Would you be willing to endure 2 - 1/2 years of...

[deca guard]

speaking of dekeyser my hope is he recovers ands rocking next winter when we trade him to a contender for a solid prospect

 

[Ghost of Ethan Hunt]

X-Hronek
Dekeyser-Seider

If we have Hronek and Seider in our top 4 next year, I will at least live with watching them mature and grow together. We just need to bring someone in on the left side to log minutes and bump Dekeyser down. Whether that is Brodie/Krug, or someone we get via trade, I don't care. But I think that is a hole we have to address this off-season. The other hole likely being 2nd line center.

Lafreniere or Byfield change our whole roster building approach, because I think they stop onto the team in a top 6 capacity next year. Anyone else, and we are probably a few years away from the giving ups an impact.

Someone recently reminded me that Brodie plays on the right side. Though he is LHD & could probably play there also. I believe he prefers right side though, someone chime in as I don't remember the specifics on what his preference is. Brodie would be way cheaper than Krug & taller (wingspan).

If we only sign/trade for 1 Dman, I'd go: (both have PMD's & 2-way/Def.Dmen). Assuming we keep Bowey.

DDK-Hronek (already have chemistry, let DDK earn his $)
Brodie-Seider (let Seider cover for TJ who can move the puck well)
Nemeth-Bowey
Cholo (if he's ready)...he's not necessarily the #7D, instead he'll rotate with Bowey & whoever is injured/slumping, which on this roster will probably give him 70+ games. If he's not ready for a #6 role, then McIlrath gets my vote.

That 2C is still a glaring hole, I wish Fabbri could fill it, at least for now, couldn't hurt to try him there for the remainder of this season. Maybe SY picks up UFA Granlund for cheap/2 year "prove it again" contract while his value is very low. I've seen $3-$4.5M thrown around on the trade/value board.

Then sign Markstrom/Lehner or similar G, failing that get Georgiev for AA.

 

[Frk It]

That 2C is still a glaring hole, I wish Fabbri could fill it, at least for now, couldn't hurt to try him there for the remainder of this season.

This is something I was thinking too... why not try it?

 

[Inspiration]

Nobody has to endure anything. No one is required to watch the games - you can simply choose not watch the games when they're a bad team, and then watch the games once they're no longer bad. Being a fan is supposed to be fun; do whatever makes it most enjoyable for you.

 

[Bondurant]

I am eager to see how Yzerman plays his hand. How long is he prepared to tank? What if Bettman's Balls deal a cruel blow and he picks 4th? Will he wait out the albatross contracts and hope for lottery success? I'm prepared for a few more years of this. I am hopeful it leads to a decrease in value for Wings road games in '20-'21 as I want to make a few road trips.

 

[Snuggs]

I think a whole lot depends on where wings draft this year, 1st or 2nd and I think Yzerman spends, trades, and we move towards competitive/playoff hockey in a year. If we pick 3rd or 4th... I see another year of struggle, playing out contracts, and moving players for draft capital hoping we hit on a few picks between now and when we're actually competitive.

If we get the 1st or 2nd pick, I think they play on the team their rookie seasons, Wings will sign another goalie, Rasmussen is brought up, a top pairing player is signed on the defense, with a 2nd line C. Those five upgrades outside of a coaching move should theoretically improve the team a lot.

They can actually do either or, it seems to depend on draft status more than ability.

 

[Winger98]

I think a whole lot depends on where wings draft this year, 1st or 2nd and I think Yzerman spends, trades, and we move towards competitive/playoff hockey in a year. If we pick 3rd or 4th... I see another year of struggle, playing out contracts, and moving players for draft capital hoping we hit on a few picks between now and when we're actually competitive.

If we get the 1st or 2nd pick, I think they play on the team their rookie seasons, Wings will sign another goalie, Rasmussen is brought up, a top pairing player is signed on the defense, with a 2nd line C. Those five upgrades outside of a coaching move should theoretically improve the team a lot.

They can actually do either or, it seems to depend on draft status more than ability.

I'd be surprised if kids are aggressively moved into Detroit regardless of where we pick. This summer, I expect us to sign a goalie and work to get some better players on the blueline, but a fair part of that will be necessity because we have a lot of expiring contracts in those spots.

 

[Gniwder]

I think a whole lot depends on where wings draft this year, 1st or 2nd and I think Yzerman spends, trades, and we move towards competitive/playoff hockey in a year. If we pick 3rd or 4th... I see another year of struggle, playing out contracts, and moving players for draft capital hoping we hit on a few picks between now and when we're actually competitive.

If we get the 1st or 2nd pick, I think they play on the team their rookie seasons, Wings will sign another goalie, Rasmussen is brought up, a top pairing player is signed on the defense, with a 2nd line C. Those five upgrades outside of a coaching move should theoretically improve the team a lot.

They can actually do either or, it seems to depend on draft status more than ability.

You have valid points, but I think Stevie isn't going to sign a vet for more than 2 years so we'll wind up with another Nemeth and still be a lottery team. Maybe not THE WORST team in the league, but pretty close regardless. So the OP is suggesting possibly an extra year of sucking. Qute frankly that may happen anyways,

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

I'd be surprised if kids are aggressively moved into Detroit regardless of where we pick. This summer, I expect us to sign a goalie and work to get some better players on the blueline, but a fair part of that will be necessity because we have a lot of expiring contracts in those spots.

