Wingtory

Great work by Holland on solidifying the defense for the forseeable future:

Lidstrom - 2 Years remaining under contract
Rafalski - 4 Years (or is it 5) remaining under contract
Kronwall - 2 Years remaining under contract
B.Stuart - 4 years remaining under contract
A. Lilja - 2 Years remaining under contract
B. Lebda - 1 Year (or is it 2) remaining under contract
K.Quincy - 1 Year (or is it 2) remaining under contract
D. Meech - 1 Year (or is it 2) remaining under contract
Chelios - Unsigned (but will return)
Ericsson - 1 Year remaining under contract [AHL elligible]
J. Kindl - 2 Years remaining under contract [AHL elligible]
L. Pyett - 3 Years remaining under contract [AHL elligible]
Kolosau - 2 Years remaining under contract [AHL elligible]
B. Smith - 3 Years (college Elligibility) before contract

That is as solid a blueline as you can have even without a salary cap. The prospect pipeline looks good, too, and I don't even have them all listed there.

Some say its a log-jam. Meech and Quincey, Lebda, Lilja, and Chelios have themselves to thank for the logjam, not the coach or the GM. Meech and Quincey have demonstrated they are capable of playing in the AHL and of being scratches in the NHL. Lebda, Lilja, and Chelios have all shown enough to be considered a 7th defenseman. Those 5 need to battle it out at Training Camp to win the 4 spots available as the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th defensemen that Holland has indicated he would carry next season. Whoever loses the battle will be waived to the AHL, and some team will likely pick him up and promptly put him on their bench.

Ericsson really could make the Wings out of camp, but based on the signings so far, and his elligibility to go to the AHL, he should be in the AHL barring a trade that frees up room. I don't see a likely trade.

Finally, to those who think this is poor management, keep in mind that the last log-jam we had was in goal. Joey MacDonald, Drew McIntyre, Stefan Liv, and Jimmy Howard. We traded Drew to Vancouver, Joey was claimed by Boston off of waivers, and Liv is back in the SEL, while Jimmy still has a real shot at playing NHL games this season. Drew and Joey are both likely not going to play NHL games next season....

Holland and his staff know what they're doing. If anyone can't make the roster, I won't feel bad for them...

ofhdhdy

BOOOOOO Lilja, terrible signing and I have stated reasons why in the Brad Stuart thread. BTW, Quincey has 0 years on his contract (RFA).

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Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Hossa
Lidstrom-Rafalski

wingsnut19

I completely agree, though I think you're being a little hard on Quincey and Meech. Dmen always take longer to develop into solid NHLers. But yes, Holland and Co. know what they are doing. That is the best, most well rounded top 4 in the league. If the Wing sign a big forward to solidify the top 6... we will be a top contender for sure.

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Sig. credit to rbenares11.

The Dutch rule all.

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