Biggest need for Red Wings in Off-season Poll

[Krayzie_Bone 58]

Free agents or trade what do the Red Wings need most.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

In the past, this poll would be easy. Back then, we were good and were missing a piece or two.

Now we need at least 4 of those categories. Maybe all 5, but we likely don't need any defensive defensemen (though an upgrade over what we have would be nice). But all the other categories we badly need to upgrade.

I didn't vote because I can't decide what the biggest need is. I'm leaning towards offensive defenseman, because your offense starts from the blue line.

[Krayzie_Bone 58]

I would love if they could swing a Defensive D-man and a sniper. On Defense they have so many so called puck moving defenseman yet all they do is turn it over. A stay at home d-man would be nice. Not sure on the cap numbers maybe if they can move howard or a nyquist.

[krsmith17 7,191]

Our number one need is hands down a defenseman, but not necessarily offensive or defensive, but a true top pairing guy. I'd prefer a two-way, someone that can move the puck exceptionally well, and also shut down the oppositions top players.

I think Jacob Trouba will be that player in the very near future, so he'd be my number one target...

Edited June 8, 2016 by krsmith17

[amato 3,210]

Agree with a top pairing two way D man.. But I think a pure goal scoring forward is a very close second.

[Dominator2005 558]

All choices are good

[mackel 763]

Why is power forward bring equated with a 2 way Grinder?

ShanNY in his prime was a power forward and in no way would be considered a 2 way Grinder.

[kipwinger 8,756]

In a vacuum, I'd want a big minute, strong posession, defenseman. However, there aren't any available in UFA. So we would need to trade, and it would be easier to sign forwards (and use our extra guys) to trade for that kind of a defenseman. So I'll go with top six scorer. He will make someone like Nyquist expendable, and therefore able yo be traded for the defender we need.

[romagoth 47]

I would love if they could swing a Defensive D-man and a sniper. On Defense they have so many so called puck moving defenseman yet all they do is turn it over. A stay at home d-man would be nice. Not sure on the cap numbers maybe if they can move howard or a nyquist.

Stay at Home d-men are going the way of the dinosaur. They just aren't as useful as they were in the past considering how puck possession and quickly getting the puck up the ice is so much more important now that it was in the past. There were a few teams from the 80's-00's that played like that (Edmonton and the Wings come to mind) but really the play style we see now with teams like the Kings, Blackhawks, and Penguins is fairly new.

I can't think of a single stay at home d-man on any of those rosters (doesn't mean there aren't any, just means I can't think of any).

[krsmith17 7,191]

I believe there is still a "need" for defensive minded, stay at home defensemen, I just think they're overrated. I'll take an offensive minded, puck moving defenseman any day over the former. The same thing goes for shut-down forwards, they are massively overrated. I'm not talking about forwards that play solid defensively, I'm talking about those that can only play defense and provide little to no offense, aka Drew Miller. Players in that mold are a dime a dozen. People point to Miller's stellar shot blocking and penalty killing ability, and he's not even that great in those areas. Sure, he "can" penalty kill, he's just not near as good as people make him out to be. Guys like Helm, Athanasiou, Larkin, Glendening, Abdelkader all are / would be much more effective in that role. The prototypical "shut-down" players, that can't do anything but defend are way overrated...

[romagoth 47]

I believe there is still a "need" for defensive minded, stay at home defensemen, I just think they're overrated. I'll take an offensive minded, puck moving defenseman any day over the former. The same thing goes for shut-down forwards, they are massively overrated. I'm not talking about forwards that play solid defensively, I'm talking about those that can only play defense and provide little to no offense, aka Drew Miller. Players in that mold are a dime a dozen. People point to Miller's stellar shot blocking and penalty killing ability, and he's not even that great in those areas. Sure, he "can" penalty kill, he's just not near as good as people make him out to be. Guys like Helm, Athanasiou, Larkin, Glendening, Abdelkader all are / would be much more effective in that role. The prototypical "shut-down" players, that can't do anything but defend are way overrated...

Completely agree with all of this. We need solid guys who can play effectively at both ends of the ice and move the puck out of the d-zone without being a liability elsewhere. Even Kris Draper, primarily known as a defensive forward, could move the puck up ice and chip in on offense at times. I would like to see the Wings make a deal for Trouba but if that doesn't happen, perhaps Shattenkirk would be an option as well.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Top pair D, power forward, new coach

[krsmith17 7,191]

New coach? Seriously? I'd definitely give Blashill another season to see if he can evolve and learn from last season...

[Echolalia 2,961]

Biggest need this offseason is def getting Darren Helm signed to a contract

[kickazz 5,459]

Biggest need this offseason is def getting Darren Helm signed to a contract

Im not interested in being signed

[Echolalia 2,961]

Im not interested in being signed

you drive a hard bargain how about 6M/season? the other darren helms i talked to wanted 7 and mod immunity on lgw

[BottleOfSmoke 5,965]

I'll do it for 1 mil per and free booze

[Echolalia 2,961]

I'll do it for 1 mil per and free booze

welcome to the squad darren

[BottleOfSmoke 5,965]

DARRENS FOR LIFE

[DickieDunn 2,571]

New coach? Seriously? I'd definitely give Blashill another season to see if he can evolve and learn from last season...

Seriously. Blashill seems to want to be Babcock Jr. and it doesn't work.

[Aethernum 276]

Can I pick something not on the poll? A clarified goaltender situation.

[krsmith17 7,191]

Okay, okay, I'll re-sign if you trade Ericsson and Howard, sign Stamkos and trade for Trouba. Also, if you could draft McLeod or Bean it would help the negotiation process... 5 years at $3M? I'll take $2.75M over 3 years if you pull off that feat...

Get er dooonne Kenny!

[13dangledangle 968]

a little snip show