Tomas Holmstrom's fate

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Red Wings Fan Feedback: It's time for Tomas Holmstrom to move on after 15 seasons in Detroit

Perhaps it was only a coincidence.

But the day after MLive.com ran a poll asking readers should the Detroit Red Wings bring forward Tomas Holmstrom back next season, the veteran forward scored twice to snap a 28-game goal drought.

But it wasn't enough to swing the vote in Holmstrom's favor as almost 58 percent of the 1,589 voters said it's time for Holmstrom to retire or move on after 15 seasons with the Red Wings.

Holmstrom's two-year contract expires after this season and some readers are concerned that his close friendship with captain Nicklas Lidstrom could play a role in whether or not he returns.

Many others, however, think Holmstrom still has some gas in the tank and can help the Red Wings for at least another season.

If Lidstrom decides to return – and that's still up in the air – some readers think that could persuade the Red Wings to bring Holmstrom back as well.

In 69 games this season, the 39-year-old Holmstrom has 10 goals, 22 assists, 38 penalty minutes and a minus-5 rating.

Here's what some readers said about the possibility of Holmstrom returning next season:

Reader merc13 wrote:

"They defiantly should not bring him back ... There is only one reason to bring him back and that is just based on the fact that if you let him go maybe lidstrom will retire. and perhaps if you keep him nick will stay. I hope Nick wont make his decision based on holmer leaving but at the same time it would be one more reason to hang up the skates"

Reader greggyj wrote:

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, NO. He's been a GREAT Red Wing. But it's over. He's skating around like he's on one leg or in a pool of molasses, he takes bad penalties in front of the net, he's a defensive liability on the 4th line, etc, etc. It's time to cut him loose."

Reader rightorwrong wrote:

"Regardless what happens in the play-offs it's time to cut ties with some of the old timers. They need to rebuild and get younger. Good teams in all sports make changes to stay on top, the Wings haven't in recent years. As much as I like Nick and hope that he's back, if his decision is based on bring Holmstrom back, let him retire."

Reader talex wrote:

"If Homer can heal his body and get rejuvinated this off season, I see no reason not to bring him back, the guy plays with heart every shift, is still a menace in front of the net and adds another guy in the locker room who has the cups which is priceless with the youth watching."

Reader Len_Lucas_411 wrote:

"While he has had a great career with the Wings; he now gets more goals disallowed than he scores. The Ref's also target him and call penalties that either cancel goals or power plays. Time to hang upthe skates Homer"

Reader Fresnowingnut wrote

"Absolutely"

Reader cummi122 wrote:

"Bring him back no question. He hasnt scored 25 goals this year bc Babcock has paired him w AHL players the whole year. If he was with Zetty/Mule/Pavel his numbers obviously would be up. He will be a huge asset in the playoffs just like every year."

What do you think? Join the discussion and let us know.

Email Brendan Savage at bsavage@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/BrendanSavage

[SoupSnake 25]

I don't even see how Babcock can justify playing him over anyone else once Helm comes back. He's pretty much dead weight on the 4th line. If he wasn't on the top PP line there wouldn't be any reason to play him.

[RedWingsRox 614]

Yes, of course bring him back ... and put him into the front office for a cushy job like Ozzie and Draper.

Edited April 1, 2012 by RedWingsRox

[55fan 5,133]

I think polls like that are terrible. It's one thing to sit here and discuss it amongst ourselves, but to have a public poll asking if someone else should be forced out is insensitive.

I realize he's a hockey player and he takes as much abuse as anyone in the rink, and then some, but the subject of outliving your usefulness is a touchy one. It is a call that should be decided between him, his team, his family, and the management, and then brought to the fans.

Let him go out publicly with the honour and dignity he has earned, not with faceless people slamming the door behind him from their keyboards.

I realize a lot of people who took part in that poll are too young to have faced the point in their life when they have to face up to the fact that they are no longer capable of carrying their weight, but trust me on this one, it is a huge blow to one's pride.

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

I think polls like that are terrible. It's one thing to sit here and discuss it amongst ourselves, but to have a public poll asking if someone else should be forced out is insensitive.

I realize he's a hockey player and he takes as much abuse as anyone in the rink, and then some, but the subject of outliving your usefulness is a touchy one. It is a call that should be decided between him, his team, his family, and the management, and then brought to the fans.

Let him go out publicly with the honour and dignity he has earned, not with faceless people slamming the door behind him from their keyboards.

