kalinecountry said:

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/n...ed-wings-ken-holland-jeff-blashill/100392230/
Hard to see Holland, Blashill in current roles when Red Wings contend.
Freep

Click to expand...

Detroit is stuck between a rock and a place that is hard. Detroit is handcuffed by many long term deals to players who well.... just aren't that great.

Franzen's career is over which is unfortunate because he is closest Detroit had to a guy who could score.
Ericsson is a 6th/7th D-man on any other team making 4.25 mil until he is 37. He is a human pylon, dosen't know how to block shots, constantly screens his own goalie, and is out muscled by players considerably smaller than him.
Helm is a 3rd line guy is making almost 4 million. His major attribute is speed which is only going to decline in his 30s, not to mention his prone nature to injuries.
Glendening's extension is kicking in this summer with him making almost 2 million a season. He is a 4th liner/PK specialist who is pretty good at faceoffs. He isn't making that much, but a replacement player could fetch for as little as 1 million. Being a Michigan boy means he gets a nice long contract.
Nielsen, if his contract was 2-3 years long it wouldn't be an issue. His contract/production is Stephen Weiss level (minus the injuries) plus his No Movement/No Trade clause on a contract keeps him until he is 38! Regression is just around the corner... 1 more season before his no trade kicks in.
DeKeyser is decent but at 5 mil a season is mindblowing. He has a no trade clause which kicks in this summer. Wonder if him being from Michigan has anything to do with it...
Abdelkader's contract runs until he is 36 at 4.25 per season. Twice made it to 40+ points at the cost of dragging down his centerman's point production. He was only on pace for 27 points had he payed an entire season, at almost 17 minutes a game that is awful. Abbie is a bottom 6 guy who has been playing above his skill level since the shortended season. At one point Datsyuk just started shooting the puck at him because he can't handle one of his passes. Wonder if him being from Michigan has anything to do with things... not to mention I have suspicions Holland wants to make him the next Captain.

$9 million being tied in goalies doesn't help the situation either. $5 is the going rate for a starting goalie in the NHL, although, there are so many goalies and so few spots its a wonder why that number isn;t dropping.

Polish-Hammer said:

Don't worry, Stephen Weiss buyout ends at end of 2020-21 season.


Contracts that expire after 2020 season;
2019-20: Franzen, Ericsson
2020-21: Helm, Zetterberg, Glendening
2021-22: Nielsen, DeKeyser
2022-23: Abdelkader

I categorize all these contracts as bad. The Zetterberg less so but the rest.... just awful.

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My point is, don't expect the Wings to compete for a long time.

Jesus your depressing me lol but alas you are spot on. I mean the Griffins won the Calder cup a few years back and have decent record this year. It would be sweet to give all these you guys nhl time and get some top picks for a few years .. but like you said it will never happen sadly.

biggunsbob said:

Jesus your depressing me lol but alas you are spot on. I mean the Griffins won the Calder cup a few years back and have decent record this year. It would be sweet to give all these you guys nhl time and get some top picks for a few years .. but like you said it will never happen sadly.

Click to expand...

This offseason we have two litmus tests.
1. Drew Miller
2. Expansion Draft

1. Drew Miller is a UFA. If he returns, he is taking up a spot for a faster, younger, and more skilled player. I have argued before the deadline after he was sent to the minors he should be kept there.

2. Expansion Draft.
For Defence, I guess Holland will protect DeKeyser, Green, and Kronwall. Leaving Ericsson, Jensen, and Ouellet as exposed. Doubt any interest from Vegas.

Goalies you got Mrazek who had a terrible year and Howard who had great unsustainable numbers. One of the two will be available, and fingers crossed Vegas would take one of them just to alleviate the cap room. 9 mil is too much for goaltending in a cap world. I would foresee Mrazek to be protected.

Forwards
6 forwards to protect, since Nielsen must be protected.
(Players ranked in order I would prefer to protect, we all know there is 0 chance Abdelkader will be available). Per Capfriendly, Larkin is exempt because he is only a two year professional.
1. Zetterberg
2. Tatar
3. Nyquist
4. Mantha
5. Athanasiou
6. Helm
7. Abdelkader
8. Sheahan
9. Glendening
10. Miller

Detroit has no room to sign any free agents except bring back RFAs.

Tatar at 2.75 will be pushing for 5+
Athanasiou is at 900k and Holland will do his best to sign him cheap as possible. Holland has the high ground because AA is not eligible for arbitration. Meaning he takes the deal on table or sits.
Ouellet will sign for 1-1.5
Russo wlll get a 2-way deal and play in the minors

We all know Holland does not make trades, so improving the team that way is almost out of the picture.




