Red Wings expect changes for 2014 - 2015

[WingsAlways 486]

I thought this was a good article, it mentions that we're hoping to add a scorer and a top 4 defenseman.

http://redwings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=717126

[Aznknight 139]

I'll believe it when I see it. Kenny is all talk right now

[Guest DeGraa55]

I have a question. After seeing how smith played with kronwall(great for those who may struggle with the answer).

And we still have Ericsson and dekeyser so WHY DO WE NEED A TOP 4?!?!??!???

Unless someone is planning to be moved? I mean I'd like a right handed guy but this kind of blows my mind.

[Andy Pred 48 337]

In an ideal world Ericsson would be on the 3rd pair with Marchenko and we pick up a top guy to pair with Dekeyeser.

[Wingznut 14]

I have a question. After seeing how smith played with kronwall(great for those who may struggle with the answer).

And we still have Ericsson and dekeyser so WHY DO WE NEED A TOP 4?!?!??!???

Unless someone is planning to be moved? I mean I'd like a right handed guy but this kind of blows my mind.

I don't think they mean that adding a "Top 4" defenseman will automatically push someone else down a notch. That would all depend on defense pairings (chemistry) and possibly even situations. They just mean someone of that caliber, who can compete with our four best.

[dat's sick 1,002]

I have a question. After seeing how smith played with kronwall(great for those who may struggle with the answer).

And we still have Ericsson and dekeyser so WHY DO WE NEED A TOP 4?!?!??!???

Unless someone is planning to be moved? I mean I'd like a right handed guy but this kind of blows my mind.

You don't mean to say we are fine on defense, do you?

If we can add a legit top 4 d-man it would make a huge difference. Without a Lidstrom-Rafalski top pairing we can't afford our 3rd pairing just being two awful guys that kill us every time they're on the ice. If we can bump Dekeyser or even Ericsson down there we'd look so much more solid.

[VM1138 1,921]

We don't need a Top 4 guy. We need a puck moving top 2. Smith and Ericsson and Dekeyser are fine as 3 spots, and make is much deeper. I mean...Dekeyser on the third pairing is crazy deep. But none of those guys is that top pair offensive defenseman we need to play with Kronwall.

[rick zombo 3,739]

I have a question. After seeing how smith played with kronwall(great for those who may struggle with the answer).

And we still have Ericsson and dekeyser so WHY DO WE NEED A TOP 4?!?!??!???

Unless someone is planning to be moved? I mean I'd like a right handed guy but this kind of blows my mind.

We need a righty that can score on the PP and move the puck.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

At this point I think they'll just waive Lashoff, but I wonder if they could move Kindl for anything. 2.4 mil isn't "hefty", but I wonder if anyone would take him. Not a huge issue - he's just sitting around with that deal for 3 more years.

As far as adding someone, I really liked the Kronwall-Smith pairing and I'd keep intact. I love Ericsson's work on the PK, but I agree with him being bumped down a few pairings, if just for the sake of balance and generating offense from the top 4. The UFA options who could generate offense aren't all that pretty, though: Niskanen's solid, but then there's really only Zidlicky and Boyle after that.

If they could go the trade route to find a guy, I think it'd be ideal. I would try to pair an experienced, RH guy with DK and then pair Ericsson with whoever is more impressive in camp out of Marchenko or Sproul. I do think that without adding that experienced RH guy, though... the defense is looking pretty meek.

[Nyquistfan14 489]

I think we should go for Boyle. He bridges the cap for the kids to come up and he would be huge for puck movement and the pp. He's also a vet that you know will be highly motivated to win a cup before retiring.

Next season you run....

Kronwall- smith

Dekeyser- Boyle

Big E- marchenko/ouellette

I like the looks of that

[Shaman 713]

I think they are just reposting last years article with a new title and a few amendments.

Seriously, they have been saying this since they lost Hossa, Homer and Rafalski...

[Jesusberg 1,256]

I think we should go for Boyle. He bridges the cap for the kids to come up and he would be huge for puck movement and the pp. He's also a vet that you know will be highly motivated to win a cup before retiring.

Next season you run....

Kronwall- smith

Dekeyser- Boyle

Big E- marchenko/ouellette

I like the looks of that

I they can't get a Niskanen or let's say, Green (via trade) then this is something I could get behind. The only change I would make is Sproul over Ouellet. I think Boyle's spot in this scenario is eventually Sproul's. I like Marchenko's overall game right now, but I think Sproul has a higher ceiling. Pairing him with a steady guy like E could work out nicely.

