stevkrause

This is what it is like trying to talk to some members of this board right now:

Holland is a great GM. Period.

Your position seems to be that unless someone can provide concrete examples of players that were available, trades that almost definitely would go through, and would almost certainly improve the team, they shouldn't complain.

That's an absurd expectation.  At the time who would've predicted that Holland could get Stuart from the Kings for a 2nd and 4th pick?  Or taking the Kings as an example, who would've thought they'd get Richards for Simmonds, Schenn and a pick? Or trade a defenseman they'd recently signed long term to bring in Carter?  And that both of those trades would be huge factors in their Cup win?

It's likely you would've shot down all of those trades as unrealistic or wouldn't improve the team.  But who the hell knows until they actually happen?

If I could provide those kind of examples beforehand, I'd take Holland's friggin job.  I'm not complaining because I think he sucks.  I'm complaining because I think he's one of the best GM's in the NHL, so he better be able to come up with some moves that the average fan couldn't know about.

It's awful hard to provide irrefutable evidence for a trade that didn't happen.  That doesn't mean I can't be unhappy with what Holland is saying and doing.  For now I'm withholding full judgment until the summer is over.  But Lidstrom retiring is something he and management should've started planning for 10 years ago.  Looking at our blueline right now, it sure doesn't feel like they did.

Your position seems to be that if Holland made the move, it was the right one. If he didn't, it wouldn't have made the team better or it would've cost too much.  The only thing I've heard you complain about regarding Holland was Ericsson, which you were wrong about.

For the record, you can't plan for what happened to Konstantinov OR Fischer, let alone both... Both, were, or were on their way to being, a top 2 defenseman, Konstantinov, a yearly Norris hopeful... Most teams would not have recovered from those losses ever, let alone gone on to win cups shortly thereafter...

It's a simple old tale - The mind wants what the body can't do... he still has the desire and love and isn't ready to hang them up, but his body is... ultimately, I think he'll come to that conclusion and retire, but Holland is allowing him to go out with grace and rather than come out in the media and say "He's old and useless, we're not bringing him back", he's going about it the right way, for a warrior who has given this team a LOT and deserves to go out on his own terms, so to speak...

He will not be back here next year as a player, I guarantee that.

bummer, but best of luck to him... he was a real good piece in GR and a good depth guy to have in the event of an emergency call up, but I'm sure he can make more overseas and at some point, a player has to do what they can to best provide for themselves and their family...

That line has been on loop for the last 4 years.....

4 years? like the year we landed Hossa and went to the SCF, to lose in 7, when in a pivotal game 6, the Pens got to play with 6 men on the ice for 30 seconds with no penalty, which resulted in a goal that tied the game, that they then went on to win? That 4 years ago? Or how about the following year where we were capped out and didn't have space, Hudler held us hostage and we had to re-sign, oh, like half our team at once? How about that one?

It's only been 2 off-seasons that haven't gone ideal and the FA market in both sucked, name ONE player that we missed out on that would have had an impact in either, that we ever had a chance on? You could argue there were ZERO of those players last year and this year, it was Parise and Sutter or bust, both of which we never even had a chance... any other contract would have been piss-poor and a reach...

but, once again, let's not let facts get in the way...

Look, Holland is being smart here.  He tried his best to get both Parise and Suter, but in the end they wanted to be close to their families, which Michigan cannot provide.  After those two, the free-agent pool drops off considerably.  We have money and we have needs, but is it smart to utilize that money in a poor free agent market in attempt to fill your needs with average players, or would it be better to put a bandage on all the wounds for now and wait until next year when more high profile players will be free to sign wherever they like?  Trades are always an option too, but when you need someone to replace Lidstrom, or some top-six sniper (in a dry free agent year no less), prices are going to be high.  Holland admitted he wants at least another player before he's comfortable with the team, but it's goIng to be a bandage, not a permanent fix to our roster issues.  This year can't provide us with a permanent fix.  That's just the reality of it.  Better luck next year.

exactly.

So to summarize, Kenny's too cheap to get the players he really needs.  No one's saying blow the whole f***in' wad every year, that's just your tired response to any Holland criticism whatsoever.  I'm tired of seeing retreads and reclamation projects, and then a bunch of excuses on why he didn't do better in acquiring guys.  The "everybody's too expensive" excuse is starting to wear thin, especially when he's holding 16 miliion dollars.

esteef

Name one guy that's signed elsewhere, that would be an impact player, who was worth what they got? Just ONE? And furthermore, worth their TERM... You just ***** to *****... You're mentality is like saying you have 300k for a house, but all that's on the market is a bunch of shacks, and rather than NOT take out the mortgage, and wait for something to come on the market worth the money, you'd rather buy the 800 sq ft ranch at WAY over market value, because it's available now, in a horrible market... ridiculous...

Can I talk about Sidney Crosby yet

With the new profanity filter on the new board, can we make that name one? it'd just be funny to see all the asterisk's in Carman's posts

So in other words, as long as Kenny is running the show, we'll never get another top notch UFA because there will ALWAYS be bidding wars for them.  He'll keep filling the roster with Ian White's and Dan Cleary's and the LGWers will all beat off to how much money we saved.

esteef

No, he'll spend when it makes sense, not chase and over pay for above average players, or mid range guys, just because we have money or cap space, thus hand cuffing our team...

There were only two prizes this year, THAT'S IT

They chose to play in Minnesota together, and for a ridiculous amount at that, and it didn't mater what anyone else offered them, because their minds were already made up...

No one else in this FA class is worth the money, and more importantly, the term they've been getting... Other teams can continue to f' themselves with horrible contracts (Ville Leino says hello), I'll just sit back and be grateful the horrendous arm-chair GM's on LGW don't run this team, and we have someone like Holland to know the difference...

sigh....not that we have room nor wanted him, but GM's are doing things and Holland is.....well....Holland.


I really hope he has a plan....

Exactly, Holland is Holland and not panicking and making poor decisions and hurting his team by signing guys we don't need...

COME ON........

Yeah, well, you gotta take risks sometimes if you're gonna be successful.....something Kenny needs to learn about .

according to the Thunder buddies (Zach + Ryan ) everyone and Jesus Christ is going to be wanting to play in Minnesota LOL

Jesus Christ? That guy is lazy and sucks, I don't know why the Wild would want him... He apparently does too much partying with hookers and blow anyway...

http://www.kuklaskor..._medium=twitter



If true, this is a steal.

Wow, you aren't kidding... If that price is true, that's a steal for potential alone

I can't believe the sort of garbage I'm hearing from you! It's 42 or bust!!!

42, how could you even say that?! Bears eat beets, bears, beats... Battlestar Gallactica...

Smith will lead the D corps in scoring, book it.

travelocity, or priceline?