Bob Duff: Wings go heavy for defense at draft table Four of Detroit's first five picks in the 2016 NHL entry draft were defensemen.

First

Blah Blah Blah everyone will have an opinion on the draft and non will be relevant for years to come. In summary....we drafted some players....hopefully a couple of them become players in the NHL. Other than that...potential is just that...potential.

That being said...what now? Do we actually have a chance to convince Stamkos to come to hockeytown? New areana...commitment to winning....original 6 so maybe. I agree with most that we have a large need for a top 4 dman...but Datsyuk leaving and our offensive production last year hardly leaves us set upfront either. The reason I suggest looking at forwards mostly in FA is because we have room and a need. On defense we have no room.... Kronwall, Ericsson, DD, Green, Marchy, Smith, XO and Sproul. 8 Dmen for 6 spots.... So in order to get a top 4 dman I think its gonna have to involve a trade cause the young guys are out of moves. Trading Goose/Tats, one of Smith, XO, Sproul and a pick would likely be a starting point to land a top dman.

Getting rid of Ericsson and/or Howard would be a miracle...In an ideal world IMO we could land Stamkos or Radulov or Okposo. Then trade as I said for a top 4 Dman...then maybe pick up a secondary guy like Nielsen.

The reason the Wings would look to forwards on the UFA market isn't really because they have too many defensemen, it's because there isn't really anything to sign that would be a huge improvement for the cost of a UFA deal. Dmen suck in this UFA class. Only way to improve on D would be to make a trade for Trouba, Shattenkirk or someone like that.

Lucic is one guy I wouldn't mind they look at signing if they strike out on Stamkos. Its obvious the Wings can't draft a player like Lucic and they need someone to look after guys like Larkin who is being targeted by the other team every game just like Z and Dats use to. Guys like Abby and Ericsson don't scare anyone since they don't fight much and when they do other guys aren't afraid of a wrestling match with them.

Brouwer and Matt Martin are two other guys that should be looked at for the bottom 6. Time to add some balls on this Ken doll team and make them much harder to play against from the 3rd and 4th lines since it's not like those guys this were chipping in any offense anyways.

ok i like the plan going forward at forward ( bringing up our prospects and supplementing them with free agents) and in goal (mrazek) but, what the hell is going on with the defense?

Its a total mess. why isnt Kenny in on the Shattenkirk or making a move for someone else...

The reason the Wings would look to forwards on the UFA market isn't really because they have too many defensemen, it's because there isn't really anything to sign that would be a huge improvement for the cost of a UFA deal. Dmen suck in this UFA class. Only way to improve on D would be to make a trade for Trouba, Shattenkirk or someone like that.

Lucic is one guy I wouldn't mind they look at signing if they strike out on Stamkos. Its obvious the Wings can't draft a player like Lucic and they need someone to look after guys like Larkin who is being targeted by the other team every game just like Z and Dats use to. Guys like Abby and Ericsson don't scare anyone since they don't fight much and when they do other guys aren't afraid of a wrestling match with them.

Brouwer and Matt Martin are two other guys that should be looked at for the bottom 6. Time to add some balls on this Ken doll team and make them much harder to play against from the 3rd and 4th lines since it's not like those guys this were chipping in any offense anyways.
- dcz28

they need a #1 C

Shedding the datsyuk contract was great. The draft was pretty bad.

The reason the Wings would look to forwards on the UFA market isn't really because they have too many defensemen, it's because there isn't really anything to sign that would be a huge improvement for the cost of a UFA deal. Dmen suck in this UFA class. Only way to improve on D would be to make a trade for Trouba, Shattenkirk or someone like that.

Lucic is one guy I wouldn't mind they look at signing if they strike out on Stamkos. Its obvious the Wings can't draft a player like Lucic and they need someone to look after guys like Larkin who is being targeted by the other team every game just like Z and Dats use to. Guys like Abby and Ericsson don't scare anyone since they don't fight much and when they do other guys aren't afraid of a wrestling match with them.

Brouwer and Matt Martin are two other guys that should be looked at for the bottom 6. Time to add some balls on this Ken doll team and make them much harder to play against from the 3rd and 4th lines since it's not like those guys this were chipping in any offense anyways.
- dcz28

That is also true I was just implying it would still be hard to vring in another dman without moving someone. But yeah the ufas are not great. Shattenkirk isnt likely cause they want larkin. Fowler Trpuba could be had potentially. I dont mind your Lucic idea but its hard for me to swallow. Matt Martin is also a great choice from my hometown i believe

they need a #1 C
- wingz4life

Maybe so but aside from Stamkos, there is no other #1 center to be had on the UFA market. Backes is not a #1 guy and he will want a long term deal that he won't be worth halfway in that contract. Trading for one is very rare and costly so it's either Stamkos or bust for a #1 center. If you can't get that you can always add a new dimension to the team with the likes of a Lucic ect...to make the team harder to play against and protect the small skilled guys they already have. Larkin was getting run every game from the halfway point of the season and you don't want him ending up like Z or Dats in a few years because nobody on the team will step in and pound on them for doing it.

That is also true I was just implying it would still be hard to vring in another dman without moving someone. But yeah the ufas are not great. Shattenkirk isnt likely cause they want larkin. Fowler Trpuba could be had potentially. I dont mind your Lucic idea but its hard for me to swallow. Matt Martin is also a great choice from my hometown i believe
- HomestyleMelt

Yeah they would have to move some people out on defense to bring in more unless they waive Ouellet and/or Sproul to make roster space. If they add Stamkos then they would also need to clear salary to bring in one of those guys on top of it.

