The Latest On Detroit's #6 Defensemen

[rick zombo 3,739]

Looks like the addition of a McKee/Hnidy type won't happen until after training camp or the late fall. Don't shoot the messenger.

"I want to see where he's at," Holland said of Smith. "Do we go with kids or do we sign a veteran? If the right free agent comes along at the right price, well sign him. If not, I am comfortable going to training camp and letting these guys sort it out. If they aren't up to the challenge, we can always look to add a veteran in October or November But I am OK letting this play itself out over the summer and then again in October."

Wouldn't it be crazy if Smith made the team?

There's other good stuff here too regarding Modano and Meech

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2010/07/mccosky_brendan_smith_aiming_t.html

edit: I may have jumped the gun a bit. Seems like Holland would sign a UFA if the right deal came along. If not he's happy to play the waiting game.

Edited July 8, 2010 by rick zombo

[stevkrause 1,247]

Looks like the addition of a McKee/Hnidy type won't happen until after training camp or the late fall. Don't shoot the messenger.

Wouldn't it be crazy if Smith made the team?

There's other good stuff here too regarding Modano and Meech

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2010/07/mccosky_brendan_smith_aiming_t.html

edit: I may have jumped the gun a bit. Seems like Holland would sign a UFA if the right deal came along. If not he's happy to play the waiting game.

wow... never even considered that an option... I think it would be downright stupid to carry him as a 6/7th dman, when he could log major minutes in GR and REALLY develop into a top 2 guy - if we don't sign another veteran D man, I'm perfectly content with giving Janik a serious chance and rolling with it...

[redwingfan19 293]

Looks like the addition of a McKee/Hnidy type won't happen until after training camp or the late fall. Don't shoot the messenger.

Wouldn't it be crazy if Smith made the team?

There's other good stuff here too regarding Modano and Meech

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2010/07/mccosky_brendan_smith_aiming_t.html

edit: I may have jumped the gun a bit. Seems like Holland would sign a UFA if the right deal came along. If not he's happy to play the waiting game.

yeah I just posted this in the prospects camp thread and I would be shocked if hnidy or mckke were still around by then.

It's looking like one of the kids will get the 6/7 spot or janik.

[mackel 681]

yeah I just posted this in the prospects camp thread and I would be shocked if hnidy or mckke were still around by then.

It's looking like one of the kids will get the 6/7 spot or janik.

My guess is that Big E either plays well enough to be in the top 5 D or he becomes the 6/7 and one of the other kids steps up ie. Smith or Kindl.

[Rick 42]

Dobberhockey had something similar as well.

Detroit’s top four are all locked up – Lidstrom, Kronwall, Rafalski, and Stuart. Jonathan Ericsson is signed through 2010-11 as well, but he is far from a sure thing.

Look for the Wings to bring in a cheap veteran like Salei/McKee and let Jakub Kindl and Brendan Smith also compete for a spot in camp.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

This is one area I simply don't agree with Kenny on. If Lilja can't be kept for $1 million, IMHO you need to look elsewhere to get a calming veteran presence to compliment E and/or Kindl. Not only that, losing Lilja is a huge blow to our PK, which really turned around once he came back in February.

[Opie 308]

I don't like the idea of Ericsson being the vet on any pairing, I think it will hurt his development as well as the other member of the pairing.

A Hnidy or McKee adds a vet presence and a very solid D man, plus Hnidy is a tough SOB!

Let Smith play the year in GR, IMO!

[NotTooAbby 71]

I hope one of our young guns can crack the top six....I usually get some flack for this but E and Lils...I just dont see it, at all.

And let Drew Palmisano play one game simply for his helmet. Sick just Sick.

[HankthaTank 1,100]

Kindl, Janik, or even Smith. If we have a shot at seeing Smith this year I will be quite pumped. Hoping he brings an edge that is obviously missing from that spot. Camp shall tell all.

[zettie85 106]

If this is the case i don't see why Janik can't be in the line-up next year. Obviously we aren't the experts but his performance last year when he was up was completely satisfactory in my mind. He's better than ******* Lebda. Hell, he's probably better than Rafalski.

[Opie 308]

If this is the case i don't see why Janik can't be in the line-up next year. Obviously we aren't the experts but his performance last year when he was up was completely satisfactory in my mind. He's better than ******* Lebda. Hell, he's probably better than Rafalski.

Other than the Ralf part of your post I have no problem with this suggestion.

But then again I am a huge UMaine fan and so any time a UMainer has a chance to play for the Wings I am all in!

Plus the fact he was very solid last year, I just don't think he adds the grit people are looking for quite like a Hnidy.

[zettie85 106]

Other than the Ralf part of your post I have no problem with this suggestion.

But then again I am a huge UMaine fan and so any time a UMainer has a chance to play for the Wings I am all in!

Plus the fact he was very solid last year, I just don't think he adds the grit people are looking for quite like a Hnidy.

Hnidy would be a bigger cap hit than Janik. I don't really know if grit at the back is our problem. We just need a stopper. Someone who can get the puck in the corners and slow down an offence. If Janik can go out and quietly do his job that is ok with me.

[brett 1,029]

i thought kindl was the next guy to earn a spot

[eva unit zero 271]

People on this board constantly ***** about Kyle Quincey being let go, yet when talking about who the bottom three defensemen will be in this thread it's Ericsson, who already has a spot, a free agent, which is possible, and then Kindl and Smith. What about Meech?

If you're going off on guys who might/will have one of those spots, Meech has to be listed, especially if you are one of the ones complaining about Quincey; Meech outplayed Quincey their entire time together in the Wings' system.

