What are the Pros and Cons of next season?

[kook_10 1,705]

I don't think I can get too excited because I wasn't so impressed with this team even when they were healthy. I don't expect many game changing roster moves, but any upgrades will just be icing - the cake will still be the same. We had a healthy team in the end and looked overmatched to me. It will be nice to have Happy back, but ultimately the team needs more out of Z and Dats and Mule needs to be there to help them do that. Its not like they played poorly, but I don't fully buy the whole "tired" argument, so I just have to hope they can recapture a little fire that seemed to be missing. Flip needs to step it up too.

Anyone think Nicks's elbow will be better next season, so he can actually shoot the puck from the point like the nick we all have loved for years? His slapper was definitely affected.

I haven't seen it listed which elbow it is, but I assume that is his right (upper) elbow as tendinitis and tennis elbow usually is in hockey players (including me). Usually that makes it much more painful to hold the stick with one hand, rather than shooting so I don't think his slapper would be affected so much. With a little rest in the off season it should feel better in the beginning, but those things come right back once you start playing.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

i would wait for actual results before determining the pros and cons

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

What makes you think they have a chance? PROS: Nick is coming back. Brett Lebda isn't. No Olympics. That little guy's back. We get to see some young guys from GR. Flip, Ericsson, and Howard have one more year of experience. CONS: Nick took $6.2 million. No cash for a decent free agent. There's no addition to a losing team, just subtraction. THE WINGS GOT FIGURED OUT BY THE SHARKS, who's next?

you seem to be forgetting that lids is making over a mil less than last year and the cap is going up approx 2mil. 3 mil clears up space to sign or trade for a good player if the wings so desire. it won't be a dman. and where's a spot on fwd if holland gets a 4th line pain in the ass to play against?

Z - dats - franzen - flip - huds - cleary - helm - abby - draper...9 already signed

homer - bert - ritola - miller - eaves...5 more looking for spots (3 and a 13th fwd spot avail)

i'm not even sure where this other fwd is gonna fit in the mix. homer, bert and ritola will most likely have spots and the wings damn well better sign eaves. there's 13 forwards. i'd like to see ritola get regular shifts and have 3 scoring fwd lines. and bert played good last year and holland wants to resign him. miller was good, but expendable. hopefully draper goes to TB. yzerman should put in a work request for cleary too. that'll clear things up a bit.

[stevkrause 1,247]

I'm not going to be overexcited just because Hudler is coming. And who said that Lebda is gone for sure?

I want to wait and see who Holland signs as that "gritty" player that he talked about. Some new blood wouldn't hurt on the bottom two lines.

They have already said that Lebda and Williams will not be re-signed...

I wonder if Asham played himself out of affordability these playoffs and some team will throw some crazy 2 mil contract at him ala stupid contracts like Neil... if not I would love to see him here for 1-1.5 a year, still a pretty good raise for him and a great 4th line guy who is relatively defensively responsible and can chip in 20-25 pts a year too...

[HankthaTank 1,100]

Not a single person on here can say Hudler will be s***, Abbie will get to 20 gino potential, and oh my goodness Nick was overpaid blah blah blah. Get it out of your systems, its definitely forgotten that we were reffed right out of the playoffs. And yeah, the Sharks sure figured us out and got swept but a round later so they don't scare a whole lot of anyone either. Fact is not a thing can be given a pro or a con until November or even December. Pump the brakes and all the negs in here give it rest cuz with this kind of support I would just rather you guys go ***** and moan on the water cooler. No one is saying its our Cup or no one's next year. But I hardly see us regressing as much as everyone seems to think on here.

[F2B&G 15]

This team will be better by virtue of the fact that they couldn't possibly be hit with the injury bug any worse than they were last year. Hudler is a reasonable upgrade from Williams because when you overlook the fact that both are lazy backcheckers, Hudler can actually shoot, score regularly, and run a powerplay, and he isn't a locker room cancer.

Howard will get another year under his belt, though I felt that he played too much last year and would like to see Osgood start 20-25 games if Babcock will let him.

Will this team win the President's Trophy? Probably not, but unless you're Washington or San Jose, who has wet dreams about earning that meaningless piece of hardware? They should be neck-and-neck with Chicago for the Central, and probably finish 3rd or 4th in the West with 1st round home ice advantage.

