In Ten Years From Now

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

In 5 years that's going to be considered WELL past Pav and Hank's prime??? Hmmm. Going to respectfully disagree on that.

Their primes were 2007 until now. Technically, I think Hank was better a few years ago. Pavel has never played better than now.

However, in five years, Datsyuk will be 37 and Zetterberg will be 35. That's being past your prime in sports terminology. Doesn't mean they won't still be important contributors, but certainly not in their prime.

Not to mention Zetterberg always seems to be playing through injuries of some kind. Will his body get much better at healing when he's 35? Doubt it.

That's why if we win more Cups, it'll have to happen now. We're already the oldest team in the league pretty much every year. The window of opportunity is now. Anything beyond that is uncertain.

Edited February 15, 2011 by GMRwings1983

[HankthaTank 1,100]

Their primes were 2007 until now. Technically, I think Hank was better a few years ago. Pavel has never played better than now.

However, in five years, Datsyuk will be 37 and Zetterberg will be 35. That's being past your prime in sports terminology. Doesn't mean they won't still be important contributors, but certainly not in their prime.

Not to mention Zetterberg always seems to be playing through injuries of some kind. Will his body get much better at healing when he's 35? Doubt it.

That's why if we win more Cups, it'll have to happen now. We're already the oldest team in the league pretty much every year. The window of opportunity is now. Anything beyond that is uncertain.

Definitely a lot of truth in what is said here. I still believe as being only 5 years away, their primes are still happening and as you said Pavel has never been better than here and now in 2011. Come 2016, hopefully Hank will be able to battle through those aches and pains and be able to contribute which I feel he can. It was more or less a question of the timetable for where you can say WELL past their prime or just simply aging superstars. Either way, I do believe we can see them still competing at a high level when that time does come.

[Konnan511 1,736]

The only reason i said two, is because the cap is continuing to rise relatively quickly, and as long as Illitch is at the helm, we will pay the most and always be competitive. Plus, the year after Lidstrom i think we'll be ok, but it's th proceeding years when our core is gaining age we will suffer the most. We have great top six forward prospects, but zero defensive prospects aside from Smith. Almqvist is looking like he has the potential to be a 4th/5th NHL Dman.

[Crashnburnluder 385]

1. I am hoping for 2 anything more will exceed my expectations. I'm really hoping guys like jarnkrok and pullkinen really pick up the torch and learn how to play from Datsyuk and zetterberg... I think we win it this year with Datsyuk winning the MVP

2. I think he can.... But he won't be winning any playoff MVP's

3. No he will injure himself out of the league or over price himself off the team

4. Yes, scout, coach or something...

One last thing... I know this team will take a hit from Lidstrom retiring... But he was somewhat of a surprise to turn out as good as he was and is.... You never know what gem you can unearth through the draft.... Guys like smith could become a doughty and guys like pulkkinen could be come the next hull, kurri.... You just never know which makes it exciting.... As long as we have Holland and illitch.... We will put playoff teams on the ice... Unless Little Ceasers closes down lol

Edited February 15, 2011 by Crashnburnluder

[VM1138 1,921]

1. I am hoping for 2 anything more will exceed my expectations. I'm really hoping guys like jarnkrok and pullkinen really pick up the torch and learn how to play from Datsyuk and zetterberg... I think we win it this year with Datsyuk winning the MVP

2. I think he can.... But he won't be winning any playoff MVP's

3. No he will injure himself out of the league or over price himself off the team

4. Yes, scout, coach or something...

One last thing... I know this team will take a hit from Lidstrom retiring... But he was somewhat of a surprise to turn out as good as he was and is.... You never know what gem you can unearth through the draft.... Guys like smith could become a doughty and guys like pulkkinen could be come the next hull, kurri.... You just never know which makes it exciting.... As long as we have Holland and illitch.... We will put playoff teams on the ice... Unless Little Ceasers closes down lol

That's exactly my point. The Wings handle transition eras well. We had rough years in '03 and '04 kind of, mostly because of playoff exits, but other than that the transition from the Yzerman era to the Lidstrom era has been seamless.

