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I hope it's not 3, but I am worried it is. I hope its 2, but if I had to put money on it, I am going with 1.

Did anyone else notice that the Blackhawks protected Jurco?

Is it? If you look at GAA last year, out of the 44 goalies that qualified Mrazek ranked #42, Fleury #41. If you look at Save %, Mrazek rankes #42, Fleury #33.

After thinking this through, here are the possible realities of Mrazek being exposed 1) Most of us are just wrong. Holland tried to trade Mrazek and there was simply zero interest out there. The guy is coming off a horrible season, he is not a cheap cap hit, and he has attitude problems. Holland does not want to waive Coreau, and correctly believes that a tandem of Howard/Coreau puts them in the best position next year. 2) Side Deal. Holland said he wouldnt do a side deal to protect a player, maybe he has a deal in place for LV to take a player. So for example, the agreement is that is LV takes E in the draft which is the only way to move E to them with his NTC, then Holland has agreed to trade Mrazek to them for cheap afterwards. Or maybe a side deal that has nothing to do with Mrazek. This way you keep your vet in Howard happy, and send Mrazek a message. 3) Holland is simply out of touch. Holland did not properly assess the market on Mrazek, and wants to go with Jimmy as he feels that gives him the best chance in making the playoffs next year. LV is taking advantage of this, and we are about to be fleeced. 4) Holland has no intention in losing Mrazek. Maybe LV has already let Holland know who they are taking (ie. Sheahan or XO) and this is Holland's way of sending Mrazek a message. My guess is the answer is either 1 or 3.

Well Nieslen has a NMC, he literally had no choice but to protect him.

For the most part I agree with it, but I am pretty shocked that he protected Howard over Mrazek. I think that is a mistake. I also dont like Abby over Sheahan, but at the same time after the season Sheahan had I get it. I also would have protected XO over Jensen, but that one is a coin flip. I don't agree with it, but maybe they are done with Mrazek. Maybe the Wings want LV to take him so they dont have 9mil tied up in goalies.

The only reason why I would like to hold on to Sheahan is because of his rumoured trade value. With that being said, him being worth a 1st may have been complete BS and if so I'm with you.

I don't hate your first part, but if we are not contending for the next couple years anyways why waste a 2nd rounder to get rid of two contracts that will be gone in 2 and 3 years respectfully? Now, if that move is needed for another move to come (ie. acquiring a player like Trouba) I am 100% good with it. I would LOVE Laine, but there is no chance at that. My only issue with Wheeler is that he is 30, so by the time we are contenders he will likely be a washed up player.

100% agree. If I were Holland I would protect Z, Nyquist, Tatar, Nielsen (only because you have to), Mantha, AA, and Sheahan at forward. DD, XO, and Green on D, and Mrazek in goal. I dont hate the Helm contract like some, but coupled with all the other's I would have no problem with it going, and Abby is going nowhere anyways so why waste a spot on him. When you say expose all the bad contracts, are you talking DD?

Ya your opinion of Holland is clear, but the reality of the situation is he is not going anywhere. So what I want to know is what can he do this next week that will make you happy? By answering this question, it does not mean you are a Holland fan, it does not mean you like him, it doesnt even mean you are happy with him, its simply asking you to evaluate his upcoming week in a bubble. I am giving you the benefit of the doubt in assuming that you are emotionally mature enough to do this. Please don't prove me wrong as you ask me to give you a chance, so I am doing it right now by trying to have a legit conversation with you. If you can't answer this question, what this tells me is your criticism is fake. You simply call him an idiot regardless of what he does and have no desire to actually talk about the Wings.

So what moves could be made over the next week that would please you? Who do you want him to protect?

With his chronic knee problem I can't see that happening, but then again they need vets on short term deals so you can never say never.

I dont think Holland would do anything extremely stupid like not protecting AA or Mantha, but when it comes to D I just have a feeling he is protecting DD, Kronwall, Green. I think he is to loyal to leave Kronwall exposed which is a mistake because LV won't want him. *edit* just read that you essentially said the same thing regarding Kronwall.

Agreed. The kid has an injury history and has never played up to the hype. Not to mention, 6mil per year is a high cap hit for a kid that got 42 points and was a -10 last year. My offer would be Nielsen, Green and a 3rd. No chance that gets its done though lol.

My advice, just ignore said user or your both going to get suspended.

You can just say the non prejudice fans. Just stop.....comments like this kill your credibility.

E has 3 years left. Honestly, if we protect Z, Mantha, AA, Nyquist, Tatar, Nielsen (NMC), and Sheahan, Mrazek, DD, Green, and XO then how bad can our loss be. We can't trade a 3rd to protect Jensen, then another to protect Sproul, then a 4th to protect Nosek etc etc etc. Just accept the loss, maybe they take Jimmy. Holland said he would not trade assets to protect, never said anything as far as I know of trading assets to dump salary. If we walk away from this sans E and lose a guy like nosek or Jensen, I'm pretty happy.

He is implying that Bergevin will always do what you least expect.

I love how this turns into an anti Holland thread 1 post in. If only there was a place to discuss Holland on this board. On to the actual topic, sounds like TB really lost out here, but then again I dont know too much about Sergachyov. I guess like all trades, only time will tell.

For the record i agree, I'm just trying to give a different perspective.

Here is a question for everyone.......If management feels that Mrazek was a flash in the pan and last season is exactly indicative of what he is, should the protect Howard and hope Mrazek gets taken? Because if this is the case, protecting Howard likely is the right move. I dont personally believe this, but if they do I can see their thought process.

Why not wait until after the draft? Did he have a NMC that he refused to waive?

An AHL team does different things for different players. For Forwards, it is usually a place where second tier guys/low level picks work on their craft so they can be solid contributes at the NHL level, or at best in rare cases upper tier player in the NHL. The reason for this is because the "studs" (ie. the McDavid's, Matthews, Eichel's. even Larkin's of the world) typically skip the AHL and jump right into the NHL. So the fact that nobody from that team is an "82 point per season guy" makes a lot of sense. D is a different story, D take longer to develop then forwards and the AHL is used to help with that development. Unfortunately we haven't had any elite level D-men in our farm system for a long time (fingers crossed that the kids now change that). This is an area in our system that I think most can agree we have failed in. As far as Mrazek goes, well this is a sample size of 1. Goalies like D-men typically take longer to develop as well. Only time will tell with him. I truthfully wouldn't be surprised if Mrazek wins a Vezina one day, or becomes a complete flop. It's very hard to assess a young goalie as a fan when the mental side of things is so important. In short, what the Wings appear to be building in the AHL in a great group of complimentary/second tier players. The reason for this, is because we haven't had a high draft pick in decades. I think this entire board can agree that we lack at the moment young elite level talent. But even if we did have elite level young guys, they wouldn't be in the AHL anyways.

I want to see Mantha-Larkin-AA......let them gain some chemistry now so in a few years they could be a good top line, or a great second line.

Finkle is Einhorn...Einhorn is Finkle!