What are the Pros and Cons of next season?

[HankthaTank 1,100]

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.

Do we know what the best UFA defenseman out there are? And I mean ACTUAL DEFENSEman.

[Red Storm 38]

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.

He might not be bang on in his formulation but his general thesis is right on. This brand of Wings is getting long in the tooth;along with the calibre of goaltending they'll be no Cup back heref or a very long time.

[Buppy 1,720]

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.

The discounts (which aren't huge btw) and cap raise won't likely pay for anything more than Hudler and the raises for some of our RFAs. Barring a trade (which I think is unlikely atm) we won't be able to afford anything better than Lilja. Not this year at least, supply is too low. ~$2 million won't buy anything decent.

I just hope we can save a decent amount of space to add something at the deadline if we need it.

[NBCnothingbutcrosby 159]

I have been flirting with this topic all year round. We just look washed up, I'd hate to say it but we do. It's hard to be optimistic.

So what we get a greedy, tiny player easy to push off the puck...? woopety doo.

Truth is:

Lidstrom is good, but isn't getting any younger and has shown wear.

Rafalski's game is fading and isn't worth his pay.

If Zetterberg puts up numbers again like last year, between his injuries and lack of desire I'd say trade him... sorry fanboys

If Franzen has anymore concussions the smart move would to be trade damaged goods while you still have value.

Howard Choked in the playoffs, good games sure. He also had some bad one's, too inconsistent.

Too much dead weight on the roster from loyalty (Draper, Maltby, Osgood)

Kronwall has been lackluster the last two years, and is injury prone.

Don't even get me started on this one; DAN CLEARY DOESN'T DESERVE HIS CONTRACT I'm sure he'll be out another 50 games with some type of injury next season, get him to waive his NTC and ship him out please.

Lebda must go

Meech must go

We're too old and slowing down

This team will not go far next year, IF they make the playoffs honestly... They look alot like the Pistons do right now, great for years but dynasty came to an end.. the salary cap is causing this.

[HankthaTank 1,100]

I have been flirting with this topic all year round. We just look washed up, I'd hate to say it but we do. It's hard to be optimistic.

So what we get a greedy, tiny player easy to push off the puck...? woopety doo.

If Zetterberg puts up numbers again like last year, between his injuries and lack of desire I'd say trade him... sorry fanboys

Don't even get me started on this one; DAN CLEARY DOESN'T DESERVE HIS CONTRACT I'm sure he'll be out another 50 games with some type of injury next season, get him to waive his NTC and ship him out please.

to to on that one man...WOW

and

When has he been out for 50 games at all, friend?

I realize going through this its just to get attention but really, this holds more water when the actual season starts. So may as well just hit the backspace key a bunch of times other than the obvious Lebda and Meech statements.

[NBCnothingbutcrosby 159]

to to on that one man...WOW

and

When has he been out for 50 games at all, friend?

I realize going through this its just to get attention but really, this holds more water when the actual season starts. So may as well just hit the backspace key a bunch of times other than the obvious Lebda and Meech statements.

I'd swap out Zetterberg for Kovalchuk

Cleary for David Backes

In a heartbeat...

Saying the most commonly injured player on our team and who also isn't worth the money hes being paid doesn't deserve to go makes you a joke.

I'd get rid of draper + meech and pick up Winchester too.

I'd swap out Zetterberg for Kovalchuk

Cleary for David Backes

In a heartbeat...

Saying the most commonly injured player on our team and who also isn't worth the money hes being paid doesn't deserve to go makes you a joke.

I'd get rid of draper + meech and pick up Winchester too.

Also, the truth is we need to get younger, bigger, and faster. Anyone who doesn't think so is definitely in denial.

[HankthaTank 1,100]

I'd swap out Zetterberg for Kovalchuk

Cleary for David Backes

In a heartbeat...

Saying the most commonly injured player on our team and who also isn't worth the money hes being paid doesn't deserve to go makes you a joke.

I'd get rid of draper + meech and pick up Winchester too.

