Kenny, Get an Enforcer Now!

[Carman 387]

We don't need a designated enforcer, just tell all the players to stand up for each other and pop the guy who did it a few shots. Anyone on the ice can do it, its not that hard. The wings are so used to skating circles around the other guys they need a kick in the balls to remind them this is hockey and not basketball. Everyone should be willing to fight, no exceptions.

I completely agree. I can't wait to see Hudler kick the s*** out of Parros.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Chris Neil will come. It makes me sad to read so much negativity towards fighting, ah, I miss the good ole days.

[Datsyerberger 279]

Kenny, please don't trade an asset on a skillless goon (especially when we already have one).

Thanks.

[Datsyerberger 279]

This is more like it.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

To be fair, "a moderately skilled energy player who can fight" and an "enforcer" are not mutually exclusive terms. But I get your point, and agree.

[Datsyerberger 279]

To be fair, "a moderately skilled energy player who can fight" and an "enforcer" are not mutually exclusive terms. But I get your point, and agree.

When I think "enforcer" in the "new NHL" I think "goon that does nothing but cheapshot and fight in his 3 minutes of icetime."

[ben_usmc 253]

Chris Neil will come. It makes me sad to read so much negativity towards fighting, ah, I miss the good ole days.

it's not negativity I would love to have a figher, who can play hockey. But I'm not willing to give up an important piece for it. If they will take a 4th liner then sure, or a few picks, or Lebda/Meech/Chelios/Ozzy, go right ahead. But for a player like that most teams will be asking for to much.

[hokike 1]

it's not negativity I would love to have a figher, who can play hockey. But I'm not willing to give up an important piece for it. If they will take a 4th liner then sure, or a few picks, or Lebda/Meech/Chelios/Ozzy, go right ahead. But for a player like that most teams will be asking for to much.

other GMs surely KNOW why Holland might want a "goon" and when Holland is asking desperately - ask from him even higher price.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

it's not negativity I would love to have a figher, who can play hockey. But I'm not willing to give up an important piece for it. If they will take a 4th liner then sure, or a few picks, or Lebda/Meech/Chelios/Ozzy, go right ahead. But for a player like that most teams will be asking for to much.

I read some of your posts, and I understand what your saying. I dont want to give up big value either, but a guy from the minors costs nothing but an open roster spot (Better known as... well I've mentioned him too much tonight.) And a guy like Lappy or Neil, costs you a guy like Meech and a pick. This is the best shot we got a cup for a while, if you can add a guy like that who can change the dynamic of the bottom guys, why not. There both UFA's anyways, and we've seen what happens with guys that come here, maybe they want to win, or maybe they dont. If there were a guy to replace Sammy next year (No, not trading Sammy for them this year) and then having Leino and Helm to add more energy, while maybe being able to keep Hossa and Hudler, I mean, it just sounds good to me. But who knows what the hell is gonna happen, I just would love to be able to see some more hits and scraps in Detroit hockey.

[topshelf14 1]

I definitely think our lineup going into the playoffs is stronger up and down when it looks like this.

Hossa-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Franzen-Zetterberg-Samuelsson

Cleary-Helm-Hudler

Neil/Laperriere/Winchester - Draper-Maltby

Again I don't think losing a player like Val is going to hurt us. If anything we need to live in the now and go for another SERIOUS run at the Cup! The person that mentioned how we had McCarty last year in the playoffs is right, a player like that can help us. McCarty was helping us last year, and a trade deadline acquistion could help us this year. And in the future (cap space) to help sign Hossa and Franzen.

[AtomicPunk 296]

Parros played such a huge role for Anaheim in their cup run.

(yes, sarcasm)

You need someone who can hang with the Wings in terms of speed, puckhandling and scoring. And those players can be counted on one hand and the teams that have them are not letting them go. Good luck with that.

[steveyzerman 0]

Catch a lot of Griffins games on the tube in da U.K.?

OH!

[RedSea 31]

I definitely think our lineup going into the playoffs is stronger up and down when it looks like this.

Hossa-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Franzen-Zetterberg-Samuelsson

Cleary-Helm-Hudler

Neil/Laperriere/Winchester - Draper-Maltby

Again I don't think losing a player like Val is going to hurt us. If anything we need to live in the now and go for another SERIOUS run at the Cup! The person that mentioned how we had McCarty last year in the playoffs is right, a player like that can help us. McCarty was helping us last year, and a trade deadline acquistion could help us this year. And in the future (cap space) to help sign Hossa and Franzen.

Again, I just don't see Filppula being moved at the deadline. Your line combo is very feasible, but Zetterberg already went on record saying him and Dats won't be separated again so I think management wouldn't like that idea. Their chemistry is just too good to split up. IF (big if) Fils is traded at the deadline, then Babs would probably have faith that Franzen could move back to center and we would potentially see a Hossa-Franzen-Hudler/Sammy line.

I could eat my words in a couple weeks, I just don't see Kenny wanting to gut the team's depth at center even with how strong Helm has been playing (I can't believe he's on the PK already).

Remember, Neil can apparently be had for a 2nd round pick so if anything we would see that trade if Holland wants some grit. It certainly would be a great addition to the energy on this team. We won the cup without Kopecky last year so maybe he gets scratched in favor of a Neil addition.

