Next Seasons Needs/Team Future

[BadgerBob 297]

If the Sabres are buying out Tyler Myers if I would be willing to take a chance at him if I were Holland.

I really like the idea of this. If they do, I'd hope they have him work with one of the defensive assistants, or even Chelios or Lidstrom so he can get his game on point. I think the pressure put on him to perform on a team that doesn't give him much help has kind of ruined his confidence. I don't think they'd buy him out and I'm sure they'd want something ridiculous for him though.

[Dabura 12,207]

Any competent goal scorer will make that a pretty good top 3 lines

That's sort of my point. Why not just slot Jurco in?

[Dabura 12,207]

Not that I'm opposed to signing a first-line scoring winger, mind you. I just assume we're not getting one. With Jurco making magic as a call-up, I just feel like his time is pretty much now. Send him back down to finish out this season, sure, but pencil him in for next season, provided we don't pick up a quality NHL scorer who makes Jurco a clear odd man out.

[Dabura 12,207]

Of course, then I'll turn around and slot Kimmo Timonen into our top four. So, whatevz yo~.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

That's sort of my point. Why not just slot Jurco in?

Partly depth, partly because he still has things to work on. It would be better for the team if they can find a 25 goal guy in free agency and have Jurco available for when someone gets hurt and they need a call up.

[BadgerBob 297]

Partly depth, partly because he still has things to work on. It would be better for the team if they can find a 25 goal guy in free agency and have Jurco available for when someone gets hurt and they need a call up.

Like Weiss?

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

Like Weiss?

No Weiss is center. We need an experienced goal scoring winger.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Like Weiss?

So what, you think that anyone they sign is going to struggle with a groin injury all season?

[BadgerBob 297]

So what, you think that anyone they sign is going to struggle with a groin injury all season?

No, what I mean is once he is healed I would expect him to be able to put up 25 goals a year which I think would let us be able to keep Jurco in.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

No, what I mean is once he is healed I would expect him to be able to put up 25 goals a year which I think would let us be able to keep Jurco in.

Weiss is more of a set up guy than a goal scorer. They need a shooter.

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

Weiss is more of a set up guy than a goal scorer. They need a shooter.

alfie?

[DickieDunn 2,571]

alfie?

I think there's only about a 1 in 3 chance he's back. He could just as easily retire or head to another team.

[Dabura 12,207]

I've gotta think Alfie will re-sign for one more season. I don't think he burns his bridges in Ottawa and says "Thanks, but no" to the Bruins and moves his family to Detroit and all that for just one season with the Wings, especially with this season being so bizarro-world and Quincey-filled. I honestly believe he left the Sens to become a Wing and pursue the Cup as a Wing for as many seasons as his body will allow (realistically: two. Assuming we don't win it all on the first go-around.) Plus, he deserves a proper farewell tour, a la Selanne - though, granted, he doesn't need to be a Wing to do that.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

These are just the things I'd like to see.

I really don't see why they wouldn't bring Alfie back - he's been one of the more consistent Wings all season. I think the question marks are more about the other veteran UFA's (who I really hope we don't bring back). I think the top 9 is pretty much locked in. After that it's pretty much a battle for 5 forward spots between Miller, Andersson, Sheahan, Ferraro, Glendening and Callahan. I don't think Miller and Sheahan are going anywhere. Glendening is the only one who's exempt from waivers, but he's done a solid job in his position. In the end, I think Callahan is the odd man out, but at this point I would prefer Andersson to be moved, to be honest. I think the other guys bring more speed, and having Helm-Sheahan-Glendening as options down the middle is good enough.

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Nyquist

Tatar-Weiss-Franzen (I think this line could click)

Abs-Helm-Alfie (Nice balance)

Miller-Sheahan-Ferraro

Glendening, Callahan

I feel like the only change on defense will be, hopefully, letting Quincey go and letting Almqvist have a shot. I wouldn't be opposed to exposing Lashoff to waivers and letting someone like Marchenko play, too. Nothing against Lashoff, I just think Marchenko brings more now and long term.

