Detroit Red Wings (Official Thread)

[Mike80]

2 goals short of a Stanley cup, and you want a complete revamp?

I wouldn't say the Red Wings should "revamp." But guys like Rafalski, Holmstrom, Draper and Maltby probably shouldn't be key contributors anymore.

They still have a strong core of guys in Zetterberg, Datsuyk, Franzen, Helm, etc... You build around those guys.

They also might need to do something with the goalie position.

I wouldn't put Rafalski in the same group as the others. He's still got some good hockey left in him, and with Lidstrom's career winding down, he will be valuable as a veteran very soon. I thought the Wings should have split up Raf and Lid, especially on the PP; having two skilled point men can be counter productive if neither wants to shoot quick. Draper and Maltby should realize they've been lucky to be on good teams this long. They're just to old to play the high energy "crash" line role anymore. Players like Holmstrom tend to have shorter careers, due to the abuse they take. He could probably catch on with another team, but DET should give his spot to a younger guy.

Revamp is too harsh a term.

I think that this loss is a good bookend to the Yzerman era that started in the early 90s. Guys like Draper and Maltby were around in 1995 when the Wings got crushed by New Jersey and now with this loss nearly 15 years later, it's time for some new blood.

Make no mistake the Wings minor system is pretty stacked. We saw that this playoffs I think and those guys are only going to get better.

Their biggest hole right now (and not because Osgood can't get the job done) is a long term solution in goal. Jimmy Howard isn't the answer.

But to answer the big question, I think the number of minutes Rafalski has logged in his career is catching up to him. Not everyone is super-human like Chelios and Lidstrom

Here is who I expect to leave:

Hossa (thank God), Samuelsson, Chelios, Hudler and Conklin.

I do think they'll take a run at Hudler but while Babcock loves Sammy, he's an energy guy who turns the puck over too damned much and this WILL BE an emphasized part of the game next year I promise. The rest of those guys will likely not even get an offer, although I might take Hossa back if he comes back for Franzen type money.

I think you'll see an actual semi-enforcer type player show up (Ian Lapierre) or something like that. I think the health of Andreas Lilja has a great bearing on if either Rafalski or Stuart are asked to waive their No Trade Clauses. And I think IF the Wings can move Rafalski (6+ million per) you'll see them take a stab at Boowemeister.

 

[Mike80]

Hossa's agent is pushing for $6 million a year for 4 or 5 years allegedly.

Please, for the love of God, don't do it.

 

[scott91575]

Hossa's agent is pushing for $6 million a year for 4 or 5 years allegedly.

Please, for the love of God, don't do it.

I am not even sure the Wings could sign him for $4 million let alone $6 million. There are a lot of escalating salaries next year. If the Wings could afford it next year, they would have signed him last year to a long term deal. It was a 1 year thing when the Red Wings had the cap room.

 

[Mike80]

I am not even sure the Wings could sign him for $4 million let alone $6 million. There are a lot of escalating salaries next year. If the Wings could afford it next year, they would have signed him last year to a long term deal. It was a 1 year thing when the Red Wings had the cap room.

Holland could do one of three things:

1) give hossa his 6 million a year but he'll have to trade people to do it.

2) front load the contract like he did with Z and Franzen

3) Let him go.

 

[3074326]

Annoyed when Draper whined about Crosby not shaking Lidstrom's hand. Disappointed when Zetterberg did it.

Lidstrom again shows what a class act he is and dismisses it, being understanding of the situation. He should talk to his boys.

What do Wings fans think of this whole handshake situation? I think it's completely ridiculous, personally.

 

[Mike80]

Holland could do one of three things:

1) give hossa his 6 million a year but he'll have to trade people to do it.

2) front load the contract like he did with Z and Franzen

3) Let him go.

Looks like #2 is going to happen or it won't happen at all.

Annoyed when Draper whined about Crosby not shaking Lidstrom's hand. Disappointed when Zetterberg did it.

Lidstrom again shows what a class act he is and dismisses it, being understanding of the situation. He should talk to his boys.

