Can Z and Pav do anything to protest? (not that they would)

[wheelchairwing 11]

I read somewhere a few months ago Pav saying something like, "Our main goal next year shouldn't be a 24th straight playoff appearance, it should be focused on trying to win the Stanley Cup." Don't know where from. Could Pav and Z not show as a form of protest. I know they won't and they would be buried for it, but at least it would send a message about management ... Thoughts?

[MabusIncarnate 5,359]

A fan perspective and a player perspective are two entirely different things. Who knows what the feeling is in the locker room, how Pav and Zett feel about the current condition and standing of the team.

We are on the outside watching, they are the ones playing the game. Considering the respect levels, the commitment by both players, no. I don't see a thing coming from either player as an effort of protest because the first day of free agent signing didn't go our way. The offers were put in place, some guys took less to play elsewhere. I'm not sure what good it would do to have our most valued players start turning against the organization instead of trying to make the best of a bad situation and win games as they are paid to do.

[T.Low 1,011]

Not show? Protest? Are they hippies? Are you thinking Occupy Joe Louis or something?

[wheelchairwing 11]

Just thinking of a way to let management know the "let's bring back player X instead of new blood" method is not the way things will improve ... just a thought ...

[rick zombo 3,739]

Or they could, I dunno, lead their teams by example and continue to be awesome. Which they are.

Seriously, these two guys are freakishly classy and they’re ******* consummate pros. What do you want, a whiny star like Kesler?

[gcom007 1,465]

The only public sort of protest they could or would reasonably do is ask for a trade. I don't think it'll happen given the two guys involved, but who knows. This many years of struggle and this many bad deals you can't ignore might change their perspectives. Who thought Alfie would come here after all those years in Ottowa? They have won Cups though, so they're not chasing as much as guys like Alfie.

But I'll tell you one thing, if the day comes where one of these guys asks for a trade or retires early to play in Europe, you know things are way more f***ed than it even seems now. Hopefully that day never comes.

[Shinzaki 72]

I hope the don't do an Occupy the JLA....all that fecal matter, burger wrappers and patchouli oil messing up the seats...we don't need that.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

I hope the don't do an Occupy the JLA....all that fecal matter, burger wrappers and patchouli oil messing up the seats...we don't need that.

Is that you, Bill O'Reilly? Edited July 2, 2014 by Bring Back The Bruise Bros

[Guest fat guy in a maltby jersey]

i would request a trade if i were them - no brainer.

who wants to play another 2 years in front of kyle freaking quincey?

jesus christ

it's a shame that holland is wasting the years these two have left.

[wings87 1,290]

Not show? Protest? Are they hippies? Are you thinking Occupy Joe Louis or something?

With the way Holland is designing this team pretty soon only the players will be occupying Joe Louis Arena.

[CMatt89 63]

If the entire red wing fan base shared same views, it would be on us to protest. 0 people in attendance. Exactly what shouldve been dealt to the lions and tigers pre pudge Rodriguez. But we dont all share the same views. Video games, ego and fantasy sports have changed the enjoyment and lose yourself in the game mentality that used to be ever so present throughtout sports, into a "every fan thinks they know whats best for the team" attitude. If we did, we would be in control of the team. Im not denying that holland, babcock, detroits city and team culture, as well as our rich and externally hated legacy has major affect, it does, favorably. But, us as fans choose who we root for. We do not put the leaders in office. Its not a "democracy" . If you dont like it..... you know what im gonna say next. Im just as "insert emotion here" as the next guy. But if youre not into it, get out of it

Edited July 2, 2014 by CMatt89

[Nev 1,085]

There were plenty of comments from Z and Pav after we were knocked out by Boston that it wasn't good enough to just make the playoffs. They never said "Holland needs to make this team better or else", but there was a clear undercurrent of "this team simply isn't good enough".

They are both under contract and not going anywhere.

Babcock on the other hand? The last week (underwhelming draft and pathetic free agency) I think has all but confirmed that this will be his last season in Detroit. The only thing that can change it is if the kids get to play and play like stars.

[Barrie 900]

The Wings will be better. Our young talent is 1 year older and Dats and Z are healthy.

Niskanen won't be the same player in Washington. Quincey would get 40 pts playing in Pittsburgh, which is exactly why Ehrhoff signed there, to rack up the pts so he can sign another big contract... I don't think people realize how good Smith and Dekeyser are going to be.

The CBA has created an over inflated UFA Market. We didn't miss out on anything yesterday.

[loutswings 47]

The only way they could show they are not happy is by requesting a trade or not resign when the contract is up.

The Wings will be better. Our young talent is 1 year older and Dats and Z are healthy.

Niskanen won't be the same player in Washington. Quincey would get 40 pts playing in Pittsburgh, which is exactly why Ehrhoff signed there, to rack up the pts so he can sign another big contract... I don't think people realize how good Smith and Dekeyser are going to be.

The CBA has created an over inflated UFA Market. We didn't miss out on anything yesterday.

I think Erhoff signed with Pittsburg to have a chance to win the Cup. Back in the day players would take less money to play for Detroit to have a chance to win the Cup. Times have changed.

