"They want to compete, sell tickets, draw TV viewers. They don't want to be so bad that fans lose interest."
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldnt this be more of a concern from the owner, and not the GM? I ask, because it sounds to me that this is a direction being given by ownership.
They didn't re-sign Holland for nothing, they know he has no problem being the puppet GM. Ilitch's are definitely worried about the Wings losing them money, especially after last season.
Barf. And I don't mean Barfolomew from Spaceballs.
"They want to compete, sell tickets, draw TV viewers. They don't want to be so bad that fans lose interest."
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldnt this be more of a concern from the owner, and not the GM? I ask, because it sounds to me that this is a direction being given by ownership.
The Illitch family seems smart enough to understand short vs long term goals and also realize that fans have already begun losing interest and that building a contender is going to be the way to get it back. At least I would hope so.
If we end up trading Nyquist or AA then I have no real problem with this, but otherwise we've got a crowded forward unit and kids who need some time.
That's a very good point. Everyone is just assuming our roster will be as is going into the season, we move a few players and that changes things. I'd rather sign a vet like Vanek who we can flip at the deadline then have a guy Luke Witkowski or David Booth playing.
Only problem with that is... Vanek has no trade deadline value.. Just ask Vancouver, Us or Montreal.
Sounds like nothing but 1 or 2 year deals considered. Don't really see how that's bad. Wouldn't the "same mistakes" be long-term contracts?Ken Holland is never going to learn. He makes the same mistakes over and over.
Larkin/Mantha/AA are RFAs, there is not rush to sign them. If Vanek signed he'd likely take PP time from someone like Frk who might not even be re-signed. Other than Rasmussen and maybe Svechnikov we don't have a lot of young forwards ready for primetime and pushing for big roles.If another 35+ year old guy signs before resigning Larkin, Mantha or AA then Holland is trying to **** this organization up. We sign Vanek and that will likely take a spot away for PP time and time on the ice for one of our younger players for sure. Develop our younger players!!!
The same mistakes in the sense that they're trying to be competitive when they have no business being competitive.Sounds like nothing but 1 or 2 year deals considered. Don't really see how that's bad. Wouldn't the "same mistakes" be long-term contracts?
Larkin/Mantha/AA are RFAs, there is not rush to sign them. If Vanek signed he'd likely take PP time from someone like Frk who might not even be re-signed. Other than Rasmussen and maybe Svechnikov we don't have a lot of young forwards ready for primetime and pushing for big roles.
I absolutely hate the word competitive.The same mistakes in the sense that they're trying to be competitive when they have no business being competitive.