Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted September 10, 2015 The 2015-2016 Wings should look quite a bit different. Holland only made a few moves, but they were each pretty significant in their own right, and as a result, a lot of the things that we've grown used to seeing (or not seeing) from the Wings may very well be changed. We now have a right-handed defensman, who also happens to be known more for offense than defense. We have a veteran center who isn't Stephen Weiss. We have a head coach who isn't Mike Babcock. The youth movement is one year older and more experienced, and we have guys like Pulkkinen, Mantha, Larkin, Callahan, Ferraro doing what they can to earn a roster spot. Our core is also one year older, and as of right now not expected to be in the lineup in its entirety until November. There is no clear number 1 goalie. So I guess my question to everyone is what are your expectations for this team? Last year the Wings ended up as the third seed in the Atlantic, and lost in the first round to the Eastern Conference Champions in seven games. Do you look at the makeup of this team on paper and believe it should be the top team in the Eastern Conference, or Atlantic Division? Do you think they're a third seed team? Wildcard team? Do you expect this team to make a deep playoff run, or even make the playoffs? I ask because I feel like I don't have a solid handle on where I see this team. In the past, at the very least I had an opinion that I felt I could at least comfortably defend, but right now I can just as easily see this squad being the Stanley Cup champs as I can see them missing the playoffs entirely. So what are your expectations for this upcoming season? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kipwinger 8,522 Report post Posted September 10, 2015 We'll lose the Conference Finals in 6. To Columbus. 1 e_prime reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwingmachine 189 Report post Posted September 10, 2015 Finish top 1-2 in the EC, deep run, possible cup, Blash wins the Adams and order is restored to the NHL with the Wings on top again. 1 krsmith17 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
e_prime 1,936 Report post Posted September 10, 2015 We'll lose the Conference Finals in 6. To Columbus. Not sure who it'll be to... but I too am predicting a loss in the ECF. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Euro_Twins 4,476 Report post Posted September 10, 2015 Finish top 1-2 in the EC, deep run, possible cup, Blash wins the Adams and order is restored to the NHL with the Wings on top again. A wings coach will never win the Jack Adams. Unfortunately Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kipwinger 8,522 Report post Posted September 10, 2015 A wings coach will never win the Jack Adams. Unfortunately That's not true. It's just been over ten years since a Wings coach deserved one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
number9 3,297 Report post Posted September 10, 2015 Trade away players at the deadline Accept missing the playoffs Never give up hope winning the lottery Keep losing for the next 40 years after this season It will be fun to do a total rebuild The first letter of every line 4 NitzGuy, jimmyemeryhunter, marcaractac and 1 other reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted September 10, 2015 A wings coach will never win the Jack Adams. Unfortunately Seems the criteria often requires a coach to have immediate success with a new team. If Blash gets the Wings to the top of the standings I wouldn't be surprised if he wins. Then again, if Babcock gets Toronto into the playoffs it'll be hard for anyone to overcome that hype train. Trade away players at the deadline Accept missing the playoffs Never give up hope winning the lottery Keep losing for the next 40 years after this season It will be fun to do a total rebuild The first letter of every line The real reason i made this thread was for number9 to post this 1 number9 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,794 Report post Posted September 10, 2015 Likely a 4 to 6 seed. If we can make it to the second round, that will be an improvement over last season. Defense is still weak. Green will improve it offensively, but too many boneheaded players back there (including Green). I can't see a team that makes so many defensive errors and lapses in concentration going far in the playoffs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
number9 3,297 Report post Posted September 10, 2015 (edited) Seems the criteria often requires a coach to have immediate success with a new team. If Blash gets the Wings to the top of the standings I wouldn't be surprised if he wins. Then again, if Babcock gets Toronto into the playoffs it'll be hard for anyone to overcome that hype train. The real reason i made this thread was for number9 to post this Look at me I'm so clever Edited September 10, 2015 by number9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rick zombo 3,739 Report post Posted September 10, 2015 (edited) "positive surprise" Edited September 10, 2015 by rick zombo 2 MrazekFanBoy and kliq reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marcaractac 3,963 Report post Posted September 10, 2015 Likely a 4 to 6 seed. If we can make it to the second round, that will be an improvement over last season. Defense is still weak. Green will improve it offensively, but too many boneheaded players back there (including Green). I can't see a team that makes so many defensive errors and lapses in concentration going far in the playoffs. While I have no doubt mistakes will be made, I feel like there will be less this year. Our puck possession should improve a lot, which automatically eliminates some. It will be great if Quincey can keep building off of his season and we see an improvement from Smith under a new coach. Fingers crossed! 1 krsmith17 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BottleOfSmoke 5,965 Report post Posted September 10, 2015 CUP OR BUST!!!!1111!!1! *craps pants* In all seriousness, I will consider this season a success if we can make it out of the first round. With a new coach, new staffssss, and youngins possibly coming up, I'm not going to be butthurt if that's as far as it goes. 1 Nightfall reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwingmachine 189 Report post Posted September 10, 2015 I'm partially serious with my other post, I really have high hopes this year. I like our team and expect good things this season. I think the most improved will be Smith, Jurco & Pulk (perhaps Kindl) 1 krsmith17 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
