Realistically - Chances that Holland makes a deadline move?

[stevkrause 1,247]

With the season more than a third over and a pretty clear idea of what our team is/will be, what does everything think the odds are that Holland makes a move at the deadline?

I personally think it is almost certain, but on a different level than trades have been in the past - As the payout for trades seems to be better at the deadline than in the off season and considering how many young assets we have that are not playing or not playing enough AND contracts coming up (Kindl, Pyett, possibly Larsen's rights, maybe Axelsson), I expect Holland to trade away a couple of those assets and possibly Hudler for some picks... I personally do not see Holland making a move for a roster player this year, as I think our team is pretty set with what we have for a deep and successful run and if anything, we need to shed some pieces, not add...

Just my 2 cents...

Edited December 16, 2010 by stevkrause

[VM1138 1,921]

Highly unlikely. The team really isn't missing anything. Plus, the only expendable players are expendable for a reason and Holland wouldn't get anything in a trade.

[Broken 16 381]

I voted likely. Nothing to back that up. I just have a gut feeling that Holland is gonna swing some kind of minor tweak deal at the deadline. Maybe pick up a couple picks along the way.

[stevkrause 1,247]

Side note - if a title is too long, why does the board let you post it, shouldn't it cut it off, so you know what title you're posting?

I voted likely. Nothing to back that up. I just have a gut feeling that Holland is gonna swing some kind of minor tweak deal at the deadline. Maybe pick up a couple picks along the way.

That's my exact thinking... I think Kindl needs a change of scenery since he's likely not going to get much of a shot here (especially with Smith, Lashoff, Nicastro, Almqvist, etc... in the pipeline) and since he was a 1st round pick and has only played part of the year here, plus is still relatively young, we could realistically get some decent return for him, especially if packaged...

[Broken 16 381]

Side note - if a title is too long, why does the board let you post it, shouldn't it cut it off, so you know what title you're posting?

You should have put "REALISTICALLY" below.

[stevkrause 1,247]

You should have put "REALISTICALLY" below.

I suppose I could have abbreviated the whole title:

REALS - Chances-Holland-move-deadline?

Makes enough sense, right?

[Nightfall 871]

They are 1st in the Western Conference. I highly doubt he will make a move with a roster that is already doing well. Maybe to add a depth player, but thats about it.

[achildr1 255]

Um, we are kind of loaded. Although, as stated, there is a lot going on with guys who could have spots and prospects on the rise.

I guess, if we are looking to make a real trade, your going to want to look at guys who will probably be replaced or have expiring contracts. Miller, Eaves, Hudler, Axelsson, Larsson, Emmerton, and Ferraro are guys that are probably able to be on the block from our side. The question is though, what is it we really need and is it worth it/likely that a trade will be beneficial?

With the way things are right now, unless Holland knows Nick will be gone next year, I'm not sure who/what they would they would even go after. Lest some wonder deal falls in Kenny's lap, we might have a trade free year.

I'd say its probably a healthy "unlikely" at this time.

[Travis 576]

I voted 'Unlikely'. As has been said, we seem pretty set at this point and we don't really have any pieces that we're willing to part with that would get us anything.

[Barrie 900]

Having Modano back for the playoffs is like a deadline move.

[eva unit zero 271]

I don't see a move being made that involves a roster player unless the Wings come out way ahead in the deal.

There are some players the Wings have that are not going to be traded or cannot be traded due to NTC/NMC:

Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Franzen, Filppula, Holmstrom, Cleary, Draper, Modano, Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall, Howard, Osgood

So this leaves the "tradeable" roster as:

Bertuzzi, Hudler, Abdelkader, Helm, Eaves, Miller, Stuart, Ericsson, Salei, Kindl

Bert and Salei are older vets who will probably not be traded.

Abdelkader, Helm, Miller, and Eaves are young and have been playing well, especially given their ice time.

Stuart has been having what may be a career year. Hudler is having the worst season of his career.

Ericsson and Kindl are consistently touted as the future of Detroit's defense. Ericsson struggled out of the gate but has looked good recently. Kindl played well early but Ericsson's strong plays has prevented him from even getting into a game in over a month.

