90 replies to this topic

[Supface]

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]

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 by ltgator333, 02 June 2010 - 04:52 PM.

[Buppy]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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 by dobbles, 03 June 2010 - 03:02 PM.

[zombi]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[HankthaTank]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.