Are the Wings a Contender?

[Red Crazy 201]

This team will need better D to make a deep playoff push. This team has needed a top 2 dman since Raffi retired and still needs one. Big E is not good enough but would still have value in a trade.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

This team will need better D to make a deep playoff push. This team has needed a top 2 dman since Raffi retired and still needs one. Big E is not good enough but would still have value in a trade.

Ericsson has a modified NTC, and 5 years left on his contract. I'm not sure exactly what the details of the NTC are but it seems unlikely Holland moves him.

More than anything Ericsson should be a middle pairing and PK guy. In terms of TOI he's 3rd on the team, which is about right but is out there against top opposition with Kronwall most games.

If they bring someone in or someone improves enough, they can hopefully get Kronwall a new partner and move E down to the middle pair.

[number9 3,297]

OP,

Yes

[Guest DeGraa55]

Because a part of rebuilding is learning how to win. You don't do that by throwing all the kids in the lineup at once. That's hoe you get the Edmonton Oilers.

And why would Holland put kids in over two players sitting in the press box every night? They get playing time in GR. Cleary and Andersson are doing great at keeping the press box warm.

I definitely agree with having XO in the lineup. And that time will come sooner rather than later. But what happens if Kindl or Lashoff are dumped and we suddenly get a couple injuries on the blueline? Screwed, is what.

All at once? We have 0 rookies on the wings right now. The kids are all second year players now.

I agree don't have too many but I don't think 2 rookies would kill us

[Rivalred 630]

No, need to shore up the D

[number9 3,297]

We're in the top 7 teams at the end of November, Top 4 in conference, Top 3 in division.

Take that for what it is.

Also, that doesn't mean we are necessarily the #7 #4 or #3 team

[Euro_Twins 4,475]

We're in the top 7 teams at the end of November, Top 4 in conference, Top 3 in division.

Take that for what it is.

Also, that doesn't mean we are necessarily the #7 #4 or #3 team

One point separates the top 9 teams in the league right now. Take that for what it's worth too

[number9 3,297]

One point separates the top 9 teams in the league right now. Take that for what it's worth too

I guess that's what I'm saying. It's wide open still and we're right in the middle of it. Asking is we're are a contender is kinda dumb. 2012 Kings fans would wrongly say no. 2013 Nucks fans would wrongly say yes.

[nyqvististhefuture 1,002]

Because a part of rebuilding is learning how to win. You don't do that by throwing all the kids in the lineup at once. That's hoe you get the Edmonton Oilers.

And why would Holland put kids in over two players sitting in the press box every night? They get playing time in GR. Cleary and Andersson are doing great at keeping the press box warm.

I definitely agree with having XO in the lineup. And that time will come sooner rather than later. But what happens if Kindl or Lashoff are dumped and we suddenly get a couple injuries on the blueline? Screwed, is what.

We should gradually be playing some rookies instead of needing to put 2-4 rookies at one time which is where we're headed

A veteran dman would be good at the deadline but we got ouellet who would upgrade our d with him being in it ... And then next year or 2 sproul and jensen

We need to make room for ouellet now and id say it's helped kindl has gotten some points last few games, might make it a bit easier to move him

And if we have an injury like you said we got marchenko jensen sproul backman in our system and times gonna run out on them before we know it and were gonna have to see them play a few games

Edited December 1, 2014 by nyqvististhefuture

[kliq 3,755]

We should gradually be playing some rookies instead of needing to put 2-4 rookies at one time which is where we're headed

A veteran dman would be good at the deadline but we got ouellet who would upgrade our d with him being in it ... And then next year or 2 sproul and jensen

We need to make room for ouellet now and id say it's helped kindl has gotten some points last few games, might make it a bit easier to move him

And if we have an injury like you said we got marchenko jensen sproul backman in our system and times gonna run out on them before we know it and were gonna have to see them play a few games

Are those guys ready RIGHT NOW though to be NHL defenseman? For example, I was looking at Sproul's stats in Grand Rapids and he has 2 points in 15 games and is -6, that doesn't seem ready to me for an offensive minded defensman.. I fully admit I dont watch Griffin's games (dont get them here), and his stats could be totally deceiving, but my point is that with d especially, they need time to develop. I wouldn't want to stunt the growth of one of these guys.

With that being said, Marchenko seems to be playing well.