I realize a lot of people who took part in that poll are too young to have faced the point in their life when they have to face up to the fact that they are no longer capable of carrying their weight, but trust me on this one, it is a huge blow to one's pride.

I agree, this thread is stupid.

[CaptainCaveMan 4]

I think polls like that are terrible. It's one thing to sit here and discuss it amongst ourselves, but to have a public poll asking if someone else should be forced out is insensitive.

I realize he's a hockey player and he takes as much abuse as anyone in the rink, and then some, but the subject of outliving your usefulness is a touchy one. It is a call that should be decided between him, his team, his family, and the management, and then brought to the fans.

Let him go out publicly with the honour and dignity he has earned, not with faceless people slamming the door behind him from their keyboards.

I realize a lot of people who took part in that poll are too young to have faced the point in their life when they have to face up to the fact that they are no longer capable of carrying their weight, but trust me on this one, it is a huge blow to one's pride.

This

[b.shanafan14 733]

I think polls like that are terrible. It's one thing to sit here and discuss it amongst ourselves, but to have a public poll asking if someone else should be forced out is insensitive.

I realize he's a hockey player and he takes as much abuse as anyone in the rink, and then some, but the subject of outliving your usefulness is a touchy one. It is a call that should be decided between him, his team, his family, and the management, and then brought to the fans.

Let him go out publicly with the honour and dignity he has earned, not with faceless people slamming the door behind him from their keyboards.

I realize a lot of people who took part in that poll are too young to have faced the point in their life when they have to face up to the fact that they are no longer capable of carrying their weight, but trust me on this one, it is a huge blow to one's pride.

Word. When I first saw the poll on Mlive last week, that was my first thought. Didn't go near it. Totally bad taste considering what the guy has gone through for this team. Objective or not, I hope Holmstrom and his family don't see that s***.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

I love Homer, and appreciate everything he has contributed to this organization, but I think he needs to hang 'em up after this season. Knowing how honorable this organization is, he'll likely get a job in the front office somewhere. He can definitely still contribute on the powerplay, but he is clearly a liability at even strength. I think we can do better via free agency, and get a grinder with some offensive skills for the 4th line.

[P. Marlowe 748]

I think polls like that are terrible. It's one thing to sit here and discuss it amongst ourselves, but to have a public poll asking if someone else should be forced out is insensitive.

I realize he's a hockey player and he takes as much abuse as anyone in the rink, and then some, but the subject of outliving your usefulness is a touchy one. It is a call that should be decided between him, his team, his family, and the management, and then brought to the fans.

Let him go out publicly with the honour and dignity he has earned, not with faceless people slamming the door behind him from their keyboards.

I realize a lot of people who took part in that poll are too young to have faced the point in their life when they have to face up to the fact that they are no longer capable of carrying their weight, but trust me on this one, it is a huge blow to one's pride.

I agree. There always are people rude enough to vote on this kind of things but I think it was a stupid idea by MLive to put it up in the first place.

[nuts2u 22]

I think polls like that are terrible. It's one thing to sit here and discuss it amongst ourselves, but to have a public poll asking if someone else should be forced out is insensitive.

I realize he's a hockey player and he takes as much abuse as anyone in the rink, and then some, but the subject of outliving your usefulness is a touchy one. It is a call that should be decided between him, his team, his family, and the management, and then brought to the fans.

Let him go out publicly with the honour and dignity he has earned, not with faceless people slamming the door behind him from their keyboards.

I realize a lot of people who took part in that poll are too young to have faced the point in their life when they have to face up to the fact that they are no longer capable of carrying their weight, but trust me on this one, it is a huge blow to one's pride.

My sentiments exactly. When I saw that my thoughts were, f*** YOU! If lazy ass Franzen and a couple others on this f***in team played as hard as Homer we would have one goddamn elite team! He deserves to go on his own terms.

[mmamolo 287]

I don't even see how Babcock can justify playing him over anyone else once Helm comes back. He's pretty much dead weight on the 4th line. If he wasn't on the top PP line there wouldn't be any reason to play him.

I couldn't disagree more

I think polls like that are terrible. It's one thing to sit here and discuss it amongst ourselves, but to have a public poll asking if someone else should be forced out is insensitive.

I realize he's a hockey player and he takes as much abuse as anyone in the rink, and then some, but the subject of outliving your usefulness is a touchy one. It is a call that should be decided between him, his team, his family, and the management, and then brought to the fans.

Let him go out publicly with the honour and dignity he has earned, not with faceless people slamming the door behind him from their keyboards.

