And realistically it probably wasn't happening a few years ago, either. Yeah, there's always a chance you can go on a run once you get in, but I think the likelihood of that has to be weighed against the assets and strengthening of a future run that dealing a guy like Hudler or Filppula would have provided. In hindsight, the moment we lost out on Suter, we probably should have started clearing the decks and beginning a serious overhaul heading into the last lockout.
This.
Hindsight is 20/20, but letting Filppula and Hudler walk WAS a bad move.
Between the 2011 and 2012 offseasons, the Red Wings saw 3 huge and not exactly unexpected subtractions to their blueline (Rafalski, Lidstrom and Stuart). In both of those offseasons, Holland had a top six forward that was slated to become a UFA in a year (Hudler in 2011, Fulppula in 2012). In the back of his mind, Holland had to know they were going to be difficult to re-sign (ESPECIALLY if Hudler bounced back from the mediocre season he was coming off of, and or Filppula continued to produce at a 20g+ 60p+ pace.). Holland could've moved them during that offseason for some quality blue line help, or assets that could develop into or be exchanged for blue line help.
Instead, Holland got confused and thought it was 2001 again, putting most of his effort into the UFA market. Namely, getting Suter and maybe some other sought after UFA Dmen. However, in the end he had to rely on desperate stopgaps in Quincey, White and Colaiacovo.
Before anyone brings up the playoffs and blah blah, take a look at the Hawks. Out of NECCESSITY, Stan Bowman has made multiple deals like the hypotheticals I presented for Hudler and Filppula. Look at what he got for guys like Bolland, Brouwer and others. He turned a good core into a dynasty by continually moving assetts that he knows he won't be able to keep mostly because of the salary cap.
To rub salt in the Wings wounds, the cap had nothing to do with Holland losing Hudler and Filppula. Hudler was coming off a 25G season, but Holland balked at giving him $4M/yr. But then Holland had no problem giving MIKAEL SAMUELSSON $3M/yr, JORDIN TOOTOO $1.8M/yr and unexpectedly signing an overrated backup goalie for $1.5/yr.... Filppula on the other hand, wanted $5M/yr after coming off a rough season. Not unreasonable to pass up, until you see that Holland had no problem giving $4.9M to STEPHEN WEISS, who had an even WORSE and injury riddled season with Florida... HORRIBLE.
On top of that, Filppula (hell, and even Cleary) should've been put on the market for the 2013 trade deadline. The Wings were on the playoff bubble, and it was no secret that Filppula would be a goner on July 1st. Even on a down season, a second/third line center with tons of playoff experience would've pulled a premium at the deadline. I mean, Nashville coughed up a 1st rounder for FRIKKIN PAUL GAUSTAD at the previous deadline....
I'm glad that Holland is finally started to make some sensible choices, but his work has been mostly awful since the 2009 Finals appearance... This Kindl thing could've been avoided had Holland not handed him a 4 year deal after he was able to stay out of Babs doghouse for half a season... He also missed a golden opportunity to offload him when MacT had to give up bloated cap hits for subpar Dmen that are now buried in the AHL.
(Not surprisingly) Going unclaimed, Kindl's situation just takes away cap space for next season. Other than straight up trading him for another bad contract, all other options still negatively affect the cap for atleast the next season (retain salary for trade, buyout or bury in AHL for the whole year). It'll be interesting to see how Holland handles this between now and the start of next season.