wings4thecup06

Cleary's currently out with a knee injury right now, and according to Ansar Khan, Stephen Weiss isn't even skating at the moment. Here's hoping Helm is back later this week, because these injuries are just laughable now. Although Andersson's injury is just pure bad luck.

Isolating the forward group here a minute, and this is getting nuts. IMO, the wings will look to re-sign Legwand, initially on the fact that he's a local guy who's delighted to be playing here, but now also for the way he's playing (if of course, that continues). Maybe a 3 year deal or so worth $4 mil per Alfredsson has said at numerous times this year he's really enjoying things, and I think that will continue. He's shown he's got all the tools to be an effective player night in night out. I think there's a good chance he'll come back on a 1 year deal, maybe $3.5 Assuming that Bertuzzi and Cleary are gone, that leaves us in a huge pickle. Look at this: 40-13-93 90-17-14 26-15-21 Who the hell is going to fill out that fourth line? Helm Abdelkader Andersson Miller Glendening Alfredsson And that's not even counting Callahan and Ferraro A couple of guys will have to be moved - maybe at the draft to get a good D guy. Even if Legwand and Alfie don't come back, we're still going to have to move a body or two. The kids need to play, and I hope management recognises that. We have a stock of good players that we can use to acquire a good D man, and I wouldn't mind betting that Kindl would be included in the package - seen as a former 1st round pick/reclamation project type. I'm excited about the remainder of this year, but the off-season could be really interesting too

I agree. No way in hell Gus should have let Elias blast that buy him from the top of the circle no less. That started the whole thing for the Devils last night, but luckily we responded. I've liked Gus this year, he's been very very solid, and I don't know where we would be right now without him. But Jimmy is our number 1, and IMO he's played solid the last month or so. I'd go back with Howie tomorrow at MSG.

Realistically, going completely with youth over veterans could be seen as mailing it in and going into full time re-build mode - I'm referring to the vast majority here, not one or two. Bear in mind I'm just postulating - I don't believe this fully. personally I feel that a few kids spread through the lineup provides energy and helps energise the vets I also guess that within the Wings organisation there is the 'you've got to earn it' theorem. Hence why Nyqvist was in the minors and Tatar on the bench, and now the kids can't get out of the lineup. They're continuing to be our best forwards night in night out and they're staying put because of it. Would I like to see KH and Babs be a little more free with their inclusion of other kids in the lineup over veterans who are clearly past it (see Cleary and Bert - despite the latter's effectiveness on the PP at times this year), but it is what it is. I was against the Cleary signing, but not the Miller one. Drew has been arguably one of the best PKers this year, blocking no end of shots and doing a great job overall.

IMO this is a must win tonight, as are all our remaining games against teams that we are either a couple points behind, or a couple ahead of. Essential we keep the Devils behind us and need to get clearance from the Jackets

Still would have liked to have seen him replace Bert tonight vs the Devils. Oh well.

per Khan he's been re-assigned

If we're counting picks then you can add Mike Green to that list…..

I too respect the fact we differ on such things but you can never ever count out any team once they get in - see LA 2012. And with the way we played in the playoffs last year I wouldn't count anything out. Yes it'll be tough without Z, but no one ever said we couldn't make it. Right now we are right on the bubble with games in hand, so let's not forget that. And if we play stifling defence ala in Montreal, then why can't we get in, get everyone healthy, (mostly) and make a charge? We'll be deep as hell down the middle, and talented underdogs. I don't feel the need to throw in the towel just for the sake of a better draft pick. We all know that good picks are mandated mainly by the scouting staff and not just the position of the pick. Obviously top 10 gets you something better than late 1st, but really we all know the draft is a crapshoot. IMO if there's a chance to make the playoffs you have to go for it, which is exactly what KH did yesterday by getting Legwand Back to your point about Burke, what exactly did his tirade of 'truculence', 'belligerence', and general war chanting get him and for the Leafs? A new job in Calgary and a lack of success. Granted the Leafs are now better than they have been for a while, but are they really going anywhere? And just exactly how easy is it to trade for legitimate guys with grit who also have the ability to pop in a goal or two? These guys are pretty rare commodities, and as such are valued accordingly. hence why the price for Kesler was/is so high. I'd be interested to see what happens to him in the summer though, especially if the Canucks don't make it. If KH did say the kids weren't the answer, then that's fair enough. But he should be given credit for going with these guys mid season when it was clearly obvious that we needed it due to injuries and guys like Cleary and Bert weren't getting it done anymore. It's one thing to make mistakes, but another to learn from them. The kid line has arguably been our best the last couple of months While I will criticise KH for the moves I don't feel were justified (see resigning Cleary, the Weiss deal, trading for Q), I still have faith and yesterday showed us that KH still wants to win just as much as anyone. As a fan, you cannot fault that, because that is the entire reason we have a 22 year streak in the first place.

Sounds like Alfie might be having some dental issues (not confirmed yet but awaiting further news) http://kuklaskorner.com/tmr/comments/red-wings-make-a-strange-post-deadline-recall-bring-teemu-pulkkinen-into-th

Any idea on Pulkkinen recall? Late scratch somewhere?

