Official 2016 Detroit Red Wings Offseason Thread

[Jacksoni 418]

Guy on twitter out this link on his tweets

http://detroitsportsrag.net/the-red-wings-swedish-mafia-problem/

Y'all probably heard this but Zetterberg has been told about the mafia problem and became rather pissed off, requesting a meeting with the tweeter at Sportsrag. More to come I expect. ^^

As confirmation, Jeff Moss, who tweeted, writes on his homepage about the request.

http://detroitsportsrag.net/

[amato 3,210]

Did Zette actually though? Or did this guy just say he did?

Seems like the kind of ridiculous "rumor" that should just be ignored

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

If I had to guess, the younger crowd doesn't like Blash as much as they thought they would. I know the veterans all spoke highly of Blashill in their interviews today. Zetterberg straight up said he thought a coaching change was necessary and thought Blashill did well for his first year.

Helm sounds sour though. Can't imagine what Jurco and Pulk think of Blash.

Tatar not happy with his performance and thought this year his position was tougher. "This team needs changes"

https://amp.twimg.com/v/535702a7-b9f6-4884-be4b-c022186a1796

All speculation of course. Might be reading too much into it.

Tatar was put in tougher position and that Tat-Shea-Ny 3rd line shouldn't have been forced to stay together. I like that he walks the line and never really complains in this interview.

As for Helm's comments, there has been some uncertainty about his role the past few years and I understand him being concerned about signing up here for the long haul. He's a natural center and hasn't been able to play center in 2-3 years. For his first 3 years with the team he was pretty much always the 3rd line center. Then the last 2 years he's been moving between 2nd and 3rd line winger and now being relegated to 4th line at times this year, I'm sure he's not happy with that development.

Now with Larkin, AA and Sheahan in competition for the 3rd line center and our top 9 wingers looking like some combiniation of Z/lark, Abby, Tat, Ny, Mantha, Sheahan, Pulk, Jurco, I'm sure he's questioning where he'll end up if he continues here. Hope we keep Helm, though. I think he should have been kept in the 3C position. He was good with Tatar and Datsyuk as well and that would have been nice to have that line together this year, but now - if Datsyuk leaves - I don't know how he will fit if he's a winger.

It will be interesting to see what we do down the middle for next year. I could feel good about Larkin, AA, Helm, Glen in 2-3 years, but that looks rough right now. I think we've got to move Z to wing for his preservation. Z-Shea-AA-Glen seems probable, though.

Edited April 26, 2016 by PavelValerievichDatsyuk

[WingedWheel91 271]

Not really. After all it can't account for situations. How many goals was said goalie hung out to dry? Defensive breakdowns? How many times did each goalie make an amazing initial save only to have the defense not clear the front of the net? Those sort of things are why the eyeball test is still important.

I'm not the biggest fan of analytics - but this caught me eye considering our loss to Tampa Bay was due in large part to our PK.

I wonder if all of those PowerPlay cross seam passes had something to do with Mrazek's lateral movement?

[kipwinger 8,522]

Not really. After all it can't account for situations. How many goals was said goalie hung out to dry? Defensive breakdowns? How many times did each goalie make an amazing initial save only to have the defense not clear the front of the net? Those sort of things are why the eyeball test is still important.

I don't agree. The "eyeball test" doesn't really tell you anything over a whole season. First, because people see what they want in a player. Second, because the types of things you described tend to wash out over a full season. The defense, for instance is just as unlikely to clear the crease for Jimmy as it is for Mrazek.

The eyeball test should be used (sparingly) in specific instances. For example if Abby has two goals in a game it might look really good, but not if you watched the game and one was an empty netter and the other bounced in off his foot.

Edited April 26, 2016 by kipwinger

[Jacksoni 418]

Did Zette actually though? Or did this guy just say he did?

Seems like the kind of ridiculous "rumor" that should just be ignored

Just unsubstantiated rumors which the poster claims he heard from a source from the Red Wings locker room. No name (anything really) provided. I'll be fair and say that it doesn't mean it's hogwash yet, but it's rather unlikely.

Still good drama. Might even raise Zetterberg's pulse, which couldn't hurt.

[Dominator2005 558]

Well KH realize that this roster is too small... To bad it took him 10 years to understand it.

[NerveDamage 4,176]

a little reminder for those who voted

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

I'm told the awards will consist of everyone receiving a complimentary thimble.

Because, you know, less is more exciting.

