LeftWinger

remember when our PK was good?

No, Jurco just isn't being used properly. He is NOT a 4th line checker...

I hear all that, but neither Oullet nor Marchenko are going to be promoted to sit the press box at #7. That is why I suggested to promote the less talented of the four kids in Jensen. The other three won't be hindering their developement in GR, but sitting in the press box they will for sure. Jensen is the lowest on that pecking order for D to be impactful here in Detroit. XO and March have already proven that they can be very impactful NHL players, Sproul hasn't yet gotten a legit debut, but he is touted to be the most offensive of all of them. I still stick to keeping the "big three" in GR full time (with spot time up here of course) to keep them playing 20-30 minutes a game. Jensen can come up, be a great #7, get some NHL experience and show that he indeed can handle NHL playing time. Its the next year that worries me, Q will be gone, but the other three kids are all out of exemptions, that is when its going to get crowded, and once again, I cannot see a scenario where any of those three will be a #7...going to get interesting. Maybe one of those three will get traded before that bridge comes up to cross...

Survivor A Bakers Dozen Powerplant

I would say that I think Detroit will not be in that same situation is because Ken Holland will not let his salary cap get out of control again. Hudler left them once before for more money (to the KHL(which really soured me on him)) and then he was looking for top dollar again when he signed in Calgary. (by this time everyone wanted him gone so it was no big loss) So he was just looking for the biggest payday he could find. When Filppula left, the going rate for a 2nd line center was through the roof and Holland's plan for the rest of the team (I believe that was the same year he went balls out for Suter) didn't have any room left under the cap for that going rate. Holland will not let the cap control him again, he will contiue to grow his own talent, pay them accordingly and if the time comes where they are just looking for the payday and they no longer fit in the team cap structure, that is when he will lose them. BUT, by the time Nyquist, Tatar, Mantha and Larkin are all in their primes here, we will no longer have to contracts of Dats, Z, Weiss and Franzen. Plus the hopes that the Cap increases slightly every year will also help. By the time Ouellet, Sproul, Marchenko, Dekeyser are all in their prime, Kronner, Ericsson will be gone off the books or on their last small career contracts. Same goes for Mrazek, by the time he is ready for that elilte contract, s*** stain's contract will be off the books. I know Mrazek is a RFA soon, but I think he still has that one bridge contract he'll sign before his big one. Holland has enough young talent spread apart from each other to where he probably won't have to worry too much about having 5-6 stars making top dollar all at the same time. IMO, there are only two scenarios where he may lose ANY of his "kids." 1. They just don't want to be here, or 2. He trades them. Like I said, the reason's Hudler and Fil left were more to do with wanting (some say deserving) more money than Holland had available without crippling his team. Kenny will not let his cap get that close again.

I am going to look at the "kids" with exemptions from a business aspect. If you have exemptions, pretty much you can expect to start the season in GR. Unfortunately that has how it has been most of the time and probably will continue. That being said: Franzen, done. He will not play again, at least not here. Weiss, unfortunately isn't too welcome here, especiallu if Babcock comes back, so he will waive his NMC to certain teams in order to get playing time, if not he will ride the press box for the rest of his contract. Cleary will finally be gone. To me, Andersson should be the #13 guy, so if we must re-sign him at $800,000ish to play that role, fine. Now, I am going to suggest some thngs that I feel will make this team better, they may not be popular, but I think it will make the team better, and its not like I am suggesting trading Ferraro for Stampkos. Re-sign Cole and Zitlicky. Trade Kindl for a pick or just waive him, no loss, no big hit on the cap if he clears waivers. Trade Weiss, Smith's rights and a pick to Toronto for Phaneuf. Re-sign Nyquist and Tatar of course (or is it Jurco who is a RFA? Whichever one, re-sign him.) Now, of the 4 NHL ready defensemen in GR (Sproul, Marchenko, Ouellet and Jensen) you don't want the better ones coming up here to be #7, so you keep Sproul, Marchenko and Oullet in GR to play BIG minutes and you promote Jensen (who is probably the least talented of the 4) to #7. Of course Monster walks. So, the roster should look like this (and without capgeek (RIP MATT) I am not sure if the #'s line up) Abdelkader - Datsyuk - Pulkkinen Cole - Zetterberg - Nyquist Jurco - Sheahan - Tatar Miller - Helm - Glendening Andersson Phanuef - Kronwall Dekeyser - Zidlicky Quincey - Ericsson Jensen Mrazek/Howard

In between Bowman and Babcock we had Dave Lewis, and during his short tenure, he tried to do things the way Scotty did and that is when that system got stale. Blashill has a similar system, but most of the young players on this team probably have more respect for Blashill than Babcock, just because they have played under him and developed under him. Not that I am saying the players don't respect Babcock, but I believe the "future" would thrive better under Blashill. Plus, we cannot afford to lose Blashill to another organization just to keep Babcock here too long. A change is close to being needed and I want that change to be Blashill. If Babcock wants more power in an organization, then he can leave.

I agree, but putting Franzen back in the lineup is much like trying to make Helm a top 3 guy. You got a better chance of licking your own elbow than Franzen EVER being even a mediorce hockey player again. No use in stunting Pulkks growth by using Franzen. He is done, over. The other guys you put in there I can deal with, except I think that Jurco needs to spend a bit more time in GR to hone his game, utilize Miller in that spot. Jurco is not a grinder, he is an offensive player, but he isn't scoring because of the role Babcock is forcing him to play, he is not a bottom line checker, plain and simple. That is why he is not scoring.

