Learn2LuvIt

IMO- I didn't really view Dats departure as being on negative terms.  He said for years he wanted to return home to Russia to raise his kids and live out the rest of his life.  In my book, that's fair of him to do. Does it tarnish is legacy within the Wings organization and fan base, highly likely.  However, I think what he did was on the up-and-up and transparent. 

Glad to hear you're feeling better.  I can make your re-acclimation back to the Wings much easier with a two word summary:  Piss Poor

I’ll take the illitches over Gilbert every day of the week.

That ownership was dumb enough to allow these players on their teams to begin with, some of whom were cancer to the lockerroom. At least our ownership has the sense to screen for these players ahead of time. Cavs fcked up when they signed Isiah Thomas earlier in the year, he was a known cancer. But ownership got selfish to win another championship. In the end they got rid of him at deadline anyways.
I’d rather want the owners who don’t make dumb decisions to start with. 
And lol don’t think Gilbert is some hero, the only reason the Cavs are relevant is because of Lebron James. When he left they went to s***, when he came back they got good. If he leaves again they will suck again. That’s basketball for you.
Look at the class of players on this team. Larkin is classy as f*** for his age, already a leader. AA had attitude issues but now is disciplined and harderworking. Mrazek is coming back down to earth as well. We groom the even the s***ty attitude guys to become role models. 

Maltby has been a favorite of mine since his first game as a Wing. He got into a fight and thus began a long and wonderful ride of him being a premier pest. He was so fun to watch. 

IMO - Marchand falls in the the same type of player that was Kirk Maltby.  Malts would have been suspended a lot more if he played in today's NHL.  And gosh, I loved me some Malts.  He was such an understated, valuable piece, to our run of Cups.

Maltby is also smart enough to adapt to todays game though. Marchand makes these mistakes and doesn't learn from them which ends up hurting the team. Lucic does a lot of goonish things and fights and hell even scores but I don't think his history of suspensions is nearly as bad as Marchands. 
Be a goon, but be a smart one that can help the team.. And in Marchands case he's all sensitive because people keep calling him a goon. It's like.. you are a goon, just accept it. Don't think Maltby even denied his role. Lucic certainly doesn't. 

You're not the only one, there appears to be have been 20 plus guys with Red Wings jerseys on that had the same idea.

Totally agree.  Previously I watched him play, and thought that he was another Griff here for the short term...looked like he was playing over his head.  Lately, he looks like a confident NHL player who is making great plays, making the players around him better, seeing the ice nicely, calm and collected/no panic, etc.  Helm and some of our other players who are a bit older/more experience had better get their act together.  Some of our young guys are playing like they are here to stay and possibly taking jobs away from others.  Love it.

Totally agree.  Previously I watched him play, and thought that he was another Griff here for the short term...looked like he was playing over his head.  Lately, he looks like a confident NHL player who is making great plays, making the players around him better, seeing the ice nicely, calm and collected/no panic, etc.  Helm and some of our other players who are a bit older/more experience had better get their act together.  Some of our young guys are playing like they are here to stay and possibly taking jobs away from others.  Love it.

Yup. If there's any doubt, it's a no go. Nobody once doubted Yzerman or Lidstrom going up.

BURN THE WITCH

Howard's cap hit is 15th in the NHL.  He's paid exactly like an average starting goalie.
Yep, I've long been a fan of trading prospects for proven players either in or just entering their prime.  You don't trade them all, but some of them.  What could they have gotten for Nyquist and Sproul in a package a few years ago?  People are too afraid that the kid that gets traded will turn into a monster when it's more likely they turn into a middle of the road player.  

This is a major part of our problems in the last 5+ years with our organization.  We covet and want to keep our average talent with hopes of the player improving beyond which is likely realistic.  IMO...we need to start trading these average players while they have still have value and start getting pieces that have proven ability...EVEN IF this puts us in situations where the evaluation of the trade seem like the Wings didn't get the "better" of the deal.  I'd rather get a solid 2nd/3rd liner who can play RIGHT NOW and trade away some players who are going to be "projects" but show they have a lot of potential, than to sit on these guys who don't pan out and get nothing for them. This would also, in turn, help our cap management strategy which is garbage and has put us behind the "8 ball". 
Tired of this organization and all of their high hopes and pet projects when it comes to player development.  Many of the players in GR which we all (myself included) tend to over hype and salivate for when looking at their performance in GR, or in Traverse City training camp.  Yes, we need to have some patience and they need to be given a fair shot at making the Wings club.  But their needs to be a shorter decision point, and if they can't cut it, SOME (not all) of these guys need to be packaged up and included as assets in potential trade deals.  Our organization seems to think that success in GR is going to translate in to solid Wings/NHL players and it's simply not the case.  The overall success of the Griffs has at times blurred the optics on some players who we think will be superstars for the Wings one day.  Screw "one day".  I get annoyed every Sept when i read article after article about training camp and how X or Y player is going to be a "Stud" down the road.  Wings need to be more decisive with their talent decisions before it's too late and they just rot in GR/AHL the rest of their careers.   There are only approx 600 players playing in the NHL...the odds are low that many these pet projects the Wings love investing in will play in the NHL..or at least not play for very long.

