Abel to Yzerman
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24 Hours Later
by IwoCPO on 05/23/07 at 10:46 PM ET
Comments (34)
Updated 0508 EST on 24 May: This post is going to stay on top today because I’ll be adding to it as I have time and the inclination to do so. However, there are a few good stories from the Diggers today you may want to peruse.
Wojo: Wings’ Future Is Bright
Rosenberg: Wings Fans Are Spoiled
Kulfan: Biggest Question is Hasek
Little Mitch the Delicate Genius: Should Hasek Return?
Almost a full day after the conclusion of what I would consider to be a pretty damned good season, and I’m finally in a state of mind to discuss it. So I gave myself a day’s sabbatical to deal with this thing and I’m reminded once again how pleasant it is to be a fan-blogger instead of a Deep Digger. As much as I pick on Teddy and Helene and Khan(!), George, Young John and the rest...I wouldn’t have enjoyed their jobs last evening. Because you can’t follow this team without developing an affection for what they accomplished this year, or how they did it.
So they had to do their jobs, and I’ll bet those jobs weren’t fun. Oh, I’m not naive enough to believe that a loss didn’t make for interesting writing and reporting. I’m just saying that I’m betting the diggers wanted to see a bit more success. Like 5 games of it.
Me? I didn’t have to write squat today. I didn’t have to read the papers, the boxes, other blogs. So I didn’t. The only thing I read were the comments that kept coming. I get them via email whenever someone responds to an A2Y post, or another comment. They started out pissed, then a little depressed, and by tonite? Encouraged, as we all should be, by the performance of this team this year.
So, at a time where I’d typically be looking around for some MSM fodder to rag on, I’m going comment on your comments...because they ran the gamut today. This post is going to take a while so I’m going to be updating as I go. Stay with me and add your own if you’d like.
Ryan from Syracuse was the courageous first poster after the loss last night.
In a year when we weren’t supposed to be any good at all, having lost Yzerman and Shanahan; a year where we were predicted to go out in the first round, and again in the second, I’ve been consistently impressed by a team everyone said was “too old, too slow, and not willing to get their hands dirty.”
That’s one hell of a “rebuilding year.”
We all talked about the underdog syndrome all through this playoffs, how the Wings were the first 1 seed to go into three straight series’ predicted to lose. Calgary, the team we wanted to play second to least, would certainly run over the Wings, blast them in the corners, shut down the neutral zone. Down they went in 6. San Jose, the Iwo-proclaimed “Team We Don’t Speak Of” followed suit and it was apparent this year’s Wings weren’t the Wings of old. Mike Babcock’s influence on this team finally reared its head through their hitting, their hustle and their refusal to give up after consistently finding themselves in holes that frustrated us, but seemed to calm the Wings.
Hockeychic from Hockey Hell chimed in next with what we all probably realize by now...The Kick was too tough to kick.
I knew it was over after Game 5. I’m sorry, but I did. We beat SJ in a win like that and they never recovered. So for the Wings. Game 5 at the Joe. The Kick to the Groin, indeed.
I wouldn’t say I knew it was over after Game 5. My hope was that an angry, determined Wing team would show up in Anaheim and put the wood to the Poultry the first ten minutes of Game 6. But, it was apparent early on that the hangover was just too severe. The Kick In The Groin was emotionally destructive, I believe. So close and then...gone.
SRT was the first poster to recover from The Groin, and start looking toward the future.
Given some small changes, I think this is a championship team. Dom--I don’t know if he wants to come back and what kind of money he would demand. Bertuzzi: a one year contract with incentives, unless another team offers him multiple years which I don’t see happening. Our defensive core will be great: Lid, Kronwall, Lebda, Cheli. I thought Markov and Lilja played very solid games. Does anyone know if Schnieder is a UFA?
Yes, Schneider can hit the open market this year. But he won’t. I don’t think he wants to leave and I believe that if he hadn’t been injured, this series would have been over in 5. Samuelsson on the point, occasionally Chelios...both were admirable. But Schneider’s presence would have opened up Lidstrom a bit more. His offense was missed. And, yep, the defense next year has the potential to be the league’s best wth Lidstrom, Chelios, Lilja, Kronwall, Schneider and either Markov or Lebda. Markov? I’ll bet I haven’t written more than two complete paragraphs this year about him. I think he was very good these three rounds. I don’t know that Holland will elect to keep him at the price he’ll most likely demand, but he did well for us.
