Mark Spizzirri: The wait continues in Motown; Red Wings sign Frk

What the Frk? No vowel? Is this allowed in names?

What the Frk? No vowel? Is this allowed in names?
- Just5

Not only is it allowed, but we will soon say his name alot more.

A very good pick from the Wings at the time he was drafted.

What is happening to the mighty wings? I always thought everyone wanted to play there (even if it meant taking a little less mula), but apparently this isn't the case any more. Any idea why?

What is happening to the mighty wings? I always thought everyone wanted to play there (even if it meant taking a little less mula), but apparently this isn't the case any more. Any idea why?
- FL4MES

That USED to be the case. Lidstrom's retirement, and to a lesser extent Stuart's departure, make Detroit a lot less appealing. Players are seeing the same thing we do: Detroit's no longer a powerhouse, or legitimate contender. Other destinations are more appealing with all the young talent. In order to make this team better, Holland is going to have to do something he really doesn't like to do: either a) trade some assets for a SERIOUS top 4 d man, or b) fast track some prospects into the lineup and hope/pray they exceed expectations. Unfortunately, other GMs know Holland's position and can ask for more now than they normally would. I'm not confident at all about this season coming up.

What is happening to the mighty wings? I always thought everyone wanted to play there (even if it meant taking a little less mula), but apparently this isn't the case any more. Any idea why?
- FL4MES

It's only 1 summer where they don't sign any of the premium free agents.

It's been decades since we signed those in Montreal....

DECADES!

Mark Spizzirri: The wait continues in Motown; Red Wings sign Frk
- spity1

I just dont see anything on the Wings that they would be willing to give up that the Oilers would take for Hemsky. I look at their current roster and I thik they are in big trouble next year. Especially if either Hank or Dats gets injured again.

That USED to be the case. Lidstrom's retirement, and to a lesser extent Stuart's departure, make Detroit a lot less appealing. Players are seeing the same thing we do: Detroit's no longer a powerhouse, or legitimate contender. Other destinations are more appealing with all the young talent. In order to make this team better, Holland is going to have to do something he really doesn't like to do: either a) trade some assets for a SERIOUS top 4 d man, or b) fast track some prospects into the lineup and hope/pray they exceed expectations. Unfortunately, other GMs know Holland's position and can ask for more now than they normally would. I'm not confident at all about this season coming up.
- drice97

Don't worry, Holland always found a way to draft awesome talent when people predicted the downfall of the team....

Over the last 20 years, I've learned not to bet against Detroit.

What is happening to the mighty wings? I always thought everyone wanted to play there (even if it meant taking a little less mula), but apparently this isn't the case any more. Any idea why?
- FL4MES

I want to preface this by saying that I have a tremendous amount of respect for that franchise, and how consistently good they have been for the last 20 years. But, perhaps there is a bit of a perception that the Wings are trending downwards. Despite their former unbelievable drafting success, they have not drafted particularly well in the last few years, and Lidstrom's retirement is obviously a significant loss. Upfront an aging Datysuk and Zetterberg are fantastic players and Fillipula is an emerging player, but after that there are question marks. The D, right now, is as thin as thin can be.

I never thought I would say this, but I think that as currently consistituted, the Wings aren't a lock for the playoffs next year. Although, I have seen people write off the Wings before, only to look like fools.

Perhaps the wings just need to save their cap space for next summer, which has the potential to have some high end UFAs.

I want to preface this by saying that I have a tremendous amount of respect for that franchise, and how consistently good they have been for the last 20 years. But, perhaps there is a bit of a perception that the Wings are trending downwards. Despite their former unbelievable drafting success, they have not drafted particularly well in the last few years, and Lidstrom's retirement is obviously a significant loss. Upfront an aging Datysuk and Zetterberg are fantastic players and Fillipula is an emerging player, but after that there are question marks. The D, right now, is as thin as thin can be.

I never thought I would say this, but I think that as currently consistituted, the Wings aren't a lock for the playoffs next year. Although, I have seen people right off the Wings before, only to look like fools.

Perhaps the wings just need to save their cap space for next summer, which has the potential to have some high end UFAs.
- Pete V

This will happen again.

That USED to be the case. Lidstrom's retirement, and to a lesser extent Stuart's departure, make Detroit a lot less appealing. Players are seeing the same thing we do: Detroit's no longer a powerhouse, or legitimate contender. Other destinations are more appealing with all the young talent. In order to make this team better, Holland is going to have to do something he really doesn't like to do: either a) trade some assets for a SERIOUS top 4 d man, or b) fast track some prospects into the lineup and hope/pray they exceed expectations. Unfortunately, other GMs know Holland's position and can ask for more now than they normally would. I'm not confident at all about this season coming up.
- drice97

as a frequent visitor to detroit , .... the city has a huge part in this

the city has fallen appart. Would you rather play in La near the beach, or detroit near the abandoned buildings

What the Frk? No vowel? Is this allowed in names?
- Just5

I was glad to see Detroit draft him, he plays the red wings style and you guys always seem to get the most out of Europeans. if not for the concussion he had, he would have been a first round pick for sure.

