frankgrimes

How about waiting till the Wings find out which top 5 player they'll get? If it's #1 Patrick is a no brainer for sure at 4 or possibly 6 things will get much harder.

That's basically euro hockey rules and it's exactly what makes euro hockey so hard to watch. Hits and fights are down year after year and the best players are leaving for better leagues.

You are right I forgot to mention him would pick him over Hirschier for sure. Wings need to trade Green before the draft in order to get a second first round pick and maybe luck out by getting Patrick and Foote.

If the Wings are winning the lottery and they don't pick Nolan then I would be pissed. Hirschier will be a good player one day but the guy is exactly what the Wings don't need small, soft and very skilled. Nolan is already 200 lbs+ and would instantly become the best prospect the Wings have as would Hirschier but Hirschier is a guy you pick when you already have a good amount of size and size on the line you envision him on. For me it's either Patrick or Tippet or Foote

They would have needed to be out of the playoff picture in order to be backja. Since they never were this is wrong

Streak would have ended much earlier and the Wings would have been able to cash in on some of the better drafts.

I honestly don't know the big deal about it. if I were a player I wouldn't want the public especially the media knowing this information because it would just lead to baseless speculation and what not. Of course the loud guys on hfboards and some media outlets will cry foul because the lists won't be public but I'm sure players and GM's couldn't care less. Vegas will get solid players but nothing too fancy

You honestly think I'm arrogant enough to think it does matter if I'm a fan of the core or not? Fact is this team can't have a core when nobody knows who will be here come next season and who will be gone. The thing with Patrick is no team can control it the best they can do is increase their odds as much as they can by losing and catching Arizona or Colorado will be very tough they are that bad. Colorado is different because one of their young pieces will command a hefty return and if that's includes a bonafide number 1 defenseman - which I doubt - their rebuild could be quick. Edmonton is more than just McDavid they've needed a change in philosophy and more defensive focus they've paid a premium for it but they got it. To be very honest not a lot because I'm not counting the games where I've fallen asleep as "watched games". Also I don't feel like wasting my time watching a team that doesn't entertain me because the front-office chose streak over building from the ground up, which is the only way to win in the current nhl.

This team is usually outmatched against any team that has something close to a number 1 center, defense or at least a young but very talented core...So basically against most opponents. Not even Babs would be able to coach them this much, maybe a few more points but given how close the Wings were to missing the playoffs for a few years I'll doubt it. As of now this roster doesn't even have a core and if Howard is gone in the offseason no number 1 goalie...So I really don't see how this team is too talented..It's a bottom 5 team in terms of raw talent. The league has adjusted to the speedy Larkin now it's his time to adjust. Mantha looks promising but let's wait till next year before putting him on the first line shall we? That's why I've also said everyone should be available. Of course Larkin and company would cost a lot but you gotta give to get.

Ownership has to be more hands on and demand things being changed because status quo isn't wings style. To those saying well a new coach would magically fix things ...Babs barely got this team into the playoffs and needed the last or second last day to do it. The simple truth is there are more holes than talent on this team and no coach is going to change that but getting someone like Hitchcock, Tippet or Gallant goes a long way in terms of demanding effort and respect from the players. if some guys think Babs was tough man they would be in for some culture shock with Hitchcock. To me the timeline will be determined by the pick the wings are getting. Patrick would be awesome but the guy isn't that stud McDavid, Eichel and Matthews are. Anyhow I hope ownership is really pissed about that mess, I would be if I'd be paying 70 million, add all the over the top luxuries...And then you get this without any top talent, embarrassing. I think this off season will show us what type of owner Chris will be.

Top to bottom so ownership.

