Wings Defensive Future?

[Dimaline312000 51]

With all this talk about Free Agency and the Wings needing to fill some wholes on the roster it got me thinking more and more about the future. More specficially our Defense in the future. After Lidstrom and probably Rafalski retires from the team. I know we are already talking about trading a Defenseman after training camp but what do we do in a few years when we lose our Captain and Best Defensman? Is Jakub Kindl ready or near ready to come up to the Wings within a year or so. I know we really have to see what is up with Lilja and I'll be interested to know who will be traded after Camp.

What are the Wings going to do when the time comes to say goodbye to Liddy and Raf? Depending on who we do trade, I think that Kronwall will be on the roster for a while and I can see Stuart sticking around for a little while. I can see Meech staying just because of his ability to be a forward and d-man. Is Brendan Smith (our 1st round pick in 07) going to be able to come up the GR next season and if so how long will it take to develop him in GR?

We have drafted 3 Defenseman in this years draft and knowing that the Wings like to bring up their players slowly and depending how how well they develop it may take longer or it may not. As far as the 08 Draft went it looked like we only drafted one defensmen Max Nicastro. He looks like he could be a good D-man in a few years. So looking at what we have and what we have coming in a few years what are our options on Defense to insure that our D is going to be close to as good as it is now?

I know that it probably won't be as good in a few years as it is right now becasue Lidstrom is a great Defensman and it's going to be very hard to replace him but does our future look bright on the D?

Edited July 6, 2009 by Dimaline312000

[titanium2 867]

Lidstrom was one of a kind. The Red Wings won't replace him.

However, no one knew Lidstrom would be the franchise defenseman he is today until he started winning Norris trophies.

My hope is that someone on the Wings' depth chart will come out of the woodwork and surprise us the way Lidstrom did.

If not, you all know that the Wings will find some way to acquire someone. So and so is unhappy in such and such city and can't save a dying franchise and so they trade him with one year left on his contract to the Wings for Kindl or some high-end prospect because something is better than nothing and the Wings get the kind of guy they're looking for to be THE man on the back end.

Hopefully Tampa suddenly has crappy weather all day every day, the girls get uglier and the team gets stuck at rock bottom so that the Wings can acquire Victor Hedman in a few years.

[ben_usmc 253]

Lidstrom was one of a kind. The Red Wings won't replace him.

However, no one knew Lidstrom would be the franchise defenseman he is today until he started winning Norris trophies.

My hope is that someone on the Wings' depth chart will come out of the woodwork and surprise us the way Lidstrom did.

If not, you all know that the Wings will find some way to acquire someone. So and so is unhappy in such and such city and can't save a dying franchise and so they trade him with one year left on his contract to the Wings for Kindl or some high-end prospect because something is better than nothing and the Wings get the kind of guy they're looking for to be THE man on the back end.

Hopefully Tampa suddenly has crappy weather all day every day, the girls get uglier and the team gets stuck at rock bottom so that the Wings can acquire Victor Hedman in a few years.

Vladdy was pretty up there before the wreck. I mean we did strike extremely lucky twice, let's go for 3

[SDavis35 140]

Lidstrom was one of a kind. The Red Wings won't replace him.

However, no one knew Lidstrom would be the franchise defenseman he is today until he started winning Norris trophies.

My hope is that someone on the Wings' depth chart will come out of the woodwork and surprise us the way Lidstrom did.

If not, you all know that the Wings will find some way to acquire someone. So and so is unhappy in such and such city and can't save a dying franchise and so they trade him with one year left on his contract to the Wings for Kindl or some high-end prospect because something is better than nothing and the Wings get the kind of guy they're looking for to be THE man on the back end.

Hopefully Tampa suddenly has crappy weather all day every day, the girls get uglier and the team gets stuck at rock bottom so that the Wings can acquire Victor Hedman in a few years.

I believe in Ericsson... sure he's made mistakes, but I feel like he's a 2nd rate Lidstrom. Which is still saying alot, right?

[Zack is Great 14]

I believe in Ericsson... sure he's made mistakes, but I feel like he's a 2nd rate Lidstrom. Which is still saying alot, right?

Lidstrom didn't really just start dominating the first time he put a Wings jersey on you know =P

[albo23 10]

Ericsson and Kindl

BOOK IT.

