Wings need 3 new players to win Cup

[Guest Hatethedrake!]

The way I see it is that the Wings have ALMOST exactly what it takes to win the Cup this season. The good news is that we have the Cap space and there are 3 players out there who are UFA's who should not cost that much in trades.

The obvious need is for a top 4 dman to replace Lilja in the playoffs. I like Lilja. He's an excellent team player and he has alot of guts blocking as many shots as he does. But we all know he gives it away more often than Lindsay Lohan does. As a depth #7 guy I am happy. Rob Blake is rumoured to be going to Detroit. I know he has the bad ankle but it sounds like he will be fine for the playoffs. I see us giving up Meech OR Quincey and a 1st.

The second need is for a top 6 forward. We've all heard names such as Sundin, Hossa, Jokinen and Forsberg. And the prices are high. Holland does not want to surrender his best young assets like Howard, Kindl and Ericsson. There is a player out there who can still play a role on this team and it's Sergei Fedorov. I know Wings fans are split on #91 but to me I think he would REALLY help our secondary scoring in the playoffs and I also believe that he and Filppula could be dynamite together. I see us giving up a 2nd round pick plus a B level prospect like Rhyno or Abdelkader.

The third need is for some size and/or grit to keep the flies off our skill guys and to instill some fear into the other team. A guy who can create some space with hits and add some snarl especially if we face a team such as Anaheim in the playoffs. Again I reach for the past and suggest Marty Lapointe. He is only 33 it just seems he has been around forever because...well he has been around forever. I see Marty playing with Malts and Drapes on the checking line. I know Marty is not the best guy defenisvely but Malts and Drapes can offset that. Marty brings an intangible we sorely need right now. He would make our other players play with more determination. I see us getting Marty for a 3rd round pick.

I know what some of you will say. We should not be acquiring ex Red Wings. Well Chris Osgood has played very well for us. Drake not so much. Why did he stop hitting? Anyway...I would not suggest these 3 players if I did not believe they could help us win the Cup. We have $14.5 mil in full season Cap space. Getting these 3 would cost us $14.4 mil. 6 mil for Blake, 6 mil for Sergei and 2.4 mil for Marty.

The new playoff lines would be as follows...

Zetterberg/Datsyuk/Holmstrom

Filppula/Fedorov/Cleary

Maltby/Draper/Lapointe

Kopecky/Franzen/Samuelsson

depth: Hudler, Drake, Downey, Ellis

Lidstrom/Rafalski

Kronwall/Blake

Lebda/Chelios

depth: Lilja, Meech, Quincey

Hasek/Osgood

Hudler remains on the team however I see Babcock wanting Kopecky's size more in the playoffs. Babs can always insert Hudler if he sees fit to. All 3 new players would be UFA's at season's end so we would not be stuck with any long term salary commitments. Our #1 off season goal is to get Hank under contract for the next 7-8 seasons.

I know this proposed playoff line-up does not guarantee a Cup. However considering all the factors involved such as Need, Salary Cap, Player availability, long term/short term implications, chemistry...this is what I would try to do if I were Holland.

Holland an CO. are much smarter than me when it comes to hockey decisions. I trust them to do what is best for the Red Wings. We only have to wait a little more than 2 weeks to see what happens.

What would you guys do?

[Sevumar 0]

The way I see it is that the Wings have ALMOST exactly what it takes to win the Cup this season. The good news is that we have the Cap space and there are 3 players out there who are UFA's who should not cost that much in trades.

The obvious need is for a top 4 dman to replace Lilja in the playoffs. I like Lilja. He's an excellent team player and he has alot of guts blocking as many shots as he does. But we all know he gives it away more often than Lindsay Lohan does. As a depth #7 guy I am happy. Rob Blake is rumoured to be going to Detroit. I know he has the bad ankle but it sounds like he will be fine for the playoffs. I see us giving up Meech OR Quincey and a 1st.

The second need is for a top 6 forward. We've all heard names such as Sundin, Hossa, Jokinen and Forsberg. And the prices are high. Holland does not want to surrender his best young assets like Howard, Kindl and Ericsson. There is a player out there who can still play a role on this team and it's Sergei Fedorov. I know Wings fans are split on #91 but to me I think he would REALLY help our secondary scoring in the playoffs and I also believe that he and Filppula could be dynamite together. I see us giving up a 2nd round pick plus a B level prospect like Rhyno or Abdelkader.

The third need is for some size and/or grit to keep the flies off our skill guys and to instill some fear into the other team. A guy who can create some space with hits and add some snarl especially if we face a team such as Anaheim in the playoffs. Again I reach for the past and suggest Marty Lapointe. He is only 33 it just seems he has been around forever because...well he has been around forever. I see Marty playing with Malts and Drapes on the checking line. I know Marty is not the best guy defenisvely but Malts and Drapes can offset that. Marty brings an intangible we sorely need right now. He would make our other players play with more determination. I see us getting Marty for a 3rd round pick.

