krsmith17

I don't know much about this guy but I doubt he makes the team, even as weak as some people believe our defense to be. Diaz is on the smaller side for a defenseman at 5'11", 197 lbs, he does block quite a few shots, averaging about 2 per game and he is right handed. I'd still much rather see Marchenko make the team over Diaz, bigger, younger with more potential in my opinion. If we were able to trade Kindl for a pick however, I'd welcome this guy to show the Wings what he has to offer.

That's a matter of opinion and I disagree. I've been lobbying for years to put Helm on the wing, his speed will be much more of a threat along the boards then down the middle in my opinion. Sheahan definitely isn't a 4th line center, 3rd and hopefully 2nd in a couple years. Glendening is the exact type of player I would want on my 4th line.

Absolutely. How do some of you not remember the assignments Glendening was given last season. As a rookie he matched up and was able to shut down the likes of the Crosby line and Bergeron line. He is a great shut down guy and every team needs these guys on their 4th line.

That's exactly why we need guys like Glendening and Callahan on the 4th line, that's exactly what they bring to the team; grit (mental and physical toughness). No, Glendening is never going to put up big numbers, and he isn't expected to. He's relied upon to shut down the other teams top lines, and he does that quite well in my opinion. I'd like to see Ferraro get a shot as well but I just don't see him making the cut. I would waive Andersson before anyone else on the roster, including Glendening, Callahan, Ferraro and Cleary. Andersson brings absolutely nothing to the team in my opinion.

That's nothing out of the ordinary for preseason. Split squad games happen every year. Every team has 50 players to choose from so it's not hard to come up with two 23 man rosters to play two games in one night.

Again, I agree with number9 100%. Jurco should and WILL start the season in Grand Rapids for so many different reasons. Why is this still being debated?... GoWings1905, you absolutely do keep Jurco down for players like Glendening and Callahan if he is the only one of the three that is not waiver exempt. Glendening is a great shut down guy and has the potential to be a great 4th liner in this league for a long time. Callahan has only played one NHL game so far but has been great down in the minors. These two players are both the guys you want to go to war with, they will put it all on the line every single game and every single shift. Like number9 said, 4th line role players are just as important to the makeup of a team as your top line scorers. These are the guys you need to shut down the oppositions top lines every night and both have the potential to be great shut down guys. I think Callahan has the potential to be somewhat in the mold of a Brad Marchand or Andrew Shaw. Ask those two teams how important those guys are to their teams success...

_SP_ - Las Vegas Red Foxes (Too close to Coyotes, I'd think) - Exactly! Perfect name for a relocation from Glendale, I'd think... The only way I would even be remotely okay with a team in Las Vegas or Seattle or anywhere else for that matter, is if it is a relocation NOT an expansion. This league definitely does not need more teams. If there are new teams being added, especially ones that have a high potential in flopping, they better get rid of a couple of the other teams that have already failed. See: Phoenix Coyotes, Florida Panthers.

I agree with you 100% number9, I've been saying this for months. There is no way that Jurco starts the season with the Wings, it's simply not the way the Red Wings do things. Some of you obviously don't agree with this but I truly believe this "over-ripening" method works and will continue to work. I think the Red Wings have unbelievable scouts but I think it's more than that, I think it's more to do with the way they develop their players. No player is ever given a roster spot, every spot, every game and every shift has to be earned. Jurco will be our first call up which is great and Pulkkinen and Mantha will be our 2nd and 3rd callups if need be, which shows great depth up front. I however do believe that Jurco is the "next coming", but unlike so many others on here, I don't think he's quite ready yet and I'm completely fine with waiting another half to full season to see him called up again. Some people will probably laugh at this but I think Jurco has more potential than any one of our forward prospects, including Nyquist, Tatar, Pulkkinen and even Mantha. I strongly believe that this kid is the real deal and he will show that in the next couple years. Think that was funny? Well here's something even more humorous to some of you I'm sure, I think he has the potential to have as much of an impact on this organization as Datsyuk and Zetterberg have had over their careers... Call me crazy...

