krsmith17

And more then likely, Nielsen will be buried in Grand Rapids.

How refreshing is it that Gagner and Nielson are the only 30+ forwards on this team.

I do think it's likely. We finished 5th from the bottom last season. I think we've improved marginally. Maybe enough to get us to that 8-10 range. Maybe. 
I think it's possible that if Yzerman trades Bertuzzi or Vrana, that he considers futures, and if he does want a player back, that player likely won't be as effective as either player traded away. You think if Yzerman trades either of those guys, it'll be as great a return as the Mantha trade? Maybe, but I wouldn't count on it..
I agree that Yzerman is "trying" to ice a competitive team. That doesn't mean we're guaranteed to climb from 27th to 20th. Could we? Sure. Is it likely? I don't think so. We're getting younger, moving in the right direction, but with that comes growing pains.
The theme here is that there are a lot of "ifs" and maybes". No "guarantees" like some of you seem to believe. Like any team, any season, a lot can go right / wrong over an 82 game schedule.

So are you saying the Detroit Red Wings are NOT a rebuilding team? LOL
This is exactly why I didn't love the trade initially. Leddy is a solid player, great addition, but I didn't think Yzerman would be turning the corner that quickly. I still don't think he is fully turning the corner just yet, but Leddy signifies that we're getting closer. 

A trade or two, acquiring futures (which I fully expect) could have a major impact on our overall standing this season though... But yeah, finishing 22nd and moving up the max number of spots to get Shane Wright is the dream scenario.

A Pettersson offer sheet is the kind of move you make when you've solidified the rest of your roster and that is the last piece. That's when you can afford to lose those 1st round draft picks. Not before, while in the middle of a rebuild.

Offersheets don't happen. Again, we are more likely to win the draft lottery than sign a player like Pettersson to an offersheet. Draft lottery odds (10-20%) are low, but offersheet odds (0%) are much lower...
I completely disagree. This team is not out of the basement yet. I'm actually shocked that you, of all people, think we are. Prepare for another bottom 5-10 finish again this season. I'll give until game 30 before we all start talking about next year's draft and draft lottery...

I agree that this has been a great offseason so far. Some quality upgrades while continuing to get younger. Our goaltending has improved (or at least on par and younger). Our defense has improved drastically. Leddy and Seider alone should provide some much needed offense and stability on the back end. Oesterle is just added depth, another Merrill / Nemeth. Our offense still needs a lot of work, and I think there's a good chance we lose a couple players up front in trades at some point this season.
I still think it's in the team's best interest to wait another season before we really start to turn things around. Yzerman knows this, and I think at least one, potentially all three of Vrana, Bertuzzi, Fabbri will be traded at some point this season. We have a lot of really nice pieces coming, but we're still an elite player or two away from ending this rebuild. I fully expect another bottom 5-10 finish this season, which to me isn't the worst thing.

So in the past week Yzerman has acquired two guys (Nedeljkovic and Suter) that received Calder votes this past season for a 3rd round pick. Granted, both are older rookies (25 years old), but still quality adds giving up next to nothing...

I imagine Veleno coming up as third line center at first, with a veteran who knows the center position on one of his wings to help his development. Could be part of why we re-signed Gagner. Or Namestnikov could be that guy. Plenty of mentor options for him. Loving our mixture of young guys and not too old vets right now. Rosters in a very solid spot for the upswing of a rebuild imo. 

I completely agree. I want Veleno up with the Wings, and I think there's a strong chance he will be. However, if there's no room in the top 9, he absolutely should be playing top line minutes in Grand Rapids. Which might not be the worst thing, especially if he plays on a line with Raymond and / or Berggren.
He played center in his short 5 game stint at the end of last season. I don't see any reason to believe he wouldn't do the same going forward. 

We need more than just Pettersson.

So in the past week Yzerman has acquired two guys (Nedeljkovic and Suter) that received Calder votes this past season for a 3rd round pick. Granted, both are older rookies (25 years old), but still quality adds giving up next to nothing...

So in the past week Yzerman has acquired two guys (Nedeljkovic and Suter) that received Calder votes this past season for a 3rd round pick. Granted, both are older rookies (25 years old), but still quality adds giving up next to nothing...

So in the past week Yzerman has acquired two guys (Nedeljkovic and Suter) that received Calder votes this past season for a 3rd round pick. Granted, both are older rookies (25 years old), but still quality adds giving up next to nothing...

So, anecdotally... ~60% of the Chicago fan takes I've seen = "WTF. No. Dude can play. Good center. We should've kept him."
His shooting percentage (12.5) may (not) be sustainable. He wasn't great on faceoffs this past season (42.6%). His possession stats aren't particularly good.
But, all things considered, this is a low-risk, high-reward signing. I like it.

Love it!! He's who I was hoping for most, I think. 

This deserves it's own thread because this is about the biggest name we are going to sign today.
 
2nd line Center?
 

Oh I've been following that train wreck all day with a smile thanking God steve is here and not ken. There is no direction with his signings. He just signs whoever. With Steve you can see a clear direction the team is being built. With Holland he just overpay whoever will sign the sheet

I just relate him with Yzerman. I would not care if we got another LHD like....speaking of every thread....acquiring Nic Hauge in a Cap dump trade with Vegas!  Sorry, couldn't resist! 
Again most importantly I'd like to see a LHD come in and be in our top 4.

cap space, roster spot, all of the above haha.. 
 
yeah same. good bye, glendog millionaire. go win dallas a bunch of faceoffs.

If Glendening was offered a contract, and can't see him leaving...