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Hockeytown0001

Official 2016 Detroit Red Wings Offseason Thread

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Looks like Pulks might be ready for training camp

I'm not overly sure that's a good thing. Any chance he could play on stilts, thus gaining 10 inches, add 75 pounds of beef and be a superb defenseman?

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It's never a good thing to have injuries, but I think Ericsson's hip and Kronwall's knee might be a blessing in disguise. Hear me out here...

Ericsson on his best day is a solid #5 big bodied penalty killer. But on his worst day, he's a turnover machine whose breakout pass isn't the same since his hand injury a few years ago. Kronwall, up until last year, did as good a job as a career #2D could do filling in as a #1. But injuries killed him last year, and in both of these cases their injuries don't seem like they can be fixed for sure by surgery.

Now, why this could be a blessing in disguise. Since Kenny won't make a trade, because he doesn't make trades, I'd like to see Ouellet and Sproul get chances this season. Ouellet has looked NHL ready since 2013-2014 when he played against Boston in the playoffs, and has had tons of games since. Just like Marchenko, I feel when he gets a real chance he won't give it up. I think he could be a solid #4 guy, I really do. And Sproul, I've always believed has untapped potential. He's 6'4, can skate, can move the puck and has been improving in his own zone every year.

We won't contend for the cup with the defence we have right now, so I'd rather these "overripe" guys get a chance. I don't want to lose either of them to keep Ericsson, or a broken down Kronwall. Those guys can be put on IR if need be, and we can get looks at two second round picks who deserve a chance.

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Holland and Cleary, please!

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?

If you think Ott is going to be as good as Drake or even Downey, who didn't do a whole lot, you're fooling yourself. Yes slowed down and he doesn't hit as much and he's not much of a fighter. What does he do that other people don't do better?

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Exactly how I feel, Detroit # 1 Fan. I want so bad for Sproul to come into camp and earn himself a spot in the lineup. I still think he has the potential to become a top 4, power-play quarterback. Khan among others have reported that he will likely be signing a one year deal sometime this week.

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Well unless Holland acquires someone, with Kronwall being not ready, you'll see two of the youngsters. I am a fan of jensen, but I do believe XO and Sproul will take the #6 & #7 spots. If E can't go either, then you'll have all 3 here to start the season. That would be great!

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Yeah, I think Jensen would clear waivers for sure. Sproul and Ouellet on the other hand, both would likely be claimed. I agree though that both will be with the team to start the season because I doubt Kronwall will be ready to go by then. I'm hoping Sproul gets a good long look. If I'm picking one of the two, it's Sproul for sure. Ouellet is the safer option, but Sproul has the much higher upside.

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I think we'll end up with Fowler at the deadline

Fowler (born in Windsor, I know) would be a mistake.... the Wings should be targeting a high end Canadian defenceman. This team needs an elite Canadian or two. In recent years their has been far too much focus on Michigan connections when looking at/signing players.

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Fowler (born in Windsor, I know) would be a mistake.... the Wings should be targeting a high end Canadian defenceman. This team needs an elite Canadian or two. In recent years their has been far too much focus on Michigan connections when looking at/signing players.

Can't afford to be too picky. Fowler is a legit top 4 that is still very young with a lot of NHL experience and would probably be the wings best defensemen. Trading for a #1 elite defenseman is pretty hard when you don't have that kind of talent to send back

The time is now to start phasing out Kronwall and E. I don't think Holland is dumb enough to be expecting bounce back seasons from those two going forward

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Fowler (born in Windsor, I know) would be a mistake.... the Wings should be targeting a high end Canadian defenceman. This team needs an elite Canadian or two. In recent years their has been far too much focus on Michigan connections when looking at/signing players.

Rather then go for a Canadian d-man or a Michigan d-man etc. Lets just try to get a D-man who has the skill set that what we need regardless of where he was born.

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Can't afford to be too picky. Fowler is a legit top 4 that is still very young with a lot of NHL experience and would probably be the wings best defensemen. Trading for a #1 elite defenseman is pretty hard when you don't have that kind of talent to send back

The time is now to start phasing out Kronwall and E. I don't think Holland is dumb enough to be expecting bounce back seasons from those two going forward

What I think we need and what we can get are two totally different things.

As far as Holland is concerned... his love of past their prime longtime/former wings is legendary.

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I love when our best players happen to be North American, but I'm not going to target players solely on their Nationality. I personally don't care if a player is Canadian, American, Swedish, Russian, Slovak, or white, black or purple. If they're helping the Wings win games, who gives a s***?...

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The last time the wings won the Cup our best players were Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Lidstrom, Holmstrom, Kronwall, Samuelson, Hudler, and Filppula. Then again we did have Stuart and Rafalski. I guess their North American-ness was really the glue that held that squad together.

Edit: Shiiiiiiiit I forgot. If it weren't for Dallas Drake's grit we wouldn't have won that Cup. I take it back. We need more North Americans pronto!

Edited by kipwinger

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Fowler (born in Windsor, I know) would be a mistake.... the Wings should be targeting a high end Canadian defenceman. This team needs an elite Canadian or two. In recent years their has been far too much focus on Michigan connections when looking at/signing players.

First, Windsor is Canada, so getting him would be getting a Canadian defenseman.

Second, birth place is irrelevant. Skill set is the only thing that matters.

I'm not sure if this was the point of what he meant but Holland does appear to favour Michigan players. DD, Abby and Glendening got above market value deals but then again so do a lot of our resignees

Holland favors not standing his ground in negotiations. He caves in faster than a tunnel through a sand dune. There has been a focus on local boys lately. It's like the idea is if we can't be good, let's load the team up with "hometown" boys. Unfortunately, some fans appear to prefer that to winning.

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