RedWingAbner

More FALSEness. The Wings play with the same cap as the other teams. Its just that other teams spend money on great players and fill in the rest of the lineup with their low paid young guys. We sign a bunch of old, crappy guys and let our prospects waste away.

No. Look at the list of North American names on that list. They are the players taken in the first 3 rounds. They are also players Holland personally saw before the Wings drafted them. It's not hard to hit an NHLer with the first three rounds, and Jesus, during his tenure as head of scouting, our 1st-3rd round drafts were spotty. Curtis Bowen, Kory Kocur, Jesse Wallin ring a bell? Throw in the fact that guys like Sillinger, Pushor, etc were high round picks.....whew, glad we had Kenny at the helm for those picks.
Players in the 5th round on are players he (usually) didn't see play and were found by Hakan Andersson. Hakan Andersson has made Holland look really good for a really long time.
What, again, has Ken Holland done SINCE the implementation of the salary cap? He held together a Hakan Andersson found team for a while, then slowly let it crumble away. The biggest move he's made post-lockout #1? Bertuzzi? (I distinctly remember Marian Hossa's agent was the one who called Holland in 2008, and pitched the one-year deal). Beyond that, it's been a recurring cycle of re-acquiring players who didn't work the first time (Hello, Todd Gill.....Mikael Samuelsson.....Kyle Quincey......Jason Williams.....Ty Conklin.....Joey MacDonald.....)

Was this article posted on April 1st?
Was it in the satire section?
Ken Holland.....and the phrase "best GM".....should have a minimum 3-sentence separation, required by law. (Which I just broke).
The parity of this league means that with shrewd management, any team can win in any year. Ken Holland has let this team crumble, afraid to do anything of significance, and a could-have-been dynasty has been reduced to the rubble of mediocrity.
There is no more "rebuilding" in this league, save for the horrendous cases (Edmonton). In any given year, a team can make a few shrewd moves and win. If Holland was as good as people say he is, given the core we had, we should've been MORE successful. Pointing to the team's success and saying, "well, it was still better than most" is a cop-out to the fact that it should've been better.

Uh, yeah....lol.
It was a ton better when there were no salary restrictions.

What is up w/some people? They are convinced, whether they admit it or not, that Wings management reads these boards and always towing the company line will get them a job. That's the only thing I can think of, because to not criticize this team is ludicrous.
Re: White....I can believe it. He still is a serviceable depth guy; we are only rebuilding when we don't like prices, all other times, we are trying to maintain a level of mediocrity that will lock in the 7th or 8th seed. That's the magic of Ken Holland--you get both--no value for players primed to leave but no "overpayment" to get pieces needed for a real run. Ahh, 1st round playoff exits....drink them in!

Those were all great days of promise; Ken Holland's retirement will usher in an era of prosperity and change. No more "injured coming back=deadline acquisition," no more paying for crap (Quincey, Samuelsson) retreads and calling it "going all in," no more watching superstars of their generation (Yzerman, Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Zetterberg) waste away at the end of their careers because "prices were too high."
For every Brendan Smith there's a Jesse Wallin; I'd much rather give a 1st/2nd and know what I've got (Boumeester) for 6 years than hope a draft pick develops into J-Bo in 6 years.

I'm sick of the logic that because of the success in the past, then we should never be happy to see Holland go. Are you kidding me? I suppose Gretzky and Howe should keep going because of their history. Perhaps Lidstrom could keep playing and playing despite his decline and age because of all of his Norris trophies. Canucks should have never got rid of Burke, etc.
Holland, like everyone else in the organization, needs to be re-evaluated on yearly basis or else you risk falling to complacency with past accomplishments and fail to adapt to the new league. He needs to earn and keep his job. If you're satisfied with this team and the direction Holland is going (aka half-assed plan B rebuild), then you'll be in for quite the surprise when the Wings become the CBJ and NYI of recent past, especially if Datsyuk leaves.
Yes, we have great prospects - but we have absolutely zero transition from old guard to new in the works. Just like how we lost Lidstrom, Rafalski, and Stuart and had to throw together a D corps. If it weren't for injuries forcing our hand... the next wave would have been in the AHL all year.

