Do we need to add grit?

[frankgrimes 1,836]

Love Chris Neil. Put him on a line with Clutterbuck and Prust and people would fear the winged wheel for years to come. One of them can learn how to play Center. All have a bit of offensive skill and play with a lot of drive and dedication.

Valuable players come playoff time as well, which is a hole we have had for a while, even though we had Tootoo and never used him.

Yeah Neil would be a great choice or Shawn Thornton but Ottawa won't trade Neil he's on injured reserve with a broken thumb. Matt Hessian might be another option

Matt Martin is another great option perfect fourth liner, hits everything and will drop the gloves.

Downie is a pest just like Rinaldo.

Edited February 19, 2015 by frankgrimes

[Dominator2005 558]

I wouldn't mind Nolan on the 4th line. Can skate, big, hits and fights... and should/could be cheap option

I think we could use McQuaid/Goudas or even Bieksa. They block the shots, hits and they are willing to fight.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

I wouldn't mind Nolan on the 4th line. Can skate, big, hits and fights... and should/could be cheap option

I think we could use McQuaid/Goudas or even Bieksa. They block the shots, hits and they are willing to fight.

Why would LA move the kid? Great option but I just don't see them moving him

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

I don't see LA moving Nolan if they keep winning.

Edited February 19, 2015 by jimmyemeryhunter

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Some of these names have been passed around LGW for years. I just have no faith that Holland or Babcock will sign a player that plays a chippy style. They don't do that sort of thing.

[mvanpop 98]

I don't think anyone realizes this but Neil is out with a broken thumb. Also look what happened when we brought in Tootoo

Edited February 19, 2015 by mvanpop

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

I don't think anyone realizes this but Neil is out with a broken thumb. Also look what happened when we brought in Tootoo

No kidding. The way Tootoo was treated here by Holland and Babcock reminds me of how the WWE treated Diamond Dallas Page. Total burial.

[kipwinger 8,520]

No kidding. The way Tootoo was treated here by Holland and Babcock reminds me of how the WWE treated Diamond Dallas Page. Total burial.

I agree with you about DDP, it's a god damned travesty. But I'm curious why you always say Holland treated Tootoo badly. I mean, he did sign him to a pretty reasonable contract, waived him and let him play in GR rather than sit on the bench, and bought him out so that he didn't have to play in GR for another year. Seems to me, by all accounts, Holland did right by Jordan Tootoo.

How else was Holland supposed to act if Babs isn't going to play the guy?

Edited February 19, 2015 by kipwinger

[matt198913 932]

How about Winnik. Also a huge fan of James Sheppard

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Who needs grit when you have 6'2, 211lbs beast who skates like Jason Allison, dominates faceoffs like Mark Messier, and penalty kills ALMOST as good as Luke Glendening?

Seriously though, I'm not sure what a guy like Neil has left. Plus he just got hurt, a couple years ago he would've been a great choice. Too bad Mitch Callahan got hurt, he might've got a look later in the year.

[Red Crazy 201]

Do we need to add grit? Absolutely. But the guys on our team now have to start taking the body a lot more as well. Abby turned away from a ton of checks last night and I don't mean running around like an idiot Im taking about just finishing his checks!

When was the last time one of our D laid anyone out?

Way too easy to play against.

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

I would love, love, love to have Clutterbuck on this team.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

The team is fine the way it is.

Sure - who wouldn't love what we had in 97/98 when we could score goals, and punch faces?

That was then - this is now - Holland/Babcock don't place an emphasis in 'gritty' hockey, but a more skilled/well coached version which is what we see today.

Coward! I had a feeling you were going to jump ship eventually.

Who needs grit when you have 6'2, 211lbs beast who skates like Jason Allison, dominates faceoffs like Mark Messier, and penalty kills ALMOST as good as Luke Glendening?

Seriously though, I'm not sure what a guy like Neil has left. Plus he just got hurt, a couple years ago he would've been a great choice. Too bad Mitch Callahan got hurt, he might've got a look later in the year.

+1 for the Jason Allison reference. Talk about a forgotten guy with a few good years. Still behind Eric Daze, though, in that category.

I agree with you about DDP, it's a god damned travesty. But I'm curious why you always say Holland treated Tootoo badly. I mean, he did sign him to a pretty reasonable contract, waived him and let him play in GR rather than sit on the bench, and bought him out so that he didn't have to play in GR for another year. Seems to me, by all accounts, Holland did right by Jordan Tootoo.

How else was Holland supposed to act if Babs isn't going to play the guy?