[Shaman 713]

Maybe if this is how the wings look at the beginning of the season and Smith wins a roster spot

Lids-Raffi

Kronwall-Big E

Stuart-Smith

It would be a lot better than putting Big E out here with the rookie smith, and Stuarts shut down physical play will offset Smith's more offensive minded play.

[Andy Pred 48 337]

Smith and Kindl are both expected top 4 guys when drafted. E is a real bonus to the Wings as to how far he has come compaired to his drafting position. Maybe E can adapt and turn into the 5/6 physical shutdown guy ala Lilja and have Stuart as his partner. Then have

Smith and Kindl compete to play alongside Nik jnr or give them a run in the team each to see where their at. This could be a win win situation for the Wings, getting 2 high end draft picks 30 plus games each in their rookie season alongside a vet to learn off.

1st Lids Raffi

2nd Kronner Smith/Kindl

3rd Stuy Big rig

7th Smith/Kindl

[titanium2 867]

Maybe if this is how the wings look at the beginning of the season and Smith wins a roster spot

Lids-Raffi

Kronwall-Big E

Stuart-Smith

It would be a lot better than putting Big E out here with the rookie smith, and Stuarts shut down physical play will offset Smith's more offensive minded play.

I actually like that idea.

EDIT: Some more thoughts on it.

If more things go right than wrong I see that back end lineup as quite deep. It paints a nice picture, regardless of whether or not it's true. Nick-Rafi, tried and true. Ericsson loves playing with Kronwall. Stuart a stable stay at home presence for Smith.

But what would you do about Kindl in that scenario? Who knows? Maybe trade him for a draft pick, a #7 dman and a bottom six stable physical presence or something, I don't know. It'd be nice if the Wings could finally get someone to keep the flies off and play hockey.

Edited July 9, 2010 by titanium2

[VM1138 1,921]

Well, Kindl could rotate in like Meech did for the longest time. Although I'm not sure why Smith (totally unproven) would make it in over Kindl, even with a strong camp showing. It just seems like we owe Kindl a shot before Smith. If Kindl doesn't work out we can just bring up Smith or Janik later. I really don't see a need for Meech.

[stevkrause 1,247]

Maybe if this is how the wings look at the beginning of the season and Smith wins a roster spot

Lids-Raffi

Kronwall-Big E

Stuart-Smith

It would be a lot better than putting Big E out here with the rookie smith, and Stuarts shut down physical play will offset Smith's more offensive minded play.

Smith hasn't even played in the AHL yet, let alone the NHL and Kindl has shown MAJOR steps forward in the last 2 seasons, not to mention was a 1st rd pick... I'm as excited as the next guy about Smith's potential and future with this team, but lets keep things in perspective here... there is NO way Smith gets a shot ahead of Kindl, nor should he.

Well, Kindl could rotate in like Meech did for the longest time. Although I'm not sure why Smith (totally unproven) would make it in over Kindl, even with a strong camp showing. It just seems like we owe Kindl a shot before Smith. If Kindl doesn't work out we can just bring up Smith or Janik later. I really don't see a need for Meech.

exactly.

[eva unit zero 271]

If that means Kindl spends another year in GR

Not gonna happen.

If he doesn't make the Wings' roster, he's traded. Period. End of story. He can't go back without going through waivers. The Wings lost Quincey, who showed nothing for years, to waivers, and he's become a top-four defenseman. Do you think they'll just hand over Kindl for free?

[stevkrause 1,247]

If that means Kindl spends another year in GR - then so be it.

not an option - try again.

[eva unit zero 271]

Is there any indication Kindl will be a top 4 Dman in this league - let alone good enough for either the 5/6 spots?..He may end up as our 5/6 Dman due to the cap, and not because of his abilities.

So he goes through waivers...Is he really that good that the Red Wings can't afford to lose him?

Would you send Mursak or Tatar through waivers? Kindl is considered the Wings' top defensive prospect, rated to be a top-pairing defenseman. At the very least he deserves a shot. Maybe he doesn't make it. But you don't drop your top prospect at a position just because. Look at Howard.

[dragonballgtz 273]

So he goes through waivers...Is he really that good that the Red Wings can't afford to lose him?

When you lose a prospect, that has potential like he does, for nothing that is a hard pill to swallow for any team. All that time wasted for nothing not even another pick.

[stevkrause 1,247]

Would you send Mursak or Tatar through waivers? Kindl is considered the Wings' top defensive prospect, rated to be a top-pairing defenseman. At the very least he deserves a shot. Maybe he doesn't make it. But you don't drop your top prospect at a position just because. Look at Howard.

exactly - not to mention the fact that he has taken MAJOR strides over the past 2 years and IS ONLY 23... think of a faster, more physical Rafalski with a harder shot...

To even suggest that we expose him to waivers is asinine.

[stevkrause 1,247]

Kindl was what - our 1st rounder in 2005 - right?

By now he should've shown glimpses of what he's capable of...These past 3 years in GR haven't shown much (from what little I've seen personally and from what I've read) - other than he's capable of being the 6/7 Dman for the Red Wings this upcoming season...I could be wrong, but losing him via waivers isn't gonna kill our D.

He has shown a LOT more than glimpses - being a .43 ppg player as a d-man is not something to just write off and he has gotten DRASTICALLY better defensively... he is ONLY 23!!!

It is still WAY too early to give up on him and he's shown a LOT more than a potential 6/7... now if he grows into it, still needs to be seen, but he has definitely shown the potential to be top 4...

Edited July 9, 2010 by stevkrause