joshy207

Own goal for Ouellet there...

I think they need to go outside of the organization. No Draper, no Martin, no Fedorov, no Yzerman (I don't think he'll come here anyway). The Wings need a house cleaning, and none of those guys would do it. That said, I don't have a legit candidate at this time.

Maybe Street and Pasquale, for depth.

Filppula had only one really good year here, when he played on a line with Zetterberg and Hudler. That was a really nice line. I hated losing Eaves, I'd have kept him over Miller, but no doubt the injuries didn't help his cause in KH's overbuilt roster world. The difference between Eaves' and Miller's production since Eaves left, though, is staggering.

That is what should have happened with Datsyuk's cap space.

Of course, rebuilds are no guarantee. Having the best roster in the league is no guarantee either. How many times did the Wings flame out in the first or second round with their All-Star rosters? How many other teams have done the same? Only one in thirty teams can win the Cup every year. The goal is to be competitive enough to have a legitimate chance. Luck and health are obviously needed as well, but those are beyond anyone's control. I think the disconnect between Wings' management and a large portion of the fan base is this: KH & Co. felt they were close enough to being contenders that one or two additions could put them right in the hunt. Many of us fans don't agree. There are pieces to build with, for sure. The problem is, there are too many players being forced to play roles above their capabilities. DeKeyser should not be a top-pairing defenseman. He'd be a good #4. Ericsson should not be anything more than a #6. Kronwall shouldn't be on the PP anymore, at least not regularly. Abdelkader is not a top-6 forward, and neither is Helm. Nyquist and Tatar crumbled when the team leaned on them to carry the offense. Mrazek needs to find consistency at the NHL level, and Howard needs to find consistent health. Ken Holland knew Datsyuk would not be here this season. He had to beg him to stay last year. That said, Holland also knew he had a perfect opportunity to begin to transition his roster. Instead of swallowing Datsyuk's cap hit and going with a younger roster, he locked up Abdelkader, Helm, and DeKeyser long-term, brought back Miller, and brought in Nielsen, Vanek, and Ott. All moves pointing to a GM who believed his team was a playoff team... especially the one where he traded the pick that would have netted him a much-needed potential franchise defenseman. Yet here we sit watching a team with the highest payroll in the league, but only the 25th-highest point total... and the 29th-highest Regulation Win total (16). Even Arizona has won more games in regulation (17). Barely above brutal Colorado, who has 14. THIS. TEAM. IS. NOT. GOOD. I've wanted Holland gone for a number of years now. I don't believe he is willing to make the moves necessary to improve the team in the long term. The Streak (TM), while very impressive, became a focal point--they have said as much--and, in turn, a hindrance. I am glad it is out of the way for that reason, but I need the GM to feel the same way and shake up this roster this summer. Otherwise it ended for nothing. If you can defend Holland, legitimately, with evidence that he's the right man for the job going forward, I'd love to hear it.

The rebuild begins with management. If Ken Holland says a rebuild will take 10-15 years, that might be true... for him. I'm sure Chris Ilitch can find someone out there who can do it quicker, who isn't afraid to get rid of mistake contracts (either through trade or buyout), and who isn't afraid to say "Less is NOT more exciting, this will be rough. Please bear with us... we WILL be back."

I'd love to see Holland unload some of Vanek, Green, Smith, and Tatar at the deadline, getting picks and prospects in return. But we all know that just isn't Holland's style.

Holland should have walked out of that press conference without a job. However, I think the Wings (and Tigers) are currently in a state of limbo, much like the Pistons were a few years ago. Mike Ilitch's health has been rumored to be very poor, and the family is waiting until he turns one way or the other before doing anything drastic. Chris Ilitch will take over once his father is gone, but I don't think he'll do much of anything until that happens. So, here we are as fans, stuck with this pile of dung.

