We Need to Get Tougher to Play Against

[amato 3,210]

Oshie or downie would be awesome.. Sadly I doubt either team gets rid of them. I never wanna see Doan and tootoo in a wings jersey.. Ever.

Edit: lots of other good names on the list too. Maybe we could trade Stuart's negotiating rights for one of the RFAs rights..?

Edited June 8, 2012 by amato

[redwingfan19 293]

You need some guys that can put the puck in the net too

We have plenty of those guys. Is a top 6 forward needed? Yes. I find it laughable when people think we need all this scoring when they Wings were one of the highest scoring teams in the NHL this past season.

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

We have plenty of those guys. Is a top 6 forward needed? Yes. I find it laughable when people think we need all this scoring when they Wings were one of the highest scoring teams in the NHL this past season.

that's cause in the playoffs the Wings had no one who went to the front of the net and they didn't win battles in the dirty areas or attack the middle of the ice (aside from Z) the way a guy like, i don't know....Parise does. Insert him and it completely changes the way our top is and opens up more opportunities for everyone. also, Nyquist should be in the top 6. bottom 6, Prust would be perfect as someone said prior to play with Abdelkader. Eaves coming back hopefully too would provide a boost and another right handed shot that we sorely need.

[redwingfan19 293]

that's cause in the playoffs the Wings had no one who went to the front of the net and they didn't win battles in the dirty areas or attack the middle of the ice (aside from Z) the way a guy like, i don't know....Parise does. Insert him and it completely changes the way our top is and opens up more opportunities for everyone. also, Nyquist should be in the top 6. bottom 6, Prust would be perfect as someone said prior to play with Abdelkader. Eaves coming back hopefully too would provide a boost and another right handed shot that we sorely need.

Agreed, too many perimeter players on this team who lacked hustle and heart this past playoff. Parise will help but this current team has bigger problems than scoring goals right now.

Edited June 8, 2012 by redwingfan19

[Guest Johnz96]

We have plenty of those guys. Is a top 6 forward needed? Yes. I find it laughable when people think we need all this scoring when they Wings were one of the highest scoring teams in the NHL this past season.

I agree but I was replying to a comment that said "I want nothing but goons on the team".

[GMRwings1983 8,793]

I want goons on this team. What's wrong with that?

[kipwinger 8,518]

I want goons on this team. What's wrong with that?

Edited June 8, 2012 by kipwinger

[redwingfan19 293]

I want goons on this team. What's wrong with that?

I think we may be the only ones who would be perfectly fine with a straight up goon who plays 5 minutes a game and does staged fights.

[GMRwings1983 8,793]

I think we may be the only ones who would be perfectly fine with a straight up goon who plays 5 minutes a game and does staged fights.

I think the bored to death JLA crowd wouldn't mind it either.

[kipwinger 8,518]

I think the bored to death JLA crowd wouldn't mind it either.

From my time here at LGW is should be pretty obvious that I'm against having fighters on this team. As long as we win, I don't care about seeing scraps. However, there's something to be said for this. Remember back in 2004 before the Pistons went on their 3 years of dominance and they brought Rasheed in? I recall Dumars, or Larry Brown, can't remember who, saying that Rasheed wasn't really the best at anything. But he had the right attitude. Maybe Suh is another good example of attitude.

I love our hockey team, and won't stop no matter what they do in the off season. But worse things would happen than bringing in some mean bastard with an attitude. Might be the kind of spark plug that any team needs in order to stay motivated during the grind.

...but if we do chase a fighter, obviously he'll need to be the 13th forward.

Edited June 8, 2012 by kipwinger

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

If the bottom 6 next season looks like this:

Bertuzzi-Helm-Cleary

Prust-Abdelkader-Eaves

I'll be a happy man, and for s***s and giggles lets get Colton Orr as a 13th forward

I don't feel like arguing about this subject much, because holy hell have we been down this road before. But it's quite clear that the Wings bottom 6 needs a bit of a revamping when the most physical forward consistently in the playoffs was Cleary on one frickin leg. After Helm went down we didn't have a forecheck or a physical presence, that's no good. Of course we need some more goals, and Parise is exactly the type of guy we need, but there are more areas that need to be fixed on the Wings.