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

More info on the Helm situation:

"It started sounding like Kenny wanted to get things done here pretty quick," Helm said. "I got that injury and nothing really formed after that. I didn't have the best year statistically and mentally not as far as playing, but just how the way things were going on at the rink and on the ice. I was hoping to have at least some conversations about an extension ... we'll see what happens."

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2016/04/red_wings_darren_helm_express.html

I think Hem sounds a bit like a jilted lover. He has definitely spoken fondly of the organization. In 2 recent signings (Tootoo, Green) both said they were friends with Helm and his glowing praise for the organization were part of their decision to come here. I think he expected to be more of a priority.

Again, hope we keep. He, Abby, and Glendening provide a good ingredient of drive on a team that seemed at times lackadaisical.

[DatsyukianDekes 2,428]

a little reminder for those who voted

Helmerroids.. nice lol

[krsmith17 7,191]

"Winning is a big part of it," Helm said. "I want to win. I really dont mind playing on the bottom lines as long as theres that respect factor. You get opportunities in different situations. If that looks like thats the case that Ill get to play in those situations that I feel that I can play in then Ill be happy. If not and they tell right away thats not going to happen, then I may not want to stay. Lot of decisions to make, well see how everything goes with the talks thatll happen."

[NerveDamage 4,176]

Helmerroids.. nice lol

Helmerroids' hilarious. I see it as if BoS had a twitter account

[Rainman56 4]

Team needs a complete change in identity.This team is conservative and soft and Holland has become so predictable with his personel moves its laughable.I like the fact the Wings show loyalty to players and front office but its time for some new ideas.

Time to get a freewheeling system in place that utilizes the speed of the young guys and some toughness at least as a 4th line that can change momentum and bring the wood when needed.

Not gonna happen overnight but Holland and Blashill can go anytime,the same ol same ol just isn,t working anymore and something needs to change and it starts at the top.

And I really don't want Stamkos here as a FA given his injury history and I personally don't think he will make the impact others do.Just my .02.

[kickazz 5,459]

More info on the Helm situation:

"It started sounding like Kenny wanted to get things done here pretty quick," Helm said. "I got that injury and nothing really formed after that. I didn't have the best year statistically and mentally not as far as playing, but just how the way things were going on at the rink and on the ice. I was hoping to have at least some conversations about an extension ... we'll see what happens."

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2016/04/red_wings_darren_helm_express.html

I think Hem sounds a bit like a jilted lover. He has definitely spoken fondly of the organization. In 2 recent signings (Tootoo, Green) both said they were friends with Helm and his glowing praise for the organization were part of their decision to come here. I think he expected to be more of a priority.

Again, hope we keep. He, Abby, and Glendening provide a good ingredient of drive on a team that seemed at times lackadaisical.

Yeah looks like the mlive article he sort of clarified his stance when he said he loves the city, team, organization. Glad that clears that up. I found this quote interesting though -

"Winning is a big part of it," Helm said. "I really don't mind playing on the bottom lines as long as there's that respect factor.

He definitely sounds like a "jilted" lover as you say.

In regards to your point on him centering. I've said it a few times this year... it was awesome when he was our 3rd line center and I have no idea why they moved away from that. He was always a pretty good faceoff guy and his speed alone was deadly for 3rd line pairings. I really hope they use him in the role moving forward.

Edited April 26, 2016 by kickazz

[marcaractac 3,963]

Holland's comments that fans need to accept less and that less is more exciting is beyond inexcusable. I find it almost impossible to believe that Mike Illitch thinks that.

Read between the lines. All he is saying is that the team can't be a dominant force like it has in the past. The best a team can hope for now is to get a young core together and be competitive for a bunch of years, then start over.

He is not saying we should be okay with scraping into the playoffs every year and lose in the first round. It's gonna take a bit of time to contend again. He is trying to keep expectations in check until the team once again gets there.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

I don't really care. Neither should be on the team anyway. Jurco had his chances and Pulk is just too one dinensional.

When was Jurco's chance? He played with Luke Glendening and Drew Miller on the 4th line.

He may ultimately be a bust, but I'm not going to judge a skilled forward based on that usage.

Edited April 26, 2016 by GoWings1905

[nyqvististhefuture 1,002]

"Winning is a big part of it," Helm said. "I want to win. I really dont mind playing on the bottom lines as long as theres that respect factor. You get opportunities in different situations. If that looks like thats the case that Ill get to play in those situations that I feel that I can play in then Ill be happy. If not and they tell right away thats not going to happen, then I may not want to stay. Lot of decisions to make, well see how everything goes with the talks thatll happen."