[Puckpossession 3]

What makes you think they have a chance? PROS: Nick is coming back. Brett Lebda isn't. No Olympics. That little guy's back. We get to see some young guys from GR. Flip, Ericsson, and Howard have one more year of experience. CONS: Nick took $6.2 million. No cash for a decent free agent. There's no addition to a losing team, just subtraction. THE WINGS GOT FIGURED OUT BY THE SHARKS, who's next?

You guys dont understand he already took a big paycut, theres something called pride, if ur the best player on ur team u shudnt be paid less then somebody else. Some of you guys wanted him to take 5m, or even 3.5-5, u guys are crazy. Take a look at players who are paid more then him (d-men) then come back cryin because i rather have him then any of those guys.

Its so easy to say take one for the team

[ltgator333 3]

So far this offseason is proving to be boring, which doesn't instill me with a lot of excitement about what the team's going to look like when winter rolls along. A winning team yes, but much beyond that is wishful thinking as you never know what six months from now is going to bring. I'm really not worked up one way or another at this point.

I am becoming concerned about the lack of young talent entering the team with the same old faces still hanging around that aren't getting any younger or more talented. I heard grumblings from my father earlier that Maltby is being considered for resigning, (not sure...)and as much as I appreciate what Malts has done in the past for this franchise, I have serious doubts as to what more he can do, along with a host of guys that we've had here for long enough to see what they're going to be able to do. I sincerely hope that there's going to be some emergence of some kind next season, but as I stated before you never know what six months from now will bring.

[HankthaTank 1,100]

So far this offseason is proving to be boring, which doesn't instill me with a lot of excitement about what the team's going to look like when winter rolls along. A winning team yes, but much beyond that is wishful thinking as you never know what six months from now is going to bring. I'm really not worked up one way or another at this point.

I am becoming concerned about the lack of young talent entering the team with the same old faces still hanging around that aren't getting any younger or more talented. I heard grumblings from my father earlier that Maltby is being considered for resigning, (not sure...)and as much as I appreciate what Malts has done in the past for this franchise, I have serious doubts as to what more he can do, along with a host of guys that we've had here for long enough to see what they're going to be able to do. I sincerely hope that there's going to be some emergence of some kind next season, but as I stated before you never know what six months from now will bring.

Consider it just grumblings. Maltby will be retiring and if re-signed has noooo place on this team whatsoever. A good summer of rest for these guys and no Olympic break. Fear not.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

lack of young talent? you mean like ritola, kindl, helm, abdelkader, ericsson, eaves, etc? with guys like tatar, nyquist, mursak, smith, etc. in the future?

[SweWings 45]

Yay Hudler. No, I'm not going to argue and no I don't care if you think he sucks.

[newfy 695]

You mean the goal where they had 6 guys on the ice for 30 seconds?

Go away troll...

I think hes talking about the goal where Hudler went soft to the puck and just kinda floated in there.

A prime example of how Hudler scoring 60 points doesn't mean hes a top 6 player. He's making plays like that against other teams bottom 6, I'd love to see him pull that in a head to head match up with Getzlaf.

[cjm502 165]

Hudler is crap. He'll be the most hated player on this board 3 months into the season.

Kronwall has regressed mightily the last 2 years and it has nothing to do with injuries. He's just plain bad handling the puck.

Miller- 4th line plugger. Maybe 25 points.

Eaves- 3rd line plugger. Hopefully 35-40 points.

Helm- 3rd line checker. Hopefully 45 points and better on faceoffs.

Abdelkader- 4th line wannabee fighter. Hopefully 35 points and not beat up too many times.

Those last 4 players aren't going to be the guys that get us over the hump this year, the year after or 10 years down the road.

lol

[McAwesome 754]

So far this offseason is proving to be boring, which doesn't instill me with a lot of excitement about what the team's going to look like when winter rolls along. A winning team yes, but much beyond that is wishful thinking as you never know what six months from now is going to bring. I'm really not worked up one way or another at this point.

I am becoming concerned about the lack of young talent entering the team with the same old faces still hanging around that aren't getting any younger or more talented. I heard grumblings from my father earlier that Maltby is being considered for resigning, (not sure...)and as much as I appreciate what Malts has done in the past for this franchise, I have serious doubts as to what more he can do, along with a host of guys that we've had here for long enough to see what they're going to be able to do. I sincerely hope that there's going to be some emergence of some kind next season, but as I stated before you never know what six months from now will bring.

