Holland's deadline moves..

[KronwallCRUNCH 5]

I was just watching the begninning of game 4 against the Avs on the replay this morning, and the announcers said something interesting..

"The acquisition of Brad Stuart at the deadline gives Detroit two shutdown pairs.."

It's no secret that Detroit's defense has been outstanding so far in the playoffs, are the people that were up-in-arms about not going after that huge power forward (or Floppa) still mad? Looks like Holland has done it again.

[Yemack 1]

I wonder how Dabura feels right now.

[Z and D for the C 712]

I'd have loved to get prospal. (oh my god after looking at that trade I can't believe how little he went for)

But stuart was a good move for sure.

Edited May 2, 2008 by Z and D for the C

[FunkedUp 29]

I think were gonna see a big move this summer. Not a blockbuster or anything, but I feel something big coming up this July.

[Packer487 3]

I was one of the people on the "We Have To Get A Forward!!!" bandwagon. I still think at the time, it was sound reasoning. Franzen had 12 goals and at the time hadn't scored in two weeks. March rolls around and he pots 14 goals and hasn't slowed down since. There's just no way anyone could have suspected that he had a run like this in him.

The biggest reason that not getting a forward has worked out to this point (aside from getting to play Jose Theodore) is because Johan Franzen is playing like a superstar. If Holland saw it coming, then we should win the Cup every year because that's some crystal ball he's got. I think it's absolutely shocking what The Mule has done in the last two months. If he didn't make The Leap, I do think we would have been in trouble offensively. It'll be interesting to see if this scoring boom for the team continues when we face Turco--who has been playing outstanding hockey--or if it was mainly due to the fact that Theodore is horrid.

Depending on what they were asking for, he was probably right to not go big on Hossa (though if we lose to the Pens in the Finals and Hossa is a big reason why, I might change my mind) but I still think grabbing Prospal or Fedorov would've been a great move. Fedorov was pretty good in Washington and Prospal has been absolutely great for Philly. Neither one cost anything really.

We haven't needed a forward since Franzen went nuts. If he kept playing the way he had all season to that point, I wouldn't be feeling nearly as good about our chances....

[Nightfall 871]

This team will be graded on this board by if they win the cup or not. To say that 90% of the fanbase here expects a cup or its a failed season is probably underestimating it. That being said, did Detroit make the right move? I believe they did. By not messing with the chemistry, they really did a better job than trading people away.

Case in point, people calling for Hudler to be traded. He has 2 goals and 9 points so far in 10 games. Who would have thought Franzen would have been such a beast this playoff season. I know I didn't see that coming.

Holland will be judged when the season is over. If a cup isn't in Detroit, people here will have plenty to say. I think it was the right call though.

[Guest Crymson]

OMFG WE HAVE NO SECONDARY SCORING OFMG PANIC!

Sheesh.

[union drone 0]

OMFG WE HAVE NO SECONDARY SCORING OFMG PANIC!

Sheesh.

I think that Franzen has firmly put himself in the "primary scoring" category.

[Glubki 17]

I was never upset at the deadline - just surprised that he made no move for a forward with 4 mil in additional cap space. In hindsight it was a genius move because now they can use the extra cap room and apply bonuses (Hasek, Chelios,Mac and the remaining 06/07 bonus money) to this years cap and start with a fresh slate next year.

[StevieY9802 6]

I was just thinking a minute ago where are all the people who were saying that Holland should be fired because he didn't go out and get a big name forward. And yes there were people calling for his head. Those same people saying the Wings wouldn't get out of round 1 and now they are sitting the WCF's for the 2nd straight year looking stronger than they did a year ago, imo. I hope this shows some people that no matter what you think Ken Holland knows more than anyone of us in here when it comes to what this team needs and if it's at the right price.

Stuart has been great and everyone has stepped up. As for thinking the Wings will do something big in July. I really don't know. I think they'll again look for some scoring help but depending on if the cap goes up and to what I don't see anyone who gets more than $5mil. Gotta think about Zetterberg a year from now will be making around $7mil so I doubt they can sign anyone for that price.