People talk as if we're never going to get new people. Lidstrom will be hard to replace, no doubt, but his departure also leaves a lot of room to go out and sign a big defensive name. Also, we've got some firepower coming up through the ranks. It's harder to win in the Cap era for most teams, but the Wings have been in the Conference finals 3 of the last 4 years, and the Cup Finals in 2 of the last 3. I honestly don't see why the Wings can't win 3. So few teams in the league are capable of putting together capable playoff teams. The NHL probably has an abnormally high level of bone-headed GMs, which narrows the field of actual competitors down to a handful of teams.

So I say it again, 3 Cups in the next 10 years. I can predict the storyline, too. One while everyone is still in their primes, one when Zetterberg and Datsyuk are aging, and then one toward the end when the new era officially takes over and makes a name for themselves.

[Crashnburnluder 385]

That's exactly my point. The Wings handle transition eras well. We had rough years in '03 and '04 kind of, mostly because of playoff exits, but other than that the transition from the Yzerman era to the Lidstrom era has been seamless.

People talk as if we're never going to get new people. Lidstrom will be hard to replace, no doubt, but his departure also leaves a lot of room to go out and sign a big defensive name. Also, we've got some firepower coming up through the ranks. It's harder to win in the Cap era for most teams, but the Wings have been in the Conference finals 3 of the last 4 years, and the Cup Finals in 2 of the last 3. I honestly don't see why the Wings can't win 3. So few teams in the league are capable of putting together capable playoff teams. The NHL probably has an abnormally high level of bone-headed GMs, which narrows the field of actual competitors down to a handful of teams.

So I say it again, 3 Cups in the next 10 years. I can predict the storyline, too. One while everyone is still in their primes, one when Zetterberg and Datsyuk are aging, and then one toward the end when the new era officially takes over and makes a name for themselves.

Yup that new era will be the euro twins 2 era... True euros.... Pulkkinen and Jarnkrok... (I tried it on NHL 11 and they win it every year haha) but if kids like that can make the difference they maybe be your next big steals.... Yes still big ? Marks but weren't Datsyuk and Zetterberg the year we drafted them.... I don't think anyone could say on their draft day that they would be our 1 and 2 guys on the front end and Datayuk would challenge for the Hart.... And they are saying Jarnkrok is a mold of Henrik.... I already have my Pulkkinen jersey on reserve lol

[Konnan511 1,736]

Agreed.

To add - our skill level of players under the age of 25 is suspect; hard to say who'll take over from Dats/Hank/Lids within the next 5 years - let alone what this team will look like in 10 years from now.

Alot will also depend upon what takes place with the collective bargining agreement...If the hard cap is removed, and a luxury tax format is in place then I think the Red Wings can/will spend what it takes to remain as 1 of the "elite" teams in the league.

Pulkkinen, Jarnkrok, Smith. Aubry looks like another Franzen and Nyquist is going to be a very well rounded second line center. Mursak has the ability to be a second line player. Tatar has all the makings for a fabulous 2nd/1st line tweener. Sheahan is a safe bet for a Kesler lite and if Ferraro stays healthy he can be a Helm 3.0. We have very very very good forward prospects, which is why HF ranked our prospect pool top 5 in the most recent poll, the only thing we are lacking is defensive prospects.

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

1. 10

2. Never

3. Of course not

4. Paired with Lidstrom of course

[Konnan511 1,736]

Just a random example of why i think the Wings will stay competitive, GREAT mangement vs TERRIBLE management.

Wings 2005 Draft vs Florida Panthers 2005 draft

Wings:

Players that have played in the NHL:4

NHL games played: 310

On current roster: 3

Florida:

Players that have played in the NHL:1

NHL games played: 27

On current roster: 0

We have great management. it's easy to see why teams stay on top and why teams continue to struggle. We draft and manage very well and we have the best owner in all of sports.