Bolded: it's not really the offseason yet, the Finals are still going on, the draft is not for 3 weeks and free agency signing doesn't start until next month. Holland has done what he can for now, talking to players who are under contract but up for renewal, making qualifying offers, etc. I don't expect much excitement until July 1st, and even then I don't expect much from the Red Wings as Holland has already stated his intentions, re-sign Homer, Bert, some of our RFAs, and add a 3rd/4th line player in the mold of Dallas Drake. Unless Bert walks and we have the money to go after a top 6 guy like Plekanec or Lombardi, I don't anticipate much fireworks.

Underlined: I don't have time to dig up the links, but Maltby and Holland have both been quoted as saying that it's a foregone conclusion that he won't be back next year and if he does play another year it will be elsewhere.

[Supface 53]

Yes we are the same team. Our window of opportunity to win cups ended last year with our choke job against Pittsburgh. It will take an overhaul for us to get in a position to be a contender again. We are too old and too soft to win in the playoffs and Howard SUCKED in the playoffs.

[ltgator333 3]

Consider it just grumblings. Maltby will be retiring and if re-signed has noooo place on this team whatsoever. A good summer of rest for these guys and no Olympic break. Fear not.

Well I called it grumblings for a reason, it's not reasonably debate-able that he has to move on now. I thought the break had it's upsides.

lack of young talent? you mean like ritola, kindl, helm, abdelkader, ericsson, eaves, etc? with guys like tatar, nyquist, mursak, smith, etc. in the future?

Clearly you have misunderstood what I was trying to say. Ritola and Kindl count if they play, so you got me on the hook for those two, potentially. Helm/Abby/E/Eaves were on the team last year, nothing against them except they posses common talent, and Tatar/Nyquist/Mursak/Smith are more than likely not going to see time this year, barring injuries.

Bolded: it's not really the offseason yet, the Finals are still going on, the draft is not for 3 weeks and free agency signing doesn't start until next month. Holland has done what he can for now, talking to players who are under contract but up for renewal, making qualifying offers, etc. I don't expect much excitement until July 1st, and even then I don't expect much from the Red Wings as Holland has already stated his intentions, re-sign Homer, Bert, some of our RFAs, and add a 3rd/4th line player in the mold of Dallas Drake. Unless Bert walks and we have the money to go after a top 6 guy like Plekanec or Lombardi, I don't anticipate much fireworks.

Underlined: I don't have time to dig up the links, but Maltby and Holland have both been quoted as saying that it's a foregone conclusion that he won't be back next year and if he does play another year it will be elsewhere.

Yeah, I know but with a limited amount of cap space remaining it's pretty predictable. Overly dramatic isn't all that either, I'm looking for a happy medium. I think I found what my dad was speaking on, and fortunately it says an "outside chance". He, I, and many others think there shouldn't be a chance really.

Edit/linky-

http://detnews.com/article/20100602/SPORTS0103/6020386/1128/rss16

few paragraphs below the ad

Edited June 2, 2010 by ltgator333

[Buppy 1,720]

you seem to be forgetting that lids is making over a mil less than last year and the cap is going up approx 2mil. 3 mil clears up space to sign or trade for a good player if the wings so desire. it won't be a dman. and where's a spot on fwd if holland gets a 4th line pain in the ass to play against?

Z - dats - franzen - flip - huds - cleary - helm - abby - draper...9 already signed

homer - bert - ritola - miller - eaves...5 more looking for spots (3 and a 13th fwd spot avail)

i'm not even sure where this other fwd is gonna fit in the mix. homer, bert and ritola will most likely have spots and the wings damn well better sign eaves. there's 13 forwards. i'd like to see ritola get regular shifts and have 3 scoring fwd lines. and bert played good last year and holland wants to resign him. miller was good, but expendable. hopefully draper goes to TB. yzerman should put in a work request for cleary too. that'll clear things up a bit.

Not to nitpick, but we don't know how much the cap is going up, and Helm and Abby aren't signed yet. There's room for 14 forwards (roster room at least, cap room we'll see). Ritola is a big question mark. I hope he at least has a good enough camp that we don't have to risk waiving him, but we'll see.

I wonder if Asham played himself out of affordability these playoffs and some team will throw some crazy 2 mil contract at him ala stupid contracts like Neil... if not I would love to see him here for 1-1.5 a year, still a pretty good raise for him and a great 4th line guy who is relatively defensively responsible and can chip in 20-25 pts a year too...