Pete K. debuted his new blog, Yzerman Is God, this week. I don’t know what kind of wack-job of a Wing fan starts a Detroit blog the day after elimination...sounds like some sort of self-abuse (not the Costanza/Dique-fan kind, you sick bastards), but the guy can write and his farewell to Never a Bad Day (To Leave) Bobbie is classic. In between setting up YIG, he commented a few times here.
I’m looking forward to seeing Dats and Hank build off of this disappointment. This is the first the Wings have lost as *their* team, not Stevie’s. For the first time, the Eurotwins were the leaders, and for the first time (won’t be the last) they failed to bring it home. I think this is more their team now than ever.
Also, look on the bright side: goodbye Lang.
I questioned Boy Wonder Kenny when he signed Datsyuk just before the playoffs began. He shelled out huge money for a guy who hadn’t produced in the postseason yet and I wondered how long he’d been hitting the pipe. I couldn’t understand that kind of monetary commitment, felt it was “rash”. Ok, now I’ll admit it. Ken Holland is a better GM than I am. God, that hurt. It hurt me so badly, so very badly. But I can admit that now.
16 points (8 goals) through 18 playoff games, and a performance in the 3rd period of G6 against Anaheim that will be referenced and mentioned here many times to come, proved me wrong. Hank was Hank. The best our team had to offer, for the second year in a row, probably hurt and definitely an emerging Leader.
And yeah...see ya Bob. Listless, lethargic, lackadaisical Lang. Later.
Rougly 90 minutes after the last desperate puck bounced off that French dude’s pads Baroque brought up The Miracle.
Ozzie and Jimmy Howard (or some other Griffin)? They have to develop a new goaltender sometime. May as well be in another rebuilding year.
Even if he does come back, I can’t see more than one more year for Hasek, no matter what the outcome. I think his son has one more year in high school, and after that there won’t be any reason for him to stick around for family.
And off we ride into another offseason with a goaltending dilemma staring us in the face, and once again that crazy sick bastard is at the heart of it. “This may have been my last game,” he said. “I may retire, again, and I may not but I feel as if I think I may consider the idea of how retirement should be the option because left with too much time on my hands I may get even crazier than I already am,” is what he meant.
Torn is what I am. Torn, conflicted. Hasek was unbelievable this playoff year. Ken Holland, desperate at the time, signed him and now looks like a genius for doing so. We scoffed and were proven wrong. I have no idea what Dom’s going to do. Here’s what I do believe: Osgood is a backup, nothing more. Jimmy Howard is unproven at best and here we are again: Is a rookie goalie the guy to backstop a team with so much talent and potential? Same storyline, different year. It should be the frigging chamber of commerce slogan for Detroit.
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Comments
I’ve pondered myself the decision Kenny will make this offseason in regards to replacing a center (Lang), the choices on Calder (95% gone) and Bertuzzi (stays if cheap/clean bill of health). With the plethora of prospects within the organization, especially on defense, does it make Schneider or Markov expendable? Kyle Quincey was good in these playoffs, Lilja proved he can handle a big role, and Lebda evolved into a solid D-man during the season. Are guys like Meech, Ericsson and Kindl ready to step in, or do they need another year in the minors to be groomed?
As it stands, the defense core if Schneids, Cheli and Markov are retained will be:
Lids-Markov
Schneids-Kronner
Cheli-Lilja/Lebda
However, if Schneider were to go, it would likely be:
Lids-Markov
Kronner-Lilja
Cheli-Lebda/Quincey
Markov goes:
Lids-Schneider
Kronner-Lilja
Cheli-Lebda/Quincey
It’s a tough decision to make. Obviously both guys being kept keeps a strong defensive unit intact, but it’s going to be tough to do so and address other needs of the team. Personally, I’d like to see Markov stay, Schneider go and give a kid from Grand Rapids a shot at the 7th D spot on the roster.
Now, onto the forwards. We know Lang is gone (raucous applause). The game has passed Robert by, he’s largely ineffective in a system where he has to cover the whole ice and needs to backcheck. Flip has evolved into the #2 center in my eyes, so the question becomes whether or not you build a line around Cleary at center, or go out and sign a 3rd line center. Also, what effect will Bertuzzi have on the make up of the team? Hudler is an RFA. If Bert stays, Hudler may be gone for other depth guys like Ellis or Bootland (if kept as well).
