wings4thecup06

Last year, I get the need to get worked up about this s***. But this year? New coach, one who particualry is driving the youth movement, isn't going to let Cleary play ahead of those who deserve it. I still respect Cleary, and how can you not for someone who still has passion for the game after all he's put his body through. And actually, when he played last year, he did look better than the previous season when he was just a mess. Why are we spending our time right now worrying, moaning and whining about whats happened the past 2 years? it's not like Holland had to re-acquire him and gave up a no body prospect who's turned into the next Zetterberg. He cost us nothing except a little cap space. Energy would be better spent figuring out things about the upcoming season and the optimism we have going which starts tomorrow with prospects tourney, as opposed to bitching about Cleary who frankly, isn't worth the hassle at a 1 year, 850,000 deal with no bonuses etc.

I think what frank might be getting at is that even tho CCM is owned by Adidas, you can damn sure bet that CCM won't be left to work on these jerseys alone. It'll be hugely influenced by the parent company and we all know they're just not a hockey brand. It really would be nice for once if the NHL could be left to be run by people and companies that truly care about hockey first, but we all know theres no money in that....

tbh being physical isn't the only thing that makes you difficult to play against. And the best guys who have size can learn to use it even without being that physical. Take a guy like Z. Not the biggest, but incredibly strong on the puck and really hard to knock off it. Same with Datsyuk, and we're seeing the same thing with Nyquist. Thus if you're big and strong, you don't have to be running people over to have an impact with that size.

I just think that, like it or not, these guys are professional athletes, and therefore they are role models to millions of people and children growing up. Thus, they're off ice behaviour is probably, almost more important than the behaviour they exhibit on it. If we place a team in Vegas, are we likely to see more stories about off ice behaviour? Can you imagine if the NFL had a team in Vegas? All of these things are obviously subject to our own opinions, and are all projectables. These things may or may not happen at all, and a team there could be a success. Or it coiuld not, and could end up giving the league a bad name. Personally, I don;t think it's worth the risk, especially considering that the 3 biggest sports in the US do not have a franchise in Vegas. I would have thought that would be enough to prohibit the NHL from attempting something like this. Especially considering the vast failures they've had in small, non-hockey markets...

The other problem is, people complain about a lack of entertainment in hockey but really, how is EXPANDING actually going to help with this in making the league more main stream? If anything, it'll dilute the talent base, making the expansion teams and lower level teams having to adopt a New Jersey strategy of trap trap trap and more trap. Scoring will go down, which is what all the media seems to care about, and neither of these teams will end up being that successful. While the other owners will love it, are every GM in the league going to be happy about 2 new teams having the pick of some of there lower end,/potentially useful players/prospects?

Ive been against this idea from the beginning, and now it's one step closer I still find it totally abhorrent. There'll be no real fan base there, and there could be constant links to gambling. And what about the team that lives there? Can you imagine some of the more shadier characters in the league being able to stay out of trouble? It's another desperate attempt by Gary to try and force hockey onto markets it doesn't belong for the sake of expansion fees to fill the pockets of those paying his salary.

sportsk.com do good stuff. I bought my Wings winter classic jersey from them last year and it was great

How can the league expect teams like Florida and Phoenix to compete when there's contracts like this going around? Its nuts. I know i'm banging the same old drum, and I know its both players and owners and GMs driving up salaries, but I still don't think anyone is worth that, and we're headed for another lockout and possibly another rollback of salaries. This will only end when the league implements a rule unlinking the cap from league revenues. Its murder....

But these salaries are getting ridiculous. Look at the contracts signed recently and the money. How are markets like Phoenix and Florida supposed to content and keep up when now mid level players are being paid like the stars were 3-4 years ago? It's nuts. And for a guy like Holtby to ask for 8m? It's just continuing to drive salaries up across the board.

Can anyone else smell another lockout brewing?

Maybe not better options as it looks right now, but how are these guys supposed to realise their potential if they don't ever get to play at the highest level? I get your opinion, I just feel its time the Wings took a chance with 1 of these guys, especially with how they both played last year. Kindl plays arguably the most sheltered minutes in the league in terms of D, which is why he looks good every time he comes into the lineup, appears to play well for a couple of games, then makes the inevitable couple of mistakes and gets bounced. Its the same story over and over, I just feel its time the Wings cut their losses with him. That's my opinion though

I actually cursed a little to myself when we signed Green. Purely because I knew it meant that both Ouellet and Marchenko will start the year (and probably stay for most of it) in Grand Rapids. Seriously. What have these guys got left to prove down there? I'm not asking for too much change, but seriously, I agree with what Dabura said earlier. These guys need a chance to play, because how can they grow into their full NHL potential if they're stuck in the minors. I get it. You never want to give up on a former first rounder. But the Wings have 2 (Kindl and Smith), one of whom needs to be moved IMO (Kindl) and has been needed to be jettisoned for quite some time. Smith I'm fine with, because I see the potential, and if he gets PP time this year, it might help him grow more. I might get scalped for this, but I see no issue with Quincey. He was solid last year, and he and DK were our best pairing all year long. I think the time has come for the Wings to seriously think about moving Ericsson and Kindl, maybe even Smith, and giving Ouellet and Marchenko a proper shot for a full season. All the Wings have to do is open up one spot (I'm not advocating we trade all of Ericsson, Kindl and Smith at once, that would be stupid and could backfire if Ouellet and Marchenko struggle), and just give them a chance.

