Haha a youthful free agent over 6'1 with some skill would cost the rest of our cap space - if such a player even existed. UFA list is garbage, if major changes are going to come it would have to be via trade, and that could go any number of ways.
- tmanv

hence the "ha", but apparently you dont need skill anymore.

I particularly loved the fact that three players chased Erat into the corner like it was life or death with no thought at all that someone could be trailing the play.
- Striker7

Three players? I'm pretty sure I saw Howard skating after Erat too. I'm not sure I've ever seen that ridiculous of a defensive breakdown from the Wings.

It was a while back, but I remember a Red Wings Live (or Weekly, not sure which) where they interviewed Ken Holland and he talked about how important it was to maintain success, particularly in making the playoffs, even if you aren't the favorite every year. I wish I had a way to link a video from this because this is what makes me believe it is going to take a lot more than a 1st round exit for a full rebuild. Even if Lidstrom hangs them up, I do not believe Holland blows the whole team up. I think they still believe that Dastyuk, Zetterberg, and Howard are enough to build around for the next few years. I think it is more likely that he makes a couple trades and is aggressive in the FA market. I'm just hoping he's moved beyond the "tweaking" phase and at least acknowledges that the team needs more than just one or two pieces.

Three players? I'm pretty sure I saw Howard skating after Erat too. I'm not sure I've ever seen that ridiculous of a defensive breakdown from the Wings.
- BleedBlueSTL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_ardFsXSX8

Just watch. Lidstrom plays his side, then White chases across and Hudler joins them. Howard over-committed for sure, but Klein was wide open right in front of the net.

EDIT: In fact, I think that's Hornqvist wide open with Klein as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_ardFsXSX8

Just watch. Lidstrom plays his side, then White chases across and Hudler joins them. Howard over-committed for sure, but Klein was wide open right in front of the net.

EDIT: In fact, I think that's Hornqvist wide open with Klein as well.
- Striker7

Yeah...you dont see the Wings breakdown like that very often. Pretty horrible play by all four players involved.

It was a while back, but I remember a Red Wings Live (or Weekly, not sure which) where they interviewed Ken Holland and he talked about how important it was to maintain success, particularly in making the playoffs, even if you aren't the favorite every year. I wish I had a way to link a video from this because this is what makes me believe it is going to take a lot more than a 1st round exit for a full rebuild. Even if Lidstrom hangs them up, I do not believe Holland blows the whole team up. I think they still believe that Dastyuk, Zetterberg, and Howard are enough to build around for the next few years. I think it is more likely that he makes a couple trades and is aggressive in the FA market. I'm just hoping he's moved beyond the "tweaking" phase and at least acknowledges that the team needs more than just one or two pieces.
- Striker7

This year's first round exit along with the previous 2nd round losses the last two years ought to prove to Holland this team needs more than tweaking. It needs a major shakeup ! Holland NEEDS to start drafting BIGGER players.... not just soft, small Euro's. This team needs a mix of both skilled, fast, puck-handlers and some grinders with some size. The best Wings team that won Cups had a nice complement of both skill, size and grit.. This team has no size or grit... and it's best core players are aging. Time to get Nyquist and Smith full time jobs... but they still have to earn their ice time.

Holland needs to really start retooling this offseason while Hank, Datsyuk, Franzen, and Howard are still in their prime... And he had better find a way to get Suter if he's affordable.

Not really interested in watching Friday's game, but it may be Lidstrom's last game as a Red Wing. This organization needs to retire his number and hang it from the rafters... 4 Stanley Cups and he was HUGE part of all of them. Couldn't have done it without him.