This is a Big Summer for the Detroit Red Wings
By Joe Chapp
The Detroit Red Wings are a premier franchise with a tradition of winning, but that hasn’t been the case recently. With the past two seasons being ear-marked by first round exits, the Wings’ need for a great summer is definite.
The Detroit Red Wings don’t know who will be coaching behind the bench at Joe Louis Arena next year. Mike Babcock is ‘exploring opportunities,’ and has earned the right to do so, but will all of the uncertainty that brings the Red Wings need to get a head start on the off-season.
We know Ken Holland is in the Czech Republic watching the World Championships and prospect Dylan Larkin. Holland is with many GM’s across the NHL and that’s a great thing.
More from Detroit Jock City
- Tigers Sign Manager A.J. Hinch to Long-Term Extension
- Lions vs. Bears Week 14 Opening Odds Disrespect Detroit
- Former Tigers Celebrate Jim Leyland Hall of Fame Call
- This Pistons Team Could be the Worst in Detroit Sports History
- 4 Free Agents Tigers Should Sign During Winter Meetings
Defensive Help.
There’s no denying the Red Wings need help on the back-end. Detroit should seek trades to patch the holes. The Free Agent Market isn’t particularly deep, and with the rumblings of Dion Phaneuf wanting out of Toronto, that would be a good place to start for Detroit.
Detroit is lacking a shot from the point which is a critical need. Last week Jim Devellano said “I don’t see a top two defenseman down here” speaking of the Grand Rapids Griffins’ squad.
Alexey Marchenko played well with the Red Wings last year, and is great defensively, but I don’t think he has the type of shot the Red Wings need.
On the other hand, Ryan Sproul, who is a known for a rocket shot, hasn’t developed like some have hoped on the defensive end. I think Sproul should be up, but the Wings love to have their prospects develop in the minors. With Sproul, the organization, including Jiri Fischer still thinks very highly of him.
"The reason he’s highly regarded is because he just finds a way to produce. He loves handling the puck, and he loves shooting. He might have one of the best shots out of any of our prospects."
Another player that could be on Detroit next year is, Xavier Ouellet. Ouellet has the distinct mature game that could be beneficial to the Wings next year, he’s solid on both ends of the ice. He’s not flashy, but boasts a good offensive skill set.
From Hockey Future: Talent Analysis
"Ouellet is an offensively talented blue liner who is attentive to his defensive game in his own zone. He is poised at both ends of the ice and has the ability to quarterback a power play. He plays a mature game and was trusted with a big role on a veteran team. Ouellet is just scratching the surface of his potential and should continue to improve as he gets stronger and improves his skating"
Pull Your Hair Out, It’s Fine.
Detroit Red Wings
Some defenseman on the Red Wings have been frustrating to watch, mainly Johnathan Ericsson. He’s a big guy who has the physical tools to be an outstanding defenseman on his size alone, but he’s too quick to become flat-footed.
Ericsson is on Detroit’s top pair, that’s how bad this defensive core truly has become. Kronwall is more of a guy who can move the puck make crisp passes, and Ericsson wasn’t the right guy to pair on that line with Kronwall.
The stats for Ericsson are horrendous.
In Ericsson’s last 5 games in the playoffs he averaged 19:25 of ice time, Ericsson had 5 shots in five games.
For the whole season Ericsson played 82 games, and he only had 82 shots on net.
That’s terrible, you can’t expect results when you don’t shoot the puck.
The Wings desperately need a defenseman who will put the puck on net speaking of a guy who can put the puck on net, I mentioned Dion Phaneuf above he had 138 shots in 12 less games than Ericsson.
The Detroit Red Wings Need Offensive Fire Power.
Will it come from within, or will it come from free agency or possible trades? That needs to be determined.
The Wings shouldn’t rely on the progression of Tomas Tatar, Gustav Nyquist, Riley Sheahan or Tomas Jurco, instead be proactive and go out and get the guy who can hit and put the puck in the net.
Ken Holland had that in mind at the time of the trade deadline, but that didn’t work like planned Erik Cole was sidelined with a neck injury his future remains in question.
Johan Franzen likely is facing retirement, that’s scary.
The common misconception is “WE SHOULD’VE SIGNED HOSSA !!”
Yeah that would’ve been great however no one expected Johan Franzen to have his career in jeopardy over head injuries.
The Free Agent class isn’t that stacked with offensive fire power, but some names come up and I think they’d be good fits.
Carl Soderberg – Boston
Daniel Winnik – Pittsburgh
Drew Stafford – Winnipeg
Could the Detroit Red Wings make a blockbuster trade with Edmonton?
However the SB Nation Blog for the Edmonton Oilers brought up a trade that would make sense, Copper and Blue’s Fan Post brought up something interesting Ryan Nugent-Hopkins being dealt.
"Chiarelli proved during his time in Boston that he wasn’t afraid to move star players – and clearly puts more emphasis on strength of play and other intangible factors than he does point production – after all – this is the guy who traded two of the NHL’s top point producing players in Phil Kessel and Tyler Seguin out of the organization. If you listen to the rumors, both players have similar ” undisclosed ” off ice issues that seemed in Chiarelli’s eyes to out weigh their on ice contributions. Who knows if this was a dressing room issue or case of bad attitudes – but for what ever the inside reasons, both were moved out despite being high end point producers."
If the Edmonton Oilers were to move Nugent-Hopkins would Detroit not be a great spot to land him? Now obviously Holland won’t sell the farm to get a guy like Nugent-Hopkins and shouldn’t however it’s a fantastic point.
Live Feed
Howlin' Hockey
Peter Chiarelli has been known to make trades involving good players based on his personal preference he sent Phil Kessel away, he sent Tyler Seguin away also, would it not make sense for him to send Nugent-Hopkins packing?
We know Edmonton is taking Connor McDavid, there’s no secret about that he’s a center and Nugent-Hopkins is a center as well. If he was to perhaps came available the Wings should jump at the opportunity.
What Babcock talked about that “Pavs and Z are aging, who’s going to replace them” could you start by landing a center like Nugent-Hopkins and in the process he learns from two dominant center men and Detroit has some major depth in the center ice position?
Not saying that will happen, but I expect Edmonton to move Taylor Hall or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins because coming around the corner is a cap issue and that looks to be the alternative, but I do believe the asking price will be high enough to make Holland stand pat on this particular deal unless it’s a bargain.
With so much that surrounds this offseason in Detroit, there’s no doubt it will need to be a great offseason for the Wings to make headways in 2015-16.
Next: Who would you have replace Babcock if he leaves?