[nyqvististhefuture 1,002]

Was checking free agency list ... There's 3 forwards that caught my attention

Dany heatley - yes he's gone down last few years but I'm thinking at a one year deal and putting him with datsyuk he can get 25-30 again I think , no way a goalscorer loses his shot

Milan michalek - depending on term (2yrs max) I'd give him a shot and can look good with datsyuk as well and get 20-30 I'd think

Shawn Thornton - he's make 1.1 million ... He's 36 but personally I wouldn't care and give him 2 million for 2 years to maybe entice him to leave boston ... It would only be for 2 yrs and it would give us a big nasty forward on the 4th line who can play, hit and drop the gloves .... He personally would be my choice for forward

If anything id consider bringing pulkkinen up , I think he'd get 20 goals

Edited April 30, 2014 by nyqvististhefuture

[Crashnburnluder 385]

Was checking free agency list ... There's 3 forwards that caught my attention

Dany heatley - yes he's gone down last few years but I'm thinking at a one year deal and putting him with datsyuk he can get 25-30 again I think , no way a goalscorer loses his shot

Milan michalek - depending on term (2yrs max) I'd give him a shot and can look good with datsyuk as well and get 20-30 I'd think

Shawn Thornton - he's make 1.1 million ... He's 36 but personally I wouldn't care and give him 2 million for 2 years to maybe entice him to leave boston ... It would only be for 2 yrs and it would give us a big nasty forward on the 4th line who can play, hit and drop the gloves .... He personally would be my choice for forward

If anything id consider bringing pulkkinen up , I think he'd get 20 goals

Please no where near Healtey... People think Franzen is lazy and sucks haha good luck with danny Edited April 30, 2014 by Crashnburnluder

[cnot19 191]

At this point I think they'll just waive Lashoff, but I wonder if they could move Kindl for anything. 2.4 mil isn't "hefty", but I wonder if anyone would take him. Not a huge issue - he's just sitting around with that deal for 3 more years.

As far as adding someone, I really liked the Kronwall-Smith pairing and I'd keep intact. I love Ericsson's work on the PK, but I agree with him being bumped down a few pairings, if just for the sake of balance and generating offense from the top 4. The UFA options who could generate offense aren't all that pretty, though: Niskanen's solid, but then there's really only Zidlicky and Boyle after that.

If they could go the trade route to find a guy, I think it'd be ideal. I would try to pair an experienced, RH guy with DK and then pair Ericsson with whoever is more impressive in camp out of Marchenko or Sproul. I do think that without adding that experienced RH guy, though... the defense is looking pretty meek.

I was hoping he'd be move at the deadline for Ott. I am hoping he can be moved to the sabres who just need fillers and term or the islanders to hit the cap floor and be a bit more experienced.

I think he's tradable even though I place no value on what he brings, I would have never never drafted him. 2.4 is really an indifferent cap hit and he's under contract for a few more years he should be able to be moved

Edited April 30, 2014 by cnot19

[kipwinger 8,493]

So in the "Offseason Needs" thread I posted my realistic offseason plan, which was to sign Niskanen and promote from within. Here I'm going to post my dream scenario, which actually might not be too off base. Sign Niskanen, and trade our 1st, Helm or Abby (not both), and Smith for Ryan Kesler. We don't need a first, we've already got too many NHL quality prospects, and we can easily handle the loss of Smith and Abby or Helm. No knock on any of those guys, but I love the thought of this

Z-Dats-Kesler

Franzen-Weiss-Nyquist

Tatar-Sheahan-Jurco

Miller-Glendening-Helm/Abby

Kronwall-Ericsson

Niskanen-Dekeyser

Marchenko-Quellet/Sproul

Note: If that rookie third pair was shaky you can always trade for a veteran third pair stay at home guy with any of the 2 million quality prospects we've got.

Double Note: This package for Kesler is better than both Pittsburgh and Anaheim's packages which reportedly "nearly landed" him at the deadline. It should work. If not, add some combination of Kidl, Andersson, Bachman, Pulkkinen, Callahan, or Ferraro until it does.

Edited April 30, 2014 by kipwinger

[nyqvististhefuture 1,002]

So in the "Offseason Needs" threat I posted my realistic offseason plan, which was sign Niskanen and promote from within. Here I'm going to post my dream scenario, which actually might not be too off base. Sign Niskanen, and trade our 1st, Helm or Abby (not both), and Smith for Ryan Kessler. We don't need a first, we've already got too many NHL quality prospects, and we can easily handle the loss of Smith and Abby or Helm. No knock on any of those guys, but I love the thought of this

Z-Dats-Kesler

Franzen-Weiss-Nyquist

Tatar-Sheahan-Jurco

Miller-Glendening-Helm/Abby

Kronwall-Ericsson

Niskanen-Dekeyser

Marchenko-Quellet/Sproul

Note: If that rookie third pair was shaky you can always trade for a veteran third pair stay at home guy with any of the 2 million quality prospects we've got.

