frankgrimes

keep up the pressure. I am really happy for Lashoff

does the new CBA allow for declining a powerplay?

Agreed, I think the topline will be on a short leash if they don't their game going we might see two more balanced lines centered by Datsyuk and Zetterberg.

Well if Holland could get anything worth it for Mursak and Emmerton I am sure they would have been traded by now, but sadly nobody is giving up anything for two guys who will never be NHL regulars.

Yeah that roster was unbelievable loaded at every position, but GREAT players don't make a GREAT team ask the canadian WJC u20 squad. Does Yzerman have ways to go? You bet, but he has 4 years to prove himself that is the time when Hollands contract is up and Yzerman could be had at that time. Keep in mind he is working under an internal budget in Tampa and has to revamp their whole defense with not many great players avaiable: I have a lot of trust in this guy and I think he will be the GM of the Wings at some point, at least he will be better than the other option Jim Nill.

The last thing we need are questionable guys with non work ethic. I really really hope Nill will not be the next GM, Yzerman put together a Canadian gold medal team is an alltime favorite here and should be the next in line no matter what.

Agreed about not being easy but sadly for him (and others), in a shortened season there just is hardly enough time for stuff like that. This is now a team that needs contributions from everyone right from the start. So by the time Quincey might figuring it out it couldb e too late and we would have gotten a real nice first round pick during last years draft, so even if he does turn his game around I think Holland overpaid in a big way for him.

Quincey was not worth a first round pick and he sure as hell isn't worth a 3,75 salary .

I'd love to get Perry but I think Getzlaf and he are going to re-sign with Anaheim.

Well since the Wings are currently last, why not at least a little bit of depth lol

Play hard and compete for 60 minutes thats all I am asking for.

Excellent post Sir, +1 I've read an article about the fat cat countryclub atmosphere the New York 'Rangers seem to have, guess what? Dolan hired a pain in the ass coach and Suter took it upon himself to turn things around there. Holland has to look at Suter and do the same, if some guys believe that giving half an effort while getting paid ungodly well and not showing any pride is enough to be a Red Wing someone has to show them the door. Wings have been the definition of excellence for the last 2 decades so they should demand the same amount of excellence from their players. Rangers, Wings are in a very TINY group going way overboard with luxury hotels, privat jets and top notch training facilities so there is nothing the players can complain about. These guys are playing for an original 6 and very storied franchise but don't face the media scrutiny similar teams are having so really just work your butts off and make this organization proud if not for you do it for the best owner in all of sports MR. I

As stated in another thread at some point our front office has to make a statement not only for themselves but for the whole league. That this is storied franchise will not tolerate mediocrity any longer, you don't want to work your million$ butts off for an organization that is giving A LOT? fine, Kenny will trade you! Guys like Hjalmarson are not the answer, players like Pietrangelo, Letang are keep in mind Letang is hitting UFA the same year as Malkin does so how can Pittsburgh afford to sign both to huge deals? Bouwmeester would be a nice addition doubt, Toronto will let their captain go to UFA easily. If nothing works at least tank for a chance for Jones., there are some great defensemen to be had in the upcoming draft.

How about speaking for yourself? After watching the "highlights" I think there is an obvious reason for some of the concerns, the sky may not nbe falling but you can't have too many games like this in a shortened high intense season. DRW had gotten away with good - average goaltending because of a great defense playing in front of them, if the D doesn't pick it up it might get ugly. My personal opinion going into this half season is simple: transistion year(s) so everything can happyen.

Happy I've missed the game but I think Babcock really knew, why he reached out to Lidström for a 48 game season and Kenny wasn't pessimistic he has been realistic. Some of the predictions .> dogfight to make the playoffs are the plain hard reality.

Nothing against Kronwall I really like him, but Suter is in another league, stats aren't everything. The defense as a whole will need to step up thats for sure. Even Weber himself admitted that he can do all the sexy offensive stuff because of Suter taking care of business.

Exactly back in the good days, a top end front office, g reat coaching has been rewarded with great talent, think about Stevie, the Russian 5, Shanahan, Chelios, perfect human with guys like Datsyuk and Zetterberg ready for the big club. The Wings gained their advantage through hardwork and an owner willing to spend and now this team is getting punished for being too good? While some teams just suck for years, be good for a few and rince repeat thats not my definition of NHL hockey. This year the Rangers are a damn scary team. Same here even if they miss the playoffs it doesn't mean I will stop being a fan, the Wings are the best franchise in all of hockey, period.

You advised people to get back into the real world if they think Holland could get fired. I mean, we are discussing real world stuff - Red Wings Hockey - here. Like I said I am saddened that some of the better owners (Dolan, Pegula, Mr. I, Aquilani, Snider) didn't speak out against this crap, I already don't like the new CBA, can't wait for some loopholes giving the Wings back some advantage.

Leafs just agreed to eat 500.000 signing bonus and 500.000 of Lombardis salary so looks like it is allowed now.

If you can't make your point without name calling people who disagree with you, better say nothing at all. Even if this team doesn't make the playoffs, we all know its not because of Babcock, Holland or something else its because the best owner in all of sports has to pay into revenue sharing instead of using the money to improve the club and ice a stacked team. Thats why players should have decertified.

Disclaimer I am trying to be realistic here and not pessimistic, but I think given the circumstances of: - a worse CBA than last time - losses: perfect human, Stuart and Holmer - no legitimate #1 defenseman - no stars despite Datsyuk and Zetterberg the following should be very realistic Division 1. Blues 2. Predators 3. Blackhawks 4. Red Wings 5. Blue Jackets Conference 1. Blues 2. Kings given Quick has fully recovered 3. Canucks 4. Blackhawks 5. Predators 6. Sharks 7. Ducks 8. Red Wings can a mod change the title to HALF please?

Weber, Shea Weber ? Although I don't like him the guy is a beast on skates, with Lidström and soon Chara gone he is destinated for a few Norris trophies although Suter has covered up a lot of his mistakes, so he could be the offensive force we saw last season. Weber can fight may not be an enforcer but he can definately fight, would have loved seeing us getting John Scott and invite Weber to dance, doubt he would have accepted. This season will show us if Kronwall is a #1 so let's enjoy the ride., go Wings.

Well the mentioned players are clearly in another league note elite, but how about Brent Seabrook, Duncan Keith? I think he is better than Kronwall, for sure not elite but a "real" top pairing guy.

Sorry but I disagree: Weber, Suter, Pietrangelo, Letang are elite. Kronwall is a great second pairing guy just like White but he is not and probably at the age of 30 will never be a number 1. The reason why the Wings urgently need a number 1 defenseman is simple; to create a top and a very solid second pairing, as of now this team doesn't have that.

Just because of Lidström? Have you watched the team, when he was hurt it was a free downfall. Sure as great as he is, he wasn't the entire team but he ran our powerplay, Holmer deflacted shots and screened goalies,who is running our powerplay or deflacting shots now? Kronwall has huge steps to go to be mentioned in the same sentence as Stevens, not saying he is bad but for sure not a 1 defenseman. Colaiacovo - what a name - was a depth signing so Iexpect him to come in and contribute defensively. There is a difference between being a critic, realist or pessimist. After the Yzerman era we already had Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Lidström and later Hasek in place now we are down to Zetterberg, Datsyuk with a lot of question marks on the blueline, goaltending and defense so forgive me for being worried.