frankgrimes

Bit of a surprise but with the Kreider connection it now makes sense Sucks that the hawks are getting a second rounder, wings got nothing for losing a ton of brain trust stuff, guess the Pens east have other rules...

Such events are not for us they are for people with a lot of money I mean 500 for Z is like 4 dollar for normal people.

Yeah some are okay but I mean guys like Kypreos, Sideropulos, Simmons and some of their other experts : /

It was so nice to see that greed and suits deciding over hockey deals aren't always winners. Rogers and the nhl will lose heavily we ad fans will have to deal with questionable on air personalities, low quality production and a bunch of advertisements trying to push Rogers crap

Till his injury Ryan has scored 30 or more goals every season and he did that while always playing on a budget team. To me this is very impressive love the speed of Nyquist but I wouldn't even think twice about trading him for Ryan that's an absolute streak.

Well if they don't have a good season every player there is a whipping boy except for Claude Giroux so I'm not surprised.

So much deserved but the plague doesn't do him justice he isn't that old right now. Godstrom please develop a time machine and come back 10 years younger we need you !

McKee is overly impressive at the job we've drafted him fore and he will only get better at it, so that's more than good enough for me. McIlrath, Bordelaux, Gazdic and McKee will be the new blood in terms of young enforcers :-) Bertuzzi seems like an agitator and a good one at that can't wait to see him making the lineup. Other teams will for sure hate him just hope he doesn't turn into a complete rat like Marchand. Boston lost way more than just toughness in Thornton. Bergeron, Lucic and him were the top jersey sellers, guy brings honesty, leadership and is absolutely loved in that city. Watch Marchand playing a cleaner game now because sure as hell Lucic won't fight all the battles for him neither will Chara. I think a guy like Luke Schenn would be great, plays a steady defensive game and hits like a truck everything that moves

That's why I've said you need a top 6 bottom 6 approach with the third line being the kid line the fourth line (ideally), should be the one from hell, kicking ass if it needs. But that being said I just don't see it happening the team will for sure be one of the softest again, last in FMs ( again ) but Mantha has the size to do some checking so why not let him learn that too. My personal preference would be to go slowly with the kid, don't rush him and let him develop at his own pace maybe work out with McKee.

And why should Danny do that ? Tatar got a great deal I'm sure Danny is looking at something around 3 - 3,5 per which he should be guy is easily worth that.

If I where him I'd be signing with Calgary, he can play with his buddies there, they are rebuilding so not a lot of pressure there and it's easier to crack that lineup.

Ehrhoff, Niskanen are a big deal because they would have fixed an ever increasing hole since Lidas left. Holland and some fans need to realize the time where players would come here for less are over. The Wings nowadays are just one of the teams asking for their service and if the money isn't comparable or hence better they won't sign. Overpayment and taking risks are part of a GMs job, UFA is also known as overpayment day but guess what ? I would have given Suter, Parise even 15 years if it means we are getting to see another cup for Mr. I, Pasha and Z after they've done so much for this former TOP destination in the NHL. Whats the point of having capsapce if the top guys aren't hitting UFA anymore or you aren't going to use it t o your advantage ? Add to that it's not like the capspace has been used wisely this off-season either, overpayment for 2 players and third on the cusp of getting re-signed which doesn't leave a lot for a local hero (Danny D) is that smart cap management ? I don't think so. Also Holland didn't take a risks and still lost a trades by a landslide (Poilé absolutely schooled him) so losing a big trade is much better than getting schooled by another gm, as did Yzerman two years ago.. As for McDavid the competition is fierce and tough you need to outtank: Buffalo, Florida, Winnipeg, Edmonton, New York, Calgary and maybe even Phoenix but keep in mind the second pick is also a great one Eichel will be a star in this league too.

Here is the link http://www.tsn.ca/bardown/Story.aspx?TSN+Original%3A+Playing+To+Lose&id=455356 Some of them rephrase it as "what was best for the team back then" but yeah their GM wanted to get Lemieux more than anything and given the circumstances most would have done the same thing. The guy basically saved their franchise. They Personally I wouldn't have a problem with exploiting a rule if it means your #1 center position is soon set for another 15 years (McDavid..) maybe it's not the high moral thing to do but at the end of day why play fair if others aren't.

Checking is something a player need to learn too and especially the Wings could use a forward with some grit. Mantha got the tools so yeah if he doesn't make the top 6, let him try a bottom 6 role and then send him down after 9 games.there is really no harm in that.

