Next Seasons Needs/Team Future

[LeftWinger 4,953]

...like I said, unless I am getting a top 1% player in the NHL, I am keeping Mantha and taking the gamble. You trade him and he turns out to be the next 200 point guy, then you suck. You keep him, pass on acquiring Ovechkin (just for an example) and Mantha becomes just another 20-25 goal scorer, you suck. Anything less than a 1%-er I am not dealing Mantha. I understand the tough job it has to be being a GM and second guessing everything you may do after the fact, ie. Franzen over Hossa, but at the time Holland had no idea Franzen would be Franzen and Hossa would help win 2 Cups in Chicago. I get it. I also get that players like Kesler, Ryan, Benn, Getzalf, Perry, Crosby, etc...don't come around that often and if you have the oppourtunity to have one of them in their prime, you should 90% jump at it, at any cost...but I am reminded of the Wayne Gretzky trade, he was traded to LA and Detroit at the same time, meaning there were two deals in place, he obviously wanted to play in Detroit, but LA turned up the offer and LA was the eventual "winner." I cringe to think that we would have most definitely lost Yzerman to Edmonton in that deal. Sure, we would have had Gretzky in his 20's, but as it turned out, he never won another Cup and only got to the Finals once, even with some of the great teams he played on...our teams would have gone a complete different direction with Wayne on it and we probably don't draft Fedorov or Lidstrom...you just never know.

Keep Mantha, make other deals, sign a couple of UFA solid vet D-men. Trade away the extra baggage for picks or futures...the most valuable players I would give up are Helm, Franzen and Smith in a deal for a player that can help us now. Those three I wouldn't miss on this team and even if they went on to become better players somewhere else, I wouldn't regret it. Smith maybe, but as said a million times, you have to give to get...

DeGraa, funny thing is, we probably could have outbid Ottawa for Ryan back when he was traded. We could have offered Jarnkrok, Helm, our 1st in 2014 and I think that would have been a better deal for Anaheim. I know Silfverberg is a heck of a player, but at the time the trade Jarnkrok was at or near our #1 prospect and Holland didn't want to move him then. Helm would have been a nice #2 or #3 center out there as well.

Unfortunately, now with Ottawa in our division, it would cost way too much. Murray would ask Detroit for more than he'd ask St. Louis, that is a fact.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Mantha was not a top 3 pick. There were and are questions about him. It is far more likely that he puts up Franzen type numbers that 100 point seasons.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Backstrom

Giroux-Brodziak-Gaborik

Miller-Helm-Neil

Weise-MacKenzie-McGrattan

Kronwall-Dekeyser

Ericsson-Giordano

Greene-Engelland

This seems to be working well for me in my Dynasty Mode. Ken should give it a try.

[Dabura 12,207]

Trying to find a middle ground between realistic and pipedreaming, I think I'm settling on this for our blue line:

Kronwall Smith

DeKeyser Stralman

Ericsson Marchenko

I'd be ok with that.

Up front, I'd love to add Pouliot, as I've said. That's almost certainly not happening, but I have him slotted in there for now. I'd also like to trade for Tom Wilson, as I've also said.

Stralman, Wilson, Pouliot. For all my bellyaching and teeth-gnashing and pissing and moaning about making bold deals to make our team a winner, I'd be real happy with just adding those three. I'm not in favor of big moves for the sake of big moves. I do think we're a couple players away from being one of the better teams in the East.

I'ma try and work out some forward lines. I've got custom roster fever again.

[LeftWinger 4,953]

My middle ground is anything not involving Quincey or Kindl...

Kronwall - Smith

Dekeyser - Morris

Ericsson - Marchenko

Works for me. Especially if I am not trading Smith in ay sort of deal.

[nawein 324]

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Backstrom

Giroux-Brodziak-Gaborik

Miller-Helm-Neil

Weise-MacKenzie-McGrattan

Kronwall-Dekeyser

Ericsson-Giordano

Greene-Engelland

This seems to be working well for me in my Dynasty Mode. Ken should give it a try.

Nyquist Mackinnon Drouin

Mantha Dal Colle Jurco

Kulemin McDavid Eaves

Miller Ferraro some bum

Dekeyser Ouellet

Sproul Ekblad

Roland Mckeown Julius Honka

Quick

McCollum.