Just wait til next year, just wait til next year, just wait til next year, just wait til next year....
esteef

Way to miss the point (on the Luongo thing).
Ehrhoff is a puck moving defenseman. 40-50 points is not out of the question. Vanek is a 40 goal scorer.
Are we really worried about what MIGHT be a problem 8-9 years down the road? Ehrhoff's cap # is $4.0M. Even at 6 years, that's a decent run. And as you guys mentioned, he's not physical.....performing to the end of the contract is possible.
It's ok to be a middling team? Jesus Christ, people. Do you hear yourselves? This is supposed to be a team that has one goal, every year--The Stanley Cup.
You've been brainwashed into accepting mediocrity so that we can be mediocre for 3-4 more years before falling off, rather than a serious contender (now) and dealing with the future as it comes? If Ken Holland is the genius some make him out to be, why do we have to accept s*** teams? If we are nearing the end of our window, why not go for it?
Oy.

Way to miss the point (on the Luongo thing).
Ehrhoff is a puck moving defenseman. 40-50 points is not out of the question. Vanek is a 40 goal scorer.
Are we really worried about what MIGHT be a problem 8-9 years down the road? Ehrhoff's cap # is $4.0M. Even at 6 years, that's a decent run. And as you guys mentioned, he's not physical.....performing to the end of the contract is possible.
It's ok to be a middling team? Jesus Christ, people. Do you hear yourselves? This is supposed to be a team that has one goal, every year--The Stanley Cup.
You've been brainwashed into accepting mediocrity so that we can be mediocre for 3-4 more years before falling off, rather than a serious contender (now) and dealing with the future as it comes? If Ken Holland is the genius some make him out to be, why do we have to accept s*** teams? If we are nearing the end of our window, why not go for it?
Oy.

I am of the opinion that the Wings won 4 Cups in a span where they should've won 6 or 7.
The Wings are a team very much different than the Flames. We have a solid support cast; what the team needs is a few more high-end guys. The price of doing business in this league is a 1st round pick for said players.
Quincey blows; bringing him back for a 1st rounder was stupid. That doesn't mean that no moves should be made, nor should our first rounder be off limits. In addition, Bertuzzi was not acquired for a first round pick (Matthias and conditionals).
If I Ken Holland, what would I do? If I was Ken Holland, I'd do nothing and sit smugly. If I was GM of the Wings and still myself, however, I'd go out and use a 1st/2nd to get Vanek and Ehrhoff (or some semblance of the two) and shore up my team knowing that my #1 center is only playing 1 more season and my captain is advancing in age.

I am sure I am going to get called all sorts of names for this, but Jesus people, let's just be real. Ken Holland sucks.
The Wings are constantly in a position to add and he snivels and whines about prices being high. He has shoveled this BS out so many times that people buy in to "we're not contenders." Garbage. St. Louis is adding; LA added last year and won as a f***ing 8th seed.
Ken Holland is not motivated to win championships, he wants to maintain the status quo--his job--and he keeps the Wings just above water to do so.
Datsyuk has a year left; how long is Zetterberg going to be at the level he is? But just like with Lidstrom, Yzerman, et all.....Kenny will just let their careers wind down without adding b/c he's a *****.

Ken Holland strikes again!
How did this team get better over the last few weeks? Quincey is an upgrade, but does it really excite you that we are now looking at Brendan Smith as a possible playoff defenseman? Jesus, keep Commodore, at least he's got some experience.
But once again, super Kenny Holland sits on his laurels, hopes for a miracle, gets paid the same..........notice how his protege, Steve Yzerman, made moves to improve his club.

This deadline is enough to bring me out of the shadows.....
Ken Holland has got to be the luckiest GM in the NHL. Don't flame it before you read on. Hakan Andersson is the scout who found the core of the late draft steals--Lidstrom, Holmstrom, Datsyuk, Franzen, Zetterberg, etc.
With arguably the greatest defenseman of all-time, Ken has been content to just let years slide away. So what if the asking price for Parenteau is a 1st. Oh no! Hold onto that so we can get another Jakub Kindl! Hey, maybe we can grab a guy that Kenny waived for a first....is Matt Ellis on the block?
Last I checked, Mike Illitch paid the bills and the players played. Ken Holland has been more of a hindrance to this dynasty than an asset.
That said, if he pulls off a deal for a 3rd liner, I take this all back.