I know what some of you will say. We should not be acquiring ex Red Wings. Well Chris Osgood has played very well for us. Drake not so much. Why did he stop hitting? Anyway...I would not suggest these 3 players if I did not believe they could help us win the Cup. We have $14.5 mil in full season Cap space. Getting these 3 would cost us $14.4 mil. 6 mil for Blake, 6 mil for Sergei and 2.4 mil for Marty.

The new playoff lines would be as follows...

Zetterberg/Datsyuk/Holmstrom

Filppula/Fedorov/Cleary

Maltby/Draper/Lapointe

Kopecky/Franzen/Samuelsson

depth: Hudler, Drake, Downey, Ellis

Lidstrom/Rafalski

Kronwall/Blake

Lebda/Chelios

depth: Lilja, Meech, Quincey

Hasek/Osgood

Hudler remains on the team however I see Babcock wanting Kopecky's size more in the playoffs. Babs can always insert Hudler if he sees fit to. All 3 new players would be UFA's at season's end so we would not be stuck with any long term salary commitments. Our #1 off season goal is to get Hank under contract for the next 7-8 seasons.

I know this proposed playoff line-up does not guarantee a Cup. However considering all the factors involved such as Need, Salary Cap, Player availability, long term/short term implications, chemistry...this is what I would try to do if I were Holland.

Holland an CO. are much smarter than me when it comes to hockey decisions. I trust them to do what is best for the Red Wings. We only have to wait a little more than 2 weeks to see what happens.

What would you guys do?

I can respect that people think we need a shot in the arm to fortify the team for the playoffs, but I'm not convinced shelling out 2002 money for 2008 Fedorov is a good buy. Let's see if we can't get some younger players with some future promise. I have no problem with them making future commitments.

It seems shortsighted to spend money and trade bait to get a short term fix. I'm not sure why we'd even want Marty Lapointe back.

This is a great chance to get some young blood into the system. Let's not fritter our chances away on players in the twilight of their careers. Nostalgia is great, but it won't bring back the glory days of ex-Wings.

[Echolalia 2,961]

I would prefer Hudler over Fedorov going into this year's playoffs. He's washed up.

Prospal I think is a solid pick up. Shouldn't cost too much and is an efficient, solid, player that we can use to boost up our second line. Blake also would be a good idea for defense.

[timsummers 0]

i like your ideas a lot. I think Blake is going to be healthy and would be an awesome addition for the playoffs. With cleary hurt and maybe not being in game shape come playoffs we definitely need another scorer. I would love sergei to come back but i think we might have to give up a bit more for him. maybe a 2nd and a higher prospect or someone like hudler. we definitely need some more grit, and sooner rather than later. It seems like datsyuk is getting roughed up more and more each game and we arent even in the playoffs yet. marty la-penalty seems like he may be a good fit, i cant really think of someone else that can bring some grit and at least a little scoring to the table off hand so ill have to agree with you on him also. :thumbup:

[Mors 201]

I wouldn't be opposed to getting any of them if they could be acquired with as little sacrifice as you theorize

[OsGOD 3]

Basically with the way our team is playing we need the obvious three

A GOALIE

A FORWARD

A DEFENSEMAN

Once we find out the balance we will be all set.

[Izzy24 44]

No new players needed, just give Drake and Chelios more ice time.

[OsGOD 3]

No new players needed, just give Drake and Chelios more ice time.

Dammit you always make me 2nd guess my posts by coming in speaking logic...

I concur with you!!!

[SwedeLundin77 460]

I like who you are thinking about, even Fedorov and Lapointe, but I can't help but feel like we would be giving up too much future for three "potential" renters. That's too much to give up. I don't see us getting Lapointe, mostly because having Downey and Drake makes Lapointe a pointless acquisition, but also because Chicago will not trade with us as long as they are in the playoff race and I don't see them falling that far out of it.

I really would love to see Fedorov back here. Let me be honest here, I was pissed at Feds for leaving when he did, but I do believe that he would play a lot stronger in our system and with our forwards and would be an excellent addition to our second line with most likely Filppula and Cleary. I could also see him playing with Franzen, Hudler, or Samuelsson too. I think trying to acquire Fedorov would be great but once again, you're talking about dealing with a team within our division and also in the playoff hunt still... This isn't as easy as we think it is. I think if we were to get Fedorov we would have to deal Hudler and a 2nd rounder for him (which I don't mind).

The other players I would like to see us make a move for at the deadline (especially with Cleary being out until the playoffs begin most likely) are not Hossa or Sundin, although I would not mind if we did acquire either one of them, I just think we'd have to give up WAY too much.

I'd like to see us attain Vaclav Prospal, he's a UFA at seasons end and you know he can produce. He is a great passer and can put the puck in the net too. I would like to see him here on the second line - DO IT KENNY!