Ya I don't know about niskanen , personally think he's overrated and wouldn't take a chance on him after having one good year and then being stuck

[Shaman 713]

So in the "Offseason Needs" threat I posted my realistic offseason plan, which was sign Niskanen and promote from within. Here I'm going to post my dream scenario, which actually might not be too off base. Sign Niskanen, and trade our 1st, Helm or Abby (not both), and Smith for Ryan Kessler. We don't need a first, we've already got too many NHL quality prospects, and we can easily handle the loss of Smith and Abby or Helm. No knock on any of those guys, but I love the thought of this

Z-Dats-Kesler

Franzen-Weiss-Nyquist

Tatar-Sheahan-Jurco

Miller-Glendening-Helm/Abby

Kronwall-Ericsson

Niskanen-Dekeyser

Marchenko-Quellet/Sproul

Note: If that rookie third pair was shaky you can always trade for a veteran third pair stay at home guy with any of the 2 million quality prospects we've got.

Niskanen is definitely an interesting player. But please let Detroit trade Glendening, he's going to be the new Cleary if they don't. Mark this down, Babcock can be fickle, but I see this guy being the soft, stone handed staple of the Wing's line up for decades to come.

[Cloune 270]

Nyquist - Zetterberg - Franzen

Zaripov - Datsyuk - Mozjakin

Helm - Sheahan - Jurco

Miller - Glendening - Aby

Kronwall - Giordano

DeKeyser - Ericsson

Smith - Ouellet

[kipwinger 8,493]

Niskanen is definitely an interesting player. But please let Detroit trade Glendening, he's going to be the new Cleary if they don't. Mark this down, Babcock can be fickle, but I see this guy being the soft, stone handed staple of the Wing's line up for decades to come.

I'm just trying to be realistic with this one. You can't get Kesler for Smith, Glendening, and a 1st. You just can't. But you really could for Smith, Helm, and a 1st, and I'd do that in a second.

Ya I don't know about niskanen , personally think he's overrated and wouldn't take a chance on him after having one good year and then being stuck

He didn't just have one good year. He's had a couple of pretty good years, and then a breakout year with a couple stinkers in the middle. Which is in line with his scouting report which said he was a guy with all the talent who just needed to put it together. Looks like he has considering he's worked he's played his way into 20+ minutes a night on a defense that has Letang, Orpik, Martin, and Scuderi.

Kid's for real.

Edited April 30, 2014 by kipwinger

[cnot19 191]

I want Trevor gillies anyone with me? I really hope we get someone with some size and balls preferably a third line talent guy

[Shaman 713]

I want Trevor gillies anyone with me? I really hope we get someone with some size and balls preferably a third line talent guy

No.

No.

No.

No.

This team has 9 bottom 6 forwards and a lot of players that are either out of options in GR, or should be getting their chance soon. A 35 year old goon who can't make the NHL and whose team is losing to the Griffins in the Calder cup playoffs is not the answer.

[cnot19 191]

No.

No.

No.

No.

This team has 9 bottom 6 forwards and a lot of players that are either out of options in GR, or should be getting their chance soon. A 35 year old goon who can't make the NHL and whose team is losing to the Griffins in the Calder cup playoffs is not the answer.

I was sarcastic about gillies but if I were gm there would be a serious remodeling of the bottom six

[kipwinger 8,493]

Get the bottom six playing exactly where they should be and they'll be fine. The kid line was a very good second line this year, so slotted (correctly) as third and they'll be dominant. And a shutdown fourth of Miller-Glendening-Helm/Abby would be very solid as well.

Hell, I'm feeling generous...if it would please everyone else, sign a fighter to be your 13th forward. Who really cares anyway?

Edited April 30, 2014 by kipwinger

[nyqvististhefuture 1,002]

I'm just trying to be realistic with this one. You can't get Kesler for Smith, Glendening, and a 1st. You just can't. But you really could for Smith, Helm, and a 1st, and I'd do that in a second.

He didn't just have one good year. He's had a couple of pretty good years, and then a breakout year with a couple stinkers in the middle. Which is in line with his scouting report which said he was a guy with all the talent who just needed to put it together. Looks like he has considering he's worked he's played his way into 20+ minutes a night on a defense that has Letang, Orpik, Martin, and Scuderi.

Kid's for real.

His 5 previous seasons are unimpressive ... Not worth the price he's gonna demand if you ask me , wouldn't wanna be handcuffed with him especially with guys like ouellet marchenko sproul backman coming up real soon

Guess well have to agree to disagree

Get the bottom six playing exactly where they should be and they'll be fine. The kid line was a very good second line this year, so slotted (correctly) as third and they'll be dominant. And a shutdown fourth of Miller-Glendening-Helm/Abby would be very solid as well.

Hell, I'm feeling generous...if it would please everyone else, sign a fighter to be your 13th forward. Who really cares anyway?

Helm is a great 3rd line center ...unless he gets extra ice time somehow don't know about him being on the 4th .... Anyway he or sheahan goes to wing?(probably not) ... Don't know how there gonna fix that

I'd personally like to see shawn Thornton here on the 4th line if possible ... Not a big fan of Drew miller