32 years old. No better than a dozen or so other guys 3 or 4 years younger. Will probably cost more because of the Finals spotlight. Wouldn't be the worst choice ever, but wouldn't be my first choice either.

....

Like others have said, there's not much to be excited about. Hudler is the best addition. wow. Mostly we're just a year older.

[jerm8352 3]

You honestly think this team can compete for a Cup?????

I didn't say they wouldn't win or make the playoffs, I said they weren't going to win a Cup until Draper, Maltby, Lidstrom, Holmstrom, etc. have moved on.

[Puckpossession 3]

You mean this off season because next season hasn't started

You honestly think this team can compete for a Cup?????

I didn't say they wouldn't win or make the playoffs, I said they weren't going to win a Cup until Draper, Maltby, Lidstrom, Holmstrom, etc. have moved on.

Stick around for next season, same bs every year, to old to soft, the media's eaten you up.

Cleary was hurt, franzen was hurt, if we stay healthy, and the return of hudler, we can win. Howard wasn't bad just the one choke goal that completely killed us.

You honestly think this team can compete for a Cup?????

I didn't say they wouldn't win or make the playoffs, I said they weren't going to win a Cup until Draper, Maltby, Lidstrom, Holmstrom, etc. have moved on.

Also the salary cap next year is going to even the playing field, chicago wont be a power house anymore depth wise, and other teams, so calm down bud.

O yea dude and say we wont win until draper malty, LIDSTROM, and holmstrom mvoes on.

Draper kills penalties, doesnt log many minutes

Holmer is a great role player

Maltby's gone

Lids- Once lids leaves then we can fear about NOT winning cups for a while

[2guns 10]

I get a kick at all the slappies throwing out negatives at people who are answering the question posed by the thread starter, simply because they don't like the answer. I know that it's hard to be a realistic fan and face facts that your team sometimes isn't going to be world beating cup champs, but take a step back and open those eyes. Also, you know what they say about opinions.....

I personally think it will be a pretty sedate year and we will get bounced early in the playoffs. Even with the Mule, Kornwallis(Kronwall) and Cleary back at higher than 75%, Howard being a little more seasoned, although I still place him at a back up goalie at best, Lidstrom, who regardless of how the homers feel, is not the same D man he was three years ago, we just aren't Stanley Cup built right now. We aren't gritty enough.

On that note, I sure wouldn't mind being wrong this time.

[dobbles 252]

I don't know what your missing besides a lack of hockey snobbery. This why I hate the people on these boards. Nice job trying to sound important on the internet. I hope your staying nice and cool in moms basement.

was this in response to my post? wtf? i just responded that i didn't think we would see many young players. and all of a sudden i am living in my moms basement? wtf?

i started off saying i didn't think the thread would go well. i didn't say that because i thought your OP was bad; i said that because i assumed the arguing would get really ugly about the team. it actually has been pretty good though.

Edited June 3, 2010 by dobbles

[zombi 43]

It seems that some of the comments here were the same that we said when we were out of playoff contention this past season...

[jerm8352 3]

Seriously, I hope I am wrong but this team is not going to win the Cup. Lidstrom is one of the greatest defensemen to ever play the game, but so is Bobby Orr and I don't think anyone wants Orr on their blueline right now. 6.5 million for Lidstrom is too much at this point of his career. Yeah, I love the guy but I love winning Cups more than I love any one player and paying him that much money in the cap world at this point in time is not the best thing if we wanna win cups.

I really hate how this site has come to be a place where you can't say anything bad about the Wings. Unless you call the team the best ever assembled and are all sunshine and flowers about their chances to win, you get told you're not a true fan.

I have not let the media get to me. I watch the games. Lidstrom and others are MUCH slower than they used to be and less effective. This team is not tough enough for the playoffs, as evidenced by San Jose manhandling our team. And the scary thing is then San Jose got beat up by the Hawks.

[Esquire 324]

I'm excited to see the Detroit Red Wings ice another team.

And if it's the "same team" that finished 7th in the NHL (ahead of the Stanley Cup champs), 5th in the West, has the best defenseman of our generation along with two of the NHL's elite forwards, and makes the playoffs a record 19th straight season...well...that's cool too I guess.

[LeftWinger 5,130]

What excites me about this season is, Holland is actually landing our UFA's at a huge discount. If the Cap goes up by $2M we should be able to add at least a solid defender to shore up the defense.