Well, I started watching hockey back in 1982... I was 6 years old. So yeah, guess I am kinda young. I'm a year older than Maxim Kuznetsov (if you don't know who he is, ask L.A.
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As for Holland, he's kept a clear and concise plan of action since lockout... that is to stockpile picks and develop quality players. Since that day in 2006 ( I think it was 2006 ) Holland vowed that draft picks and prospects are "gold" in the Nu:NHL, he only traded one pick for a roster player left by Brad Stuart, Nick Lidstrom and for playoff depth in one of the worst draft years we've seen in years. Lets forget about the unforeseen health issue of Jiri Fischer who would likely be our #1 dman right now, and who knows what would of happen last year if Rafalski wasn't forced into early retirement for blowing out his knees.
I think it is clear to anyone with a basic business sense what Holland is trying to juggle; from salary cap, picks, prospects to unforeseen obstacles that creep up on you. With all the injuries this team has faced the past 3 years, it only makes sense for Holland to sign a bunch of veteran depth that know the system to help the transition, allowing for depth call up on prospects as needed. Throwing a ton of rookies and sophomores on a team and expecting them to progress is absurd. We've seen over and over again how that fails... look no further than the almighty Oilers.
People are stomping there feet and demanding something, but don't even know what they want. They either want the Stanley Cup or they want Seth Jones with the #1 pick, there is no happy medium.
The bottom line is nobody on this forum has enough hockey knowledge in their entire family bloodline compared to Ken Hollands pinky nail. People love looking at the past on the internet and watching YouTube video's while sitting on their cozy couch, drinking a beer, eating some Doritos.. and critizing Holland for "mistakes" he made for not anticipating Jiri Fischer going down with a rare heart condition. Or Ralfi blowing out their knees...
Then they will cry that Holland could have acquired "X" FA player and paid him $75 million without knowing what the Salary Cap will be. They just want Holland to throw business out the window and expect him to make his own rules, have his own 3D glasses that allows him to predict the future, and win the cups every single year. Anything less is failure.
I remember the 1980s, I will take this hiccup any day of the week over the 1980s. Wings of 2013 employ some of the best hockey minds in the world, have one of the most committed owners in the NHL, have had some wonderful drafting luck.... which appears to not be luck, but superb drafting. And best of all, we have a hockey team to cheer for.
You can do one of two things, you can sit on your couch, read 2009 hockey news and look at what teams did and compare that to why Holland didn't trade four 1st round picks for "X" player, or you can cheer for your team, enjoy the fight to the playoffs, enjoy watching the young guns play, enjoy the best draft we've seen in 10 years and enjoy hockey on HD TV!
I choose the latter. How about you?