BinMucker94

I'd define the current window we are in as: The Larkin's First Contract Window (4 years remaining)
After this 4 year window Larkin will become UFA and will likely command somewhere between $9 and $12 million by today's cap. That will change the landscape of this team a bit, and If we aren't already there I think we should be clearly transitioning into a win now mode by that point.
So basically I think the absolute max on this Yzerman rebuild should be the next 4 seasons.
Year 1 (2019-20 season)
Primary goal: Sign Mantha, AA, and Bertuzzi to favorable extensions
I'd like to see something like 3-5 year extensions for each. Locking them in for the prime years of their careers. If there are performance/negotiation issues this season maybe a 1 year prove-it/bridge extension, maintaining RFA control after the contract is up. Secondary goal: Sell UFA's for extra picks.
This is secondary because it will be based on the performance of the team this year, and who knows, maybe we flirt with the playoffs. Also the two primary pieces are Howard and Green. Both vets who seem to want to be here long term so I'm not opposed to re-signing them to shorter cheaper deals as well. Year 2 (2020-21 season)
Primary goal: Remain lean
I think we should remain patient and have a similar offseason to this one. AKA make some good draft picks, sign maybe a stop-gap or two if needed, and shed contracts (Ericsson and Daley primarily). The Seattle expansion is looming and if we remain lean we won't be forced to lose much of anything of value. Secondary goal: Sell UFA's for extra picks
We have Helm, Filppula, Nemeth, and Bernier leaving the roster at the end of this season. We may not get anything of value for them at the TDL, so it may just be worth it to ride out the season with them. Hence a secondary goal. Year 3 (2021-22 season)
Primary goal: Acceleration
Yzerman now has 3 drafts under his belt and the team should look drastically different at this point. The only contracts remaining from the Holland era at this point are Larkin, Abdelkader, Nielsen, and Dekeyser, with the last 2 about to expire. The expansion draft should be in the rearview and so I think now is the right time to put the peddle down and chase big names in FA or trade. Even if we are not a top contender it would be good to start at least making the playoffs to get the kids some post season experience. Year 4 (2022-23 season)
Primary goal: Same as year 3
We should be focused on signing Larkin to a franchise record contract extension and adding to a young roster where hopefully other elite players like Zadina and Seider etc have emerged to lead the team. After this season Abby's big contract will be off the books which in my mind will finally put to bed the Holland era and a new window of Red Wings hockey should open. Next Window: Larkin's Second Contract AKA the return to cup contention.
 

Out of all the first round picks, ours had the nicest head of lettuce. That’s got to count for something.

Out of all the first round picks, ours had the nicest head of lettuce. That’s got to count for something.

Out of all the first round picks, ours had the nicest head of lettuce. That’s got to count for something.

Out of all the first round picks, ours had the nicest head of lettuce. That’s got to count for something.

Out of all the first round picks, ours had the nicest head of lettuce. That’s got to count for something.

30 Watch
 
AA 4 to go
Larkin 3 to go

When I think of number 56.
 

First try...
 

No, it's not. The Wings have an actual plan. The Wings are adding pieces. The Wings should be better within the next few years. Right now we don't have the talent to contend, so the best we can realistically hope for is good showings from the young talent every night and competitive games. We're getting both under Blashill this season.
Look at our roster -- it's one of the weakest rosters in the league. (Because we're a rebuilding team.) Look at how many games we lose narrowly and add those up. There's your bad goal differential. It's not like we're getting blown out every night. That's awfully convenient for your argument. "Blashill is ruining the kids. Larkin doesn't count." Cool.
Yeah? And?
Because Glendening is a faceoff specialist.
Is it a stupid move? Maybe, maybe not. But it's not like there wasn't any logic behind it and it's not like Blashill's the only coach in the league who would've done it.
Blashill puts DK out in OT against the Leafs and he scores the OT winner. Anecdotes are fun!
I don't know how closely y'all follow other teams, but I can tell you that every NHL fan base has the same complaints about every NHL head coach. I think it says more about the fans than it does about the coaches. Fans want their teams to win every game and play all the young kids all the time. But reality doesn't work that way.
Fair enough. But, personally, you haven't convinced me. Not even close.

First try...
 

Why is Holland "horrible" for not calling a promising young player up to sit on the bench and not play? The second that it was Lashoff who got called up it should have been pretty obvious that they aren't giving someone serious NHL minutes. It's such a nothing thing to get upset over.

Spittin' Chiclets: Sean Avery
Listening to Sean Avery talk about his career on the SC podcast, and he had a good story about Zetterberg. It's about 39 min if you wanna listen and he talks a lot about his early days with the Wings.
Basically Avery took Zetterberg to MSU during Z's first training camp as a kid. The last thing Avery remembers of the night is Z at a fraternity underneath an ice luge with his shirt off doing vodka luge shots lol next training camp rolls around and Z tells Sean that Holland sat him down and told him that he's not to spend anymore time with Sean off the ice lol theyre not freinds anymore.
Says he loved Babs as a coach, but that Babs was a ******* lunatic and played mad mind games with everyone.
Avery loves Yzerman too. Says Stevie was just better than everyone at literally everything on and off the ice. Tells a story where 11/10 smoke show chick approaches Stevie at a restaurant theyre at... she whispers in his ear... And Stevie just responds "I appreciate the offer, but you're not worth $42 million"... For reference Stevie was worth $84 million at the time and married.
Sean confirms the infamous Sakic story.
Says Datsyuk was incredibly strong and had some of the hardest body checks you've ever felt
He also talks about his first training camp in Traverse City where he came in as a free agent and needed to earn a contract so he just went after everybody and turned the whole place upside down. Was jumping into the opposing teams benches going after guys etc etc all the while closing the bar every single night with Chelly lol and he got that contract
Super good listen. The SC podcast is really good in general if you've never listened.
 

