marcaractac

This trade gives the team a shot at staying in the hunt until we get players back. If Weiss and helm return sooner rather than later, at least we can ice a good enough roster to win some games while dats is out. If dats can play in three weeks we have a solid forward group to finish off the season and hopefully go into the playoffs with. Sure on paper we probably overpaid. But hey, I'm sure management knows something that we don't. I'm thankful that they didn't give up on the season and didn't sell the farm to do so. Its a bummer we didn't get a top four dman, but this defense got the job done in the home stretch last year and I have faith they can do it again with a little luck with the injured players. We got a center who can contribute on both ends of the ice. It gets a fourth line center off of our top line. Its also a player who wants to be here, and has shown in the past he can be clutch when called upon. Here is to hoping a lot of crow is eaten by seasons end!

With it being leaked that Shero will top any offer, hopefully all other GM's drive the price way up on him. Shero is an idiot.

It won't take roster players to get it done. Sabres are in balls out rebuild mode.

Anybody is tradable for the right price. It does not make them expendable.

Our draft position will be about what it was last year. You can quote me on that when the time comes. This team will make the playoffs, and I like their chances getting beyond the first round if they can finish within the top 3 of their division. Another thing I think they will accomplish.

I think a team would be stupid to give a 1st for Vanek without it being a conditional pick. In the end, Holland won't go for a rental. Wings landing Vanek would hinder on him singing long term. But it's already well known he wants to test the market. If he wants to play here, he'd come here this summer. No point giving up assets for him now.

Montreal, Toronto, Tampa, Rangers, Philly, Washington, Columbus, Ottawa. These are all very beatable teams, even with our current roster. Boston and Pittsburgh are the 2 teams to worry about. If we can avoid those 2 teams in the first round, The Wings can make some noise. A couple moves and the return of Hank, and we can beat the Bruins or Pens as well. We can't worry about the favorites out west here. Only one of them can make the finals, and in the finals anything can happen. The east is weak, and anything can happen. I think this team is closer to being a contender than a lot of people think.

@Daubura, totes agree. Also, getting a top 4 dman gives guys like Smith more time to grow as a player.

I think getting Kesler starts with Sheahan and a 1st. They want a young center who can develop into a similar role. Nyquist IMO should be untouchable, as we're gonna need him to make up for the eurotwins declining production when they get a little older. We pretty well need Gus now and down the road. Tatar is definitely expendable though.

Compared to the last few years, it is.

In the end, we have little experience on defense. Half our defense have very little playoff experience. One of the veteran half is Quincey. Ehrhoff would solidify our top 4 and give us nice depth at the position. We'd have to give up a 1st in a weak draft. Not a big deal. We'd have to give up one good prospect. Not a big deal. Then a 3rd piece that can range anywhere from a lower level prospect to a salary dump like Quincey. We'd also in return get a dman with big game experience in the NHL and international level. A guy who could put up 40-50 points a year on a good team. It is literally a risk free move that makes our team better.

Regardless of how close in the standings this team may be to these high picks, in the end our pick won't be anywhere near it. This team has too much pride to s*** the bed for a good pick. It isn't the Red Wing way, and I am proud of that. Also, nobody is saying Ehrhoff is gonna come in and elevate us to new heights. He would be a piece that fits in well and make our team faster and harder to play against with his puck moving ability. We're not expecting him to come to Detroit and be Lidstrom. Like I said before, this makes sense for trading for rentals. If we were to land 2 players like that now, they'd still be here. Along with Dats and Hank. I definitely don't think Holland should make a move just for the sake of it. But if the price is within reason and it a player who would be around beyond this season, go for it.

Understandable. Still is kind of unfortunate what he has to put up with though. If I was dealing with that and had the media asking about it every single day, I would definitely handle it a lot worse. Making big bucks or not, I'd definitely have a lot of choice words for my employers lol. I always figured a big part of his handling it well was to not look bad for potential suitors in a trade.

It's neat that you can read his mind

If they can get assets that help them with their rebuild, he'll be moved.

Money isn't everything to some people

The way I see it, with the potential Mantha has, to trade him it has to be a package that gets us a non-rental star in return. You don't give up Mantha for someone like Kesler or Edler. You give up Mantha if you have a shot at a guy like Stamkos or Toews. Someone who can become an integral part of the team going forward for years to come. We have other prospects that can get guys like Kesler if Holland wanted him bad enough. Wings aren't going to go after a rental

For sure. I've gained so much respect for him with how he handled it all really

Ehrhoff is signed beyond this year though. Getting him makes this team better going forward regardless of how you look it at. Whether we are in limbo right now or not, it would be a great pick up. They can't revolve decisions like these based around what ifs. If we have someone hurt, than we need to get better. Not stand pat and be all "better luck next year". Mantha and Mrazek you'd have to think are untouchable. Especially Mantha. But for Sproul or Oulette to be a part of a package for Ehrhoff? No brainer really. We have plenty of kids in the system. What you are saying makes sense as far as trading for a rental goes. But that wouldn't be the case here. Ehrhoff is a proven player who can improve this team. Sproul and Oulette are 2 guys who MIGHT improve the team a few years from now.

I feel awful for him. I always have been, and still am convinced that Lou's struggles at times during the playoffs were the fault of his surroundings. Can you imagine what goes on in that guys head at this point? I bet if he ever were to get away from Vancouver, he'd be back to his old form in no time. That entire organization is a mess. All I can say is good luck to them ever luring a big name UFA.

This is why we make a deal with Buffalo and not Vancouver. It would only take picks and prospects, not roster players. sure they'd probably have to take 1 or 2 of our bad expiring contracts as well (as they'd probably need to to stay above the cap floor anyway if they sell off everyone).

The defense isn't that bad no. But the team does need another puck mover on the back end. That will increase scoring. The good thing is, all the contenders are in the west. Only one of them can make it to the finals. The east is wide open, and the Wings are capable to getting through.

I didn't say anything about 2 minor moves. I said 1-2 of the right moves. Almost any team in the east that makes the playoffs are capable of making the finals. We don't have any teams like St. Louis or Chicago in the east. I don't see the Wings as a bubble team what so ever. It is a team that has been decimated with injuries all season long, playing with different lines almost every night, and had bad goaltending the first half of the season. Yet we are STILL in a playoff spot with a great chance of moving up. This is a team that could become the team to beat in the east if everything goes our way. Not saying it is enough to win it all. But hey, if you can make it to the dance, anything can happen. Why wait until Hank and Dats are in their late 30's to go for it? We have loads of depth up front. We need to solidify the back end. Adding another top 6 forward would be just gravy. I just think this team is a lot better than the stats show, and definitely a lot better than some here are making them out to be. If Franzen keeps playing as he has, and Weiss can be the player he is capable of everything will be fine. It isn't even far fetched for that happen.

I think it would be silly to wait until we are a clear cut favorite to make any moves. I'm not saying we should sell the farm for one or two players. But if the price is right and it can make this team better now and for the next few seasons, I say go for it. We have a lot of prospects. There won't be room for all of them on this team. This team can compete this season. Especially if we get Hank back on time for the playoff run.

I'm not sure I agree. Every team in the east has holes. It isn't like the west where there are 3-4 solid all around teams that are capable of winning it all. Any team in the east can be beaten if all goes well. This current team with 1 or 2 of the right additions and a healthy roster have as good a shot of anyone at coming out of the eastern conference. I say make moves now that makes sense. Go for ti while we have Alfie. Go for it before age starts to really catch up to Dats and Hank. This team isn't far from being able to compete in the east.