Kronwall-Ericsson

Smith-DeKeyser (I know it's a risky pairing, but I really feel like DeKeyser could balance Smith out.)

Kindl-Marchenko

Almqvist

I wouldn't mind another year of Gustavsson or another vet back-up, just to give Mrazek one more full season in GR. You can argue he's ready now, but the way this year's been I think it could benefit him to get one really strong year before coming up.

Howard

Gustavsson

Edited February 5, 2014 by Jesusberg

[frankgrimes 1,836]

I really like the idea of this. If they do, I'd hope they have him work with one of the defensive assistants, or even Chelios or Lidstrom so he can get his game on point. I think the pressure put on him to perform on a team that doesn't give him much help has kind of ruined his confidence. I don't think they'd buy him out and I'm sure they'd want something ridiculous for him though.

Agree I think having a competent coaching stuff and the benefit of instructions from one of the best defenseman of alltime could only help him. I still think the guy has a god given talent combined with enormous size, if he puts it all together the sky will be his limit. Defenders with such an upside aren't hitting UFA very often so let's hope the Sabres are buying him out

[LeftWinger 4,961]

The next two off season's are going to be tough decision time...

2014: Sheahan, Ferraro, Callahan, Almqvist - out of options

2015: Pulkkinen, Jarnkrok, Jurco - out of options

Pretty good names there...all in the top 15 prospects pool... I am not going to rule out Mantha making some appearances next season as well. If he continues his torrid pace in the Q and makes a huge impression come training camp, there is no reason (other than being exempt from waivers) for him not to be on the NHL team at some point in the next two seasons...

...I like Bogosian, but would also be intrigued if Buffalo bought out Myers... would be a very interesting signing to say the least...

[cnot19 191]

Bringing in Tyler Myers certainly couldn't hurt, hes better than Quincey, Lashoff and Kindl for sure. Not sure what his price tag would be, could be high im sure there are many gms who think they can turn him around.

The next two off season's are going to be tough decision time...

2014: Sheahan, Ferraro, Callahan, Almqvist - out of options

2015: Pulkkinen, Jarnkrok, Jurco - out of options

Pretty good names there...all in the top 15 prospects pool... I am not going to rule out Mantha making some appearances next season as well. If he continues his torrid pace in the Q and makes a huge impression come training camp, there is no reason (other than being exempt from waivers) for him not to be on the NHL team at some point in the next two seasons...

...I like Bogosian, but would also be intrigued if Buffalo bought out Myers... would be a very interesting signing to say the least...

Really hope they keep Callahan, bring him up next year. He brings something no one else does besides Tootoo, whod Id also like to see up next year on a line with Callahan and Glendening

[LeftWinger 4,961]

If Callahan is just a younger Tootoo, then realiscally, what are his odds of being on this team? I agree that this team needs an agitator like that, but Babs and Kenny have shown this year, they don't agree with us...

A line of Tootoo - Glendening - Callahan would only happen if someone was traded/bought out and Jurco starts the season in GR. I happen to think that BOTH Glenny and Jurx will START in GR because they can without passing through waivers. ONLY so the Wings can see what they have here before being forced to move someone to make room for those two who both will be on the roster MOST of the season next year...

[LeftWinger 4,961]

Here is my ideal team for next year. Nothing huge or nothing too outrageous.

This dealine, I trade Kindl, Almqvist to the Isles for Visnovsky. I trade Q to Boston for Joe Morrow. This UFA season I re-sign Alfie (if he wants to) to a similar contract. Let the other UFA's walk. Goodbye Sammy, Cleary, Bertuzzi, Monster and Eaves. I sign Matt Niskanen and Scott Clemmensen as UFA. (if Buffalo buys out Myers I may rethink Niskanen.) I re-sign all my RFA's and end training camp with a roster like this:

Z ($6.083M) - Pav ($7.5M) - Nyquist ($950K)

Alfie ($5.5M) - Weiss ($4.9M) - Franzen ($3.9M)

Tatar ($1.110M) - Sheahan ($1.110M) - Jurco ($709K)

Miller ($1.350M) - Helm ($2.125M) - Abby ($1.8M)

Andersson ($732K) Glendening ($650K) Callahan ($650K) Ferraro ($950K) all vying for the last spot.