Yeah, it was more Babcock's fault. Not sure how those two get together (or don't) and determine which players to sign and how much to play them. I'm thinking Holland has more power than the average GM with these day to day decisions. Tootoo did nothing in Detroit he didn't do in Nashville. He played his game but the coach acted as if he didn't get what he wanted and decided to give him the jobber treatment. Very strange.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

The team is fine the way it is.

Sure - who wouldn't love what we had in 97/98 when we could score goals, and punch faces?

That was then - this is now - Holland/Babcock don't place an emphasis in 'gritty' hockey, but a more skilled/well coached version which is what we see today.

Also known as sissy hockey which doesn't get teams far in the playoffs (if they make it).

[kipwinger 8,520]

Also known as sissy hockey which doesn't get teams far in the playoffs (if they make it).

Tell us more about this "sissy hockey".

[frankgrimes 1,836]

Also known as sissy hockey which doesn't get teams far in the playoffs (if they make it).

Well - as much as I like my hard-nosed hockey - Babs, and Kenny feel differently, and unfortunately they won't return my calls

I know that but the playoffs more than anything are the time where teams need to be able to compete against all sorts of teams..some bring speed others are heavy forcheck...That's what makes LA that good they fragment deal with every type of team based on having the right mixture.

[rick zombo 3,739]

Also known as sissy hockey which doesn't get teams far in the playoffs (if they make it).

Still clinging to that dream of them missing the playoffs eh?

[Euro_Twins 4,475]

Still clinging to that dream of them missing the playoffs eh?

At least we could all be pleasantly surprised

[kipwinger 8,520]

Still clinging to that dream of them missing the playoffs eh?

We can make the playoffs on skill for 24 straight years, but if we miss them on the 25th he'll be here saying "see, I told you we're too soft". Lol.

[Shutemdown 23]

I noticed Tootoo is playing in NJ on a line with Elias. Provides energy and some protection for their stars. Am I the only one who misses that little guy? I still hate that we traded him away. He was a good fit for us... Babcock just never gave him a chance. Not saying we should/could bring him back, but I miss his play style and what he had to offer.

[kipwinger 8,520]

I noticed Tootoo is playing in NJ on a line with Elias. Provides energy and some protection for their stars. Am I the only one who misses that little guy? I still hate that we traded him away. He was a good fit for us... Babcock just never gave him a chance. Not saying we should/could bring him back, but I miss his play style and what he had to offer.

We didn't trade him. He was bought out because he wasn't ever going to play. Otherwise, I agree with you (in part). I did think it was fun watching him hit/charge guys. I didn't think it was fun watching him fight 10 seconds into a game to "protect our stars" or whatever he was supposedly doing.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

I agree - LA built their team via the draft, and smart trades, but keep in mind they were a joke (like the Blackhawks) for many years after Gretzky left.

Kenny/Babs is doing what it takes to keep themselves competitive, and so far they've been doing a fine job - regardless how you, and I feel about the teams lack of toughness.

Agreed Lombardi really turned them around and what impresses me the most, is his ability to bring in the missing pieces he did it first with Carter and then again last year with Gaborik.

Yeah, we as fans are having the luxury to play armchair GMs and all of the GMs know a lot more about hockey than we do but I strongly believe a team either has to be incredible skilled (Wings 2002, to a lesser extent Hawks 2010) or able to bring the right mixture of toughness and skill (Kings, Ducks from 2007).

[number9 3,297]

Look at NJs roster and you'll see why he's getting playing time.

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

Agreed Lombardi really turned them around and what impresses me the most, is his ability to bring in the missing pieces he did it first with Carter and then again last year with Gaborik.

Yeah, we as fans are having the luxury to play armchair GMs and all of the GMs know a lot more about hockey than we do but I strongly believe a team either has to be incredible skilled (Wings 2002, to a lesser extent Hawks 2010) or able to bring the right mixture of toughness and skill (Kings, Ducks from 2007).

This is not the same Kings team that won the cup...

[kipwinger 8,520]

Agreed Lombardi really turned them around and what impresses me the most, is his ability to bring in the missing pieces he did it first with Carter and then again last year with Gaborik.

Yeah, we as fans are having the luxury to play armchair GMs and all of the GMs know a lot more about hockey than we do but I strongly believe a team either has to be incredible skilled (Wings 2002, to a lesser extent Hawks 2010) or able to bring the right mixture of toughness and skill (Kings, Ducks from 2007).

What kind of a team was the 2008 Red Wings team that won the Cup?