OldTimeWinger 8 Report post Posted March 7, 2017 The Detroit Red Wings crash is officially here. There’s no easy or quick fix. So, settle down and in for a rough time. For the 2017-18 season, the Wings have 17 players signed with a $67.7m cap hit against a projected $73m ceiling. And, for the 2018-19, the Wings have 10 players signed with a $51.7m cap hit against a projected $73m ceiling. Regardless if it counts against the cap number, Johan Franzen hasn’t played a truly meaningful number of games since the 2011-12 season, but still draws almost $4m a year. Meanwhile, GM Ken Holland’s albatross Stephen Weiss, who last played NHL hockey in the 2014-15 season and was bought out in 2015, will draw an average $1.6m for the next FOUR years. Yes, every team has hiccups and busts, but savvy hockey operations offset those mistakes with corrections in other areas of the ledger to prevent falling off the cliff. We hear repeatedly around the trade deadline, draft day and off season that hockey is a business. However, the DRW front office – Holland, Assist. to GM Kris Draper, Player Evaluation Jiri Fischer and Sr. V.P. Jim Devellano – is seemingly incapable of biting the bullet for fear of burning bridges or pissing someone off. As a result of the “we are family” approach, the Wings, in part, have slipped into the playoffs in recent years and today are 25-27-11 and -29. The 28th best team in the league. There would be no point or value in assessing the current roster. These are OUR Red Wings … for now. Rather, I would like to see is a fundamental shift in how hockey operations and the coaching staff assemble and build the team. Trusting fans have told to be patient as the precious assets (young guns) are slowly worked onto the big club, learning and maturing with superstars and wily veterans. It was supposed to secure a successful future. So, where is the line on the ice, where difficult hockey (business) decisions are made to determine if a manager or player is truly an asset or an albatross? This is where tough decisions need to be made for the club’s betterment. I grow weary of excuses like “salary cap,” “long-term contracts,” “a different NHL.” Blah, blah, blah. Yes, I am spoiled. I follow one of the most successful hockey teams in NHL history. There was a dogged reason/strategy/purpose on the bench, behind the bench and in the owner’s box that is now missing. I’m not asking for change for the sake of change. I’m asking for tectonic shift to reset/restore what it means to operate and represent the Detroit Red Wings. 5 MabusIncarnate, BringBack19, joshy207 and 2 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FireCaptain 563 Report post Posted March 7, 2017 Fixed it for you. TL;DR: In OldTimeWinger's opinion, Holland and anyone not new and shiny need to go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joshy207 156 Report post Posted March 8, 2017 The rebuild begins with management. If Ken Holland says a rebuild will take 10-15 years, that might be true... for him. I'm sure Chris Ilitch can find someone out there who can do it quicker, who isn't afraid to get rid of mistake contracts (either through trade or buyout), and who isn't afraid to say "Less is NOT more exciting, this will be rough. Please bear with us... we WILL be back." 1 frankgrimes reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DickieDunn 2,571 Report post Posted March 8, 2017 I think there are 3 likely reasons for the moves made the last 2 or 3 years. Ownership told Holland do what it takes to keep the home grown talent. Ownership told Holland to keep The Streak going at all costs. Holland made those decisions on his own. I doubt the others mentioned have much input, and if they do, it's still on Holland and Ownership for listening.If it was ownership, it depends on if it was coming from Mike or Chris. If it was Chris, I don't think much will change anytime soon. If it's Holland, I think/hope that he moves on after his contract is up next summer. When that happens, they need to look outside the organization, at least to interview people, instead of just handing it to Draper or Martin.Sent from my LGLS676 using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