LOL Cleary is absolutely an NHL calibre player. If he comes to camp healthy, he should without a doubt be capable of producing as a third line support guy. The big question is whether or not he is finally healthy... I don't like this signing any more than any other Wings fan, but I do have a ton of respect for Dan Cleary and for the Wings management (Ken Holland) for honoring their handshake deal from last year. I find it very difficult to believe that some Wings "fans" are actually hoping Cleary fails. ******* ridiculous... I hope he proves all the haters wrong and plays 50+ games and puts up 20+ points.

Lol 17 was always my hockey number, and I've been praised my coaches and teammates for my work ethic on and off the ice. And I'm a good ol' Canadian boy haha.

I wasn't really sure where to put this but this place seems as good as anywhere... The Wheel Deal @Bill_Roose · 43m Expect Dan Cleary to don his third different number for #RedWings upcoming season. The veteran has ditched 71, flipping the digits to 17. I know a lot of people will say they wish he wasn't going to don any Red Wings jersey this upcoming season but I still love Danny and I hope he has a solid season. And I for one, couldn't stand seeing that 71 on the ice, I think he will look great with number 17 on his back.

I think another expansion is a terrible idea. I would prefer to get rid of a few teams if anything and cut the league back down to 28, but we know that isn't going to happen. I just hate the idea of watering down the skill level of the league even more than it already is. Why not just relocate a couple of the struggling teams? There is no need of having two teams in Florida, especially with one struggling mightily. And Phoenix has struggled for years as well. Why not just relocate the Panthers to get a team back in Quebec City or maybe Hamilton, Ontario and relocate the Coyotes to get a team in Seattle, Washington or Portland, Oregon NOT Las Vegas, Nevada... Go back to the six, five team divisions... Vancouver Edmonton Calgary Winnipeg Seattle / Portland San Jose Los Angeles Anaheim Colorado Dallas Minnesota Chicago St. Louis Nashville Columbus Detroit Toronto Ottawa Hamilton / Quebec Montreal Buffalo Boston New York R New York I New Jersey Pittsburgh Philadelphia Washington Carolina Tampa Bay

I've posted a lineup similar to this before but I would like to see something like this on opening night (October 9th) against Boston... Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Alfredsson Nyquist - Franzen - Tatar Helm - Weiss - Abdelkader Miller - Sheahan - Callahan Cleary - Glendening Kronwall - Ericsson DeKeyser - Smith Quincey - Ouellet (more likely Kindl...) Lashoff I really think that this top line would dominate. The skill across that line would match any line in the league in my opinion. The key for them would be for all three to stay healthy. I really believe that Hank will play at least 70-75 games this season and Datsyuk will play somewhere close to that as well. My only concern is Alfredsson. I hope he takes it easy and doesn't push himself too hard, especially to start the season. I think he can play somewhere around 65-70 if he is careful and listens to his body and takes a lot of "maintenance days"... I would love to see this two kids and a Mule line as our second line. Franzen plays his best hockey when he is playing center. He is third on the team in faceoff percentage going into this season (behind Datsyuk and Zetterberg), based on last years stats of players that took at least 100 faceoffs. 225 faceoffs taken at 52.9%. I really think the two kids (Gus & Tats) would keep him energized. I've always thought that Franzen starts his floating ways when he plays on a line with Pav or Hank. It's almost like he feels that he doesn't need to work as hard with them because he knows the puck will find him and he will still produce, even at half pace. Maybe playing with the two kids, he will take on more of a leadership role and that, along with playing down the middle will light a much needed fire under his ass... I think third line minutes is best for Weiss to start the season. Maybe promote him after 10 or so games if he looks good and hungry or if the lines aren't working out or if coach Babs just want to mix things up for some unexplainable reason... I kinda want to switch Abdelkader and Sheahan but I think Abby is better suited for the wing. With Helm's health concerns over the past few seasons I think third line wing is a great spot for him to play and hopefully stay relatively healthy. His wheels could really be put on display on the wing as well. I think this could be a great forth line and I absolutely love the grit that Callahan would bring to the line. I would like to see Cleary rotated in to get his ten games in on this line or possibly the third line depending on how he looks in training camp. I do like Glendening but I just don't see where he fits on this team going forward...