That trade wouldn't even fly in NHL 2010. You are talking about an older, gritty forward who just busts his ass night in and night out regardless of injuries and get a . In a heartbeat yeah, probably, but be logical. Maltby and Draper have to go and Malts probably will. We would have to eat Drapes' money so may as well get what we can out of that. He won't see much game time regardless. Kovalchuk can't do half the s*** in the defensive zone that Z can do and this is guaranteed without Wings goggles on. Kovie is a great goal scorer but the trade to the Devils did jack for them (See 1st round vs. Philly) I am not saying Stanley Cup next year. I am saying your horrifically poor judgment of a post needs way more edits than a damn 3 year old's take on Tale of Two Cities. Go back to watching Lakers/Celtics, got no more time to waste on senseless posts that rattle off crazy inconsistent blabber from an uneducated hockey mind.

[NBCnothingbutcrosby 159]

That trade wouldn't even fly in NHL 2010. You are talking about an older, gritty forward who just busts his ass night in and night out regardless of injuries and get a . In a heartbeat yeah, probably, but be logical. Maltby and Draper have to go and Malts probably will. We would have to eat Drapes' money so may as well get what we can out of that. He won't see much game time regardless. Kovalchuk can't do half the s*** in the defensive zone that Z can do and this is guaranteed without Wings goggles on. Kovie is a great goal scorer but the trade to the Devils did jack for them (See 1st round vs. Philly) I am not saying Stanley Cup next year. I am saying your horrifically poor judgment of a post needs way more edits than a damn 3 year old's take on Tale of Two Cities. Go back to watching Lakers/Celtics, got no more time to waste on senseless posts that rattle off crazy inconsistent blabber from an uneducated hockey mind.

First off, I never said we were going to trade for Backes it was a comparison because both make the same per year in salary. Showing what we COULD get with that overpaid money. Cleary busts his ass off with his slow speed, and often injured frame. Malts needs to go, and Draper could be a 19th forward for all I care. Kovalchuk wouldn't fit a trap scheme well in NJ, but a puck possesion and defensive scheme might work for him (See: Fedorov). We won't win a Stanley Cup until Holland makes major moves. I don't watch basketball... and I know alot more about hockey than you probably being how I've played 15 years and haven't missed a Wings game in 4 years literally, not one.

[SuperNovaXll 124]

Geez, I'm honestly pretty surprised at how negative everyone is for next season. ...Then again, this is LGW. Wouldnt have it any other way

We might now have the best team in the NHL next year, but I still think we are a cup contender.

Lids is still one of the best D-men in the NHL, We will have a healthy Mule (Hopefully), We have two of, if not the TWO best defensive offensive men in the nhl with Dats and Z, who can also put the puck in the net. Our Young guys got some games under there belt last year and Jimmy should have a better playoffs next season.

We have a long way to go till next year, and quite a few things still need to be worked out, but if things go well... we should have a SHOT at a long playoff run.

[NBCnothingbutcrosby 159]

Geez, I'm honestly pretty surprised at how negative everyone is for next season. ...Then again, this is LGW. Wouldnt have it any other way

We might now have the best team in the NHL next year, but I still think we are a cup contender.

Lids is still one of the best D-men in the NHL, We will have a healthy Mule (Hopefully), We have two of, if not the TWO best defensive offensive men in the nhl with Dats and Z, who can also put the puck in the net. Our Young guys got some games under there belt last year and Jimmy should have a better playoffs next season.

We have a long way to go till next year, and quite a few things still need to be worked out, but if things go well... we should have a SHOT at a long playoff run.

Can you guarantee the teams health? Honestly If Dats/Zet/Franz get hurt I expect to not make the playoffs... I just don't see it happening. We need major moves and to shake up a team. They've already won it all, we need a few new players with more desire to win their first cup (Example: Drake) It's contagious.

[Buppy 1,720]

I have been flirting with this topic all year round. We just look washed up, I'd hate to say it but we do. It's hard to be optimistic.

So what we get a greedy, tiny player easy to push off the puck...? woopety doo.

