Do we need a trade to get our offence going ?

[nyqvististhefuture 1,002]

I wouldn't mind that. I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see mrazek traded. I do know the wings were high on Patterson as well. So if they still think highly of him mrazek is def expendable.

F that ... I'd much rather give up howard than mrazek , time will tell but I think mrazek is a future star and is gonna be a winner and much better than howard down the road

This is nothing against howard who's been real good this year , I'd personally wouldn't even consider for a second to get rid of mrazek

Edited November 20, 2014 by nyqvististhefuture

[gcom007 1,465]

F that ... I'd much rather give up howard than mrazek , time will tell but I think mrazek is a future star and is gonna be a winner and much better than howard down the road

This is nothing against howard who's been real good this year , I'd personally wouldn't even consider for a second to get rid of mrazek

You've got to be happy with Howard's play this year; he's bounced back from a rough season really well. But yeah, you're absolutely right. Unless Jimmy becomes a playoff beast in the next two years with a Cup or two involved, I think he's going to be on the trade block in the next 1-2 years. It'd suck to see him go in many ways as he's been a solid goalie for us most of the time, but he's clearly one of our best assets that we could use in a trade (once Mrazek is ready) and on top of that McCollum seems to be having a better go of it lately as well. These guys are younger and Mrazek in particular just has a ton of potential. Had Howard been able to elevate his play earlier on, maybe this wouldn't be an issue, but he made the team too late, and it just makes it a lot harder to justify keeping him when you have someone like Mrazek who's much younger waiting in the wings.

Edited November 20, 2014 by gcom007

[number9 3,297]

We're 11th in goals for per game right now lol. That's ahead of Rags, Hawks, Blues, Ducks, Bruins, Kings, and Habs. I think we're doing fine in terms of offense so far. We're not going to score 3+ everynight, and that's fine.

[rick zombo 3,739]

We're 11th in goals for per game right now lol. That's ahead of Rags, Hawks, Blues, Ducks, Bruins, Kings, and Habs. I think we're doing fine in terms of offense so far. We're not going to score 3+ everynight, and that's fine.

And we're 7th in goals against. So team defence and goaltednig is fine too.

If this team can get better via trade though, then why the hell not?

[number9 3,297]

And we're 7th in goals against. So team defence and goaltednig is fine too.

If this team can get better via trade though, then why the hell not?

I'd agree if we were approaching the trade deadline. The teams not broken right now, so don't fix it right now. We'll better be able to understand what our weaknesses are as the season goes on and we play more games.

[kipwinger 8,522]

I'd agree if we were approaching the trade deadline. The teams not broken right now, so don't fix it right now. We'll better be able to understand what our weaknesses are as the season goes on and we play more games.

True but you'll also pay more the longer you wait if you're looking to trade.

[number9 3,297]

True but you'll also pay more the longer you wait if you're looking to trade.

Yes and the guy we really need might not be available till then either

[gcom007 1,465]

I'd agree if we were approaching the trade deadline. The teams not broken right now, so don't fix it right now. We'll better be able to understand what our weaknesses are as the season goes on and we play more games.

Definitely agree. The team has really been solid this year and even if they may be playing above what might have been reasonable or what might be reasonable to expect down the road, so long as they keep it up, there's no need to do much tinkering. Especially with Weiss getting a shot soon. Let's give him a month in the lineup and see what he can do and we really might not even need to even think about rocking the boat at the trade deadline unless we can improve the D. I still feel like we could stand to improve on defense more than on offense if we're thinking about doing anything in the playoffs.

[gcom007 1,465]

And for the love, I don't get how anyone could be really upset with how things are going so far this year. It's not perfect, but damn, I think we're playing much better than one could say we even have a right to with this lineup. Something is clicking and we're picking up good wins and not nearly as many ugly losses as the last couple years. And we've done so despite having early injuries to some notable guys. I'm not saying we shouldn't make a deal if a good deal is there to be had that would improve this team, but I'm genuinely quite happy with where this team is at for the moment, and I think it's reasonable to expect that Weiss could come back and contribute on some level too. Hell, and maybe even Alfie will find his way back, and if he's healthy, the guy can contribute on the scoresheet. He proved that last year despite having to deal with a long Olympic grind at his age no less.

We've seen a good number of games now, and without a doubt I'd say that it's much easier to be patient this year than it's been the last two years. I'm really loving this season so far, and I think we've got some serious potential even if we don't make any moves.

[LeftWinger 4,958]

I agree with all of you. I want Weiss to do great. I hope he does, we've already wasted a year of his contract, and so far this season, he hasn't been able to play. I really think the potential of a VERY healthy Weiss lined up with Nyquist on his wing could be a nice combo. I am just so, so tired of waiting and waiting for a player X to get healthy and then hope he can return to form. This is the reason Holland doesn't do anything on the market to improve his team. He traded perhaps our top prospect last year because everyone was hurt, he had to, but it was still an overpayment especially since Legwand went on to another team. He had to lose Nestrasil because he is hoping Weiss comes back 100% and scores 30 goals again. Plus, we had no room because of the Cleary signing. I hope that Weiss does come back and returns to form, but it just seems like its a far fetched wish that will never happen...

[nyqvististhefuture 1,002]

I agree with all of you. I want Weiss to do great. I hope he does, we've already wasted a year of his contract, and so far this season, he hasn't been able to play. I really think the potential of a VERY healthy Weiss lined up with Nyquist on his wing could be a nice combo. I am just so, so tired of waiting and waiting for a player X to get healthy and then hope he can return to form. This is the reason Holland doesn't do anything on the market to improve his team. He traded perhaps our top prospect last year because everyone was hurt, he had to, but it was still an overpayment especially since Legwand went on to another team. He had to lose Nestrasil because he is hoping Weiss comes back 100% and scores 30 goals again. Plus, we had no room because of the Cleary signing. I hope that Weiss does come back and returns to form, but it just seems like its a far fetched wish that will never happen...

Scores 30 goals again? Again? Try never as in 0 30 goal seasons for weiss , had one 28 goal season and after that his highest is 21 .... At this point I'd be happy with a 40 pt season from weiss till he takes a hike

He was overrated when we signed him and will continue to be till he leaves ... I'm counting on mantha/pulkkinen/athanasiou and others coming down the road to help this team , not weiss

[Dabura 12,207]

To me, this is a transition/development year. We're not really looking to balls-out contend quite yet. We're setting up for next season, two seasons from now, three seasons from now. Case in point: we've got all of six skaters who are solidly in their prime years, and they are Helm, Abdelkader, Miller, Quincey, Kindl, Ericsson. (Woof.) And, just as tellingly, we're carrying ten skaters who are 25 or younger (i.e. not yet solidly in their prime years): Nyquist, Tatar, Sheahan, Jurco, Andersson, Glendening, Smith, DeKeyser, Lashoff, Ouellet. And we've got Mantha, Pulkkinen, Sproul, et al. on the horizon.

When you look at it that way, and you consider how well this team's done through these first 18 games (23 points, 50 GF, 42 GA, strong possession numbers, top-end PK, six players with ten or more points), I think you have to be pretty happy with what's going on and pretty excited about what's to come.

[gcom007 1,465]

To me, this is a transition/development year. We're not really looking to balls-out contend quite yet. We're setting up for next season, two seasons from now, three seasons from now. Case in point: we've got all of six skaters who are solidly in their prime years, and they are Helm, Abdelkader, Miller, Quincey, Kindl, Ericsson. (Woof.) And, just as tellingly, we're carrying ten skaters who are 25 or younger (i.e. not yet solidly in their prime years): Nyquist, Tatar, Sheahan, Jurco, Andersson, Glendening, Smith, DeKeyser, Lashoff, Ouellet. And we've got Mantha, Pulkkinen, Sproul, et al. on the horizon.

When you look at it that way, and you consider how well this team's done through these first 18 games (23 points, 50 GF, 42 GA, strong possession numbers, top-end PK, six players with ten or more points), I think you have to be pretty happy with what's going on and pretty excited about what's to come.

Hell, I'm not convinced we don't stand a chance to make a stink in the playoffs this year, even if we don't make any deals. We're certainly more poised than we've been the last couple of years with this roster playing as well as they have been. If Babcock can get them to elevate their game for the playoffs and Howard really locks it down, they just might surprise a whole lot of people.

[Guest DeGraa55]

Hell, I'm not convinced we don't stand a chance to make a stink in the playoffs this year, even if we don't make any deals. We're certainly more poised than we've been the last couple of years with this roster playing as well as they have been. If Babcock can get them to elevate their game for the playoffs and Howard really locks it down, they just might surprise a whole lot of people.

The key will be their health. That's been the issue and will continue to be the biggest question mark for me until proven wrong.

But I do agree if everyone is healthy they have the talent to win some games.

[Dabura 12,207]

David Perron is cracking

Just putting it out there.

[Richdg 267]

Better than anyone expected? No. we are playing were most of us expected. fact is we have won 10 games out of 19. Barely above .500. If the PO's started this morning we are in as the 7th seed. No different than the past few years. This while guys like Nyquist, Franzen, and tatar have been hot scoring goals. They all will cool off and then things get more concerning. yes if he dominates Mantha could be a jan 1 pickup that helps. But he isn't the type of player we need most: front of the net grinder types. We simply don't have any in our system. We need 2 Hornquist type of players. Then another puck moving Dman that shoots RHed.

David Perron is cracking

Just putting it out there.

Perron and Petry would be great pick ups for this team. Now what we would have to pay is the question.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

Better than anyone expected? No. we are playing were most of us expected. fact is we have won 10 games out of 19. Barely above .500. If the PO's started this morning we are in as the 7th seed. No different than the past few years. This while guys like Nyquist, Franzen, and tatar have been hot scoring goals. They all will cool off and then things get more concerning. yes if he dominates Mantha could be a jan 1 pickup that helps. But he isn't the type of player we need most: front of the net grinder types. We simply don't have any in our system. We need 2 Hornquist type of players. Then another puck moving Dman that shoots RHed.

Perron and Petry would be great pick ups for this team. Now what we would have to pay is the question.

Edmonton loves putting bottom 6 centermen in their top 6. We'll give them Helm and call it a day

[Echolalia 2,961]

Better than anyone expected? No. we are playing were most of us expected. fact is we have won 10 games out of 19. Barely above .500. If the PO's started this morning we are in as the 7th seed. No different than the past few years. This while guys like Nyquist, Franzen, and tatar have been hot scoring goals. They all will cool off and then things get more concerning. yes if he dominates Mantha could be a jan 1 pickup that helps. But he isn't the type of player we need most: front of the net grinder types. We simply don't have any in our system. We need 2 Hornquist type of players. Then another puck moving Dman that shoots RHed.

Perron and Petry would be great pick ups for this team. Now what we would have to pay is the question.

We're in the seventh seed because everyone above us has played two more games than we have. If the Wings win their games in hand, they're second in the division. Additionally, we may have won 10 out of 19, but we've also only lost 4 out of 19 in regulation, which is the second best in the league to only Pittsburgh's 3 regulation losses.

So whil the facts you give are technically true, they're also an incredibly negative and misleading spin on what's actually going on. Through the first quarter of this season, the Wings have playing like a top 10 team.

Edited November 22, 2014 by Echolalia

[nyqvististhefuture 1,002]

We should call up pulkkinen and put him with pavel... I know it's not the nhl but He keeps lighting it up with the griffins , he should get a good shot and some ppl time

[LeftWinger 4,958]

Sharks put Adam Burish on waivers...per LeBrun twitter, sorry cannot cut/paste right now. Is he anyone that we'd be interested in?

Edmonton loves putting bottom 6 centermen in their top 6. We'll give them Helm and call it a day

Helm and Andersson just to be nice.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

Sharks put Adam Burish on waivers...per LeBrun twitter, sorry cannot cut/paste right now. Is he anyone that we'd be interested in?

Helm and Andersson just to be nice.

No on Burish. What we have at the moment is better, IMO.

As far as Perron and Petry go, we'd have to clear more than Helm and Andersson. I was just poking fun at Edmonton's love of fringe centremen.

[Red Crazy 201]

After watching the game in Winnipeg and going down to ice level for warm ups. I think Z is not 100% he seems very stiff and slow when forced to chase the puck. Now maybe he was just off that night but I do think if Pavel was playing we might see Z given a night or two off.

My biggest concern about this team is that Z and Pavel can be healthy. If the Wings can keep the pace that they are on then leave the team as is till the trade deadline. Might be good options available then

[e_prime 1,936]

Did someone just mention Ian White?

Per the Hockey News:

Nov 21, 2014

Ian White (D) Signed with the Providence Bruins (AHL) to a professional try-out contract.

[number9 3,297]

Did someone just mention Ian White?

Per the Hockey News:

Nov 21, 2014

Ian White (D) Signed with the Providence Bruins (AHL) to a professional try-out contract.

Boy his career went down the tubes quickly

[e_prime 1,936]

Boy his career went down the tubes quickly

When your HoF defense partner up and retires on you... you kinda get exposed for the second-rate player that you are.

For the record: I like Ian White.

Perron is going to demand a trade very, very, very soon.

Oil lost their 6th straight last night and Perron was the only goal scorer.

Question? Was Eakins hired before MacT or did they both come in at essentially the same time?

Edited November 23, 2014 by e_prime