frankgrimes

Listen I understand all of that and I personally believe the cap has made a GMs job unneccessary tough in almost every way. That being said if I put myself in Hollands I wouldn't risk my legacy I would ask to become the VP and let someone else deal with that burden, by helping him in the best possible way. I mean the Bruins get PUNISHED for having a great goalscorer and success what type of system is that ?! The problem with building the team up is simple: the Wings desperately need to find a way to get UFAs excited for this team again, which means young potential stars which means very good draft position. As of right now I'm sure people are aware of Tatar, Nyquist and Mantha but nobody knows how they are going to turn out/develop. Another part of the problem is that this is the swan song for the best coach in all of hockey, so Holland is dealing with a lot of variables here. And that's why I believe a fresh mindset with no attachment whatsoever to any player would have been helpful. Kenny is one of the greatest GMs in the game but his mistakes are starting to add up and that's usually not a good sign. Maybe he has become too comfortable and didn't evolve enough with the game (happens to the best of them).

As great as Fedorov was as a player the way he left burned that scenario. Pasha and Z may have a borderline chance at best, because the bar is unbelievable high in Detroit. I think both will be honored in some way or form - maybe a ring of honor like Calgary has it - but numbers retired ? I don't think so << neither of the three

Don't worry too much, some just can't put off their rose colored glasses. I.e if the team is bad let's blame injuries...team is healthy and still not good ? Blame chemistry, puck luck or whatever. Add to that the way too soon and unneeded comparisons between Nyquist/Tatar to our only two remaining superstars and well the picture should become even more clear. The pretty much same thing is happening if Holland fails to sign much needed UFA help, it's either the player all of a sudden wasn't good enough, signed for too much money - because I'm sure the topguys are willing to sign below market deals on a rebuilding/tooling team - or (my favorite) can be replaced from within. I mean Niskanen at 5,75 for 7 years ? Hell yeah ! With an ever rising cap and his PP abilities this contract will be a steal when all is said and done. I fully agree with your definition of bluechip prospects, there is a reason behind the term prospect and even if they rip up the AHL nobody can predict how their game will translate to the big league. Mantha will for sure get a fair chance and big look by Babcock but if he isn't ready there is no way he is going to throw him to the wolves instead of letting him develop his game in the AHL. Yes, Mantha has all the tools and should be able to become a great top 6 contributor for a long time but I'm hesistant to believe that Marchenko, Sproul are the so much needed fix for our defensive problems till proven otherwise. For some that's already pessimism so yeah I'd rather look at it rationally and be happy IF they surprise me or even better surpass my realistic expectations. If I'm the GM of another team and Holland asks for defensive help in the category of Myers..well you can bet I would be asking for either Nyquist/Tatar or Mantha + a lesser prospect + a first rounder .. in reality neither Marchenko nor Sproul or Mrazek are going to get us a powerforward or a top pairing defensive guy (latter are at a premium price right now so you gotta give to get). Given that these three (Mantha, Nyquist, Tatar) are very close to untouchable the only remaining option would have been overpaying for a guy like Ehrhoff who wanted 1 ! more year than the Wings were willing to offer and would have given us a much better defense nonetheless PP. Also it's not the job of fans to look for potential replacements this should and will always be done by people in the know with a great network around the whole league. It's no secret some of us here wanted Yzerman as the next GM, that ship has sailed so have Nil;Benning but I think Kevin McDonald [Assistent GM of the St. Louis Blues] would have been a very interesting choice, this team is built the right way their defense may be the best in the NHL, tough as nails and with the addition of Statsny even their offense will be unreal. Fully agree I really don't understand why the guy is risking an almost flawless legacy instead of moving up and help teach another guy what it means to the GM of the Detroit Red Wings.

Which they never did so that example is just proving my point

Low risk high reward for the flames but man has this guy fallen since his best season.

Talk about overhype ... Nyquist could turn into a star but it's also possible him only becoming a top 6 contributor and for me that's good enough.neither Nyquist nor Tatar will turn into Z or Pasha. It's funny reading how the team keeps winning although the best they've done is barely making the playoffs and not even sniffing at the third round dice almost 6 years. The sabers will have a very dangerous team in a few years and the isles where held back by an incompetent management and a penny pinching owner. The reality is also really simple the Holland will need some homerun drafts and prepare the Wings much better for the post Z and Pasha era, than he did with the post Lidas one.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=459929 Must be the most difficult job in the NHL and yet their boards continues to hire all these brash, big mouth guys. Add to it the infight between Rogers and Bell and even as an experienced one people are in for hell. But the guy also didn't do himself any favors by trying to remove the pictures of former Leafs legends or book the cup parade. Still can't believe the BOG allowed Rogers/Bell to co-own this team. That being said the star quoted an interview with his wife...I mean seriously he isn't even a player and they are going to interview his wife ? Something is clearly wrong with the Toronto media that place must be crazy.

The thing is, if Marleau and Thornton won't waive - which they won't - the Sharks can do nothing about that. Sure the alternative is to treat them like crap, they the locker room gets sore and the new core will remember that for the rest of their career. Immediately the Sharks could forget re-signing Vlasic, Couture, Pavelski. One of their biggest problems is goaltending and a reliable defenseman for Vlasic.

Don't like it, don't read it problem solved.