This deadline is enough to bring me out of the shadows.....
Ken Holland has got to be the luckiest GM in the NHL. Don't flame it before you read on. Hakan Andersson is the scout who found the core of the late draft steals--Lidstrom, Holmstrom, Datsyuk, Franzen, Zetterberg, etc.
With arguably the greatest defenseman of all-time, Ken has been content to just let years slide away. So what if the asking price for Parenteau is a 1st. Oh no! Hold onto that so we can get another Jakub Kindl! Hey, maybe we can grab a guy that Kenny waived for a first....is Matt Ellis on the block?
Last I checked, Mike Illitch paid the bills and the players played. Ken Holland has been more of a hindrance to this dynasty than an asset.
That said, if he pulls off a deal for a 3rd liner, I take this all back.

This deadline is enough to bring me out of the shadows.....
Ken Holland has got to be the luckiest GM in the NHL. Don't flame it before you read on. Hakan Andersson is the scout who found the core of the late draft steals--Lidstrom, Holmstrom, Datsyuk, Franzen, Zetterberg, etc.
With arguably the greatest defenseman of all-time, Ken has been content to just let years slide away. So what if the asking price for Parenteau is a 1st. Oh no! Hold onto that so we can get another Jakub Kindl! Hey, maybe we can grab a guy that Kenny waived for a first....is Matt Ellis on the block?
Last I checked, Mike Illitch paid the bills and the players played. Ken Holland has been more of a hindrance to this dynasty than an asset.
That said, if he pulls off a deal for a 3rd liner, I take this all back.

This deadline is enough to bring me out of the shadows.....
Ken Holland has got to be the luckiest GM in the NHL. Don't flame it before you read on. Hakan Andersson is the scout who found the core of the late draft steals--Lidstrom, Holmstrom, Datsyuk, Franzen, Zetterberg, etc.
With arguably the greatest defenseman of all-time, Ken has been content to just let years slide away. So what if the asking price for Parenteau is a 1st. Oh no! Hold onto that so we can get another Jakub Kindl! Hey, maybe we can grab a guy that Kenny waived for a first....is Matt Ellis on the block?
Last I checked, Mike Illitch paid the bills and the players played. Ken Holland has been more of a hindrance to this dynasty than an asset.
That said, if he pulls off a deal for a 3rd liner, I take this all back.

This deadline is enough to bring me out of the shadows.....
Ken Holland has got to be the luckiest GM in the NHL. Don't flame it before you read on. Hakan Andersson is the scout who found the core of the late draft steals--Lidstrom, Holmstrom, Datsyuk, Franzen, Zetterberg, etc.
With arguably the greatest defenseman of all-time, Ken has been content to just let years slide away. So what if the asking price for Parenteau is a 1st. Oh no! Hold onto that so we can get another Jakub Kindl! Hey, maybe we can grab a guy that Kenny waived for a first....is Matt Ellis on the block?
Last I checked, Mike Illitch paid the bills and the players played. Ken Holland has been more of a hindrance to this dynasty than an asset.
That said, if he pulls off a deal for a 3rd liner, I take this all back.

This deadline is enough to bring me out of the shadows.....
Ken Holland has got to be the luckiest GM in the NHL. Don't flame it before you read on. Hakan Andersson is the scout who found the core of the late draft steals--Lidstrom, Holmstrom, Datsyuk, Franzen, Zetterberg, etc.
With arguably the greatest defenseman of all-time, Ken has been content to just let years slide away. So what if the asking price for Parenteau is a 1st. Oh no! Hold onto that so we can get another Jakub Kindl! Hey, maybe we can grab a guy that Kenny waived for a first....is Matt Ellis on the block?
Last I checked, Mike Illitch paid the bills and the players played. Ken Holland has been more of a hindrance to this dynasty than an asset.
That said, if he pulls off a deal for a 3rd liner, I take this all back.

