krsmith17

I agree with offering him a two-way contract in the off-season to replace Brennan Evans or Scott Czarnowczan, but not if it's to replace Nathan Paetsch. His leadership and calming presence on and off the ice is insurmountable. Some of these "34 year old career AHLers" are irreplaceable, when it comes to aiding in the development of the kids.

I don't get why it's so hard to grasp the fact that every player develops at different rates. Some hone their skills at a very young age, others take a little longer to develop. Their are a lot of cases over the years where players didn't play their first game in the NHL until their late 20's, even into their mid to late 30's, believe it or not. number9, you pointed out that St. Louis didn't start his career until his mid 20's, and yet as an undersized player that was always told he was too small to make the NHL, he went on to be an All-Star, Hart winning player, who in all likelihood will be inducted into the Hockey Hall Of Fame. Is it really that hard to believe that a player who is 28 years old, has good size, is one of the top defenders in arguably the second best league in hockey, can be a serviceable player at the NHL level? I don't think anyone including Ekmanc was saying that he is going to come over and put up ridiculous numbers, making Wings fans say "Lidstrom who?", but it is possible he could become a decent 3rd pairing, power-play specialist. In saying all that, I wouldn't mind giving him an invite to training camp this summer, but I wouldn't just hand him a contract based on his numbers over in Europe (KHL / SHL). We have a few talented guys that should make their way onto the big club in the next couple years, so I don't really see a fit, but it never hurts to give the guy a look.

I'm watching the game and I watched most of the Skills last night. I was really surprised that Pulkkinen wasn't involved in the Hardest Shot Competition... It looks like the Kings might have a stud on their hands. Colin Miller was drafted 151st overall in 2012, he has 29 points (10 goals and 19 assists) in 37 games so far this season with the Monarchs and he won the Hardest Shot (105.5 MPH) and Fastest Skater (13.805 seconds) Competitions last night... First player to win both in 13 years... Oh yeah, and he's a right handed defenseman...

Skills Competition was last night.

Although, I definitely can see Ouellet sticking with the Wings full time to start next season, and he probably should, I definitely wouldn't be at all surprised if he started the year once again down in Grand Rapids... To say you'd be surprised that a 22 year old kid stays in Grand Rapids for another year is a bit of stretch don't ya think? As far as I know Ken Holland is still managing this team... Seriously though, who was the last 22 year old defenseman to make the Red Wings full time? I can't recall anyone making this team that young...

Yeah, Holland would never sign a veteran and keep a kid in the minors... to increase depth... He would never go into training camp with more than 23 players... to increase competition... Never... I totally expect Holland to sign a defenseman, whether it's Petry or not, don't be surprised if Ouellet starts next season in the minors... because he can...

I was a huge fan of the All-Star game and the Skills Competition as a kid, but like most good things, it has changed and has lost it's luster... I agree with frank, the East vs West was far superior to the new draft format. I also think the whole fan voting system is the worst idea ever and every team should have at least one representative and no more than three picked by the league... There are way too many good, not all-star calibre players playing in this event as a result of the fan voting. The whole thing has become a mockery... Oh well, a nice break for the Wings to relax for 5 days and get refreshed to hopefully continue on their winning ways after the break.

Agreed kliq, although I think you mean Kevin Shattenkirk, not Keith...

What makes you think Shattenkirk is remotely available? But probably the better question is, why would the Blues trade their top offensive defenseman, probably one of the best in the game right now?

Ok, so who is available that you would trade those two players for?

frank, first you say "do you really expect to get back a player that can help us on the backend for years by offering so so prospects", then you go on to say "there isn't enough on this team for every prospect, so trades need to happen, might as well cash in when the value is highish"... Who exactly are you proposing we trade that has a "highish value" to other teams?

I think those point totals are fairly accurate, but it's not Pulkkinen's point totals that we'd be missing, it's the element that he brings to the team. How many right-handed snipers do we currently have on this team that can shoot the puck as well as he can? Also, I never once said anything about trading Pulkkinen would mortgage the future, I just think it would be a foolish, short-sighted move at this point in his career. I wasn't happy when Jarnkrok got traded, but even then I knew it wasn't a huge blow. I wouldn't be happy if Pulkkinen got traded either, especially if it were for another rental...

Nestrasil is better at protecting the puck because of his reach, but Callahan is great along the boards. He wins a lot of puck battles, he is very tenacious, and provides a ton of grit, some things Nestrasil has never been known for. Nestrasil could be a decent 3rd liner, whereas Callahan probably tops out at a 4th liner, but is the exact type of player teams need to win games. Mitch is a much better skater, hits, blocks shots, kills penalties and can chip in on the offense. You're right on one thing, Nestrasil certainly does have the size advantage, but despite that, Callahan still plays a much bigger game. He's 6'0", 190lbs, which isn't exactly small, but he plays even much bigger than that... Callahan > Nestrasil every time.