Miscellaneous notes about goalies;

Meaning a good goalie will be available, however, Detroit are not the only team with two good goalies. Pittsburgh is in the same boat. And realistically who would you take, Fleury/Murray or Howard/Mrazek?

Colorado recently gave Varlamov the vote of confidence so Pickard will make an excellent backup with the potential of being a future starter.

Washington seems to constantly pump out good goalies. Grubauer will be available and has been flying extremely under the radar due to Holtby being the #1.

Columbus has 3 young prospect goalies who will be available. Forsberg, Korpisalo, and Dansk. That being said, Columbus will expose a good young forward which will be a better target.


Teams with 4+ solid D ie. exemption problems;
Winnipeg: Byfuglein, Enstrom, Myers, Trouba, Stuart
Washington: Niskanen, Orpiks, Carlson, Orlov (Shattenkirk likely unsigned)
Tampa Bay: Garrison, Stralman, Hedman, Coburn, Sustr
San Jose: Burns, Martin, Vlasic, Braun, Dillon
Ottawa: Phaneuf, Karlsson, Methot, Ceci
NYR: Staal, Girardi, McDonagh, Klein
NYI: Boychuck, Leddy, Hamonic, DeHaan, (Seidenberg if resigns)
Nashville: Subban, Josi, Ekholm, Ellis
Minnesota: Suter, Spurgeon, Brodin, Dumba
Columbus: Jones, Johnson, Savard, Murrary
Colorado: Johnson, Barrie, Beauchemin, Zadorov
Anaheim: Lindholm, Vatanen, Fowler, Bieksa (unless Bieksa waives NMC)


Meaning there will be plenty of good D available for Vegas, or as tradebait.

https://greatestnhlteams.com/?affiliateId=nhlemail_greatestnhlteams
The 100 Greatest NHL? Stanley Cup Championship Teams
The Greatest NHL? Stanley Cup Championship.
teams face off in random head to head showdowns.
Pick who you think will win.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C9ZLLBIUMAALGF2.jpg
On this day: 4/14/55: Gordie Howe scored the winning goal in Game 7 of the 1955 Stanley Cup finals to lead the RedWings past the Canadiens.

http://detroitsportsnation.com/list...-must-make-to-get-back-in-the-playoffs/92509/
5 Moves the Red Wings must make to get back on track.
DSN

Christian Ehn called up from Sweden to Griffins

http://www.wingingitinmotown.com/20...istoffer-ehn-leaves-frolunda-to-join-griffins

http://detroitsportsnation.com/detr...s-heartfelt-video-will-give-goosebumps/92670/
Red Wings say ?Thank You? to the fans in heartfelt video that will give you goosebumps. with webvideo.
DSN

Vili Saarijarvi Nominated for OHL Defenceman of the Year

http://www.wingingitinmotown.com/20...arvi-nominated-for-ohl-defenceman-of-the-year

https://www.detroitathletic.com/blog/2017/04/24/konstantinov-detroit-red-wings/
Konstantinov will always draw an ovation from Red Wings fans.
Detroit Athletic

http://detroitjockcity.com/2017/04/...s-of-questions-to-be-answered-this-offseason/
Detroit Red Wings with lots of questions to be answered this offseason.
DJC

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sp...lleen-howe-still-breaking-barriers/100866378/
Colleen Howe still breaking barriers, considered for Hockey Hall of Fame.
Detnews

Red Wings persue Victor Ejdsell

Ejdsell played in 2nd tier Swedish league recording 57 points in 50 games. A solid 6'5

http://kuklaskorner.com/tmr/comments/wings-showing-interest-in-a-big-swedish-forward

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=29343

Wings sign a goalie.

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index...zech_goalie_to.html#incart_river_mobile_index

Red Wings hire Adam Nightingale as assistant/video coach.

http://www.wingingitinmotown.com/20...ire-adam-nightingale-as-assistant-coach-video

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=80527

Detroit 50 goal club.

Micky Redmond
Danny Grant
John Ogrodnick
Steve Yzerman
Ray Sheppard
Sergei Fedorov


http://thehockeywriters.com/detroit-red-wings-50-goal-scorers/

Mud Bruneteau ended the longest NHL game.

https://www.nhl.com/news/detroit-re...rtime-playoff-game-in-nhl-history/c-289219150

Fans paint the ice at the Joe.

https://www.nhl.com/redwings/news/red-wings-fans-say-it-in-paint/c-289380164