Official 2016 Detroit Red Wings Offseason Thread

[kickazz 5,459]

It's ok. Not everything is the roses you'd all like to believe. You'll have your opinion, I'll have mine. Doesn't mean anybody is right, and there's no way to really prove it either way...just talk and pictures.

No that picture reminds me of Cleary and Holland. Where's Flashy when needed!

Lol did you not read what PVD posted?

Q: Who is your best friends in "Red Wings"?

A: All guys are great! But the best are Zetterberg, Filppula, Draper and Maltby.

http://redwingsgrinder.blogspot.ca/2010/06/pavel-datsyuk-interview-to-sovsport.html

Don't be in denial lefty. Anyways your original theory was that they were warring with each other. "Best friends", "good friends", "friends" doesn't matter what you want to call it, it's just semantics. If they were warring then show us the proof.

Edited September 19, 2016 by kickazz

[LeftWinger 4,958]

My original post was a tongue in cheek post about a Russian mafia vs. Swedish mafia. But people are so goo goo gaa gaa over everything to do with Datsyuk and Zetterberg so they all got butt hurt.

I don't need proof. It's just my opinion. I can read all the PC quotes to the press all day long. My mind wont change. D and Z weren't as close as everyone likes to fantasize over and Bert & Ernie are lovers. Deal with it.

[krsmith17 7,191]

"It's just my opinion... My mind won't change". That's right, don't let anyone ever change you, no matter how asinine your views may be...

[LeftWinger 4,958]

"It's just my opinion... My mind won't change". That's right, don't let anyone ever change you, no matter how asinine your views may be...

No need for name calling and personal attacks....over a personal opinion? Wow...

Ok, everything is just dandy roses and cucumber dreams in the world. We all hold hands and skip stones.

Look how sensitive people get when it comes to their precious red wings! It started as a joke and still is. I don't care if they're butt buddies, hooray. The mafia war was a joke and the man crush people cried boo hoo. Do you think they care as much about you? Do they care who your BFF is? They don't even know your name nor do they care to. Me, I'm fine with that, some of you....not so sure.

You say they're besties, great, I say they were teammates who were friends with each other, I just don't believe they were as close as everyone assumes. Move on.

Edited September 19, 2016 by LeftWinger

[kickazz 5,459]

You act like people are attacking you , but you bait us with your posts, which are against forum rules from what I remember.

Just like you feel like you have a right to post, people have a right to respond.

Deal with it.

Edited September 19, 2016 by kickazz

[LeftWinger 4,958]

How am I baiting you? If you read the original mafia post, it was tongue in cheek, was no baiting there. We all post tongue in cheek things now and again. Then I said, I have my opinion and it won't change, again, is that baiting? Is having my opinion make it ok to call me asinine? I have an opinion about player(s) and I am free to speak it within forum rules and yes, people are free to respond, but not attack with names calling. I've been around way long enough to know what to post and what not to in regards to my opinion(s.) It's not my fault some folks think the sky is falling because not everyone sees the world through the same glasses they are wearing. That's the problem with most of society today, too sensitive and they too offended too easily.

Look, most people believe they are best buds and make each other mix tapes, that's fine, but don't get offended and call names when someone (me) doesn't share the same opinion. I don't bait, but I am not going to NOT defend my position. Deal with that.

BTW, if you think that my couple of posts on their friendship is baiting, the everytime someone has a differing opinion than you or anyone else, and posts it, then that would also be baiting...I guess we're all guilty as charged, shut it down.

Edited September 19, 2016 by LeftWinger

[LeftWinger 4,958]

You act like people are attacking you , but you bait us with your posts, which are against forum rules from what I remember.

Just like you feel like you have a right to post, people have a right to respond.

Deal with it.

post 4704, 4706, for example...in your opinion of baiting, those fall right in.

oh, crap, now I just baited you...we must stop this nonsense!

[krsmith17 7,191]

You thinking I was attacking you or name calling by saying that some of your views are extremely foolish (definition of asinine) is one thing, but to not see how outlandish some (most) of your comments have been all offseason, is crazy to me... And like I said before, each comment seems to be worse than the previous. Relax man, October is right around the corner...

By the way, I wasn't basing any of that on what you're saying in this thread alone, more so every single other thread over the summer...

Edited September 19, 2016 by krsmith17

[kickazz 5,459]

We discussed it and mentioned opinions then a few days later you posted a picture bringing the topic back up again. You consistently do that with other topics too. When s*** is laid to rest you bring it back up and get a rise out of people. So yeah it's baiting. My responding to your baits isn't baiting you. It's exactly what it is. A respnse. And it's funny you think people are being sensitive but here you are writing a book on how people are attacking you etc etc etc. boo hoo..

