Red Wings Fans Will Have to Wait Until Summer (Again)

I'm not going to beat a dead horse regarding our "deadline acquisitions" getting healthy.  It is what it is.

I will say this though: if Ken Holland and the Detroit Red Wings are truly "rebuilding" or "reloading" then I think it starts with letting Filppula walk in the summer (which is why I wanted to trade him but whatever).  His skill set (passer) is redundant on this team.  Especially for the money he's asking for ($5MM per year).  No thanks.  Not for what this team needs to spend that money on (goal-scorer, top-4 defenseman).  I'll be happy to have Nyquist or a FA/buyout casualty take his spot.  Thanks for the service but it's a business and it's time to move on.  There comes a time in all sports when a player has ran his course with a team.  That time is now for Filppula.  I'm not saying he's a bad player but he's just not a fit for the Detroit Red Wings moving forward.

After that it's time to waive bye-bye to Colaiacovo (buyout), Samuelsson (buyout), White (UFA), Cleary (UFA) and maybe even Miller (UFA).  It's time to trim the fat and these players are hampering the development of the young players and wasting roster spots, money and in a couple cases, the strength and conditioning staff's time.

Make these subtractions and infuse a mix of the kids full-time (Nyquist and Tatar at the very least) and UFA/buyout casualties/trade(s) to replace them and Kenny can truly revive a stale roster.  It's obvious there is just too much dead weight that needs to be let go.  It's time to make "tough" decisions.

However, if Holland brings back any or, God help us, all of the above players (especially if he backs up the Brink's truck for Filppula) then all his talk of a "youth movement," "rebuilding," "reloading" and "transition" is nothing more than the organization blowing smoke. 

The Wings are at a fork in the road and they need to choose a definitive path.  Floundering in the middle isn't going to cut it anymore.  We'll find out a lot about the true mindset of Holland this summer (again).

GO WINGS!!

Don't Expect Big Deadline Deal for Red Wings

Remember the good ol' days?  The days where the Red Wings, Avalanche and Rangers would have an arms race during the NHL trade deadline to load up for the playoffs?  Those were the days...and they are over, especially for Ken Holland and the Detroit Red Wings, at least in recent years. 

Since acquiring Brad Stuart before the 2008 Cup run, Holland has not made any moves of significance (please don't retort with Kyle Quincey) via trade at the deadline (or at any point of the season for that matter).  For fellow Wings fans, don't hold your breath thinking that this year will be any different.  I'm serious, you may pass out.

The biggest reason, which is of no control of Ken Holland, is that the market is incredibly thin.  Gary Bettman's coveted parity in the NHL is at an all-time high.  As of today, four points separate the eight and final playoff spot and the 14th team and only seven points for the last-placed team in the Eastern Conference.  In the West that gap is seven and nine points respectively.  With virtually every team having at least a slim chance of sneaking into the playoffs, it's hard to imagine that there will be many teams willing to part with high profile players as long as they think they have a shot.  Welcome to the "New NHL."  One in which the NHL trade deadline is no longer like Christmas for hockey fans, but more like the soup kitchen for the homeless.  There are scraps available and not enough to go around.  Thanks, Gary.

One big clue that Holland is not going to make a splash prior to Wednesday's deadline is he's already publicly given his "getting Helm, Bertuzzi, Samuelsson (laughable, I know) and Colaiacovo (just as funny) will be like deadline acquisitions" state of the team address.  Yep, that rhetoric has already been circulating in the media for weeks now. 

This has become somewhat of an annual speech as the Wings get ravaged by injuries each and every season it seems.  Is it because of the insistence of signing and re-signing aging/injury-prone players?  Maybe.  Regardless of the reason it's becoming a trend and not just dumb luck.  That trend has led to Holland's reluctance to make any significant trades in the hopes that the cavalry of injured players will return and magically fill the team's glaring needs.  The payout on this annual gamble has been minimal to say the least.  If I were a betting man, my money says it will be more of the same this year because Helm, Bertuzzi, Samuelsson and Colaiacovo do not fill the desperate needs of a top-pairing defenseman or a top-six goal-scorer.  Not by a long shot.

Holland has also said he will not spend a 1st round draft pick for an acquisition.  I can't say I blame him.  It appears he realizes that last year's "splash" of burning such a pick on Kyle Quincey was a bonehead move.  However, if there is a deal to be made that could fill one of the voids aforementioned then I would assume he would take moving that pick into serious consideration.  Maybe I should not assume such things anymore...

Though the deadline hasn't been as exciting in recent years, there always seems to be a team or two that manages to make some bold moves that betters their team.  The GM of the Penguins, Ray Shero, seems to make said moves each year.  This year, after already trading for Douglas Murray and Brendan Morrow, he goes out and gets Jerome Iginlia.  I can't help but to applaud that aggressiveness.  Do these moves guarantee the Pens win the Cup?  No.  But they are certainly a better squad now and I'd rather be aggressive and fail than be passive and fail.  That's just me.