[eva unit zero 271]

Lidstrom didn't really just start dominating the first time he put a Wings jersey on you know =P

Lidstrom was the third best defenseman on the team and the second best on his pairing in the 92-93 season, for all those who have forgotten.

[Dimaline312000 51]

When will Kindl be able to come up if the Wings want or need him up? Is he developed enough to maybe see a game or two in the NHL next season?

[titanium2 867]

When will Kindl be able to come up if the Wings want or need him up? Is he developed enough to maybe see a game or two in the NHL next season?

A game or two with 10-12 minutes? Sure.

Can he handle what Ericsson had to step into when Lilja went down? Hells no.

[kook_10 1,705]

Lidstrom was the third best defenseman on the team and the second best on his pairing in the 92-93 season, for all those who have forgotten.

thats not including Steve Chiasson's 62-point banner year.

[Opie 308]

Lidstrom was the third best defenseman on the team and the second best on his pairing in the 92-93 season, for all those who have forgotten.

Um isn't saying he was the second best on his pairing also saying he was the worst on his pairing?

Seeing as there are only 2 in a pairing.

Not sure what your point was.

Edit:

Gotcha, you were saying he wasn't the end all be all of defenders and then went on to become it, I thought you were saying when he stepped on the ice the first time he was the Lids we all know.

I think that is what you meant?

Edited July 6, 2009 by Opie

[Dimaline312000 51]

A game or two with 10-12 minutes? Sure.

Can he handle what Ericsson had to step into when Lilja went down? Hells no.

That's what I meant just a couple games with 10 to 12 minutes not a whol lot more. No, there is no way he would be able to do what Ericsson did this past season right now. Give him another season in the AHL with a couple games in the NHL this season and I think next seaon Kindl should be able to come up if the Wings need him in the 10/11 Season.

[Opie 308]

That's what I meant just a couple games with 10 to 12 minutes not a whol lot more. No, there is no way he would be able to do what Ericsson did this past season right now. Give him another season in the AHL with a couple games in the NHL this season and I think next seaon Kindl should be able to come up if the Wings need him in the 10/11 Season.

I am not sure too many prospects can do what Ericsson did last year, he really should have been up a year ago!

[Echolalia 2,961]

Ericsson has about as promising a future as anyone in the league right now, imo. He needs to take advantage of the few years he has of playing with Lids and pick up a thing or two, but a top-two dman isn't out of the question.

From what I've heard, Kindl seems to have plateaued in GR. Can anyone advocate for his play?

[Dimaline312000 51]

Ericsson did great for the Wings this past season. I'll be glad to see him up all season next season. He will be a great D-man for years to come. Give him a few seasons and he could possibly be almost as good as Liddy.... We'll see.

[Green Wing 26]

Ericsson has about as promising a future as anyone in the league right now, imo. He needs to take advantage of the few years he has of playing with Lids and pick up a thing or two, but a top-two dman isn't out of the question.

From what I've heard, Kindl seems to have plateaued in GR. Can anyone advocate for his play?

Griffins Grades

Jakub Kindl D+

Kindl may have been the biggest disappointment of the second half as the organization's top defensive prospect took a big step back in his development. His offensive game and his confidence dried up in January, followed by a string of poor decisions on the ice leaving some to question his hockey sense. Jakub was a turnover machine in the latter stretches of the season, making the same mistakes over and over again. He will need to come out of the gates strong to avoid being passed over on the depth chart.

--

From Griffins Central 2nd half grades. Might want to take it with a pinch of salt, though, unless a regular Griffins fan can shed some light on it.

[titanium2 867]

Jakub Kindl D+

Kindl may have been the biggest disappointment of the second half as the organization's top defensive prospect took a big step back in his development. His offensive game and his confidence dried up in January, followed by a string of poor decisions on the ice leaving some to question his hockey sense. Jakub was a turnover machine in the latter stretches of the season, making the same mistakes over and over again. He will need to come out of the gates strong to avoid being passed over on the depth chart.

That's what really concerns me. Can you teach hockey sense? I don't think so.

[wmubronco420 25]

well with lidstrom and rafalski being gone it would free up aver 13mil. in cap space, if the prospects dont work out we will be able to sign some great d-men

Edited July 6, 2009 by wmubronco420

[zata20 4]

In 4-5 years (Lidstrom & Rafalski retire):

Kronwall Ericsson

Smith Kindl (Hope is pans out)

Stuart Lashoff

Nicastro

Kolosov

[Nightfall 871]

Vladdy was pretty up there before the wreck. I mean we did strike extremely lucky twice, let's go for 3

Vladdy was a 1st tier defenseman, but he was no Lidstrom. Lidstrom is an elite defenseman, one of maybe 3-4 in the NHL right now.