Think he's gone ... This is also gonna be his one chance to strike it big and if a team gives him even just a million more for 5-6 years how will he not jump on it ?

He's a great 3rd line center and most teams would be lucky to get him , and we'd be lucky to keep him but with sheahan getting that spot , and mantha athanasiou looking for bigger roles and bertuzzi nosek etc coming , helm would suit this team best on a 4th line glendening and what's the most we'd be willing to spend on a 4th liner who can kill penalties and occasionally move up incase of injuries or team struggles

2? 2.25? ... I can see a team offering him 3-3.5 as he brings more to the table than just points and on certain teams would be a great addition

Just not sure he comes back unless he signs for 3 yrs at like 7

[BottleOfSmoke 5,965]

Helmerroids' hilarious. I see it as if BoS had a twitter account

She's way funnier than I am lol

[krsmith17 7,191]

I'd re-sign Helm at $3M for 5 years to play in the bottom 6 in a heartbeat. I don't care if he's 3rd line center or 4th line winger, he's worth every bit of that for his speed, forechecking and penalty killing in my opinion. No way he's looking for anywhere close to $7M...

[nyqvististhefuture 1,002]

I'd re-sign Helm at $3M for 5 years to play in the bottom 6 in a heartbeat. I don't care if he's 3rd line center or 4th line winger, he's worth every bit of that for his speed, forechecking and penalty killing in my opinion. No way he's looking for anywhere close to $7M...

I said 3 yrs for 7 million total not per .. I'm sure he'd love that but fat chance haha

He's a solid player but for a 4th line giving 3 per is a lot , and we have glendening and nosek and bertuzzi coming soon and 4th liners could be brought in easier , maybe Miller returns

I like helm but also keeping him also gives us the risk he stays most of the time in the top 6 again and the kids suffer

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

I had no idea Alan Quine had made it to the NHL.

Good for him.

Quine was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the third round of the 2011 draft. But after the Red Wings made no effort to sign him, Quine said, he hardly paid attention to the draft two years later, when the Islanders selected him in the sixth round. Grateful for a team showing interest, Quine put in three seasons with Bridgeport and even played seven games for the Islanders’ former E.C.H.L. affiliate, the Stockton (Calif.) Thunder, during his first year with the organization.

He scored in his N.H.L. debut against the Buffalo Sabres on April 9, and against Florida, he centered a line between Shane Prince and Ryan Strome, who scored the winning goal in a 5-4 victory in Game 1.

But when an underperforming Strome was benched by Islanders Coach Jack Capuano for Game 5, Quine was suddenly skating on left wing with the captain John Tavares at center and Kyle Okposo on the right. Quine’s sample size with the Islanders may be small, but Tavares — who led the Islanders with five goals and 9 points in the opening round — is impressed.

“It’s his composure, and his ability to play his game at this stage shows a lot of potential,” said Tavares, whose double-overtime winner in Game 6 set off a frenzy at Barclays Center. “It’s amazing how a guy not around all year comes up and plays so well.”

LINK

[marcaractac 3,963]

I'd love to see Helm become our third line center again. If it isn't Hank, it should be Helm. Might be best for Hank to become a winger at this point anyway. Let him and Mantha flank AA on the second line.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Larkin, AA, Sheahan, Glendening. Those are the 4 centers. If Helm comes cheap and short term, fine. If he wants a long deal or more than $2.5, he can get overpaid somewhere else. But given Abdelkader getting the panic please don't leave contract, ibsee 7 years at North if $3.5 per, front loaded so there's a recapture penalty and with a modified ntc.

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

Larkin, AA, Sheahan, Glendening. Those are the 4 centers. If Helm comes cheap and short term, fine. If he wants a long deal or more than $2.5, he can get overpaid somewhere else. But given Abdelkader getting the panic please don't leave contract, ibsee 7 years at North if $3.5 per, front loaded so there's a recapture penalty and with a modified ntc.

Helm currently makes. 2.125 on a deal he signed 4 years ago as a RFA. You really think he's only going to get a 375 000 dollar raise, with 4 years of rising nhl salaries, and given that he's poised to be an UFA? It's a UFA contract and he's not Drew Miller, he'll definitely get at least 3 mill.

Edited April 27, 2016 by PavelValerievichDatsyuk