krsmith17 7,191 Report post Posted March 8, 2017 21 hours ago, Jonas Mahonas said: Nolan Patrick is the only sure fire player this year. No he's not. 21 hours ago, Jonas Mahonas said: Wings should trade their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Ouellet to get him. No they shouldn't. ... and you complain about Holland making dumb moves... 1 greenrebellion reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BringBack19 110 Report post Posted March 8, 2017 18 minutes ago, krsmith17 said: No he's not. No they shouldn't. ... and you complain about Holland making dumb moves... I would just stop replying to him there is no hope. You're a really good poster trying to rationalize with the Kim Jong Un of the board. 2 kliq and AtlantaHotWings reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChristopherReevesLegs 7,022 Report post Posted March 8, 2017 Who would rather have in the lineup next season, Ericsson or Mcilrath? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BinMucker94 302 Report post Posted March 8, 2017 4 minutes ago, ChristopherReevesLegs said: Who would rather have in the lineup next season, Ericsson or Mcilrath? McIlrath. Ericsson is the worlds largest teddy bear 3 Dominator2005, Hockeymom1960 and ChristopherReevesLegs reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
krsmith17 7,191 Report post Posted March 8, 2017 7 minutes ago, ChristopherReevesLegs said: Who would rather have in the lineup next season, Ericsson or Mcilrath? If both are on the active roster, I'd rather Ericsson as number 6, McIlrath as number 7. If we're somehow able to trade Ericsson (hope we can), I'd give McIlrath a shot at being that "shut-down, penalty-kill specialist"... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChristopherReevesLegs 7,022 Report post Posted March 8, 2017 1 minute ago, krsmith17 said: If both are on the active roster, I'd rather Ericsson as number 6, McIlrath as number 7. If we're somehow able to trade Ericsson (hope we can), I'd give McIlrath a shot at being that "shut-down, penalty-kill specialist"... New Dylan actually uses his size and is infinitely cheaper with room to grow. New Dylan all day. 3 BadgerBob, F.Michael and Dominator2005 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
krsmith17 7,191 Report post Posted March 8, 2017 24 minutes ago, ChristopherReevesLegs said: New Dylan actually uses his size and is infinitely cheaper with room to grow. New Dylan all day. Yes, he is cheaper, but the team doesn't save any money if both are on the roster. Which is why I said I'd like to move Ericsson and that contract and give McIlrath (if he's my only option) an opportunity. Otherwise, if we're not saving money on Ericsson's contract, I'd play the better player, and as much as people would hate to admit it, Ericsson is the better player... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChristopherReevesLegs 7,022 Report post Posted March 8, 2017 25 minutes ago, krsmith17 said: Yes, he is cheaper, but the team doesn't save any money if both are on the roster. Which is why I said I'd like to move Ericsson and that contract and give McIlrath (if he's my only option) an opportunity. Otherwise, if we're not saving money on Ericsson's contract, I'd play the better player, and as much as people would hate to admit it, Ericsson is the better player... Based on what? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LeftWinger 4,963 Report post Posted March 8, 2017 25 minutes ago, ChristopherReevesLegs said: Based on what? Blind hate? I too would rather have mcilrath of the two, but I really don't think he'll get re-signed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BinMucker94 302 Report post Posted March 8, 2017 I'd like to see some of these opposing forwards think twice before crashing the net or trying to screen the goalie. None of our current D even attempt to clear the front of the net and if they did I'm almost positive they would fail. Kronwall - Old. Broken. Soft DK - Soft Green - Mobile. Good offensively. Soft Jensen - Playing above expectations. Soft Ericsson - Giant. Pylon. Soft XO - Soft I would love to hang out in front of the Red Wings goal. Free points. No consequences 5 Hockeymom1960, GoWings!, Jacksoni and 2 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChristopherReevesLegs 7,022 Report post Posted March 8, 2017 If other teams aren't going to respect us for our skill, they will learn to respect us for our fists. Powerplay isn't the enforcer anymore, clearly. 4 BinMucker94, Hockeymom1960, F.Michael and 1 other reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
e_prime 1,936 Report post Posted March 9, 2017 17 hours ago, LeftWinger said: Blind hate? If there's one person on the board that doesn't evaluate players based on personal feelings it's krsmith. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
