Learn2LuvIt

I agree.  I've been hearing the same thing...Nyquist's future here in Detroit was all but sealed and he wasn't going to be here next year as his asking price tag $ was prohibitive to keeping him.  I like that Kenny is actually starting to make "rebuild" moves rather than trying to keep "above average/good" players and overpaying, giving NTC, and signing them for way too long of contracts.  On top of gaining the ability to attain more players with the hopes of finding a few "diamonds", draft picks, even if they are 2nd rounders or even later rounds picks can be very useful in throwing in deal packages to get future deals done.  Lastly, it's refreshing to see us cut a kid who grew up on our system loose instead of playing the loyalty card which has burned us many, many times in the past. 

I agree.  I've been hearing the same thing...Nyquist's future here in Detroit was all but sealed and he wasn't going to be here next year as his asking price tag $ was prohibitive to keeping him.  I like that Kenny is actually starting to make "rebuild" moves rather than trying to keep "above average/good" players and overpaying, giving NTC, and signing them for way too long of contracts.  On top of gaining the ability to attain more players with the hopes of finding a few "diamonds", draft picks, even if they are 2nd rounders or even later rounds picks can be very useful in throwing in deal packages to get future deals done.  Lastly, it's refreshing to see us cut a kid who grew up on our system loose instead of playing the loyalty card which has burned us many, many times in the past. 

I agree.  I've been hearing the same thing...Nyquist's future here in Detroit was all but sealed and he wasn't going to be here next year as his asking price tag $ was prohibitive to keeping him.  I like that Kenny is actually starting to make "rebuild" moves rather than trying to keep "above average/good" players and overpaying, giving NTC, and signing them for way too long of contracts.  On top of gaining the ability to attain more players with the hopes of finding a few "diamonds", draft picks, even if they are 2nd rounders or even later rounds picks can be very useful in throwing in deal packages to get future deals done.  Lastly, it's refreshing to see us cut a kid who grew up on our system loose instead of playing the loyalty card which has burned us many, many times in the past. 

It's been more-or-less established as fact that the return Holland got for Nyquist is market value for a player like Nyquist. Again, Zuccarello got roughly the same return. Now Dreger's saying the Devils want a 2nd for Johansson:
Word on the street is that Nyquist wants $5-5.5M x 5, which, to me, is all kinds of "NOPE!" And it seems like Holland agrees. So 1) Nyquist had to be moved, and 2) Holland got market value for him.
In Nyquist's absence, a roster spot opens up and all the young kids who are already full-timers might get slightly expanded roles. (I say "might" because it's possible we add someone through free agency or a trade or even the upcoming draft.)

If that horizon is this summer when Stevie becomes our GM and we dump some of our dead weight legacy players and Friday, June 21st when we draft Hughes.

You've got to figure that Howard gets traded regardless of the return right?  I mean, provided he wants a chance at a Cup.  Let's say Holland re-signs him, we're realistically a few years away from Cup contention best case scenario.  Holland would be crazy to sign him for more than a few years.  Meaning, MAYBE in the final year of his new contract he'd have a realistic chance at playing for a Cup.  At which point he'll be 37 years old, and will likely suck.  So he probably wouldn't be playing anyway. 
I think this whole, "we may re-sign him" thing is smoke screen to get the best deal possible at the deadline. 

Pretty much agree with all of what you've said.  I think for the total cost$/package, Kenny may have been thinking that bringing back Vanek was low price to pay to take some of the offensive pressure off of Dylan, Mantha and AA to help their development and get a player with some track record of offensive contribution.  I mean...if one or a few of our young offensive studs were to take a step back this year, who else can put the puck in the net consistently?  Nielsen and....??  Gus has been a pleasant surprise and I don't think we were counting on him contributing as much as he has this year.  Also, yes...way too many NTC's being handed out around here.

The Vanek contract could have been worse. It could have been a multi-year contract. I understand why Holland may have had to attach a NTC to get him to sign here, I just don't get why he had to get him to sign here... Vanek is way past his prime, and has very little left in the tank. Sure, he's a veteran, but he's not exactly the type of veteran that we should want the kids to learn from. He's far from the type that does it right every shift, every night. Basically, he's lazy and he sucks...
I get the reasoning behind giving out NTC's, most of the time... However, I don't think it's necessary to give almost every player one that is eligible to get one. In my opinion, Vanek shouldn't have one. Abdelkader, Helm, Ericsson, DeKeyser and Daley shouldn't have one. I can understand why Nielsen and Green were given one. Kronwall and Nyquist, sure. Detroit has the most NTC/NMC in the league at 10. It's funny though that the only team with as many, is Tampa, and most Red Wings fans want Holland replaced by Yzerman...
Holland is great at a lot of things. Hiring the right people and allowing those people to do their job, without too much interference, he's good. Drafting and developing, very good. Negotiating RFA contracts, one of the best in the business. Negotiating UFA contracts on the other hand, one of the worst in my opinion...

Done!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas fellow Wings fans. 

Merry Christmas everyone!
 
Scott, Cecy, Nico, Anna

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!  Everyone have a great holiday season

Merry Christmas everyone!
 
i hope everyone has a wonderful, happy, healthy, and safe holiday.

What everyone else has said...Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year to all!

Hope everyone well, everyone they know is well. Merry Christmas!

HYPE!
Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Happy New Year!

I just wanted to wish all the LGW fans on here a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!  
Keep on Tankin!!!

He's at Dick O'Dow's in Birmingham.  Funny thing is, I'd actually take that bet.  A buddy of mine see's him there all. the. time.
I have a pretty funny story about Murph throwing a balled up napkin at my brother (who is from Denver) and telling my brother to go stick the napkin "up Claude Lemieux's A$$!!!"
It's actually pretty interesting to think that: in his last years with us, he was likely the slowest player to ever play in the NHL.  It's was brutal.  However, if he did suit up he'd be even slower...which would mean that he'd be so far behind the play...that he'd be a threat for stretch pass breakaways (going the other way).  Hmm

This.  You'd have to think there is something on this guy that is known by these GM's (and not publicized) and turning them off.

Directions unclear
Hyping up for the playoffs

No. Soft. Euro's.

No. Soft. Euro's.

I will say though, as highly touted as Zadina was/is, I'm pretty surprised that he is taking so long to establish his dominance down on GR.  Today, I'm a bit disappointed.  Fan shock that he didn't make the Wings team after camp is proving to be unfounded.  He couldn't play on this team right now without looking highly exposed.  Still very, very hopeful.  Just thought we'd see some dominance fairly quickly after the hype he was given.

I hear ya. I'm hoping he'll start to pick it up a bit here soon. Maybe after gaining some confidence at the WJC. It's very difficult for any 18 year old to make an impact right away in the pros, coming from junior. I'm not worried though. I still think he'll be a very good player for the Red Wings in the near future.
You're impression has been that he is NHL-ready?
I haven't seen that at all from the few games I've seen... He's shown flashes, but overall I've been pretty underwhelmed after each game I've seen...