frankgrimes

Can't believe people are putting Tatar, Nyquist into Z and Pasha category. Both of them can hopefully solid top 6 wingers for a long time but I don't think they'll ever be stars which isn't a knock on them. If I had the choice between the best coach in hockey and a GM who doesn't want to take risks I'd pick the best coach. Babcock was spot on with his comments I think he is trying to make sure that Holland isn't as ill prepared for the post Pasha and I era as he was for the retirement of Rafalski, Lids. I mean if the defense isn't fixed by then how long would it take Holland to also fix the center position ? If the GR kids are that great, why are other teams only asking for the 2 top guys (Larkin, Mantha) ? Could it be that other teams are having enough of the other guys themselves ? But yeah according to some every prospect will work out because and exceed expectations.. Hockey is a team game and therefore Holland does deserve blame for failing to fix the defense and sticking to patchworks.

The best I've found it this http://stats.nhlnumbers.com/free_agents(obviously not using anything related to nhl.com) Man that UFA class is something else

Go Rags in 6

And how does one bring them in ? Either UFA or trades.

No fans want much needed help and not penny pinching. It's also funny how all the Holland fans arae talking like the transistion period is over no it isn't in fact I really hope they don't wait as long as they did with Lids, Rafalski and are better prepared for it because otherwise things will get much worse. 4 years 3 first round exits. What's needed here is a change of philosophy and maybe a more rebuildlike approach than trying to hang on each and every year for that last playoff spot because that's exactly what has doomed Calgary before they've decided to go into rebuild mode. Also this "everything can happen once you get in" is just nuts the LA Kings before their first cup have already been picked by a lot of people to at least make it to the WCF, then they did have a subpar season plus Lombardi adds another weapon in Carter and boom they finally played like a well oiled machine. The Wings were picked to miss the playoffs or not having any chance in the first round, nobody in their right mind picked them to go depp so this is not like a Kings situation. I think what Holland needs is some ownership mandates and a change of philosophy. Bring in young blood and maybe move out some veterans as long as they are still having value

Money will not be an issaue that's for sure IF Mr. I steps in whichever team wants Babcock will get matched moneywise. Our owner is not only the best one in the NHL but he's also a fan and loaded with cash. I know some Leafs think they might be able to outbid Mr. I well our salary cap has been much higher than theirs. Hitchcock is as good as done, Armstrong will just let his contract run out and not renew him. Johnson's contract was under a 1 year condition but paid for 2 years (if I remember it correctly that can't be a coincidence or can it ? ). If the Ducks aren't going to at least the WCF I think Boudreaus is toast there.

Like it or not but Edmonton has become a much better option now with Nichelson at the helm and winning the next great player. Their center depth is insane and still very young, some wingers will be traded fire defensive help and soon Nurse will be ready. Then there's also Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Anaheim all teams that are contenders now and who's stars are still in their prime. Why would Babcock stay? The guy is ultra competitive, he has seen the decline of Z and Pasha and he is as much concerned as some others are.

Fix the D please Top 6 gritty powerforward (I don't think Mantha will be ready next season)

