In Modano's absence, Wings' trade picture murky

[Guest mindfly]

I know a lot of folks here read detnews etc but thought it was an interesting article that is easy to discuss.

What do you hope to see at the deadline? Would you rather want Modano to be ruled out for the season and go after someone?

Trade kindl and something for a solid nhl d-man, what are your thoughts?

In Mike Modano's absence, Wings' trade picture murky

Eric Lacy / The Detroit News

Detroit - It's never too early to talk trades.

The situation this season, however, is complicated for Red Wings general manager Ken Holland.

"You sort of putz along and evaluate by a game-by-game, week-by-week basis," he said.

Holland said he has to stay patient because the Red Wings probably won't know the full potential of their roster until at least February and have only $650,000 in salary cap space.

The status of 40-year-old forward Mike Modano, out with a severed tendon and nerve damage in his right wrist, appears to be a major factor in Holland's appraisal of the team.

Modano could return in March.

The NHL's trade deadline is March 2.

If doctors rule Modano out for the season, Holland suggested Thursday he could shop for a forward. If Modano returns, the roster could stay as is.

Holland also appears willing to explore ways to bolster the defense, especially if 23-year-old Jakub Kindl remains in Grand Rapids.

The defenseman hasn't played for Detroit since Nov. 6, a span of 13 games.

"You're trying to win, but behind the scenes, you're also trying to develop what you have," Holland said. "There's so many factors that factor into what you do and what you don't do at the trade deadline."

Another factor Holland must anticipate, or at least prepare for, is further injuries to the active roster.

"You just have to let the season evolve," Holland said.

Northern flair

The CBC will carry tonight's Red Wings-Canadiens game as a special Friday edition of "Hockey Night In Canada." The game is also on Fox Sports Detroit.

Elliotte Friedman , a CBC reporter, predicts the game will draw more than 1 million Canadian viewers because of the Original Six pedigree of the teams. "Even though maybe some of their star players aren't Canadian," Friedman said of the Red Wings, "I think Canadians respect good hockey."

The game won't feature a live appearance from CBC personality Don Cherry , Friedman said. Cherry is in a bit of trouble for controversial comments he made Tuesday about liberals at the inauguration of conservative Toronto mayor Rob Ford . Cherry, donning a pink flowered suit, called out his opposition in a way only he could.

"I'm wearing pink for all the pinkos out there that ride bicycles and everything," he said.

A transcript of Cherry's rant was posted this week on the website of The National Post, an Ontario-based publication.

Ice chips

After two straight losses, goaltender Jimmy Howard , 26, said he expects to start against the Canadians. He'll face talented, young Canadiens netminder Carey Price , 23.

Price is tied for second in the NHL in shutouts with four. The Bruins' Tim Thomas leads with five. Price's record is 17-7-2.

… Henrik Zetterberg and Kris Draper appeared healthy and skated with ease in practice. Zetterberg hobbled off the ice Wednesday after he was hit by the Predators' Shea Weber, and Draper played Wednesday in his first home game of the season since hernia surgery.

[evilzyme 769]

They brought Modano in strictly for the playoff grind, with the doctors already announcing that his wrist will be fully functional after the heal I don't forsee anything happening. Yesterday or today he was supposted to also get his stitches removed and this weekend he was hopefully going to start stationary biking again. Obviously we'll know more in the forth coming months but I would get it out of your head for anything to happen, we can only hope that Hudler gets away from our lineup.

[sputman 1,268]

"I'm wearing pink for all the pinkos out there that ride bicycles and everything," he said.

yeah, to hell with all of those people "concerned about the environment" and everything.

and screw europeans.

don cherry is such an assclown. and the highest collars in the world couldn't hide your turkey neck old man. gobble gobble.

anyway, yeah, we'll get the standard "<insert-player's-name-here> return to the lineup is our deadline acquisition." shpeel come march.

[Booster313 138]

If Modano is able to return and is healthy, I don't think we need to make a move. Maybe unloading Hudler if his play has not improved but then the question becomes what could you really get in return?

[Aussie_Wing 354]

No need for any trades I wouldn't have thought...

[Travis 576]

don cherry is such an assclown.

Agreed. x 100000

No need for any trades I wouldn't have thought...

I wouldn't have imagined us being in the market for anyone, either.

[VM1138 1,921]

Agreed. x 100000

I wouldn't have imagined us being in the market for anyone, either.