So, my best guess at how lines will look with holes included:
Hank-Pav-Homer
Franzen-Flip-UFA
UFA-Cleary-Sammy
Maltby-Draper-Kopecky
To me, it will be interesting to see where Cleary falls in terms of position on the ice. Him playing wing or center will likely determine who Kenny will offer contracts to come July. I don’t see Bertuzzi back, only because he lacked much of the fire he’s been known for in the playoffs. I think he showed it in Game 4 vs. Calgary and Game 4 vs. Anaheim, and that’s about it. Calder is gone, likely to a team where he doesn’t have much pressure on him.
Goaltending may be tricky. Will Dom stay, or will he retire again, likely for good? I for one hopes that he stays. While Jimmy Howard is a great prospect, he still needs one more year of work. Chris Osgood is not a starter anymore and will not be able to be consistent for 60+ games. Guys like Giggy will cost too much, although the Michelin Man would fit in quite well in a winged-WHEEL jersey. Dom loves Detroit, and Detroit loves Dom, for the most part. I believe he feels he still can compete and believes that this team will be good enough to win a Stanley Cup next year.
Regardless of what happens though, the 2006-2007 Detroit Red Wings exceeded almost everyone’s expectations. In a season where most expected Detroit to be in a position the Avalanche were, the Wings defied critics and had a wonderful season.
Us Wings fans are spoiled with the success they have brought us the past 17 years. Even when things got rough this year, especially early on, this team battled through it, won 50 games and tied for the most points in the league. A season supposedly full of uncertainty brought out the best in many players and showed us that the future of the club is in good hands.
While losing last night was disappointing, I realized this season was just another building block, much like 1996 was for the Yzerman-led team. The 2007-2008 Red Wings will compete again for a Stanley Cup and be close to the top in the West. Hockeytown will be back, renewed with the young blood of Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Filppula.
I for one am looking forward already to the start of the next season. This offseason should be fun, and while the Wings will not win the Cup, we should enjoy it. They were one of three teams left in the league, they played hockey until May 22nd, a month more than last year, and there will be some good new faces here next year to help compliment the stars of this team.
Until then, best of luck to the Ducks and Sens. May it be a hard fought series. But alas, neither has the right to speak about 3 Cups in 10 years.
Have a great summer everyone, see you all back here in October.
Posted by Jeremy from Bowling Green/Oregon, OH on 05/24/07 at 12:13 AM ET
I was wearing a cup....get it...get it....
Posted by srt on 05/24/07 at 01:08 AM ET
Off-season step one: Force feed calcium supplements to Nik Kronwall so he doesn’t break so easily.
srt: That was really bad. 
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/24/07 at 05:17 AM ET
My lineup would be like this:
Holmström 2.25-Datsyuk 6.7-Grigorenko 0.86
Samuelsson 1.2-Zetterberg 2.65-Bertuzzi 4
Hudler 0.85-Filppula 0.71-Franzen 0.941
Cleary 0.663-Draper 2.128-Maltby 0.883
Kopecky 0.45
Lidström 7.6-Markov 2.5
Schneider 3-Kronwall 3
Lilja 1-Chelios 0.8
Lebda or Meech 0.65
Hasek 3
Osgood 0.85
bench warmer 0.45
=47.3M
I don’t know how the bonuses add up, do they count against this year, or next year?
Meech is too old to go back untouched, so we have to trade a Dman. If Lilja’s stock is high, I’d consider trading him and groom the rookies in on the 3rd pairing with Chelly.
Posted by MacPhisto from Budapest on 05/24/07 at 05:31 AM ET
Baroque| “Off-season step one: Force feed calcium supplements to Nik Kronwall so he doesn’t break so easily.”
Funny, witty, as usual—made me crack up, almost spit out my damn coffee!!
Jeremy: Things must be kinda quiet on campus for you to have written that tome at 1:30 am—it was insightful though.
I do agree this year was a terrific one for the Wings—Detroit MSM finally appear to have waken up to the fact that unless you play in a league of six, teams do not win the Cup repeatedly especially in the era of the salary cap. Rosenberg claims Wing fan is spoiled—I wouldn’t say that, I think expectations are unrealistic. I, for one, am thrilled that the Wings were as competitive and as gritty as Babs led us to believe. IMO he’s a damn good coach. I do believe he got the most he could out of the team—and then some. No kidding, I really think that it would have been great to see them get to the Cup finals and maybe win --- DUH! But for the team Detroit put on the ice—they were amazing. Wing fan really needs to give credit where its do. I’m the CRAZY one always sporting rose colored glasses, and even I can see what a fantastic season they had.