I expect this roster by 2019 because I have won 6 straight cups. If only video games were reality and half of that could be real life. I'd kill for McDavid and MacKinnon. Mainly because this team needs a future #1 C. As far as next year, I'm beginning to warm to the idea of trading up to get DalColle or Ekblad. Ekblad might be able to step right in.

[number9 3,297]

Meszaros?

[krsmith17 7,191]

Dickie, I hear what you're saying but I would never make that trade, even after expressing my love for Jamie Benn. I would bet any amount of money that the 5 pieces you would trade to Dallas would end up being the better package then the Benn brothers. Yes, I'm well aware that Mantha could become a 40-50 point player at the NHL level, but I would bet he will come closer to a 70-80 point player, which is basically what Benn is / will be. And I guarantee the combination of both Smith and Sproul (if not each of them) will be much better NHL players then Jordie Benn. Then you add in another promising prospect and a first rounder. NO WAY you make that trade... EVER!

By the way, terrible analogy, not the same situation at all. It would be more like someone having two briefcases, telling you each one has $5000 in it. He also has 5 other briefcases, each having between $1500 and $5000 in them. Would you take the 2 briefcases with a guaranteed $10,000 or would you take the 5 briefcases that could range between 7500 and 25,000?....

[e_prime 1,936]

Dickie, I hear what you're saying but I would never make that trade, even after expressing my love for Jamie Benn. I would bet any amount of money that the 5 pieces you would trade to Dallas would end up being the better package then the Benn brothers. Yes, I'm well aware that Mantha could become a 40-50 point player at the NHL level, but I would bet he will come closer to a 70-80 point player, which is basically what Benn is / will be. And I guarantee the combination of both Smith and Sproul (if not each of them) will be much better NHL players then Jordie Benn. Then you add in another promising prospect and a first rounder. NO WAY you make that trade... EVER!

By the way, terrible analogy, not the same situation at all. It would be more like someone having two briefcases, telling you each one has $5000 in it. He also has 5 other briefcases, each having between $1500 and $5000 in them. Would you take the 2 briefcases with a guaranteed $10,000 or would you take the 5 briefcases that could range between 7500 and 25,000?....

Hrmmm. *scratches head* This could be a game show!!! Does anyone have a dozen or so models and Howie Mandel's phone number?

I kid. I kid.

Meszaros?

At the right price I wouldn't say no.

Last year his cap hit was $4million, salary $5.5.

At 28 y/o, I'm guessing he'll be looking for a similar number.

He's a lefty, but he's better than K or Q.

The real question is who else wants him? Who will we be bidding against?

Can Boston re:up with him while keeping Bartkowski and Krug?

I have no idea if the aforementioned have waiver options left.

If they send Miller back down to Providence they've got:

Chara-Seidenberg-Boychuk-McQuaid-Hamilton

I don't think Boston even needs him.

He was acquired for solely for depth when Seidenberg became unavailable.

Would he go back to Philly?

Everybody wants a puck moving defenseman, no?

[Euro_Twins 4,475]

Hrmmm. *scratches head* This could be a game show!!! Does anyone have a dozen or so models and Howie Mandel's phone number?

I kid. I kid.

At the right price I wouldn't say no.

Last year his cap hit was $4million, salary $5.5.

At 28 y/o, I'm guessing he'll be looking for a similar number.

He's a lefty, but he's better than K or Q.

The real question is who else wants him? Who will we be bidding against?

Can Boston re:up with him while keeping Bartkowski and Krug?

I have no idea if the aforementioned have waiver options left.

If they send Miller back down to Providence they've got:

Chara-Seidenberg-Boychuk-McQuaid-Hamilton

I don't think Boston even needs him.

He was acquired for solely for depth when Seidenberg became unavailable.

Would he go back to Philly?

Everybody wants a puck moving defenseman, no?

Philly doesn't have much money to spend though (what else is new) and I think they still need quite a few players. They basically have prongers cap hit plus a mil or two.