I really wish people would stop with this, "well we haven't done ANYTHING in the past 5 years", blah, blah, blah... How many times does it have to be said and how the hell is it not obvious to some of you that the Detroit Red Wings are in the midst of their second rebuild in the past two decades, without once missing the playoffs?... That is not that impressive at all... I mean, most teams in the league have done that haven't they?... NOPE, not even close... The Wings streak is at 23 consecutive seasons without missing the playoffs, after that there is the Sharks at 10, Penguins at 8, Bruins 7, Blackhawks 6, Kings 5, Rangers 4, Blues 3, and no other team has made the playoffs more than the past 2 seasons straight. That is absolutely insane when you actually think about it... To continue to make the playoffs for this long, through two rebuilds is nothing short of astonishing, and I'm willing to bet that the Wings make it at least another 7 years to beat the Boston Bruins 29 year playoff streak from '67-'96. People that do not see the brightness at the end of this tunnel, that has been the past 5 years, are pessimists to their truest form. How can you not be thrilled as a Red Wings fan, not only because of the "stupid, not-at-all-impressive streak", but because of all of the talent that we have coming up over the next few seasons. To say that there is no way that Jurco can turn out to be as good as Datsyuk is very bleak in my opinion. Jurco has accomplished more than Datsyuk had accomplished at the tender age of 21. Jurco has already got his first taste of NHL action and played quite well for a rookie, while Datsyuk wasn't even drafted until he was 20 and didn't play his first season in the NHL until he was 23. They both have great hands, obviously Pav gets the edge there though since he has better hands than anyone that has ever played the game. Jurco definitely has the size advantage, as he is 3 inches taller and already closing in on 200 lbs., whereas Pav is around the same now but came into the league as a rookie somewhere between 175-180 lbs. I also think that Nyquist has the potential to become somewhat of a Zetterberg lite. Nyquist is slightly behind Zetterberg in production at the same age but he does have a slightly better point percentage. In Zetterberg's first two seasons he put up 87 points in 140 games, 0.621 points per game, while in Nyquist' first three partial seasons, he put up 61 points in 97 games, 0.628 points per game. Gus has the same drive and determination that makes Hank such a world class player, and he also seems to have the same type of leadership qualities. They're both approximately the same height and weight when they were the same age, while Hank has put on some muscle over the years, Gus still has plenty of room to grow as well. The Wings definitely have a few potential future stars up front in Nyquist, Jurco and Mantha, but to go along with that I think we have much more depth coming than we have ever had before. Sheahan, Tatar, Pulkkinen and Athanasiou are all potential top 6 players, and Nastasiuk, Bertuzzi and Callahan could be great 3rd and 4th line players. I'm not quite sure where Janmark, Nosek, and Frk will fit in but they're quality players as well. Then you have guys like Larkin and Turgeon that we just drafted that I think could be along their way in about five years as well. On the back end we also have a few potential future stars in Smith, DeKeyser and Sproul as well as guys like Ouellet, Backman, Marchenko and Jensen. And of course between the pipes, we have Mrazek coming along quite nicely, and he could be a future top 5 goalie in this league. I realize that all of this, as of right now, is just "potential" but with as many high end prospects that we have, at least a few of them have to turn into quality players. We have one of the best prospect pools in the entire league because we have one of the best general managers in the league, as well as top scouts and development teams in the league (credit to Holland for putting this management team together). I'll never understand some of the constant negative attitudes in here, but to each their own. What a boring forum this would be without you guys lol.

I think everyone is missing my point. No I wouldn't have liked if we signed him yesterday, because like myself and everyone after me pointed out, we just don't have the room on our current roster. And no I would not sign him over Alfredsson... My point was that I wish Holland would make some more of these low risk, high reward signings (not necessarily this particular one) later in free agency, rather than striking out on the big fish and then rushing to sign average players to above average contracts. Like kliq mentioned, the Leafs waited until the exact same day last year, September 23rd, to sign Mason Raymond to a one year, one million dollar contract and that turned out to possibly be the steal of the offseason last year. I'm aware that these contracts don't always pan out like teams would like but the point is, they're low risk but they have potential to be high reward. I don't think there is much of a chance that Setoguchi cashes in next year, simply because of the team he signed with, but on the right team, I do think he can still chip in offensively. Just my opinion...

