Bob Duff: Larkin locked up; Zetterberg status uncertain As Dylan Larkin signed a five-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings, Henrik Zetterberg's ailing back has put the
future of the Detroit captain in limbo.

Kenny Holland and his capped out lottery team. joke GM who got lucky this past draft with Zadina/Veleno falling to him.
hasnt drafted a top pairing defenseman since Kronwall (18 years ago)

Hey wingz4life, put on your rose coloured glasses, like me, and hope and pray for better play this season. It's ok that Z may have to hang 'em up, Howie and Bernie guarding the twine, the D - oh MI the D, and we need to count on 6 or 7 younguns to pick it up big time, ya never mind - Holland doesn't make it to New Years.

my things with this team is, why are they trying to compete? i understand its hard to come back from rock bottom (ask BUF and EDM). But, if you tanked this year and got Dahlin and did so next year and got Hughes you set the table at two prime positions for the next 10+ years. But, kenny is over here screwing around signing overpayments to agings vets. At least they got Zadina.

But, if you tanked this year and got Dahlin and did so next year and got Hughes you set the table at two prime positions for the next 10+ years.
- wingz4life

You sound like its granted to get both... but with tanking only thing that granted is that you get some good, not the best.

Kenny Holland and his capped out lottery team. joke GM who got lucky this past draft with Zadina/Veleno falling to him.
hasnt drafted a top pairing defenseman since Kronwall (18 years ago)
- wingz4life

Agreed, but his signings this of AA, FRK, Mantha, Larkin, Green have all be steals in my opinion. Yes a few years ago he made a ton of horrible decisions, and you guys are now paying the price, but with those above mentioned players, along with a couple upcoming high draft picks, who knows.....His signings of recent have been great, and in two years you guys will shed over 20M of horrible contracts (Kronwall, ericsson, Daley, Franzen, Howard). This team will be unrecognizable in 3 years time.

Agreed, but his signings this of AA, FRK, Mantha, Larkin, Green have all be steals in my opinion. Yes a few years ago he made a ton of horrible decisions, and you guys are now paying the price, but with those above mentioned players, along with a couple upcoming high draft picks, who knows.....His signings of recent have been great, and in two years you guys will shed over 20M of horrible contracts (Kronwall, ericsson, Daley, Franzen, Howard). This team will be unrecognizable in 3 years time.
- bikeguy99

kenny is here for another 2 years. we have no idea what kind of damage he can/will do in that timespan.

only 2 to 3 years, well there you have it, easy

Is there a backup plan if Zetterberg is unable to play? Not that you can replace a player like Z, even at his advanced age, but someone will need to play 1C/2C and I'm wondering who is the most likely choice.

Agreed, but his signings this of AA, FRK, Mantha, Larkin, Green have all be steals in my opinion. Yes a few years ago he made a ton of horrible decisions, and you guys are now paying the price, but with those above mentioned players, along with a couple upcoming high draft picks, who knows.....His signings of recent have been great, and in two years you guys will shed over 20M of horrible contracts (Kronwall, ericsson, Daley, Franzen, Howard). This team will be unrecognizable in 3 years time.
- bikeguy99

I try not to be too critical of Holland, but you underestimate his history. I would not take for granted those contracts coming off the books so easily especially when Holland has a history of resigning former Wings over the hill. I would not be shocked if Daley, Howard or Ericsson get another contract when theirs is over. I hope you are right and I am just a pessimist.

Is there a backup plan if Zetterberg is unable to play? Not that you can replace a player like Z, even at his advanced age, but someone will need to play 1C/2C and I'm wondering who is the most likely choice.
- EbonyRaptor

no im guessing not. Rasmussen isnt ready to play C behind Larkin.
they really only have one top 6 Center (Larkin).

no im guessing not. Rasmussen isnt ready to play C behind Larkin.
they really only have one top 6 Center (Larkin).
- wingz4life

What's the plan for Rasmussen - is he going back to Jr or do you think he makes the team as a winger?

What's the plan for Rasmussen - is he going back to Jr or do you think he makes the team as a winger?
- EbonyRaptor

reports are that hes on the team. Zadina not so much

I try not to be too critical of Holland, but you underestimate his history. I would not take for granted those contracts coming off the books so easily especially when Holland has a history of resigning former Wings over the hill. I would not be shocked if Daley, Howard or Ericsson get another contract when theirs is over. I hope you are right and I am just a pessimist.
- agame99

He certainly has made those questionable moves in the past. I can only hope he has learned from those horrible contracts, or I will be eating crow. I have no issues with signing a veteran like Vanek to a 1 year contract. Very low risk involved and the guy is a proven scorer despite his age. But.....Bernier was an odd signing and I have never understood Hollands signing of backup's to big bucks. Seems to always have 9M tied up between a goalie tandem that can only fetch a 4th round pick when traded.

He certainly has made those questionable moves in the past. I can only hope he has learned from those horrible contracts, or I will be eating crow. I have no issues with signing a veteran like Vanek to a 1 year contract. Very low risk involved and the guy is a proven scorer despite his age. But.....Bernier was an odd signing and I have never understood Hollands signing of backup's to big bucks. Seems to always have 9M tied up between a goalie tandem that can only fetch a 4th round pick when traded.
- bikeguy99

Good point, I forgot about Bernier. I feel like that signing was more of a “we don’t have a backup plan for present or future.” Does Detroit have a plan for goalie moving forward? The Vanek signing I agree was low risk, I just fear of he has a productive season, he will get a 2-3 year extension with a raise. Eek

reports are that hes on the team. Zadina not so much
- wingz4life

Really? I thought Zadina would be a lock to be on an NHL roster right from opening day.

Is there a backup plan if Zetterberg is unable to play? Not that you can replace a player like Z, even at his advanced age, but someone will need to play 1C/2C and I'm wondering who is the most likely choice.
- EbonyRaptor

The only backup plan I can imagine is to embrace the tank. If Zetterberg is unable to play the focus should be "Lose for Hughes" and trade any player (25+) with value for draft picks.