This team has won 3 of its last 31 games in regulation. 3 of 31. That's godawful. No way this team goes anywhere but down this year. The Streak TM is over, and Holland's reign should be as well. There are only a few tradeable pieces, so a true rebuild will be extremely difficult. Holland's rich loyalty conracts have really put this team over a barrel, and not just in the short-term. KH should be fired now, or at least be restricted from signing any more contracts. His successor will have one of the toughest jobs in sports, trying to restore this team even to mediocrity. The future in "Hockeytown" TM is pretty dark.

Add in the World Cup this year, if Blashill doesn't ration his minutes, he'll be burned out by Christmas.

This was a nice trade for both teams. Arizona got the prospect they coveted and got rid of a player who'll be on LTIR, and it only cost them a 3rd round compensatory pick and the taking on of a cap hit they have PLENTY of room to cover but won't cost them a dime. Detroit got rid of that cap hit and turned 1 pick into 2 while taking on an LTIR contract they can afford to pay. The trade itself, IMO, is a tie. The shootout decision will be determined with the development of the 3 traded picks and what Holland can do with the cap room.

I never thought Ilitch would get rid of Holland, EVER, but he fired Dombrowski (Tigers GM), so there is hope yet.

Could be, in part, that there are former Detroiters spread all across the country...

...or give Marchenko a minute to see if he's capable of filling that role before you bury him back in GR.

Stop it right now, Evil Ken Holland. Get back in your box.

The rules were changed for every expansion draft from San Jose to Columbus/Minnesota. Who knows what they'll be whenever the league expands again.. I'm sure it'll depend on how many teams are being added. This would also be the first expansion since the salary cap was instituted, so I wonder if teams would be required to expose a contract or two above a certain threshold, to help ensure teams reach the salary floor... There were also rules for minimum number of NHL games played, so most young players were exempt from the draft.

I don't think that's the case anymore. Holland hasn't made a significant trade or free agent signing to improve the club in YEARS. He's done things to hold back the influx of younger players. Holland's greatest strengths... and I hold these in very high regard... are his ability to hire the right person for a job and to trust them to do their jobs. He listens to his people and lets them do what they are being paid to do. That's an excellent quality for someone running a franchise. However, I think Holland's days as an effective GM are about done. I don't think he can or will make the necessary roster moves to put the Wings back on top. Holland for President (and not GM).

Philly denies ever having offered any contract, only a tryout. The only ones talking about the rumored 3-year Philly deal are Cleary and Holland. Also, how is the "handshake deal" and "promise to take care of" Cleary allowed under the CBA? Teams are not allowed to discuss multiple one-year deals. Could be considered cap circumvention. Besides, it's plainly obvious to everyone except Cleary and Holland that Cleary is DONE, and has been for 3 years.

This is very true. Blashill knows and trusts these guys, Babcock didn't. That could make a big difference. I also heard speculation that the D made so many mistakes because they were playing afraid. (Afraid of pissing off Babcock by making mistakes.) Now that Babcock is gone, I'm fine with moving out a couple of contracts to clear some space for prospects who are ready, then letting things settle themselves out over the first few months of the season.

You? Sorry, I skipped over a few pages! My problem with his contract isn't the cap hit, it's the length.