Truth is:

Lidstrom is good, but isn't getting any younger and has shown wear.

Rafalski's game is fading and isn't worth his pay.

If Zetterberg puts up numbers again like last year, between his injuries and lack of desire I'd say trade him... sorry fanboys

If Franzen has anymore concussions the smart move would to be trade damaged goods while you still have value.

Howard Choked in the playoffs, good games sure. He also had some bad one's, too inconsistent.

Too much dead weight on the roster from loyalty (Draper, Maltby, Osgood)

Kronwall has been lackluster the last two years, and is injury prone.

Don't even get me started on this one; DAN CLEARY DOESN'T DESERVE HIS CONTRACT I'm sure he'll be out another 50 games with some type of injury next season, get him to waive his NTC and ship him out please.

Lebda must go

Meech must go

We're too old and slowing down

This team will not go far next year, IF they make the playoffs honestly... They look alot like the Pistons do right now, great for years but dynasty came to an end.. the salary cap is causing this.

With a management philosophy like that you'd be overhauling the roster every year. Great way to suck, but much less effective as a way to build a Cup team.

Yes, Nick and Rafi are getting older. That happens. Trade core players, both of whom have friendly cap hits, and both of whom have a history of strong playoff performance? Give up on a Calder nominee after a somewhat poor playoff in his first time? Get rid of his hall of fame caliber mentor (who has one year left on a rather cheap contract)? Kronwall too would be tough to replace at his money. Cleary is one of our more versatile players, had a great playoff a couple years ago. I'm not in love with his contract, but it's not that bad either. He can still be a very valuable player. His injury problems haven't been near as bad as you suggest.

How would you propose replacing those guys?

Matby and Lebda are all but gone already. Draper only has a year left and won't likely be back afterward. Meech could likely be gone. None of those are really important moves (individually at least), nor do they represent enough money to really make a difference. They're minor roster tweaks that are already happening, not sure what you're complaining about.

I guess I understand your point, and agree to some extent. Our years of success combined with the salary cap are taking a toll. But I hardly think the situation is as grim as you seem to suggest. Not much to be excited about this year, but we won't be a bad team. Maybe not a top contender, but really any team in the playoffs has a chance if they get hot at the right time. And we still have great management and a solid core for at least a few more years. No reason to think it will be impossible to solve the problems we'll encounter.

[newfy 695]

First off, I never said we were going to trade for Backes it was a comparison because both make the same per year in salary. Showing what we COULD get with that overpaid money. Cleary busts his ass off with his slow speed, and often injured frame. Malts needs to go, and Draper could be a 19th forward for all I care. Kovalchuk wouldn't fit a trap scheme well in NJ, but a puck possesion and defensive scheme might work for him (See: Fedorov). We won't win a Stanley Cup until Holland makes major moves. I don't watch basketball... and I know alot more about hockey than you probably being how I've played 15 years and haven't missed a Wings game in 4 years literally, not one.

Cool stuff

[Original-Six 254]

This team will not go far next year, IF they make the playoffs honestly... They look alot like the Pistons do right now, great for years but dynasty came to an end.. the salary cap is causing this.

Yes the dynasty came to a end because the team (a very good one at that) was gutted. Which is basically what you want Holland to do...

I guess only making the playoffs as a 5th seed after having your top players out with long term injures means its time to rebuild.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

I'd swap out Zetterberg for Kovalchuk

That would be a terrible exchange. Zetterberg is a premier shutdown, two-way forward in the NHL, who has led the team in playoff scoring the last three seasons, and leads the league in playoff goals scored since the lockout. Kovalchuk is just a guy that can pick a corner. Which is a neat trick, the Wings could use a guy like that, but certainly not at the expense of a player of Hank's caliber.

[eva unit zero 271]

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.