I realize a lot of people who took part in that poll are too young to have faced the point in their life when they have to face up to the fact that they are no longer capable of carrying their weight, but trust me on this one, it is a huge blow to one's pride.

Agreed.

To me, Holmstrom can still serve a purpose. I think the fourth line is a bit of a tough sell this year because Emmerton has struggled at times and he just isn't strong enough. He's gotten better but he's still nowhere near competitive enough for the fourth line to really matter in a game. The Helm injury hurts a lot because ABdelkader moves up and Emmerton is left to centre the fourth. The Eaves injury also really stung. The fourth line should be a combination of Abdelkader, Eaves, Miller, Emmerton, Mursak and Holmstrom.

I think if Holmstrom had been used as planned this year, not starting every single game, he would be a much better contributor. I think if he is in and out of the line up he's an asset. When he is a permanent fixture on the fourth I can see how some don't like it.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I couldn't disagree more

Agreed.

To me, Holmstrom can still serve a purpose. I think the fourth line is a bit of a tough sell this year because Emmerton has struggled at times and he just isn't strong enough. He's gotten better but he's still nowhere near competitive enough for the fourth line to really matter in a game. The Helm injury hurts a lot because ABdelkader moves up and Emmerton is left to centre the fourth. The Eaves injury also really stung. The fourth line should be a combination of Abdelkader, Eaves, Miller, Emmerton, Mursak and Holmstrom.

I think if Holmstrom had been used as planned this year, not starting every single game, he would be a much better contributor. I think if he is in and out of the line up he's an asset. When he is a permanent fixture on the fourth I can see how some don't like it.

Pretty much how I feel on the issue.

He's my favorite player so I'll obviously be biased a bit towards the staying side, but he can still be used on the PP (been making plenty of chances these past few games and finally got out of a goal funk earlier in the week) and he still brings the effort pretty much every shift.

Not that I think Emmerton has been bad by any stretch, and honestly that line was probably the best one against the Predators last game, but I just don't think they are going to generate much in terms of scoring chance. I don't think they are much of a liability or constantly giving up chances, they're just "there" right now.

And Holmstrom in this instance could be a scratch off/on assuming everybody is healthy - back in the 2002 Cup season Larionov was rested a good bit in back-to-back games I believe for example.

I still think he has enough left in the tank for one more go at it - given his current roles on the power play/limited even strength time. But it's either going to be this season or next then I think it'll finally be time to hang them up.

[mmamolo 287]

Pretty much how I feel on the issue.

He's my favorite player so I'll obviously be biased a bit towards the staying side, but he can still be used on the PP (been making plenty of chances these past few games and finally got out of a goal funk earlier in the week) and he still brings the effort pretty much every shift.

Not that I think Emmerton has been bad by any stretch, and honestly that line was probably the best one against the Predators last game, but I just don't think they are going to generate much in terms of scoring chance. I don't think they are much of a liability or constantly giving up chances, they're just "there" right now.

And Holmstrom in this instance could be a scratch off/on assuming everybody is healthy - back in the 2002 Cup season Larionov was rested a good bit in back-to-back games I believe for example.

I still think he has enough left in the tank for one more go at it - given his current roles on the power play/limited even strength time. But it's either going to be this season or next then I think it'll finally be time to hang them up.

Agreed.

I guess it all depends though. I do think the Wings will make a push for Parise. In that case I could see Holmstrom hanging them up as the Wings wouldnt necessarily have room. If the Wings did get a Parise then their PP units would have Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Filppula/Franzen/Parise/Hudler-Cleary-Bertuzzi all available so there wouldn't be a big spot for Holmstrom.

But if he does come back I think he should be part of the rotation among fourth liners for sure

[gcdc14 6]

The sad thing is Holmstrom busts his ass harder than 90% of the rest of the team.

[13dangledangle 958]

I agree. There always are people rude enough to vote on this kind of things but I think it was a stupid idea by MLive to put it up in the first place.

That is what I was thinking. As was already said it is one thing to talk about it on here, which has been done as long as long as I have been around here, but to take it public? Poor Homer, he's going to score some big goals this post season I get the feeling...LGW

[Motown4013 350]

Holmstrom is really affected by his skating. He has been a PP specialist and once he has to skate ( on the 4th line) it is very evident how much of a hinderance it is for him.In saying that, he has given 110 percent on the 4 th line. He plays hard every night, he never complains, he never acts like it's beneath him to play on the fourth line, even though the guy has won FOUR Stanley Cups.

