in New Jersey...

New to this board, largely because I fell in love with Veleno's game the first scrimmage I watched him in Saint John. Not a season ticket holder, but I've seen him play many times. My first impression his first scrimmage when he was 15 was a tall, lanky floater. He looked first for someone to pass to. Then he out-fought a bigger, older, experienced player in a corner; then he stole a few more pucks along the boards; then he drifted over center, saw an opening and shot like a rocket around everyone to get a scoring chance with a great shot, with his head up. NHL speed at 15. NHL skills at 15. Two seasons ago I watched him out-skate and outwork Nico Hirchiser in the playoffs. My son and I agreed he was the better that game. The only other Q player who has ever excited me so thoroughly is MacKinnon. (I missed Crosby) I rarely once saw him play first line or first line minutes until this season. His coaches groomed him for an all around game, taught him defense, and I think that approach was best for him. He can skate and score but he looks for teammates first. Plays a team game. Others, IMHO, had trouble playing with him - didn't know how to get open. Also keep in mind he was captain in Saint John, for the 2017 Hlinka team, and his NHL Top Prospects team; because he is a leader. I'm biased, but in my opinion he's NHL ready and has HOF stamped on his forehead.

http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/23888005/2018-nhl-draft-winners-losers-draft-weekend-including-detroit-red-wings-new-york-islanders-artemi-panarin-gary-bettman Winner: Red Wings Filip Zadina might be the surest scorer in this draft, and somehow -- miraculously -- he fell in the Red Wings' lap at No. 6 overall. This is a winger who can play as soon as this season, even in a top-six role. The Red Wings then capitalized on another draft faller, when center Joseph Veleno was available at No. 30. Detroit's biggest need was defense, and they addressed that with three defensemen during the next two rounds. Detroit is embarking on a total makeover, and this draft couldn't have gone any better for GM Ken Holland -- who has been on a roll since the trade deadline after bringing in a haul for Tomas Tatar. Apparently, reports of Holland's demise have been greatly exaggerated. The Red Wings being good again is fun for everyone!

So much respect for this guy. One of my favorite Red Wings and one of the GOATs. Now if all you hack journalists could revisit your preseason team overviews: the Wings are no longer "in cap hell" and have gotten significantly younger.

Sad to see him go but he needs to take of himself now with a 3 year old running around.

I'm not for the Vanek signing, but I really dont see it as a big deal. Signings like the Nielsen signing, or even the Abby & Helm signings, those are signs that they are not thinking re-build. Contracts for mid tier players that are 1 or 2 years don't stop a re-build. Bernier was 3 years, but I think is so they have someone somewhat decent once the inevitable Howard trade takes place. I think Holland wants to be competitive up to the deadline, then sell and hope to do well in the lottery, opposed to being a team that is way out of it from the first month. Again, not necessarily my approach, but nothing to get worked up about. I'm sure a lot of this is coming from Illitch as well. Selling tickets does matter, and regardless of whether or not myself/posters here think this will matter, I think the perception of ownership is that it will. Either way, I'm sure come deadline time we sell Howard, Nyquist, Vanek, Jensen, possibly Frk and IF he wants one more shot Konrwall for picks. To me, today isnt a good day or a bad day in our re-build, its just a day.

Guys, remember that time we drafted Zadina???

Holland Interview on Red & White Authority Holland reiterates that the team is currently focused on building out with youth, but also emphasizes that veterans are still important, basically says: Can't just throw a buncha kids on the ice and expect them to have it all figured out on their own 4 years later. Young players need examples/mentors/leaders. They talk about the many puck-moving D-men in this draft. Holland states the Red Wings need this, but he also doesn't want a team of all 5'10" puck movers. He says we also need some, and this is the exact quote from Ken, "Trees" that can take on the bigger forwards in the league. Ken expects to take 2-3 D-men in the first 3 rounds (we have 7 picks in the first 3 rounds total) I thought this was kinda telling, because Holland kept mentioning it without really being asked. He says the Wings have an abundance of wingers they like in the system, but that if a good winger becomes available (someone who he thinks can net 30 goals and 60-70 pts a season) he's going to take him. Really gave me the impression that the Wings have their eye on a particular winger. Holland is expecting 1, maybe 2, young Dmen to make the team next year (Hicketts, Cholowski, Hronek, Sulak, or our 2018 1st rounder) They talk about Michael Rasmussen's personality and injury this season. They joke about how serious Rasmussen is about his profession, and about how he's so serious that he doesn't laugh. Holland says his personality and leadership was a real part of why the Wings liked him at the draft. Apparently Ras had the option to wait to do his surgery in the summer, but instead wanted to do it immediately this season so that he could rehab before the WHL playoff run and so he would be 100% ready for off-season training in which he intends to train to become a Red Wing. If Tri-City gets eliminated in the playoffs Ras will go immediately to GR to be the second line center according to Holland per Todd Nelson. Horcoff has been working closely with Cholowski to get him stonger. Dennis has added 20 lbs of muscle since we drafted him. Sounds like Holland really likes Ty Bertuzzi. Says 2uzzi has always gone deep in the playoffs wherever he's been and has never had a full summer to really put strength and weight on. That's what motivated the Red Wings to keep him off the Griffins playoff run this year. Blashill made the decision on Torchetti. Wings want to be better at special teams and Blashill wants to try something different on the PP. Holland is handing more responsibilities to Ryan Martin. Once the personnel market shakes out this summer, Holland would consider bringing on another assistant GM, specifically someone who has past experience as a head GM or assistant GM. Holland says Blashill is a young coach still learning everyday, but is a better coach today than when he took over the team. In regards to FA this season, Holland says some guys will be back, some guys won't (bye bye Green??) and will be replaced by younger players. He's hoping to have more cap flexibility next season.

