krsmith17

1. I completely agree with this. 2. It's unclear if you're talking about Carlson or De Haan / Cole here. If it's the former, he absolutely is a top pair defenseman, it's just debatable whether he's a true number one, or a number two. If it's the latter, I completely agree. We do not need to overpay for more of these type players. 3. I'd be shocked if Cole signs for much more than $4M, but your point stands. At this point, I'd rather keep Ericsson, rather than move him and retain salary, especially with his much improved play. However, if we could move him without retaining any salary and actually gain an asset (this isn't as crazy as some "Errorsson bashers" might think), I'd do it in a heartbeat. 4. I somewhat agree with this. More so to the point that kliq made, about showing weakness, or like you said, other GM's smelling blood in the water. But I don't think the return would effect Green's decision to re-sign or not. There's no way a team doesn't offer significantly better than just a 3rd though. 5. I think Green would be open to re-signing here, but I don't think it's a sure thing. We weren't quite as bad as we are now when he originally signed here, and he's getting up there in age now (for an athlete). He'll probably only sign another one or two contracts, and he may want to chase a Cup at this point. 6. I agree that we shouldn't overpay for any UFA's, but I don't think $7Mx7 is overpayment for a legit top pair defenseman. However, I do agree with kliq and Dabura's point about trying to offload a bad contract or two first. I think Kronwall may actually finish out his contract at this point (maybe), but if he went the way of LTIR(etire), and we were able to offload Nielsen's contract, that would make that $7M very doable, even if he is at worst a number two defenseman.

Teams are always looking for depth at the deadline. Granted it's usually for pending UFA's, but Nyquist is a solid 40-50 point, top 6 winger on a cap friendly contract with only one year remaining. A team like Nashville, San Jose or Columbus could use an added offensive punch for a playoff run. I doubt Holland will shop him now, or at the draft, but I'm sure if he were to shop him, there would be plenty of interest. And in my opinion, there would be more at the deadline then there would be at the draft. Most, but not every move made on and leading up to the deadline are "deadline trades" though, some are actual "hockey trades". If the organization is done with Mrazek, it would be wise to move him sooner than later. A team like Arizona, who obviously have zero chance at the playoffs, could be a good fit. That would be a hockey trade, and one that I could see happening. Lots of teams are looking for defensive depth at the deadline, and Ouellet could be a good cheap option. Of course we're not going to get much for him, but I'd take a mid round pick for him in a heartbeat.

Yes, I'd sign Carlson to $7x7 in a heartbeat, if we had the cap space. I'd hope he'd make the cap space if Carlson were willing to sign. Unfortunately, a lot of other things would have to go right in order for us to have a shot at Carlson or any other big name UFA. Not going to happen...

I think everyone would agree that our biggest need is defense, but if we end up with 4 or 5 picks in the first two rounds, I definitely wouldn't take all defensemen. I think our first pick should definitely be a defenseman, especially considering the quantity of quality defensemen at the top of the draft next year, but I'd mix a couple forwards in there for sure. It's not like we're stacked up front. We have three or four promising young top six forwards, but that's about it. Unless everything else is equal, we should be taking best player available in my opinion.

Yeah, Mantha was older in his draft year. I agree on Ras. I think he'll have to really up his game, and come into camp next season and dominate. He was good in training camp this year, and he produced, but he was far from dominant. I'd love nothing more than to see him make the team sooner than later though. Regarding next year's defense, you're forgetting about Dahlin...

I'd be completely okay with this, as long as the return is decent for each.

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure Rasmussen has to play in Detroit or back in Tri-City again next season, will not be eligible to play in Grand Rapids. I agree with Bertuzzi taking Booth's spot in the lineup. If Svechnikov doesn't get his game back on track, he could be looking at another season down in GR.

Bertuzzi was recalled again today. I guess Glendening is still out. Hopefully Bert has a better showing in this stint.

I think that was his point though, and I somewhat agree with that point. I wouldn't sell everyone, but everyone outside of Larkin and Mantha would be available at the right price. Ideally, I'd like Green and maybe one or two other moves made at the deadline to acquire futures (prospects / picks)...

I appreciate you Dylan.

I wasn't a huge fan of the Daley signing, I wanted some of the kids to get a look before we signed a player outside the organization. That and the Athanasiou situation. I knew Daley would be a solid addition, just didn't think it was the right move at the time. I do think most other options could have done as well as his 5 points in 32 games, and -13, but I don't think anyone would have been given his tough assignments. Not only is he out there against the leagues best every night, but I believe he's the main reason for Ericsson's resurgence this season. Ericsson has been great thus far, arguably our most steady defender. It's odd though that Ericsson and Daley have been a staple for most of this season and Ericsson is a team best +3 and Daley is a team worst -13...