Mantha was going to get every chance to make the team out of training camp, but that's not to say he would have made the cut. I honestly don't believe that without the injury he would have been on the team, I think in the end, Nestrasil would have still made it over him. Fact is, Holland always says that such and such player will have a chance to make the team, but in reality, said player needs to be Crosby-good to make the cut over the vets, especially a 20 year old kid, coming right out of junior. Mantha was not ready, and I'm glad he's down in Grand Rapids developing his game, but I think the injury just made an easier decision for Holland. Also, while Ferraro may be a borderline NHL player, I think Callahan will definitely be a quality 4th line agitator that is capable of chipping in on the offense at the NHL level. Just because these guys were waived and went unclaimed at the beginning of the season means absolutely nothing. I guarantee they would not go unclaimed if they were waived at this point of the year. Before every season starts, every team is up against the roster limit, and if they are short on a forward, they will likely fill it internally before they go looking for outside help. As the season progresses and injuries start piling up, these guys become much more valuable, hence why Nestrasil was claimed by the Hurricanes. Callahan is better than Nestrasil at virtually every facet of the game, in my opinion. He will make the NHL at some point, the only question is if the Red Wings will make room for him...

frank, anyone would trade Tatar in the right deal. I don't think anyone thinks he's absolutely off limits, and the same goes for any player in our organization aside from our three captains, in my opinion. The point is that we would need to be getting a better return, because the whole point is, making your team better... and I just don't see us getting fair value for any of our young guys. They simply have not done enough for long enough in this league to make other GM's want to give up the pieces we would want in return... I don't understand the logic that "top UFA's in their prime will not sign here"... That's absurd. Why the hell would anyone think that? For the past few years? Sure, but the only reason we've had trouble attracting UFA's is because, we have been struggling to make the playoffs for the past 2 years and the 2 years prior to that we clearly were not the same power-house team we were up until the '08 Stanley Cup team and the '09 Cup run... We are climbing our way back to the top and back into relevancy to these top free agents. We've made the playoffs every year since our last Stanley Cup final appearance in '09 but have struggled to make any noise in the post season. Obviously we're not going to attract much interest from top players barely squeaking into the playoffs and getting bounced in the first or second round. BUT, do you honestly believe that if we finish in the top 2-3 in our division, or conference, or league (which is all very possible), and we're able to get through 2-3 rounds in the playoffs (which is also a good possibilty) that we won't be able to attract top free agents this summer??... Once these players see that we are back to being a legit contender every year, and we're serious about winning NOW, we will land these top guys. We do not need to trade at this point. We are a strong team, and we're only going to get stronger with the development of the kids. Add into that a key offseason acquisition and we'll be back to being a Cup favorite within a year from now. STAY THE COURSE KENNY!

frank, "Holland's job is to defend the trade as much as possible"? No, Holland's job is to make this team as competitive as he possibly can, every single year... That involves making trades to improve the team in the now, without mortgaging the future, keeping in mind the team 5 years from now. I'll admit, I was a little shocked by what we had to give up to get Legwand here for a few months, and I was a little disappointed at the time. However, if anyone thinks, that trade mortgaged the future, or even set us back, are not looking at things clearly. Jarnkrok is a pretty decent young player, and I think he still has the potential to be a 40-50 point guy in this league. But that's the type of production that can be replaced any year by a FREE agent... which in my opinion has already been done this past summer, with the signing of Tomas Nosek. People really need to get over this minuscule botch on Holland's resume, it was one minor bad, not awful trade... Also, just because it doesn't matter to you, believe it or not, the streak is important to a lot of fans, and the entire organization, Holland did a great job in keeping that intact.

Dickie, I agree that Pulkkinen still needs to prove that he can score in the NHL, but he also needs that opportunity to prove that. He will prove that when given the opportunity. I don't think he is being over rated here at all. He is a very good prospect.

I think the point is that chances are Mantha isn't likely to get called up this season, and if he does, maybe for just a game or two at the end of the season. We have 14 forwards on our roster, who will all likely be healthy shortly after the all-star break, and a first call-up in Pulkkinen. So unless injuried rack up, he's not likely to play much if at all this season...

You're right in that he has been inconsistent when it comes to his point totals, but that is mostly the result of the pairings being mish-mashed... He was playing great along side Paetsch, but not as hot when paired with Evans. I think Paetsch is a great vet, that makes anyone he plays with, better. I really hope the Griffins hold on to him. But that's just speaking of his point totals, in every game I've watched this season, Sproul always sticks out in a positive way (with the exception of one game, he just looked off for whatever reason...). He is a very smooth skater, and is fleet of foot for such a big guy, he is becoming much better positionally, and has improved on his defensive game a lot. That is still his weakness and I do believe he still has a little ways to go yet, before he is a full time NHLer, but I don't think he's as far behind as some people think either. He did play that one game last season against St. Louis and he didn't look that out of place then. He actually played a pretty strong game, getting a few shots on goal and a couple decent looks. He did make one untimely pinch if I recall correctly, but that all comes with maturing and developing as a player, and his game has come a long way in the past 8 months since then... Anyway, the Griffins are playing in a half hour, and I expect another big game for Sproul. A big 2 point night coming up...