I have a hard time seeing the Blues getting a young player like Larkin from any team for Shattenkirk. Nobody is going to give up a 19 year old all star rookie for that and they know it. From what I read, the Bruins were offering Spooner and one of their 1st round picks from this past draft for Shattenkirk. Not sure what the comparable would be for the Wings.

As for Lucic well I know he seems a bit like a douchebag but I'm tired of seeing Wings top players being run, cheapshot and bullied every single game with nobody doing anything and even when one does (Abby) it's pretty much a joke for the other team. Their PP use to be their "enforcer" but as we saw this season, it doesn't scare anybody anymore either.

Trust in Hakan!

I doubt we will land Stamkos, the offer will be put in but we rarely land the big fish if ever.

The focus should be on getting guys who score dirty goals and defence. If there is a deal to get a better dman in our own zone and move out Ericsson, im all for it. I like Deykeyser... but he still has a lot of time before he really peaks, and im not so sure what type of ceiling he has... #2-3 at best I think.

We REALLY need a young stud somehow, someway back there to get back to a cup contender.

I doubt we will land Stamkos, the offer will be put in but we rarely land the big fish if ever.

The focus should be on getting guys who score dirty goals and defence. If there is a deal to get a better dman in our own zone and move out Ericsson, im all for it. I like Deykeyser... but he still has a lot of time before he really peaks, and im not so sure what type of ceiling he has... #2-3 at best I think.

We REALLY need a young stud somehow, someway back there to get back to a cup contender.
- BooBoo997

I think Dekeyser is like another Brad Stuart so youre ceiling is probably accurate. If theres a world where Ericsson gets moved....I dont think we are in it lol I think everyone else can see what he offers too. I dont not disagree with your thoughts upfront...Stamkos will likely get around 11 mil which we can pay but theres more factors than money. We need to replace Pavel which is huge so we need a top 6 goal scorer. As you said we should also look at gritty guys who are made for the playoffs so I would not be totally opposed to Lucic as much as its hard to say. Other guys like Okposo should be considered. On defense as we mentioned its likely the only route is through trade. Would be hard to lose Pavel and then trade Goose/Tats to land a Dman. That would leave our forward group very weak. I think that all of our moves start with landing someone impactful upfront to give us some kind of flexibility to move another forward for a Dman.

I think Dekeyser is like another Brad Stuart so youre ceiling is probably accurate. If theres a world where Ericsson gets moved....I dont think we are in it lol I think everyone else can see what he offers too. I dont not disagree with your thoughts upfront...Stamkos will likely get around 11 mil which we can pay but theres more factors than money. We need to replace Pavel which is huge so we need a top 6 goal scorer. As you said we should also look at gritty guys who are made for the playoffs so I would not be totally opposed to Lucic as much as its hard to say. Other guys like Okposo should be considered. On defense as we mentioned its likely the only route is through trade. Would be hard to lose Pavel and then trade Goose/Tats to land a Dman. That would leave our forward group very weak. I think that all of our moves start with landing someone impactful upfront to give us some kind of flexibility to move another forward for a Dman.
- HomestyleMelt

I think most believe this is the route... even Holland himself, maybe kinda possibly (FINALLY).

I think most believe this is the route... even Holland himself, maybe kinda possibly (FINALLY).
- BooBoo997

I hope so man I'm pretty excited for Friday even though I'm not expecting Stamkos lol I'm gonna try and be happily surprised by anything

Blah Blah Blah everyone will have an opinion on the draft and non will be relevant for years to come. In summary....we drafted some players....hopefully a couple of them become players in the NHL. Other than that...potential is just that...potential.

That being said...what now? Do we actually have a chance to convince Stamkos to come to hockeytown? New areana...commitment to winning....original 6 so maybe. I agree with most that we have a large need for a top 4 dman...but Datsyuk leaving and our offensive production last year hardly leaves us set upfront either. The reason I suggest looking at forwards mostly in FA is because we have room and a need. On defense we have no room.... Kronwall, Ericsson, DD, Green, Marchy, Smith, XO and Sproul. 8 Dmen for 6 spots.... So in order to get a top 4 dman I think its gonna have to involve a trade cause the young guys are out of moves. Trading Goose/Tats, one of Smith, XO, Sproul and a pick would likely be a starting point to land a top dman.

Getting rid of Ericsson and/or Howard would be a miracle...In an ideal world IMO we could land Stamkos or Radulov or Okposo. Then trade as I said for a top 4 Dman...then maybe pick up a secondary guy like Nielsen.
- HomestyleMelt

Must agree...It'll be 3 to 5 years from now to see if any of these guys actually wears a Red Wing uniform.

Stamkos should be Holland's #1 priority...Adding a legit top 4 Dman will be tough, and would Holland be willing to part with Larkin since that'll be what other GMs will want in return.

Must agree...It'll be 3 to 5 years from now to see if any of these guys actually wears a Red Wing uniform.

Stamkos should be Holland's #1 priority...Adding a legit top 4 Dman will be tough, and would Holland be willing to part with Larkin since that'll be what other GMs will want in return.
- F.Michael

If free agency had any decent defense im sure that would be top priority, but there simply isnt anyone all that good, so to truly make a big change on the back end, its gonna require a big trade

hearing what the blues wanted for shattenkirk im very happy he laughed at it and said no, high prospect + 2 First round picks? or include larkin? come on.. Shat is good, but he isnt THAT good