I have never respected Homer more than I have this year. The guy is a true champion and it will be hard to replace what he brings to this team.

As for retirement, I think it's time for Tomas to hang them up but his skills, heart and personality will be missed for sure

[Cali-Wing-Nut 102]

Cant remember who said it but a few weeks ago someone here said it best.

"Time to take Homer out back and Ole Yeller him."

He has been so unbelievably loyal and productive for us but we need fresh legs on the roster.

Homer isnt at all replaceable in his talents in front of the net but hes come to the point that he cant use that talent anymore due to physical issues AND being on the Ref Black List for Goalie Interference

I hope he is kept on as a Special Teams Coach next season

[Dabura 12,207]

The sentimentalist in me says yes. The ruthless Cup-hungry armchair GM in me (with the beard of a pirate, and eyes made of cold steel, and eyebrows of lava) says no.

So I guess that's a no.

Edited April 2, 2012 by Dabura

[Barrie 900]

Holmstrom, just like Yzerman, Draper, Maltby, and Osgood before him, has earned the right to go out on his own terms. If he wants to come back for one more year, I don't have a problem with it. I have enough faith in Babcock and Holland that they would sit him if they have to.

When you win multiple Championships like we have, we need to be careful and sensitive on how players, who were a big part in winning, and especially guys who've played their entire career in Detroit, go out. They need the proper send off, and fans should understand that.

Edit: Also, I think the organization gave Maltby, Draper, and Osgood the proper send offs, despite wanting to play another year, and they'll do the same with Holmstrom.

Yzerman decided on his own to hang 'em up.

Edited April 2, 2012 by Barrie

[55fan 5,133]

Give him a job interviewing the players before the game and play snippets of the conversations during lulls in the game.

You'd probably need a corporate sponsor (IKEA?) since every little bit of chitchat is brought to you by someone nowadays.

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

I agree. There always are people rude enough to vote on this kind of things but I think it was a stupid idea by MLive to put it up in the first place.

Agreed 100%. i want homer to retire more than most people on here, but in his day he's been a great Wing and even had his 30 goal season, but to call him out on a public internet poll....where's the professionalism in that. i agree with 55fan that i hope his family doesn't see that and it's a s***ty way to go out being called out like that on MLive. it's different having threads on here cause it's team discussion with all Wings fans, but something that public is just a bad call by someone at MLive.

[Dimaline312000 51]

If Holmsy want's to come back again I'm sure he will. I can't see Holland not letting him back on the team based on how Holland feels about the players that have been on the team for so long. He's still capable of reeking havoc in front of the net so that's something that would keep him on this team. He's still effective and has some really good hockey smarts and would be a good veteran leader to help show some of the younger guys what to do and how to be physical in front of the net. He'd be a good guy to keep if the right deal can be worked out.

[Red Wings Addict 787]

I wonder if the scenario is set up so that if Lidstrom returns then Holmstrom returns as well as the opposite.

[ogreslayer 1,069]

Give him a job interviewing the players before the game and play snippets of the conversations during lulls in the game.

You'd probably need a corporate sponsor (IKEA?) since every little bit of chitchat is brought to you by someone nowadays.

If not on the ice, I think a perfect spot for Homer would be as a paid sidekick/chauffeur/personal assistant to convince Lids to come back for at least another year. Maybe he could do stuff like stand in front of & screen reporters so they can't ask questions... I could see that for sure

I say that btw as a huge Homer fan. With all he's done for the organization & with all the abuse he's taken year after year, he does deserve to go out on his own terms. I do have a feeling he'll go through the same process that Drapes & Malts got i.e. having to earn a spot with the potential of being sent to GR if he does come back next year.

Edited April 2, 2012 by ogreslayer

[MulesWillFly93 199]

I think Homer's earned the right to decide what he wants to do. Also, I think Homer should be the least of our worries - I'm way more frazzled with certain players in theirs 20s and early 30s who aren't contributing up to their level than I am with Homer. Homer may not be the player he used to be, but he still works his butt off while others take a free ride, which puts even more pressure on him. When your one still-functional sentimental favorite has a bad night, it shouldn't completely unravel the whole team. There should be other players there to step in and pick up the slack, but instead certain guys don't seem to be willing to put in the effort, and that's their problem, not Homer's. I can't read minds, but if I had to guess, I'd say that's where everybody's negativity is coming from on this issue. The whole team's got a problem, and it's unfairly putting the spotlight on Homer, in my opinion.