No. What has turned this franchise into what it is is having sustained long term success in a league designed to prevent it. Implementation of a salary cap without even a luxury tax preventing signing of meaningful free agents, and then overpaying pending ones. Going long periods of time without high end draft picks, and missing on the lower ones that were awarded based on the way the draft is set up (punishing success, rewarding failure). No longer having the best scouting staff and pulling gems out of later rounds. Being incredibly unlucky in drafting defenseman and getting duds (Kindl, Smith), as well as fluke injuries/medical issues regarding defensemen who were actually very good (Vladi, Fischer, Kronwall). This team would not be any better today bringing up any of its past prospects sooner than it did. Blaming this team's current state of affairs on how it has handled its prospects in the past is quite irrelevant IMO. It's like that person you work with who blames all of their problems on whoever the President is. In reality, this has very little to do with their personal issues, but they don't like him, so he's a convenient scapegoat. In summary, this team's issues are multifaceted (as mentioned above). It's handling of prospects has never been one of them that i can recall. But it's easy to blame our downfall on that perception for those that didn't agree with it. It's just human nature I suppose.

Dahlin isn't "slipping away". Why would we get the 10th overall pick? We're currently sitting in 8th (from the bottom), so that would mean you fully expect 2 teams ahead of us in the standings to pick 1,2 or 3 in the draft... You think a team with worse odds than us can win the lottery, but we can't? Pretty pessimistic mind set isn't it? It's not going to take "incredible luck". Literally every year a team jumps ahead of a team with better odds. Whoever finished last place in the standings, there's actually a higher probability that they don't win the draft lottery than they do. They only have an 18% chance to pick first overall. That means there's an 82% chance that they don't. We currently have a 5.8% chance to land Dahlin. No, they're not great odds, but give me those odds in the Power Ball or Mega Millions and I'd like my chances. We also have an 18.3% chance of getting a top 3 pick. Slightly better odds than the worst team in the league has at Dahlin... We dropped back two spots last year. The chance of that happening again are likely slim. I like our chances of moving up this year. Maybe we luck out and get Dahlin, or maybe we get number 2 or 3. Either way, I think we're going to get a very good player in this year's draft. You also have to consider the fact that we're going to (hopefully) sell off some pieces by tomorrow. That could potentially drop us down another couple spots in the standings, which would *ever so slightly* improve our lottery odds. We also have a very difficult schedule down the stretch, which could bode well for us dropping a few extra points. We have NYR, STL, WPG, MIN, BOS, VGK, CBJ, SJS, LAK, ANA, COL, PHI, WSH, TOR, MTL, PIT, BUF, OTT, CBJ, MTL, NYI. Of those 21 games, we have 3 back-to-backs, 7 at home, 14 on the road, and only 5 of them are against teams with no chance of the playoffs (possibly 7, if CBJ and NYI are out by April). I've disagreed with a lot of Holland's moves over the years. Mainly free agent signings and trades, and a couple draft picks along the way, but one thing I do agree with him on, is keeping the winning culture. I'm glad we're not a team that is going full tank mode. I like that we're still remaining somewhat competitive on a nightly basis. I don't want us to tear it all down and trade everyone. I do hope he trades a few players by tomorrow though. When you're in our position, UFA's must go, and if teams are calling on players under contract, you still have to listen to every offer out there... Best case (somewhat likely) scenario, we trade 2-3 players by tomorrow's deadline, fall another spot or two in the standings and win the lottery with a top three (hopefully number one) spot in the draft.