GM moves

[VM1138 1,921]

I disagree with that. A balance of player types is needed, but it doesn't matter where they are from. And the enforcers era is over. It wastes a roster spot and I'm not really sure how effective deterrence is anyway. Those fighters everyone loves keep fighting, meaning their message isn't getting across.

[plopster 136]

I disagree with that. A balance of player types is needed, but it doesn't matter where they are from. And the enforcers era is over. It wastes a roster spot and I'm not really sure how effective deterrence is anyway. Those fighters everyone loves keep fighting, meaning their message isn't getting across.

Well you can have an enforcer that is skilled too. It doesn't have to be like an Aaron Downey. And you do need guys that will drop the gloves and not get their ass handed to them because if not then the other team won't respect yours. They will get away with murder. Just like lucic did and does. He needs his nose broken the other way and he might think twice about it. You just need the threat there and people won't be so apt to have their way all the time. Keep people honest. Everyone knows the wings don't like to drop the gloves. And they know they can f*** with franzen all day and he won't do a thing.

[VM1138 1,921]

Right. A talented player who is also tough is rare. Hockey's version of the unicorn. Most people just latch on to a fan favorite tough guy and ignore that they don't contribute anything else.

[Guest DeGraa55]

Right. A talented player who is also tough is rare. Hockey's version of the unicorn. Most people just latch on to a fan favorite tough guy and ignore that they don't contribute anything else.

Not really look at the good wings teams.

Draper McCarty maltby shanahan probert kocur lapointe Fischer hatcher fetisov vladdy

You don't have to just fight to be tough...fighting, checking, being tough on puck, being in front of net(HOMER) etc etc

Hell homer is one of the toughest players ever. Why? Not from fighting....just from being able to take the abuse he did right in front of net. Wings now.... Our toughest guys are what? Smith Ericsson and Abby??? I mean holy f*** do people really not understand what a problem that is!!!

[plopster 136]

Not really look at the good wings teams.

Draper McCarty maltby shanahan probert kocur lapointe Fischer hatcher fetisov vladdy

You don't have to just fight to be tough...fighting, checking, being tough on puck, being in front of net(HOMER) etc etc

Hell homer is one of the toughest players ever. Why? Not from fighting....just from being able to take the abuse he did right in front of net. Wings now.... Our toughest guys are what? Smith Ericsson and Abby??? I mean holy f*** do people really not understand what a problem that is!!!

Exactly. Shanahan and lapointe are probably the best examples. Those guys racked up points in Detroit and penalty minutes to go with it. It's not rare at all. I'm pretty sure doughty and brown would be up there with them in a scrum. It's about wearing the other team down. You can't just skate up and down in this league and hope to score unless a mistake is made or there's just bad goal tending. And you do t get in the playoffs doing either of those a lot. You have to bang beat and wear the other team down. Especially the defense on the forecheck.

[e_prime 1,936]

I know they are just being used as examples of Wings players that have the toughness you're looking for but, those guys collected points and PIMs almost 20 years ago. Lets not bring time-travel into the thread.

Even though the game has gotten bigger/stronger/faster, the league doesn't have a wealth of guys that have all those traits wrapped up nicely in the one player package. Also, the league didn't have a salary cap so as coveted as those players were, even then, they were easier to obtain because all you had to do was PAY THEM WHATEVER MR. I WAS WILLING TO SPEND.

[plopster 136]

Also, the league didn't have a salary cap so as coveted as those players were, even then, they were easier to obtain because all you had to do was PAY THEM WHATEVER MR. I WAS WILLING TO SPEND.

Then why did lapointe leave? And how did the kings end up with those guys on one team. It's not like it can't be done.

[number9 3,297]

Then why did lapointe leave? And how did the kings end up with those guys on one team. It's not like it can't be done.

The same Lapointe that was considered vastly overpaid by the Bruins and quickly declined after leaving the Wings for Boston? Maybe that's why.

The Kings got those players because Holland is the dumbest GM ever and it's all his fault.

[e_prime 1,936]

Then why did lapointe leave? And how did the kings end up with those guys on one team. It's not like it can't be done.

As far as Lapointe goes:

He wanted to be the MAN. Which he was never going to be on a stacked Wings team... so he went to Boston and as number9 said... once he left the Wings he was exposed as the player he actually was.

As far as the Kings go:

Ken Holland is no Dean Lombardi. Lombardi is fearless with trades.

Ken Holland was once fearless... when he had Mike Illitch's open checkbook.

So, Yes. It can be done. ...but to pretend that KH is capable of it? You're kidding yourself.

He's just finally turning the corner on understanding that not all prospects need to over-ripen or that resigning guys that didn't work that well the first time around should be re-signed just because they "know the system."

[Richdg 267]

Jimmy D built this team and Holland maintained it. That is what Holland is still trying to do. Which of course is the problem now. This is a very average team that is trending down. We don't want or need it maintained. We need it built back up. Can Holland do that? Not sure.

[e_prime 1,936]

Are 'Team Grit, Durability, and Truculence,' 'Size/Stature,' and 'Nationality Compliment' seminars available in GM school?