Visnovsky ($4.750M) - Kronwall ($4.750M)

Ericsson ($4.250M) - Niskanen ($4.250M)

Dekeyser ($2.250M) - Smith ($1.262M)

Lashoff ($725K)

Marchenko, Morrow, Ouellet, Sproul all on the standby list.

Howard ($5.291M)

Clemmensen ($1.750M)

Mrazek for injury callup...

This roster leaves them potentially $1.791M available cap space BEFORE decisions are made on the four guys trying to get that 13th and 14th forward positions. Like stated before Glendening and Jurco BOTH have exemptions to play in GR. I am not saying they belong there, but if Holland and Babs want to get a longer look at Callahan and Ferraro, they could easily start the season with Glenny and Jurx in GR to get that longer look at those two in Detroit...

[Richdg 267]

Ok combining several thoughts I started in other places. This is what I would do....

1. Finish this season with what we have, while trying to move any of our UFA's for picks that we can.

2. The day our season is over I call Babs and Blashill into the office. I ask babcock if he wants to commit to a 5 year extension. Gives us 6 more years. if after a couple of weeks he chooses not to, I sign Blashill to be the next coach starting the 2015/16 season.

3. June 2014 draft. First 3 picks are: Tuch 6-4/225 RHed RW, Keagan Iverson 6-1/215 RHed C/RW, Ryan Mantha 6-5/225 RHed D/RW. All 3 fit positions of need, but all 3 need 3-5 years to develop.

4. My summer time roster:

Forwards:

Z-Datsyuk-Abby

Jurco-Helm-tatar

Nyquist-Weiss-Callahan

Andersson-Sheahan-TooToo

Miller-Glendening

Buyout Franzen

D:

Eericsson-Kronwall

Dekeyser-Smith

Lashoff-Kindl

Almqvist

G:

Howard

McCollom

Cap has 19-20 million left to spend.

Let Mantha, Pulk, nastisauk, Frk, Oullett, Sproul, Merchencko, Jensen, and Mrasek stay on GR's roster.

5. Free agency. There are only 2 guys that I make a run at: Vanek and Greene. I offer Vanek a 5 year/45 million contract. See if he bits. I offer greene a 3 year/9 million contract. If, yes big IF they both sign, we still have 7-8 million left on the cap. Both of course fill major holes. vanek goes to the top line, with Abby moving down. Greene fills the RHed role on the 3rd pair. This frees up Andersson and Kindl for future moves.

6. If we have won the Vanek and Greene derby, now we have parts to move. My first call is to the Oilers. I offer them Andersson and Smith for Petry. if they agree, that gives us another good young Rhed Dman. pair him with Dekeyser. That gives us 2 pairs of Dmen that can play 45-50 mins per game.

7. Training camps over the summer. How good and ready is Mantha? Is he ready to play in the NHL now or does he need some time in GR? If he is ready-he is a LW, they only guy that he could replace is Nyquist. Z isn't going anywhere, nor is Jurco, and he isn't going to take Abby's checking role. If Mantha is ready, that now means we have Kindl and Nyquist that could be moved. Now I look to make a big move.

8. I take Nyquist, Kindl, and Helm, add Jensen if needed and go after a big fast skilled C. The perfect target in my mind is Hanzel. he would be a great fit between Jurco and tatar and brings size, speed, toughness and 25 goals or so. But he isn't the only one I would look at. Eller is another.

9. If we get to the point where all of this has happened, we now have a loaded, talented, young team, with about 8 million under the cap.

10. We play the 2014/15 season, then say good bye or welcome to babcock, then let TooToo walk. Whoever is most ready between Pulk, Frk, and nastisauk takes TooToo's roster spot. McCollom is moved to clear a spot for Mrasek. use our cap space to resign any RFA's that we have.