Look, I'd love to see the Wings explore moving Filppula instead of possibly losing him to free agency.  I sure hope they don't pay him the $5MM per year he wants.  I'd love to see them at least see what they could get in return for Datsyuk instead of seeing him return home to Russia after next season.  I'd be thrilled if they decided to be bold and go out and deal for Yandle, Bouwmeester or Gaborik.  Maybe they will.  They probably won't.  If Holland does indeed swing a deal to acquire one or, Heaven forbid, TWO of those players I will gladly enjoy the taste of my foot in my mouth.  However, logic tells me I'll be sticking to the four major food groups.

GO WINGS!!

Wings Should Trade a Dman When Healthy

Keep your fingers crossed, but it appears the Red Wings are finally starting to get healthy for the first time this season; especially on the blue line after welcoming back Smith and Quincey and the savior (extreme sarcasm) Colaiacovo set to return this week. 

During this recent California trip the Wings have trotted out Kronwall, Ericsson, Lashoff, Smith, Quincey and Kindl to defend Jimmy Howard and according to Mike Babcock; it's the best the unit has played all year.  Anyone applying the eyeball test to this declaration can't help but to agree.  Since Huskins and White have been healthy scratches the last two games, the Red Wings defense has been more crisp with their breakouts, moving the puck more efficiently, generating more offense and simply playing better overall.  White wasn't happy about being benched but tough rocks.  As long as this current group appears to be the best possible players to be on the ice he's just going to have to deal with it.  Or will he?

When Colaiacovo returns from IR the Red Wings will have nine healthy defensemen on the roster.  That is at the very least one too many, probably two.  So who's the odd man/men out and what do they do with the extra bodies?  Send people down?  Waive players?  Trade?  I am of the opinion they should explore the latter.  Let me explain.

Some have suggested that the Wings should send down Lashoff as he is the only player eligible to be sent to Grand Rapids without having to clear waivers.  Well, that would be easy if he wasn't one of the few pleasant surprises this season and becoming one of the Wings' most reliable defenders.  Babcock has been trusting this guy to play big minutes and play in key situations including the PK and 5-on-3 duty which has earned him a 3-year contract extension.  He's a young (22), smart and steady defenseman who has good size (6'3", 207 lbs).  Players like that don't grow on trees. 

The last time I checked it's about winning in the NHL, and to do so a coach needs to put his best players available on the ice.  To send a budding young player who happens to be one of your best defensemen to the minors just because they can would completely go against a winning philosophy.  Therefore, in my humble opinion, taking him out of the lineup is not an option.  Period.  Getting healthy is supposed to upgrade your roster, not downgrade it...He stays.

Kindl has looked better as of late. In the last two games he is a +1 and has six SOG.  Above all he has passed the eyeball test by being responsible in his own zone and making crisp and precise passes on breakouts.  He's looked like the solid puck-moving defenseman the team hoped he would be.  Maybe the fact that Babcock kept sitting him in the press box finally got the message through.  Maybe he finally realizes it's now or never for him with this team.  Yes, it's a small sample size but if the trend continues then why sit him or get rid of him?  He's young and if he's at the point where he's becoming a legit NHL defenseman then the Wings would be better suited to ride out the season and decide in the summer if they want to bring him back.

So with all of that said, if Holland is not going to send Lashoff down or waive Kindl, he should explore the option of trading one or even two of the extra defensemen.  More than likely a team would be interested in a veteran which leaves the possibilities of Huskins, Colaiacovo and White.

I'm just going to be short and sweet here: since nobody wanted Huskins as a free agent until we were desperate I'm guessing he won't fetch much in the trade market unless he's a throw-in for a package.  Moving along.

Colaiacovo is a mediocre player who can't stay healthy.  I mean, the guy has never played more than 67 games in a season and has been in the league for nine years.  I loathed this signing from the beginning and hate it more with each passing day. If Kenny could fleece some team into taking him and his waste of a contract it would be wonderful. It would be nice to see Kenny admit he wasted money, a roster spot, a signing and ink to bring this guy aboard. The emergence of Lashoff makes him irrelevant to this team especially since Illitch is paying him to sit on the training table so far this season anyway.  Unfortunately, I would be willing to bet most of the other GMs in the league probably have a similar opinion of Colaiacovo's worth and won't be willing to part with much for him.  At least not for him alone.  If he were packaged with another defenseman and/or a forward, prospect, pick etc. then we could be cooking with gas.  Heck, I'd be happy to get a pick for him...any pick.

White looks as if he could be the odd man out when it's all said and done if Kindl continues to improve. White simply hasn't played well at all now that he's not paired with Lidstrom.  Yes, he has the coveted right-handed shot but let's be real, it's not exactly a cannon.  Not to mention he's not the biggest guy (5'10", 190 lbs) and therefore he loses many battles in the corners.  He's being exposed by not playing alongside the best defenseman ever to play.  Sad but true.  He is a veteran with an expiring contract and in the right package similar to what was mentioned regarding Colaiacovo (maybe even including Colaiacovo...God-willing), maybe he could bring a decent return.  Who knows maybe Kenny decides to actually get creative and really put together an enticing package that brings the team a much-needed sniper or a true top defenseman.  One can only dream.

