sean

Interesting take. If he's going to be a more talented Dallas Drake, I'm in.

Our center depth is decent now, but in 4 -5 years?
Dats might be done, Zetterberg is going to be decidedly on the back-end of his career, as is Legwand.
Andersson is...passable I guess, Glendening is not a real hockey player. Helm can't seem to put more than 5 games together, and Weiss, almost a season into his DRW career, hasn't shown is anything at all.
It's like a lot of names, but really not a great group, IMO.

I don't think remaining cap space is Holland's primary criteria when considering acquisitions. If that were the case, we'd have probably shelled out the cash for Jagr this off-season. I really think for Holland, it's more about value -- Am I getting what I paid for? Pretty much every move he makes is a steal, because, well, those are the only moves he cares to make.
To this end, I really don't see Holland moving on a Parise or Suter this off-season. While they are likely amongst the best players available, the media salivating over them and the way GMs blow cap space these days pretty much ensures they won't be a good value. Of course, there is always some chance -- perhaps Parise really wants to play in Detroit.
I can't believe the hype that surrounded Paul fricken Gaustad on deadline day.

lol

i just negged you by mistake

i just negged you by mistake

You mean the Marian Hossa who Holland had no interest in, and who's agent called Holland and said that Hossa wanted to play for Detroit so bad that he'd take a pay cut and sign a short term deal to do so? I remember him too, but I hardly think that his actions are par for the course.

I don't think remaining cap space is Holland's primary criteria when considering acquisitions. If that were the case, we'd have probably shelled out the cash for Jagr this off-season. I really think for Holland, it's more about value -- Am I getting what I paid for? Pretty much every move he makes is a steal, because, well, those are the only moves he cares to make.
To this end, I really don't see Holland moving on a Parise or Suter this off-season. While they are likely amongst the best players available, the media salivating over them and the way GMs blow cap space these days pretty much ensures they won't be a good value. Of course, there is always some chance -- perhaps Parise really wants to play in Detroit.
I can't believe the hype that surrounded Paul fricken Gaustad on deadline day.

Continuity is the reason this team has made the playoffs 21 years in a row.

I don't think remaining cap space is Holland's primary criteria when considering acquisitions. If that were the case, we'd have probably shelled out the cash for Jagr this off-season. I really think for Holland, it's more about value -- Am I getting what I paid for? Pretty much every move he makes is a steal, because, well, those are the only moves he cares to make.
To this end, I really don't see Holland moving on a Parise or Suter this off-season. While they are likely amongst the best players available, the media salivating over them and the way GMs blow cap space these days pretty much ensures they won't be a good value. Of course, there is always some chance -- perhaps Parise really wants to play in Detroit.
I can't believe the hype that surrounded Paul fricken Gaustad on deadline day.

lol

lol

Continuity is the reason this team has made the playoffs 21 years in a row.

Continuity is the reason this team has made the playoffs 21 years in a row.

I am glad that Theo is man enough to come forward and publically deal with this. Some men would not be strong enough to do so.

I have a feeling that Holland is going to get burned for playing by the rules -- a very sad state of affairs for the NHL.
Take this trade deadline as an example: He (IMO, correctly) assessed that there wasn't anybody out there worth the asking price. Other GMs indeed did pay these prices. Other GMs have handed out unsustainable contracts over the past 5 or so years. Already, talks of another lockout are circulating. Likely, this would include some kind of amnesty clause for big-ticket contracts, or at least offer a way for GMs to fix their mistakes. This pretty much nullifies Holland's game-plan, IE don't mortgage the future.
So, I think this is the analogy with respect to the car industry you really want to make : Other GMs are going to be bailed out one way or another by the NHL, much the same way certain automakers have, while those who worked hard to sustain a team will, in a way, have their work undone.

on the other hand, if you're a player or players agent about to sign a new contract, will you rather sign for a GM who is known to respect the agreements, even for less money, or chose someone who once counted on league bailout (subsequently stripping players from their incomes) and risk part of your future salary not being paid, thereby effectively lowering the real value of the contract?
it's not really a free lunch to GMs here, as they do risk their image and future abilities to sign/trade. thankfully!

I have a feeling that Holland is going to get burned for playing by the rules -- a very sad state of affairs for the NHL.
Take this trade deadline as an example: He (IMO, correctly) assessed that there wasn't anybody out there worth the asking price. Other GMs indeed did pay these prices. Other GMs have handed out unsustainable contracts over the past 5 or so years. Already, talks of another lockout are circulating. Likely, this would include some kind of amnesty clause for big-ticket contracts, or at least offer a way for GMs to fix their mistakes. This pretty much nullifies Holland's game-plan, IE don't mortgage the future.
So, I think this is the analogy with respect to the car industry you really want to make : Other GMs are going to be bailed out one way or another by the NHL, much the same way certain automakers have, while those who worked hard to sustain a team will, in a way, have their work undone.

in what? UFC?
There seems to be a disconnect these days between what is fun to watch and what makes an effective NHL team/player.

And on top of this, think of all the stupid moves he DIDN"T make. In the midst of GMs everywhere throwing stupid money around and handing out unsustainable cotracts, Holland has played it pretty cool.

And on top of this, think of all the stupid moves he DIDN"T make. In the midst of GMs everywhere throwing stupid money around and handing out unsustainable cotracts, Holland has played it pretty cool.

And on top of this, think of all the stupid moves he DIDN"T make. In the midst of GMs everywhere throwing stupid money around and handing out unsustainable cotracts, Holland has played it pretty cool.

He's not too overpaid IMO, even if he only plays at this level (which is actually decent).
Things will look a little more proportionate when Kronwall gets his new contract, which will probably be 5-6 million. Lidstrom taking a huge pay-cut, with respect to what he could be making, also makes E's contract look bigger.
Also, you can bet that having 10 million or so in cap-space this offseason sure played into his agent's hand.
Finally, keep in mind that E's contract is only about 2.8 million in 2010-2011 dollars.

Holland brought in Brett Hull, not Bowman. Holland brought in Marian Hossa. Brian Rafalski, Brad Stuart. Derian Hatcher was considered a top defenseman when Holland signed him; calling that signing a mistake because he was injured is like saying the Wings shouldn't have drafted Jiri Fischer because of his then unknown heart condition.

He's not too overpaid IMO, even if he only plays at this level (which is actually decent).
Things will look a little more proportionate when Kronwall gets his new contract, which will probably be 5-6 million. Lidstrom taking a huge pay-cut, with respect to what he could be making, also makes E's contract look bigger.
Also, you can bet that having 10 million or so in cap-space this offseason sure played into his agent's hand.
Finally, keep in mind that E's contract is only about 2.8 million in 2010-2011 dollars.