Just checked and they prongers cap plus 2 mil and they only have 10 forwards, 6 d, and 1 goalie

[Guest DeGraa55]

Philly doesn't have much money to spend though (what else is new) and I think they still need quite a few players. They basically have prongers cap hit plus a mil or two.

Just checked and they prongers cap plus 2 mil and they only have 10 forwards, 6 d, and 1 goalie

On the rumors site it says they might've made lecavlier available....but pretty sure no one wants. Imagine I they would've gotten weber the serious cap issues they'd be in...sheesh.

[T.Low 1,011]

Realistically, if we don't get a forward of Kesler's caliber, and a top 2 Dman, D and Z won't win another cup.

[VM1138 1,921]

Do you really think we need another forward that bad? Another top tier scorer never hurt anybody, but we've got a lot of potentially good forwards. And that potential isn't far off. I mean, both Tatar and Nyquist were great this year. They may have a sophomore slump, but if they continue to build on that they are both bonafide top six players this season. I think that if we can only address one position, it has to be defense. Top 2 caliber, so I agree with you there.

There are (as usual) question marks over next season's Red Wings. If Weiss is the player most of us think he can be, we'll be alright. That will help our offense. And if we secure that Top 2 offensive defenseman, that helps generate more offense. Puck movement and smart puck handling on the part of our defensemen is crucial to the offensive success of this team.

Again, a top tier forward isn't going to hurt us, and makes a Cup more likely, but if Howard is good and we get the right defenseman, the offense might fall into place.

[Guest DeGraa55]

Do you really think we need another forward that bad? Another top tier scorer never hurt anybody, but we've got a lot of potentially good forwards. And that potential isn't far off. I mean, both Tatar and Nyquist were great this year. They may have a sophomore slump, but if they continue to build on that they are both bonafide top six players this season. I think that if we can only address one position, it has to be defense. Top 2 caliber, so I agree with you there.

There are (as usual) question marks over next season's Red Wings. If Weiss is the player most of us think he can be, we'll be alright. That will help our offense. And if we secure that Top 2 offensive defenseman, that helps generate more offense. Puck movement and smart puck handling on the part of our defensemen is crucial to the offensive success of this team.

Again, a top tier forward isn't going to hurt us, and makes a Cup more likely, but if Howard is good and we get the right defenseman, the offense might fall into place.

A forward is the best option IMO for a few reasons.

First we need some more balance(righties).

Second we have lack of center depth...remember Anderson as first line center??!!!?!?

Third can Weiss be the number two?

Fourth who takes over for dat if he retires at end of current deal?

Fifth and most importantly IMO....I'm 99% sure we won't get a TOP PAIRING defenseman. There's none in UFA and none for trade...now a bottom pairing or a righty?? Sure we can are but forward just is easier to get more talent at which we do need.

Also we new size. Tatar and nyquist have shown skill but they continue the Detroit tradition of no size. Which is what he had a convo of size AND skill as does very other team when they're dominate.

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

A forward is the best option IMO for a few reasons.

First we need some more balance(righties).

Second we have lack of center depth...remember Anderson as first line center??!!!?!?

Third can Weiss be the number two?

Fourth who takes over for dat if he retires at end of current deal?

Fifth and most importantly IMO....I'm 99% sure we won't get a TOP PAIRING defenseman. There's none in UFA and none for trade...now a bottom pairing or a righty?? Sure we can are but forward just is easier to get more talent at which we do need.

Also we new size. Tatar and nyquist have shown skill but they continue the Detroit tradition of no size. Which is what he had a convo of size AND skill as does very other team when they're dominate.

Datsyuk

Zetterberg

Weiss

Helm

Sheahan

Glendening

Andersson

We do not have a lack of center depth. the andersson at 1st line center was a perfect storm of everybody getting injured.

[PumpkinEscobar 136]

Only center depth we lack is below the major league level

[Guest DeGraa55]

Datsyuk

Zetterberg

Weiss

Helm

Sheahan

Glendening

Andersson

We do not have a lack of center depth. the andersson at 1st line center was a perfect storm of everybody getting injured.