number9 3,297 Report post Posted September 10, 2015 I'm partially serious with my other post, I really have high hopes this year. I like our team and expect good things this season. I think the most improved will be Smith, Jurco & Pulk (perhaps Kindl) "I like our team" We're gonna be realgud 1 redwingmachine reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LeftWinger 4,958 Report post Posted September 10, 2015 barring significant injuries, I expect to challenge for top spot in the east. Right away our PP is beyond better with Green. If we had had a quarterback like him last season, it would've been way different. I also expect a deeper playoff run. I can't see a team that can beat us in the east honestly. Tampa took 7 to do so, maybe Montreal? I expect ECF at least. Plus we had a great record against the West last season, with the additions of Green and Richards along with a couple players looking to stay hot, we may just be surprised this season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmyemeryhunter 2,747 Report post Posted September 10, 2015 (edited) I expect us to draft this kid,eventually. http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=312547 And he's already 6'4 240 lbs at 16. Edited September 10, 2015 by jimmyemeryhunter Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrazekFanBoy 223 Report post Posted September 10, 2015 I highly doubt Columbus will be the team to get out of the Metro, it'll probably be the Rangers again sigh, I predict a game 7 loss in the ECF to the Rangers, they'll lose to the Hawks in the final if Kane can play. I see the Blue Jackets smacking Pittsburgh again and then playing a competetive series against the Rangers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DickieDunn 2,571 Report post Posted September 11, 2015 It will depend on how healthy and productive Hank and Pav are and how big of a step the younger guys take. It could be anywhere to just missing the playoffs to the 1 or 2 seed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joesuffP 1,746 Report post Posted September 11, 2015 I wouldn't bank on our PP being top 3 in the league, even with Green. Special Teams always seem to flip flop for no rhyme or reason Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
number9 3,297 Report post Posted September 11, 2015 barring significant injuries, I expect to challenge for top spot in the east. Right away our PP is beyond better with Green. If we had had a quarterback like him last season, it would've been way different. I also expect a deeper playoff run. I can't see a team that can beat us in the east honestly. Tampa took 7 to do so, maybe Montreal? I expect ECF at least. Plus we had a great record against the West last season, with the additions of Green and Richards along with a couple players looking to stay hot, we may just be surprised this season. I wouldn't bank on our PP being top 3 in the league, even with Green. Special Teams always seem to flip flop for no rhyme or reason Wasn't our PP the best in the league last year? Or am I just being stupid? 1 PavelValerievichDatsyuk reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joesuffP 1,746 Report post Posted September 11, 2015 Wasn't our PP the best in the league last year? Or am I just being stupid? Think we ended up second. I'm saying finishing top 3 isn't a guarantee just because we were last year and added a good PP defensemen Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted September 11, 2015 Which coach ran the powerplay? The one that stayed or the one that left? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kliq 3,755 Report post Posted September 11, 2015 I'd say getting the #2 spot in our division (TB getting #1), and getting to the 2nd or 3rd round would be my expectation for this team. Unlike last year, this is a year where I believe our ceiling and floor are quite a ways apart. I think last year I said I saw them getting between #5 seed and #7 seed and they got #6. This year is different, I see our ceiling being #1 in the conference as if the kids keep getting better, our vets don't take a decline, we stay healthy, our goalies play like they are capable, and they take to Blashill, the Wings will be a force. Though it will be hard to get more points then the NYR if they also stay healthy. Our floor is we don't make the playoffs, the reason why I say that is because of Blashill. With Babcock we had a constant, we knew what we were going to get. With Blashill he could take our guys to the next level, or he could just not click with the team, it happens all the time with coaches. What makes me feel alot better is that he has already coached and won with 75% of our roster, so I really doubt that will happen, but I cant be naive enough to think its impossible. My prediction though is #2 in our division, a first round win against Montreal, second round win against TB, a third round loss to the NYR. 1 MrazekFanBoy reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Euro_Twins 4,476 Report post Posted September 11, 2015 Which coach ran the powerplay? The one that stayed or the one that left? I think the one that left Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
