Babcock and Holland want to keep Homer.

[matemate 34]

http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=sv&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.expressen.se%2Fsport%2Fhockey%2Fnhl%2Fdetroit-fem-kilo-latt-for-en-toppforward%2F

"And Holmstrom?

- It's a difficult question. Much depends on what he is prepared to accept himself, says Detroit's general manager.

What do you mean?

- He would then probably have a different role. Less ice time. Do not play in any of the top chains. And given age is probably also a lower wage.

Holland continues:

- Right now I do not know how Thomas's reaction to it.

Detoitcoachen Mike Babcock has his theory clear.

- I think it will be a package deal. Continuing one of them will be the second to catch on. And of course I really want to either run for another year"

[55fan 5,133]

Nice translation.

He'll get a Maltby contract.

Sign him. Let him come to camp for one more time to hang with the guys, smile, sign autographs.

If he's better than the other guys, he gets the job. If not, he rides off with our best wishes.

It's a win for him since he gets the chance. It's a win for the Wings because he'll be there to push the kids and provide competition.

It's a win for us cuz we get more options and maybe a funny interview or two.

[RusDRW 155]

they are taking it too far in my opinion. Why not to bring Jarnkrock, Tatar, Nyquist??? I was laughing at people claiming we are too old and slow in the past, but now we are indeed too slow to actually compete with teams like Nashville, Phoenix, etc.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Ugh. Homer has given so much to the organization, but it's time to move on. I appreciate his unbelievable sacrifice for all these years, however, he just isn't an effective player anymore and I would hate to see a roster spot wasted on essentially a powerplay specialist. The Red Wings need to get younger and faster - Holmstrom is obviously neither of these things and it really messes up trying to establish a useful 4th line with him around.

I guess I would gladly take the trade off though if they are a package deal and Nick decides to return. I just don't think the Red Wings are doing themselves any favors by stretching out loyalty to the extreme.

[LeftWinger 5,132]

Package? What is this, Hossa/Kopecky? Just say no to Holmstrom, its time to go. Sign Homer at the expense of who? Typical ******* Holland. Guess we can forget Parise and look forward to Samuelsson.....that better not be the plan!

[Dabura 12,232]

3rd - Bertuzzi-Helm-Cleary

4th - Prust-Gaustad-Eaves/Nyquist

That's where our bottom 6 needs to be. Now, I like Holmer as much as the next guy, but....

[Guest Hatethedrake!]

Franzen-Datsyuk-Nyquist

Filppula-Zetterberg-Hudler

Cleary-Helm-Bertuzzi

Eaves-Abdelkader-Miller

Mursak, Holmstrom

Lidstrom-White

Kronwall-Quincey

Ericsson-Smith

Kindl

Howard-MacDonald

So LGW, how will this team do next season?

[Nevermind 363]

3rd - Bertuzzi-Helm-Cleary

4th - Prust-Gaustad-Eaves/Nyquist

That's where our bottom 6 needs to be. Now, I like Holmer as much as the next guy, but....

Close to what I would want.

I would rather sign Konopka over Gaustad, though. Konopka's also very good on faceoffs (maybe even a bit better). And while he's 5 inches shorter, he's still more physical and can keep the flies off better.

Most importantly, Konopka should be much cheaper and cost under $1.5M. I think Gaustad's been horribly overrated lately and is bound to be overpaid this summer.

[Guest Hatethedrake!]

Close to what I would want.

I would rather sign Konopka over Gaustad, though. Konopka's also very good on faceoffs (maybe even a bit better). And while he's 5 inches shorter, he's still more physical and can keep the flies off better.

Most importantly, Konopka should be much cheaper and cost under $1.5M. I think Gaustad's been horribly overrated lately and is bound to be overpaid this summer.

I like Konopka but I just don't see the Sens letting go of this guy. I can see them overpaying a little as well because they have so much cap space.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Franzen-Datsyuk-Nyquist

Filppula-Zetterberg-Hudler

Cleary-Helm-Bertuzzi

Eaves-Abdelkader-Miller

Mursak, Holmstrom

Lidstrom-White

Kronwall-Quincey

Ericsson-Smith

Kindl

Howard-MacDonald

So LGW, how will this team do next season?

Same as the one that got eliminated in the first round.

[Guest Hatethedrake!]

Same as the one that got eliminated in the first round.

When I hear that Holland wants Homer back, it tells me that his goal is to bring the same line-up back.

[Andy Pred 48 337]

Mr Illitch, please step forward and slap Kenny and tell him to buck up and face realitiy or get a new job.

This loyalty thing is gunna bite us on the arse before long if it hasnt already begun to do so.

hopefully Homer makes sense of it all and saves holland actually making a tough decision that he is incapable

of doing.

[Dabura 12,232]

To be fair, I think we all want him to stick around for another season. And, I mean, the guy did score against the Preds - so he's not washed up and useless. But the Cup is the number one priority, and that means Holland has to be prepared to make tough decisions, has to be willing to do things he might not want to do, might not like, if it'll help this team's chances. He has to objective, maybe even a little ruthless. The feel-good family system is nice and all, but if he's aiming to please all the players and to be Mr. Nice Guy, well...how is this team going to look any different next season?

I'm cautiously optimistic about this summer. ("Well, you have to remember, we didn't have Helm and Eaves, they weren't available to us against Nashville. I consider a healthy Helm and a healthy Eaves to be our bottom 6 upgrade....")

Edited May 13, 2012 by Dabura

[Guest Hatethedrake!]