Question is will Detroit man up and sign Frak, since that got frk?

What the Frk? No vowel? Is this allowed in names?
- Just5

What is happening to the mighty wings? I always thought everyone wanted to play there (even if it meant taking a little less mula), but apparently this isn't the case any more. Any idea why?
- FL4MES

huh? They haven't signing anyone big since Hossa...

The way I see it the best move is to go for Bouwmeester. We're overloaded on forwards now so we can definitely part with one/some, desperate for defense and I would think Calgary wants out of that contract so he would likely come cheaper than any of the other trade options.

2 years at that cap hit is nothing with the space that the Wings have right now, and if he's a good fit then he can be re-signed after that at a more appropriate deal. I really think he'd fit in well to the system too.

[quote=PREDX1]Question is will Detroit man up and sign Frak, since that got frk?

LOVE IT

I don't think there could be a more frustrated Wings fan this offseason but by the sounds of it, a few of these up & coming kids are pretty special. Perhaps not shipping them out for an average vet will pay off in the long run. Trouble is, DET doesn't have too many tradeable assets when you consider Dats & Z are untouchable, Nyquist, Pulkkenen (sp?), Jurco etc. are the future and we can't afford to move a D or G.

What about Franzen, Abdelkadar, Tatar, Kindl for Marleau & Boyle? That would be the top 6 FWD and top pair Dman and both are rumoured to be available. Thoughts?

I am starting to think the issue is less with Detroit as an Organization vs Detroit unwillingness to overpay.

The roster they have now is not much different than it was in 2008... except they are younger. Holland tried to get the big FAs, and didnt get them.... but you cannot argue that both Suter/Parise told DET on the morning of their anouncement that they signed in Minney.... meaning Det was there till the end.

I for one absolutely agree our D is our weak point, but reality is that even with Lidstrom/Stuart, we were still 22nd in goals against and our special teams were less than stellar.

----

I for one believe this will be unique season for the Wings. Many will count us out, but I think we have less security and more players fighting for jobs than ever before and hopefully that is a blessing in disguise.

Holland only ever made a big trade/signing about once every 4 years.... trend is still in tact.

The way I see it the best move is to go for Bouwmeester. We're overloaded on forwards now so we can definitely part with one/some, desperate for defense and I would think Calgary wants out of that contract so he would likely come cheaper than any of the other trade options.

2 years at that cap hit is nothing with the space that the Wings have right now, and if he's a good fit then he can be re-signed after that at a more appropriate deal. I really think he'd fit in well to the system too.
- tmanv

Thats just it, we trade JBO to you & he takes to a duck in water, especially after coming out of the Sutter "smother any offense systems". That is going to create a huge hole on our blueline & its not like we cant afford him.
Did hear the offer was Fippula, Ericsson & a pick on some site. Any idea whats on the table. If it was Fippula, Ericsson & the 2013 1st for JBO & Nemitz or Horak, I would be down with that. Would still miss JBO's mega minutes against the hard competition, but I dont think we are winning anything anytime soon anyway.

as a frequent visitor to detroit , .... the city has a huge part in this

the city has fallen appart. Would you rather play in La near the beach, or detroit near the abandoned buildings
- nightmare3020

Hey,, some people have to play in swift current.. id take Detroit any day. You can buy some nice lakefront property in Detroit probably, i dunno maybe not.. not as many plants anymore so the lake should be less polluted anyways.

wings wont make the playoffs this year

wings wont make the playoffs this year
- wingz4life

shouldve offersheeted Weber..


..

Don't worry, Holland always found a way to draft awesome talent when people predicted the downfall of the team....

Over the last 20 years, I've learned not to bet against Detroit.
- Scabeh

That's right, but there's been one constant over those last twenty years.
Nick Lidstrom

wings wont make the playoffs this year
- wingz4life

I think they will, but it will be in the 6-8th range vs what were used too. But it has to be a reasonable injury season.... we get into a jam towards the end of the year,... trouble.

shouldve offersheeted Weber..


..




- Crimsoninja

Holland will kill himself before he puts out a offersheet, so yeah

I think they will, but it will be in the 6-8th range vs what were used too. But it has to be a reasonable injury season.... we get into a jam towards the end of the year,... trouble.
- BooBoo997

injuries where? i always hate that excuse from wings fans and management
like we are the only team that has injuries

forwards are fine, defense looks horrible -like islanders horrible
goaltending will suffer for this