Edited February 20, 2009 by RedSea

[esteef 2,679]

[RedSea 31]

If Chris Neil can be had for a 2nd round pick, I don't see why Holland wouldn't pull the trigger. Unless Ottawa is now shopping him around for a better deal and the Wings have competition.

[ComradeWasabi 109]

Man I wish. Carcillo or Lucic would be my top choices for someone awesome to acquire.

[ZigZagYourTorso 8]

LUCIC LUCIC LUCIC LUCIC LUCIC!!!!!

[SaCkaveli20 275]

We already have an enforcer...........Our PP..

[BeeRYCE 2]

I know those who have said Lucic in this thread were clearly joking, but still... Imagine.

[sureWhyNot 19]

Enforcers don't "discourage" cheap shots, if anything they promote it.

Ryan Suter is far from a "goon".

Hossa has fought before, it is his decision. I'm sure if Lilja was out there it would have been him though(Also if I'd bet Franzen would fight if he wasn't coming off a hand injury).

With that said I like fighting and would love a Chris Neil type player, but finding those players are hard. And I agree that in a perfect world I would wish Kopecky would go back to how he was over a year ago.

You are joking about Franzen fighting, or his willingness to fight under any circumstance, if his hand was healthy, correct? If so I will have to respectfully disagree. Franzen is an amazing player, a great power forward who plays a great two way game. However in regards to fighting, well I would say the chances of him -- willingly -- fighting anyone, let alone someone semi tough is about as likely as Piet Van Zant hoping the boards to get involved in a scrum.

That said, this could all change. You see I think I figured out Franzen's problem when it comes to fighting -- He doesn't know that he is supposed to shed the gloves and actually hit the other guy back. Here, below I have included two pieces of video evidence I have spent hours analyzing:

YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN! He obviously hasn't picked up on the fact that he is supposed to drop the mitts and actually hit the guy who is pummeling him back.

As for your the notion that finding "Chris Neil" players are hard -- I am going to have to disagree with you again.

Its not that it's hard, it's just that, well, you have to give them the benefit of the doubt in terms of their production outside of knuckle chucking. Below is a list of guys who are more then willing to scrap when they are called to, but also contribute in other areas of the game (goals, assists, PK, etc):

* David Clarkson - 13 goals, 10 assists, 14 FM

* B.J. Crombeen - 10 goals, 8 assists, 15 FM

* Ian Laperriere - 7 goals, 10 assists, 12 FM

* Steve Montador - 4 goals, 16 assists, 11 FM

* Greg Campbell - 12 goals, 14 assists, 6 FM

* Ben Eager - 8 goals, 4 assists, 8 FM

* Brandon Dubinsky - 8 goals, 20 assists - 6 FM

* Colin Fraser - 5 goals, 10 assists, 6 FM

* Brian Sutherby - 7 goals, 4 assists, 6 FM

* Aaron Voros - 8 goals, 7 assists, 9 FM

* Ryan Clowe - 20 goals, 27 assists, 5 FM

The list really could go on for a good 20-25 players with multiple FM's as well as decent point production and all around play. I am not saying, or "bitching" about not having an enforcer -- I want to make that clear. I am simply pointing out to my man who said "Neil type players" are hard to come by that in all reality they aren't -- you just have to look for them, and not expect 15 + goals out of them their first and second years.

[seeinred 1,488]

I love Carcillo, but doing stupid s*** like that after a fight has always pissed me off.

[Ms_Hockey 0]

With the moronic rule changes Bettman is imposing, who knows how much longer teams are going to NEED enforcers? And my observation has been that the only times the fighting gets out of hand is when the refs aren't doing their jobs. You have some guy hooking you, holding you, grabbing you over and over again with no calls - you're damn right you're going to get pissy and just beat the crap out of him.

I hope this doesn't happen - but I'm sure in Bettman's fantasy world, enforcers will become unnecessary.

EDIT: Kind of off topic, sorry.

Edited February 20, 2009 by Ms_Hockey

[kylee 727]

Chris Neil, Sens won't want Draper/Maltby/ or Kopecky. So we give up Sammy a proven scorer and playoff producer that is good in his own end and wants to be here?

if the Sens were willing to send Chris Neil to the Wings for Mikael Samuelsson id jump all over that.

but im not sure if that's kenny holland's style.. trading for a hard nosed canadian, that is.

[sureWhyNot 19]

With the moronic rule changes Bettman is imposing, who knows how much longer teams are going to NEED enforcers? And my observation has been that the only times the fighting gets out of hand is when the refs aren't doing their jobs. You have some guy hooking you, holding you, grabbing you over and over again with no calls - you're damn right you're going to get pissy and just beat the crap out of him.

I hope this doesn't happen - but I'm sure in Bettman's fantasy world, enforcers will become unnecessary.

EDIT: Kind of off topic, sorry.

What rules are you speaking of?

[The Secret 304]

When I think "enforcer" in the "new NHL" I think "goon that does nothing but cheapshot and fight in his 3 minutes of icetime."

I agree with you on this and that is why I see no need for an enforcer or goon.... not the way the game is played today.

Plus, we don't need anything except for some of the guys on our current roster to grow pair and finish the odd check with some authority and shove a guy out of their face when he is nose to nose with them, and occasionally hold their stick with 2 hands and deliver it to the lower back of guys camped out in front of the net (like homer receives constantly). If a few more of our players would play with just a little more bite in their game it would make a nice difference without having to add anyone else.