Cheif—must this be the season of Kenny redux? For the Wheel, already in place, are terrific coach and a talent laden group of young forwards. Needs—goalie, puck moving d-man (resign Schnides or Markov Hmmm Schnides can move puck not alot of grit, Markov has lotsa grit but no offensive presence), 2/3 line forward.
As I posted yesterday, Spector has a quick take on Wings UFA issues.
It’ll be a lot of fun this summer—I suspect lots of rants about who the Wings coulda/shoulda signed.
However they sign, or don’t, they will be very good next year. If they take care of their goalie situation they will be a definite contender.
Ohh, one more thing. Bobby Lang(sidaisical). The Enigma. He looked so slow out there—Hatcher(esque). He also potted the biggest goal of the playoffs. He truly is an enigma. In a weird way it’ll be sad to see him go cause he is such fun to rant about and make fun of. But losing him will free some cap and a roster spot for some younger guys. Toodles Lang - - Toddles Lang!!!
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 05/24/07 at 07:56 AM ET
I’m not sure this team needs Bert, but if he comes back he better prove me wrong. We never saw the homicidal side we all know is there, and for such a big guy he had trouble staying on the puck. I think Kenny looks elsewhere first and falls back to ‘tuzzi only if no one else is to be had. It’d be nice to have another big guy (feel like every team wants someone like that) but someone also pointed out his closing his eyes in front of the net and that doesn’t sit well with me. Are there big, powerful UFA’s to be had? None worth the money come to mind, but maybe there’s a cagey vet or confused kid on some team that would like to rejuvinate his career with the wings. You’d think that would be Kenny’s first selling point. Hey, you’re washed up, wanna prove everyone else wrong? Actually, I’ve just stumbled on something. We let Lang go, let him wallow somewhere else, and then bring him back mid season. Presto change-o! New man. Or not.
This team had a ton of good things going for it, and as far as I’m concerned has experienced the shortest rebuilding of any pro team ever. Think going 3 rounds with the young guys didn’t count for at least a full season’s worth of experience? There will always be a few interchangeable parts each year but this team has a great core. They have for a long while now, and that’s been a huge reason for their success over the past ten years or so. And that, could be selling point number 2.
If Hasek doesn’t return, and I think he will, they need to get someone besides Osgood to start. Any ideas who’s up for grabs? Don’t the Sharks have two pretty good goaltenders? Toska-something?
Posted by Andrew on 05/24/07 at 08:20 AM ET
Osgood is a backup, nothing more.
I disagree completely. I think Wings fans are spoiled by seeing Hasek play night in and night out, and getting up against a goalie like Giguere sets your bar too high as well. There aren’t enough guys like that to go around, so you build a defense (something Anaheim didn’t have to do) and put in a solid goalie who isn’t The Miracle.
Osgood is that goalie right now, IMO. He is capable of brilliance, btw. Get out your Red Wings Celebration of Champions DVD set and watch the one on the 1998 Cup run. Pay particular attention to Osgood. Man he made some unbelievable saves that year to keep us in games.
He knows what winning is about, he knows what losing is about, he knows what hard work is about, and most importantly he knows what THIS team is about. I always believed his heart was in Detroit, no matter where his jersey was hanging. He may not have a slinky for a spine, but only one goalie I know does. Problem is , he has tissue paper for a groin and I do not believe Hasek will make it through another season. I didn’t believe he’d make it through THIS season, and I’m never wrong twice 
Posted by Paul from Miami Beach on 05/24/07 at 08:34 AM ET
Bertuzzi would be a nice fill in for Lang, since Lang isn’t coming back and if Bertuzzi signs cheap enough, why not?. If not, Bertuzzi, then go get Gomez or Briere.
Welcome Igor Grigorenko.
Bye Bye Calder, welcome back Kopecky.
I say Markov or Schneider, not both, i’d like to see both though. Markov and Kronwall (Schneider this year too) have injuries all the time, so one of them has to go. Quincey did well, but they’ll still need a second offensive D-man. Cheli can do it, but speed isn’t there. Touch choices to be made on D - Meech, Lilja, Schneider, Cheli. Babcock will win.
Dom will be back. Why no?
Hudler is trade bait, small fry if you will.