We are not sure anybody of big value is actually going to listen to us. I expect some of the goalies to take us seriously, they have kind of a musical chairs situation where you need to be careful. But even if we want to talk to some of the high level UFAs, I am not sure they will listen to us anyway just yet.

I mean if Petro or Krug want to let us pitch, I hope Yzerman does. Like @Bench eluded to, you don't turn down difference makers because you want to do it all in one off-season, that isn't really how this works in reality and I would expect Yzerman to chase true difference makers as long as they are willing to listen. A big part of our pitch plays out on draft lottery night as well so it is really hard to say right now.

 

[Winger98]

We are not sure anybody of big value is actually going to listen to us. I expect some of the goalies to take us seriously, they have kind of a musical chairs situation where you need to be careful. But even if we want to talk to some of the high level UFAs, I am not sure they will listen to us anyway just yet.

I mean if Petro or Krug want to let us pitch, I hope Yzerman does. Like @Bench eluded to, you don't turn down difference makers because you want to do it all in one off-season, that isn't really how this works in reality and I would expect Yzerman to chase true difference makers as long as they are willing to listen. A big part of our pitch plays out on draft lottery night as well so it is really hard to say right now.

Yeah, I expect us to have more luck with goalies than skaters, too. It also doesn't hurt that the good teams typically have their goalie spots locked down to some degree. It's not like Lehner is going to have his choice of Cup contenders to choose from while still getting paid.

our best hope for an impact skater is probably someone just not getting the numbers they expected. Petro can probably write his check and get it cash without a worry. Krug...eh, maybe the market isn't so hot for a smallish guy looked at as a PP specialist. For a similar reason, I wouldn't be surprised if Barrie ended up here on a short deal, either. Yzerman might have to pay a premium for that short deal, but if you're looking to pump the guy's stock and dump him the TDL...eh, might be worth it.

I said it elsewhere, though. My real expectation is signing a couple of guys like Andy Green and Brendan Dillon.

 

[Red Stanley]

Not if I have to suffer through watching a badly constructed team full of bad players bumble their way through another two regular season schedules. We have zero defensive anchorage (bring up Seider maybe?), next to zero playmaking creativity (draft/sign someone), meh goaltending which looks even worse because the teams is sensationally bad in their own zone, two centerless lines (I don't consider Filppula and Nielsen viable centers) that serve no purpose. No thanks to two more years of that.

 

[nhlisawesome]

f*** another season of this bullcrap it isn't worth watching.

 

[Zetterberg4Captain]

We absolutely will be bad next year

I hope we draft 1st and get Laf, but, SY will not go out and sign anyone of any significance as next year must be another bottom 3 finish regardless.

Expect more of the same next year but hopefully with a bit more structure and excitment(improved zadina, seider and ras on the team etc)

 

[Lil Bert]

I think a whole lot depends on where wings draft this year, 1st or 2nd and I think Yzerman spends, trades, and we move towards competitive/playoff hockey in a year. If we pick 3rd or 4th... I see another year of struggle, playing out contracts, and moving players for draft capital hoping we hit on a few picks between now and when we're actually competitive.

If we get the 1st or 2nd pick, I think they play on the team their rookie seasons, Wings will sign another goalie, Rasmussen is brought up, a top pairing player is signed on the defense, with a 2nd line C. Those five upgrades outside of a coaching move should theoretically improve the team a lot.

They can actually do either or, it seems to depend on draft status more than ability.

Yeah that would be sick.. New Jersey thought the same thing and they were an NHL team. This team is fighting not to be the worst team in NHL history. Just because we get a couple of draft picks doesn't mean we should start thinking we're contenders.

Like others have said, we don't have a choice but to suck for at least another year. Accumulate talent wherever we can but don't get too pushy. Yzerman's one word for this rebuild has been patience. Load up on prospects, but keep the team afloat.

Needs:
2 C. Filpulla and Nielsen (along with bad but passable wingers) are line killers. The offense stops when the second or third line steps out.
Goalie. Howard and Pickard haven't even given us a chance to win games and Bernier is a backup. At least get someone he can split time with.
LD. Seider and Hronek look to be very strong for us down the right side. Dekeyser/Nemeth combo will not cut it. This is likely thru UFA/

Ideal Situation:
Trade AA for young goalie prospect or underperforming young center who would get more of a chance in DET. Georgiev and Lias Andersson fit that bill perfect. Maybe throw in Washingtons 2nd round pick.
Sign the rest and wait for the prospects to grow.

Bert-Larkin-Mantha
Fabbri-XXX-Zadina
Ras-Filpulla-AA/Helm
Nielsen/Helm-Glenny-Smith

Dekeyser-Hronek
UFA-Seider
XXX-XXX

Bernier-Someone else

Would not be surprised if Yzerman trades a prospect or a "core piece" that addresses one of these needs. He's proven very active

 

[Claypool]

Absolutely. Anyone who says otherwise is delusional.