[matt198913 932]

2 or 3

yes

yes

Assistant GM or strength coach he's in rediculous shape for 47 or whatever he is

Jimmy's good enough he'll prove it this year. Kronwall will be here unless we absolutely fall to the bottom of the league

[Guest ToMaToToWnWinGsFaN_24]

#1 - How many Stanley cups do you guys see us winning?

#2 - Is Jimmy Howard capable of winning a cup with this team?

#3 - Will Kronwall still be on this roster?

#4 - Will Chelios be re-signed ?

1) 0

2) no

3)no

4)no

[IILeiBlazeII 15]

#1 - How many Stanley cups do you guys see us winning?

#2 - Is Jimmy Howard capable of winning a cup with this team?

#3 - Will Kronwall still be on this roster?

#4 - Will Chelios be re-signed ?

Man, 10 years? That's a lifetime in hockey years... lets just take a look at our current roster aged 10 years...

Forwards

Name Age 10years

Justin Abdelkader 23 33

Todd Bertuzzi 36 46

Danny Cleary 32 42

Pavel Datsyuk 32 42

Kris Draper 39 49

Patrick Eaves 26 36

Valtteri Filppula 26 36

Johan Franzen 31 41

Darren Helm 24 34

Tomas Holmstrom 38 48

Jiri Hudler 27 37

Drew Miller 26 36

Mike Modano 40 50

Henrik Zetterberg 30 40

Defensemen

Name Age 10 years

Jonathan Ericsson 26 36

Jakub Kindl 24 34

Niklas Kronwall 30 40

Nicklas Lidstrom 40 50

Brian Rafalski 37 47

Ruslan Salei 36 46

Brad Stuart 31 41

Goalies

Name Age 10 years

Jimmy Howard 26 36

Joey MacDonald 31 41

Chris Osgood 38 48

... I only count 9 players that SHOULD still be playing (i.e. under 40). Remember, getting someone to play into their 40's is a gift, not a give-in. So with all that said...

1) I see us winning 2 cups... IN THE NEXT 5 YEARS. After that, its up to the next round of youth to carry on the winning tradition in Hockeytown... I'll hope for 1 more cup between 5 and 10 years.

2) Yes, but as its been said further up in the thread, he'll be in the same league as Ozzie (for right or wrong).

3) No, I don't think so Kronwall will announce his retirement as a Wing in 2018. You heard it here first.

4) No, I don't think so... but I think he'll still be with us either as a defense coach or in an assistant-GM/head-GM capacity.

[Konnan511 1,736]

You're alot more optimistic than I

Maybe I just over value them, but I follow our prospects extremely close and I feel like I know what they are/will be capable of better than most people on this board.

[Guest mjtm77]

Pulkkinen, Jarnkrok, Smith. Aubry looks like another Franzen and Nyquist is going to be a very well rounded second line center. Mursak has the ability to be a second line player. Tatar has all the makings for a fabulous 2nd/1st line tweener. Sheahan is a safe bet for a Kesler lite and if Ferraro stays healthy he can be a Helm 3.0. We have very very very good forward prospects, which is why HF ranked our prospect pool top 5 in the most recent poll, the only thing we are lacking is defensive prospects.

lol

[Konnan511 1,736]

lol

Ah yes, i see your point.

[paulwoodsfan 52]

Zetterberg and Datsyuk won't be around in 10 years. Hell, in 5 years, they'll both be well past their prime.

Zetterberg signed a 12-year contract in 2009. Someone with more expertise on the cap can say if this is right, but I am under the impression that if he retires before the contract expires, the team still has to carry the cap hit on the books until 2021. So I certainly hope he is still playing in 10 years (when he will definitely be well past his prime but could still be an excellent contributor). Franzen has a similar contract.

[Konnan511 1,736]

Zetterberg signed a 12-year contract in 2009. Someone with more expertise on the cap can say if this is right, but I am under the impression that if he retires before the contract expires, the team still has to carry the cap hit on the books until 2021. So I certainly hope he is still playing in 10 years (when he will definitely be well past his prime but could still be an excellent contributor). Franzen has a similar contract.

They signed them before they were 35.