Streak over also means Wings ideas are over. Front office, scouts, coaches should face some questions and if Chris doesn't like the answers be replaced. Hoping to find another Z, Pasha is like buying a Bentley because one hopes to win the lottery. And that's exactly what this failed rebuild on the fly was. Now the Wings will face a long rebuild but not by design. If I were Chris I'd clean house and get people with new ideas and passion into this organization no more promoting from within without even interviewing people outside the organization. Highest payroll in the NHL, no future studs and the most unwatchable Wings edition since decades, if that doesn't warrant tons of chances nothing will. Should be an interesting off-season. Feel bad for Z he is giving whatever is left in his tank but doesn't get any help. I'd rather see him asking for a trade and win another cup somewhere else. TLDR: streak over = time for a new way of doing things and review of everything

I'd like to call up everyone who has a shot at making this team next year and see who could be part of the big club in the future. McIlrath has to be first in line for a Callup the season is done so why not have some added entertainment. Also another important point is the salary calling a player up means NHL salary for one month (10x more than an AHL salary).

One has to hope Chris is watching somehow somewhere and will go bonkers come April. Burn this ship down it doesn't even have sails anymore. Watching guys like Matthews and Marner just hits the point of needing elite talent home. They are so far above every Wings player it's unreal

Call up McIlrath for the next game at least he would make watching this garbage team worthwhile

One can hope right? But which team is looking for a second line center signed for that contract? This is the off season where things should change

Man people good luck if you believe he is going to waive his ntc. Guy was looking for his last big payday and received it from the Wings, period. Would have some others offered the same? Maybe maybe not but given were the Wings are this signing came 3 years too late. Would have preferred a guy like Backes at least the guy works hard and has that never surrender attitude. Although nether signing made much sense.

If that's true then I agree it's 1. Y 2. Z and 3. perfect human

Like I said it's just speculation but from what I've read and how people are raving about Yzerman, even Mr. I saying the guy has the winged wheel tatooed on his chest just speaks volumes about the type of captain this guy was. As far as Lids well that's his nickname and frankly he more than deserved it, he made playing defense look so incredible easy. Of course Z doesn't have much help but I think he can't get others to play with the same internal never surrender fire that he has and that's also a quality of a captain.

Granted nobody of us is in the locker-room and knows what's going on but to me it's simple: Stevie (this guy played on one leg and still dominated) >> Perfect Human (Babs right hand) >>>>>>>> Z other than the occasional "we're not going to rebuild as long as I'm here and we are going to make the playoffs" comments I haven't seen/heard the same qualities the aforementioned players brought to the table. Nothing against Z awesome player but I don't think he is the same ballpark as the other 2 were. Z strike me as a more internally outspoken type of leader while the captain and perfect human did let their actions speak louder than words and comments. Again not a knock against Z he simply was next in line personally I would have prefered Pasha as the next one.

Pavs heart wasn't in it anymore and let's be honest he wasn't close to his former self most of the season. Love Pavs awesome player and from what I've read an even better person . He gave the Wings everything he had for over a decade and never complained altough everyone could see that just hanging on would hurt the Wings in the longrun. His decision didn#t cost the Wings Chychrun (if the Wings wanted Chychrun), Holland trading away the pick in order to sign Nielsen did. Everyone who didn't wear ross colored glasses could see this situation coming. Maybe if Pasha would still be on the team the Wings would have a few points more but nowhere would they be could enough to contend for a playoff spot. This is a team that has many many holes not even an aging magician would have been able to fix that.

Watching Edmonton and all their young boys is impressive...Hopefully management will take note. Glad Wings lost better chance to catch Vancouver

In terms of disappointment not sure but I think the Wii U or GTX 980 come to mind

I'm theory you are right but right now is the time to take a look at those things. Starting soon Wings will play meaningless hockey why not sink or swim with the growing pains of the young guns. AA needs better defensive awareness and Larkin has a bit of bulking up to do (phone Roberts please) and both need to be better on puck battles. Speed alone can only get you so far. My biggest worry is how empty the brackets are in GR not one player screams top 6 or top 4 defenseman, that's scary.

Fully agreed. McDavid will be the best player at some point but right now he isn't, passing a guy as dedicated as Crosby will be tough even for McDavid. The Oilers core is unbelievable McDavid, Draisaitl, Hopkins, Nurse and Puljujarvi this team is going to do what the Hawks did soon.