This deadline is enough to bring me out of the shadows.....
Ken Holland has got to be the luckiest GM in the NHL. Don't flame it before you read on. Hakan Andersson is the scout who found the core of the late draft steals--Lidstrom, Holmstrom, Datsyuk, Franzen, Zetterberg, etc.
With arguably the greatest defenseman of all-time, Ken has been content to just let years slide away. So what if the asking price for Parenteau is a 1st. Oh no! Hold onto that so we can get another Jakub Kindl! Hey, maybe we can grab a guy that Kenny waived for a first....is Matt Ellis on the block?
Last I checked, Mike Illitch paid the bills and the players played. Ken Holland has been more of a hindrance to this dynasty than an asset.
That said, if he pulls off a deal for a 3rd liner, I take this all back.

This deadline is enough to bring me out of the shadows.....
Ken Holland has got to be the luckiest GM in the NHL. Don't flame it before you read on. Hakan Andersson is the scout who found the core of the late draft steals--Lidstrom, Holmstrom, Datsyuk, Franzen, Zetterberg, etc.
With arguably the greatest defenseman of all-time, Ken has been content to just let years slide away. So what if the asking price for Parenteau is a 1st. Oh no! Hold onto that so we can get another Jakub Kindl! Hey, maybe we can grab a guy that Kenny waived for a first....is Matt Ellis on the block?
Last I checked, Mike Illitch paid the bills and the players played. Ken Holland has been more of a hindrance to this dynasty than an asset.
That said, if he pulls off a deal for a 3rd liner, I take this all back.

This deadline is enough to bring me out of the shadows.....
Ken Holland has got to be the luckiest GM in the NHL. Don't flame it before you read on. Hakan Andersson is the scout who found the core of the late draft steals--Lidstrom, Holmstrom, Datsyuk, Franzen, Zetterberg, etc.
With arguably the greatest defenseman of all-time, Ken has been content to just let years slide away. So what if the asking price for Parenteau is a 1st. Oh no! Hold onto that so we can get another Jakub Kindl! Hey, maybe we can grab a guy that Kenny waived for a first....is Matt Ellis on the block?
Last I checked, Mike Illitch paid the bills and the players played. Ken Holland has been more of a hindrance to this dynasty than an asset.
That said, if he pulls off a deal for a 3rd liner, I take this all back.

This deadline is enough to bring me out of the shadows.....
Ken Holland has got to be the luckiest GM in the NHL. Don't flame it before you read on. Hakan Andersson is the scout who found the core of the late draft steals--Lidstrom, Holmstrom, Datsyuk, Franzen, Zetterberg, etc.
With arguably the greatest defenseman of all-time, Ken has been content to just let years slide away. So what if the asking price for Parenteau is a 1st. Oh no! Hold onto that so we can get another Jakub Kindl! Hey, maybe we can grab a guy that Kenny waived for a first....is Matt Ellis on the block?
Last I checked, Mike Illitch paid the bills and the players played. Ken Holland has been more of a hindrance to this dynasty than an asset.
That said, if he pulls off a deal for a 3rd liner, I take this all back.

Who wrote the article, Mommy Rafalski?
Yeah, I also lived in a craphole rental in New Port Richey, FL. Should I go back because they won the Cup that year? I know it's an extreme example, but people become almost religious about moves made during a Cup year. Sometimes, a team wins in spite of them. Rafalski was good that year and has mostly been an offensive #5 defenseman made to look better by Nick Lidstrom since then....with glaring defensive lapses. I'd rather have signed Schneider to the 2-year deal.

Who wrote the article, Mommy Rafalski?
Yeah, I also lived in a craphole rental in New Port Richey, FL. Should I go back because they won the Cup that year? I know it's an extreme example, but people become almost religious about moves made during a Cup year. Sometimes, a team wins in spite of them. Rafalski was good that year and has mostly been an offensive #5 defenseman made to look better by Nick Lidstrom since then....with glaring defensive lapses. I'd rather have signed Schneider to the 2-year deal.