Jeff6851

This offseason was one that every Red Wings fan was excited for and it was pretty quiet for us. While the Wild signed guys we were hoping for, we got guys like Samuelsson and Tootoo. We've lost three of our best defenseman over the past two years (Rafalski, Stuart and Lidstrom) and our stars are aging and wearing down. Could it be time to do what this franchise hasn't thought about for 20 years or is it simply that we need to just fill some holes?

Some think that even with support for our top guys that the Wings just won't be able to keep up with faster, younger and stronger teams. Some think that a few more pieces is all they need. What do you think? Trade some of our top talent (not necessarily Dats or Z, in fact, don't even consider it because it won't happen) for up and coming prospects or trade some of our top prospects for proven talent?

Personally, I wouldn't mind giving up some of our top guys for some very talented prospects, even if it means the playoff streak ends. I'd rather end the streak now and start a new one in a few years than extend this one another 2-3 until we are in a deep hole for years.

Since we're all on the topic of Lidstrom, I thought we could discuss another big part of the Red Wings franchise leaving.

I don't know if Smith was ineligible for the playoffs but he should have never gone back to GR. Sure, he has no playoff experience but what about next year when he's full time and he goes into the playoffs with no experience?

Not like keeping him here and getting rid of Kindl would have hurt.

I've never really followed hockey during the offseason and don't really know much about the salary cap rules.

Basically, if we got Parise, Semin, Suter all on a cap hit would that work out? Who would have to leave for that to work?

Are the special teams just being lazy? Do we not have the right pairings or the right players? Are they just being too careful on the PP and trying too hard to waste time on the PK? Is it a problem with the coaching?

Since the other thread showed that the vast majority of people here think that special teams are our biggest weakness I'd like to see where people think the problem lies