We don't have a need to be filled. We have our scorers, playmakers, grinders, offensive defensemen, defensive defensemen, and two quality goalies (Osgood has shown signs of his old self, if only he could play more). Most of them are proven playoff warriors. I don't see what else we need?

I'd like to get rid of Hudler but realistically there's nothing we could get for him.

[rick zombo 3,739]

To Detroit: Colin White

To New Jersey: Jakub Kindl and Jiri Hudler

[Hockey Convert 55]

What do you hope to see at the deadline? Would you rather want Modano to be ruled out for the season and go after someone?

Trade kindl and something for a solid nhl d-man, what are your thoughts?

I'm indifferent on the Modano front; I haven't been impressed by his play, but will yield to Holland's and Babcock's judgment there. I really would rather not see Kindl traded since I thought he looked very solid when he was playing. I'd like to see him get more time, and have him ready when Lidstrom and probably later Rafalski decide to call it quits.

[Shaman 713]

To Detroit: Colin White

To New Jersey: Jakub Kindl and Jiri Hudler

Yea trade one of our best defense prospects and Hudler for a guy with 12 points last year

[newfy 695]

yeah, to hell with all of those people "concerned about the environment" and everything.

and screw europeans.

don cherry is such an assclown. and the highest collars in the world couldn't hide your turkey neck old man. gobble gobble.

anyway, yeah, we'll get the standard "<insert-player's-name-here> return to the lineup is our deadline acquisition." shpeel come march.

Do you even knnow the whole Rob Ford situation in Toronto? I highly doubt it so maybe reserve judgement til you have some facts. Ford is exactly what that City needs.

Yea trade one of our best defense prospects and Hudler for a guy with 12 points last year

I tihnk Hudler and Kindl could be a very likely package we trade if we make one but I woudn't do it for Colin White unless there as a second round pick coming back Detroit's way or something

[Guest Crymson]

No need for any trades I wouldn't have thought...

Don't mind those who assume that a trade would automatically make the team better.

[newfy 695]

Don't mind those who assume that a trade would automatically make the team better.

Well usually a trade addresses the needs of a team, especially the small ones Holland usually makes. So yeah especially for the red wings they usually make the team better

[redwingfan19 293]

Yea trade one of our best defense prospects and Hudler for a guy with 12 points last year

points mean everything

[dragonballgtz 273]

I love Don Cherry

[Guest mjtm77]

nothing wrong with cherry hes acually a pretty smart guy. Say what you want haters!

[Guest mindfly]

Not to go all political here but I think Republican's can relate to Don Cherry...Just get that feeling.

[sputman 1,268]

nothing wrong with cherry hes acually a pretty smart guy. Say what you want haters!

will do!

racial and xenophobic rants have nothing to do with intelligence.

hitler was a pretty intelligent guy. the unibomber got his PhD at UofM.

don cherry is a blowhard, attention-seeking, chode-stain. in my opinion.

he's basically a peacock displaying his colorful feathers in some sort of weird, national mating dance he's been jigging for years to attract the likes of someone like you.

but whatever, this is about trades. i think we should trade dan cleary for any black european available by march 2.

yeah, that oughta do it.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Unless the injury bug goes nuts on the Wings again, I don't see much need to make any huge deals. Nobody's mentioning the solid play overall of our lower d-man, that might discourage a big trade as well (which is a good thing). No real big complaints about Salei and Ericsson has been very good since coming back from injury, and Kindl overall showed good stuff earlier in the season.

Maybe make a move for Hudler if he just keeps underperforming close to the deadline.

Modano has underperformed some but I think he was getting better slowly/surely before his injury. And it's not like he was counted on to be the main go-to-guy. The Wings depth is still fairly solid even with him injured and getting him back hopefully towards the end of the season is a bonus.

[joshy207 156]

but whatever, this is about trades. i think we should trade dan cleary for any black european available by march 2.

So... Johnny Oduya?

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

To Detroit: John Erskine

To Washington: Jakub Kindl and Jiri Hudler

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

You know Holland will just say "getting Modano back will be our trade deadline acqusition"...lol

[Grim 5]

curious... what is Fedorov's status in the KHL?

[55fan 5,133]

curious... what is Fedorov's status in the KHL?

He's black now?

[Wingzman91 134]

lmfao, umm....back to the subject, if anyone thinks Kindl will be traded, be prepared to be let down. Kindl has given no reason for them to move him.

I like Hudler, but, he will likely be shopped.