Edited June 8, 2012 by Detroit # 1 Fan

[kipwinger 8,518]

If the bottom 6 next season looks like this:

Bertuzzi-Helm-Cleary

Prust-Abdelkader-Eaves

I'll be a happy man, and for s***s and giggles lets get Colton Orr as a 13th forward

I don't feel like arguing about this subject much, because holy hell have we been down this road before. But it's quite clear that the Wings bottom 6 needs a bit of a revamping when the most physical forward consistently in the playoffs was Cleary on one frickin leg. After Helm went down we didn't have a forecheck or a physical presence, that's no good. Of course we need some more goals, and Parise is exactly the type of guy we need, but there are more areas that need to be fixed on the Wings.

As much as I'm usually against having these guys on the team, I can't deny that a huge part of me wished we had Colton Orr about the time Weber was head slamming. Could you imagine if Orr was out for the first shift of the following game? Priceless.

[Majsheppard 203]

Remind me how much Eric Boulton is helping the Devils in the finals or how much Kyle Clifford has made the Kings win the cup. Goons are for teams that can't fill the stands unless they can play.

I'd take Clarkson for sure from the Devils, but its more because he is a net crasher... all of the things in the world we need, the last is toughness the way this list defines it.

I just don't see the point. When you don't have much money, and the cash needs to go to better players.

I will take an enforcer, if we have all the issues with the team solved. We don't.

[kipwinger 8,518]

Remind me how much Eric Boulton is helping the Devils in the finals or how much Kyle Clifford has made the Kings win the cup. Goons are for teams that can't fill the stands unless they can play.

I'd take Clarkson for sure from the Devils, but its more because he is a net crasher... all of the things in the world we need, the last is toughness the way this list defines it.

I just don't see the point. When you don't have much money, and the cash needs to go to better players.

I will take an enforcer, if we have all the issues with the team solved. We don't.

I completely agree, and that's the most reasonable way to look at the enforcer idea in today's game.

[Shaman 713]

If by tougher to play against you mean 'harder to knock off the puck/better at knocking the other team off the puck' I agree. If you mean 'fight, make big hits, take retaliatory penalties' I disagree.

[55fan 5,133]

Step 1) Sign/trade for Bobby Ryan and Colton Orr

Step 2) Do a Vulcan Mind Meld

Step 3) Put Colton Ryan in as a goal-scoring forward to do our fighting.

Step 4) Get Bobby Orr out there to play defense.

Ok, now that I've got the silliness out of my head, I would not mind having Colton Orr on the team.

The enforcer debate has been done to death, and I've given my nickel's worth time and again, but one thing the team seemed to be lacking, especially during the playoffs, was joy.

I know that sounds silly, but they all looked like they were going through the motions- like they were just doing what they were doing but had no purpose.

One thing we always hear about with guys like Downey (for example- not saying "bring him back") is how they lift the spirits of the other guys. They kind of act as an internal cheerleader. They build them up when they need the confidence.

Enforcers are commonly the "funny guy" in the locker room. No, not that way. Get your minds out of the gutter. I mean they're the guy that cracks the jokes and lightens the mood. They get the team up before the big games, and then go to their place in the press box. Or they play and do their duty.

Sure, we need a defenseman. We need a top six guy. We know who most of us want for those spots. July 1st only comes once a year. I'm sure Kenny will be focused on those two, plus any backup plans should those guys get snapped up quickly.

But we also need a guy who can bring the joy of playing hockey back to the locker room. And that, my friends, could very likely be an enforcer.

Go for it, Kenny!

[Guest Johnz96]

From my time here at LGW is should be pretty obvious that I'm against having fighters on this team. As long as we win, I don't care about seeing scraps. However, there's something to be said for this. Remember back in 2004 before the Pistons went on their 3 years of dominance and they brought Rasheed in? I recall Dumars, or Larry Brown, can't remember who, saying that Rasheed wasn't really the best at anything. But he had the right attitude. Maybe Suh is another good example of attitude.

I love our hockey team, and won't stop no matter what they do in the off season. But worse things would happen than bringing in some mean bastard with an attitude. Might be the kind of spark plug that any team needs in order to stay motivated during the grind.

...but if we do chase a fighter, obviously he'll need to be the 13th forward.

Not if it's someone like Kane, Iginla or Weber

[kipwinger 8,518]

Not if it's someone like Kane, Iginla or Weber

Yeah, I was speaking more about pure enforcers.

[pucktividi 472]

Nothing against enforcer(s),but don't want to see us becoming Bruins/Kings like team.

Yes they won it by chasing,dumping,trapping and fore-checking,but the key is still Conn Smythe winning goaltenders.

Call me crazy,but I still want Red Wings like team that moves the puck soo damn quick that fore-checking f*ckers come 1 second too late,lol

[Dabura 12,207]

Prust + Bitz?