[daniel1 32]

Teams that won't be contending this year (no playoffs) and have a D that could help:

Yotes - Yandle

Panthers - B. Campbell

Sabres - Meszaros

Sens- Phillips

Canes - Hainsey/Gleason

Flyers - Grossman/Del Zotto/Luke Schenn

Stars - Daly

Oilers - Ferrence

Couple other potential targets if their teams tank it over the next couple months:

Sharks - Burns

Wild - Ballard

Jets - Mark Stuart

Devils - Zidlicky

Granted, some of theses guys would not exactly be "top 4" D but I would sooner put skates on my dog and send him out on the 3rd pair than watch Kindl play another game for the Wings. I can't believe how many absolutely stupid, dumb, retarded, brain-fart plays he makes EVERY game. I would even prefer Oulette to Kindl at this point after watching Xavier play a few games with the Wings. Quincey can slide into the 7th D man spot in the press box too if we could trade for a top 4 guy like Burns/Phillips/Ferrence/Grossman.

We seem to have depth at forward in the system so ship off a young forward and a 2nd/3rd round pick for a defensmen. I'd do it sooner than later as the closer to the trade deadline we get the higher the price will be as everyone will be looking. Start talking to the Oilers, Stars, and Flyers now as they need a shake up. Do you hear me Kenny H.????

[krsmith17 7,191]

People really need to relax with this whole mentality that the grass is always greener on the other side. I much prefer Babcock's theory that the devil you know, is better than the devil you don't. As much as I want to get rid of Kindl, it's because I think there are better options within the organization, not because he has played god awful. He really isn't near as bad as many people make him out to be. I think a trade would be good for the team, as well as for Kindl. I think he could really flourish in another system, where he can play more of an offensive minded game.

Also, regarding all the "upgrades" available over Quincey. I don't think any of them are really an upgrade, other than Yandle and Burns. The rest, I would take Quincey every time. Quincey is a very durable, reliable defenseman, and is well deserving of his current contract. He is a great middle pairing defenseman for us while we're waiting for some of our younger guys (DeKeyser / Smith) to take on bigger roles and our prospects (Ouellet, Sproul, Jensen, Marchenko) to mature and take the next step.

kliq, Sproul hasn't played great this season but he is playing better than his point totals would suggest. I think he will start to produce a little more, hopefully after Christmas. He still has a ton of work to do, and definitely isn't ready for the big show yet, but I'm still confident he will be a big time player for us in a few years.

Edited December 1, 2014 by krsmith17

[e_prime 1,936]

Said it before, saying it again... we still need to make a move so that we can consistently rotate in a prospect on D. XO having to go back down because Smith is back and healthy, and there's no room on the roster, is an issue.

Lash, Kindl, or KFQ need to get moved for this reason alone.

Preferably Kindl. Then, KFQ.

Especially if we make a trade and upgrade a D-man, preferably RH, I'm fine with that too.

[rick zombo 3,739]

Said it before, saying it again... we still need to make a move so that we can consistently rotate in a prospect on D. XO having to go back down because Smith is back and healthy, and there's no room on the roster, is an issue.

Lash, Kindl, or KFQ need to get moved for this reason alone.

Preferably Kindl. Then, KFQ.

Especially if we make a trade and upgrade a D-man, preferably RH, I'm fine with that too.

The only way you ever trade 'KFQ' and keep Lashoff is for cap reasons. I don't own a pair of Team Quincey pom-poms, but he's waaaaaaay better than Lashoff.

[Red Crazy 201]

Ericsson has a modified NTC, and 5 years left on his contract. I'm not sure exactly what the details of the NTC are but it seems unlikely Holland moves him.

More than anything Ericsson should be a middle pairing and PK guy. In terms of TOI he's 3rd on the team, which is about right but is out there against top opposition with Kronwall most games.

If they bring someone in or someone improves enough, they can hopefully get Kronwall a new partner and move E down to the middle pair.

Yeesh then that does pose a problem. If he moves down because somebody else is brought in then who goes? Maybe at this point it would be interesting to try some different pairings. Like Smith or DK with Kronner

The only way you ever trade 'KFQ' and keep Lashoff is for cap reasons. I don't own a pair of Team Quincey pom-poms, but he's waaaaaaay better than Lashoff.

I not a KFQ fan either. He has not been as bad as some think. I think E is a bigger issue at this point.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

Sorry but 4,25 per for KFQ is overpayment, Ehrhoff - who is much better - is making less than that and look at Pittsburghs improvement so trading him will not be easy. I think he will ride out his contract here. But yeah XO deserves to have a place on this team.

Not that this would make the team a contender, but it would be nice to see the youth movement taking over more and more.