I'm terrified of soccer. At first it's just a few pick up games at the park down the road, but then pretty soon they're playing it in the street in front of your house, and well - as they say - there goes the neighborhood. So you move across town, but it doesn't make a difference, because it's already in the schools and now your own kids have learned it. "it's just a harmless game between friends" your daughter says. Then one day she brings a soccer ball home with her... How could this happen? You never raised her like this. So you argue, but it's too late, even your wife is taking your daughters side now, urging YOU, the man of the house, to keep an open mind... So you reluctantly agree to, but deep down you feel the embarrassment. The shame. Your family will never be the same. You know what must be done. After they fall asleep you grab what lil hockey equipment you have left in the house and slip on out the backdoor... With a tear in your eye you stare back over your shoulder one last time wondering how it all went so wrong... Then you ramble on down the road. I've seen it a hundred times. It's a tragedy as old as time.

Well Howwwwdee, c'mon in and getcha self sumtin cool to drank. But be advertised partner, here in Murica, we only speak Murican. If you doan like dat, well you can GIT OUT. I ain't scared uh no water deer. I'd bet the under-side of a bull frog on tuesdee that I can rustle up a hearduh walmart shoppers on mobility scooters that'd outweigh and out graze ur pittyful heard uh mooses anyday. I'll be at the mac donalds sharpening my firearms when ur ready for me boi.

2007-2008 playoffs: 4 multi-point games, 5 games without a point, for a total of 18 points in 16 games, 13 of which were goals.
He also finished with the most game-winning goals of the playoffs.
Absolutely dominant playoff run, even for a superstar caliber player.
2008-2009 playoffs: 6 multi-point games, 7 games without a point, for a total of 23 points in 23 games, 12 of which were goals.
He also finished tied for the most game-winning goals in the playoffs.
Absolutely dominant playoff run, even for a superstar caliber player.
2009-2010 playoffs: 2 multi-point games, 0 games without a point, for a total of 18 points in 12 games, 6 of which were goals.
Absolutely dominant playoff run, even for a superstar caliber player.
2008-2010 totals: 12 multi-point games, 12 games without a point, for a total of 59 points in 51 games, 31 of which were goals
I'll let the numbers speak for themselves. They're better than Datsyuk's during the same time frame.
Before you begin your hateful tirade about Franzen, I'd like to swing back to the original point...
AA has never taken over a road trip, he's never taken over a home series's, he doesn't score multi-point games on a consistent basis, hell he hardly scores at all. Not playing defense to get a breakaway is not "taking over a game". Franzen and AA are hardly comparable at all.
 

I’d take him on my roller hockey team

I’d take him on my roller hockey team

Parity is a lie. Eliminate the salary cap. I demand a lockout.

I'd take Mason off their hands for one season to backup Howard, if it meant getting an asset in return. This is exactly the type of move Holland should be looking to make.

Right? Mason would be a pretty good backup, and we have cash burn, and it's only 1 season. I think it's really a crucial time to have 2 solid goaltenders in the lineup... I don't want this teams poor play being scapegoated by lackluster goaltending... When the defense fails I don't want any excuses, that way we can address the real problems.

Not time for a Taveres. Keep your money in the pocket. Have another great draft and load up for 2020. Core is starting to come together 

Ras would have to go back to jrs and in my opinion that would be a waste of his time and development. He needs to be in the show. Ever since he came back from his wrist injury he was dominant in jrs and i feel that if he gets sent back it will be a wasted year in his development.

Haha gotta love that attitude. Kid wants to prove to everyone he’s the best.

New to this board, largely because I fell in love with Veleno's game the first scrimmage I watched him in Saint John. Not a season ticket holder, but I've seen him play many times. My first impression his first scrimmage when he was 15 was a tall, lanky floater. He looked first for someone to pass to. Then he out-fought a bigger, older, experienced player in a corner; then he stole a few more pucks along the boards; then he drifted over center, saw an opening and shot like a rocket around everyone to get a scoring chance with a great shot, with his head up. NHL speed at 15. NHL skills at 15.

Two seasons ago I watched him out-skate and outwork Nico Hirchiser in the playoffs. My son and I agreed he was the better that game. 
The only other Q player who has ever excited me so thoroughly is MacKinnon. (I missed Crosby)
I rarely once saw him play first line or first line minutes until this season. His coaches groomed him for an all around game, taught him defense, and I think that approach was best for him. He can skate and score but he looks for teammates first. Plays a team game. Others, IMHO, had trouble playing with him - didn't know how to get open.

Also keep in mind he was captain in Saint John, for the 2017 Hlinka team, and his NHL Top Prospects team; because he is a leader.

I'm biased, but in my opinion he's NHL ready and has HOF stamped on his forehead.