YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted December 17, 2008 Check out this thread entitled "Ducks Lacking Passion", posted here circa April of 2008: http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.ph...&hl=pronger A year ago, the Ducks cruised through the season fueled by the conviction they were on a mission that would not end until they hoisted the Stanley Cup. This season, they scrambled to score goals, find effective line combinations, and stay out of the penalty box. “I think last year we had more of that eye of the tiger, ‘We need to do this,’ ” defenseman Chris Pronger said. “Going into this year it was, ‘Man, it’s here already?’ ” And an ironic quote from an LGWer: Yeah, I watched that game and the Ducks just took stupid penalties all night. They just did not seem like the same Ducks that ruled the playoffs last year, it was weird to watch them. They looked almost awkward or something... It's not crazy to assume that this a similar thing can happen in Detroit if changes aren't made. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted December 17, 2008 You could theoretically propose we drop players' salaries from our cap at the deadline all day, but where are we going to find a decent goalie? Most teams hold on to solid goalies like nothing else, and would be especially reluctant to trade with Detroit under these circumstances. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scotzman 29 Report post Posted December 17, 2008 (edited) Look at his stats versus Rafalski's. Or his fellow D-man Kronwall. Rafa and Kronwall at least produce some offense. Would you rather have Franzen or keep Stuart. Because theirs no way they can keep even 2 of Hossa, Z, or Franzen without getting rid of Stuart or Flippula. Rafa has 23 points, Brad has 2. I'm not saying he's worthless, but he isn't worth 3.5 million. Stuart wasn't signed to make his presence known on the score sheet... he was signed to provide another physical presence. Stuart - 80 hits Rafalski - 12 hits Rafalski - 105 minutes of power play time Stuart - 5 minutes of power play time Hence the scoring and better plus/minus for Rafalski... Rafalski is also ranked 21st in the NHL with 22 giveaways... Stuart is not listed in the top 100 stats. Stuart fills the role he was signed for and his salary is not crazy either. Edit: Just wanted to add a few salaries similar or more than Stuart to compare in the West... Commodore $3.75 Regehr $4 Aucoin $4 Sarich $3.6 Seabrook $3.5 Suter $3.5 McKee $4 Jackman $3.6 (wow... when he's healthy, what a steal) Clark $3.5 Morris $3.9 Gilbert $4 Doughty $3.475 Bieksa $3.75 Mitchell $3.5 Salo $3.5 Ohlund $3.5 Burns $3.5 Schultz $3.5 Edited December 17, 2008 by scotzman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcom007 1,465 Report post Posted December 17, 2008 I'm really not worried about these issues right now. I think they'll work themselves out. But for the sake of discussion, just because we have money doesn't mean we can land a big name goalie or any other big name player. We've had money before but Holland doesn't bite on the stupid deals and the one's who make the stupid deals are the one's who get the big name players and those teams tend to regret it in the end. I've got a little more faith in this squad than some it appears. I don't think making a change in goal or on D will automatically make this team strong come playoff time. They will win as a team or lose as a team with the core in place. They'll find a way or they won't. I think Osgood will find his game in time and I think it will help the D find there's. Again, we're winning a lot more than we're losing and that says something so I'm just going to let this play out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holiday 0 Report post Posted December 17, 2008 Check out this thread entitled "Ducks Lacking Passion", posted here circa April of 2008: http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.ph...&hl=pronger And an ironic quote from an LGWer: It's not crazy to assume that this a similar thing can happen in Detroit if changes aren't made. I dont consider them comparable considering Detroit's lackluster effort doesn't give them more penalty minutes unlike the Ducks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holiday 0 Report post Posted December 17, 2008 What do you not understand about that? Its something that has been wrong with the Wings for YEARS. They go through cycles where they win and grow unmotivated. Then you bring in new, fresh faces, and just like that they're playing with hunger and desire. Why do you think shedding guys like Shanny and Steve made such a big difference? And bringing in guys like Stuart and Drake? This isn't a hard concept to grasp. People just must have short memories. Does anyone else remember the thread that ripped Chris Pronger apart for making a pre-playoff comment about "oh my god I can't believe the playoffs are here. It seems like just yesterday we were hoisting the cup?" Motivation is not something you just turn on. Hard work isn't something you can just suddenly have the drive to do game in and game out. Where do you think the term "Stanley Cup Hangover" came from. Why do you think the only team to repeat in the last 15 years was also "ironically" fighting for fallen teammates and organization members who would never play another game of hockey in their lives again? We got someone to fight for the team and give them motivation. If a guy like Hossa busting his butt out there and a guy like Conklin doing everything he can to play out of his mind isn't helping the Wings get motivated, what do you think will? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nev 1,085 Report post Posted December 17, 2008 Rafalski's contract - essentially the NTC part of it - screws us over way more than Lilja or Stuart's contracts do. Stuart is getting bashed more than he should. Hes not an especially smart player, thats the reason hes a #4 Dman. But he brings a great element to our game. No, but my point is that Kenny didn't plan on having them BOTH, which is what we ended up with. BTW, all this talk of trading Stuart, doesn't he have a NTC? The only D-man we can realistically trade for anything of value and get some cap relief is Kronner. Kronwall & Maltby for Volchenkov & Neil anyone? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egroen 384 Report post Posted December 17, 2008 Yes, Rafalski and Stuart (for the first couple years) have no-trade clauses. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
13SHOOTS13SCORES 0 Report post Posted December 17, 2008 Personally i think we should drop Sammy, Sign Hank and the Mule back. See whats left and see if we can sign Hossa. If we cant get Hossa then sign Sammy or a goalie w/e is better at the time Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
