Son of a Wing

Funny you mention that...I as well made the successful transition from defence to froward when I hit AAA. So I'm sure we both fully understand what that entails. In regards to Smith, I just think people have to be more patient. Let's not forget he hasn't even played a half a season let alone a full season. Not to mention we have plenty of forward depth and lack defensive depth. I believe going from forward to defence is more difficult than defence to forward. I understand you're trying to be creative but if anything we need a reliable guy who can play on the penalty kill and take some of Quincey's minutes. Not someone who going to be a a learning curve all season getting used to the positioning and in zone play. Especially at this stage in his career. I guess at the core of it we disagree on what we need. I think the last thing we need is a middle of the pack offensive defenceman who's a liability defensively like Del Zotto. We need a top 2 guy (not going to happen this season) or just a 5/6 veteran with good defensive skills. Example Mark Stuart. We already have enough liabilities in Kindl, Smith and Quincey.

I don't get it. You want to make Alfredsson a defenceman and Smith a forward. You've brought up both ideas in several threads. To put it lightly...You grossly underestimate the difficulty of the transition.

K seriously dude what's the deal.

Don't get me wrong, I'd like to see us upgrade our defence and with offensive skills to boot. But if we're going to make a trade I think it should be for a right handed, well rounded guy who doesn't make you cringe when in his own zone. We already have 3 of those in Kindl, Quincey and Smith.

Also Staal, McDonagh and Girardi are known for their defensive games with McDonagh being the only one with above NHL average offensive skills. None are known as powerplay quarter backs.

That's my point. Do you want to add a third guy who's not exactly known for his defence? Why give up picks and prospects(nobody wants Quincey) for guys who really aren't that much better than what we have. Del Zotto has really struggled and has been outplayed by Stralman and Moore. I didn't realize Kulikov was playing so much. Honestly don't see Florida play much. Regardless if we actually trade for a defenceman I'd really prefer a right handed shot.

I really don't get the fascination people have with guys like Del Zotto, Kulikov and other similar defencemen. Don't we already have enough good skating/first pass defencemen who are a liability in our own zone? And no those guys are not powerplay quarterbacks. They can barely crack their rosters on their current struggling teams. Girardi? Sure but he's a pending UFA and will probably re-up with NYR or test the market therefor probably not the best risk.

7 years @ 4.5 is a great deal for what he had proven thus far with the Wings. I would stop negotiating as well.

Touché

Has anyone considered Babcock knew along that Alfie wasn't going to play and used it as motivation for Tatar? He does have a degree in sports psychology. Both Franzen and the Wings have stated they like him more on the wing. I don't see him returning to center anytime soon.

I think Bertuzzi believes he's a lot faster than he really is.

Last second scratch. Not sure why. No injury or reason given.

Ugh Alfie scratched

Yeah for some reason around 6-8 of my posts were deleted for discussing father/son trips to the Joe and areas to live in SW Ont for Wings fans. The axe is swinging hard these days...didn't think it was that inappropriate for a GDT but oh well. Wings win 4-2. Helm looks even better.

Versteeg & Lefebrve FOR Hayes & Olsen *Florida is retaining half of Versteegs salary. LINK

Well technically speaking Kronwall makes 6 mil in salary right now. The only reason the cap hit is less is because it goes till he's 38 and is a backdiving contract. Unless Ericsson signs a similar deal that lasts until around the same age, it will have a higher cap hit in the 5 mil range. And yes he is worth that.

Yup no more re-entry waivers. There are positives to take out of this. Just not many.

Quick to judge what? Personnel decisions? It's the same decisions they've always made expecting different results. It's not like this is something new...

Absolutely. We will have a ton of cap space with a good deal of our players already locked up. I would say It's quite possibly the greatest opportunity in years for us to bolster our lineup and make a run. Holland will have to be bold for the first time in years. Take a risk for once. Alas, I'm not getting my hopes up too much with his record in recent years.

That's fair. I just like there being a definitive winner/loser every game. I'm with ya on getting rid of the "loser point".

God or Tatar? Probably right on both lol

Cap is going back up. Speculated around 69-70mil. They're gonna be just fine especially since it's the very bottom of their roster they have to fill out. They will have money to spare.

Just a few hours late to the party... but yes that Griffins team is looking DEEP lol

After leading the league in games lost to injury last year, I can understand why they did. Hindsights 20/20 on that one.

Don't hear that very often. That's definitely a minority view. I HATE going to see a game, getting all pumped up, only to have it end in a tie. Losing sucks too but a tie just leaves a bitter aftertaste. Well I guess we're equal boys, let's all go home and sing Kumbaya together.