Wait, What? Our top pair d-men are bad? Well according to Babcock, Ericsson is our top line pairing guy. Guess we cannot argue that then, can we? IMO, neither Ericsson nor Kronwall are legit top pairing guys. Kronwall has no balls anymore, he needs to go back to being the Kronwaller than makes him effective, not this soft piece of jelly donut he has turned into. Ericsson is, will and never was a top pairing guy, it is still of my opinion, he could disappear today and Marchenko could step right into the lineup and Ericsson would not even be missed. But I digress, because Babcock is "The Man" with the best hockey knowledge out there and knows how to put lines together in order to guarantee the best results! Sure had to love that Tatar-Andersson- Pukkinen line the last couple of games, what an insult to Tats and Pulkks...

I can see this current slump having an affect on his thinking process though...He says he expects more out of Erik Cole...WHAT?!? At least Cole is scoring some and contributing...how about expecting more out of Helm, Andersson, Jurco, Quincey, Ericsson, Howard to name a few? How about stop ******* playing Andersson in an offensive role when he doesn't even belong on this team, let alone playing in between Tatar and Pulkkinen! Helm is a GREAT 4th line center, how about you stop trying to make him a top 6 winger, how about that? Remember Dan Cleary? He was a great bottom six player, until you decided that he was a top line winger and tried to force him into a role that he had no business being in! Sure, Weiss hasn't been what he was expected to be, but Jesus H, he IS AN OFFESIVE MINDED CENTER!!! With the unfortunate injury to Datsyuk, you try to force Andersson to be that offensive center rather than inserty a player that can actually score some goals? Holy s***! We get it, you don't like Weiss, just like you didn't like Modano or Commodore or Legwand, we get it, its your way or you go cry like a *****, but you continue to force players like Helm and Andersson into a scoring role, which they are both totally inept at, and you wonder why you are in a slump! Then, one of the guys that is actually contributing, you call out and say you expect more of him? WTF!?! FFS, I cannot wait until Franzen says he is healthy and you continue to try to force him into a top line scoring "threat" and then demote Cole to the 4th line like you did Legwand. I am ******* surprised you aren't playing Kindl and sitting Zitlicky because you expect more out of him!!! I honeslty do not care if Babcock goes to TO over the summer, I am about tired of his dumb ass line concoctions putting players where they have NO business being. In no world does Helm or Anderson belong anywhere near Datsyuk, Tatar, Pulkkinen, Cole or Zetterberg, et al. on a line. Helm in the top 6, ******* Andersson between Tatar and Pulkkinen, pass the crack pipe bro... I HOPE this little slump and possible 1st round exit makes him leave, good day sir, you lose, you get nothing!

Jesus, Weiss is just going to have to waive his NMC to get some playing time I guess. Forget the Phaneuf deal, they will want to much of our future in return. Just trade Weiss for the 2nd we traded away. Waive Kindl, re-sign Zitz and Cole for a year and rotate some more kids in and out. Oh...if Babs wants to go to Toronto, then let him take his bogus line combos with him

I could be wrong, but wasn't that a penalty when kopecky knock Abby down?

God Damn you cancer RIP Matt...the world is a sadder place without you.

score would be different if not for these stupid line combos...wtf is Andersson doing between Pulk and Nyquist? Weiss must really be in the doghouse!

Nyquist - Z - Cole Abby - Sheahan - Tatar Helm - Weiss - Pulkkamania Miller - Andy - Glenny If you rotated Abby and Nyquist, that would be fine too, but Abby and Cole are similar players and would probably wash each other out. No biggie though, Nyquist - Sheahan - Tatar would be an awesome line too!

exactly! Glenny is at his best on the 4th line. Nyquist - Zetterberg - Cole Abby - Sheahan - Tatar Helm - Weiss - Pulkkinen Miller - Andersson - Glendening I don't think I am missing anyone there....but that would be a nice line combo at least to start the game in Florida. My sis-in-law lives outside of Sunrise and will representing Red Wings South at the game! Lets Go Wings!

Hey! #pulkkamania is trending on Twitter! Get out there and make it wonderous! #Pulkkamania is Running Wild!

Jimmy and Weiss for Thornton at the draft....Get it Done. IF he scores 4 goals, then let the games begin! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxWE6pnuPzo

Other than if the Griffins go further in the playoffs, there is NO reason that Pulkkinen should EVER see Grand Rapids again! He IS going to be a Calder candidate next season, as long as the new coach utilizes with the correct line mates all the time! Same goes with Mraz. Othe than playoffs, there is no way he should ever go back down to GR. Jimmy better have eyes in the back of his head, because Mraz is here! If Jimmy isn't traded in the off season, he will ose his job eventually to Petr next season. I know it's only been a few games, but I think Zitz should get a serious look at a contract re-sign come July.

you had to know I'd stop in. Trade Jimmy. Mraz is the real deal.

NM, it's not worth it...

he should start every one of them from here on out. I will take 9-2 with a 2.55 GAA over Jimmy's skidmark, s***stain hunk of crap play. Howard, much like Franzen has just failed and failed in proving that they are worth the contract they signed...way overpaid for this garbage. Yes, bring in Mrazek for the rest of the season, it will be nice to see this kid win the #1 spot while there is $5.2M riding the pine!

remember when we are bitched about the loser point? How we were so happy that there are no shootouts in the playoffs? Well we'd sure like to have some loser points now! Also, Howard is showing he doesn't need shootouts to blow games for Detroit, so what will be his excuse when he s***s the bed in the playoffs? (yet again)

They would draft Haken Pupen #1 overall anyhow...

You smell that s***stain? Howard is horrible. Nobody can defend him now! How many years now, since he got his money, has he started out looking like he may do something, then get injured. This guy is injured injured more than Barbie doll. Should've traded him over the summer and signed Miller. This team will go nowhere with Howard.