wings87

I don't think it's just salary, the guy has been underperforming for awhile now. And I'm just not sure he can be better at this point.

If I was Stevie I wouldn't touch Richards and his contract.

Why would they sell? The Wings are still in the playoff hunt. And even if they where willing to sell, who on this team would bring a good enough return to make a trade worthwhile? Unless you want them to trade Pav, I guess.

I think the Marty exodus started in the offseason when Vinny was bought out. And it only got worse when Stevie didn't add him to the Olympic team, again. I'm sure he has love for the fans and his teammates but it's tough when you feel like your boss has no confidence in you as a player. Kunitz shouldn't have been there, but if he didn't go who would have carried Crosby's luggage around Sochi?

It might be better to play Eaves on the fourth line and send Juro down. I just think his development will suffer playing with Bert on the fourth line.

It's just wishful thinking anyway.

I can get behind that. Although would rather have Sheahan centering the 2nd line.

I agree that Dats would ideally like to have a pure scorer on his line but I think he would do just fine with Marty. I knew you would bring up Z's shot totals and even though he shoots the puck a ton he has never been a great goal scorer. I still think of him as more of a great all around player but he's more of a playmaker that can score, same as Pav.

I only sit Jurco because before Franzen got hurt he was lighting it up playing with Tatar.

I'm really over Pav playing with Abby, they just don't complement each other well. Plus I don't think he should be playing on the first line.

We are just spit-balling here, I don't think anyone actually thinks Holland will make the trade.

I disagree, Marty might be a playmaker but he can also score. And his playmaking abilities would also open up chances for Pav to score more. Kinda like having Z and Pav together with Holmstrom several years back.

It should be: Gus- Pav- Bert Franzen- Sheahan- Tatar Alfie- Helm- Abby Eaves- Glendening- Miller With Franzen coming back I think Jurco and Andersson should be scratched not Eaves and Glendening.

I'm sure he'd do just fine playing with Pav. And even though we all know that Holland won't trade for him it's still fun to imagine Pav playing with an actual scorer for once.

He might not be in favor of it, but to compare Marty to other 38 year olds is also unfair. He might be 38 but he's playing like he is 28.

Franzen and Bert on the same line scares me. Why not put Franzen with Tatar, they seemed to have good chemistry before Franzen got hurt.

Holland's quote from today: “Tonight (at Montreal) we’re going to sit out veteran players who could play in the NHL. I don’t know that I can make a deal that there’s many players out there that are better than those forwards.” Is he seriously saying he can't make a trade for a better player then Cleary?

Piche wasn't a big prospect, but I see you're point. But until I actually see Holland do it, I don't believe he would make a big deal. I hope I'm wrong.

I wonder if Yzerman not picking Marty for two Olympics has led to some bad blood.

Sorry about that, I quoted the wrong post.

I'm talking in general most prospects are overrated. That's why you get these crazy comparisons like so and so will be the next Lidstrom. I absolutely agree that there needs to be a balance, my issue is that Holland hasn't found a balance. He seems to be hoarding all of his prospects, whether they are A, B, or C level guys. When was the last time he made a trade involving young players? I think the Lang deal really shell-shocked him and he hasn't done any major trades since then. Yeah I doubt they move him too. But not totally surprised by request, I just don't think he and Yzerman every saw eye to eye.

Don't you mean depth defenseman.

But isn't that the issue with Holland? The guy never seems to find a deal he likes.

I don't think it's just a Red Wing issue, most teams in every sport overvalue their prospects. I think it has a lot to do with hoping young players become good so that the organization can save on salary instead of getting proven players and paying them more. I just wish the team would sometimes put hope aside and realize that the player they love so much is just isn't as good as they think he is.

And I would have no problem trading a roster player/plus. My thought is that with the way this team has looked, other then several players should we even have untouchables? The problem is that whether any team would be willing to trade anyone decent if a guy like Abby were included plus picks/prospects?.