krsmith17 7,191 Report post Posted March 9, 2017 18 hours ago, ChristopherReevesLegs said: Based on what? One is an NHL player, the other is a bottom pairing guy in the AHL... At this point in their careers, Ericsson is the better player. I'm not saying McIlrath will never amount to anything (although I don't think he will), I hope he does. I'd love to have a big nasty guy that is a beast in his own end, and can chip in offensively. I'd love to have a bottom pair of McKee - McIlrath, if either were legit NHL players, that could actually skate, pass and shoot with the best in the world. Unfortunately neither are / can in my opinion... 39 minutes ago, e_prime said: If there's one person on the board that doesn't evaluate players based on personal feelings it's krsmith. Except Brendan Smith. But I'm sure most would find it difficult to evaluate their brother without personal feelings... 3 Jonas Mahonas, e_prime and PavelValerievichDatsyuk reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,794 Report post Posted March 9, 2017 47 minutes ago, krsmith17 said: One is an NHL player, the other is a bottom pairing guy in the AHL... At this point in their careers, Ericsson is the better player. I'm not saying McIlrath will never amount to anything (although I don't think he will), I hope he does. I'd love to have a big nasty guy that is a beast in his own end, and can chip in offensively. I'd love to have a bottom pair of McKee - McIlrath, if either were legit NHL players, that could actually skate, pass and shoot with the best in the world. Unfortunately neither are / can in my opinion... Except Brendan Smith. But I'm sure most would find it difficult to evaluate their brother without personal feelings... Rory is that you? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChristopherReevesLegs 7,022 Report post Posted March 9, 2017 1 hour ago, krsmith17 said: One is an NHL player, the other is a bottom pairing guy in the AHL... At this point in their careers, Ericsson is the better player. I'm not saying McIlrath will never amount to anything (although I don't think he will), I hope he does. I'd love to have a big nasty guy that is a beast in his own end, and can chip in offensively. I'd love to have a bottom pair of McKee - McIlrath, if either were legit NHL players, that could actually skate, pass and shoot with the best in the world. Unfortunately neither are / can in my opinion... Except Brendan Smith. But I'm sure most would find it difficult to evaluate their brother without personal feelings... I wish Ericsson could skate pass and shoot too 1 Hockeymom1960 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dominator2005 558 Report post Posted March 9, 2017 Mantha - Z - X X - X - Larkin Abdelkader - AA - Svechnikov Bertuzzi - X - Smith X - X X - Green X - Jensen/McIlarth Jensen/McIlarth Mrazek Get rid of dead weight: Nielsen, Nyquist, Tatar, DeKe, LG, Helm, Errorson, Kronwall, XO... And let's start rebuild and avoid quick fix like a Weiss, Colo, White... and Nielsen. We will need to have a better drafting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dominator2005 558 Report post Posted March 9, 2017 It's time bring some FA prospects, Zach Aston-Reese, Daniel Brickley, Michael Vecchione... 1 Andy Pred 48 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,794 Report post Posted March 9, 2017 (edited) 55 minutes ago, Dominator2005 said: Mantha - Z - X X - X - Larkin Abdelkader - AA - Svechnikov Bertuzzi - X - Smith X - X X - Green X - Jensen/McIlarth Jensen/McIlarth Mrazek Get rid of dead weight: Nielsen, Nyquist, Tatar, DeKe, LG, Helm, Errorson, Kronwall, XO... And let's start rebuild and avoid quick fix like a Weiss, Colo, White... and Nielsen. We will need to have a better drafting. X is my favorite player on that lineup sheet. Edited March 9, 2017 by GMRwings1983 1 THATANK911 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935 Report post Posted March 9, 2017 41 minutes ago, GMRwings1983 said: X is my favorite player on that lineup sheet. Win by any means necessary! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AtlantaHotWings 992 Report post Posted March 9, 2017 (edited) 1 hour ago, GMRwings1983 said: X is my favorite player on that lineup sheet. Very Fedorov-like able to play both offense and defense. Edited March 9, 2017 by AtlantaHotWings Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DickieDunn 2,571 Report post Posted March 9, 2017 Mantha - Z - X X - X - Larkin Abdelkader - AA - Svechnikov Bertuzzi - X - Smith X - X X - Green X - Jensen/McIlarth Jensen/McIlarth Mrazek Get rid of dead weight: Nielsen, Nyquist, Tatar, DeKe, LG, Helm, Errorson, Kronwall, XO... And let's start rebuild and avoid quick fix like a Weiss, Colo, White... and Nielsen. We will need to have a better drafting.You don't need to get rid of that many players. A legit NHL coach and Tatar and Nyquist probably get back to scoring 25-30 goals. Get a top pair D so Dekeyser isn't their #1 and he plays better. As for the rest, most of them you're not going to move without taking on equally bad contracts. Best case scenario is Ericsson and/or Kronwall retire. XO isn't dead weight, either.Sent from my LGLS676 using Tapatalk 3 krsmith17, kliq and Rick D reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites