haroldsnepsts

Babcock has some young talent to work with on offense, but the blueline basically has three consistent NHL defenseman and a potluck for the other half. Then there's also the question of which Jimmy Howard will show up. It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world , but in terms of changes that could bring the Wings more success, I would put letting Babcock go at or near the bottom of that list.

I agree with you on the Blashill versus Babcock point. Blashill may very well succeed in the NHL but it's a grass is always greener situation . As for Babcock's true feelings about the team and his job, who knows. I don't expect him to comment publicly if he were unhappy or considering other opportunities. There is the chance he may want to challenge himself with a new team. And something like Toronto would definitely be a challenge but also an opportunity for greatness on his part if he turns that team around. Personnel changes rarely happens in this order but I think Holland is the one running out of ideas, not Babcock. Plus there isn't really a coach I'd pick over him.

Trotz also plans on having Green on the PK more, and got him to change his equipment because he'll be blocking more shots. Should be an interesting year for the Caps. http://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/591135

This sounds more like typical preseason tweaks, but given the Wings injury luck lately, it's enough to give pause. Ansar Khan ‏@AnsarKhanMLive 3m Wings defensemen Jonathan Ericsson and Brendan Smith didn't skate today and are day-to-day with groin/hip flexor issues.

You made a post about an illegal streaming site directly after my post explaining it was against forum rules. I was originally going to edit your post but there would've only been one sentence left so I deleted instead.

The only legal way I know of to watch NHL games is gamecenter. I'm in the same boat regarding cutting cable but still wanting to watch games. It's frustrating. Also, I deleted a post that mentioned another site, which is an offshore illegal rebroadcast of NHL games. So just a friendly reminder from the forum rules: · DON'T post links to torrent or illegal streaming websites. LetsGoWings.com does not condone the sharing of illegal content on this web site and all links will be removed. (This also includes instructions on how to set up or view illegal streaming feeds without overtly linking to them.)

My point wasn't that Downey had a major influence on the Cup as much as it was that the Wings had an enforcer on their team not too long ago who Babcock actually put on the ice for 50+ games and the team still managed to be successful that year. I'm in no way saying enforcers reduce injuries or they are required to win a Cup, but that doesn't mean they're obsolete either. Not even regular season and we've had our first thread turn into an enforcer debate. We're ahead of schedule.

Not that I'm arguing that the Wings necessarily need a meathead, but the last Cup win the Wings had Aaron Downey in the lineup. And Babcock played him in 56 games. It's not just an outdated concept from 17 years ago. With Tootoo I think it was more that he could never really hit effectively without taking himself well out of position. And as admirable as it was that he'd drop the gloves with anyone, he hardly struck fear in the hearts of anyone except when he suckerpunched them. Most of what he did on the Wings was staged fights.

I'm with you on the Cleary bashing, but not completely about Kindl. He doesn't deserve whipping boy status, but my frustration with Kindl is he was supposed to be, and more importantly has the skillset to be much more than a tweener defenseman. Even then, him not living up to that potential wouldn't be as big of a deal had Holland not handed him a 4 year contract, which I don't blame Kindl for. Either way, yes it would be nice to hope these guys succeed rather than salivate at their potential mistakes.

No, it really isn't. If that's what you consider complaining, no wonder you think everyone here was doing it. It was an offhanded comment in a post. Other people were speculating that Dekeyser's camp was holding up negotiations but that wasn't complaining to you. And do you think you're improving the nature of discourse here with your sarcasm and condescension? Let me make this clear to everyone here for the millionth time. If you don't like a post about someone criticizing the Wings and feel compelled to respond, politely refute the points they are making. DO NOT insult or attack them personally. If you are unable to respond without doing that, simply ignore the post or put that member on ignore so you won't see any of their posts. Like it or not, criticism and complaining can be on topic. However, complaining about complaining or insulting how someone posts is never on topic. Ever. Posts that are complaints about other posts will be deleted. If the mods repeatedly have to delete posts by the same member, that person will be suspended. If you think LGW has gotten too negative, complaining about it only adds to the negativity. Instead try making a thoughtful and constructive post about hockey that makes the site a little better.

What post are you referring to? And that really is a complaint to you? If Dekeyser develops in the next couple years then he will very likely get a big payday next time. It's off-handed speculation that's based on history. It's the nature of bridge deals.

So you're complaining about some possible future complaining? Not really a whole lot better. And you're also ignoring that you basically blamed Dekeyser for the holdup with zero information, which is no different than those blaming Holland on no information. Had Holland made that offer you were right that it likely would've been done a month ago, but Holland wasn't offering that. Seeing what Dekeyser signed for, it's pretty obvious that he wasn't major holdup. And to be overly, explicitly, redundantly clear. I'm not blaming Holland for how things went. Dekeyser got signed in time for camp, and for less than I would've expected. In a couple years if he develops into the solid player it looks like he will be, I'm guessing he'll get his pay day. Can't wait to start the season.