I pretty much agree with this. I'm on the fence with Andersson... I don't mind him in a 4th line role, if he stays on cheap and doesn't keep Ferraro off the roster, I'm fine with him coming back. Franzen shouldn't play again, for his future's sake. If he won't go on LTIR or insists on trying to play, Holland should buy him out and let him take his chances elsewhere. It is not worth the risk. Kronwall struggled a lot this year, in part because he really isn't a #1 D, and if he's going to be a #2, he needs to play with a superstar, but also in part because of Ericsson. He's just one of the bad contracts on the books. (I think there are 6 or 7.) If Weiss and Kindl can't be traded, buy them out. (2 more bad contracts.) Right there with you on Smith. Too soon to just give up on him unless he's traded for a valuable piece. Same for the prospects. In fact, I'd like to see them get more NHL looks during the regular season. In goal, Mrazek is obviously the future, but is the has the future already started? I don't know. Howard was trying to return from a groin injury, which is not easy. I fully expect him to be better next fall. If Howard isn't moved, I expect a real battle between those two. Unless Datsyuk and Zetterberg are on separate lines, this team hasn't had a real #2 center since Robert Lang. Weiss has failed, Filppula failed... Sheahan has been the best option, but he's still a year or two away from being able to handle that role regularly. A good #2 center from outside the organization will be very costly. Babcock can stay or go, there are positives and negatives to both. One thing that has surprised me over the last couple years are the team's tendencies to start slow, fall apart late in games, and simply disappear for games at a time. Babcock preaches preparation and attention to detail, but those are the 2 big problems when the team struggles. Is that the players or the coach? As for Holland, I wouldn't lose sleep if he were to no longer be the Wings' GM. I think he still gets a lot of credit for things that were in place when he took over the GM job and for his successes in the pre-Cap era and in the few years of adjustment under the Cap. Over the last 5-6 years, we've seen Holland make a number of bad signings, fail to improve the team at the trade deadline, and generally seem to lack direction in running the team. He sounds lost in interviews, likes to make excuses, and has been out of touch with the "it's a man's league" and "kids aren't the answer" comments. Also, he doesn't run the draft, his scouting director does. I will say this though, something I think Holland does very well is hire good people, delegate authority to them, and trust their opinions. He lets them do their jobs, which is a very good thing for a manager to do. My bottom line, though, is that this team hasn't been to the conference final in 6 years. 6. That's the longest stretch since 1989-94. I honestly don't see that being any different next year unless some changes are made, whether on the ice or behind the bench. For an organization that prides itself on contending for the Stanley Cup every year, that shouldn't be acceptable. Nor should it be to a fanbase that has come to expect the same. "The Streak" shouldn't matter one single bit.

The Wings have to begin to make room for the young defensemen. Rather than make the mistake of "overbuilding" the roster again (like last season, then embarrasing players like Tootoo and Eaves by sending them to Grand Rapids), there should be a job or two available to be won at training camp by Ouellet (ready), Marchenko (ready), Jensen (maybe a year away), Sproul (at least a year away), and a possible veteran FA depth-type guy. There isn't room in GR for all of them again next year, and it'll get to a point where keeping them in the AHL will hinder their growth more than help it. With no expiring contracts other than Zidlicky (who they may even want to re-sign), one or two D will need to be moved. Obviously, Kronwall and DeKeyser aren't going anywhere, but they could trade any of the other 4. Up front, Franzen's situation is a dilemma. His long-term health is in question, and his play when he is healthy leaves much to be desired. He could be bought out, retire, or put on LTIR permanently, a la Savard and Pronger. Pulkkinen is the only prospect really knocking on the door. The others, including Mantha, are maybe a year away. A couple forwards are candidates to be moved out as well. Mrazek should be here full-time next year as the backup to Howard, but he will challenge for more playing time right away. He's the goalie of the future. My roster next year: Forwards (14)--Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Tatar, Nyquist, Helm, Abdelkader, Sheahan, Jurco, Pulkkinen, Glendening, Miller, Andersson, Cole re-signed, Callahan promoted. Weiss traded or bought out, Franzen no longer on (active) roster, Cleary not re-signed. Defensemen (7)--Kronwall, DeKeyser, Ericsson, Quincey, Zidlicky re-signed, Ouellet promoted, Marchenko promoted. Kindl and Smith traded. (I would gladly trade Ericsson, but Smith would probably fetch more in return.) Goalies (2)--Howard, Mrazek promoted. Gustavsson not re-signed. Any traded players bring draft picks and prospects in return. Finger injuries don't affect your brain. Ericsson has been awful this year.

That would make sense if he was 33, but not if he's 23.