Exactly this could easily backfire and destroy the reputation of the Sharks. Players around the league are talking to each other and I don't think this is the kind of stuff an owner, GM, coach ...would want players to talk about. It's disgusting and there is no way around it. Thornton and Marelau have NTC clauses, Wilson gave it to them so the "best" he can do is telling McLellan to not play both of these guys so they then can sit at home and collect massive paychecks, while the Sharks are a worse team with a very bad reputation.

Nil is green as well but he started it all of with absolutely robbing a top 2 GM (Chiarelli), and then followed it up with getting Spezza for spareparts, signed Hemsky. Sakic hasn't made such a big trade yet but he did something really well --> picking MacKinnon so he definately on the right track. Even if Yzerman is still green, what the guy has done with Tampa is just awesome and mark my words he will not standby and watch Stamkos signing with Toronto. Long before UFA Stammer will re-sign there.

Good list but I want to see what Sakic can do this year, before I name him a top 10 GM. Avs have lost their top center, a great backup and haven't re-signed Barrie yet so there is still work to do. My list would be: 1. Lombardi, Yzerman, Chiarelli, Nill, Bowman, Armstrong 2. Poile (although he might be on the hotseat), Maloney (what this guy is doing with a shoestring budget is amazing), 3. Holland, Kekailinen, Bob Murray I also think Benning will do a good job in Vancouver if they give him the time.

The Sharks, Canucks and us - all former western powerhouses - knew this would come it just amazes me, how Wilson is willing to destroy the reputation of their franchise. Both guys just re-signed a few months ago and now he is trying to piss them off by removing the C, A if I'm Thornton I'm smiling in his face telling him no matter what I#m not going to waive, if you try to ignore me on purpose and don't play me...well the NHLPA wil get involved. Man finding the message board there is hard to do and makes me appreciate our well structured and greatly styled one even more. But I do understand some of their fans they want a real rebuild and Wilson seems to be unwilling. It's sad to see seeing former powerhouses barely making the playoffs or missing them. as for the toughness comment if I'm Stoll I'd be starting a lot of MMA training after normal workouts because Scott will talk to him no matter what but man that PP comment is *lol* their toughness at least now has a name Scott.

Maybe that has been the problem them ? I never understood the signing, they've fired Burke and then hired another bigmouth, brash persona just to "fire" him again but I also think it must be very difficult dealing with this big group of CEOs, chairmans and what not. I mean Dubas has to ask Nonis < Shanahan < Leiweke < Tannenbaum < George Gope that's a lot of steps to get get something done, approved. They have enough money if MLSE is smart, they are going to bring in the great one and let him run the company. Also I still can't believe the BOG allowed the sale of the Leafs to two big companies who *hate* each other.

If this is their way of trying to get him to waive his ntc, it's a dick move. Don't want him as captain want to t rade him ? ! Don't re-sign him and don't give him a ntc then simple as that. If Wilson really believes Marleau and Thornton are the only problem there, he is out of his mind. This team has lost against the stanley cup winner and for whatever reason couldn't get the job done after leading 3:0. I mean it's hard to see the Wings direction but in terms of San Jose I don't see a direction, they aren't rebuilding/tooling and they haven't signed anybody of notice maybe it's a hybrid build. If I where Thornton I'd be pissed and tell them about it, they can't t rade him he will get his money no matter what.

Ok I'll try to rephrase it, nhl players are doing without exposure because they want to. Didn't know about this guy before but if he did give money to charity good for him. Every sport has selfish people but there are tons off stories where nhlers are going out of their way to make someone's life better and help out wherever they can.

There is still a chance for this going going to trial according to Westhead. Although the nhl would be really stupid letting that happen they are going to lose and still be in the news for all the wrong reasons.

There goes the last whaler, Giggy and his 2003 performance are still giving me nightmares. Enjoy your retirement

Guy is such a beat although z is it oily had to laugh is very well done so kudos Wow your cheerleaders are freakin hot wow wow

I know but more like a real rebuild it doesn't need to be tanking, just playing more young kids and not bring some stopgaps. Who said you need to absolutely bomb ? I mean honestly if it would have happened in a McEichel year hardly anything wrong with it. Like I've said before I don't think a top 3 pick is realistic but if things go south I believe top 10 could be possible which is still a very good pick just not that "sexy" superstar pick. btw. what makes people so sure the Wings would have won against Pittsburgh ? The Pens lost against a team with an awesome defense, the Wings would have had to play more of a offense versus offense type of game and that's exactly the type of game you don't want to play against a team with Malkin, Crosby and Letang.

Down to earth guys, loaded with money who seem to really care about others not so lucky and REALLY wanting to help out no only when the cameras are there.

I like the new system but I also understand why Murray is really sore about it. But still if things are going their way the sabers could end up with the top picks.

I hope Moore wins as big as possible headaches are horrible concussions headaches are even worse and what Bert did at least to me could be classified as criminal. The guy has barely done any interviews and when he does them the lights are still dim. Some mentioned that Bert would have to live with only of 20 percent of his money do what? The guy ended someone's careerin hockey and life.so yeah go Moore

And who is responsible for that decision? Right the GM anyway he now has 4 years to right a sinking ship. It's a really tough task and after we lose Babs it will be even harder Personally I would have preferred a rebuild in such an awesome draft year but seems like the streak is more important : (

Don't get me wrong I'm far from being against it I love this stuff.even it were 4000 everything that helps out those in need is a great thing. Just goes to show you what a great person he is, you would n never see your average soccer duvet or nba thug doing something like this. So kudos to Z hope they make a lot of money