krsmith17

If we continue on the same track and keep at a similar pace for the remainder of the regular season (which I fully expect), we will finish, top 3 in the East, and that is dramatic improvement compared to what was expected of this team prior to the season by analysts and even much of the fan base. Even if we do happen to get bounced in the first or second round this season, I definitely won't take that to be a failure of a season. This is a very young and inexperienced team, compared to what we're used to. These kids are only going to improve over the next few seasons, and gaining experience, even if it is the bitter taste of defeat, will only help along their development. I wouldn't be surprised if this team makes some noise in the playoffs this year, but fully expect them to be a legit threat next season, and win a Cup within 3-5 years.

Get. It. Done.

I got to disagree with you on this one wings4thecup06. It's not that I think Ouellet isn't ready or not good enough to fill the bottom pairing hole, I just don't see it happening full time yet. Of course there are somewhat likely scenarios which could take place but I think Holland will do what he can to keep him down in Grand Rapids for another half to full season after this year, and personally I'd be quite okay with that. One scenario being, he absolutely dominates down the stretch (assuming he gets called up again), giving Holland no choice but to have him on the team (doubtful). If two defenseman (Kindl and Smith or Quincey) get traded at the trade deadline or prior to next season (doubtful two, although I do think Kindl will be traded/waived before next season), or if we completely strike out in free agency (I really think we're going to land a big name this offseason... Hopefully Franson). Or if we have a couple injuries on the backend during camp, leading into the season... I think Ouellet is a good young player, but he just doesn't wow me in any aspect of the game, and other than having a good hockey IQ and positionally sound, he isn't all that spectacular. I think a lot of people are so high on him just because he is probably the most NHL ready, but he isn't our top defense prospect, Sproul takes that by a landslide in my opinion. The kid is still just 21 years old, and he could still use some developing down in Grand Rapids. Why rush him if we don't need to? He's getting a good taste right now, due to injury and the fact there isn't a better option right now. However, with an option like Franson available, I'd much rather go into next season with something along the lines of... Kronwall - Ericsson Smith - Franson DeKeyser - Quincey Lashoff or Jensen I don't have these pairings based on which player is better, more so for balance. There's no reason all three of those lines can't play between 18-22 minutes a night. Whether people like it or not, I believe Kronwall and Ericsson will be a staple on the top line until someone flat out takes Ericsson's spot. I think Smith and Franson have the potential to be a very good pairing, and DeKeyser and Quincey have already gained a ton of chemistry and proven to be very solid pair. The kids continue to develop their game in Grand Rapids for another season with Ouellet, Sproul, Jensen and Marchenko getting looks throughout the season...

Well said kliq. Completely agree.

Jesusberg, if Kenny is truly going by the sentiment of "go big or go home", then my bet is he "goes home"... I just can't see Holland giving up the assets it will take to get a Yandle, Green or Myers... e_prime, I agree that Holland should be doing something, but that something doesn't need to be earth shattering. I do believe we will end up with one of Petry, Zidlicky or Michalek at the deadline this year. We desperately need a right handed defenseman, and they are the most reasonable options in my opinion. I don't think it's fair to say "... and 28 other teams" will be after Franson. Of those 28 teams, only half will show interest, only a handful will have the cap space, and only a few will garner the same interest from Franson... I think it would come down to 3 or 4 teams, with us being a very strong candidate. I think he could choose to come here, knowing what a great franchise and culture there is in Detroit, and how well players are treated, as well as the bright future with all the young talent. He knows he would get a ton of minutes and an opportunity to quarterback the power-play.

As for the Yandle vs Green debate, I agree with Euro_Twins. I think Yandle is the better defenseman, although not by a whole lot, but Green is definitely the better fit for us. He would be a much cheaper option and fills a bigger need being right handed. He can move the puck and quarterback a power-play, and produces at a similar clip as Yandle... Like E_T said, we shouldn't be overpaying for another left handed defenseman. I don't think we should be overpaying for any defenseman at this point but I would definitely choose Green over Yandle if they were the choices.