11. Our roster is mostly filled and developed for the 2015/16 season. This is good, as it is Datsyuk's second to last season. can we now make a Cup run? maybe. we have size, speed, skill, very few rookies. Would we have health?

12. In the summer of 2015 we don't need to chase any UFA's. We also have a full set of draft picks and no real must haves, just best available.

Duringthe 2015/16 season we do have some questions to answer down on the farm. Oullett, Merchencko, and Sproul will all be at the point where we have to keep them on the roster or clear waivers. Which ones are ready? Now Almqvist can go, maybe Lashoff as well.

13. Now I will stop talking about specifc years. Just some replacement stuff. If Vanek signs for 5 years and Tuch is our pick, it works out well. The time Tuch is ready, Vanek is going to leave via UFA. Weiss has 4 years left as well. About the same time it takes Keagan to get ready. He is a better fit for 3rd C anyway. Sometime between now and the start of the 2016/17 sseason we have several good prospects that will be ready: Pulk, nastisauk, Frk, Oullett, Merchencko, and Sproul. All will need to be up by then or clear waivers, or be traded.

14. Come the 2017/18 season, we could have a roster like this:

Forwards:

Mantha-Z-Vanek

Jurco-Hanzel-Frk

Abby-Sheahan-Pulk

McKee-Iverson-Nastisauk

Callahan-Glendening

D:

Dekeyser-Petry

Ericsson-Sproul

Oullett-Merchenko

Lashoff

G:

Mrasek

Howard

vanek would be heading into his last year and Tuch should be ready to replace him. At some point during the 2015, 2016, 2017 drafts we will need to find a C to replace Z.

ok fingers hurt.......

[PumpkinEscobar 136]

Vanek at 9 mil a season? Heeeeeeeeelllllll No

[dirtydangles 1,328]

Too much for Hanzal.

Not a fan of flipping Smith for the sake of getting a RH dman. I'm not a huge believer that every pair needs a RHD but its nice to have 1 or 2 for pp purposes. Also any Dman coming out of Edmonton isn't what this team needs.

I actually like the term and hit on the Vanek deal - it makes sense to sign him shorter term to a higher cap when he will still be effective (till he is around 35) rather than having him at 7mill till he is 37. And with the cap rising and our young guys on good cap hits we can afford to do this.

At the draft I would actually prefer if we trade our 1st this year for a 1st next year - this gives us 2 firsts to deal to move way up in the first round and get our true 1C prospect. There is no rush to find him this year with all the prospects we already have in addition to our roster players.

[Richdg 267]

Dirty and Pumkin. My post was just an example of how things could go. Point is with a little luck and effort we would have some extra pieces to then make trades and fill in holes. Something that can be done to make a couple of moves so we can make another run or 2 before Datsyuk is gone.

Yes I would like to sign Vanek to a shorter term for more money per year. having him for 4 or 5 years at 9-10 mill is a safer bet than him for 7 years. the chances of him still producing at a high level at 34 is much greater than at 37. History shows most guys hit a wall in that area and drop off fast.

[BadgerBob 297]

Dirty and Pumkin. My post was just an example of how things could go. Point is with a little luck and effort we would have some extra pieces to then make trades and fill in holes. Something that can be done to make a couple of moves so we can make another run or 2 before Datsyuk is gone.

Yes I would like to sign Vanek to a shorter term for more money per year. having him for 4 or 5 years at 9-10 mill is a safer bet than him for 7 years. the chances of him still producing at a high level at 34 is much greater than at 37. History shows most guys hit a wall in that area and drop off fast.

Sorry, no thanks. If we're gonna pay a guy 9-10 a year they better be scoring 45-50 goals a season at least. That'd put him at the top next to Ovie for highest cap hit in the league. Not worth it to me.

[Richdg 267]

Bob, Vanek has and can score 40+ goals per year with a good C. h ha 2 seasons already with 40 or more goals. Both with the Sabres.