Posted by TheFreak from Sagginballs on 05/24/07 at 10:11 AM ET
Osgood has always liked Detroit. I remember when they signed him again this time he called his mom to let her know how happy and excited he was.
And the Sharks have Evgeni Nabokov and Vesa Toskala, one of which has a no-trade clause--Nabokov, I think. (I’m sure someone else will check within seconds.) They rotated goalies this year, and they both dealt with it very professionally, but Wilson knows that can’t work forever and he probably needs to trade one of them this offseason.
(And I was too harsh earlier. If Kronwall takes the same calcium supplements I do, he won’t have to be force-fed--they are chocolate flavored!)
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/24/07 at 10:38 AM ET
I believe you are correct, Nabby has the no trade clause.
I say that Bert can go, he didn’t show me anything this playoff series that I liked but my opinion of him is very biased so you can pay that as little attention as you like.
Yes, time of Lang to go but thank you for the goal against SJ, that was huge. Just wish he had put forth more effort in the Ducks series.
The insane mutant Czech? I don’t know. I still can’t make up my mind on that one.
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 05/24/07 at 11:04 AM ET
Bert just wasn’t his old fearsome self and he seems a little fragile. If he’s cheap, sign him, if he’s ‘spendy let him go. Is Georges Laraque a UFA? What about Grier? In goal? I think Dom will come back. He seems to like Babs and I think he’s still got the fire in his belly and wants to go out a winner. Howard had problems w. consistency while in GR this season. Another year of seasoning would do him good. If Dom hangs up the skates then maybe go looking for one of extra goalies around the league: maybe Bryzgalov or Toskala. Given the considerable depth at D I think the wings can move one of the prospects w.o putting the program at risk. Quincey looked good and he might be trade bait during the off-season.
Posted by wingsfanindenver from 'lanche land on 05/24/07 at 01:29 PM ET
I’d keep Quincey. Why trade solid young players that will be pennies against the cap for anyone expensive--especially when you know in a year or two you will really need the solid young players? Depleting depth is the way to get into a lot of trouble when payrolls are restricted.
And I doubt Bryzgalov is really available--he has performed very well, and is still young. I see them keeping him until he is so expensive it is impossible.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/24/07 at 02:18 PM ET
Yeah, we need to keep as much depth on defense as possible since Lidstrom, Chelios, and Schneider will be gone in the next few years.
I see our defense in five years being Markov, Lebda, Lilja, Kronwall, Quincey, Meech...in no particular order. I like Markov. He shows flashes of offensive brilliance (like he did on his rush up ice against Anaheim in game 6) and he’s a tough MF on the blue line. Obviously we’ll need to fill in some gaps with some sly trades or FA moves, because I wouldn’t feel confident with just those six guys.
And once again, I forgot all about Grigorenko. Man I hope he gets back to where he was before the accident.
Posted by Paul from Miami Beach on 05/24/07 at 02:23 PM ET
As much as I love Lebda, I think he’s the most expendable young d-man- Quincey showed flashes of being a monster in the Fish mold, and Ericsson and Meech are coming up, too. I’d love to see Schneider and Markov re-signed and Quincey get the last spot- if we could have all of those guys healthy for the post-season, that would be the definition of a solid blue line.
go Sens
Posted by mudshark on 05/24/07 at 09:52 PM ET
As much as I love Lebda, I think he’s the most expendable young d-man
I couldn’t agree more. He’s a fast, puck-moving defenseman. Those are invaluable in the playoffs these days. As time goes on and he gets more and more playing time, he’s only going to get better, learn to see the ice better, etc.
I think getting rid of any of our current young defensemen is a mistake because of who they have to learn from - Lidstrom, Schneider and Chelios. It would be a waste to have those three mentor young defensemen and then trade them away.
Posted by Paul from Miami Beach on 05/25/07 at 06:23 AM ET
As much as I love Lebda, I think he’s the most expendable young d-man.
I couldn’t agree more. He’s a fast, puck-moving defenseman. Those are invaluable in the playoffs these days. As time goes on and he gets more and more playing time, he’s only going to get better, learn to see the ice better, etc.
In my best Inigo Montoya accent:
“I do not think that word means what you think it means.”
Posted by Steve J from Columbus, OH on 05/25/07 at 07:45 AM ET
TGIF Wing Nation, especially starting a three day holiday weekend.
FYI: Khan! (images of Capt. Kirk screaming at the corinthian leather-man always make me laugh). Gives his reg. season and post season grades to the Wings, along with his take on likelihood of resigning with the Wheel.
