How much do the Wings need another defenseman?

[StayClassy 38]

Although the D somehow came out of last year looking better than most of us had thought, I feel they absolutely must get an other top four guy by the trade deadline. Honestly, any of our 2-7 guys go down and we are not in bad shape. My main concern is if Kronwall were to miss any kind of time, especially in the playoffs. A D corps in the playoffs consisting of Ericsson or Quincey as the vets, just seems to me like it would be missing too much experience, and composure. We do have a great coaching staff that has done great work with what we have, they can only do so much though.

I honestly feel like Kindl will take a big step next year on the PP, and that he may have already taken that step from what I saw in the playoffs. The main need I feel right now is of a stay at home guy. With that said what does everyone feel here may be our best options as far as a trade goes? Also, if you had to choose one of Quincey-Lashoff-Smith to trade who would it be? At this point if we end up clearing space I wouldn't be against taking a chance with Hal Gill as the #7 guy, we'd be giving up nothing for him and always could package him at the deadline for something.

For the record I wouldn't be totally opposed to trading Smith. Those three are't that far apart in skill I feel like, and Smith's return on a trade would be the most worthy.

Edited September 2, 2013 by StayClassy

[blgillett 48]

I truly feel that the only reason our D did so well is because our forwards play both ways so well. Yes we need a first line D-man to win the cup

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Either you develop players or you try to keep overpaying for vets and eventually end up with a crap team full of vets you can't move. It's time to let the players grow into top 4 roles. Between Smith Kindl and Dekeyser the 2nd pair will be fine.

[Echolalia 2,961]

I'm ready to let the next gen take over. The Wings' defense has a lot of potential, and they've been groomed for this year for a while. Lets see what they can do behind the wheel.

[kylee 727]

Smith is too young to trade away and Kindl is clearly not done developing. Lashoff could be a good stay at home guy. Quincey is garbage.

[Phil Lesh 93]

Who's out there that would be worth the cap hit, money or trade value?

[Guest Crymson]

Sproul and Ouellet are in the system and not far off.

[GMRwings1983 8,793]

It would only make us stronger, but it's hard to acquire a player like that.

We tried with Suter, but it failed.

[StayClassy 38]

I really just feel like another vet is needed, even if just as an insurance policy. It would be nice to see a list of Dmen with expiring contracts.

[Guest Crymson]

I really just feel like another vet is needed, even if just as an insurance policy. It would be nice to see a list of Dmen with expiring contracts.

The team is already two over the roster limit. It's not going to happen.

[Dabura 12,206]

Although the D somehow came out of last year looking better than most of us had thought, I feel they absolutely must get an other top four guy by the trade deadline. Honestly, any of our 2-7 guys go down and we are not in bad shape. My main concern is if Kronwall were to miss any kind of time, especially in the playoffs. A D corps in the playoffs consisting of Ericsson or Quincey as the vets, just seems to me like it would be missing too much experience, and composure. We do have a great coaching staff that has done great work with what we have, they can only do so much though.

Totally agree.

Assorted thoughts, because my brain is mush:

- This past run was great. But, if you think about it...1) we were probably overachieving like crazy, and 2) it was only the second round. (Granted, we got the eventual SCC in the second round. Which sucks. But still.)

- If it's Cup or bust (and it should be), we need a solid, high-endish, big-nameish, veteranish, shut-downish defensman. If it's second round or oh well, we're set on the back-end.

- I have no reason to believe Holland won't snag a top-4 guy who fits the above profile. Because, seriously, the thought of losing Kronwall for any amount of time is absolutely terrifying, not good for the heart, etc. And that's not what you want for a serious Cup-contending team.

- Dan Girardi.

[StayClassy 38]

The team is already two over the roster limit. It's not going to happen.

Exactly. The team is two over the roster limit, so clearly some changes have to be made right?

[Nev 1,085]

We're relying on two things

1) Smith, Kindl and DeKeyser to play well and continue to develop for 82 games

2) No injuries. Our 7th D is Lashoff. If (when) we go 2 defenceman down, I'm concerned.

We have a glut of forwards, and a glut of similar type forward prospects, so the potential for a 3 or 4 for 1 trade is there.

[Rick D 350]

We could move Q, Smith, and Miller/Eaves for a solid Player. Frees up cap, and more importantly roster space.

[Guest Crymson]

Exactly. The team is two over the roster limit, so clearly some changes have to be made right?

Yes, none of which will involve bringing in new players.

We could move Q, Smith, and Miller/Eaves for a solid Player. Frees up cap, and more importantly roster space.