 

[Dotter]

I would hope that 2.5 seasons isn't like this season. I can't do this shit anymore.

 

[Tetsuo]

Yeah that would be sick.. New Jersey thought the same thing and they were an NHL team. This team is fighting not to be the worst team in NHL history. Just because we get a couple of draft picks doesn't mean we should start thinking we're contenders.

Like others have said, we don't have a choice but to suck for at least another year. Accumulate talent wherever we can but don't get too pushy. Yzerman's one word for this rebuild has been patience. Load up on prospects, but keep the team afloat.

Needs:
2 C. Filpulla and Nielsen (along with bad but passable wingers) are line killers. The offense stops when the second or third line steps out.
Goalie. Howard and Pickard haven't even given us a chance to win games and Bernier is a backup. At least get someone he can split time with.
LD. Seider and Hronek look to be very strong for us down the right side. Dekeyser/Nemeth combo will not cut it. This is likely thru UFA/

Ideal Situation:
Trade AA for young goalie prospect or underperforming young center who would get more of a chance in DET. Georgiev and Lias Andersson fit that bill perfect. Maybe throw in Washingtons 2nd round pick.
Sign the rest and wait for the prospects to grow.

Bert-Larkin-Mantha
Fabbri-XXX-Zadina
Ras-Filpulla-AA/Helm
Nielsen/Helm-Glenny-Smith

Dekeyser-Hronek
UFA-Seider
XXX-XXX

Bernier-Someone else

Would not be surprised if Yzerman trades a prospect or a "core piece" that addresses one of these needs. He's proven very active

As far players on the roster that are unavailable, barring a spectacular over payment, are: Larkin, Zadina and Hronek. Everyone else should absolutely be available (if there are any takers at all). Bert, Mantha, AA, Fabbri, etc. I don't move the needle nearly enough, so if a solid deal emerges for one or more of them I am perfectly fine with them moving, though I'm certain some combination of those players will remain with the Wings for awhile.

 

[Oddbob]

I don't want to sit through another 2 years of being this bad. This season has been bad enough and there isn't even a guarantee at all that it will end up worth it. What if all we get is an RNH level player this year? Sure he is a fine 2 way center who puts up decent numbers, but he is not a game breaker/changer. Or worse we get a Yakupov or Stefan level player after sitting through the worst hockey imaginable.

 

[Fil Larkmanthanasiou]

The Wings finishing bottom 3 and getting Lafreniere, Raty and Shane Wright, or similar high end talent?

Or do you want to see immediate results via free agents and trades?

Chances are we won't even get Laf

 

[14ari13]

We've got this year. And probably 2 more anticipated years without playoffs. Let's just lock that in now.

What I think Yzerman will do starting this off-season is look to make signings and trades that set the team up for the playoffs in that window. So, as an example, while signing a guy like Krug might feel meaningless for next year, the goal would be to have a defender in their early 30s as the Wings prospects transition to full-time NHLers.

So no, I don't want immediate results. But also, this team won't magically be "ready" and then you add all the free agents and trades in one fell swoop. Players become available as they become available, not when you're "ready." You get the guys that make sense, when you get a chance. Krugs don't pop up every off-season. Particularly those that would actually want to sign in Detroit. Our blueline the last decade is very much evidence of that.

But how do you draft top 10 then?

 

[DetroitRed]

I'm fine with giving Steve the chance to rebuild the team the way he sees fit. Going into this, I knew we were going to have to face these kinds of seasons. The only thing I'm surprised about now is how many silver linings there are when you're in last place.

I also think, going forward, you wont see them quite so bad: They are basically obliged to fix the goalie predicament this summer, and that will have a big impact next season.

 

[PelagicJoe]

We could always pray for another draft year like 1989. Realistically I have better chances if winning the Powerball twice in the same year, but a guy can dream.

 

[Bench]

But how do you draft top 10 then?

We'll draft top 10 next year. Can't speak for the season after, but I'd be surprised if they make the playoffs so quickly.

If you finish 10th worst in the standings, you still have a 16% chance at a top 3 pick. To put that into perspective, that's only 2% worse than the odds of the dead last Wings getting the #1 overall pick.

The days of going full tank are kind of dead. Keep building your team and hope for some luck. That's really all you can do. Because some bubble team that barely missed the playoffs can still pull a lucky draw and steal a top 3 pick, maybe the #1 overall, from the worst teams.

 

[14ari13]

We'll draft top 10 next year. Can't speak for the season after, but I'd be surprised if they make the playoffs so quickly.

If you finish 10th worst in the standings, you still have a 16% chance at a top 3 pick. To put that into perspective, that's only 2% worse than the odds of the dead last Wings getting the #1 overall pick.

The days of going full tank are kind of dead. Keep building your team and hope for some luck. That's really all you can do. Because some bubble team that barely missed the playoffs can still pull a lucky draw and steal a top 3 pick, maybe the #1 overall, from the worst teams.

In that case I would rather look for a solid goaltender than anything else.

 

[ThePuckStopsHere]

I can’t help but be haunted by visions of the worst case scenario.... Wings draft 4th and Ottawa lands the 1st AND 2nd pick....