The Wings have a Cup-capable roster right now, but also what must be considered is this; does Lidstrom retire? If so, then who replaces him? The only deadline deal that is really going to provide the kind of defenseman that can replace Lidstrom is trading Stuart and Hudler together; those two together have the cap space and trade value to acquire a top-pairing defenseman.

But realistically, we're not going to see a roster deal.

[Konnan511 1,736]

Realistically, he'll make a deal. Realistically, it'll be a move for depth and not for a big name player. If we learn that the Wings retroactively put Modano in LTIR, we can expect a deal involving Hudler, since recent reports have him on the trade block.

[Travis 576]

Ericsson and Kindl are consistently touted as the future of Detroit's defense. Ericsson struggled out of the gate but has looked good recently. Kindl played well early but Ericsson's strong plays has prevented him from even getting into a game in over a month.

To that end, Kindl is back in Grand Rapids. It's nice to see him continue to get playing time and helping the Griffins, but I'd like to see him get some experience on the Wings' D.

That's off-topic, though. Like I said before, I doubt that Kenny realistically does anything at the deadline. Hopefully, Modano recovers in time for a playoff run, but if he doesn't - who do we move? If we do move Hudler I imagine it ends up a Leino/Flyers type deal where we get little in return and Hudler means more to this team, even with his lack of production, than Leino ever did.

[eva unit zero 271]

To that end, Kindl is back in Grand Rapids.

For a limited time only. Unless we want to lose him on waivers.

It's nice to see him continue to get playing time and helping the Griffins, but I'd like to see him get some experience on the Wings' D.

That's off-topic, though. Like I said before, I doubt that Kenny realistically does anything at the deadline. Hopefully, Modano recovers in time for a playoff run, but if he doesn't - who do we move? If we do move Hudler I imagine it ends up a Leino/Flyers type deal where we get little in return and Hudler means more to this team, even with his lack of production, than Leino ever did.

Of the players I listed as 'tradeable' in my previous post, only Hudler and Stuart have shown the ability to be a top 6 forward or top 4 defenseman over a full NHL season. Stuart is among the Wings' top four, while Hudler is not in Detroit's top 6. This makes Hudler an attractive commodity for other teams to seek, and as such Detroit would likely get considerably more than Leino brought. Leino never performed in Detroit. Hudler has scored clutch goals in the Cup finals and performed as a top six forward over an NHL season.

[dteowner 20]

When Holland moves guys in the minors, it's in the offseason and generally via release rather than trade. Probably cross them off. Only person on the team that's move-able (ref eva's list) that you'd really want to move is Huds. You wouldn't get a bucket of shoveled octupus slime in exchange for him right now given his performance, so what's the point. We've got some forwards on the farm at the "cup of coffee" stage of their development, but none so awesome that you'd give Huds away for nothing (even as bad as he's playing) just to open a permanent hole in the top 13.

Ain't be no trades.

[Travis 576]

Of the players I listed as 'tradeable' in my previous post, only Hudler and Stuart have shown the ability to be a top 6 forward or top 4 defenseman over a full NHL season. Stuart is among the Wings' top four, while Hudler is not in Detroit's top 6. This makes Hudler an attractive commodity for other teams to seek, and as such Detroit would likely get considerably more than Leino brought. Leino never performed in Detroit. Hudler has scored clutch goals in the Cup finals and performed as a top six forward over an NHL season.

While I agree about Leino, I think Hudler is a bigger question mark than that. Sure, he has the potential to be a top 6 forward, but he hasn't shown any of it this season; and at what point does the 'adjustment' excuse run out? Obviously, he's wildly underachieved on expectations and I feel like he's still a gamble for any team to give up a worthwhile player on. To me the question at this point would be: How much is his past worth on the market?

[Broken 16 381]

Side note - if a title is too long, why does the board let you post it, shouldn't it cut it off, so you know what title you're posting?

That's my exact thinking... I think Kindl needs a change of scenery since he's likely not going to get much of a shot here (especially with Smith, Lashoff, Nicastro, Almqvist, etc... in the pipeline) and since he was a 1st round pick and has only played part of the year here, plus is still relatively young, we could realistically get some decent return for him, especially if packaged...

I get nervous when I think of moving Kindl. I haven't really seen enough of the other guys to accurately gauge a comparison but I like a lot of the subtle things I've seen from Kindl. He seems to have a real good vision of the ice. On the other hand, I really can't think of anyone that I would want to move in his place. But there is something about Kindl that makes me think he will be a pretty big part of the 'replace Lidstrom by committee' group.