Nobody will be particularly interested in Quincey, and Smith's potential is still such that it would be senseless to trade him.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

I have been saying this for a good while now, but to me it's true:

The Wings biggest need is a bonafide numer 1 guy, who can make other players better. I am not talking about perfect human like - we will never see a player like him again - but if Kronwall (who I really really love when hes on his game), just doesn't cut it. Guys like Yandle wouldn't be a big improvement Holland needs to get creative and trade for someone yes, that means giving up some of the assets but that's the whole point you develop assets and try to use them for proven players.

Who might be available? Maybe a guy like Dion Phaneuf, Shattenkrik, Dennis Seidenberg (Bruins want to get younger) or a guy like Luke Schenn the guy is big, a stay at home guy and he throws big hits.

Granted all these players aren't ideal options but they would improve the defense significantly. It is hard to underestand, why so many people are already willing to trade Smith, the guy had one shortened season to play and did ok it's not Smith's fault, that people had unreal expectations for him.

[dat's sick 1,002]

Imo signs point toward us being fine on defense unless we're (again) hit hard by injuries or 1-2 of the young guns don't improve at all and actually decline instead.

The Kindl-Dekeyser pairing we saw at the end of last season gave me a really good vibe, I think they could be great together. Kronwall-Ericsson may not be an amazing 1st pairing, but they're solid enough most of the time. Quincey-Smith is the only big question mark, but hopefully they both have their worst hockey behind them.

[Dominator2005 558]

I could see Mark Stuart in Detroit...

[DickieDunn 2,571]

We could move Q, Smith, and Miller/Eaves for a solid Player. Frees up cap, and more importantly roster space.

And have Lashoff as the 6 and no #7

[RyanBarnes! 293]

Sproul and Ouellet are in the system and not far off.

you do realize that LGW will overflow with Sproul sucks and Ouellet is garbage long before any of the two will make any sort of impact, right? Developing defensemen take time and hardly any make the jump without looking lost early on. This is why suggesting a trade of smith is insane. He will realize that potential, just give him time.

[GMRwings1983 8,793]

you do realize that LGW will overflow with Sproul sucks and Ouellet is garbage long before any of the two will make any sort of impact, right? Developing defensemen take time and hardly any make the jump without looking lost early on. This is why suggesting a trade of smith is insane. He will realize that potential, just give him time.

If we're talking about the future, then yes, we should wait for Sproul and Ouellet.

If we're talking about making a Cup run now, with Datsyuk and Zetterberg's prime winding down, then that's a different story. By the time Sproul and Ouellet become good, our two big guns will be retired or no longer good. We should be more concerned about developing star forwards, if the future is what we're looking at.

Like I said, we definitely need a top defenseman, but I don't see how we can acquire one now.

Edited September 2, 2013 by GMRwings1983

[StayClassy 38]

That's pretty much why I am willing to part with someone like Smith, we need to make a cup run NOW. That and it appears we have a dancing plethora of D prospects waiting to come up.

GMRwings is that Maynard?

[GMRwings1983 8,793]

That's pretty much why I am willing to part with someone like Smith, we need to make a cup run NOW. That and it appears we have a dancing plethora of D prospects waiting to come up.

GMRwings is that Maynard?

No. Travis Bickle.

I don't think trading Smith will be enough to get a top quality defenseman. We could throw in a pick, but not sure that would do either.

[dobbles 252]

you do realize that LGW will overflow with Sproul sucks and Ouellet is garbage long before any of the two will make any sort of impact, right? Developing defensemen take time and hardly any make the jump without looking lost early on. This is why suggesting a trade of smith is insane. He will realize that potential, just give him time.

99% of the people would trade smith because he is a valuable asset. and unlike on xbox, in real life you actually have to give up something to get something. so its not a matter of disliking him or giving up on his development, its just the reality of the nhl.

there are very few people out there that think smith should be traded because he stinks. unfortunately, one of them decided to make a thread saying so that stayed at the top of the list for weeks. made it look as if there were tons and tons of people losing faith in him. most posts in the thread were whining about overreacting, and the others were just advocating that smith be sat for a couple games and not traded.

[RyanBarnes! 293]

99% of the people would trade smith because he is a valuable asset. and unlike on xbox, in real life you actually have to give up something to get something. so its not a matter of disliking him or giving up on his development, its just the reality of the nhl.

there are very few people out there that think smith should be traded because he stinks. unfortunately, one of them decided to make a thread saying so that stayed at the top of the list for weeks. made it look as if there were tons and tons of people losing faith in him. most posts in the thread were whining about overreacting, and the others were just advocating that smith be sat for a couple games and not traded.

Well my post was in response to the poster mentioning Sproul and Ouellet as potential top pair defensemen straight from juniors. But anyway, your point about giving up something good to get something good is fair, unfortunately I dont see any top defenseman that would be worth it, being available.