Xraymind7781

I'm not claiming that Brunner and Smith will not play well. But i'm also not claiming that Smith will win the calder and step in and score 20 goals like some people around here are. I happen to think Smith will see allot of ice time, but he's going to make allot of mistakes. Thats part of the development. Brunner, I have no clue what to expect. I'm just not comfortable with placing allot of expectations on these two. These types of players aren't going to make huge impacts in our lineup this year. I think its unfair to expect that at this point. Reallisticly speaking, if we had dropped Lidstrom and Stuart from our lineup for any extended period of time we would have been in big trouble last year. I realize its hard for some to grasp but this is going to be one of the weakest rosters we have seen as redwings fans for a long time. As far as the Kings winning the cup, sure almost any team that gets in can get hot and win. But the Kings weren't a bunch of nobodies that shocked the world. They were a club with a ton of talent that under achieved most of the year. With the subtractions that came this offseason, i'm not sure I feel comfortable calling the wings a premier club right now.

I agree with this in parts. Players did come here to win. As this team sits, it is not a contender. As of right now, players are not coming here to win. I realize this is just one off season. But the fact remains, this is not a cup contending team. Again anything can happen but you heard Babcocks complaints at the end of last year. Scoring hasnt improved and to boot the defense is allot weaker. This is not an atrractive scenario to anyhone who wants to win. As for Hollands philosophy not revolving around the coming and going of Lidstrom; I don't know how this comment could be further from reality. Everything he does from here on out will revolve around suring up the void left by Lidstroms unworldly talent. Ken Holland is a great GM, but nobody could have prepaired for life after possibly the greatest defenseman to ever play the game. Ken Hollands philosophy just left the building. He's working hard now on building a new one.

Not arguing anything here. Just bringing light to the fact that what you know of the redwings and how they conducted buisness in the past is history. This "developmental philosophy" that you speak of is about to morph drastically too. This is the begining of life after Nick and Stevie. Those two guys were the reasons why we could draw free agents here. It had nothing to do with the suburbs or our claim to be "hockeytown". Those two were winners. Anybody would have followed them. Sad truth is, this team just isnt as attractive without them. In my opinion that changes EVERYTHING. I'm not saying it's going to be tough from here on out but i am saying, things are going to be allot different now.

I argue that if you knew anything about the wings, you now know that for years and years holding back talent in the minors was a luxury for this club. One that they are no longer able to afford i'm affriad. Whith so many oppertunities now available for these younger players, I feel that it will only thin our prospects pool even further.

holland had always been able to draw free agents because they knew they were going to be contending for the cup. that isnt the case anymore. we are entering a different era in redwings hockey. the future doesnt look so bright. hopefully something happens to change that. personally i don't have as much faith as some people here in our prospects.

I'd say no. If Babcock walked away from the Redwings at this point, what would that say about him? It would tarnish his image.

I don't think the wings have been dominant for some time now. With that said I think they are looking to regain dominance. I do like a few of our prospects but I don't think we can hang our hat on upcoming talent if we are going to be contenders any time soon. I think there will be a few lean years before the wings are in a position to compete deep into the playoffs again. I don't think any club could prepare itself for losing possibly the greatest defensive fixture in the history of the game. I really dont think its going to be so easy to draw free agents here anymore. Thats just my opinion. I hope i'm wrong. But i think things are going to be very different from what we've all been accustomed to for this hockey club. Thats not me being doom and gloom. Just looking at things realistically. As someone pointed out, its been awhile since a significant draftee has had a major impact in our lineup. Hopefully theres a couple in the system now that have a strong break through season. It couldnt come at a better time. Should be intersting to see how it unfolds.

I agree, I'm sure Z will be the new captain. And thats the best possible guy on the roster in my opinion. And I do realize Captaincy doesnt really have anything to do with productivity on a stats basis, i simply used the term decline to suggest that they might like to have somone capable of leading the team who may be a staple here for a bit longer. I just don't buy into the idea that Captaincy is a seniority thing. I think thats a terrible way to look for leadership. You give it to the person most capable of motivating and directing his teammates. How long had Yzerman been in the organization before he was given the "C"?

Just as it is a moot point for you to speculate how wings go about the buisness of naming captains. How many captancy changes do you have as reference in the past 30 years?