The process sucks

Agreed.  I also believe that Holland thought that the Grand Rapids talent pool was a lot deeper and more NHL caliber than the actual reality. 

Great effort last night.  What stood out to me most was they were quick and "moving their feet" (Babs wording).  Didn't see many guys get caught standing still and we were quick and crisp in gaining the zone.  Also loved Abby's reference after the game of his thoughts on the victory; "we started on time"...LOL another famous Babs line.

Keep in mind this “source” also “reported” that Drew Miller was 100% being brought back.
i actually wouldn’t mind it if someone like E or Kronwall were moved. Him and DD played great together on the second pairing. 

Hope not unless Ericsson is going bye bye.

He's actively trying to sell. Had an agreement with someone this summer, but apparently the guy couldn't raise the money.
I think someone's going to buy them, move them west, then shortly after we'll get a QC expansion.

Valid statement.  However, as typical, follow the money and the relationships.  I see the Canes being relocated being a tough battle for the NHL/Bettman.  Karmanos (who owns the Canes) has pretty deep hockey ties to the NHL/Bettman.  Phoenix on the other hand, I much more could see happening.  Their primary ownership is a hedge fund manager and doesn't have the history or relationship pull as Karmanos does.  Just as Bettman finally gave in to Mr. I and putting us in the Eastern Conference due to Mr. I's status as an owner, commitment to his product, AND being a good sport in letting his team taking a beating in terms of traveling all over the West Coast for years.  Not to mention the TV revenue that was lost as many sponsors didn't want to buy ad packages with the Wings due to the fact that many of their games started at 9-10 PM local time, and didn't end till after midnight.  The reasoning was that the Wings were always a HUGE draw on the West coast and sold TONS of tickets across West coast arena's for regular season games.  I firmly believe factors and scenarios like this figure into the discussions and decisions in the back rooms of the NHL executive offices.

ha ha...was that two minute soliloquy after the ridiculously stupid, unneeded, horrible timed penalty in the 3rd that lead to the Avs starting their comeback to win the game? Funny, cause our radio team just spent some time last Wed on pregame to the Flames game saying the exact opposite. 
Anyway, I Totally agree with you.  Someone in this organization likes him to the point of being blind.  Reminds me of the Jason Williams/Brett Lebda organizational love.
Why I am bringing this up now as juklitz posed...good question.  I just can't take it anymore!!!  I swear under my breathe whenever I see him on the ice.  But now, I think we now have some legitimate, viable, "net-net" gain options with some of our younger guys to sit him or trade him..something!!  He's literally driving my insane with rage. 

I think it will be between Martin and Draper when Holland moves up or out. In saying that, I think it would be a poor decision to hire anyone within the organization to become the next GM. This team needs a new look, new approach, and that starts from the top. I think the best thing for this team would be to go outside the organization to find Holland's replacement. Who? I have no idea...

1.  Steve Ott is hands down most popular player on the Wings
2.  Jimmy Howard is traded, and has a lot of "not so nice" things to say about Detroit
3.  One of our bench assistance coaches won't be here by March

Totally agree with this.  I think since most of us (or some) follow the team so closely we often get bias toward our prospects real comparative NHL caliber talent and real street value.  I mean we watch some of these guys when they're in Traverse City at one of our camps and their like 18 years old.  We see/hear/read some positive flashes from these guys and the next thing you know...they're the next up -and-coming Wings superstar.  The NHL now pulls the top players from around the world and no longer a Canadian/USA majority league...Their are only 690 players that can say at any given time that they are on an NHL team.  You may have flashes at Traverse City, you may even play in GR...but the chances are slim that your talented enough to play in the NHL.