e_prime, this coming offseason will not be anything like the past few, in which we still attracted a few of the top UFA's. You can't compare this team two years ago when everyone was counting us out, saying that the Red Wings are finally going to miss the playoffs (just barely squeaking in), to a team that can potentially finish top in the East, and make a decent run. Like I've said time and time again, players take notice to what goes on around the league, and they definitely see a young, talented team with a bright future. This team has made the playoffs for 23 straight years and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. There's no reason to think we will not be a main attraction for UFA's going forward. I think we have a real shot at Franson, and that's the player I would try to go after... This coming offseason, after re-signing Smith, we'll have Kronwall, Ericsson, DeKeyser, Smith, Quincey and Kindl. Lashoff has been waived and cleared, he will not be on the roster next season, either in Grand Rapids or with another club. Kindl will most likely get waived as well if there are no takers on the trade market. That leaves us with 5 defenseman on our NHL roster, allowing us to sign Franson to a contract and either sign another vet to have as our number 7 or continue to use Lashoff in that spot, or have one of the kids up on a rotation (doubtful). Yeah, I want to see the kids up as much as anyone, but while they all still have waiver exemption, they are most likely to stay down there, unless we do happen to strike out on free agency. Holland will always choose a veteran over a kid when they have waiver exemption, especially if he has the opportunity to add a player of Franson's caliber without giving up assets. There are a few forward prospects that I feel we should hold on to but the only defense prospect that is off limits for me, is Sproul. I'm glad you're admitting that you just want a trade for the sake of a trade because a lot of the trade proposals that are being thrown around are ridiculous, and will hamper us for years to come... Speaking of which, Dickie... you would give up Larkin or Mantha, and Ouellet or Sproul, and (another prospect or two...) Athanasiou, and a first round pick for Yandle? Are you ******* kidding me? You're just looking for reactions at this point aren't you? That's insane... I wouldn't give all that up for Weber, let alone Keith ******* Yandle...

Don't worry about it matt198913, the same people are going to continue to ***** about Smith, because he was a first round pick that hasn't matured quite as fast as we all thought he would. Never mind that he has taken huge strides within the last year. We should just be thankful that Holland isn't as short sighted as some fans, and Smith isn't going anywhere (unless it's in a package for a significant upgrade)... I don't expect him to ever become a top pairing defenseman, but he still has the potential (hell, I think he is right now) a very solid 2nd pairing guy, that should get more power-play time... Another great game by Smitty and a great shot from his right side. I really hope Holland can insert a couple righties into the lineup over the next 6 months, whether it be through trade (without Smith going the other way... and obviously Kronwall and DeKeyser aren't going anywhere), or free agency (Franson), or promotion from Grand Rapids...

I think it says a lot about Marchenko's character to want to work his way through the minors, into the best league in the world, but don't mistake Marchenko for having "top end talent". He is a very good prospect, but I would be extremely surprised if he ever becomes anything more than a third pairing shut-down guy in this league...

frankgrimes, Holland is not "in dire need of defensive help"... Could we use help on the back end, especially in the puck moving variety? Absolutely, but we are one of the top defensive teams in the league, sitting one point out of first with a game in hand... Try harder to make it seem like "the Red Wings suck" or "their nowhere near as good as the standings show"... Back when Holland had fire? You mean when he had unlimited money to spend on whatever free agent he wanted... pre salary cap?... Mantha, Larkin and McKee? Seriously? Why am I not surprised to see you put McKee in the same category as those two...

Couldn't agree more wings4thecup06. Dickie, some people may bash Holland for not having balls to make a trade every year, and once again at this years deadline (if he doesn't), and some people may not want Holland to make any big trades this deadline, parting with our top end prospects... but for the most part (or at least in my case) those are not the same people... Although there definitely are some bipolar individuals on LGW...

As expected, Lashoff clears waivers. Assigned to Grand Rapids.

Jesusberg, well I agree that we should agree to disagree... If both Yandle and Franson were UFA's this offseason and they were both willing to sign with our team for the same amount of money, and we had to choose one, I pick Franson every time. Of course Yandle is not a UFA, and to get him, we have to give up assets, which would make my decision that much easier. I'm not saying Yandle isn't good by any means, he's a great player, but I think Franson is better and a better fit for the Red Wings. Franson is a year younger, much bigger and stronger, and is that coveted right handed shot. Franson hits everything that moves, 138 hits to Yandle's 29. Franson is a shot blocking machine, 95 blocked shots to Yandle's 60. Franson's giveaway to takeaway ration is much more impressive, 46/32 to Yandle's 48/17. Yandle has 2 more points than Franson, but Franson has 2 more goals than Yandle, despite Yandle getting more time on ice per game, and more power-play time... I'll admit I haven't watched a ton of Arizona/Phoenix games the past couple years, but I do watch the scattered one and Yandle never wows me. I do however, watch a ton of Toronto games because my girlfriend is a (gulp) Leafs fan... and Franson almost always impresses me. He does all the little things right and still produces at a reasonable clip. He has a great first pass and can quarter-back a power-play. Again, I take Franson any day, and I've wanted that kid ever since he first started playing in the league with Nashville...