And you have, conclusively, proven you know jack squat about hockey. All of those guys are defensively solid players, first of all. But the big thing is, unless you think that the NHL is going to suddenly be the 80s again next year, 35-45 point performances would land them squarely in the 91st-180th range of forwards for points. That's second-line output (30 teams x 3 forwards = 90 forwards) so what you're saying is that all four of those guys are solid two-way second-line players. And they are all fighting for third and fourth line spots on the Wings because there are players who are considerably better than them up higher on the depth chart.

Sounds like the Wings are going to be pretty stacked!

Seriously, though, all four of those guys are solid two-way third-liners at this point. All of them should score maybe 20-25 points...Eaves could potentially get more depending on how the lines go and if Bertuzzi is re-signed, as Eaves is the most likely to be used in an offensive role (Cleary/Filppula/Eaves or Bertuzzi/Filppula/Eaves for the third line?)

And BTW everyone, Cleary is not overpaid for his contract. You feel that way because he had a great playoff and hasn't lived up to that performance in the regular season. Just like he "wasn't as good this year" as he was last year.

Here's some facts:

Cleary scored at approximately the same points per game this season as last, and scored more goals.

Cleary scored almost as many points this season as he did the season before he signed the deal.

Cleary's production and his performance as a defensive specialist are at least worth $2.8m compared to contracts around the league for other players. If McDonalds' supervisor makes $10/hr and that seems like too much for the job, but BK's makes $12/hr, even though he's not as good as the one at McDonald's, is the McD's supervisor overpaid?

[Kira 451]

I'm looking forward to a season without a bunch of injuries, with a more mature Jim Howard, and hopefully more of an impact from Patrick Eaves and Drew Miller. Also a better season from Pasha...he'll bounce back, I have no doubt.

[Supface 53]

reading some of the posts in this thread is giving me diabetes.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

aww i want some

[Gnredwing 10]

Why are so many people looking at next season negative. We lost to the Sharks this year who happened to be the number 1 seed in the west, it's not like we lost to the Avalanche!

Datsyuk, Zetterberg on the same line next year will certainly help with offense. Franzen back and healthy and an emerging star in Fillpula plus a healthy Dan Cleary is certainly great news! Throw Hudler and Homer into the mix you've got 2 lines most teams would love to have. Howard will only get better, and you have Lidstrom coming back! I havent been looking foward to a season as much as next season for a long time! And enough of this old crap, ever sine 02 the Wings have been "too old" enough already. We won in 02 and then again in 08, the players are all very capable of playing the game or they wouldnt be. Go Wings!!

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

The Red Wings are lazy and they suck.

Yes, that was a joke.

Yes, it was a very bad one. 6:15am. Gimme some slack.

*shrugs*

[newfy 695]

I'm looking forward to having a bottom 6 that is tougher to play against and can wear down the defense finally. Abdelkader and a UFA with a similar game and I'm happy.

[HankthaTank 1,100]

MEHH Whatever some people's Cheerios have just been s*** in too many times to really see through the fact that this team with all the "geezers" still was the strongest after the break. Making predictions as I have heard in here in June while the season is still going on is just exactly what happens in here. A bunch of "bold" predictions that hold no real weight. I understand that people have played for 15 years and watched 4 straight years of hockey and blah blah thats nice. I am younger probably and still play and have for 12 years and have had the same season tickets in the family since I was 10. Who cares? I mean great you are a fan but brother, your predictions shall be bookmarked and I will be chattin with ya this year...

Edited June 4, 2010 by HankthaTank

[jeff48109 474]

we cant have such bad luck with injury again right?

having hudler back does make a difference, we have more depth for the top 6. bottom 6 are easier to replace.

my main concern will be Howard's sophomore season. there have been calder winning goalies who sucked after winning (Mason, Raycroft).

[Guest mindfly]

Will be fun to watch the red wings early on no matter how bad they will look, a summer without hockey is painful.. but i don't have any high hopes for this team considering holland will not be active in the off season. Changes in some positions are just needed, Period.

Edited June 4, 2010 by mindfly

[Rivalred 630]

Myself, I am curious on how the goal tending situation will be played out. Will they rotate, will Osgood play lights out? If we have a healthy year, what will the end result be?