The bottom line is they should look to move Colaiacovo or White or both.  With the emergence of some of the younger players they just may not be a fit for this team anymore.  We'll see if Holland agrees soon enough.

GO WINGS!!

Babcock Bashers Need to Chill

There's no denying the fact that the 2013 edition of the Detroit Red Wings are not what we've grown accustomed to in the last 20-plus years.  Actually, I find myself often asking who the heck these guys are who are posing as the Red Wings. 

They're not particularly explosive on offense, they turn the puck over in their own zone way too often, they are average (at least I keep telling myself they are) defensively, their powerplay is more of an advantage for the opposition (lead the league in SH goals allowed), are not mentally tough, cannot protect leads, go in spells where they make fans yawn with their play and due to the never ending rash of injuries: they look more like the Grand Rapids Griffins. 

Mike Babcock's bunch has been about as pleasurable to watch as a colonoscopy most of the season and it has prompted many fans to think he's worn out his welcome in Detroit and should be fired....I am not one of those fans.

Before we even look at this season, the injuries, etc.; let's just remember he is not the man whom provided the groceries.  I would argue he wasn't given all the ingredients to truly bake a good cake (At least not one that many would ask for a second slice of).

The best defenseman of all time (not arguably, he is) retired and that void was not adequately replaced.  It's that simple.  The damage wasn't even adequately mitigated.  If you were jumping for joy when Carlo Colaiacovo was signed you might just be an extreme homer.  I puked in my mouth a little.  Sorry for that visual but I felt saying I was underwhelmed by that signing just doesn't do my disdain for it the proper justice. 

Couple that with the departure and subsequent lack of replacement of Brad Stuart and you have a black hole for a blue line.  Huskins has been decent when called upon but he is a definite downgrade from Stuart. 

We won't even talk about the human tree stump known as Kyle Quincey.  That can be a separate blog in itself.

Also, as I have stated before, the team has lacked a true goal scorer since 2009.  That hole has not been plugged either and Samuelsson isn't the answer.  No matter how much you or the team wants to believe he is, he just isn't.  Thus, we will continue to see the inconsistent (that would be actually welcomed this season) powerplay and offensive production we have seen the past few seasons.  Franzen has proven he can't shoulder the load and needs help (and also some milk so he can actually stay in the lineup).

I'm not bagging on Holland (I have done that enough) I am just stating the ugly truth.  The roster that was constructed has major weaknesses.

The roster that was put together was going to be spotty and inconsistent as is with not much depth to overcome many injuries.  Well, they have been the antithesis of healthy.  Helm, Franzen, Bertuzzi, Mursak, Gustavsson, Smith, Samuelsson, Colaiacovo and Datsyuk have all missed time already.  Many have and will miss significant time.  This has prompted constant roster and line shuffling, zero continuity, lack of chemistry and insertion of young players in key roles.  Basically, an already middle-of-the-pack squad has been reduced to a team that has to scratch and claw to beat even the weakest teams in the league.

The eroding roster and injuries aside, the schedule has been grueling.  They've been playing games to the tune of four in six nights, multiple back-to-back games and the like.  For a veteran team that is no easy task.

All of the above is a recipe for a disaster.  Many teams would be touting a losing record and floundering.  Although Mike Babcock doesn't have them setting the world on fire right now, he still has maneuvered them to a 7-6-2 record and tied for the last playoff spot.  Prior to this recent three game skid they were in the middle of the conference (7-3-2) at the fifth spot. 

He has them battling each and every night.  They simply do not have the firepower to compete with the better teams or handle the bottom feeders comfortably right now.  If Datsyuk, Zetterberg, or Brunner don't carry the team on a given night the odds that they will lose are pretty high.  It is going to be this way until some of the troops return to the lineup.  Until then, the best Mike Babcock can do is have them scrap for ugly wins and hope to stay in the thick of a playoff race.  In that regard, he has been just fine.

The bottom line is I am not sure even the great Scotty Bowman could do much more with the current Red Wings than Mike Babcock already is.  Babs is regarded as one of the best in the biz and is maybe doing some of his best coaching of his career.  Those who can't see that either have never really been a Babcock fan to begin with or are just looking for a scapegoat.  I think with the underwhelming offseason(s), the injuries, the condensed schedule, lack of training camp and the rest of the craziness that is the 2013 NHL season; Babcock has done his job admirably.  And he still has the best hair in all of hockey.

Be careful what you wish for Red Wings fans.  We saw what a poor coaching hire can do with a STACKED team (Dave Lewis).  We have a good one in place with Mike Babcock and it would be a shame to see him leave due to circumstances that are beyond his control and run the risk of bringing in a mediocre coach.  To be blunt, THOSE WHO WANT HIM FIRED NEED TO CHILL!

GO WINGS!!