A guy that can help the transition between the vets and the youth on the back end can be picked up in the offseason (Cody Franson or Mike Green), until then I make a trade for a lower end defender (Petry, Mechalek or Zidlicky) that won't cost us near as much in assets. Franson > Yandle every day for me, and if we can pick him up in the offseason, without giving up Smith or Pulkkinen, that's what I go for. Of course it's not just a matter of telling Franson to sign and he's here, but I think we would have a real shot at landing him this summer. We're building up a contender and players are taking notice, we have one of the best run organizations in all of sports, and Detroit is right next door to where he currently resides in Toronto...

Dabura, have you even been reading what I've been saying? I don't believe this team is a Keith Yandle away from winning the cup. I don't think losing Smith, Pulkkinen and a first puts us that much further ahead this season, that we're all of a sudden a favorite. I think it is a trade we lose in 3-5 years from now, therefore I don't make the trade. But not only am I saying that I wouldn't make the trade and I don't think Holland would make that trade, I really don't think Maloney would make that trade... I think the asking price is going to be Mantha / Larkin or no Yandle, and I think Arizona would be able to get a top end prospect of their calibre from another team. I don't get why so much time and effort is being spent on this Yandle debate anyway. I'd give it about a 25% likelihood that Yandle gets traded before this years deadline and about a 0.5% he gets traded to Detroit... Really, what was the last major trade that Holland made, giving up multiple assets to acquire a big name player? And no, Legwand doesn't count... Of all the defense prospects you listed, only 2 or 3 have a relatively good chance at making the NHL. I think most of the others have little to no chance, and even if they do make it some day, they hold absolutely no value as of right now. I think a 7th round pick holds as much or more value as Almquist or Marshall at this point... I'm not apposed to moving some of the defense prospects at some point, and I'm well aware of the numbers game, but in my opinion right now isn't the time to swing for the fences, and Yandle isn't the player we need to sign this season...

Xym, I think his skating has improved but I'm not sure if that's recovering from the injury or just developing as a player. In a Blashill interview at the end of last season (prior to the injury), he said something along the lines of "Alexey is going to be an NHL player for sure, I think he can develop into a real solid second pair shut down guy" and when asked about his strengths he mentioned his great outlet pass, big body, great at getting in lanes, breaking up plays and blocking shots... When asked about his weaknesses, he said "skating". He's never been a great skater, but he has improved a lot in that area. I think it's more to do with him concentrating on improving that part of his game, although I'm sure the ankle sprain was a bit of a set back for sure.

As for Marchenko, I hope he proves me wrong in this call-up. I haven't been overly impressed with him so far this season, despite his point totals. I don't expect him to be anything more than a bottom, pairing shut-down guy at the NHL level. It would be awesome if he can translate some of that offense to the NHL, but I just don't expect it. I see him being like a young Ericsson. He's a big guy that can clear the front of the net, rub guys out along the boards (he isn't much of a big hitter) and has a pretty good first pass (something Ericsson has seemed to have lost lately...)

Dickie, I get that you're not big on developing prospects and that you will always take the better player in a trade but there's no way you trade all of that potential for one top pairing defenseman... Sorry, but you're out to lunch if you think that's a good trade for us. Tatar is already a top 6 player on any team in the league, Mantha is the best prospect we've had in our system in years, has had success at every level he's played, and by all rights should become a legit power forward at the NHL level. And then on top of that, Ouellet has the potential to be a solid 2nd pairing defenseman. I think that trade MIGHT make us marginally better today, although I'm not even sure about that, seems how we're losing out scoring leader plus a solid up and coming third pairing guy, and we definitely 100% lose that trade 5, 10, 15 years from now... I'm not even sure I would do that trade for Weber or Ekblad (although I'd be very tempted) but for Oliver Ekman-Larsson, no way. He's a pretty good top pairing guy but he's nowhere near the top of my (never gonna get) dream list...