If you're going to come out and say D and Z are warring with each other and coming up with conspiracy theories/rumors WITHOUT evidence, you're GOING to get called out and asked for proof. That's the real world. Without evidence and proof, there's no basis for anything you say. On the other hand, the rest of us expressed our opinions that they aren't warring, that they are best friends and provided legitamate sources on the matter. Anytime you want to come up with more theories, people will keep responding to it and most likely come up with sources to counter your claims. That's also what forums are about. Debating, debating, debating and backing it up. If it bothers you then maybe you shouldn't post. If you're going to stir the pot then you should be ready to debate on the matter. Don't take the easy way out and get all defensive.

Anyways I've said my piece. If the rumor of D and Z warring is brought up again, I'll be sure to respond to it and I'm sure others will too.

Edited September 19, 2016 by kickazz

[LeftWinger 4,958]

Yes, moving on. Opinions are ours to have...I have mine, you have yours, noting asinine about it. End.

dont take the bait.

Edited September 19, 2016 by LeftWinger

[kliq 3,755]

Yes, moving on. Opinions are ours to have...I have mine, you have yours, noting asinine about it. End.

dont take the bait.

Its the off season and its boring, I am going to choose to take the bait again lol.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but what baffles everybody about yours in this instance is there is no fact, clues or logic about your opinion. It would be like me coming out randomly one day and saying "I think Larkin hates the Wings because Abby and Helm pick on him" then post comments all the time saying. "Well, if Abby and Helm keep this up, Larkin is going to leave", "I dont believe its all just dandy like you all think" etc.

Anyways, this is stupid. Can we please have hockey back!

[LeftWinger 4,958]

Wait, Abby and Helm are bullies? I heard it was the Michigan boys picking on the poor little (but rich) Canadian. One repping the East Side and the other repping the West side. They got Drew and Glendog repping the middle. DD being the General of the state. Of course Mike Ilitch is the God Father of the MM, with Christofer being his #2. The reason they can't fire Holland is because he's in the Canadian Mafia and they are trying not to go to war. But this World Cup rivalry is really stretching the strings to the breaking point!

Didn't you know? Thats why they are in the rumors for Fowler and Trouba, they're building their own Michigan Mafia. Ryan Miller will be acquired (for Howard.) They've got Blashill as the coach, Horcoff as "player development" which means he will handle the "whacking" if another player thats not in the MM gets out of line or tries a coup. They'll eliminate the Swedish Mafia one by one...

Steve Ott is in as their little toadie gopher...only because he pledge allegiance to them by saying he has always wanted to be a Red Wing, plus he spends a lot of time in the off season in Michigan. He was actually here when he got the call from his agent saying they wanted him "made." Of course nobody knows what he is going to have to do this season to "prove" he is loyal to the MM....

Edited September 19, 2016 by LeftWinger

[LeftWinger 4,958]

Found on Erica Ott's twitter page @EricaRene4 Steve Ott's 8th grade "ideal self" poster he made up. This is why he is an honorary member of the Michigan Mafia. Got to love him!

Edited September 19, 2016 by LeftWinger

[HockeytownRules19 902]

Helene St. James ‏@HeleneStJames 2m2 minutes ago

Spoke with Niklas Kronwall, he's uncertain whether he'll be ready for start of Red Wings season, disappointed not better progress with knee.

Ugh

Helene St. James ‏@HeleneStJames 7m7 minutes ago

Jeff Blashill said ideally Red Wings F Dylan Larkin plays center this season, that's where organisation ultimately would like him.

No surprise there... Make Larkin & Nielsen your top 2 centers and build around them

Edited September 19, 2016 by HockeytownRules19

[joesuffP 1,746]

At least we will get a good look at Ouellette

[krsmith17 7,191]

I'm still hoping Sproul comes into camp and steals a spot in the top 6, or very least number 7...

[kipwinger 8,522]

I don't care how much Ott wanted to be a Red Wing. I still hate this signing. I remember a few years ago when Cleary was still on the team and the overriding sentiment was that he was better than any AHL alternative would have been. Then he went to the AHL and was just as bad as he was in the NHL. That's exactly how I feel about Ott. He's pretty much washed up. I'd MUCH rather have Callahan in that spot. He can do everything Ott can do, but more cheaply. AND he'd probably score more given how underrated his offense is.