To be fair, I think we all want him to stick around for another season. And, I mean, the guy did score against the Preds - so he's not washed up and useless. But the Cup is the number one priority, and that means Holland has to be prepared to make tough decisions, has to be willing to do things he might not want to do, might not like, if it'll help this team's chances. He has to objective, maybe even a little ruthless. The feel-good family system is nice and all, but if he's aiming to please all the players and to be Mr. Nice Guy, well...how is this team going to look any different next season?

I'm bracing myself for disappointment this summer. ("Well, you have to remember, we didn't have Helm and Eaves, they weren't available to us against Nashville. I consider healthy Helm and Eaves to be our bottom 6 upgrade....")

1. I like our team

2. When we were healthy, we were 1st overall and then injuries hit and we could not recover

3. We explored the market and had some interest in some of the UFAs but felt the prices were too high

4. I feel that Homer still has some gas left in the tank and that bringing him back for another season is the right thing to do

5. We feel that we have some kids who are ready to take that next step and be bigger factors in the success of our team

6. Having Kyle Quincey for a full season should benfit hiim and the Detroit Red Wings

7. It is a very tough league right now and we got over 100 points which is nothing to sneeze at

8. There is not much separating 15th from 1st in the West.

9. We have some cap space to use and we will wait until the trade deadline to see what our options are

10. We will look for ways to improve our hockey club but it has to make sense.

[Dabura 12,232]

11. The way the league is today, if you want to be competitive, every player on your roster needs to be able to play the game. So, while I recognize that maybe we could, you know, go for the tough guy signing that everyone says we need, my question is, Can he play the game? Especially with our puck-possession system, he has to be able to play good minutes and really contribute.

Edited May 13, 2012 by Dabura

[Dimaline312000 51]

Homer is one of my favorite players and has been for some time however, I'd personally rather see him and Liddy retire. If we did however sign him it needs to be after we get some UFA's signed and he must be willing to take less money and accept less ice time. Seems like it would be better if Homer retired. We have to start phasing in some newer younger guys on the roster now is as good a time as any.

[Manoir 70]

The only positive of bringing back Holmstrom is that my Red Wing lineup in my Sega Genesis games will remain somewhat relevant.

[LeftWinger 5,132]

Same as the one that got eliminated in the first round.

Worse, since there will be no 23 game win streak anomoly....

1. I like our team

2. When we were healthy, we were 1st overall and then injuries hit and we could not recover

3. We explored the market and had some interest in some of the UFAs but felt the prices were too high

4. I feel that Homer still has some gas left in the tank and that bringing him back for another season is the right thing to do

5. We feel that we have some kids who are ready to take that next step and be bigger factors in the success of our team

6. Having Kyle Quincey for a full season should benfit hiim and the Detroit Red Wings

7. It is a very tough league right now and we got over 100 points which is nothing to sneeze at

8. There is not much separating 15th from 1st in the West.

9. We have some cap space to use and we will wait until the trade deadline to see what our options are

10. We will look for ways to improve our hockey club but it has to make sense.

Nice to meet you Mr. Holland!

[pucktividi 472]

Dunno about this.I love Homer,but it would only make sense to sign him as #13/14 forward.The problem is that we already have too many forwards under contract and there must be a spot for Nyquist

Edited May 13, 2012 by pucktividi

[Copenhagen848 58]

Same as the one that got eliminated in the first round.

Exactly....only another year older and with a head coach even more frustrated with what he's given to work with.

[Richdg 267]

It is time to part ways with Hommer. To old, costs to much money, and is a liability other than on the PP in front of the net. How do you keep him just for the PP? If we do, then we can't roll 4 lines.......

[frankgrimes 1,836]

The more players we have fighting for a spot the merrier. Showing rookies how tough it its to get a spot on this team will only do them favours longterm speaking I would say let him attend training camp and go from there.

Is Almquist ready for NHL primetime?

[FlashyG 1,799]

Exactly....only another year older and with a head coach even more frustrated with what he's given to work with.

The coach can hardly complain about Holmstrom since he's advocating bringing him back as well.

Personally I trust that Babcock and Holland know more about the players on their roster than any of us posting about them on the web.

As long as it doesn't prevent them from signing one of the big ticket FA's and it helps keep Lidstrom around another year I'm fine with Homer being brought back. I just don't want to see him on the first line anymore.

Edited May 14, 2012 by FlashyG

[Echolalia 2,961]

This isn't just about being loyal to Homer, nor is it just about trying to get Lidstrom to re-sign. Parise and Suter (who came out and said the next team he plays for ideally will be his last) will be following this news if they're looking to see how they'll be treated at the end of their careers. If I'm Holland, Homer is getting a contract offer this year, because I want Parise and Suter, and any other potential long-term signing to see that we take care of our players. This is a trump card the Wings' brass has built up for years. This very well could be the year that we reap the benefits.

Homer stays.

[kipwinger 8,756]

3rd - Bertuzzi-Helm-Cleary

4th - Prust-Gaustad-Eaves/Nyquist

That's where our bottom 6 needs to be. Now, I like Holmer as much as the next guy, but....

Can someone please explain to me why Paul Gaustad is so highly though of around here? He doesn't score (7 goals, 14 assists), he doesn't fight (4 fights, 2 wins, 2 loses), he's not that big (6'5, 212 lbs), he's not fast, and he makes 2.5 million dollars. Presumably everyone wants him because he's a defensive forward who's good in the faceoff circle. We definitely don't have anybody like that...er...Justin Abdelkader: (8 goals, 14 assists), (6 fights, 2 wins, 4 loses), (6'1, 215 lbs.), is faster, makes 1.7 million less, and is a defensive forward who's respectable in the faceoff circle.