This team is primed. Really primed for a big, BIG time trade at the deadline. Even if they dont, the room in the offseason is incredible. Even re-signing Filpula, Cleary, Chelios and Lidstrom will leave well over $7 million in cap space (assuming it doesnt go down).
Are you farking kidding me?! This team?! That much space?! Ottawa is in a similar cap-friendly role...thats just amazing.
Anaheim's cap woes continue and only get worse as the Neidermeyer saga continues. If he does come back, there isnt any room to sign Perry, who is a RFA after this year.
If I were Holland, I'd put the offer sheet down for $4 million on Perry. Screw the draft picks...if there is one thing the Wings organization has proven time and time again its that it doesnt need high draft picks to get good players.
Man, all this just reminds me of Jiri Fischer. Could you imagine this team with him? Or last year? Or the future? :(:(:(:(:(
Funny thing...some of the worst teams in the league have ZERO cap space.
Edmonton (ha!), Toronto, Vancouver, etc. Mind you, I didnt go over each of their rosters to see what dead weight gets removed after this season, I just found the comparisons humorous.
This team is primed. Really primed for a big, BIG time trade at the deadline. Even if they dont, the room in the offseason is incredible. Even re-signing Filpula, Cleary, Chelios and Lidstrom will leave well over $7 million in cap space (assuming it doesnt go down).
Are you farking kidding me?! This team?! That much space?! Ottawa is in a similar cap-friendly role...thats just amazing.
Anaheim's cap woes continue and only get worse as the Neidermeyer saga continues. If he does come back, there isnt any room to sign Perry, who is a RFA after this year.
If I were Holland, I'd put the offer sheet down for $4 million on Perry. Screw the draft picks...if there is one thing the Wings organization has proven time and time again its that it doesnt need high draft picks to get good players.
Man, all this just reminds me of Jiri Fischer. Could you imagine this team with him? Or last year? Or the future? :(:(:(:(:(
Can you imagine if we still had Konstantinov? Guy was a wrecking ball and one hell of a defencemen... probably woulda meant that Lidstrom would have to ship a couple Norris trophies over to the guy, but I'm willing to bet we win at least 1 more Stanley Cup over the last 10 years.
And Holland is a brilliant GM. People always complain that he is too dedicated to bringing back players again and again, complaining about the Datsyuk and Holmstrom signings last year... turns out that both were steals. Can you imagine what a different team would pay to have Holmstrom? Probably 4mill... at least.
Detroit has a great team staff right from owners, through managers, through presidents, even to the team medical staff and bench staff. Just a great group of people running this team and continously putting together a highly talented 1st place caliber team
Before the lockout I would have said that Lou Lamoriello and Ken Holland were pretty much dead even in terms of being the best GM in the league. Now I'd say it's clearly Holland. He's been able to put together a team that has stayed among the elite teams in the league (at least during the regular season) during the brief salary cap era, and hasn't made any significant blunders (like Lou and some others). It's even more amazing to me considering how low the Wings usually end up drafting every year. Somehow they just find players that work for them.
Before the lockout I would have said that Lou Lamoriello and Ken Holland were pretty much dead even in terms of being the best GM in the league. Now I'd say it's clearly Holland. He's been able to put together a team that has stayed among the elite teams in the league (at least during the regular season) during the brief salary cap era, and hasn't made any significant blunders (like Lou and some others). It's even more amazing to me considering how low the Wings usually end up drafting every year. Somehow they just find players that work for them.
One thing that always impressed me with Holland is that he is willing to stand his ground, like he did with Markov this summer. I think maybe he made a bit of a blunder re-signing Hasek, but I think any GM would have done it if they were in his shoes. And thats not proven as fact yet either, I surely hope Hasek can turn it around.
Before the lockout I would have said that Lou Lamoriello and Ken Holland were pretty much dead even in terms of being the best GM in the league. Now I'd say it's clearly Holland. He's been able to put together a team that has stayed among the elite teams in the league (at least during the regular season) during the brief salary cap era, and hasn't made any significant blunders (like Lou and some others). It's even more amazing to me considering how low the Wings usually end up drafting every year. Somehow they just find players that work for them.
I agree. Lou is one helluva GM. Hes saddled with some bad contracts right now, but that'll work itself out. I'd be less concrened with the front office in NJ and more concerned with the bench at this point. This "new style" hockey philosophy isnt working out for the team or Brodeur.
Is it growing pains? Sure, but I think its systemic. For 15+ years Lou has drafted and signed players to fit a particular system (just like the Wings) and now that system has changed. Guys who knew their role and played it well are now being asked to do something they arent particularly good at.
If I were the coach, I'd stick to the previous formula for the remainder of the season and next. That gives you 2 drafts and 2 offseasons to put together a roster more befitting the current style. But thats just me.