wings4thecup06

Wound up with 66 but should have 70 if not for some stupid spelling errors. Weakest part for me was the PIMS. That was hard!

So what is wrong with the Joe in your opinion? I may have a slightly biased sentiment in the fact that obviously I'm a Wings fan and I saw my first hockey game there, but there isn't much I can say I don't like about it. The sightlines are way better than the other NHL rinks i've seen games at (ACC and Centre Bell), the standing room is the best in the league, the concourse and the general place has this old school atmosphere that makes me get really amped up for the game, and I don't know if i'm the only one, but I really really love walking up those steps before you enter the building. Yes it's crowded as hell in the concourses and bathrooms, it's old, it doesn't look that aesthetically pleasing from the outside for some, the seats are worn, but frankly, I couldn't care less. I'd take a building like the Joe that has a million times more character than a septic, cold brand spanking new rink anyway. Now, that's not to say that the new building will be like all the other ones that have been built. And after seeing and reading about the plans today, I'm definitely excited. But I will definitely miss being right on top of the action for sure.

Yea they won't let a former first round pick just go away for nothing. Especially not after the Quincey debacle. I could see them trading him away for maybe like a 5th or 6th rounder, but they wouldn't just let him go like that.

I have mixed feelings about this. Personally, I love the Joe. It has so much character, history and the sight lines (IMO) are great. Even in the upper deck it feels like you're on top of the action, and the standing room areas are superb. While the idea of a new arena is also exciting, I can't help but feel it will be another generic, state of the art place where everything is overpriced and you have to bring binoculars to the game.

Sorry. Guess I didn't realise you were talking about an ideal scenario. I think in 15-16 that's what we will probably see, but I too would be happy if that materialised this year.

I agree with you kip that that is a decent top 12. But: The thing I reckon is that Mantha definitely won't start in the NHL. Even if he blows people away. It's not the Wings way, and while we haven't had this hyped a prospect in a while, I still don't think they'd just throw him right in there. And they'd keep Jurco in the NHL before having Mantha start the year in Detroit I think. Then, I think Jurco would drop down back to the kid line, and who knows what happens with the top line. I have a strong feeling Alfie will return, and be put on that top line.

Thank you for creating this thread GMR. With all the negativity being spouted around right now about Cleary and KH, it's actually really refreshing to remember why this guy was beloved in the first place before all this crap. I voted for when he knocked the crap out of Phaneuf. I still remember that to this day, and I remember being so happy because I hated Phaneuf with a passion at the time.

Having Gus back for 1 more year is fine - it allows Mrazek to get big playing time in GR, polish his skills down there in his final year of eligibility, ready to back up Howard next season. This way, Mrazek then gets eased into the backup role and can step in this season if there's any injuries, and the following year he'll get tons of experience playing 20+ games. I wouldn't be surprised if in 3 years time he's splitting playing time with Jimmy equally.

I agree. While the Cleary signing is extremely frustrating - mainly on the basis that it might/will block either Jurco or another young player making the big club to start the season, you can't blame DC for still wanting to play hockey. He had a rough (abysmal) year but battled injuries all the way, so why wouldn't he give it one more kick at the can? Unfortunately it's with the Wings, but so be it. It's a 1 year deal, and it may not even get that far if he gets beaten out and sent to GR. Would he even report? Or just retire instead? Who knows. There's still lots to be decided right now. Just because he signed a 1 way deal, doesn't necessarily mean that he'll make the club. And I know, Babcock loved him, but he did scratch him halfway through the season because he was truly awful. Marcaractac, I agree with you on your assessment of Holland. Too many people here are far too quick to judge and want answers and results fast and having to wait 4 years for another really successful team is far too long in their eyes. What the Wings are trying to do is rebuild on the fly - the pool of prospects we have now, some of which are NHL ready, is pretty impressive for how high we've been drafting. I know KH has made some awful signings, but which GM hasn't? I'm not necessarily defending KH here, but I do believe that with the talent he's accumulated we're very close to start making a run. If the wings think that Cleary can help them do that, then fair enough. Personally, I don't think he'll make the team, but all will be revealed shortly.

Not really is just him though. But can you blame them? Going back to their home country to be paid just as if not more handsomely?

Mark Messier - back when he had hair.

It's a horrendous signing, and all I can say is that it saddens me. Cleary's a guy who worked his ass off for the wings for years and deserves to be remembered for that. Not for this. This is the positive spin I can see about this right now: He plays really well and earns a job - which actually implies he will make the team better - and does so. Or he plays so horrendously badly that he gets waived and sent to GR or released.

