goblueram

February 28th, 2017 at 1:10 PM ^

I was just typing up an open thread for NHL trade deadline - want to rebrand this one?  

Shattenkirk to Washington was a huge deal.  Looks like they are serious.  Can't wait to see another playoff failure from the Caps.

Looks like Kenny is serious now after moving Jurco and Smith.  It is going to hurt to see Vanek go, I really like his play and I know he and his family want to stay put.  But he's just not a long term piece of the puzzle so gotta get the return now while we can.

Skiptoomylou22

February 28th, 2017 at 2:24 PM ^

There are a lot of other tendys in the league that could be more appealing to Vegas as well. M.A Fleury (pending clause removal), Mike Smith (HUGE contract though), Lehtonen or Niemi, Neuvirth, Miller or Markstrom, Eddie Lack, Luongo or Varlamov if those teams choose to go in different directions. etc, not to mention outright free agent goaltenders. I'm on your side though in regards to hoping they do pick Howard and free us up the cap space. Coreau also looks like a solid back-up option in the NHL.

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

February 28th, 2017 at 11:40 PM ^

You’re talking as if it’s harder to rebuild a basketball team, but I think it’s much easier. Your picks can play right away, and so you get the benefit of having them contribute immediately as well as being more easily able to scout them and project them to the NBA – that is, without trying to guess how an 18-year-old will develop and fit into the team five years later. One player can make a major impact by playing most of the game. You have half the roster size in the NBA and about a third of the contributors – everyone on an NHL active game day roster has to play. Very rare is the prospect who jumps straight to the NHL, so your rebuilds have to take years instead of immediately getting the pieces you need.



About the only advantage the NHL has is that if your draft pick doesn’t develop, you just never sign him. Good thing, too, because that happens a LOT. The bust rate is way higher in the NHL.

uncle leo

March 1st, 2017 at 8:53 AM ^

That are now trending up. Chicago's been the class of the league because they got high draft picks. Toronto has a superstar and they look to be establishing themselves again. Minnesota's best player was a 1st round pick (Granlund).

What the Wings are doing now is failing. They have to sell what they can and rebuild this thing with high draft picks. They can't just keep applying bandwages to a team that has NO DEPTH. 

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

March 1st, 2017 at 9:25 AM ^

Toronto is a prime example of my point.  How many years did they blow chunks before a couple picks finally panned out?

Honestly, I don't think the Wings would've needed to go through this if Holland knew how to manage a salary cap and didn't tie up all his money in thoroughly mediocre players.  Long-term, big-money signings of third-line centers and #4 defensemen were nonsensical moves and destroyed all their flexibility.

Huzilla

February 28th, 2017 at 2:02 PM ^

Consider how little the lightning got for Ben Bishop.  Who else would pay for an overpriced goalie (Howard)?  NHL goaltending is a lot better than it was 20 years ago. But now there's just too much supply and not that much more demand.

Huzilla

February 28th, 2017 at 1:59 PM ^

I feel like any rumor that Sheahan is worth anything comes solely from Detroit beat writers.  These are the same type of people who thought Brandon Inge, Jakub Kindl, Ryan Raburn, and Teemu Pulkinnen were worthy of high draft picks/prospects...

Sac Fly

February 28th, 2017 at 3:05 PM ^

It's really sad to see how the beat writers in this town have become glorified mouthpieces for management. If it was up to St. James this team would have 12 Steve Otts because grit, toughness and locker room leadership wins games. Barf.

uncle leo

February 28th, 2017 at 1:24 PM ^

Just because he's a Michigan grad?

Dude's one of the most unproductive guys on the team, even for a 3rd-4th liner. He set a franchise record of 52 games without a goal, and the rest of his numbers are really unflattering.

If you can get anything for Luke, go for it. You can basically plug any other Grand Rapids guy in his place.

lilpenny1316

February 28th, 2017 at 2:18 PM ^

He'll be making almost $2mil a season through 2020-21.  Considering we screwed ourselves with crippling contracts to Ericsson, DeKeyser, and Kronwall (not to mention Franzen), we don't have the luxury to pay a guy that much money for 2 goals and a minus-11.

That's a lot of money for a fourth line player.

drjaws

February 28th, 2017 at 1:17 PM ^

He and Ericsson were USELESS!!!  I'd have traded him for a bakers dozen of donut holes.

 

Either trade or do something to get rid of the following salaries:

 

Franzen, Sheahan, Vanek, Ericsson, Nyquist, Abdelkader, Helm, Miller, Kronwall.  Zetterberg should think about retiring.  Won't be mad if he stays put though.  Burn it down and rebuild with the young talent and few worthwhile vets we have.

goblueram

February 28th, 2017 at 1:35 PM ^

Z retiring?!  If you look at the data for 5-on-5 play NHL wide Hank is still elite.  At 36 years old.  Or take a look at the last 5 seasons of Red Wings stats.  He is the points leader or within 1 point of the lead every single season in that time, even as he has "slowed down".  No way should he go anywhere.

uncle leo

February 28th, 2017 at 1:39 PM ^

Is all but gone. He was never the fastest skater, but it is taking every ounce of his strength to play well.

And let's keep things relative here. What is good for the Wings this season (14g, 32a) is basically in the middle of the pack. 

He's still producing, but it's about time for him to move on and enjoy retirement. 

Musket Rebellion

February 28th, 2017 at 2:38 PM ^

Even if Zetterberg retired his contract is an albatross on the payroll until 2021. Same scenario with Kronwall and Franzen. Holland locked this team into way too many terrible contracts that it will take them 4- 5 years to get out from under. Sadly, them retiring only frees up a little bit of cap space until their contracts are over. 

Musket Rebellion

March 1st, 2017 at 2:33 PM ^

Normally I'd agree with you, but signing players until they are 40 is a bad business model in any sport. Holland's main disease is that he overpays for loyalty contracts when every other team is able to get their loyalty contracts to sign at a lower cost. 

I'm comfortable with the Nielsen contract, at least thus far, but you're right with the rest that you listed. I'd add DeKeyser and Ericsson to that list as well. 

DCGrad

February 28th, 2017 at 1:27 PM ^

have 2018 picks than 2017 ones. 2017 isn't a deep draft, 2018 looks better. Vanek for a 2018 first round would be ideal (to a shit team). I would trade Ericsson  and Abdelkader too but no one wants them. Franzen, Miler, and Kronwall need to retire. Core guys like Larkin, Mantha, Tatar, Nyquist, Athanasiou are ascending players. Guys like Neilsen and Zetterberg are okay. Defense needs a complete and total overhaul. Green is passable, Oullet and Sproul need time but the rest are not good. The Dekeyser deal was complete trash.

goblueram

February 28th, 2017 at 1:36 PM ^

Keep Tatar over Nyquist for sure because he can create.  Of course both looked great in their breakout years with Zetterberg and Datsyuk to play with / behind and avoid tough minutes.  Nyquist can't create on his own, definitely time to go.