I'd recommend everyone watching the TSN story about the Pens and Lemieux some of the stuff basically admitted that they were trying to lose. Sure players would never want to lose but the front office especially GM and coach can put players into impossible situations. Like TSN mentioned playing the 3 pairing on the PK, or let the fourth line play the PK stuff like that. Funny, how emotionally invested some posters seem to be in a Ken Holland. Yes he has done great things but after losing Yzerman, Nill he really seems to struggle and there is debate about that because the results are there since 2009. It is impossible to rebuild a team via draft or solely via UFA, the mixture needs to be there. With Pasha continuing to slow down I really hope the front office isn't banking on finding another Pasha outside of the top 3 in 2015. I don't care how many excuses people want to make the point is, he now has 4 years to change the UFA perception of this team and to lay down a plan. The current strategy of barely staying over the water won't entice players to sign here, as the core continues to age and the question marks continue to rise. Wheter some fans like to admit it or not but that's exactly how top guys are viewing this team right now. Sometimes a step back can mean 2 steps forward in the long run, so I would have been much more happy with seeing the young guys getting a chance, create cap space and go for a top pick in one of the best drafts since 2006. Also I'm sick of Holland's if you make the playoffs everything can happen, yeah everything can happen if you are stacked as the LA Kings in most cases you are going to face the Big Bad Bear or the high powered offense of Pittsburgh = first round exit again and a worse draft pick. This is a team which needs a make over in terms of playstyle and soon on key position, you simple can't do that by drafting alone, we won't have the luck of getting a Z, Pasha or - dream on - Lidström again because every team has improved their worldwide scouting and finding gems has become harder and harder. Shero brought the Pens a cup, a cup final experience, an ECF << more success than Holland and Lemieux decided to fire him because the expectations are sky high in Pittsburgh. The Wings lost out on top UFAs, the team became stale, complacent, UFAs shying away and hasn't even flirted with a third round since 2009 and yet Holland gets a 4 year extension. This just doesn't feel right for me. I have nothing against Holland, he has done a lot of great things but I personally believe he has lost his inner fire to guide this team through some rough rough years and maybe the game has evolved too much for his ideas. Hopefully we can hire Shero as an assistant and if things go south have him taking over.

Turns out Rogers might have overpaid and now they fear some losses. Man I hope they lose big and the nhl does too would serve them right for pissing on a loyal supporter with a great product in TSN http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/outdoor-games-rogers-deal-fuel-surge-in-revenue-for-nhl-clubs/article20054741/Good times ahead *laughs *

moved my posting to the lines thread

Why not test a more traditional top 6 bottom 6 approach. Mantha has the size to play a checking role and when he has fully adopted to the nhl game use him for scoring.

The Ehrhoff signing is almost a Hossa one and it clearly shows how the reception has changed. Back in the days top ufas wanted to come here and now the team is lucky to even be on their final lists. Nielsen has the connection yes, but the caps also presented him with an offer that was 4 million better than ours. Ehrhoff at 4 million is far from costly it's an absolute steal, Niskanen at only 5.75 or is also far from costly that guy is only getting better from now on because he is entering his prime. If a team doesn't get the top guys they need to draft top guys and develop them, the Wings for sure know how to develop players but only being good enough to just make the playoffs or missing them could easily lead to a Calgary our Buffalo situation in a few years. So the pressure for the prospects is already high and if one of the defenders turns out to be just average uuuuu...It's all I can say. Holland simple can't afford to wait and hope for the big signing anymore, as former mentioned this team isn't a premier destination anymore..So he needs to pull out some tricks o ur else this won't be far from the worst we might see. Is it fair who knows? But he is getting paid the big bucks and now has 4 years to prove he can still be the much needed mastermind behind the Wings. The whole loyalty thing is also funny, where was that when it came down to Draper, Dmac or Downey ? But given his performance since 2009 and one mistake after another it should easily be understandable why some fans are worried.

I've said CENTER prospects after Pulkinnen. Larkin can play either center or left wing and till he is ready nobody will know at which position he is going to flourish. Good god Alfie wanted to play with a bunch of Swedes - at this point in his career he is a depth player plain and simple - and thought this team would have give him a better chance than his old one, there were also reports of him being pissed about the lowball offer from the Senators. Weiss top UFA seriously ? The guy came back after a serious injury and nobody knew if he would be fully recovered or not turns out, he wasn't. So till he shows huge improvements this season I wouldn't even call him a good signing save for a Hossa type of signing but maybe that doesdn't fit the rose colored blind thoughts of some.. As for missing out Niskanen, Ehrhoff ?! They may not be Hossa type players but both were the by far best UFAs this year and we didn't get either one, period. So a GM can't have the luxury of stating "I don't know why they aren't coming here.." because that means this teams future would solely depend on almost every prospect reaching their expected maximum potential and how often does that happen ? (hint the number is lower than 1...) Holland has his work cutout for him and he better figures out how to get top UFAs to sign here otherwise this will be a looooong 4 years.