Dat and z are just getting older so it's kind if stupid to think they'll get healthier with age? Weiss like I've said numerous times WE DONT KNOW. Will he ever be healthy again? Will he ever actually play well? And the rest are all 3rd and 4th liners. Hopefully Sheahan can be a 2c I like him a lot but that's too much to expect out of him rught now. Let's see him excel at 3c for a bit.

And helm....injured injured and ummm o yea....injured.

Edited June 13, 2014 by DeGraa55

[Richdg 267]

C depth? Not really. When we look at offensive C's we have 1 maybe 2: Datsyuk and Weiss. Z has been playing LW lately and I expect that to continue. Helm, Glendening, and Andersson are defensive C's. Maybe Sheahan becomes something, but it is to early to tell, also he can play wing. So its not like we are overloaded with true #1 and #2 C's. Datsyuk as a 1 and Spezza or Kesler as a 2, is MUCH better then Datsyuk and Weiss. You can never have to much proven talent.

[dirtydangles 1,328]

Brad Richards on a short term deal? Might be a solid acquisition as insurance for Weiss. Seems like Richards is destined to be bought out. I think he could be effective in the 2C slot with quality wingers. Takes some pressure off of Weiss too and is good insurance if one of Datsyuk, Z, Weiss get injured (which usually happens nowadays). I'm just thinking the cheapest and easiest (the Holland way) way to solidify our forward group for next season.

Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Franzen

Weiss - Richards - Nyquist

Tatar - Sheahan - Jurco

Abdelkader - Helm - Glendening

Kronwall - Smith

Dekeyser - Marchenko

Ericsson - Backman/Ouellet

Not terrible considering no trades made so far. D still needs some help via trade.

[Datsyukian-Deke 722]

Brad Richards on a short term deal? Might be a solid acquisition as insurance for Weiss. Seems like Richards is destined to be bought out. I think he could be effective in the 2C slot with quality wingers. Takes some pressure off of Weiss too and is good insurance if one of Datsyuk, Z, Weiss get injured (which usually happens nowadays). I'm just thinking the cheapest and easiest (the Holland way) way to solidify our forward group for next season.

Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Franzen

Weiss - Richards - Nyquist

Tatar - Sheahan - Jurco

Abdelkader - Helm - Glendening

Kronwall - Smith

Dekeyser - Marchenko

Ericsson - Backman/Ouellet

Not terrible considering no trades made so far. D still needs some help via trade.

Richards is not what we need. He is more of a set-up man. He averages about 20 some goals a season. We need a sniping winger to put with Datsyuk.

[e_prime 1,936]

...Richards? ...Brad Richards?

Have you watched any Rangers games lately?

[mackel 679]

What we really need is a top end defenceman... Kronner is a solid #2, or a fantastic #3... What he isn't is a #1 d-man.

I know I'll get slammed for this BUT... I think the Wings should fire an offer sheet off to PK Subban. Max money, max years with as many poision pills as Montreal can swallow. If nothing else it will "cost" a division rival some cash.

[Guest DeGraa55]

What we really need is a top end defenceman... Kronner is a solid #2, or a fantastic #3... What he isn't is a #1 d-man.

I know I'll get slammed for this BUT... I think the Wings should fire an offer sheet off to PK Subban. Max money, max years with as many poision pills as Montreal can swallow. If nothing else it will "cost" a division rival some cash.

Ya great idea for next year. I believe he has 1 year left on deal?

Some people hated on phillies gm for doing that to weber but at end if day it's worth it. It's THE ONLY WAY they had a s*** at getting him and if Nashville matches they're now in the books for it.

Edited June 13, 2014 by DeGraa55

[mackel 679]

Ya great idea for next year. I believe he has 1 year left on deal?

Some people hated on phillies gm for doing that to weber but at end if day it's worth it. It's THE ONLY WAY they had a s*** at getting him and if Nashville matches they're now in the books for it.

He is an RFA this summer.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

What we really need is a top end defenceman... Kronner is a solid #2, or a fantastic #3... What he isn't is a #1 d-man.

I know I'll get slammed for this BUT... I think the Wings should fire an offer sheet off to PK Subban. Max money, max years with as many poision pills as Montreal can swallow. If nothing else it will "cost" a division rival some cash.

Who's better than Kronwall?