Holland (selfishly) declined promotion

[kliq 3,755]

I wouldn't expect the Wings' organization or fanbase to damn experience, hard work, and a long history of success so the rich popular kid can have a job. Holland was well within his right to decline the offer.

You hit the nail on the head, they made the right move at the time. Plus it didn't matter who was the GM of this team was, this team was headed for an inevitable decline at some point. it's a part of the cyclical nature of hockey. How we escaped it for 17 years is a testament to how good of a job Holland and company did with this team. Whoever the GM was when this time came was going to get blasted by fans.

Had Yzerman been appointed GM and the team declined under his watch, people would be saying "we had the best GM in hockey, and we let him go for a guy who has proven nothing as a GM, so sad"

[marcaractac 3,962]

Yes, how horrible selfish of the man to have the desire to build another winner. Shame on him!

In all seriousness, Tampa was the right fit for Steve. They had guys like Hedman and Stamkos to build around, and he had a couple high draft picks to work with. Would have been a COMPLETELY different situation for him in Detroit had he become GM. The fan base would have already turned on him a couple years ago, let alone now.

I am bummed out about losing Nill, however. Especially after seeing the man trade for Seguin (not that Boston would have traded him to Detroit anyway). But I'd have a lot more confidence in Nill this summer to make a move for a high end dman than I do Holland.

[ben_usmc 253]

no s***, why else did people think Stevie left?

[krsmith17 7,191]

Yeah, Holland was a great GM, probably the best in the business for a lot of years, but he's never been known (in the cap era) to make any big trades to help this team. In three short years Nill has turned that team around, and made some of the best trades league wide in that time frame. I have full confidence that Holland will get great deals for our RFA's, but making a big trade for a top pairing defenseman... I'm not so sure. I think if Nill took over for this team three years ago, our defense and team as a whole would look entirely different... For better or worse? Who knows...

I do still think Holland was probably the better man for the job in this "rebuilding" phase though. There's no question he is a very patient, methodical GM, and that's what you need in a rebuild. Because of Kenny, the Red Wings have been known for their ability of drafting and developing players, and many other teams have taken on the same model.

I think we're just about done the rebuilding phase, now I think he has a big opportunity starting this summer to get this team back on track. Not just into the playoffs, but back to being a contender. I think he needs to make a couple moves this summer, get us back into the playoffs for the last season at the Joe, and then by 2017, opening of the new arena, we should be back in the top tier of teams. Yes, I do think that it's possible to make that happen in just a year and a half... Get 'er done Kenny!

[lwing 68]

I don't believe that for a second. There has been comparisons over Holland and Yzerman in almost every thread since Thursday, I suggest you look at what Yzerman has actually "built" in Tampa vs what Holland has in Detroit.

I went back and looked at the numbers and holy cow, you are 100% right and I was 100% wrong. Look at that, internet forums really are a place of enlightenment! Actually, that was sarcasm. I did look at the numbers (http://www.sportingcharts.com/nhl/rivalrylisting/)%C2'> for the past three years TB has out measured the Wings on key stats AND they beat us twice in the playoffs (once without key star players).

[VM1138 1,921]

Yes, he would have. He built something in TB while Holland fiddled in Detroit.

Yzerman hasn't built anything. His team made the finals once and hasn't done anything else. A ton of teams have made the finals the past few years. He built a middling team that can be fun to watch. I'm not saying he's bad but Yzerman hasn't done much to really wow, either.

[WingsallTheway 383]

Yzerman hasn't built anything. His team made the finals once and hasn't done anything else. A ton of teams have made the finals the past few years. He built a middling team that can be fun to watch. I'm not saying he's bad but Yzerman hasn't done much to really wow, either.

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