On defense, we NEED depth. Meech and/or Quincey are not going to cut it this year if someone goes down. We need more of an impact player. Blake is #1 on my list as I'm sure he is on others too. He would give us a dynamic second power play point man with Kronwall. Imagine having Lidstrom/Rafalski on the fist PP pairing and then backing that up with Kronwall/Blake.... That's sick. Second of all, Blake is a responsible defender, he can hit and clear the net, and he is a leader. Bring Blake to town!

If Blake does not work out, I would like to see us get someone a little more low-key but responsible and tough. Names like Modry, Stuart, McCabe, or Gill come to mind with emphasis on Gill because of his size and propensity to deliver strong checks and clear the front of the net. These are my wishes for defense.

I believe that we should make two SMART moves by the deadline. We don't need Hossa or Sundin in my opinion. My wishes are the we can obtain a forward (Prospal or Fedorov) and a defenseman (Blake or Gill).

That is my two cents on the subject.

[Grittzkey 1]

Stuart > Blake

We dont need old washed up expensive players, We need youthful guys who are good with the puck, and arent going to cost an arm in a leg to keep and trade for.

Toughness > Top 6 Forward

Sure Hossa,Sundin would be nice, But we'd give to much up. Trading to get a malone/gratton type guy will cost less, and provide more for us during PO time and long term then a rental player would.

D-Mac > Lappy

Why trade away anything for an old turd like Lappy, If we wanted overpaid underperforming guys we could look elsewhere, Dmac is cheaper. and would fill the same role you planned on having lappy play.

BTW, Dallas Drake is fine. He plays his role. get over it.

[Izzy24 44]

Dammit you always make me 2nd guess my posts by coming in speaking logic...

I concur with you!!!

Then it's settled. :beerbuddy:

[Guest Hatethedrake!]

Stuart > Blake

We dont need old washed up expensive players, We need youthful guys who are good with the puck, and arent going to cost an arm in a leg to keep and trade for.

Toughness > Top 6 Forward

Sure Hossa,Sundin would be nice, But we'd give to much up. Trading to get a malone/gratton type guy will cost less, and provide more for us during PO time and long term then a rental player would.

D-Mac > Lappy

Why trade away anything for an old turd like Lappy, If we wanted overpaid underperforming guys we could look elsewhere, Dmac is cheaper. and would fill the same role you planned on having lappy play.

BTW, Dallas Drake is fine. He plays his role. get over it.

I saw some intelligent reponses in this thread. Even the ones who disagreed with me. Thank you. However I got to yours and lost hockey IQ points after reading it. Dallas Drake does not play his role. How about you get over it? McCarty is 2 years older than Marty is so I guess that makes Mac a VERY OLD TURD. I like Mac but we don't know if his comeback will be successful or not. I hope it is. Try to watch some actual Red Wings games. Pay special attention to Drake. You want to see a guy who is washed up? That's #17.

Edited February 10, 2008 by Hatethedrake!

[Izzy24 44]

If the Wings need anything to win the Cup, it's a French-Canadian.

[Grittzkey 1]

Dallas Drake does not play his role. How about you get over it?

Whatever you say chief.

[Guest Hatethedrake!]

If the Wings need anything to win the Cup, it's a French-Canadian.

Lecavalier would be nice but I don't see it happening.

[Sevumar 0]

Lecavalier would be nice but I don't see it happening.

Lecavalier is almost certainly a package deal with St. Louis. They're too much like Draper and Maltby.

[Grittzkey 1]

Lecavalier would be nice but I don't see it happening.

[Izzy24 44]

Lecavalier would be nice but I don't see it happening.

Lecavalier is almost certainly a package deal with St. Louis. They're too much like Draper and Maltby.

It wouldn't have to be a superstar type player, a role player would be sufficient.

[Guest Hatethedrake!]

And thank you for being a moron Captain Dips***. Please do not post pictures of yourself. It makes sense you play for the pink team but there is simply no need to display it on here.

Edited February 10, 2008 by Hatethedrake!

[Rice 42]

Lecavalier is almost certainly a package deal with St. Louis. They're too much like Draper and Maltby.

Yeah, it wouldn't be too hard to work out a deal to send a combined $12 million cap hit to one team.

[Sevumar 0]

Yeah, it wouldn't be too hard to work out a deal to send a combined $12 million cap hit to one team.

I'm not saying we should go after them or that we'd even have a chance, but those two are joined at the hip. An old high school friend who is a Caps fan has an intense hatred of them and says St. Louis reminds him of a jockey.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Hmm, or. Sundin, Blake and Gratton. We give up alot, but with that kind of talent coming in, it can do no wrong.

[Fedorovfan 25]

think if the Wings get Blake and a guy like Zherdev (Blue Jackets) they will lift the cup. But, they must address the power play (or lack there of) and defensive holes that have showed the past 3-4 games.

[sinbin 3]

Feds & Campbell! Getr done, Kenny!

[Lou_Siffer 1]

In a perfect world...

-Hudler for Malone

-pick/prospect for Gratton (major upgrade to the bottom 6)

-big, physical defenseman which i havent made up my mind on, however i dont think we need to go the Blake route

- case of PBR for Samuelsson