This exactly. Not to mention, De Haan and Cole aren't much better than Ericsson. Certainly not worth the cost of the buyout in my opinion. I'd be open to a trade possibility, but again, only if it's for a significant upgrade.

I wouldn't say he's a "really, really good coach", but he's definitely much better than Wings fans would ever give him credit for. There's still a lot of personnel decisions he makes that I hate, but I think he's done some good with this roster as well.

I'd like to see him above that mark, but 1.5 points per game is solid production. He's been hot the past half dozen games (nearly 2 points per game), hopefully he keeps up that sort of pace...

I think that should be a realistic timeline. Hopefully he's an upgrade to Daley though...

I don't think the same sort of expectations that were on Mantha were ever placed on Svechnikov, despite their draft position. I think Svechnikov's ceiling has always been middle six winger, whereas Mantha, the sky was (is) the limit. I don't like players being called out in the media by management, but I completely understand the organization being harder on the higher end players. But yeah, Svech is having a rough season to put it mildly. The team has been utterly bad, but that's no excuse. He needs to be MUCH better, and in my opinion he has been very, very disappointing...

Not really that surprising. Ericsson has been one of our better defenders all season... I don't take much stock in +/-, but he's been leading the team in that stat for a while now.

I'm making plans now for my annual voyage to Detroit in the next couple months. Really looking forward to check out the LCA. I also may be in town for an away game, and I'm wondering if anyone here has ever attended the Official Viewing Party held at the Sound Board in the MotorCity Casino Hotel? If so, what was the experience like? I know an alumni member makes a guest appearance, and you can play Red Wing trivia for a chance to win autographed memorabilia. As far as I know, it's free to attend? Any other tid-bits anyone would like to share?

Yes, it was the lines they skated with in practice (Booth at center), and yes, Blashill said they will start the game tomorrow night with those lines... Fortunately, I don't expect it to last long, but I still don't get putting Mantha on the 4th line. He hasn't been great, but he's still been good (better than most forwards most nights)...

Athanasiou has been moved up to play with Larkin in the top 6... Mantha has been moved down to play with Booth and Frk on the 4th line...

Mark Messier?

To be fair, Montreal need offence and defense. I'd agree though that they're probably weaker up front. I'm not sure Nyquist would be a great fit there though and what would Montreal (a team in a similar spot as us) want with a rental in Green? I think Nyquist would be a great fit in Nashville, and I'd rather go hard after a Fabbro than McCarron. I'm not sure that McCarron will ever be a top line winger (more of a middle 6 winger), and I think Fabbro could develop into a top pair defenseman. I know the Habs do tend to overpay for their French Canadian players, so I'm thinking a package of Ouellet and a 3rd round pick could be enough.

That's even more concerning... Management aren't going anywhere, and if they don't realize this team is in desperate need to add some elite talent (top of the draft), we're in for a long, painful decade of Red Wings hockey. I've never been a proponent to tanking, but when it's clear the team is on the down slide, the best thing for the organization is to trade off assets to better the future. Especially this season being such a top heavy draft and deep first round. I don't think we should trade off half the team like some do, but I would be listening to offers on anyone outside of Larkin and Mantha.

Red Wings GM Ken Holland was on TSN 1050 and noted that their next 10 to 15 are critical and if things don’t go well for them, he’ll “be working the phones looking to the future.” This is a little concerning to me. Holland should already be in sell mode and working the phones looking to the future... I don't believe everything GM's and coaches say to the media, but I fully believe that Holland thinks that this team could somehow squeak into the playoffs, and that that would be the best for this organization... It's not.

IF management have decided that Howard is the goalie they're going forward with, and they want to move on from Mrazek, I'm all for trading him rather than losing him for nothing. If we retain half his salary, I think we'd be able to do better than a 3rd round pick though. If we can get a 2nd, go for it I guess. Trade Green to Toronto for their 1st round pick. Trade Mrazek ($2M retained) to Arizona for Minnesota's 2nd round pick. Trade Ouellet and Pittsburgh's 3rd round pick to Montreal for Michael McCarron. Trade Nyquist and Saarijarvi to Nashville for Dante Fabbro. We'd go into next year's draft with two 1st round picks, three 2nd round picks, a 3rd, 4th, two 6ths and a 7th. I know, I know, never going to happen, but that's the sort of trade deadline I'd like to see...