Next Years Defense...

[Airborn 0]

If we bring Hasek back, then I'd find a space for Kindl and perhaps even Quincey.

If Hasek retires, and we end up going with Howard, we should bring back Markov and Schneider, or find veteran replacements for each of them. I don't think it would be wise to have a young defense in front of a rookie goaltender. That isn't a receipe for success.

[eva unit zero 271]

he sort of reminded me of Fischer for his tendency to turn over pucks.

Jiri Fischer gave the puck away less per game than Nick Lidstrom or Chris Chelios last season, and everyone wants both of those guys back largely on defensive ability...so I don't think 'he gives the puck away like Fischer did' is a BAD thing. Schneider had a better ratio than Chelios last season, and is about the same this season, come to think of it. Schneider also has a better ratio than Nick this year.

[Andy Pred 48 337]

The only way Kindl doesn't make the Wings next year is him bombing at camp. He is by far the best allround blueliner in the OHL at present.

The kid is racking up Lidstrom amount of ice time for the Rangers and I see him being Nic's future long term replacement and not Kronvall. I don't see Kindl going to GR, but coming in and being groomed by the great vet's we have on the blueline. For my money Lebda is becoming a more allround better player by playing with Cheli the past couple of years and has made more progress than Nik Jnr has. Both have very similar stats in their early career's but only 3 goals from his 105 games isn't what was forcast for Kronvall I'm sure. He still has time on his side and maybe next year he may breakout and have the production expected of him. At present he is getting almost 6 mins a game more than Lebda, but isn't showing up much more on the scorechart. Not to sure about Quincey, he is having a indifferent year in GR and this maybe him coming up against the opposing toplines this year. He has the size and with the right partner uses his skills accordingly. Maybe him and Kindl could be a perfect match in a couple of years. Ericsson has surpassed all expectations of him in GR this year. Will do well to crack the Wings line up, but with his size and previous forward play he may be the ideal 7thD/13thFWD roled into one. Will be a very interesting summer this year.

[norrisnick 1]

Kindl is such an offensive D-man that i don't see him on the Wings next year if Schneider is still here.

With Lidstrom, Kronwall, Kindl, Lebda and Schneider in the line up i would SERIOUSLY worry about our defenses ability to actually defend

btw Kindl has 1 goal and 2 asssits last night for Kitchener - 53 points in 52 games and +22

I see it t his way. With Kindl on the Wings I don't see any room for Schneider.

[Wingsfan72 198]

I think Quincey will be great for the team. He seems to play very well in the nhl.

He scored on Kipper on his first shot when he was called up fron GR but it was called off on an offsides.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

LILJA WILL NOT GO ON WAIVERS. As much as people like to think Lilja is the scum of the earth, he is a good 6th defenseman and could easily fill that role on probably half the teams in this league. He makes a great salary for what he could bring to a team in need of defense next season. He could easily be traded for a mid-level pick over the summer.

Lidstrom - Kronwall

Lebda - Markov or UFA

Kindl - Quincey/Chelios

Chelios/Quincey

I think at 45/46, Chelios will probably be given nights off a la Hasek and Quincey will fill the same type of role that Lebda filled last season, playing about half the season between nights off for Chelios and injuries. I really think keeping Chelios is a no brainer and if we have possibly two young defenseman come in next season, hell be an asset in a mentoring role.

As for the UFA, Id like to see the Wings look at a stay at home Dman with a physical presence. Although he takes a lot of penalties, Id like to see Witt here to replace Markov. He could probably be had for the same price, is just as physical, but would also drop the gloves. I think he makes 2.5 this season.

I see it t his way. With Kindl on the Wings I don't see any room for Schneider.

I completely agree. And I think Kronner has only gotten smarter with the puck on the point as the years progressed. Between Lidstrom, Kindl, Kronwall, and Lebda, I dont see a whole lot of offense lost from the back end. And cutting Schneider loose only means more money to put towards the forward units.

Edited March 10, 2007 by YoungGuns1340

[SweWings 45]

I don't really know how badly/well Kronwall plays on a regular basis. In the highlight reels and some live games I've seen him do his share of turn-overs and bad plays - some of them really bad. On the other hand I've seen him have some nice physical play, some good puck-movement and shots. I don't know, he doesn't seem to have the stability yet. I'd have expected him to pick up some more points this season.

What I've seen when he's played in/for Sweden he's been really good. Especially in the Swedish national squad he's done some good stuff and been the top defender on the swedish squad together with Kenny Jonsson. I hope that this is some kind of an adjustment season and that next year he'll be living up to the expectations.

[Kp-Wings 3]

Why does everyone want to play Kindl in the NHL now? Haven't you ever heard of developing players?