He's already showing pretty good character by going on the conditioning stint with class. I think he might be one of our future diamond in the rough guys.

Either way, it's a pretty good problem to have. And if Kenny goes after some more picks, like I think he will, the 'problem' will only get worse.

Edited December 16, 2010 by Broken 16

[Travis 576]

I get nervous when I think of moving Kindl. I haven't really seen enough of the other guys to accurately gauge a comparison but I like a lot of the subtle things I've seen from Kindl. He seems to have a real good vision of the ice. On the other hand, I really can't think of anyone that I would want to move in his place. But there is something about Kindl that makes me think he will be a pretty big part of the 'replace Lidstrom by committee' group.

He's already showing pretty good character by going on the conditioning stint with class. I think he might be one of our future diamond in the rough guys.

He's great here in GR. He plays that quarterbacking offensive defenseman role and he fills it well, in my opinion. Obviously, he's got a long way to go as far as being NHL caliber goes, but I'd hate to see the Wings part with him.

[ogreslayer 1,069]

I think it really comes down to how Hudler is playing & whether or not Modano is set to come back before the playoffs.

[mmamolo 287]

I think we have 3 big factors to consider:

1. Is Modano actually going to be back for the playoffs or not? If he's not back there's a roster spot available and Holland would want the scoring depth that Modano was supposed to provide to be replaced (and not be having Helm or Abdelkader center the 3rd line).

2. Does Hudler ever turn that corner and contribute (even decently) to the scoring depth? If Hudler continues on his pace (despite the fact he has looked far more dangerous in his last couple of games) of a significant minur player who is putting up very low point totals do you keep him on your roster? Trade him for picks/prospects/player etc to increase your scoring depth (whether Modano returns or not as this impacts your scoring depth or as well). If Modano returns maybe you can live with Hudlers lack of production. If Modano doesn't return and Hudler isn't producing it hurts that much worse. If Modano does return what kind of chemistry do those two have on the third line? They didn't seem to have much early on...

3. How much playing time does Kindl get from now until the end of the season in the NHL? If Kindl doesnt end up with enough experience through the course of the regular season (for whatever reason, lack of injuries on the blue line, poor play etc.) can he be trusted in the playoffs to fill in when an injury does occur. If Modano can't return maybe Holland uses the roster spot to pick up a more experienced depth defenseman.

I chose most likely - 60-80% chance he makes some kind of move.

[newfy 695]

Holland will acquire someone if Modano can't come back. He wont want Abdelkader centering the third line.

If we can get a solid third line center for some mixture of Hudler, Kindl or picks I'm sure Holland does it. This team can win the cup this year and I dont think he would want to come close without actually winning.

It all depends on the Modano situation, especially if Hudler doesn't pick it up he wont wanna rely on just what we have now.

[dragonballgtz 273]

Holland loves Dmen depth. I would expect another vet in the depth charts if possible.

I think we have 3 big factors to consider:

1. Is Modano actually going to be back for the playoffs or not? If he's not back there's a roster spot available and Holland would want the scoring depth that Modano was supposed to provide to be replaced (and not be having Helm or Abdelkader center the 3rd line).

2. Does Hudler ever turn that corner and contribute (even decently) to the scoring depth? If Hudler continues on his pace (despite the fact he has looked far more dangerous in his last couple of games) of a significant minur player who is putting up very low point totals do you keep him on your roster? Trade him for picks/prospects/player etc to increase your scoring depth (whether Modano returns or not as this impacts your scoring depth or as well). If Modano returns maybe you can live with Hudlers lack of production. If Modano doesn't return and Hudler isn't producing it hurts that much worse. If Modano does return what kind of chemistry do those two have on the third line? They didn't seem to have much early on...

3. How much playing time does Kindl get from now until the end of the season in the NHL? If Kindl doesnt end up with enough experience through the course of the regular season (for whatever reason, lack of injuries on the blue line, poor play etc.) can he be trusted in the playoffs to fill in when an injury does occur. If Modano can't return maybe Holland uses the roster spot to pick up a more experienced depth defenseman.

I chose most likely - 60-80% chance he makes some kind of move.

I agree

Edited December 16, 2010 by dragonballgtz