What do Wings fans think of this whole handshake situation? I think it's completely ridiculous, personally.

Draper is pissed Crysby granted the post-game interview before he went through the handshake line.

Considering Lidstrom and Yzerman BOTH were the first to seek out the opposing captain in the last 15 years, Draper has a point to a certain extent. Crysby needs to set the example.

 

[OH10]

Considering Lidstrom and Yzerman BOTH were the first to seek out the opposing captain in the last 15 years, Draper has a point to a certain extent. Crysby needs to set the example.

Crosby made a mistake by not seeking out Lidstrom from the outset. But Draper and Z are making it sound like it was an intentional slight. Not the case and its reeks of poor sportsmanship for Draper to make it sound like something malicious.

 

[3074326]

Calling Crosby "Crysby" while defending bitching and moaning =

It's not like he didn't shake hands with anyone. I don't recall him taking that long to get to the line. He shook hands with most of the team.

EDIT: And I just saw a video of the handshakes.. a group of Wings players didn't "wait and wait" like Draper said. They left as soon as they got done with the group of Pens shaking hands first. Equal blame to both sides..
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fmqv058jXd8"] [/ame]

 

[Mike80]

Crosby made a mistake by not seeking out Lidstrom from the outset. But Draper and Z are making it sound like it was an intentional slight. Not the case and its reeks of poor sportsmanship for Draper to make it sound like something malicious.

Like I said, he has a point to a certain extent.

Calling Crosby "Crysby" while defending bitching and moaning =

It's not like he didn't shake hands with anyone. I don't recall him taking that long to get to the line. He shook hands with most of the team.

He's going to be Crysby forever because of the stunts he pulled repeatedly in the 2008 SCF. He can also thank Michel Therrien as well for perpetuating the image. It's too easy NOT to call him that.

And BTW I only defended it to a certain extent just like how Draper only has a point to a certain extent.

The point is he still missed Lidstrom. If he didn't shake hands with anyone else, Lidstrom would have been the ONE he did.

 

[3074326]

He missed Lidstrom just as much as Lidstrom missed him.

 

[jimotis4heisman]

on lidstrom, a legit question. how many more years left on the tires. how many "quality" years left...

 

[Mike80]

He missed Lidstrom just as much as Lidstrom missed him.

Go ahead and keep thinking that, I won't stop you.

on lidstrom, a legit question. how many more years left on the tires. how many "quality" years left...

I'd say maybe 2. I very seriously doubt he'll play after next year though when his contract is up.

He nearly left the Wings to stay in Sweden after the 2002 Cup win. He probably won't be one to stick around like chelios did.

 

[jimotis4heisman]

hes 39 right? so two years buts him at 41. at 39 hes a wonderman, imo. incredible at that age to be elite player. though i think ive begun to see cracks, whether they slowly erode or the wheels fall off might be interesting. (whether he holds as a declining super start--->all star, or whether he goes to seed and is merely average or a liability) i think at some point the wings need/should plan not to rely on him for huge chunks of games/season to ride so hard. that being said erickson has been a pleasant suprise but from plesant suprise to first pairing is a big step, from first pairing to all star caliber is bigger and from as caliber to norris trophy is even larger....

 

[3074326]

Go ahead and keep thinking that, I won't stop you.

He understood that Crosby was in the moment, based on his comments. If he were that concerned about shaking his hand, he would've waited a few more seconds (Crosby is seen skating to the line as the first few Wings players are seen skating to the bench). I don't see it as a big deal, and apparently Lidstrom doesn't either. Draper and Hank need to come to this realization.

 

[jimotis4heisman]

He understood that Crosby was in the moment, based on his comments. If he were that concerned about shaking his hand, he would've waited a few more seconds (Crosby is seen skating to the line as the first few Wings players are seen skating to the bench). I don't see it as a big deal, and apparently Lidstrom doesn't either. Draper and Hank need to come to this realization.

so then mike should knock on crosby that he was to hurt/injured to take regular shifts but no so to hoist the cup?