Dabura

Finally, I've NEVER suggested getting rid of Holland, I've simply said that there were things that could have happened over the last three years that would have left our defense in better shape than it's in.  Holland missed out (or opted out) of those situations, which doesn't mean he should be fired, but I don't know why suggesting Holland should have done something different when the opportunity clearly presented itself is such anathema with some people around here.  He's a great GM, but it's not like the guy can't make mistakes once in a while.  And when he does, and some of us choose to discuss it, I don't see why we're considered treasonous by some, or worse accused of wanting him replaced (which neither I nor Esteef ever suggested).

Where have you been all my life?

Trade for Ryan now, use him to seduce one (or both?!?!?!?) of Perry and Getzlaf to sign here next summer.

Why wouldn't he be content? We got our top-6 goal-scoring machine and our top-4 rock. We're solid and set re: secondary scoring. Our bottom-6 looks to be much bigger, tougher, younger, faster - altogether much harder to play against.

Based on? Ryan > Semin. Ryan <<< Semin, Filppula, Mursak, Tatar, 2nd (one recent suggestion)

Semin can score. When he feels compelled to.
That's it.
He's lazy, underachieving, soft, plays weak-at-best D, etc.

Ryan is good for at least 30 goals, guaranteed (barring injury). He's a physical power-forward. He hits. He plays a good two-way game. He blocks shots. He's got great hands. He's 25.

Every other team in the NHL has the Wings' top-sixers figured out (or, at least, they know in theory what you need to do to shut them down). Box them out to the perimeter, rush and rattle them, take away their time and space, outmuscle them. We need a guy (or two) who's going to help fix that by giving our top-6 a new dimension (or two). Semin would be content to take shots from the perimeter, just like all our current "scorers." True, he's got a great shot, but I'd prefer a guy who'll bulldoze through the front door instead of slinging pebbles at the windows.

I like Flip. But I'm not sure why so many here would sooner sacrifice their first-born child to Satan than see Flip traded.

"Crosby, Malkin, and Eric Staal for Franzen - ok. But only if it's Franzen. If they're asking for Filppula - forget it. He is a wing for life. He has [glittertext]Alternate Captain Potential[/glittertext]."

I'm not trying to get down on the guy. It's just, Filppula + a couple prospects + a pick is absolutely worth it for Bobby Ryan (provided Smith isn't one of the prospects. Though even then I'd at least consider it.)

Thanks, that what I thought.

Wonder if Kenny's looked into Lucic. He's not officially on the block, but, like Ryan, his name has popped up now and then and here and there over the last couple of years.

http://bleacherrepor...gs-ryan-or-nash

^^^ That.

Bobby Ryan plz.

We need him.

How do you know he didn't pursue other options before trade deadline or even before that? Remember, Holland didn't have a lot of cap room (or trade bait) to appeal a good trade.

Isn't that the idea, though? That he could've/should've anticipated the situation?

I'm not bagging on him, but...I don't see the issue with asking what's up with us being in this D hole. I think he's great at his job. Hell, he's amazing, straight up. So what gives?

What gives is, I think, he slipped up a bit.

2002 was kind of a special situation, don't you think?

We kicked the tires. I like our team. Our power play is our enforcer.

Holland is very good at making adjustments, but at times feels like he's too conservative, trying to milk yet another year out of the puck-possession skilled Wings.  When Schneider leaves, he gets a very similar d-man in Rafalski and keeps things going.

The Wings team have been like a very fast sportscar that is getting up in years and Holland has been trying to make little tweaks and patches to keep it running another year.  The problem is that it's just not faster than other cars anymore and it just dropped the transmission this offseason.

Holland has shown himself as a great GM when it comes to adjustments, but maybe not a great rebuilder.

I think that's about right.

Like I said a couple hours ago, this position he's in right now is, I think, sort of his "sweet spot." There's a bit of a crisis now, and in some ways it doesn't look too good for the Wings this season. It's spots like this where he pulls a rabbit or two from his hat and people go, "Wow, I had all but written off the Wings. That Ken Holland, he's a crafty one."

Some good news would be nice right about now. I need to be a happy drunk this evening.

good luck on defense this year wings.

will not be a fun season

What are you talking about? We have Sammy and Tootoo. We're golden.

Two players. Two sides. One is light. One is dark.