Internet.Unknown

Happy birthday!

The Wings compete with Tampa, yes, but they don't necessarily need the same players or have the same holes to fill. I'm not going to go round and round with you on this.

Dallas and Tampa are making moves to try to improve their clubs. They aren't necessarily in direct competition with the Wings for the same players. This is an apples to oranges comparison.

Dallas is making moves, trying to improve, and players aren't refusing to sign there. Tampa Bay is making moves, trying to improve, and players aren't refusing to sign there. Am I sensing a theme? People who know history know that Holland didn't build those late 90's Cup teams. He spent to maintain them (02) after they had been built by Bowman and his predecessors. Furthermore, Holland was lucky in 08 and 09. (See Joe Dumars for reference). Having the best defenseman in a generation (along with prime Dats and Z) can do that to an organization. He didn't build the Wings championships and he sure as hell can't build them now. People shouldn't be complaining about getting fleeced in the Legwand deal. The team got fleeced in losing Yzerman and Nill.

Umm ... Bob Rouse?

No matter how nice parts of the state may be, California is going broke and businesses are fleeing. It's an interesting experiment in our republic.

Time for a Reality Check. 1. Iginla isn't coming to Detroit. Why in the hell would he at this late stage in his career when he would have very little chance at winning a Cup? 2. If healthy, the Wings will resign Alfie. The Swedes want him and KH loves Swedes and vets. 3. Management will do whatever it feels necessary to make the playoffs again. The team will not tank. The team will not commit 100% to youth. Management will not give up on the streak. Adjust your expectations accordingly.

I'm thankful that individuals are free to make their own decisions on when to retire. Do I want Cleary back on the Wings' roster this year? Nope. Would I tell another man to retire from his career? Never.

Yuck.

The question is probably moot. I doubt the guy would come to Detroit. Unfortunately, the Wings aren't close enough to winning a Cup.

Waah! Quit ridiculing me. Kidding.

Yup. Seems like another case of trying to do right by a player, like Eaves being dealt. Unfortunately, it sticks the Wings with the Mule until 2099 or some such.

I've suggested as much in the past and been ridiculed. Be ready ...

Good luck, 22! Love your competitive spirit.

Which does nothing to try to convince those in power that the streak is "meaningless." You can shout it here again and again, but until Holland et. al hears and agrees, the Wings' philosophy isn't going to change.

Tell the Wings. Vote with your pocketbook. Write a letter. Hell, get on twitter and try to convince @DetroitRedWings that the streak is meaningless. You've got numerous options.

THE WINGS OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT THINK THE STREAK SPECIAL. Repeat that 3 times and I'll bang my head on the desk for luck.

You can keep saying this--you can even stomp your feet and hold your breath--but it won't change the ownership or Holland's minds. You opinion doesn't matter. Theirs does and the streak is clearly a priority to them. Additionally, if the streak were such a joke, half of the teams in the NHL would have active twenty year streaks. That's what your math suggests, right?

Not gonna happen. The Wings brass wants the streak to continue as long as possible.

Thank God you didn't link the pic where Backus' frilly undies were visible through his sweaty pants. What's your point? I said the Wings need to get bigger and grittier, which will probably invovle trading one of Gus or Tatar. The Wings weren't afraid to make changes after a Finals appearance in '95. They sure as hell shouldn't be afraid to make them now.

His plan was Suter and Parise. Oops.

People keep repeating "the streak doesn't matter" yet the Wings management and ownership showed that it matters to them (the Legwand trade). Folks need to accept this.

Some people just like to *****. Some love repeating "I told you so." A lot do both. Yep, Jarnkrok could turn out to be a stud. He could also fizzle out like a lot of other prospects. Most likely he'll end up somewhere in the middle. But to proclaim this deal the equivalent to the Tigers' John Smoltz for Doyle Alexander trade is rashly premature (even though the Tigers got exactly what they wanted in that deal). The fact is, Holland WAS desperate, but justifiably so. He, the rest of management, the ownership, and the players wanted to keep the playoff streak alive. So when Helm went down with yet another injury, the Wings' top center was Joakim Andersson. Talk about something to ***** about! A move for a veteran center HAD to be made at the deadline. Holland didn't have a choice. Season ticket holders, the media, the fans, and all the sweating, keyboard-pounding know-it-alls would have torched the Joe had the Wings iced Andersson as the 1C for the rest of the season. "Why didn't Holland make a deal at the deadline? He could have traded Kindl for a number one center! Instead he kicked my dog!" Moreover, every other GM in the league knew it. So when Holland called, they played hardball, and the Wings had to make their best offer, even though it stings. The Wings still have Nyquist, Tatar, Jurco, Mantha, Oullette, Marchenko, Mrazek, and others whose names I can't remember/spell in the system. If half of these players turn out half as good as many suggest, the Wings will be winning the Cup soon and often. The future can't be that bleak after losing one of their prospects in a trade.

In the salary cap world, Tootoo is getting paid too much. That hindered his trade-ability more than anything. If he's bought out and isn't picked up by another team, then I'll concede your point.

Few want to listen to this advice. They love Gus. They love Tatar. The Wings will never ice a decent team again if one of them is packaged for a bigger, gritty forward that can score. Yes, that last sentence was sarcasm. Am I the only one who remembers the manhandling the Devils gave to the Wings in '95? It looked and felt a lot like this series against the Bruins. Changes had to be made after '95, even though the team had reached the Finals. And we all know how that worked out long term.