[kipwinger 8,522]

My ideal lineup with the guys we have:

Z-Neilsen-Vanek

Tatar-Larkin-Abby

Nyquist-AA-Mantha

Glendening-Helm-Sheahan

Jurco

Frk

Callahan or Bertuzzi as first call ups if a fourth liner gets hurt. Jurco and Frk draw in with Mantha if he struggles and/or there's an injury to a top 9 winger and either Mantha or Nyquist need to move up.

Edited September 19, 2016 by kipwinger

[kickazz 5,459]

My ideal lineup with the guys we have:

Z-Neilsen-Vanek

Tatar-Larkin-Abby

Nyquist-AA-Mantha

Glendening-Helm-Sheahan

Jurco

Frk

Callahan or Bertuzzi as first call ups if a fourth liner gets hurt. Jurco and Frk draw in with Mantha if he struggles and/or there's an injury to a top 9 winger and either Mantha or Nyquist need to move up.

The first line seems a bit slow though. Could switch Abby and Vanek

[LeftWinger 4,958]

Hmm - nothing on that poster about becoming a loathsome ****** bag...

It's going to be refreshing to see a player play for a team he's always dreamed to play for, and from a young age. I know he won't be the first one, you have Abby, Glenny, DD and Miller who have all said that from a young age, their ultimate dream was to play for the Red Wings. That sense of pride shows in their play. They aren't the most talented on the team, but the damn sure out work most players and you can see it in their play that the are so happy that they will never not give 150% and leave it all on the ice. I can see Ott doing the same. He may not get as much icetime as he should, but I believe he is going to make a lot of fans here with his heart and his complete euphoria playing for "his" beloved Detroit Red Wings.

I didn't mention Larkin because even though he is a local kid and obviously loves playing here, he has been quoted as saying his childhood team was Toronto. Not saying he doesn't play with similar heart, but something has to be said about the sense of, again lack of a better word, euphoria those others have considering this was their dream of dreams. Sure just getting to the nhl is a huge dream, but when you're 12 and dreaming of not only the nhl, but a certain team and it happens? I just cannot imagine.

I just hope Ott can play as hard as his heart wants to and he forces Blashill to keep him the lineup. Good luck Otter, and welcome "home."

[NerveDamage 4,176]

Kronwall uncertain for start of season

http://detroitsportsnation.com/detroit-nhl/mwhitaker/report-niklas-kronwall-uncertain-for-start-of-season/81227/

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

It's going to be refreshing to see a player play for a team he's always dreamed to play for, and from a young age. I know he won't be the first one, you have Abby, Glenny, DD and Miller who have all said that from a young age, their ultimate dream was to play for the Red Wings. That sense of pride shows in their play. They aren't the most talented on the team, but the damn sure out work most players and you can see it in their play that the are so happy that they will never not give 150% and leave it all on the ice. I can see Ott doing the same. He may not get as much icetime as he should, but I believe he is going to make a lot of fans here with his heart and his complete euphoria playing for "his" beloved Detroit Red Wings.

I didn't mention Larkin because even though he is a local kid and obviously loves playing here, he has been quoted as saying his childhood team was Toronto. Not saying he doesn't play with similar heart, but something has to be said about the sense of, again lack of a better word, euphoria those others have considering this was their dream of dreams. Sure just getting to the nhl is a huge dream, but when you're 12 and dreaming of not only the nhl, but a certain team and it happens? I just cannot imagine.

I just hope Ott can play as hard as his heart wants to and he forces Blashill to keep him the lineup. Good luck Otter, and welcome "home."

This isn't the Make-A-Wish foundation.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Playing extra hard just because it's your "home team" implies that they don't give everything for other teams. That's either insulting to the player, or if it a true it's a guy I don't want on my team.

[BottleOfSmoke 5,965]

Were you expecting something like this?

Oh please someone photoshop this

[LeftWinger 4,958]

Oh please someone photoshop this

Holland and Cleary, please!

Playing extra hard just because it's your "home team" implies that they don't give everything for other teams. That's either insulting to the player, or if it a true it's a guy I don't want on my team.

No, he played hard where ever he went, but I'm just saying inside there has to be even more excitement and want to play when you are playing for your dream team. Not that he didn't play extra hard for the others, but just the mental aspect of it. Ott will be an important piece to the puzzle. Remember Aaron Downey? Dallas Drake? Didn't play all 82 games, but when they were in, they made an impact and became very important to the team. I expect the same out of Ott.

...and no, before you say it, I will not be disappointed.

Meanwhile...

Man, all is quiet on the Fowler and Trouba front...

What's up with Kris Russell?

Edited September 20, 2016 by LeftWinger