IF the Wings DON'T Make the Playoffs

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

What do you think will happen? Will Babcock be replaced? I mean, 19 years of making the post season and with the same core team that made the SCF two years in a row and then you don't make the playoffs? There are a few coaching "decisions" I have seen that I do not agree with, one of them being Lebda playing games. But I don't think that will ever happen with this organization as long as the Wings are winning... oh, wait...

Or could not making the playoffs finally mean a REAL rebuilding year? Dropping some big contracts and focusing on developing our potential stars in GR. Tatar, Kindl, etc. They need to be in the NHL sometime and a failure of a season gives a great excuse to go a different direction. Some players that may be left on the side of the road are the UFAs this summer and the players that have passed their prime (Draper, Maltby, Rafalski, Lidstrom, Holmstrom).

After seeing the game tonight, I see that we do not have a goalie tandem that will bring us a Cup. Osgood has been reliable in the post season but shaky during the regular season, and the showing by Howard tonight shows that he isn't 100% ready to be a starter. Too many bad decisions, rough puck handling, and TOO MANY REBOUNDS! Are his pads too new? Is that why the puck seems to bounce out of his reash EVERY time it hits him?

Anyway, most likely thing to happen if the Wings don't make the playoffs is what usually happens after an early exit. The status quo. Try to keep as many players as possible and attempt to fill the gaps of the players who leave. No huge signings, no big trades. I don't think that a Hossa-like signing is in this team's future as long as this team has Datsyuk, Zetterberg,, Franzen, and Kronwall on the team.

[Jaymister 71]

If we don't make the playoffs hell will freeze over.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

If we don't make the playoffs hell will freeze over.

It must feel chilly down there right now.

[thegerkin 189]

It's not IF, but WHEN people. This team has to rely on the failures of 10-12 other teams to make the playoffs. They will not make it and if they do, they will be swept right out of the ******* first round.

[brett 1,029]

ill be happy if we dont. it will save us all the disappointment.

[Atariboy 0]

They're going to have to blow this team up a bit. Of course, we all know Maltby and Lebda won't be back after this season, and it's likely Lidstrom will have to take a significant pay cut (he just isn't a 7 mil guy anymore, sorry)... but there still isn't enough cap room to make a significant improvement in '10-11.

If the Red Wings want to make a quick turnaround (and with Zetterberg, Datsyuk, and Franzen NOT getting any younger... they'll want to), Holland is going to have to swing a few trades. There simply isn't enough talent in Grand Rapids to make up the difference. I fully expect Holland to move Rafalski and/or Stuart... (maybe Cleary? or Holmstrom as a rental?) and give up this season to prepare for the next. I'm not sure Babcock will get caught in the crossfire here. It depends if he's held accountable for some guys not stepping it up to the next level when needed.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Right now, it's 50/50 at best that we make it.

The Pens however are well on their way to making the playoffs. Just sayin......

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Right now, it's 50/50 at best that we make it.

The Pens however are well on their way to making the playoffs. Just sayin......

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Real funny, smart guy.

What percentage do you allocate to our playoff chances?

[talex 1]

1st, there is a slight twinkle somewhere in the darkest deepest depth's of fandom that hopes this does not come true, that said...

I don't get how all the people on here want to blow the entire team up and bring up a bunch of young guys for the sake of?????? maybe being a playoff contender in 2 to 4 years? Does not make sense to me especially considering the fact that the wings have been a mix of mid to old this entire incredible stretch.

I think they need to make some moves, but not a blow up. For all the calls to drop Maltby I feel strangley comfortable with him on the ice and a lead but terrified everytime I see Ericsson out there when we have a lead, draper, maltby and homer might be older and slower, but are far less prone to mistakes.

If Maltby retires I will say a fond farewell and thanks for the memories in a sincere way, Draper and Homer on the other hand I hope do not leave. Draper for being an animal as far as work etchic and still a great faceoff man who also adds leadership and Homer, well because he is homer and the team plays better with him, Homer is worth keeping even as a power play specialist to clog the front of the net, he is / was? not leading the wings in goals even missing time by fluke, he cannot skate or battle like he used to and I think the Wings need to adjust to what he can do, not drop him, especially with no viable replacement.