Assuming the amount is correct I can guess what the holdup was. Dekeyser will be making less than Kindl. I'm guessing his next contract will be a biggie if he stays in Detroit.

Please link to a source when posting about signings or trades. Like this: Aaron Ward ‏@TSNAaronWard 1m Danny DeKeyser and Detroit Red Wings agree on a 2 year deal at $4.375M total. #TSN Detroit Red Wings ‏@DetroitRedWings 12m BREAKING: The #RedWings and Danny DeKeyser have agreed to terms on a two-year deal.

True, but you have to look at this team's current defensive corps, especially after Holland failed to land a UFA. Now take Dekeyser out of that group. Pretty grim. He doesn't have a ton of bargaining power, but he does have some given how much the Wings need him.

You take a potshot at Holland haters but follow it with your own completely unfounded comment about Dekeyser asking for $4 mill a year. Unless you have a source for that? For all we know after the mistake he made with Kindl's contract, Holland could be playing it more conservatively with RFA D-men. The actual truth of the matter is we have no idea what's going on with Dekeyser's contract negotiations. It's between Holland and his agent. What I do know is that Dekeyser has quickly become a crucial part of the Wings defense and I sure hope they get him signed ASAP.

It was definitely a small sample size with Dekeyser, but I think him being 24 years old and playing 4 years in college helps with that. He's not some 19 year old kid. I also think his performance last season is being understated a bit. It's in great part due to Ericsson's injury but Dekeyser was arguably the 2nd most important defenseman on the team. Among Wings d-men: 23 points, only 5 of which came on the PP. (2nd only to Kronwall's 49, 25 of which were on the PP) 21:38 minutes a game (2nd only to Kronwall's 24:18) averaged 2:13 per game on the PK and 1:34 on the PP +10 (tops among Wings defenseman) 30 PIMs (lower than everyone but Kindl, who plays significantly fewer minutes) It is only 81 games total in the NHL, but he was thrown in the deep end as a rookie and handled himself admirably (think Kindl or Smith for examples of how else it could've gone). He played big minutes and played all roles on the ice. The question is obviously how much will he improve, but I'd be surprised if he took any steps backwards.

Agreed. Lashoff has only been in the league for a season and a half. He's signed for cheap for the next couple seasons, which should be enough time to see if he pains out as a decent bottom pairing guy or not.

That's a good question. I don't follow the juniors at all but that's how I remember people talking about him too. Though I think his prospect reports may have mentioned he wasn't physical for his size. But I feel like they say that about everyone over 6'2" if they don't put people through the glass on every shift.

I don't live in Detroit so maybe I just didn't hear it, but Ericsson not being 100% for camp was news to me. Not surprising maybe given the extent of his injury, but I hadn't tracked his progress over the summer. I also hadn't considered the full potential impact of the injury. That it could not only affect his stickwork but also his strength. For those who don't like the topic or don't think it has value, simply don't post in it and the thread will fall off the main page.

Good point. I always forget the cap space rules when you waive a player. And a trade seems unlikely unless he's packaged with a valuable player. I personally think he's already out of time. With 230 or so NHL games under his belt, I just don't see him improving much. He's been battling for a bottom pairing spot all of his career. With his skill set and size, he should've established himself by now. It's what makes Kindl so annoying for me. Kindl is as big or bigger than everyone on the Wings except Ericsson and Franzen, but he plays like he's Rafalski sized and will bail on making a play to avoid getting hit.

Less talk about this forum and people whining. More talk about the actual topic please.

Quincey I can almost live with as another desperation move by Holland when he didn't land the UFAs. Q can play decent for long stretches and probably gets more flack overall than he deserves, though that's in great part due to the games where it looks like he forgot how to play hockey. I just can't believe Kindl is still on this team making $2.4 million for the next three seasons. It's time to cut bait. I've been wrong a lot more than I've been right, but one of the things I definitely was right about was how Kindl vs. Ericsson shook out. Kindl should no longer be in this lineup at that price. They could either bring up a kid or sign a seasoned vet to play the 5/6 spot with Lashoff and free up some cap space to sign Dekeyser and Smith next year, and Lashoff the year after if he develops into a decent stay at home Dman.

Agreed. One of the reasons Bettman gave for expanding the outdoor games is to give more teams a chance. Funny how it seems to be the same teams over and over. And even the Rangers twice in the same year. It'd be interesting to see a list of all the teams who've participated in an outdoor game and how many have been repeats.

It is a pet peeve. It's like blaming Holland for a player's ice time. He has an opinion in how players should be utilized but it's ultimately not his call. Even if someone disagrees whose fault it is, there's certainly no disputing that Babcock has gotten plenty of flack for the Cleary signing here.