[krsmith17 7,191]

No Frank, $4.25M is not an overpayment for Quincey at all. Ehrhoff is supposed to be much better offensively and only has 1 goal and 7 assists in 23 games for the Pens. Quincey is better defensively in my opinion. Quincey is only making $0.25M more than Ehrhoff, who took a discount, to play in Pittsburgh with Crosby and Malkin so he could pad his stats on a one year deal to cash in next offseason. So far that isn't working our real well for him. Would I trade Quincey for Ehrhoff straight up? Absolutely. But to say that Quincey isn't earning his contract this season is just not right.

[Euro_Twins 4,475]

Sorry but 4,25 per for KFQ is overpayment, Ehrhoff - who is much better - is making less than that and look at Pittsburghs improvement so trading him will not be easy. I think he will ride out his contract here. But yeah XO deserves to have a place on this team.Not that this would make the team a contender, but it would be nice to see the youth movement taking over more and more.

Ehroff Is 3 years older than quincey, was offered more money and term than what he took. He signed a one year deal below face value to boost his stats in Pittsburgh and will probably try and get between $5.5-$6million in the off-season. That isn't a fair comparison really. I don't think quincey is worth his paycheck by any stretch but that is definitely not a good comparison.

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

Hell, even a 37 year old Willie Mitchell is getting 4.25 million over the same term and signed in the same year.

It's market value whether people like that or not...

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Hell, even a 37 year old Willie Mitchell is getting 4.25 million over the same term and signed in the same year.

It's market value whether people like that or not...

I'd take Mitchell over Quincey in a heartbeat, even at that age. He's a better defender.

I don't think it was crazy overpaid, but for a guy that's been on the Wings roster and sounds like had little interest around the league, Quincey's contract felt a bit high at the time of the signing.

Luckily Quincey has been playing well so I'd say he's earning his paycheck. With him though there's always that chance he forgets how to play hockey for a 20 game stretch again.

[kipwinger 8,518]

Every time I say something isn't working on this team, they turn around and make it work. Inconsistency? They win four in a row. Too many centers on the team? Offense starts scoring like gangbusters. Powerplay's a mess? Top ten in the league.

So I guess what I'm saying is...they will absolutely, positively, not win the Stanley Cup in decisive fashion in front of a home crowd while Kid Rock and I are in the front row (surrounded by strippers) getting hammered drunk. Nope, not at all.

[AtlantaHotWings 983]

Every time I say something isn't working on this team, they turn around and make it work. Inconsistency? They win four in a row. Too many centers on the team? Offense starts scoring like gangbusters. Powerplay's a mess? Top ten in the league.

So I guess what I'm saying is...they will absolutely, positively, not win the Stanley Cup in decisive fashion in front of a home crowd while Kid Rock and I are in the front row (surrounded by strippers) getting hammered drunk. Nope, not at all.

reserve me a front row seat on that bandwagon!!

[daniel1 32]

Also, regarding all the "upgrades" available over Quincey. I don't think any of them are really an upgrade, other than Yandle and Burns. The rest, I would take Quincey every time. Quincey is a very durable, reliable defenseman, and is well deserving of his current contract. He is a great middle pairing defenseman for us while we're waiting for some of our younger guys (DeKeyser / Smith) to take on bigger roles and our prospects (Ouellet, Sproul, Jensen, Marchenko) to mature and take the next step.

Kyle??? Is that you?? Always wondered if the players trolled the boards on their off days... jk/not jk?

[e_prime 1,936]

Every time I say something isn't working on this team, they turn around and make it work. Inconsistency? They win four in a row. Too many centers on the team? Offense starts scoring like gangbusters. Powerplay's a mess? Top ten in the league.

So I guess what I'm saying is...they will absolutely, positively, not win the Stanley Cup in decisive fashion in front of a home crowd while Kid Rock and I are in the front row (surrounded by strippers) getting hammered drunk. Nope, not at all.

Am I invited to this party? You can remind Bobby that he and I went to the same high school and church. (ok, so he was a senior when I was a freshman -- but his sister and I graduated the same year... also, I never really saw him at church, but I know his family went to the same Catholic church as my family did... it counts, no?)

[kipwinger 8,518]

Am I invited to this party? You can remind Bobby that he and I went to the same high school and church. (ok, so he was a senior when I was a freshman -- but his sister and I graduated the same year... also, I never really saw him at church, but I know his family went to the same Catholic church as my family did... it counts, no?)

I'm no good at reading fine print, so I'm just going to assume you said something to the effect of, "I went to the same high school and church as dozens of strippers and will be sure to bring them along". As such, welcome aboard buddy.