gcom007, I usually agree with you for the most part but I think you're way off base here... How does it still come down to luck? I mean, after drafting and developing player after player with optimal success year after year, at some point it needs to be considered a skill, and not just dumb luck. Our scouts are always looking for steals in the draft, and they've been very successful in doing so, but it comes down to how we develop our players. No team in the entire league develops their players as well as the Red Wings. Holland wasn't trying to make these UFA signings because he didn't think the kids would work out, he was trying to make them in case they didn't work out as well as projected. It also never hurts to pick up players for free in the summer and still have the extra assets to move later if need be. It's a little naïve to think that Holland and co. had no idea the kids were good players, don't ya think? Sure, some of them have exceeded expectations but we've had a very deep prospect pool for a few years now and I think the man ahead of it all, had a slight idea what was going on... People keep insisting that this wasn't Holland's plan just because he "tried" to sign other players. But let's be honest, if Holland wanted these players and he was willing to overpay, and if there weren't a salary cap, he would have whichever players he wanted. There is a salary cap and he has to be tighter with his money. Holland refused to overpay for free agents and kudos to him for that. Who has Holland really gone hard after in the past few years? Suter? If we landed Suter, who wouldn't be here right now realistically? DeKeyser and Quincey? Instead we would have Suter and Ouellet? I love DeKeyser and I like Quincey but I pick the second pair every day. I don't think any of our forward core changes with that signing... Since then it's been a lot of swing and missing on defensemen, defensemen we wouldn't have gone after if we landed Suter...

Dabura - Whether people want to admit it or not, Quincey is a solid player, and whether or not he's worth a first round pick is debatable. I think he is, or a 2nd at that very least. I mean, you're the one that doesn't seem to put much stock into draft picks, talking about that 18 year old, pimple faced kid, that we'd draft in the mid to late round, wouldn't get a shot for 5+ years anyway, if he even makes it... Even if we signed Sutter and / or Parise, Holland would still be looking 5+ years into the future... I don't get how that would change. Parise is definitely over-paid but Sutter is one of the top defenders in the league. Any team would take him, even at that cap-hit. He traded one of our better prospects because Joakim Andersson was our number one center. Did he over-pay? Absolutely. Was it necessary? I believe it was. The streak may not mean much to you or many other fans, but it sure as hell means a lot to the players, management, the Ilitch's, and the appreciative fan base. Holland has pursued a lot of UFA's but has never been willing to overpay for them. If he really wanted any of the players you listed, he could have had them by simply over-paying like every other GM had to do to get them. But he chose not to pay ridiculous prices because like I've been saying, he was focused on the future and did not want to handicap the team going forward. I have no problem trading away one of our promising defense prospects like Ouellet in a package, but it has to be at the right time and for the right player. Like I said, I don't think we're a Yandle away from being a true contender... yet. I think we will be there this time next year. So for this year, I go after one of the smaller fish like Petry or Michalek, that would only cost a pick and or a middling prospect. Eventually we're going to land one of these big names in Free Angency, but not simply because it's our time, and eventually you have to. It's because, like I previously stated, after this season, seeing what this team is capable of, players will be wanting to sign here. It's not that easy to get the biggest name guys to sign with your team when you've been struggling to make the playoffs for a few years in a row... Yandle is for the first time ever, known to be available? Really? He has been in rumors leading up to the trade deadline for the past what? Three seasons? Every year, the Wings are going to trade for Keith Yandle. Well guess what? It hasn't happened the past few years and I guarantee it won't happen this year either. I wouldn't trade away assets this season, and I'd hold out hope that we can land Franson in the offseason. I think he's a real possibility for us and he's the type of player Holland should go all-in after, within reason of course... It's funny how you bring up the fact that in 5+ years Datsyuk won't be here, Zetterberg will be a shell of the player he is today, and Nyquist, Tatar and DeKeyser will be making serious money, but fail to point out the growth of Nyquist, Tatar and DeKeyser as well as all the other kids in that time, not to mention Datsyuk's cap coming off the books. I get it, Pav and Hank are elite players and they will be tough to replace, but I think we have a few guys that are capable of filling their skates, and even if they don't quite get to that elite status, we should have a much deeper team that we can fill the void by committee... We lost Lidstrom right? No one thought we'd get through that loss, but the Red Wings keep proving everyone wrong, even much of their fan base... No, none of those players are key contributors for us right now, but almost all of them will be in the future. I'm okay with trading Marchenko, but no way do I trade Sproul, which is the player they would want. I also wouldn't be surprised if Maloney said it's Mantha or Larkin or no Yandle, which is when I hang up the phone. I do believe we can win a Cup with mostly a fully home-grown roster, and I bet Holland does too. Why would we want to make that a thing? Why wouldn't we?...