These are the type of low risk, high reward signings that I wish Holland would make more often. I'm not saying that Setoguchi will come back to his '08-'09 form and put up over 60 points, especially with a s***ty Calgary team, but on a good team, I do think he is still capable of chipping in offensively. He's a big body, right handed shot that definitely could have put up 40+ points on this team. I know, I know, we already have an over loaded roster up front, but is there anybody that wouldn't take a gamble on this kid over at least 3 or 4 forwards on our current roster? I definitely would. Our bottom 6 is loaded with guys that haven't put up points Seto did in his worst year in their best year. Anyway I would have definitely taken a gamble on him for one season at 750K...

Sadly, I see Ferraro as a career AHLer, a dime a dozen type player that can and probably already has essentially been replaced but one of the many signings this offseason. Callahan, on the other hand, is a heart and soul guy, the type of player that puts it all on the line every night, that will stick up for and go through hell for his teammates. I think he will be one of those great bottom six guys that every team needs, that will kill penalties, play sound defensive hockey and chip in a few points. He reminds me a lot of a Kirk Maltby, Steve Ott or Dan Carcillo without the dirtbag, f*ck monkey attitude...

With Alfredsson... Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Alfredsson Nyquist - Franzen - Tatar Helm - Weiss - Sheahan Miller - Glendening - Abdelkader Cleary - Callahan That top line may be up there in age, but when healthy (and I expect a much healthier year out of all three) they would be extremely effective. I actually love Franzen playing center, that along with playing with two balls of energy is exactly what could get this old mule going. (Two Kids and a Mule Line?...) I realize having Weiss on the third line isn't exactly ideal, however, I do think this could possibly be one of the best third lines in the league... I really want Callahan to get action on the forth line, but who comes out? Glendening? And slot Abby in at center? Or move one of the three centers on the third line (Sheahan) down and move Abby up?... Without Alfredsson... Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Franzen Nyquist - Weiss - Tatar Helm - Sheahan - Abdelkader Miller - Glendening - Cleary Callahan - Andersson I don't like these lines nearly as much as the ones with Alfie on the team, but still not terrible. I still think it is very likely that Alfredsson comes back for one more season. Before anyone says it, no Jurco, Mantha, or Pulkkinen are not on my opening night roster. They are down where they should be, in the minors, getting huge minutes, playing in all situations, gaining experience and confidence before they make the Wings full time. Whether that's in November or to start the 2015-16 season depends on injuries and how well they do down in Grand Rapids... On Defense... Kronwall - Ericsson DeKeyser - Smith Quincey - Kindl Lashoff I still really like Kronwall and Ericsson paired together. I think they complement each other quite well. Same goes for DeKeyser and Smith. There are so many people swapping those pairs to have Kronwall - Smith and DeKeyser and Ericsson and I just don't get that. Why pair your two best offensive defensemen and your two best defensive defensemen? Why not balance them out with one of each?... If there is any way to trade Kindl away for a mid to late round draft pick, we do it and let one of the kids play on the third pairing.

..... Or, maybe play him exactly where he should start the season... In the minors, getting top line minutes, playing in all situations, gaining confidence...