Ok when was the last time the Wings got a top ufa? My answer would be 2008 Marian Hossaand only because he badly wanted to be here. I'm just a fan but the writing has been on the wall for quite some time now and with it as saying no to Detroit Holland needs to get creative and might take the risk of losing a big trade. So what is so wrong about my statement? The game has evolved teams are now built in a much more balanced way and GMs need to react quickly and sorry but I haven't seen that drive since 2007.

It's fine everyone is entitled to an own opinion. The difference in terms of Rangers area king Henrik and of course McDonough their defense is extremely good.I've never had the Habs as cup contenders they are better than the Wings yes, but the reason for that is Carey Price. 8 points are 8 points and getting them won't be any easier this season. Would we've done better against the Pens? Yes, but I don't believe we would have won the series against them. Also I've never said fire Holland because I knew it won't happen I wanted a promotion to vice president for him, which is different than wanting him fired. It's a new season teams know how to play against this team, they've seen Boston doing without any problems.Howard would need a Rask like season if this team wants to make the playoffs and I don't see him being that type of goaltender ever. Yeah the prospects are nice and I love watching them but with the amount of help the defense needs they need to reach their maximum potential and then we've the center problem. This team was not prepared for a plan B after Nicks retirement that's on Holland, period. And now it looks like they aren't prepared for the past Pasha era either so that to me is enough reason to be very scared off the future. Yup ufas aren't coming and the prospect pool is dry after Pulkinen. Please keep in mind it took a collapse by another team for the Wings to get that 8 seed so realistically the odds aren't that great this year, that's why I'm realistic if they miss I won't be disappointed because I was expecting it.

I'm so sick of that Kings argument, this was a team most people had as a cup favorite before the season. They underarchieved during the season, fired their coach and in typical kingsstyle put everything together when it counted --> playoffs. Lombardi saw flaws fixed them and brought the team two stanley cups. With UFAs not wanting to come here, some of the prospects soon need to turn into first pairing defensemen and others are expected to at least soften the blow Pasha and soon after Zetterbergs retirement will cause this team. Also I don't buy this we are making moves once the team is ready excuses anymore, we got Hossa because he basically offered himself by signing a one year contract. Holland sadly has become very very cautious in terms of improving a team and now we are seeing more and more the results of that. After Niskanen, Ehrhoff went elsewhere most would have been fine with staying put, creating some cap space and let the youth play and what happens ? He overpays and re-signs a borderline second pairing defenseman for 8,5 million, brings back a player who is done and will soon bring back one with another sore back and for what ? Just to keep a stupid streak alive, I gladly let the streak end if it means letting the youth play and if some don't plan out ppackage them for veteran help (not for 2 months of service....) Even Babcock said that the team is not going into the right direction, so sorry but I don't see the point in icing an exact same roster again and the healthy excuse more than done.

Can't believe that farm thing everyone knows not every prospect will turn out in a great way. The wings would need to absolutely hit the jackpot in terms of defense and forwards (especially centers) to even be competitive in the post Pasha era. Note competitive not even talking about cup contention here. Holland had 5 years to fix the defense and so far failed to do so. He also traded away our best center prospect for 2 months of third line service these are facts and there is no sugarcoat around it. Also this team is sharing titles like oldest, softest with a few other teams not something to be proud off. Yes Holland was a mastermind but he needed to prove it again this off season, sadly he failed then panicked and now he is on the verge of bringing back a team which barely made the playoffsand hot their assess handed to them against a juggernaut! All that while a guy like Nill or Yzerman are trying hard to improve their big club and the AHL teams. So given all of that I don't understand why some people are surprised about the negative reactions.

Exactly I would like that make up too especially in a McDavid year although I think they are going to add someone and be it only as a cap a dump.The young players can develop and while they do nobody will take advantage of them, or answer to McGrattan, Engelland, Westgarth or Bollig. My expectation for Zetterberg is simple if he can play around 70 games 60 points should be doable.In terms of Pavel fully agreed a lot will depend on how his knee holds up