I really wish I could "quote"... Still have no idea why I can't... Kip, you say "I won't be surprised if he's traded", and yes I did respond by saying, "he shouldn't be traded, he's going to be good", but I also say "there's no way he get's traded". It's not just about what I want or think should happen with this team, it's about what I truly believe Mr. Ken Holland will do. You're absolutely right in that I like this team, and I like a lot of certain players. I guess a lot of that has to do with me watching a lot of them right from when they were drafted, in junior, making their way up to the minors, before eventually cracking the Red Wings lineup... you do tend to get attached to certain players, and I honestly think a similar thing happens with Holland... However, like almost any player, I'm not opposed to trading Pulkkinen at the right price and for the right return, I just don't see that happening... There are not many guys in the entire league that can shoot the puck like Pulkkinen. I put him in the same category as guys like Ovechkin and Stamkos when it comes to his pure sniping ability. There are things he needs to work on for sure, like timing and what not, but his shot alone, not many compare. Bottom line, I just honestly, truly would be shocked if this guy is in any package deal at this years deadline, not because I like him, but because I think Holland and Babcock like him, and see the potential in him... Jesusberg, if a trade is on the table and part of the package has to include one of Mantha, Larkin or Pulkkinen, I honestly think he says, thanks but no thanks. And I'd be happy with that assuming the player on the other end wasn't a superstar talent... I think it is more likely that Jurco gets offered in a trade before Pulkkinen, which I would also hate, because he's another guy that I'm really high on. I guess bottom line is, like Kip alluded to, I like our team, and even more so, I like our future team. Hold on to the kids and keep building. We will be a perennial contender and eventually win the Cup with the kids we currently have in the system, I have no doubt. I completely agree with Buppy.

Again, we have other assets that could be used in a trade before Pulkkinen. He is far and away the purest goal scorer in the organization and he is right handed to boot. In my opinion, it would be very short sighted to trade him at this point. Sure, it is possible that he tops out as a third line winger / power-play specialist, but it also isn't out of the realm of possibility that he surpasses a guy like Tatar or even Nyquist on the depth chart in a few years. The kid has been a beast in every league he has played, no reason to think he can't be in the NHL as well...

Which to me, is a good thing. Sure, I'd love to have Yandle, but not at the price it would likely take. And no to Myers, unless it's for Kindl and Andersson...... Let's face it, at times Holland's strategy has looked kinda bleak, but there is no question, the guy knows what he's doing. He is drafting well, developing prospects and once again building a contender, all while never missing the playoffs in 23 years... and counting. I don't think anyone should have any reason to question anything this man does. For every move he makes, there's a reason behind it, and that reason is to make the Detroit Red Wings a better team. He's making the right decisions for the team today, while concentrating on the team 5 years from now. Sure, it would be nice to see a trade from time to time, but the players us fans would want traded (Kindl / Andersson) there isn't much of a market for. The young talent that we have grown to love, probably would have been traded years ago for a quick fix, by most any other GM. Hands down the best general manager in the league today, and quite possibly in the history of the league...

Our true offensive D prospects are Sproul and three undersized guys that will likely never play a game in the NHL? Hicketts maybe has the best shot at making the NHL, but I think even that's a stretch. Sure, he's ripping up the Western Hockey League right now, but that means nothing. He will find it very difficult to adapt to the American Hockey League, let alone the National Hockey League... I would be surprised if he is ever anything more than a career minor leaguer, and the same goes for Marshall. I also don't expect Almquist to head back to North America, I see him floating around in Europe, from the KHL to the SHL. Backman has some offensive instincts, if he ever makes his way back over, I think he could be a decent option to provide some offense. Jensen is more of a two-way defender, as is Ouellet, but both could provide some offensive punch... Sproul is our only true offensive weapon that has a legit shot at making the NHL. He will be a stud in a few years... As for Yandle, I agree, never gonna happen...

I do believe we're somewhat on the same page here, and I would like to have Green here, but not as a rental, especially giving up a major piece like Smith. I'd trade Kindl, a mid level prospect (Nastasiuk, Janmark or Marchenko if they'd prefer a defenseman) and a pick. If that can't get it done, I'd wait until the offseason. There is no reason Holland should feel like he HAS to make a move this year. Unless he can get a good deal on a top 4 right-handed defenseman, I think he should stand pat. "I like our team". Also, I do remember Babcock saying that, but I think he would have said that about any player of Green's caliber in the 5 hole. I think he was referring more to Washington's depth at defense, rather than being high on Green as a player (although I'm sure he loves his offensive game). He is an offensive stud (star), and he would be a huge boost to our already potent power-play, but how much would Babcock trust him? I'm not sure. One last point... Green is exactly the type of defenseman I think this team needs, and I've been saying that for months, so if we can get him as a rental for cheap, awesome, or if we can get him knowing that he would re-sign in the offseason, I'd have no problem giving up Smith. Again, my only issue with trading for a player like Green, is that it would likely be over payment, for a guy that I strongly believe will test the open market this summer. Sure, he may decide to stay here, especially if we go on a decent run, but that's not a risk I would take again, one year after the Legwand trade...

Exactly Buppy. I agree, although I would be completely shocked if this kid gets traded. He has something absolutely no other player in our entire organization has, something we've been looking for for years... No chance he gets traded, unless of course we are getting another right handed shooting sniper in return... Not gonna happen.