[WorkingOvertime 536]

I read somewhere a few months ago Pav saying something like, "Our main goal next year shouldn't be a 24th straight playoff appearance, it should be focused on trying to win the Stanley Cup." Don't know where from. Could Pav and Z not show as a form of protest. I know they won't and they would be buried for it, but at least it would send a message about management ... Thoughts?

What would be the message to management? According to mlive, the Wings made a big push to improve the defense.

Holland declined to reveal details about any of the Red Wings' offers, but a source said Niskanen's agent told the Red Wings over the weekend that he was on their "short list." They offered him a seven-year deal for $38.5 million. The agent called Tuesday and told the Red Wings they didn't make the final cut. They were not given an opportunity to negotiate.

The Red Wings made Boyle a three-year, $12.5 million offer ($5 million in each of the first two seasons, $2.5 million for 2016-17). Boyle, who turns 38 on July 12, took less to go to the Rangers.

The Red Wings spoke to Anton Stralman, but he wanted a five- or six-year deal (he signed with Tampa Bay; five years at $4.5 million per season). The Red Wings didn't want to sign him for that long because they believe some of their young defensemen (Xavier Ouellet, Ryan Sproul, Alexey Marchenko, Mattias Backman) will be better than Stralman in a couple of years.

The Red Wings offered Stephane Robidas, 37, a comparable deal to the one he signed with Toronto (three years at $3 million per season). Robidas, who is from Quebec, wanted to be closer to home for family reasons...

...A source said Ehrhoff's camp had told the Red Wings he was seeking a five-year deal for $5 million per season. They weren't prepared to offer more than two or three years. Ehrhoff clearly wanted to play for the Penguins because he didn't give the Red Wings a chance to beat that offer, which they would have.

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2014/07/red_wings_made_several_pitches.html

[dirtydangles 1,328]

All they can do is make some more passive aggressive quotes about wanting to compete for the cup.

[amato 3,210]

The only thing that can change it is if the kids get to play and play like stars.

In Nyquist we trust!

Ha yea seriously though, talk about pressure on the kids.. if they rise to the challenge this season and continue to grow, the wings could be a really exciting team to watch. *fingers crossed*

[AtlantaHotWings 1,124]

In Nyquist we trust!

Ha yea seriously though, talk about pressure on the kids.. if they rise to the challenge this season and continue to grow, the wings could be a really exciting team to watch. *fingers crossed*

Or they have a sophmore slump which the steak ends and we get a good pick. I see no downside either way!

[Richdg 267]

Interesting because I was fearful of the same thing. There is nothing that can force Datsyuk to return to play. Put yourself in his shoes. he is wealthy, his wife and kids live in Russia, he could easily replace the RW's salary by staying there and playing. He clearly was unhappy with the end of the year/direction of the team/etc... he is also 35 and getting beat up. He voiced his displeasure which is COMPLETELY out of charactor for him. If we still are the same team come August first, it would be really hard to get on a plan and come back.

I have mentioned this before. If you wan to force Babcok, Z, and Datsyuk out, could you write a better script to do it? Why would anyone of those 3 want to return/stay long term? Thios is very thin ice Holland is skating on and we the fans could be the ones to pay for his "liking our team".

[frankgrimes 1,836]

Pasha, Z and Kronner basically said after game 5 that making the postseason and not going far isn't good enough for them. Babcock was even quoted after the Nashville series stating, how the Wings have gone backwards instead of forward and he came out saying the same thing again.

So there you have it, the coach plus C + 2 A's are getting impatient but thats all they can do despite asking for a trade and at this point I wouldn't blame either one.

Our stuff especially Holland has to figure out, why we aren't a destination anymore and if going into rebuild mode might be the way forward. Alfie should sign with a contender and finally get his Stanley Cup

Edited July 2, 2014 by frankgrimes

[13dangledangle 968]

Why is everyone saying Datsyuk and Zetterberg will leave? ZETTERBERG will NEVER ask for a trade, that is straight up crazy talk. Then Datysuk on the other hand has two years left, he's done after this contract anyway

[Richdg 267]

Why is everyone saying Datsyuk and Zetterberg will leave? ZETTERBERG will NEVER ask for a trade, that is straight up crazy talk. Then Datysuk on the other hand has two years left, he's done after this contract anyway

I doubt either would ask for a trade. retire is what will happen, and with the lack of positive moves to date that day may end up closer than anyone wants. why would either want to keep pushing their aging bodies to play for a team not going anywhere? At some point in time there is no point in doing so. The cost becomes to great.

[roboturner 562]

I can see Zeterberg retire after 4 more seasons. His salary drops off from 7 million to 3.5 after 4 seasons and down to 1 million after that. He'll be 38 by then with a bad back.

Dats is signed for three more seasons. He'd be 39 going into a new contract.

So we have two, maybe three seasons (including next season) to make a run with these guys. Or to convince them that it's worth sticking around on the Wings to compete for a cup here rather than somewhere else.

[number9 3,297]

The real question is: Would Dats and Z ever protest? No. They aren't short sighted hot heads like most of LGW

[ShanahanMan 473]

The real question is: Would Dats and Z ever protest? No. They aren't short sighted hot heads like most of LGW

Try watching Hank's post game after being eliminated by the Bruins and tell me that's not a player on the verge of wanting out.

Edited July 5, 2014 by ShanahanMan