The future looks good, but I don't see anyone replacing Lidstrom. The Wings can afford a few 1st tier defensemen like Rafalski, but getting that elite defenseman like Lidstrom will be a tall order. Teams that have these elite defensemen don't let them go thats for sure. Scott Niedermayer is another good example of a elite defenseman.

[Lidstrom for Norris 0]

Lidstrom was one of a kind. The Red Wings won't replace him.

However, no one knew Lidstrom would be the franchise defenseman he is today until he started winning Norris trophies.

My hope is that someone on the Wings' depth chart will come out of the woodwork and surprise us the way Lidstrom did.

If not, you all know that the Wings will find some way to acquire someone. So and so is unhappy in such and such city and can't save a dying franchise and so they trade him with one year left on his contract to the Wings for Kindl or some high-end prospect because something is better than nothing and the Wings get the kind of guy they're looking for to be THE man on the back end.

Hopefully Tampa suddenly has crappy weather all day every day, the girls get uglier and the team gets stuck at rock bottom so that the Wings can acquire Victor Hedman in a few years.

I think Ericcson is a possibility. Sure, nobody will ever be as good as Nick, and Lidstrom and Ericson play a very different type of game from one another. But i think Ericson could turn out to be like a Chris Pronger in his younger days. Hard hitting, gritty, with the ability to put up numbers. He has already proven to us and Babs that he can play 23-27 minutes a game. Could 09-10 be Ericson's breakout year?

Edited July 6, 2009 by Lidstrom for Norris

[Nightfall 871]

Vladdy was pretty up there before the wreck. I mean we did strike extremely lucky twice, let's go for 3

Vladdy was a 1st tier defenseman, but he was no Lidstrom. Lidstrom is an elite defenseman, one of maybe 3-4 in the NHL right now.

The future looks good, but I don't see anyone replacing Lidstrom. The Wings can afford a few 1st tier defensemen like Rafalski, but getting that elite defenseman like Lidstrom will be a tall order. Teams that have these elite defensemen don't let them go thats for sure. Scott Niedermayer is another good example of a elite defenseman.

[titanium2 867]

In 4-5 years (Lidstrom & Rafalski retire):

Kronwall Ericsson

Smith Kindl (Hope is pans out)

Stuart Lashoff

Nicastro

Kolosov

Kronwall-Ericsson - I absolutely loved this pairing last season. Then again, Kronwall fits with pretty much anyone.

Smith... I don't understand the hype on this kid. I need to see that he can play a full season. Other than that it seems as if Kronwall's spot as the #2 power play quarterback will go to either him or Kindl in a couple years.

They compare Lashoff to Kyle Quincey but I think Lashoff's puck skills are better. I hope he becomes a guy good enough to fill a Lilja type role or fixture at the #5 dman spot.

Nicastro in 4-5 years doesn't seem all that possible. He's got at least three years in college and one or two in GR. But I've said before that I have high hopes for this kid.

[zata20 4]

Nicastro in 4-5 years doesn't seem all that possible. He's got at least three years in college and one or two in GR. But I've said before that I have high hopes for this kid.

Ya I was just sort of thinking off the top of my head. You could replace him with Pyett. (Only if he has a drastic improvement over last year in GR). Nicastro more like 6-7 years.

EDIT: BTW, I'm pretty excited Nicastro is going to BU in a year. That can only help his development.

Edited July 6, 2009 by zata20

[titanium2 867]

Ya I was just sort of thinking off the top of my head. You could replace him with Pyett. (Only if he has a drastic improvement over last year in GR). Nicastro more like 6-7 years.

EDIT: BTW, I'm pretty excited Nicastro is going to BU in a year. That can only help his development.

Pyett at best will be a reserve defenseman with maybe some time on the power play because he's right handed, depending on how many right handers the Wings have when his contract runs out of minor league options. I don't expect much from him.

Max will be at BU next year I believe. Good spot for him. Plus I'm sure BU will play against Maine and Max will see Gustav Nyquist, another Wings prospect.