[GMRwings1983 8,793]

Nothing against enforcer(s),but don't want to see us becoming Bruins/Kings like team.

Yes they won it by chasing,dumping,trapping and fore-checking,but the key is still Conn Smythe winning goaltenders.

Call me crazy,but I still want Red Wings like team that moves the puck soo damn quick that fore-checking f*ckers come 1 second too late,lol

And Howard has not been able to outplay the other guy (not counting Bryzgalov) in order for us to advance far.

Since we're not obtaining a Conn Smythe goalie this offseason, we may as well demand something realistic.

Step 1) Sign/trade for Bobby Ryan and Colton Orr

Step 2) Do a Vulcan Mind Meld

Step 3) Put Colton Ryan in as a goal-scoring forward to do our fighting.

Step 4) Get Bobby Orr out there to play defense.

Ok, now that I've got the silliness out of my head, I would not mind having Colton Orr on the team.

The enforcer debate has been done to death, and I've given my nickel's worth time and again, but one thing the team seemed to be lacking, especially during the playoffs, was joy.

I know that sounds silly, but they all looked like they were going through the motions- like they were just doing what they were doing but had no purpose.

One thing we always hear about with guys like Downey (for example- not saying "bring him back") is how they lift the spirits of the other guys. They kind of act as an internal cheerleader. They build them up when they need the confidence.

Enforcers are commonly the "funny guy" in the locker room. No, not that way. Get your minds out of the gutter. I mean they're the guy that cracks the jokes and lightens the mood. They get the team up before the big games, and then go to their place in the press box. Or they play and do their duty.

Sure, we need a defenseman. We need a top six guy. We know who most of us want for those spots. July 1st only comes once a year. I'm sure Kenny will be focused on those two, plus any backup plans should those guys get snapped up quickly.

But we also need a guy who can bring the joy of playing hockey back to the locker room. And that, my friends, could very likely be an enforcer.

Go for it, Kenny!

Admit it.

Chicks dig enforcers and hockey fights.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

Remind me how much Eric Boulton is helping the Devils in the finals or how much Kyle Clifford has made the Kings win the cup. Goons are for teams that can't fill the stands unless they can play.

I'd take Clarkson for sure from the Devils, but its more because he is a net crasher... all of the things in the world we need, the last is toughness the way this list defines it.

I just don't see the point. When you don't have much money, and the cash needs to go to better players.

I will take an enforcer, if we have all the issues with the team solved. We don't.

If teams employ enforcers simply to get the fans in the seats, how come teams like Chicago, Ottawa, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, NYR, and Montreal dressed enforcers this past year? None of these teams have problems with attendance, and would have drew just as well without enforcers. Therefore your theory dies.

Also, I love how you completely ignored every other play I mentioned on LA besides Clifford. What about King, Nolan, Fraser, Greene, and Mitchell? They're not worth mentioning, right?

[55fan 5,133]

Hot Chicks dig enforcers and hockey fights.

Fixed it for ya.

[pucktividi 472]

And Howard has not been able to outplay the other guy (not counting Bryzgalov) in order for us to advance far.

Since we're not obtaining a Conn Smythe goalie this offseason, we may as well demand something realistic.

Spend Mr.I's cash on 2 top and 2 role players that "fit" our system is more realistic than go hard core,leave the system we've been playing for 20 years and change the half of a roster just to be like the recent cup winning teams in one off-season.

[LeftWinger 4,949]

If teams employ enforcers simply to get the fans in the seats, how come teams like Chicago, Ottawa, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, NYR, and Montreal dressed enforcers this past year? None of these teams have problems with attendance, and would have drew just as well without enforcers. Therefore your theory dies.

Also, I love how you completely ignored every other play I mentioned on LA besides Clifford. What about King, Nolan, Fraser, Greene, and Mitchell? They're not worth mentioning, right?

I would love Mitchell on our D, I was asking for him last time he was UFA...although, if the Kings wrap it up, I have a feeling they will be keeping (if they can) as many players as they can to try to get back again in 2013...

Spend Mr.I's cash on 2 top and 2 role players that "fit" our system is more realistic than go hard core,leave the system we've been playing for 20 years and change the half of a roster just to be like the recent cup winning teams in one off-season.

Yes...I would even say 1 scorer and role player and 2 D...solid backup. No need for a purchased Stanley Cup, then lose everyone in the off season (ahem...cough cough Chicago, cough cough) but 3-4 additions/changes that make it tougher to play against us and that scorer to play with Datsyuk...whether is be Parise or not, but someone who can put in upwards of 45 goals...