Detroit Red Wings

I think they may be doing it already The extra year in Europe or the extra 2 in the NCAA allows them to stagger contracts easier than CHL contracts. They get that extra year or two before they have to burn a contract too. That's the first thing many clubs are looking to do imo. I think it's part of the reason we saw so many USHL picks recently and why the trend continues away from the CHL after the top 50 picks.

It's a good problem until higher end players are shorted on ice time or roster slots and Detroit isn't the only team that has to deal with it. Ideally, they want to stagger the age, development, and salary/cap structure of each player in the system. Logjams eventually catch up with them.

Usually what happens is that there was never a logjam to begin with. Prospects are generally overrated individually. I'm not sure Detroit's system is exceptionally strong anyway in terms of individual talent.

 

PHT even monitors mlive...

Might have to give to get. I'de feel a little better about the Wings if they could land a big fish on defense. Do what it takes.

 

i know this is just "lennie" yammer, but the Wings are better off NOT pursuing Green. he's an ugly cap hit. it's worse considering his production. he's a BIG injury risk. he's getting long in the tooth too. i hope Green stays in Washington and his contract plagues them for centuries.

 

I didn't know you were such a Caps fan Frank.

 

I'm shocked at the lack of criticism of Babcock. Given the MLive stories claiming Babcock pushed for the resigning last year and given the late timing of the extensions each of the last 2 years, this hardly looks like a gm priority. The only way I can see blaming Babcock is by arguing that Kenny should have landed other players last week to eat up the cap, outside of that, I don't get blaming Holland for the decision.

 

Is that for real? A million for 10 games? Crap. I thought it would be if he could stay healthy enough to score 15 goals or something. Your joking right?

 

In part from Ansar Khan, mlive...

I'm concerned.

 

I can't wait to see what Tatar gets, he had to eat quite a bit of money the last 2 seasons (production and NHL time) that he shouldn't have. I wonder how much of that he's going to want to get back.

I'm not worried about Dekeyser, lots of RFAs still setting the market.

 

name me the last big free agent player Holland bagged since Hossa, his offseasons have sucked balls for atleast 3 years now. Im so tired of saying the same thing every year and listening to so many of you tell me how great he is. Hes one of the most overrated front office people in sports. I havent unloaded yet, Ive thrown the bait out and Ill wait for his fan club to tell me differently. Ive got plenty of ammo and quite honestly he isnt worth wasting a whole article on. If Im gonna write one its gonna be something that wont be such a huge waste of my time




.......the honeymoon is over Im back and ready to assume my role

 

Gustavsson is huge, even has a big nickname. I agree though, most have been small like White, Tootoo, or Colaiacovo.

Holland isn't having a good run of late, this summer can still get much better or worse. Lots to do yet.

Even though no one is quite sure which side of the fence you're on with Kenny, where do you stand on Babcock?

How much lightning is Kenny redirecting away from him and is that an article worthy topic?

 

Ill take Mike Green, Tyler Myers or Cody Franson in a New York second over half of our defense. Hell, Ill take James Patrick in his current state over Quincey. Ive always really liked Myers and Green(if he can stay healthy). I actually think with Holland and Babs in a contract year that he may pull the plug and actually fill a glaring void and trade for one of them and make something happen, but I do worry about how inept he is at trades. lets not forget not only how ignorant the Quincey trade was, but then to resign that terd - just amazing %)

 

I like Babs, and hope he stays. anyone that is good enough to coach team Canada is good enough here. Has a ring here. Hes hard nosed, no nonsense and demands his guys play within his system. I think hes well respected(deservedly so) and if Illitch lets him leave itll be the dumbest decision this side of letting Bowman leave. He pretty much cant do any worse than letting Scotty walk. Babs is by no means no Scotty(not even in the same area code IMO) but you get my point

 

Aren't you concerned that his style and reputation deters UFAs or that he might have as much or more pull as anybody in the front office because of his huge status?
I would have thought pushing Holland to sign Cleary (and then using him like he does) would be reason enough to start having some fans turn on him too a little. Not because he's a bad coach, but because he might not be helping right now.

What about paying as much or more for Legwand as opposed to Gaborik or Vanek?

 

Ive heard this and I really dont think thats the case. Im sure hes consulted on possible moves but its hard to say how much pull he really has. If he does have that much pull then why not have him as GM also. Maybe thats the plan. Too keep Babs they offer him a bigger say in things after this year. Not sure

If this is true then that changes things on how I view him. Outside of trying to package some of the kids for a dman I dont see how this could possible be a good move on any level. Maybe Tatar and some other wingers go in a trade and Cleary will somehow be needed. I think he signed a two way though so maybe they pull a Maltby and send him to GR for a while. I dont know this is a real head scratcher

I was never a fan of getting Legwand but its easy to say in hindsight on Gaborik. Vanek is different to me, I wouldve really like him here. Hes less likely to be hurt and brings more to the table with his overall game. Gaborik although very talented is wildly streaky and takes to many nights off anymore. Im not a fan, he reminds me of Havlat. all the talent in the world but only plays when he wants

Interesting stuff you bring up Bob, care to elaborate on Babs power in the Wings organization. Curious as to why you think he has so much say in matters

 

I don't know. I just can't kind find a reason to believe Kenny has complete authority either.

I linked an MLive story where Khan claims Babs pushed Kenny to sign him last summer and another story later in the year reiterated that. I've looked through every game log and injury report for the wings last year and I found it very curious how he used players (no way to validate injuries/or non-injuries) the first half of the year before all the injuries really piled up.

I'll follow up on this later.

 

yes, legwand blew - but i was under the impression we got him because we were specifically short on centers. in which case, why mention vanek or gaborik?

 

From a Q & A called 'Ask Ansar'...

Seems as if Khan thinks the same about Babcock having plenty of 'say' as in what goes on, even tho no direct evidence was cited. I would presume myself he has much power and ability to tell Holland what he wants or does not want. It just seems to me that Holland and Babcock have that kind of business savy to seriously listen to one another's opinions. I cant picture Babcock not lobbying for what he wants, he just doesnt seem like the type to me. Just speculating tho.

 

Via PHT...