Just as a thought experiment, here is a look at a potential 2016-17 depth chart do NOTHING aside from re-sign their RFAs and minor leaguers, letting Datsyuk plus all NHL UFAs walk and :
Tatar - Larkin - Nyquist
Abdelkader - Zetterberg - Pulkkinen
Athanasiou - Sheahan - Jurco
Mantha - Glendening - Tangradi / Callahan
Kronwall - Green
Smith - DeKeyser
Ericsson - Marchenko
Ouellet - Sproul / Jensen
Mrazek
Howard / McCollum / Coreau
First off the bat, they still have too many players. Mantha and AA can still be sent down to the minors (as can, technically, Larkin) without needing waivers, but in this lineup they're needed in the NHL, and the D is still a mess.
Second, this is almost certainly not a playoff team, although probably not a basement team either. They could surprise, of course, and they'd probably get bounce-back years from Tats and Nike (since Blash will have no choice but to use them more regularly). But aside from that they'd also probably need at least two of the following: (1) Z and Kronwall hold off father time, (2) huge steps forward for the likes of Mantha/AA/Pulkk/Jurco, (3) a Vezina-caliber year from Mrazek.
Third, despite that, I'd be 100% okay with this being the opening day lineup, and I'd be 110% okay with further subtracting Ericsson and Howard (though those contracts are understandably tough to move. Thanks, Ken!) from the mix without adding much in return. I'm proud of the playoff streak and would love it to continue, but I'd rather miss for a year or two while getting younger and retooling into a legitimate contender (Dallas or TB-style) than cling for dear life to 8th-seeds + first-round bounces year after year after year.
Of course, this is all moot, since you can bet Holland is going to sign 2-3 UFAs (either our own or someone else's) and may even be forced to make a trade or two. But put me firmly into the "play the kids" camp from here on out. There's a good chance it'll fail and the Red Wings will need a full rebuild before contending again, but I'll take that chance over the revolving door of mediocre FA stopgaps that has been Holland's strategy since at least 2010 (if not 1997).
- Sven22
Well I dont love the lineup but I understand you were using the expected players on the roster so I'll play lol. I would give Mantha more time than 4th line personally. I would switch him with Pulkinen and play both Tangradi and Callahan. I just believe that Pulks has a very very AHL skill in his slap shot. Until he figures out how to use it in the NHL hes basically useless.
Other than that though I wouldnt change much.
On Defense, I dont mind those pairs although I would not play Ericsson at all even though I know they wont scratch him but if I'm pretending I decide, Oulette would be in no doubt. Other than that I more or less agree with the rest of your points. They need the kids to step up and play big roles and my vote is to risk it and let them play and see what we have. That is unless they can bring someone in with some ability.
I for one dont see the negativity about Radulov. The guy had a monster year last year in the next best league besides the NHL. I get some of you may not like European players but we need to score goals and this guy is arguably the best forward available (besides Stammer). Other guys could be Neilsen, Backes or Ladd. In terms of Defense if they could package a deal with Howard and Goose then I wouldnt be opposed. Either way I believe they need a big scoring winger in the top 6 and also a top 4 defenseman. Someone like Giordano, Shattenkirk or Trouba through trade would obviously be exciting. In terms of FAs there are a couple that would be decent in Goligoski or Hamhius.
Tatar-Z-Abby
Mantha-Larkin-x (Radulov, Backes, Neilsen, Ladd etc.)
AA-Shea-Jurco
Tangradi-Glen-Cally
Obviously there is room for improvement if they wanna pick up some other 4th line guys instead. blah blah but just spitballing.
Green-Dekeyser
Kronwall - x (Gio, Shattenkirk, Trouba, Hamhius etc)
XO - Marchy
Mrazek
Coreau
**this is also assuming Goose and Howard get dealt in a package. Dont think Ericsson should see the ice and Im not sold on Smith even though he played well in the playoffs. Obviously Goose would take Mantha down and then Jurco would drop down.