The salary cap system as it is right now would be ok if the ceiling and the floor weren't tied to league revenues. It's so stupid and I don't see how anyone isn't pointing it out. Think about it. The league has gradually expanded its income since the first lockout of this generation in 2004 and as a result the cap goes up every single year on both ends. This forces the small market teams (like Florida) to do exactly what they did this offseason just to reach the floor - give out ridiculous contracts to mid/lower level players who end up getting vastly overpaid. The contracts being given out are frankly, a joke in my mind and all that has been lost from 2 lockouts has been wasted. The problem I think I find is that even though I hate the NHL for doing all of this and the stupidity involved, I truly love the game too much to walk away. These contracts though are not just as a result of the salary cap being tied to league revenues. It also has to do with how there is more parity throughout the league which means that everyone is clamouring to improve and spend. Thus, bidding wars for free agents are more intense (it feels that way), which drives the price up. Another reason is clever marketing by agents, and owners who are forcing their GMs to do something to get their team better. It's also why we're seeing a lot of buyouts. The whole system is frankly, a joke. It won't change either until the league actually starts losing money.

I think the worrying thing here is that if Mantha is the highest valued prospect from our organisation, that means that anything below him could have been offered and potentially could be taken by the Sabres (i.e anyone, including guys like Jurco, Tatar, Sheahan). I'm getting more nervous by the minute.

i can't see how they'd be stupid enough to trade a big young forward like Jurco or Sheahan or even Tatar, based on the season they just had. Factor in how we've got some good young D men coming and it doesn;t make sense.

I think actually a lot will depend on if Alfie returns or not. If he doesn't come back, then the competition for that top 6 slot will be wide open between him, Pulkkinen and a few others perhaps. Personally, I'd think that it's best for him to spend at least half the year in GR. But I definitely think he'll get a cup of coffee at least this season with the Wings.

Just to point out that you mentioned the Sens in the first place….

Exactly. Just my opinion that I thought we could have won 2 of the games. That was all. But it's done, the experience counts, and I'm looking forward to next season.

I think from the reports recently, that's precisely what Weiss has been doing. http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20140703/stephen-weiss-heading-in-right-direction-after-second-surgery

Exactly. It's not like we're lacking in potential forward depth up front. We've got guys who will be able to step in when players go down. Why would you pay $3m+ for a guy like Legwand when he's just going to be played by babs on the 4th line. He's definitely not going to be getting 50 points that way. I don't see the need for the insurance policy, because not only does it block several kids now and in the future, we also have an established 2nd line NHL centre in Weiss. Granted he's coming back from injury, but this isn't Niskanen we're talking about here. Weiss had several productive years in florida. And do you really think 5 of those C's will be injured all at the same time again? Last year was a freak year for injuries. Of those on your list only Andersson and Glendening are 4th liners. Sheahan and Helm have shown their ability to be good 3rd line centres. Which leaves Datsyuk, Z and Weiss. Whom I don't think are 4th liners.

The Jets have got a ton of talent, they just seem lacking when it comes to putting it all together. After Maurice was hired they seemed to start figuring things out, but it was a bit of too little too late.

Not to throw another log on the fire, but you essentially talked yourself out of your own argument. You're saying we have no depth at C, yet then went on to list 7 guys, yes 7, who are extremely competent at C, with at least 3 of them who could play 1C. You've also omitted Franzen, who's a natural C. How would it help by re-signing Legwand? He didn't play that well nor did he seem to fit into the system. It'll just force Jurco to start the season in the minors, which means the kid line will be broken up. By having Legwand, if when everyone is healthy, it means that he'll probably end up playing wing. I don't see how it helps. You can't even say now that we lack prospect depth at C after this years draft.

I wouldn't say we got 'crushed' in the playoffs. In fact, we could have won 3 of those 5 games if not for some bad luck. Game 1 was as tight as could be, and we played the Bruins nose to nose. Games 2 and 3, granted, the Wings were outplayed. But game 4, with a 2-0 lead and playing well, that one should have been in the bag. And they played excellent in game 5 but just couldn't beat Rask. I'm not saying that the Wings were the better team than Boston, but to say they got crushed is a little inaccurate IMO.

Anyone here from Seattle/know whether or not it might work as a hockey market? Personally I think they should go back into Canada before they go elsewhere. Would have thought the league would have learnt it's lesson perhaps after some shocking numbers in Atlanta/Florida/Phoenix and co. Or maybe not.

I don't think they'd part with Sheahan either, unless the return was really really good. A big bodied centre who has good hands and playmaking ability. These guys don't grow on trees. And like you said, he just got a new deal.