Without reservation you say that there's no way they would have handed the "C" to someone they were offering $90 million dollars to? Somone whom they were pursuing to be the future building blocks of the organization? I can't say not knowing for certain, but I tend to think the Captaincy was probably a part of any offer the wings were making with Nick stepping down. Like i've said before, Zetterberg and Datsyuk are amazing but they are both on the decline.

I agree with you about Lidstrom. Obviously he was the right guy to put the "C" on at the time. There was really no way around it. I'm not dissing Datsyuk or Zetterberg either. You can say what you want about awards that they've won or what have you. I just don't feel comfortable putting a "C" on either of those guys. With that said I'm sure that if Suter or Parise signed here, neither Dats or Z would have worn the "C".

In my opinion these are all good, smart veteran players. I know this isn't going to be a popular statement but I don't think any of them are captain material.

Personally, i'm really looking forward to next season. We aren't going to be favorites, but we haven't been for the last couple years. With Lidstrom and Stuart gone we get to see what Hollands really made of. I think there are going to be some unique situations for the franchise this season with so much cap space and so many holes that need mended in the lineup. I'd really like a good solid look at some of the young guys next year. Smith, Nyquist, and Brunner should be fun to watch. In my opinion the wings have needed a Tootoo type player on the fourth line for a while now. Not sure Tootoo wil be a good fit. It will be interesting to see what he brings to the team. I'm not really interested in the idea of signing Semin. While it would be intriguing to see him play with Datsyuk , i'm not keen on the idea of signing a guy like him to a long term big figure contract. Sure he might stop the bleeding over the next year or two but after that its one of those situations that could be an absolute nightmare. With that said I really wouldnt mind seeing a Shane Doan step in for a year or two and bring some leadership to the table. I'm actually more concerned about leadership on this club than a lack of defense.

I heard Holland on 97.1 the ticket about 40 minutes after the deadline. The overall tone of what he had to say was that of disappointment. He said things like, "i really wish i was sitting here talking about a couple guys we picked up, but it just didn't happen." I think Kenny himself expected more out of this deadline. Seeing a guy like pahlsson picked up for a couple 4th rounders, even something like that would have been a nice addition. It was nice picking up Quincey, but i am pretty disappointed that we didn't pick up a right handed winger, especially with the cap situation. I think we've got a good team but im not sure its geared for a playoff run. There are guys whom, over the last few years have shown inconsistencies when they playoffs roll around.

I don't think there's anything wrong with sticking up for a teammate after a huge hit. If you're going to go out of your way to pop somebody, you should expect a little flak in return. Penalizing a player for sticking up for a teammate would just suppress emotions and that leads to ridiculous chicken s*** hacking and things of that nature.

There will be big names coming in if nick retires. There is no way the wings will sit on a surplus of cap space. This team has always done all it can for the best competitive edge. I doubt that will change for a very long time.

I think if the players were allowed to police themselves a bit more in this league we wouldnt see so many instances like this. Im not saying goon it up or anything like that. But when the rules of the game make it difficult to make players accountable for their actions on the ice, you're going to get some pretty stupid things happening out their. Which is why we now have refs calling 5 minute majors on hits like this and petty little wrestling matches following plays like this. You can say the game is now faster and the players are bigger and thats why all these injuries are happening. That may play a bit into it but i think its more because players arent held accountable for stuff like this. Dont get me wrong, I love Kronwall and the way he plays, but he should get knocked on his ass a few times for hitting guys the way he does. Yes they are clean hits. And yes they are masterpieces. But the guys on these other teams have to stand up to this guy to try and make him think twice about throwing himself around so much. Thats why more players are getting hurt. A few games suspension and a silly fine isnt going to make a guy think twice about throwing a hit like this. It will continue to happen, and i think it will only get worse. The code of the game is what needs to be changed. The overall mindset of the player must be changed. Thats not going to happen by making players accountable off the ice after the incidents occur. They need to be held accountable on the ice at all times.

Conklin is not a good backup goalie. He was 3 years ago. If howard went down for any period of time in the playoffs would you be comfortable with Conklin or Macdonald plugging that hole for any amount of time under that kind of pressure? I wouldn't. This team is too good not to make a move in my opinion.

Conklin and Macdonald are not going to do it if he's out any longer than two weeks. They'd have to go out and get somebody.