252 replies to this topic

[Crymson]

And now the Wings miss the playoffs for the first time in 21 years. I feel like Holland dropped the ball.

If you're this good at foretelling what will happen nine months in the future, then I'd like to go into business with you.

[Drake_Marcus]

Here comes the panic and doomsaying. We can't possibly succeed as a team now that we missed out on two free agents.

(Thank you Holland for not handcuffing the team with two 13 year contracts that didn't come with a discount in exchange for the absurd term)

[haroldsnepsts]

I like Ken Holland. I like him a lot. I'm very, very glad he's our GM. Mad props, respect from me to him.

But, man, sometimes I do have to wonder about him.

Holland is very good at making adjustments, but at times feels like he's too conservative, trying to milk yet another year out of the puck-possession skilled Wings. When Schneider leaves, he gets a very similar d-man in Rafalski and keeps things going.

The Wings team have been like a very fast sportscar that is getting up in years and Holland has been trying to make little tweaks and patches to keep it running another year. The problem is that it's just not faster than other cars anymore and it just dropped the transmission this offseason.

Holland has shown himself as a great GM when it comes to adjustments, but maybe not a great rebuilder.

[puckbags]

And now the Wings miss the playoffs for the first time in 21 years. I feel like Holland dropped the ball.

Dropped the ball? Are you serious? He made huge long term offers to both guys, It sounds like Parise was never coming here and Suter made a decision to go elsewhere...how is that dropping the ball? We are not talking about 5 time norris trophy winners or 50 goal scorers here. Very good players Holland made more then fair offers to. It's called free agency for a reason..these guys have a free choice to go where ever they want.

[CheliFan89]

Suter is from Madison, WI which is like 3-4 hours away from the twin cities. I'm glad Parise didn't go to the Pens but I guess those two just hate the idea of ever winning a stanley cup

[joesuffP]

You can't blame Holland for not getting Suter, he signed a ridiculous contract. I admit I wanted Suter here and would have paid whatever it took, but in hindsight that would have most likely been the wrong move. Holland isn't close to done. Holland's going to be aggressive but he's not going to spend money just to spend it. He's going to make a trade and get some fresh faces in the organization and the team will look less bleak after.

[freshy]

And now the Wings miss the playoffs for the first time in 21 years. I feel like Holland dropped the ball.

Hahaha. How about we wait and see how the rest of the summer and the 1st half of the season goes mkay? Players are definately going to have to step up their games. Even had we gotten Suter. The leaders in our lockerroom have a ton of pride and aren't going to roll over. It's not like we are complete garbage because we didn't get Suter.

[haroldsnepsts]

There's no way to know if the deals that were available would have been to the Wings' advantage.

Right. But that's Holland's job. And it's been several years. Everyone could see this coming and he let it get to the point where Suter was practically make or break it for the Wings blueline.

I can be upset about that without knowing all the details (to be clear, I don't blame Holland for not getting Suter given the deal he got).

The next big hurdle is that Dats and Z are getting on and years. So the Wings have a weak blueline and an aging offense. He's still got time to help the offense, but there aren't a lot of defensive options out there.

[Jericho613]

I'm excited to see what happens now and what the Wings will do. 13 year 98 million dollar deals each for just two guys is gonna hurt Minny in the long run but its good for the fans they deserve a contender.

[Shoreline]

While Lids is retired, Suter is no Lids and wanted too much money. Like Parise i'm glad he signed elsewhere.

Also, 13 years is bulls***.

Edited by Shoreline, 04 July 2012 - 01:08 PM.

[Dabura]

Holland is very good at making adjustments, but at times feels like he's too conservative, trying to milk yet another year out of the puck-possession skilled Wings. When Schneider leaves, he gets a very similar d-man in Rafalski and keeps things going.

The Wings team have been like a very fast sportscar that is getting up in years and Holland has been trying to make little tweaks and patches to keep it running another year. The problem is that it's just not faster than other cars anymore and it just dropped the transmission this offseason.

Holland has shown himself as a great GM when it comes to adjustments, but maybe not a great rebuilder.

I think that's about right.

Like I said a couple hours ago, this position he's in right now is, I think, sort of his "sweet spot." There's a bit of a crisis now, and in some ways it doesn't look too good for the Wings this season. It's spots like this where he pulls a rabbit or two from his hat and people go, "Wow, I had all but written off the Wings. That Ken Holland, he's a crafty one."

Some good news would be nice right about now. I need to be a happy drunk this evening.

[freshy]

Zach Parise - Mikko Koivu - Dany Heatley

Pierre-Marc Bouchard - Mikael Granlund - Devin Setoguchi

Cal Clutterbuck - Kyle Brodziak - Torrey Mitchell

Jake Dowell - Zenon Konopka - Darroll Powe

Matt Kassian, Stephane Veilleux, Matt Cullen

Defense

Ryan Suter - Jared Spurgeon

Marco Scandella - Tom Gilbert

Justin Falk - Clayton Stoner

Nate Prosser

Goaltenders

Niklas Backstrom

Josh Harding

Stanley cup winning team?! Look's like a team battling with Calgary for the 8th if their lucky...............

[moore00]

My take on it all:

Suter and Parise Are The Real Losers Here

http://nightmareonhe...osers-here.html

[Salviaman]

I woke up to this? I knew it!!! I told you Kenny had to add another piece to the D with or without Suter. Now we will be lucky to trade for Yandle or Weber.

[AtomicPunk]

MY problem with the whole thing is that he knew Lids was going to retire a while ago. Maybe not when, but he knew he had to prepare for that day. Maybe make a trade for a younger guy that could grow into his role and get 2 years under his belt before Lids hung it up. Is Smith that guy? No freaking idea. But to put all the eggs in the Suter basket is just desperation. And now he is holding the bag and looking for some plan C. I don't like that.

Edited by AtomicPunk, 04 July 2012 - 01:18 PM.

[Seraph]

One year, 14 million dollar contract for Lidstrom... haha, any takers??

[pondrocket]

If you're this good at foretelling what will happen nine months in the future, then I'd like to go into business with you.

Many people, including Stevie Wonder saw the Wings slipping since 2009.

[Shoreline]

MY problem with the whole thing is that he knew Lids was going to retire a while ago. Maybe not when, but he knew he had to prepare for that day. Maybe make a trade for a younger guy that could grow into his role and get 2 years under his belt before Lids hung it up. Is Smith that guy? No freaking idea. But to put all the eggs in the Suter basket is just desperation. And now he is holding the bag and looking for some plan C. I don't like that.

Yep. Failing on Suter and Parise seems like a blessing to save Kenny's ass from desperate measures like this following poor planning on Lidstrom's retirement.

[cupcrazy]

Helene tweeted Wings weren't close on money with Parise, I just wonder is Suter said if Detroit won't sign us both we'll both just go to wild?

[HockeyCrazy3033]

Wow. I am stunned. Can't believe they BOTH signed the exact same deals with the Wild. Guess they knew all along they wanted to go to the same team.

Wings need to make moves and fast.