Wings_Dynasty

I think if they play their cards right and attract some FAs to the team in the coming seasons, they can definitely be perrenial contenders (like the Wings). Unfortunately the chances of a dynasty occurring under the current set up of the NHL (by that I mean the combination of conference and division system, rules, and salary cap) is slim. The best most teams can hope for is making the play-offs consistently and if they don't having that rare deep run (like the Devils and Kings respectively) every few seasons.

Every team with money is going to make him an offer. He is THE premiere UFA forward this summer. Depending on what kind of chance he wants to win a Cup, there are really only about 10 teams that have a legit chance every year to do that no matter what happens during the summer. The Wings are one of those teams, the Wild are not.

Well, as far as hotels go that is tricky since I don't know if you are looking to just pull up somewhere and stay the night or if you are looking to make reservations. The nicest one near JLA is the Marriott at the Ren Cen. The Westin in Southfield is supposed to be nice too. You have to hit the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. That place is built for road trips. It is the ultimate "American experience."

Stuart was a great stay-at-home defenseman. I think we could have used his underrated shot a bit more in some situations (mostly when our PP was floundering and Babs was mixing things up). He was a great checker, worked hard on the PK, and complimented Kronwall's game (step up in the offense) very well. Have fun in SJ, just not so much fun that you beat us.

This is why he would be worth it to me. EDIT: Not that I would take him over Parise. I was thinking in addition to Parise.

First off, let me say that Nick Lidstrom is one of my top 5 favorite Wings of all-time and in my opinion the best defensive defenseman of all-time. Now, his (expected) retirement is a major chapter in the history of this team. I for one cannot remember any second in the last 20 years as a Wings fan where I thought that Nick Lidstrom was a liability. On the contrary, I felt that a 50% Nick Lidstrom was an upgrade over pretty much any other defenseman that the Wings could have put on the ice to replace him. Now we as Wings fans finally get to see what we have consciously dreaded but somewhere deep in our collective subconsciousness have always wondered. "What will the Wings look like without #5?" I am (as the thread title bears) excitedly optimistic, and here are some reasons why: 1. We are already a good team - had this happened in a year where we didn't already have a strong core of players (say 2000) I would be pulling my hair out. But we have a Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Kronwall, and even White to fall back on as a solid core of defensive players to build around. Not to mention the great 2-way forwards we have developing (Flip and Helm) and the ones in the minors. 2. We have SO much money - We just gained $6 million more chips in the Parise/Suter/Semin games. I would much rather have had only $3mil more (with the 1 year extension of Lids) but we have to look at what we have. I don't know the exact numbers, but if we drop the players to FA that I think we are going to drop (Stuart and Hudler) then there is even more money. I think we are looking at a summer where we sign 2 big FAs and a couple role players. 3. We are deep - Half of the Griffins played last season, and I wasn't really put off by any of them. In fact, a couple I would have wanted to take a roster spot from some vets that were having off seasons or were playing for less than they were being paid (Cleary, Hudler, Franzen). Smith, Tatar, Nyquist, and Mursak all looked good in the short time I got to see them and I think at least 2 GRGs will have roster spots on the big club this season. and finally... 4. What else could you ask for? - I mean, come on, he has left a HUGE impact on the current roster and his presence will be felt for years. Other than retiring after winning a Cup (which probably wouldn't be likely since he would probably feel that he still had something in the tank) or winning another Norris, what else can he really do to excel? I don't blame him for calling it a career, maybe he will stay with the Wings as a European scout or a director of something, or, I daren't say it aloud, decide to take an upper management position that was said to be vacated when he retired... Anyways, good luck Nick and thanks for being the wall in front of the goalie.

The no goal due to a skate in the crease rule was eliminated. If a goalie is outside of a the crease and is "interfered" with (as Wings fans are well aware happens when certain Nordic players venture too close) the goal can be waived off. If a goalie is bumped in the crease the goal is waived off. If a player is in the crease and a goal is scored by him or someone else than the goal stands if it is deemed he did not interfere. So, is the only purpose for the crease just the "glove over the puck rule" and "wait until the shooter touched the puck on the shoot-out" ? I think it is time to get rid of this thing. If a skater closes their hand on the puck anywhere while it is on the ice surface, 2 min for delay of game. And make it so the goalie has to be touching the net when a shooter begins skating during the shoot-out. Crease eliminated. OR Keep the crease, make it a little larger, and make it so if a goalie is in the crease he cannot be touched. If he is out and not in the trapezoid, fair game.

I want them to win because: 1. I don't like the way the Rangers have been playing and giving the "Who? Me?" faces on the ice and after the game. 2. NJ winning the Cup would probably place their names in with the Wings as the "Best team in the past 20 years" as they would have 4 Cups in that amount of time and we all know that they have been mediocre at best a few of those seasons. 3. Parise won't leave if they win.

Well, if the games look "empty" now then we know there is a problem. The 2000 seats' money will be made up for with preferred/luxury seating. And there may be roomier seating than there is currently at the Joe.

Howard > Miller

Caps v. Kings is all I can hope for. The 2 teams I couldn't care less if they won or not.

Hardy-har-har The Blues must fall so these 2 will cry.

Each is terrifying in its own way.

Actually it's a list of "tough" guys. "Tough" guys will make the Wings "tougher" to play against. He didn't, he's on the list. And we won't sign him because it would be too awesome if we did and as of late the Wings don't do awesome in the summer.

A lot of good names on your list that I agree with. So instead of a player by player analysis, I just kept the ones I would most like to see.

I'm the guy on the internet with an opinion. Anyone who says "Haha, the Sharks got eliminated. They suck." on a Red Wings fan board at this point in time doesn't really have a leg to stand on when it comes to calling out other teams and their lack of skill. No, we shouldn't be celebrating any team being eliminated unless the Wings eliminate them. And when the Wings are eliminated, we shouldn't be talking smack about other teams that lasted longer than the Wings did.

Anyone not a Preds or Blues fan has ZERO room to gloat about teams being eliminated right now.

Two words: Kirk Maltby. I would be surprised if he is even offered a contract. And if he is it will be a two-way and he would probably pass and be forced to retire.

If Lidstrom's last game is a loss to the Predators in the first round, I will lose all faith in humanity and justice in the universe.

In an ideal world, this would work and I would endorse it. In the real world, the Wings won't sign any free agents but will instead keep the rusty wheels around out of "loyalty" and promote unproven/small players to the big team who will give minimal contributions during the regular season and will get pushed around by the ALWAYS LARGER defensemen of the Western Conference. Kocur for GM.

Low. With the current version of the Red Wings I would be surprised if they score more than 1 goal in NSH.

I've had a bad morning. This made me smile.

Statement game for the Wings. Make it count and go big. Hit big, skate hard, and win.

It was only a matter of time before Pane lost it. Players like Ovechkin routinely throw hits on him AFTER goals are scored. Not only do they leave their feet, they smile about it. Sometimes he avoids the hit though.