kliq

In his mind I think he was trying to do the same thing he did between 2002 and 2008, he wanted to keep the team relevant as he transitioned from one group of stars (D & Z) to another (Nyq/Tatar and co.). When he did it from Yzerman/Fed/Shanny etc. to D & Z it worked, this time it didnt as Nyquist and co never amounted to anything more then second tier players. I agree with you that he didn't build a contender, but I dont think he was just trying to keep the streak alive.

You never know right. In 1983 Brian Lawton and Sylvain Turgeon were both drafted before Lafontaine and Yzerman. It really is a crap shoot.

Like I said before, I do agree that he should have his jersey retired but your argument is so ridiculously over the top. Nobody "screwed" Fedorov, and the way you talk about Feds is like a parent who thinks their child can do no wrong and makes every excuse in the book to justify their child's actions. In literally every scenario brought up here, you manage to flip it to make him sound like the victim. I truly believe that if Fedorov himself read your comments, he would grin.

This was a convo we had about Mantha fighting back in February, I hope my point is now made with Mantha going out for the season with a fractured finger from fighting which is exactly what my concern was centered around. http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2017/03/30/red-wings-anthony-mantha-injury/99852946/

Holland's comments that Z's jersey will be retired.

He signed an offer sheet in 98.....is that not trying to leave?

Not even close to the same thing. Example one is a guy who seemed to do everything he could to get out of Detroit (or at least that is what the perception is), example two is a guy who never wore another teams jersey and had his career ended short in a tragic accident. His number is not worn out of respect. I agree Fedorov should have his jersey retired, but as dumb as I think one extreme of the argument is, to completely dismiss the other side is just as bad. It's not JUST personal feelings, its lack of loyalty to the organization. Fedorov did choose to leave in the prime of his career while we were still contenders, this is usually something that prevents a player from having their jersey retired like it or not.

I think you are right, but getting your jersey retired usually comes with a loyalty to the team. The best example I can think of is Ken Daneyko/NJD, definitely not at the level you would think for going up in the rafters, but he was loyal. Feds walked out in a very ugly fashion. I hope he goes up in the first game next year, but I understand the argument against him and lets not forget, we are talking the most loyal organization in sports.

Personally I love it! From the NHL's perspective, seems like such a dumb move.

I think the next UFC show in Detroit has found it's main event.

Depends on your definition of "overpaid". Did he pay him above market value....no. Was it a bad signing for our team with our cap situation....yes. NYI offered him more then us, not 100% sure about the term/NMC though.

I don't believe in the narrative that Free Agents don't or didn't want to come here. Over the years we have signed a ton of players. Sure none have been superstars, and a lot didn't workout, but free agency simply sucks now a days. It's a day for mediocre players to sign bad long term deals. Look at last year, the big catches were Lucic, Backes, Nielsen, and Okposo, all second tier/third players. After we didn't land Suter, and then missed out on Niskanen fans created this false narrative, completely ignoring the fact that players like Alfie, Wiess, Green, Nielsen etc all did. Then whenever you call someone out for this, the default response is typically "those players sucked" though that is not the question. Nobody is debating the success of our UFA signings, I admit most have not worked out, the debate is do highly touted UFA's want to come here. I believe the answer is yes.

I still remember that slap shot to the face....one of the most cringe worthy injuries I have ever seen.

To be fair, Dickie didn't say anything about us playing for a cup, he was talking about us being a playoff team. I think people really underestimate the parity in today's NHL. The difference between being a lottery pick and an 8th seed is much closer then you think. Look at TB, Dal Columbus etc. All examples of how a team can go from being on top, to out of it just like that and vice versa. Now, contending for a cup, that is a different story.

To be fair, everyone here is assessing this hit based on the rules in North America. Who knows what defines a "clean hit" in Russia.

Ya unfortunately the Kronwall/E regressions forced this as its definitely our biggest issue. Take out Kronwall/E, give us say Keith/Seabrook and all of a sudden we have an elite D. Now I'm sure almost every team could say this, but my point is that we lack that #1 and #2 guy right now. DD/Green are a very good 2nd pairing, and between XO, Sproul, Russo, Hickets, and Jensen we can easily put together a very good 3rd pairing. Hopefully we can pull off a trade this off-season. I wonder if DD/Tatar would get the Trouba convo going again?

I agree with you in theory, but practically speaking this team has struggled big time in acquiring/developing top 4 d-men. I would hate to trade the one we have that is still young enough to improve and be here when we contend again. 5mil in a few years for a #4 d-man will not be that bad. Now if we can swap him for a better D-man, do it.

I have a strong feeling that once he scores, his second will be shortly after. At this point I think it's likely in his head and completely messing with him mentally.

Obvioulsy this season is a lost cause, but do think that in management/ownerships eyes next year the goal will be to make the playoffs.

This was discussed on the previous page. Firing Blashill right now would be an incredibly stupid move if he is as bad of a coach as so many around here think. You bring in a better coach, and what happens is they improve the team immediately when it means nothing, then we shoot up the standings not in the playoffs, but away from a top pick. Organization is not f***ed up for not firing Blashill now. Come end of the season and he's still here, then your issue with not firing him would hold merit.

There is a lot of truth to this comment. We are out of it, to fire him now and bring in say a Hitchcock who could possibly turn it around to the point where we shoot up the standings and just barely don't make the playoffs would be worst case scenario.

As long as they have Kane, Keith and Seabrook at an elite level they will always be dangerous unless they are surrounded by 4th liners.

It was against us lol

Detroit/Colorado was pretty crazy and I agree nothing will likely get to that level, but I would say the closest in modern time was Philly/Pit which was intense in its own right.