33 replies to this topic

[Dimaline312000]

Kenny has already proven that he is a fantastic GM and knows how to build a Championshp Contending Team. I will say that I've lost a little faith in him over the past few years but still love and apprecaite what he has done in the past to change Detroit from the Dead Wings to Hockeytown and a team that has won 4 Stanley Cups in recent history. This will be a big summer for him but I think he's already cemented his leagacy of being a great GM for Detroit and one of the best in the NHL.

[Dabura]

As much as we rag on him, the guy is pretty fantastic at his job.

[LeftWinger]

What will define Kenny if he doesn't land one of the UFA's and then doesn't do much else but "kick the tires" is not his past, but it will be his unwillingness to part with valuable assets to better his team. If it's true that both Parise/Suter are looking to go where the most talented players are to play with, then the Red Wings with Bobby Ryan on this team is a helluva lot more attractive than this team with an admittedly lazy and bored Johan Franzen. Also, how attractive would it be to all three Americans, who will represent their country for years and YEARS to come, to all play together in the NHL as well? Also with Jimmy Howard who will more than likely be on Team USA for the bulk of his career as well... I am not saying that Anaheim would take Franzen off our hands, but somehow, someway Holland needs to make this team more attractive to Suter and Parise...if trading Franzen/Nyquist/2nd to Anaheim for Ryan gets the job done, then do it.

This is what will define Holland's off season...whether or not he will let his balls loose enough to do WHAT HAS TO BE DONE to make this team survive the next 20 years...he's been kicking the tires for a few years now, it's time to upgrade those things!

Edited by LeftWinger, 25 June 2012 - 10:18 AM.

[Heaten]

Ken Holland has done a fantastic job keeping the Detroit Red Wings in playoff contention. That is HUGE! Especially considering they never get top 10 picks!

I'm not optimistic Holland will land both Parise and Suter, and he might not land either, who knows. People need to remember there are 29 other teams that are going to throw the bank at these guys and offer them things Holland just can't/shouldn't offer them like Captaincy. If Shero lands both, then they will be the Blackhawks in a year or two where they will need to have a firesale and we will all point and laugh. It will be fun =)

What I am most impressed with is his patience. I read some of the impatient (blow up the team) posts on LGWs and I see how bad things could be if he was impatient. He realizes the young talent is GOLD, so keeping them is imperative. However, I do get a kick out of some of the people who criticize Holland when they think Holland can trade scraps for young star talent, and when he doesn't, they think he's a complete failure as if teams are dying for Holland to grace them with our junk players for their up-and-coming stars.

All-in-all, Holland already proved he's a legacy. He's one of the key reasons why Detroit has been a powerhouse team for so long. No only his GM'ing skills, but his behind the scene and drafting skills as well. I'm sure there are 29 other NHL franchises that would LOVE to have Holland on their team. Yes, he's that good.

If Holland can't get Parise or Suter, then I'm sure their is a logical reason why whether it be money or can't promise them special things like Captaincy, or maybe they just don't want to play here...

That said, I'm sure Holland will, however, find the "right" players and build a playoff team this upcoming season.

[Heaten]

...if trading Franzen/Nyquist/2nd to Anaheim for Ryan gets the job done, then do it.

Isles can easily beat that proposal and Anaheim would rather trade to the East. You are going to need to include some Smith's and Jurco's and probably swap Franzen with Filpulla.

Nyquist is going to be a fine player, but it's going to take a lot more than a player on a long contract nearing the end of his prime, a prospect and a late 2nd rounder. If Anaheim are bumping heads with Bobby Ryan, then why would they want "lazy" Franzen (as you put it)? I think Filpulla would be the forward they'd want coming back plus some high-end prospects like Smith and Jurco/Jarnkrok and possibly Wings 2013 1st round pick (which is suppose to be a great draft year).

Face it dude, teams (especially in the West) aren't interested in helping Ken Holland and making the Wings better for scraps, parts, and pieces. They will want to make their team better as well... especially when they can get MUCH better offers from Eastern (non-rival) teams.

EDIT:

So assume Holland does what you want by overpaying for Bobby Ryan with Filpulla, Smith, Jurco/Jarnkrok, and the 2013 1st rounder. Parise re-signs with the Devils, and Suter goes to Minny, how are the Red Wings better?

They basically downgraded for Ryan by adding Filpulla and Smith in the trade. Wings defence is weaker than ever. I would expect Holland to get fired if he ruined this team like that. It could work out if Holland can land Suter AND Weber... if not, it's a huge FAIL. Bottom line, that is not worth the risk....

Edited by Heaten, 25 June 2012 - 11:11 AM.