I think that goes for just about everyone Kip. I've always been a believer and supporter in Holland but there's no way I can sit here and say that I've never questioned any of his moves / personel decisions... He's made quite a few that I haven't liked and I'm sure he'll make quite a few more that I won't like. No GM is perfect, but Ken Holland is pretty ******* brilliant when it comes to managing his team. I actually didn't mind the Quincey signing and I like it now. I didn't mind the Cleary signing and I still don't. I hated the Tootoo signing from beginning to end, same goes for the Samuelsson signing, but that was worse than I even anticipated... I think the big thing though, is that all of these were basically stop gaps to get us through before the kids were ready. "In Kenny we trust"...

Andersson is a scrub. I place him slightly above Nestrasil, only because he's a decent penalty killer. I fully expect him to be the odd man out next season, either playing in Grand Rapids or with another club. No big loss. To say he has more value than Franzen is laughable. You can hate on Franzen all you want, it doesn't change the fact that, when healthy he can contribute on any given night. Is he streaky? Absolutely. But that's part of the package. I don't believe we need him to win games, and I would welcome a trade, but he is in no way, a player we NEED to get rid of... Holland waives Nestrasil to make room for the better player, Jurco, and people ***** because we lose an "asset". If Holland were to send Jurco down and keep Nestrasil on the team, people would ***** that he is not icing his best players... Holland just can't win with some fans... Oh well...

The thing is, where most fans and even a lot of GM's look at what will benefit the team this season, Ken Holland is looking at this season, as well as 5+ years from now. Sure, we win that trade today, but I think in the long run we lose the trade. I'm not okay with losing a trade unless it guarantees us a Stanley Cup. If the addition of Yandle were to guaranteed us a Cup this season, I think we risk losing these guys, but of course nothing is guaranteed. I don't think Yandle is the guy that pushes us over the top, therefore I don't believe we should give up any major pieces to get him here. Pulkkinen, Jurco and Sproul are all going to be huge players for us in the future, the latter, I believe will be as good as Yandle in a few years. I hate trading away high-end prospects, especially when their value to other teams is somewhat unknown, meaning all-time low. Hold on to these guys until they at least have a chance to make an impact in the league. Teams and players are finally starting to take notice in what we're putting together here. I think we'll be a big time destination for UFA's this offseason, it could be a real possibility that we land a Cody Franson or Mike Green. I think Franson is a better all around player, as well as a better fit with our team right now, than Yandle. I'd wait until the offseason and swing for the fences in free agency, rather than over-pay in a trade. Imagine, next season adding a player like Franson and keeping all of our assets... We would be a dangerous, dangerous team moving forward. That is when I would make a trade to push us over the top. If we are going to make a trade this season, I would expect it to be for a Petry, Mechalek, or Zidlicky type player that would come relatively cheap, not a Yandle or Myers type player which we would have to over-pay for...

Fan speculation...

I agree, Athanasiou is the real deal. As high as I am on Pulkkinen and how much I think his shot is needed on this team, there's no way I trade Athanasiou over Pulkkinen... Unfortunately, I'm beginning to think Frk is going to be a bust as well, but you never know. I think just about everyone had Tvrdon pegged as a bust as recently as a couple months ago, but he came out of nowhere and is really starting to impress down in Grand Rapids. Not only is he putting up points but he looks really good out there. He's big and surprisingly a really good skater for such a big body. I'm still doubtful he has a future with the Wings, but maybe with another organization... Like Tvrdon though, I doubt Frk has any future with this organization. It's up to him to turn his game around and maybe have an outside chance in playing in the NHL on another team some day...