marcaractac

I do understand the concern. I agree no signing is a sure thing. But it is less of a risk when no assets are given up. Even if he didn't pan out, there are always teams like Florida who can't lure a UFA to save their lives who would likely take a gamble on a contract dump. It's not like they ever have to worry about cap space lol. But based on Niskanen's body of work, the risk is very small. The reward is also potentially great. If he were to turn out to be a great Red Wing, that also allows Holland a little freedom in using a defensive prospect in part of a trade to fix future holes in the lineup. Just don't give up Smith is all

Agreed. He has shown zero signs of being a one hit wonder. All the evidence point out to him just continuing to get better. He is exactly what fits this teams needs. We're not gonna get a Shea Weber. For the Wings to win, they need to have 6 dmen who can all play responsible hockey and move the puck. Not every team is gonna have an all around dominant dman who can play 30 minutes a night. There are simply not enough of them in the league. Teams that do have to depend on that are also probably not deep enough to go the distance. *cough*wild*cough* Kronwall, Niskanen, Ericsson and Dekeyser makes a sexy top 4. Smith and Ouellet/Marchenko can make for a very solid 3rd pairing. That gives us 5 dmen who can log a lot of minutes if need be, and space for 2 kids to get their experience at this level. If they outplay any of the said 5, even better for us.

The planets have aligned for Holland to upgrade the blueline through UFA. In the past, there were cap worries. Now, there is not. No more excuses. Holland needs to make it so unless Niskanen flat out does not want to play in Detroit, that he will come here. He needs to be willing to match any contract for him within reason. Edit: I'm not gonna quote you cause im too lazy. I agree Ouellet and Marchenko would likely be an improvement over kindl and lashoff (but who wouldn't?), it is a MUCH bigger risk going into the season with a rookie 3rd pairing than it would be to sign Niskanen. We need to vastly improve the D, not potentially marginally improve it.

I don't think Boyle is in a situation where he needs change, he is just old. He has lost a step, and will be nothing close to what he used to be. Niskanen hasn't magically become a good player this season. He has been steadily improving each year. That isn't a sign of having a big year than disappearing again. That is a sign of things to come. He is right at the age where dmen tend to break out, and he will only get better. Pens can't afford him, so he is as good as gone. We needed a long term fix on the blueline for a few seasons now, and Suter has been the only option so far, but he chose Minny. Chances to get a guy like Niskanen without giving up assets doesn't come along very often. Holland absolutely has to make a legit attempt at luring him here. If we can get him here, and trade for some along the lines of Kesler or Pavelski without having to give up a defensmen, suddenly this team is maybe a year away from being a serious contender again. I only think a year away because I figure there will have to be a deep run ending in heartbreak to come first so the kids can learn what it takes to win, ala Blackhawks in 2009.

If you think Ouellet and Marchenko as the 3rd pairing is gonna solve all the problems, im afraid I have some bad news. That is too much to expect out of 2 kids who have less then 10 NHL games played between them. Dmen take longer to develop than forwards. If you think the growing pains have been bad with smith.... Niskanen is a guy who can be signed on a long term contract, and be no older than 35 when it expires. it would be the perfect signing for this team. He has the skill, Holland has the cap space. in no way is this not a great option. When it comes down to it, we still need proven players to play with the kids. Also, Boyle is awful now. He is old and slow, and has been invisible in the playoffs. No thanks. Niskanen is young, talented, and hopefully the pens get knocked out so he remains hungry.

Always liked him on the TSN panel. HE was good at that. Anything to get Biron off of it. Ugh..... Put Biron on RDS (french TSN) or something. I absolutely cannot deal with the way he talks. It isn't even just the accent. He also speaks english wrong.

I'm not comparing the 2 as players. I'm saying like Rafalski did at the time, he would fill a huge need if signed. He has also shown he is good for more than 1 year. This has just been his break out year. AND he can get it done in the playoffs. It would be insane to not sign him if given the chance. He is also good defensively. He will continue to get better, and would pretty much become the 2nd best dman on this team right off the bat. They are all back now, and Niskanen is still getting more than 20 minutes per game. Because he has earned it and is producing. He can play on the PP and the PK. He's good, he's young, and he's what the Wings need. a HUGE upgrade over Q. Get rid of Kindl and Lashoff, and then have 2 of the kids be the 6th and 7th dman. If/when the time comes the kids are better than any of the 5 dmen ahead of them, moves can be made to accommodate that. Signing Niskanen doesn't jeopardize the future, it gives this team more assets to deal with. Kronwall, Dekeyser, Ericsson, Smith, and Niskanen. Those are 5 dmen that many other teams would love to have if any of the kids were to steal their job. It's not like we'd have a bunch of untradable contracts on the back end handcuffing the team.

He is the real deal. Look at the talent the Pens have on the back end, then look at his ice time. He has earned it. At his age, he is also only coming into his prime. Adding him would be as perfect a fit as adding Rafalski was back in 2007. Crazier things have happened when GM's get desperate to keep their job.

Nobody is saying we wouldn't have to give up a lot. But changes have to be made in San Jose, and Pavelski is the type of player this team has needed for quite some time. A guy who can put up 40 goals in a season. I'd imagine if the price is right, anyone is available in San Jose right now. Obviously Joe and Marleau will be their first choices to move. But how high can their demand be after years and years of not getting it done?

Nothing to do with that. I already said having Kesler here would be awesome. It is just not wise to trade someone like Smith to get him when the defense is something that needs to be fixed as well. Even signing Niskanen, if Smith is gone there is still too much uncertainty on the 3rd pairing. I'm fine with either Kesler or Pavelski. Pavelski is just gonna score a hell of a lot more, and that is something the top 6 can use a little bit more. But if you see other things I have posted, I also thought that Brent Burns would probably be a better option for this team than either.

Well, considering he has yet to play pro hockey, its for the best he spends a year or two in GR. he has a lot to learn, and he himself has even said so himself. Love the kids attitude though.

I'd be s***tin kittens if Holland were to pull off a trade for Brent Burns

Desperate times call for desperate measures for a team who year after year continues to put together a team that can't get it done. At this point they need to shake things up. Hell what about Burns? The guy at one point was projected to be a regular Norris contender. He has been playing forward the last few years, but it is not like he suddenly can't defense. I also remember Babs being pissed when SJ landed him, because it is the type of player he wanted. He'd make the team bigger, and depending on other moves Holland makes, he can play D or forward. He did start to struggle with the Wild, but the Wild were also awful back then. Regardless, the guy is an absolute beast. He is also a righty

I would but he doesn't seem to like clowns

FLYING V!!!

Go hard for Niskanen, trade for Pavelski. Let the kids keep on developing. That alone would make the Wings loads better. Sure Pavelski doesn't solve the size problem, but holy s*** the guy could score. Gives the Wings options to. IF Weiss doesn't pan out, boom second line center. A legit one to. If Weiss is healthy and plays like he can, put Pavelski on Pasha's Wing and enjoy the show.

Lots of boos for the team salute hahahaha

So.... how about Pavelski? You gotta think changes are coming in SJ. Same results with 2 different coaches. Proof is there that the players just can't get it done.

Sad but true. Even though it has been proven it is the the core of this team that can't get it done, and not the coaches. The Thornton curse continues

Holland better have Wilson's # on speed dial. The time is right for a firesale

Along with the Sharks blowing 2 3-0 series leads within that same time span. It's almost like this was destined to happen.

The Wild have Matt Cooke'd themselves into the next round

Bryz with a 1 save game 7 overtime win lol

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

What about cyber groins?