Moving Leino was a good start, but not nearly shocking enough. I think they do need to move a bigger name (Stuart, Rafalski) - I know they have NTC but wonder how it work just to waive them to free up their salary and bring in someone fresh to the team, could they do this? If not I am sure they could in the off season.

I don't know if Ericsson is 2 way or not, but he needs to head to GR, to Phil with Leino or sit or something, potential does not win games, playing does.

Here is what the wings need other than some heart and a wake up call.

A D-Man that will clear the front of the net.

A Pure Goal Scorer, I know, I know Franzen, but he was never a pure goal scorer until last 2 years and we can only pray that he continues this.

Stay Healthy.

This will give them a shot as they rotate older players out, blowing the team up will certainly give us a crap shoot which I personally would rather not try, keeping a mix of verterans and youth is what has made the Wings.... the Wings, I say they stick to the formula, but they definately need to stir the pot.

just my opinion, 1 of many.

Edited February 7, 2010 by talex

[Buppy 1,720]

Our worst cap situation coincides with our worst injury season in recent memory, in the same season one of our all-time best players starts showing a little age, immediately following three long playoff runs...

And you all want to blow the team up and fire the coach of the decade.

We are spoiled indeed.

[talex 1]

Real funny, smart guy.

What percentage do you allocate to our playoff chances?

30% at this point would be my guess.

[stuck in socal 56]

Miss playoffs and rest up.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

30% at this point would be my guess.

Well, that makes me an optimist with my prediction.

[rage 24]

Call me what you will, but I think they will still make it. Interesting that we are only 4 points behind the Avs. Not sure if these are current as of today though, and I do see that the Avs have 2 games in-hand.

If not, I'd like to see Flip moved in an attempt to go after Kovalchuk. That should free up some salary and make it at least possible to get him.

We need a natural goal scorer like somebody has already said. Dats/Zetts/Flip/Bert/Homer are just not those guys IMO. Franzen i think is, but having another one would really help out.

I doubt the Wings would panic too much though. They know that this year was doomed because of all the injuries anyway.

Edited February 7, 2010 by rage

[South Dakota wings fan 7]

Our worst cap situation coincides with our worst injury season in recent memory, in the same season one of our all-time best players starts showing a little age, immediately following three long playoff runs...

And you all want to blow the team up and fire the coach of the decade.

We are spoiled indeed.

Whether they make the playoffs or not, they will not be winning the cup this year. Kenny was quoted before the cup run that they had a two year window to do something special. This is year 3. I have a hunch he knew this would be a "transition year"; and as hard and gut wrenching as it it to watch sometimes, he will have options at the end of the year. A chance to freshen things up, and see what is available. I think a lot will depend on if Lids decides to keep playing, and how much he requires in pay. If he takes $4 mill, that will give them that much more flexibility.

Let's not forget the Hulder fiasco in the offseason really affected their ability to add players last summer because they didn't know what they could spend. I suspect it will be different this year. They will get a much needed extended offseason, and hopefully come back next fall very hungry to prove they still are an elite team.

[FunkedUp 29]

At this point, I don't think we can make the playoffs. It seems the same excuses have been given for a while now. No one wants to admit it, but I don't believe this is our year. It's like the players, coaches, the fans, even the media are afraid to admit the situation. The wings are cursed with injuries, and cannot keep leads. Hovering around 8-10th place all season, does not bode well. It seems everyone is having a career worse season, and that the team lacks emotion and focus.

I predict we miss the playoffs by 1 point, due to a shoot out loss. Call me crazy or pessimistic, but after blowing a 3 goal lead against LA was the defining point for me.

[Barrie 900]

I'm ok if the Wings don't make the playoffs this year. We're not going to win the West this year, so I don't mind getting a good draft pick this year and our guys getting some much needed rest.

[Uncle Danny 155]

Call me what you will, but I think they will still make it. Interesting that we are only 4 points behind the Avs. Not sure if these are current as of today though, and I do see that the Avs have 2 games in-hand.