[Drake_Marcus]

Will Ken Holland's legacy be judged on how and what he does this off season? He has never in his time as a GM of the Red Wings had to replace one of the best defenseman to ever play the game, to find a replacement for Brad Stuart, this all after losing Brian Rafalski a great puck moving defenseman just a year ago. When you combine his holes on defense with needing to reload the offense as well this will be a huge off season for the Wings and for Ken Holland. Gone are the pre cap days of simply buying the best team the owner can afford. I think Kenny is a great GM but this could be what he's remembered for. Thoughts?

Holland had to deal with the retirement of the team's most legendary captain (Yzerman) at the very start of the cap era. He managed to put a Cup winner together just two years after Yzerman's retirement. Does that count as adversity?

[Heaten]

Holland had to deal with the retirement of the team's most legendary captain (Yzerman) at the very start of the cap era. He managed to put a Cup winner together just two years after Yzerman's retirement. Does that count as adversity?

From my understanding and reading of peoples thoughts on message forums is that doesn't count because Zetterberg and Datsyuk magically fell into the laps of the Red Wings organization and they were flukes that cannot and will not ever happen again.

But yeah, I pretty much agree with your point. Holland can overcome this. Maybe he won't land Suter, but he'll find the parts to keep this team going. Smith along with defense by committee might be the era Red Wings are heading, which is fine. Teams win cups playing defense by committee. It seems to be the new trend in the cap era.

[Red Crazy]

Holland had to deal with the retirement of the team's most legendary captain (Yzerman) at the very start of the cap era. He managed to put a Cup winner together just two years after Yzerman's retirement. Does that count as adversity?

Absolutley. However, it is a what have you done for me lately world and if he fails to re-load this team and the Red Wings miss the playoffs next season do you not believe that his reputation as one of the best GMs in hockey will be tarnished to some degree?

[StormJH1]

Absolutley. However, it is a what have you done for me lately world and if he fails to re-load this team and the Red Wings miss the playoffs next season do you not believe that his reputation as one of the best GMs in hockey will be tarnished to some degree?

You're getting ahead of yourself. I don't want to play hypotheticals with all the bad things that could happen, but haven't in 2+ decades.

There have been other elite GMs that occasionally missed the playoffs, I'm sure. It would depend on the circumstances. But I don't see that from this squad.

You have to keep in mind that, yes, Lidstrom is gone, the team core is getting older, and we aren't developing many snipers. But in the NHL, it is truly possible to acquire talented players in their 20's using a combination of prospects and picks. Look how easily Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, and Phil Kessel were moved. Phaneuf too. Heatley and Kovalchuk were moved in their prime via trade. Some of these players thrive in a change of scenery. And if the Wings acquire just one or two of those players in the next year or two, I think the outlook suddenly looks a lot better.




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[Hatethedrake!]

The big thing for the Wings next season will be adjusting to life without Lidstrom. He has been the main cog in this Red Wings machine over 2 decades. It will affect all players on the team. Even if we were to sign Parise, Suter, Schultz, Semin, Prust....with no #5 back there patrolling the blueline, it will have an impact on the team. He was just so important to our success. I mean it had to happen sometime. The team will adjust eventually. But lets face it. This Red Wings team will look much different next season without Lidstrom. It's a simple statement, I know. But it is so true.

[Red Crazy]

The big thing for the Wings next season will be adjusting to life without Lidstrom. He has been the main cog in this Red Wings machine over 2 decades. It will affect all players on the team. Even if we were to sign Parise, Suter, Schultz, Semin, Prust....with no #5 back there patrolling the blueline, it will have an impact on the team. He was just so important to our success. I mean it had to happen sometime. The team will adjust eventually. But lets face it. This Red Wings team will look much different next season without Lidstrom. It's a simple statement, I know. But it is so true.

That is a very true statement. Kenny is going to need to work his magic but Babcock may be in for the most work.

[IllinoisRedWingsFan]

In my mind this will be a make or break year for him. We have significant needs which IMO are 1. A Top-4 D-Man 2. A Top 6 Forward 3. A #2 Goalie 4. More Size and toughness. He needs to have a good off-season for him to cement his legacy for now.

Edited by IllinoisRedWingsFan, 27 June 2012 - 10:04 PM.

[LeftWinger]

Well Kenny, strike one on Schultz....not that it was your fault, you offered him the most you could in cash, you offered him top minutes...his umbilical cord just doesn't reach all the way from BC to Michigan....Suter/Semn/Doan/Prust outside shot on Garrison... Get it Done Kenny!

[redwingfan19]

Me and Kenny have a love hate relationship.