Very hectic day at work... Zetterberg - 78 GP, 31 G, 45 A, 76 PTS Datsyuk - 68 GP, 24 G, 49 A, 73 PTS Nyquist - 80 GP, 27 G, 28 A, 55 PTS Kronwall - 78 GP, 11 G, 41 A, 52 PTS Weiss - 73 GP, 23 G, 26 A, 49 PTS Tatar - 80 GP, 24 G, 23 A, 47 PTS Sheahan - 82 GP, 16 G, 28 A, 44 PTS Franzen - 63 GP, 21 G, 22 A, 43 PTS Alfredsson - 61 GP, 17 G, 24 A, 41 PTS Helm - 71 GP, 14 G, 23 A, 37 PTS Smith - 76 GP, 8 G, 25 A, 33 PTS Abdelkader - 79 GP, 12 G, 19 A, 31 PTS DeKeyser - 82 GP, 7 G, 24 A, 31 PTS Jurco - 49 GP, 12 G, 15 A, 27 PTS Ericsson - 71 GP, 5 G, 16 A, 21 PTS Quincey - 74 GP, 4 G, 13 A, 17 PTS Miller - 77 GP, 6 G, 8 A, 14 PTS Callahan - 51 GP, 6 G, 5 A, 11 PTS Ouellet - 47 GP, 1 G, 10 A, 11 PTS Glendening - 37 GP, 1 G, 6 A, 7 PTS Cleary - 17 GP, 2 G, 4 A, 6 PTS Kindl - 31 GP, 1 G, 4 A, 5 PTS Pulkkinen - 9 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 3 PTS Marchenko - 18 GP, 0 G, 3 A, 3 PTS Mantha - 4 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 2 PTS Sproul - 4 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 2 PTS Andersson - 9 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PTS Lashoff - 11 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS

Some people won't be happy, no matter what happens... I have accepted that... It's sad but very true... I'm really happy that Kenny is going to remain with the club for the foreseeable future. Those of you that aren't... whatever... There would be 29 other teams lining up to pay Holland crazy amounts of money if he were let go, and for good reason. Same goes for Babcock, but I bet there would still be angry Wings fans if they signed him to an extension. While it's true that you can never please everyone, some people can never be pleased...

No one is saying that Gretzky wasn't a better hockey player than Yzerman. Everyone knows that Gretzky was the best player ever to lace up a pair of skates. There is no argument there. So yes, it absolutely comes down to hometown nostalgia. Is that wrong? I don't think so at all. That is why myself as well as a lot of other die hards would never hack it as an NHL GM. Unless of course, I took over as general manager of the Panthers or Hurricanes or whatever other s*** team that I have no emotional connection to. I would turn them into contenders within a year... Yzerman is my favorite hockey player ever, so no I would not have made that trade in 1988, nor would I be regretting my decision today. I think things worked out quite well with "The Captain". It just blows my mind that people would actually go back and make that trade. It also blows my mind when people say they would trade away guys we drafted 15+ years ago like Datsyuk and Zetterberg. Why? Because they're slowing down and going to retire in a few years? So what? Let them retire as Red Wings! These same people would have probably traded Lidstrom away a few years ago too. I guess I follow all these players from being drafted, right through their careers so I get attached and I would never want to see some of them get traded. Sentimental Idiot...

Well I obviously disagree with Jurco being ready. I think he could definitely use more time down in the minors. Love the kid and think he's going to be a big time player in this league for a long time but another few months to full year will definitely benefit his all around game. I'm done talking about this now though. That is my opinion and you all have your own opinions... Some agree with me and a lot don't, and I'm cool with that.

To be honest, a lot of this Alfredsson or Jurco talk is starting to piss me off... The real issue here in my opinion is, we need to get rid of Andersson so we don't lose a kid like Callahan on waivers and we need to get rid of Kindl so we have room for one of the kids... Alfredsson should be on the team if he and the team feel he's fit to play. Beneficial to the team this season without hurting the team in the future... Jurco should be sent down to start the season in the minors. He needs more seasoning in the minors, getting top line minutes and playing in all situations... Andersson should be waived. He has been passed on the depth chart by too many guys to crack the lineup... Callahan should be on the 23 man roster to start the season. He has earned his chance to crack the lineup and would be a welcomed physical presence on the 4th line... Kindl should be traded for a mid to late round draft pick to make room for one of the kids... One of Ouellet / Sproul / Marchenko / Backman should be on the 23 man roster to start the season...

Kip, you absolutely did blow my mind... I have absolutely no idea what you are arguing... I say one thing and then you go on a rant about something completely irrelevant to what I am saying... Mind = Blown... I honestly have no idea whatsoever what your point was in listing all the players that would and wouldn't have helped us due to injury... Completely lost... No Frank, you're right... There definitely weren't any fans of those teams blaming their short comings in those seasons to injuries... Not one... Only us Wings fans would do such a ludicrous thing...