[Packer487 3]

Stuart has been great and everyone has stepped up. As for thinking the Wings will do something big in July. I really don't know. I think they'll again look for some scoring help but depending on if the cap goes up and to what I don't see anyone who gets more than $5mil. Gotta think about Zetterberg a year from now will be making around $7mil so I doubt they can sign anyone for that price.

Not to mention that Franzen only has 1 year left on his deal. He'll be due for a big jump in pay if this keeps up. I wouldn't expect a ton during the offseason since they're going to want to make sure they have room to keep Sasha and The Mule.

[WingsZR2 1]

Now that Franzen has "arrived" it appears Stewie was all we needed.

[Cicada 4]

we needed another d-man, and kenny did it...

he didn't panic when we were in that slump, and we kept all our prospects...

whats not to love?

[Rice 42]

Yeah, so where are all the people who were claiming the Wings were "destined" for an early round exit? Looking at you, LeftWinger...

Anyway, on to the second straight WCF...

[Konnan511 1,736]

we needed another d-man, and kenny did it...

he didn't panic when we were in that slump, and we kept all our prospects...

whats not to love?

A Paris Hilton and Britney Spears reality show on Fox...

[Guest Crymson]

I think that Franzen has firmly put himself in the "primary scoring" category.

Talks around the deadline revolved around scoring outside of ZDH. Secondary scoring in our case refers to production outside of the first line.

Edited May 2, 2008 by Crymson

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I think that Franzen has firmly put himself in the "primary scoring" category.

So wait, we now have "secondary scoring" issues again?

NOOOOOOOOOOO! I'M FREAKING OUT NOW!!!!!!!!!!! WHERE'S THE SECONDARY SCORING????? WE ARE SO DEAD!!!

[Grim 5]

sorry... our guys shouldn't take all the credit.

the refs have been calling these games pretty well... much closer to what we'd see in the reg season. Our guys are florishing, as they should!

[sinbin 3]

and we second guessed him..... we should be ashamed of ourselves!

[Packer487 3]

To be fair, we scored 17 goals on 242 shots in 6 games against Nashville (For a 7% shooting percentage and 2.8 goals per game) and then railed Colorado for 21 goals on 151 shots in 4 games (13.9 shooting percentage and 5.25 goals per game). To compare, in the regular season we averaged 3.07 goals per game and an 8.9 shooting percentage.

While I hope we keep the offense going, we did have problems putting the puck in the net at times in the first round. It's possible those issues were taken care of, but it's also possible that Jose Theodore just really really really really really really sucks and the Avs don't play defense.

I think we're probably going to be fine since Franzen has scored against pretty much everyone, but I also think it's a little early to say conclusively that we didn't need a forward after all. Turco has been playing lights out and, even if we have owned him historically, it's probably going to be a tough series. Hopefully the offense keeps it up.

[Frozen-Man 144]

I was just thinking a minute ago where are all the people who were saying that Holland should be fired because he didn't go out and get a big name forward. And yes there were people calling for his head. Those same people saying the Wings wouldn't get out of round 1 and now they are sitting the WCF's for the 2nd straight year looking stronger than they did a year ago, imo. I hope this shows some people that no matter what you think Ken Holland knows more than anyone of us in here when it comes to what this team needs and if it's at the right price.

Stuart has been great and everyone has stepped up. As for thinking the Wings will do something big in July. I really don't know. I think they'll again look for some scoring help but depending on if the cap goes up and to what I don't see anyone who gets more than $5mil. Gotta think about Zetterberg a year from now will be making around $7mil so I doubt they can sign anyone for that price.

Great point I mentioned at the deadline when people were so mad that Holland had the cap space and did not use it that we would have had to shell out too much for any of the options that were out there and would have had to pay more than we were willing to in order to keep them after this season. Although we have cap space now next year and the one after that have to be considered. It is going to cost a lot for Zets and every goal that Franzen score raises his price as well and their extension will be coming soon. Filpula will be getting a raise soon as will Hudler (although not till year after next). Even Howard is going to be a restricted free agent and will be getting a raise. I thought then and continue to think that it would have been unwise to give up too much future for a guy that we in all likelyhood would not be able to keep after this season or at least not without not signing or extending someone on the team. I thought it was great that Kenny didn't go up to the cap just because he could. At the price and cost of the future I think that the best thing was to keep the cap space to use this summer and the next.

