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.