Holland bashing aside (and the 22 consecutive years of playoff hockey - I honestly wonder if most of us here actually appreciate that and how incredible that is) here's why I disagree with you: This is a hockey deal if Legwand re-signs (which seems more likely - read Khan's article as to how excited DL is to be playing in Detroit http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2014/03/david_legwand_excited_to_retur.html) The playoff streak aside, the question then becomes 'do you want to make the playoffs or not?' To which the answer should always be a resounding 'yes'. Make it a double yes when you factor in a relatively weak and wide open Eastern Conference. If that isn't the answer every single year then the organisation is doing something wrong How is KH throwing kids under the bus? He had to make a move due to our injuries. By not making a move, it's suicidal for our playoff chances. Can you reference where he has implicitly stated our biggest weakness is lack of toughness or grit? And he likes our youth - Jurco, Sheahan, Nyqvist, Tatar, DeKeyser, and maybe a few others who are in the pipeline like Mantha, Athanasiou, Pulkkinen, Almquist etc etc. The whole point of having a deep prospect pool aside from replenishing your lineup is to use them as assets to upgrade your team. I see nothing wrong with doing so here. Legwand fills a need right now and one that makes this team better going forward. Jarnkrok does not and KH made it clear that he's behind lots of guys. Would you rather have one prospect who's 2/3 years away from making an impact be the reason you didn't make the push to make the playoffs? (streak or no streak) And there have been various reports that have stated Canucks ownership nixed them trading Kesler/Edler etc (http://vansunsportsblogs.com/2014/03/05/no-confidence-in-canucks-front-office-ownership-after-idle-trade-deadline/) And as for everyone else, it was most likely that we'd have to pay a hell of alot more for one those aforementioned D men - which would have created uproar here. Oh and there's also a salary cap to deal with.

Don't know about you, but that looks like a pretty deep team up front. Or am I the only one who would be happy with that? Probably swap Helmer with Legwand or Weiss and you've got a strong forward core.

Jarnkrok MIGHT make the Predators next season because they're a team in the bottom half of a stacked conference right now in a rebuild mode. He wouldn't help the Wings for at least the next 2 years, while Legwand will help now and assist us in getting to the post-season, where as we saw last year, anything can happen. I strongly believe that Legwand may re-sign, (purely based on knowing that he's a hometown guy) which further makes this a better deal. That would bolster our depth down the middle and allow us to play Pav and Hank together, which as we all know, makes for a killer top line (either with Nyqvist or Franzen on the wing). And if you think our strategy is so ridiculous, then how come we keep making the playoffs in a salary cap world where drafting and developing is everything and not doing so will leave you in a massive hole (see Toronto). Everyone here is so quick to complain that KH is trying to ruin this team's future, when actual fact is, everyone forgets what has gone before. 22 straight years. I can't even contemplate how they feel in TO, Calgary or Edmonton. Datsyuk going down for 3 weeks necessitated this move. And IMO its a good one. I for one am looking forward to seeing what Legwand can do to help our team down the stretch. For all Jarnkrok could have been, that is exactly that. Could. He's in a different conference, and most likely won't be having the kind of impact that most of us could imagine for a couple of years from now. In which time we may get lucky enough to keep playing playoff hockey for the next few years improving our team, while the Predators are playing golf. Seems like a good deal to me.

I could not agree more, and this is why I'm a supporter of the Legwand deal. Add into the fact that now, when (if) we get all our guys back healthy, then we've got a great deal of depth at the C position.

I believe in this team, and Legwand will help while our guys get healthy. 3 weeks rest for the Magic man should hopefully help. But honestly, it's one game at a time.

Im sorry, but seriously?????

All this trade bashing is nuts. And here's my opinion as to why: Our top 4 centres are out right now. Legwand gives up a guy who could fill the gap until Datsyuk comes back, and then solidifies our bottom half We have great depth in at C, and giving up a guy who is completely unproven and most likely 3 years away from having the same if not better impact than Legwand will have We are a better team today now than we were yesterday If Legwand plays better than Weiss, and we are able to re-sign him, then maybe we move Weiss As an aside - Eaves wasn't going to stick, so it's good that he now gets a chance for regular playing time. Oh and everyone's whining about how KH doesn't do anything every single year. But here, finally he makes a move that is productive, welcomed, and didn't mortgage either the future significantly nor hamper our current roster, adding a proven NHLer who is good at both ends of the ice. Sounds like a win win to me.

That's not right regarding NY cause: 'The Rangers expressed interest in Kesler, but a source confirmed to ESPN New York's Katie Strang that he would not waive his no-trade clause to go to New York.' Per LeBrun - http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/29451/canucks-still-taking-calls-on-ryan-kesler

this is an excellent point though. Especially 2. What honestly would things have looked like now if we'd got Suter? One can only dream….

And I'm not surprised either. Kid could be dynamite

Maybe KH should get 'off' TSN so he can 'do' something??

NOT trading for Hemsky will most likely mean that we can keep the kids in the lineup down the stretch here. Plus a soft, inconsistent winger? No thanks. Like I said before, kesler would be good, and I think Edler would be a definite upgrade on the back end. But really, what do you guys expect? KH and co realise there is no point selling off the farm because these days drafting and development is what leads to success (as we have seen). I would take a step back and appreciate for a minute what the guys running the show have done to keep us going to the playoffs for 22 straight seasons! Making rash moves won't help that continue.

Hell to it. Go and get Kesler is my opinion. He's signed for 2 more years at $5 after this year and plays a style of game that would be more than welcome. We may have a gluttony of young forwards (and old goats), but at some point we're going to have to get rid of some of them (and hopefully not via the waiver wire to later get burned - see Quincey!)

Fair enough, I'll stand corrected. He's projected to be a very solid number 1 goalie….