If not, I'd like to see Flip moved in an attempt to go after Kovalchuk. That should free up some salary and make it at least possible to get him.

We need a natural goal scorer like somebody has already said. Dats/Zetts/Flip/Bert/Homer are just not those guys IMO. Franzen i think is, but having another one would really help out.

I doubt the Wings would panic too much though. They know that this year was doomed because of all the injuries anyway.

Small point of contention: Four points behind the Avs with two more games played. This is a ton less appealing than four points behind at even games. I don't like our chances, but I'm holding out hope and certainly haven't given up on the boys yet. And I absolutely hope Calgary continues the losing trend they seem to have (unfortunately) stabilized.

To the OP: If the Wings don't make the playoffs, I think Babcock is secure in his job. Look at the man's record here. You don't hit a panic button that hard when a team barely misses the playoffs despite fielding 50% of an AHL team for much of the season. If anything, I think even playing to contention for the post season is laudable.

Of course we all hope that Maltby decides to hang them up (with mad thanks for the years of service), and that Nick decides he has one more year left in him for a vastly smaller paycheck, but who knows? With so many variables floating around, it's tough to prognosticate. To be honest, I'm not sure I like our chances next season either, even if Nick continues to play and, very generously, frees up some $4million in cap space. I just don't see this team as a $4million player away from another deep run.

All that said, I really hope I'm wrong, and I'll be here every game regardless of the outcome.

Edited February 7, 2010 by Uncle Danny

[BuckeyeWingsfan80 209]

Let's see here....struggle all year but get some of the kids some significant playing time while waiting for cap relief next year

OR

Getting embarrassed in the playoffs

I don't like either option at this point.

[egroen 384]

Of course not... it is not unusual for teams to struggle after numerous deep playoff runs, plus the fact this team was essentially revamped (more rookies and free agents that we have seen since the early 90s), compounded with the confounding injuries this year and his job is awfully safe. That is rational thinking, and Holland seems perfectly capable of it.

I don't agree with everything Babcock does (his love of Kopecky over Hudler, for example) but the plain and honest truth is he has actually done pretty darn well considering the cards he was dealt this season.

[scotzman 29]

I would hate it if the Wings missed the playoffs this year, but I'm not going to complain too much. This team has been great for a long time. 4 Cups and many more exciting and heartbreaking years have given me plenty of great memories.

That being said, if Versus and DTV don't work something out by April, it won't matter if the Wings make the playoffs or not... I'm screwed!

Still holding out hope for this season... they definitely need a wake up call of some kind. Maybe Kenny has something up his sleeve.

[Broken 16 381]

I'm honestly starting to think that many, many Wings fans have no idea what it feels like to be in an honest to goodness playoff hunt. One of the few times in life when ignorance isn't bliss.

We're not even at the trade deadline and people are talking like the season is over. What a sorry bunch of sacks.

[thegerkin 189]

At this point I just want them to make the playoffs to keep the record of consecutive playoff appearances intact. Yeah, it's just a record/statistic, but 19 Red Wings rosters worked really hard to make happen. It's this 20th squad that aside from the previous deep playoff runs, age, injuries, no pure goal scorers, a defense that shouldn't even be referred to as "defensive", that's going to break that streak and they should feel bad about it. Especially the half-assers like enjoy the bus ride out of town Leino, and the other handful that haven't given 100%. It's easier to point out who has given 100% on this team than not. I also wouldn't mind seeing a new defensive coordinator, but Babs does have final say, he is the head coach.

Bad things start with breaking the playoff streak. Pretty soon, mediocrity becomes acceptable, 80 point seasons begin to be the norm. Blow this team up? No. That's the wrong thing to do (not to mention the long thing to do. It takes time to tank, draft, build up the draft picks, rinse, repeat.) And tanking isn't a guarantee at all. It's quite risky. Look at #1 flops like DiPietro. The Islanders, who do everything poorly, couldn't have f***ed that situation up any further than it already is.

Edited February 7, 2010 by thegerkin

[ShanahanMan 473]

We're done.