Heres the link to his blog: http://mlive.com/redwings/
Happy Holiday weekend everyone!!!
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 05/25/07 at 08:08 AM ET
In my best Inigo Montoya accent:
“I do not think that word means what you think it means.”
uh, yeah...I should have said “disagree more.”
Posted by Paul from Miami Beach on 05/25/07 at 08:40 AM ET
uh, yeah...I should have said “disagree more.”
Pre-holiday weekend brain fart. Happens to the best of us.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/25/07 at 10:54 AM ET
I agree that Lebda should undoubtedly be kept. For all the D-Men in the Wings’ system, who knows who turns out and who doesn’t. Even Quince could fall off after a strong playoffs.
But it is true that if the Wings bring back both Schneider and Markov, there is quite a logjam at D. Not a bad problem to have.
Posted by Pete K from East Lansing on 05/25/07 at 12:47 PM ET
there is quite a logjam at D
not for long. it actually makes me nervous. unless the Wings have some Datsyuk and Zetterberg quality surprises in store…
Chelios is 45
Schneider is 37
Lidstrom is 37
that’s a ridiculous load of talent and experience on D. which, of course, will be gone soon.
Posted by Paul from Miami Beach on 05/25/07 at 12:51 PM ET
Assuming everyone returns:
Lidstrom
Schneider
Kronwall- injury-prone, not a safe bet to play a full year
Markov- had a great post-season; I’d love to see this guy back (but also injury-prone, historically)
Chelios- no reason to expect he can’t have another great year next year- after that, who knows, but good for one more I think
Lilja- Game 5 notwithstanding (and Lidstrom made similar gaffes in the playoffs, but was lucky enough that none wound up an OT game-winner), Lilja’s solid post-season performance should cement him in the top six, especially given the likelihood of injuries to others back here…
The Rest:
Lebda- talented, offensive upside, etc. Don’t get me wrong, I like Lebda, but if he could serve as bait to bring in a scoring winger, I’d rather trade him than:
Quincey- at this point, the second coming of Jiri Fischer, IMHO
Meech- Lebda with softer hands
Ericsson- 6’5”, offensive talent- what more do you want?
Kindl- A couple years off, like Ericsson, but a future monster; everybody seems to think this kid is going to be a Norris contender someday.
So, obviously there’s a logjam at the blueline for the next year or two and, yeah, that’s a pretty sweet problem to have- but if a trade is what it takes to bring in some offense with size and speed- and given the slim UFA pickings at wing this summer, it might be- I think Holland is crazy not to listen to offers for this guy. Him and Hudler might be enough for the missing piece up front.
But I like Brett; if we can get some scoring depth without trading him, then great…
Go Sens
Posted by mudshark on 05/25/07 at 02:00 PM ET
not for long. it actually makes me nervous. unless the Wings have some Datsyuk and Zetterberg quality surprises in store…
As I think mudshark is saying above, the logjam I’m referring to is with the younger guys. Assuming everyone comes back, here are the D-Men we have at 7th or lower on the depth chart:
Lilja, Quincey, Meech, Kindl, Ericsson.
Lilja and Quincey have both shown they can play in the NHL. Meech is also expected to challenge for a spot. And Jakub Kindl almost made the team as a friggin 19 year old.
While Kindl and maybe Meech could be stashed in the minors a bit longer, Quincey has gotta be a pro next year, and having Lilja as the 7th D-Man is a terrible way to repay his playoff performance. So I think the Wings will either let Schneider or Markov (or both) walk, or cash in on Lilja’s performance and sell high so to speak (a la Mike Vernon in 97).
Posted by Pete K from East Lansing on 05/25/07 at 03:08 PM ET
My bet would be Markov, just because he might not fit under the cap. Schneider might be tricky; I think they were trying to negotiate an extension this season, but it was somewhat slow going. Now, of course, there is time to work on it, so we’ll see what happens.
Have a great Memorial Day, everyone--spare a few thoughts for the people who made it possible to barbeque in peace, and have a safe journey and pleasant stay wherever you plan on going--even if it’s just to the backyard patio.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/25/07 at 04:11 PM ET
There is a logjam alright, and I think they should cash in first on Kronwall. Little Nick (supposedly), besides being rather brittle and injury prone, continues to make big gaffe’s in the most critical circumstances. He is severely lacking in puck sense, and that cannot be taught. Big Nick had more puck sense than Kronwall when he was in diapers. He screws up and his D pairing always looks pretty bad trying to cover up for him. There is 29 other teams and Holland should be able to trade Kronwall’s potential (don’t know about the other teams, but the Media and Analysts sure love him) for a Forward that will fit into this team.