They're have been plenty of players that turn out to be busts if they are rushed to quickly. *Former* Wing Dave Chyzowksi comes to mind. While I admit, Chyzowski was taken much higher in the draft, and he was a forward not a d-man, it's the same situation. He was playing the NHL at age 18 and just wasn't ready. Kindl is not very old right now, and I don't feel he is ready. I think we should wait a year or two so he develops and isn't rushed.

[theman19 47]

Why does everyone want to play Kindl in the NHL now? Haven't you ever heard of developing players?

They're have been plenty of players that turn out to be busts if they are rushed to quickly. *Former* Wing Dave Chyzowksi comes to mind. While I admit, Chyzowski was taken much higher in the draft, and he was a forward not a d-man, it's the same situation. He was playing the NHL at age 18 and just wasn't ready. Kindl is not very old right now, and I don't feel he is ready. I think we should wait a year or two so he develops and isn't rushed.

because kindl came within a breath of making the club during training. Not bad, in fact if we wern't as deep as we are on D he'd be up now

[eva unit zero 271]

because kindl came within a breath of making the club during training. Not bad, in fact if we wern't as deep as we are on D he'd be up now

There's no harm in playing Kindl a year or two in the AHL.

Jiri Fischer made the club as a teenager, and was shuttled up and down the next few years because he was too good to keep off the club, but still needed to get the development time in the AHL.

Play Kindl a year in the AHL, bring back Schneider and Markov. Give Kronwall more ice time next season, play him with Lidstrom and Markov with Schneider.

Kindl can come in in 08-09 or maybe even 09-10. He could definitely benefit from a couple years of seasoning in the AHL as the top dog.

[Mighty Wings 0]

I don't know why people wanna see or think Kindl playing for the wings without playing in the AHL. Even Kronvall played half a season before actually getting a call up. He shouldn't be just handed a spot on the team, he needs to earn it. Quincey or Meech are far more deserving of a spot on this team than kindl because they're more polished. But IMO, there should be like an open competition in the pre-season next year for a spot and let kindl, quincey, ericsson and meech decide who'll get it.

[HenryMalredo 2]

I don't know why people wanna see or think Kindl playing for the wings without playing in the AHL. Even Kronvall played half a season before actually getting a call up. He shouldn't be just handed a spot on the team, he needs to earn it. Quincey or Meech are far more deserving of a spot on this team than kindl because they're more polished. But IMO, there should be like an open competition in the pre-season next year for a spot and let kindl, quincey, ericsson and meech decide who'll get it.

They do have that. It's called training camp.

[up2here 41]

No no no, of course I don't think either of those guys should be the 7th d-man and sit. I just think that when a top-six d-man is out, why not bring up one of the younger guys to back up? Lilja is just terrible and a few games with the big boys every now and then couldn't hurt Quincey or Ericsson. They will get enough solid minutes in GR in the meantime.

But yes, I hope Lilja would be pushed out of the system somehow.

And Kindl won't need AHL seasoning, he's a top-end prospect. As I said before, he almost made the Wings out of training camp. For example, Zetterberg and Datsyuk never played one minute in GR.

Apparantly Kindl is NHL ready(According to scouts) but usually defensemen take longer to develop than forwards.

[Kp-Wings 3]

And Kindl won't need AHL seasoning, he's a top-end prospect. As I said before, he almost made the Wings out of training camp. For example, Zetterberg and Datsyuk never played one minute in GR.

There is a skill difference between the OHL and professional leagues in Sweden and Russia respectavly. The OHL is mostly guys under 20 years old. The leagues that Zetterberg and Datsyuk played in had former NHL players, and many prospects that were soon to be NHL ready. So there is a difference.

My thought is to just give Kindl AHL time. Unless he's Sidney Crosby, it's very unlikely that he'll jump right straight from juniors to the NHL and make an impact. We have Quincey, Ericsson, Meetch, and a few others that will soon be ready. Or they can choose to re-sign Schneider if they want. I feel that Kindl should only be brought in if they have no other alternetive options. And right now, there are other options that would be better in the long run.

Edited March 12, 2007 by Kp-Wings

[FinWing 26]

There is a skill difference between the OHL and professional leagues in Sweden and Russia respectavly. The OHL is mostly guys under 20 years old. The leagues that Zetterberg and Datsyuk played in had former NHL players, and many prospects that were soon to be NHL ready. So there is a difference.

My thought is to just give Kindl AHL time. Unless he's Sidney Crosby, it's very unlikely that he'll jump right straight from juniors to the NHL and make an impact. We have Quincey, Ericsson, Meetch, and a few others that will soon be ready. Or they can choose to re-sign Schneider if they want. I feel that Kindl should only be brought in if they have no other alternetive options. And right now, there are other options that would be better in the long run.

I see your point. But as for his abilities, Kindl seems to be playing in the wrong league this season. If he was already close to making the Wings out of camp, I don't see why he wouldn't be even closer next season.

He would certainly benefit greatly from playing with our veterans, even if it means his ice time will be somewhat limited to start with.