wings4thecup06

This is my thought too, which is why I think right now, the Wings don't want to give away guys like Mantha, Tatar, Jurco, Nyquist and Sheahan. They saw Jarnkrok as expendable so that's why he was moved. I have every faith that if this is in fact the strategy, it'll pay dividend pretty soon

On the surface, liking how this draft has gone. Management replenished a needed position and got big bodies guys with bright two way potential. Sounds pretty sweet to me.

Brains aren't found in the balls though. Making a decision that could cost this franchise in the long run for a short term risk really isn't the strategy that KH and co have employed (aside from Legwand perhaps - but let's not batter that dead horse). Maybe, just maybe, the Wings feel pretty happy with how things are developing, with the kids who've stepped up, and the young D core we're about to get, right now what we need is some solid veterans in the lineup like we have to complement and help the kids become the leaders of this team. It doesn't make much sense right now to trade a bunch of em away, because really, the guys who are still in GR we don't know which ones will make it. Its a patient approach and yea, I can imagine it's frustrating when other teams around the league are seemingly going for it when we're appearing to stand pat. But why roll the dice when even doing so won't put you over the top? May as well wait and have several successful years than just 1 or 2.

You mean you and you alone? Actually I'm quite content with what's happened the last little while. We've drafted thus far, 3 guys at centre all with decent size, speed and two way ability. It looks like from all intensive purposes that KH will address a few needs over the offseason judging from what he, Babs and various other members of the organisation have said. And you know what, if all we end up with is signing Tom Gilbert and Alfie comes back, I would be perfectly happy with that. Because I believe we've got a great mix of veterans and youth that is about to take a huge step forward, and there's more help coming in the form of Mantha, Sproul, Ouellet, Marchenko, Mrazek and co which will make us one of the best young teams next year or the year after for quite some time. If you, and all of the other KH bashers are so gasping for us to trade away all our young assets so just to acquire a couple of guys who will make you feel better immediately, then why don't you contact the Red Wings personally? If you and a few others can't see the transformation and the long term plan that KH has in mind here like some of us can, then fair enough. But don't keep bashing the same old drum over and over again because you're not happy about what's happening. It's getting kinda tiring.

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 58s TOR has acquired Roman Polak from STL. The return yet to be reported

Is this Hakan's magic? This kid doesn't have a mid term ranking. Gotta say, liking the size the Wings are drafting this year.

My bad. Didn't realise you were joking. Pretty hard to tell these days with the amount of negative comments being floated about by the Holland bashers and the Franzen haters.

Yea I agree. Polak's good. Leafs blue line just got a little better IMO.

And also, you can't expect us to be in on every big trade deadline acquisition year in year out. Unless you want us to put out a roster depleted of youngsters, full of trade acquired veterans who don't have any chemistry because they've only been together for a year or so, rather than drafted and developed the Red Wing way, which means egos are put aside and they buy into the system. You can't expect to remain competitive in the salary cap era by trading away all your prospects and picks.

But not every prospect turns out to be what people say there are going to be. Potential and the ability to fully realise it are two completely different things. It is frustrating when it doesn't happen though.

Emmerton was a 2nd round pick…..

But it is though. Because it allows for essentially a 'trade deadline acquisition' right at the end of the offseason while KH and co have spent two months touching up the roster, getting a better D man, and possibly acquiring someone like Iginla (outside chance but who knows). Alfie won't' sign for a big contract, I think it was khan who said he could get something smaller like a $2m base salary and then a bunch of bonuses which would allow us to fit everything in. Also, what if we re-signed Alfie right this minute, and he comes to camp and then he realises he can't play anymore because his back has given out? What a waste of time right? The Wings didn't sign anyone else because they thought Alfie would be the guy, so Iginla waddles of elsewhere and we're left empty handed.

Am I right in saying that you're in agreement with something KH has done?? (I'm just pulling your leg) But yes, tremendous pick and the more I read about him, the more it seems that this kid is exactly the kind of character guy with speed and skill we need. Can't wait to follow his development at U of M.

Well we've got 2 picks in the 7th round, so expect Hakan to come up with a gem that no one's ever heard of.

And he'll complement the skill guys we have coming up in our system right now that are just coming on. Mantha, Sheahan, Jurco, Tatar, Nyquist. Combine their skills with a 200ft player who plays every shift like its his last. I think that could be a pretty solid core.

According the Tsn guys, he's Darren Helm but with better scoring ability. And a heart and soul player. Seems like a solid choice to me.

Want to know who's coming the other way. Could be interesting EDIT: Per LeBrun - for Hornqvist and Spaling

I've got to say, this has to be so exciting for all of these kids that get picked. To finally have that realisation that you're one step closer to your dream has to be incredible.

I hope not, staying up late to watch this!!! I need some entertainment!

Yea but you just know they'll somehow screw it up…….

That booing was absolutely intense. Maybe I just haven't watched any of Bettman's public appearances recently, but that was crazy. I don't remember it being that bad.

Yea, that's about it for me too. They need to replace them with the old Mighty Ducks jerseys and stick to it. I revisited them the other week and actually realised how much better they look against anything the ducks have worn since.

so anyone have a live stream?

Couldn't agree more (apart from the part about Myers). Wish more people could actually see things a little like this

I think this works well for both sides. It gives the Wings a chance to formulate their roster, sign and trade for whomever they feel they want to. It gives Alfie 2 months to get fully healthy and in good shape, and allows him to mentally commit to playing next year. If after a little while he doesn't feel like its going to happen, then he can walk away, no harm done.