I have a feeling Markov likes it here and should be pretty reasonable in his demands.
Lilja is definitely a keeper, and belongs as a regular on the roster. He plays great generic defense, and in the playoffs he held his own against any line that Wilson or Carlyle came up with. I can’t remember the Calgary series (I think it was during the Nixon Presidency).
Lebda’s only drawback is his puny stature, and it cost us big in the WCF. I don’t see any reason Babblecock couldn’t work around that only drawback. He has great pucksense, soft hands, fantastic skater and one of the fastest.
Chelios and Schneider..well why not.! I would be very disappointed if Schneider decided to move on. He probably looks better here than on any other team because of the talent he gets to play with.
Posted by Gramps (hockeytowntodd) from HockeyTown on 05/25/07 at 04:26 PM ET
There is a logjam alright, and I think they should cash in first on Kronwall.
Kronwall… man, that’s hard for me to swallow, but you have a point. Holland definitely took a risk signing him to a big contract. If he stayed healthy and played to his potential, $3M for the next five years would be a steal. But I think his physical play gets him in trouble. He makes a lot of contact and goes for big hits, and I think that the wear his body takes can at least partly be why he is so often injured (that and some serious bad luck).
But the tendency to look for the big hit is also what I think gets him in trouble. I can’t count the times he went for someone at center ice and ended up not only missing the hit, but leaving Schneids alone on a two-on-one.
I’m not quite ready to give up on him. I don’t think he has poor puck sense, I just think he’s too focused on making hits. If he can learn to be less concerned about that, and more concerned about the puck, I think he can be as good as he has been purported to be.
Posted by Pete K from East Lansing on 05/25/07 at 04:58 PM ET
Pete, big hits are sure entertaining, and they keep players looking over their shoulder when Kronny is on the ice..
But
In a team game, big hits are meaningless unless your team gets control of the puck. Don’t be mislead by the media and broadcasters, talk to some coaches with experience.
No games are won by the number of Big hits, but many are lost if they cost you a goal. The only good check is one that gets you the puck.
Posted by Gramps (hockeytowntodd) from HockeyTown on 05/25/07 at 06:14 PM ET
Gramps, maybe you misread my post. I completely agree with you that hits are not what Kronwall should be focusing on. He should be worrying about the puck. My main contention is that I think Kronner is salvageable - he can learn to worry less about the body. He wouldn’t have been touted as highly as he was if he didn’t have puck sense.
If Kronner can scale back the physicality, and I think he can, he’ll live up to his contract.
Posted by Pete K from East Lansing on 05/25/07 at 06:44 PM ET
In a team game, big hits are meaningless
Whoa! Big hits can change the momentum of a big game. They can take the other player off his game and get you in his head, too.
Posted by Paul from Miami Beach on 05/25/07 at 09:55 PM ET
The Wings are actually in a great position for the future, considering they probably have the deepest defensive corps in the league, especially when you take into account their farm system. Yes, there are clubs that have better individual defenders, but the group of Kindl, Quincey, Meech, and Ericsson has to be the deepest.
It’s a good dillemma to have. They don’t need to bring any of those guys up, but some of them are probably going to really earn a spot in camp.
If the Candian Homer comes here, the Wings will be amazing.
Posted by Nathan on 05/26/07 at 09:46 AM ET
Canadian Homer? Who is that?
Posted by Paul from Miami Beach on 05/26/07 at 10:22 AM ET
Ryan Smith
Posted by srt on 05/26/07 at 11:04 AM ET
If Dom returns, and Markov is a salary cap casualty (which would be bad, I think, but seems inevitable, maybe), do the Wings have space for Bert AND Smyth?
Cuz that would be pretty scary…
go Sens
Posted by mudshark on 05/26/07 at 02:20 PM ET
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I hope the Wings can keep Markov, he adds a nice little bit of toughness to the blue line. I am hoping that after these playoffs we can stop hearing about how “soft” the Wings are. I think they shook off a lot of ghosts this run and established their identity in the post-Yzerman era.
I re-watched period 3 from Game 6 tonight. So close...I was really missing Schneider this series. I am excited to see what next season brings this team.
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 05/23/07 at 11:16 PM ET