Because each of us is a fan in their own way. For me, I care about either being one of the best teams in the league, or fully rebuilding to become one.
Detroit isn't getting anywhere near a championship for at least another 2-3 years, so I want as few long-term veterans on the team as possible. They were smart to give Vanek a trial run, and he panned out wonderfully, so I want them to spin that into additional assets to rebuild.
Hamilton is ok, but I don't see him ever reaching a really good #1 defenseman status. And since I see the Wings ending up more like 4th or 5th overall, and even having a chance to move up in the ping pong balls, I'd sooner take the chance on either Liljgren or one of the high-end centers in this draft, than use a first rounder (and possibly other assets) to get I guy I view as a 1B.
Let me clarify. I think the rebuild will take 5-7 years to go from cellar dweller to contender, if done smartly. But even so, the team will be pretty bad the first 2-3 of those years, and during that phase, I want max tank status, so sell off any tradeable vets for assets.Lots of irrelevant rumors and chatter showing up already. Tampa, Chicago,LA , Sharks etc
Holland creating a market
"Detroit isn't getting anywhere near a championship for at least another 2-3 years, so I want as few long-term veterans on the team as possible. They were smart to give Vanek a trial run, and he panned out wonderfully, so I want them to spin that into additional assets to rebuild."
Everybody who talks rebuild thinks two to three years? They said that in Buffalo, Edmonton and more than a few other teams where they are still rebuilding after six.
I misspoke, as I explained above. And Vanek doesn't take a center's spot as a wing. If nobody offers anything better than a 3rd or even 4th rounder, that's another story, but if they can get a high 2nd or even a 1st round pick, I do that deal all day long.Two to three years? Try five years minimum, and that's if they get lucky at the draft.
I don't ever see Detroit going with a full youth movement a la Edmonton. You still need skilled vets around to take the load off the kids during a long season. There's no harm in bringing a guy back like Vanek on a two-year deal if that's what he wants to do. Let's say Detroit drafts Hischier, I don't expect them to throw him onto the top line next year. They'll take their time with top picks just as they did with later ones, unless of course they draft a player like McDavid.
Two to three years? Try five years minimum, and that's if they get lucky at the draft.
I don't ever see Detroit going with a full youth movement a la Edmonton. You still need skilled vets around to take the load off the kids during a long season. There's no harm in bringing a guy back like Vanek on a two-year deal if that's what he wants to do. Let's say Detroit drafts Hischier, I don't expect them to throw him onto the top line next year. They'll take their time with top picks just as they did with later ones, unless of course they draft a player like McDavid.
It's really all about the development of our d-men imo. If Cholowski and Hronek take a lot of time, the rebuild will take longer. In 3 years, Larkin will be 23, AA/Mantha 25, Dekeyser/Glendening/Nyquist/Tatar 29-30, Mrazek/Ouellet/Sproul 26-27, Abdelkader/Helm 32, Nielsen 35..Two to three years? Try five years minimum, and that's if they get lucky at the draft.