[VM1138 1,921]

We did have secondary scoring issues, and right now I think a lot of our scoring is Zetterberg, Datsyuk and Franzen. Other people are playing extremely well, but it'd still be nice to have a third or fourth line that could score regularly, like in the old days. Which is why I think, Cup or not, Holland will pursue a consistent scorer (relative to his position that is) for the third or fourth lines).

[Frozen-Man 144]

To be fair, we scored 17 goals on 242 shots in 6 games against Nashville (For a 7% shooting percentage and 2.8 goals per game) and then railed Colorado for 21 goals on 151 shots in 4 games (13.9 shooting percentage and 5.25 goals per game). To compare, in the regular season we averaged 3.07 goals per game and an 8.9 shooting percentage.

While I hope we keep the offense going, we did have problems putting the puck in the net at times in the first round. It's possible those issues were taken care of, but it's also possible that Jose Theodore just really really really really really really sucks and the Avs don't play defense.

I think we're probably going to be fine since Franzen has scored against pretty much everyone, but I also think it's a little early to say conclusively that we didn't need a forward after all. Turco has been playing lights out and, even if we have owned him historically, it's probably going to be a tough series. Hopefully the offense keeps it up.

I think our scoring was and continues to be just fine. We were third in goals in the regular season (and the first Ottawa is out of the playoffs). More importantly for the here and now we are first in scoring in the playoffs at 38 goals at 3.8 goals per game. I know that some people don't like how many shots we take but it got us the third most goal in the regular season and first so far in the post season so I have no problem whatsoever with it. Finally, for individual stats - our player is first in goals, and we have three of the top five in points in the post season, and four of the top five in plus minus. We are contsatly at the top and it is because we have some amazing players and an overall great team.

[Packer487 3]

I think our scoring was and continues to be just fine. We were third in goals in the regular season (and the first Ottawa is out of the playoffs). More importantly for the here and now we are first in scoring in the playoffs at 38 goals at 3.8 goals per game. I know that some people don't like how many shots we take but it got us the third most goal in the regular season and first so far in the post season so I have no problem whatsoever with it. Finally, for individual stats - our player is first in goals, and we have three of the top five in points in the post season, and four of the top five in plus minus. We are contsatly at the top and it is because we have some amazing players and an overall great team.

It was fine for the regular season as a whole. It was fine in the second round. But the 2.5 goals a game that we scored in the first round (not counting the two empty-netters) is nothing to write home about. It would put us smack in the middle of playoff teams and right around the bottom third in the regular season.

Against Dallas or SJ, the number is probably going to be a lot closer to what it was in the first round than what it was in the second round. We've all got warm fuzzies about our offense right now because they dropped 21 goals on Colorado in 4 games, but it's worth remembering that Colorado and Theodore suck really badly. Our team played AMAZINGLY well--and it wasn't just that Theodore blows--but our opponent did have a role in the surge in offensive output.

It's very possible that the offense will never be an issue in the playoffs and I hope it's not. But Dallas and SJ are both better than Nashville and we had issues at times against the Predators. I'm still very very confident in Detroit's chances to go all the way (particularly if they keep the effort where it's been the last 6 games) but I also wouldn't bet my life on the offensive "woes" being gone for good.

Edited May 3, 2008 by Packer487

[dr_lobster 0]

Not to state the obvious, but our front office having realistic confidence in what we've got to not sell the farm for a rental or semi-upgrade was a smart move, I think. Prospal, Hossa, and Richards are all great players, but like Holland said again and again, the cost would've been too expensive.

Hudler had a sub-par season, he's produced some good plays and is fitting in well on the second power play and fourth line.

Stuart was coming off an injury, but has delivered consistent physical play.

Kronwall's put up great assist numbers and added another physical layer to our game.

Pavel and Henrik have done what they needed to do -- be dependable, productive leaders in both zones.

It ain't over yet, but I think it's another example of having faith in your organization to make the right decisions -- we watch the games, but we don't see the entire spectrum of experiences they're privy to with players: they know their attitudes, how they practice, their ability to work together and overcome adversity. I'm just grateful Holland didn't go all-in on this season when, at least so far, it seems like it wasn't necessary for him to.