Plus, I think AA flew a little under the radar, especially at the beginning of last year, then he broke his jaw. His reputations has always been as a solid defensive forward, but he showed last year that he can also put up points. It was a big year for him, and I think that raised his status within the organisation. Plus, Mantha and Larkin were first round picks. For a team that rarely has 1st round picks, that makes their expectations even greater.

Frankly I could give 2 s**** about moves that KH 'should' make. Im sorry, but i'll still say the out look of this team is extremely bright. The free agent class SUCKS. And the last thing we need is another Stephen Weiss bad type contract that we'll just regret, take up a roster spot, and block someone who could be better long term making an impact. This team has a good young coach, who has already got to know half of the team and coached most, if not all of them, who's had success at every level, chomping at the bit to prove he's better or equal to the man he's replacing. We've got a great goalie tandem, with Mrazek looking like a future stud in the making. Great prospects on D who might FINALLY get a chance to play full time with the team this season like they should have been doing last year. Some terrific young forwards, Tatar, Nyquist, Sheahan, Pulkkinen, Abby, Helm to name a few that really could keep improving and add to our foreword depth. Some terrific prospects in GR the likes of Larkin, Mantha, Athanasiou, who could be ready to contribute very very soon. This is a playoff team who nearly defeated the eventual SC finalists. I see no problems in sticking with the program, letting the young guys gradually have bigger roles. I see no need for impatience or any brash moves just to try and 'keep up with the Joneses'. I believe this team will be good for a long time and has several great pieces on the way. I'd rather not see us blow it all with some stupid moves now.

I think this is better, except just put Ferraro on the 4th line instead of Andersson. Gives it a bit more speed and physicality.

Meh. I don't know. They should move the team back to Quebec IMO. God help us if they put a team in Vegas.

anyone got a stream?

does anyone have a stream for tonights draft that's viewable in europe?

Honestly, I still reckon Weiss will be bought out. As for the D, I'd actually be pretty happy if they jettisoned Kindl, and gave Ouellet and Marchenko a permanent shot, and see what happens. As for Mantha, they should keep hold of him. If after a second season in the AHL, it's obvious he isn't what the Wings thought they had, then they can trade him. But you can't just trade him away because he had one bad year.

Exactly. There isn't any need to start panicking about Mantha or thinking about jettisoning him off somewhere else at this point. The kid started way behind, came off a pretty serious injury, and still put up 32 points in a league that was way harder than the QMJHL. I agree. If he has a good camp, starts the season strong, and works everyday as a pro should, there's no reason this guy couldn't be a good permanent scorer for the Wings. He has the skill set and the size in a forward that the Wings really haven't had since Franzen was awesome and Shanahan tbh. I don't expect KH and co to give up on Mantha just because he struggled in his first pro season. If he'd done that with all our prospects we'd be nowhere right now. I think the thing that has changed with Mantha was the fact that he was so hyped coming out of juniors, and that raised everyone's expectations. Then he got injured. And everyone ended up disappointed. Yet with most other first year pro's, I think most would have been happy with the result considering the circumstances.

that first goal was a beauty. Really excited to see if this Griffins team can help Blashill go out on a high.

At this point, it almost has to be Blashill. Re-signing him to an extension last year that pays double what any other AHL coach makes, refusing to let other NHL teams talk to him...... Really. The guy is a winner. And the Wings management have clearly earmarked him as the plan B in case Babcock left...

While I agree Howard should be traded eventually, I don;t think the Wings should just hand Mrazek the starting job based on a really good playoff. Howard is still a very good goalie, and his value can improve if he plays well in the regular season up to the trade deadline. Plus, where's the harm in having two really really good goalie's next year up to the deadline, and then trading Howie when his value could be at its highest and the return could be the greatest. Right now it's not, because he's been injured and he struggled. Also, Mrazek will need some tutoring and help getting through his first full NHL season playing 40/50 games. He really hasn't proven yet that he can handle the rigours of it and needs to work out his consistency issues. He's definitely our goalie of the future, but it'd be a bit short sighted to jettison Howard so quickly IMO

It makes no sense to ditch howard right now, even more so coming off his poor second half. His trade value will go up when he plays next season and proves that he's back to better form. Plus, Mrazek hasn't shown he can handle a full NHL season yet. What if he struggles and you've already jettisoned Howard? The smart thing to do is to keep both, let them go head to head with each other during the regular season, and if Mrazek looks like he's taking over, then trade Howard at the deadline so you can upgrade the blue line at the same time. No point rushing this really.

Yea I will, even as pissed off at the league as I am, its the Wings, and it's game 7. And like Babs said yesterday, I'm sure most of us here if told back in August that we'd be in a game 7 in the first round would take it in a heartbeat. although i won't be watching live. The last few games I've stayed up to watch live the Wings have lost.....