The Wings are an original 6 team and an unbelievable success story , period. Like I said if making the playoffs and losing in the first round is good enough for some people yeah, then Holland is doing a good job without tanking. But if we are talking about RED WINGS style I don't think first or second round exits are Red Wings style if I'm alone with that opinion so be it. Babcock basically has said it himself without really saying it, the team Holland has given him isn't good enough, period. It's nice that help is on the way but people also forget something very important: Z, Pasha and Kronner are all on the wrong side of 30 by the time some young kids are ready all 3 will be gone or well above their prime (Z has already lost two steps ( ) and expecting the young players to fill in these shoes would be unfair and heavily unrealistic. Look at Lombardi the guy doesn't care if his team has won the cup 2 years ago, if he sees a need he is fixing it ! Is it risky ? Sure but it's not like he's trading the farm and if he trades picks they are always under some sort of condition. I think the problem with Holland is simple, he has fallen in love with the idea of solely building from within plus he seems to think the Wings are still the destination they once were sadly, that's not the case anymore. So if he goes after UFAs he will have to bite the bullet and pay more than other teams...i.e give Ehrhoff that stupid +1 year ...good god we have the best owner in all of sports if his decline is too big send him to the AHL and free up capspace.. The Captain has rebuilt the Lightning in 4 freaking years, the Wings haven't been able to fix the defense can some of the Holland does everything right people imagine would have happened without Dekeyser ? uooo that's right. Yeah the team has done better than I've expected them to do so kudos to them but if 3 first round exits in 4 years aren't enough warning signals then I really don't know what is. But hey some of the "It's time to move on from Babcock" people will now get their wish and maybe see for themselves that the team just isn't good enough. Nyquist, Tatar are already solid top 6 forwards and they'll get better in the playoffs with experience as will Dekeyser but these 3 alone aren't enough. Wings also need a change in philsophy enough of drafting small, undersized euros and add more guys like Mantha.

The thing is at some point you need to use picks, young players as assets to get some much needed help on the d. Dannyd was a great signing and h e has the potential to become something great maybe even a number one guy.. But the fact is this: Z, Pasha and Kronwall need to be replaced soon and with ufa s not dying to come here, traded are the only option...unless of course tanking for top picks. Patchworks on their last legs aren't going to help. Is Phaneuf elite ? No but he is a damn good top 4 option that wouldn't cost the farm. Pulkinnen, Jurco, 2nd would be my offer. Whether that's good enough or not needs to be seen. As far as the center position goes , I'm really concerned because the pressure and expectations put on Larkin are extreme...personally I would be happy if he woulduld become a solid top 6 expecting him to replace Zetterberg or Pasha is just unrealistic I'd you ask me. I just hope that the front office is better prepared this time then they were for the post Rafalski, Homer and Lids era because if not the era won't be pretty. Holland has to take some risks I'm not talking about Seguin like debacle risks but some solid help around 28 years. Hockey is a team game so he has to share some blame too. If making the playoffs and losing in round 1 is good enough for some then sure he has done a good job but personally I believe Mr. I would love to open the new arena with a promising young team not one with a questionable future on key positions.

Julien, Blashill or Koala

I hope Paquete or Callahan are breaking his damn wrist before that idiot from Montreal does it to Johnson or Stamkos. At least Tampa has the chance to go deep and change the rangers.

Changes are needed but I'm not blaming them for losing game 7 under these ******* circumstances

Thanks for ruining game 7 Quintal you ******* French fried sissy

Going to mute it note nut going to listen to scrubs like Kypreos,Millard..

So damn close

Magician will score I know it

Score please

Said I wouldn't watch but can't bring myself to not watch it so I'm in now lol

Personally I know it might be the last game this season, maybe the last game for Babcock too but I'm so ******* pissed I might not even watch it because of these bulls*** circumstances. Way to ruin what should have been a great day DOPS you sons of ******* may you burn in hell you ******* assholes.

Sounds like a good option here it's 2,30 under normal circumstances I'd say screw it cofee and energy drinks all day for Thursday but yeah. Maybe I'll watch a few minutes and if Tampa runs up the score turn iat off and head to bed., This should have been a gr eat day for hockey god damnit

Why tthe NHLPA agreed to that will forever remain a riddle, the guy knows nothing about hockey and yet decides over suspensions lol

But hey it's about growing some of those pathetic markets in places where no one cares about hockey. The league would love nothing more than two sunbelt teams competing for the cup and then cry about the ratings.

Philly should have made a better offer sheet now that guy is under contract forever. Yeah Suter and his girlfriend wanted home but there were other top 4 options in the last few years... Myers, Niskanen, Ehrhoff

One day later and still pissed might not even watch the game now. NSSL = national super sissies league For the love of god bring in McKee and give them a reason for suspension. Kudos to Tampa they didn't even cry about it this bulls*** league needs to be run by real men instead of ******* idiots