Is he still around somewhere?
- jmatchett383

I think he just retired.

So no Letang and now no Martin for a while. Do the Pens have the cap space and/or assets to address this?
- BiggE

nope.

[
that certainly has been Holmgrens approach......peice meal. But I don't know how you would know that there hasn't been any realistic options out there....
- landros 2

How would I know? Simply look at what top defenseman have been available since Pronger went down. More then it being Holmgren's approach, is that it's been the only approach available. But that apparently is not part of the picture when criticizing the GM.

At least Kronwall is a solid top pairing guy.
- PhillySportsGuy

True, but the last time the Red Wings had a dman as good as Lidstrom was Red Kelly back in the 50s!

Yes, actually. They have a slew of good young defensemen that can step in and help, and they can utilize Letang's money on LTIR
- Jsaquella

The correct answer is:
No. Meszaros and L Schenn for Bennett and Zatkoff.

Yes, actually. They have a slew of good young defensemen that can step in and help, and they can utilize Letang's money on LTIR
- Jsaquella

Is there an ETA on Letang's return?

I could sit here and ryme off a bunch of canidates, but who knows if they would be available? I would say he would have to be under 28......a puck moving man d ...with some size....a guy who plays 24 + minutes a game....a guy who with 1 minute left in the game is on the ice in all 3 scenaio's...up one....down one....or tied.
What I would say is anyone with the exception of Giroux would be available depending on what comes back.....I mean Seriuosly....Wayne Gretzky got traded!!!! Wayne fricken Gretzky ....in his prime...there are NO untouchables on this team.
The only reason Giroux would be on this list is the hole it would create could not be replaced from within....ie there is no Mark Messier as the # 2 center.
- landros 2

Reeling off a bunch of names is just playing fantasy hockey.

The correct answer is:
No. Meszaros and L Schenn for Bennett and Zatkoff.
- jmatchett383

Well, I couldn't make that trade fast enough...instead of Zatkoff, how about Despres. I'd include another roster player

Is there an ETA on Letang's return?
- BulliesPhan87

I think I remember reading something about 6 weeks and thinking it was optimistic.

True, but the last time the Red Wings had a dman as good as Lidstrom was Red Kelly back in the 50s!
- BiggE

They had some good ones. Konstantinov, Fetisov, Howe (late though). But yeah, no one as good as Lidstrom.

He's only 19.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'm well aware. He still physically dominates games like a man amongst boys. He's playing down a level right now. Way, way too good of a 200 foot player for Major Junior anymore.

Is there an ETA on Letang's return?
- BulliesPhan87

The original one was at least 6 weeks. Be surprised if he returned before the playoffs.

Well, I couldn't make that trade fast enough...instead of Zatkoff, how about Despres. I'd include another roster player
- Jsaquella

Well I figured, if we're giving them D, they're not trading it. But if Despres is there, then hell, the gates are thrown open.

I'm well aware. He still physically dominates games like a man amongst boys. He's playing down a level right now. Way, way too good of a 200 foot player for Major Junior anymore.
- mochoson

I fully expect him to be a person. Morin, too.

Well I figured, if we're giving them D, they're not trading it. But if Despres is there, then hell, the gates are thrown open.
- jmatchett383

I'd add Grossmann, Timonen or anyone not named Coburn on the roster.

They had some good ones. Konstantinov, Fetisov, Howe (late though). But yeah, no one as good as Lidstrom.
- jmatchett383

Larry Murphy had a nice run with the Wings.

Yes, actually. They have a slew of good young defensemen that can step in and help, and they can utilize Letang's money on LTIR
- Jsaquella

i honestly dont think defense is going to be the problem. so in this sense, i agree with you. i think despres can step in and be fine. and they can scrape by with bortuzzo and the like until martin is back. however, the teams bottom 6 will be their undoing in the playoffs. the dupuis injury is a killer

The correct answer is:
No. Meszaros and L Schenn for Bennett and Zatkoff.
- jmatchett383

yuck

i honestly dont think defense is going to be the problem. so in this sense, i agree with you. i think despres can step in and be fine. and they can scrape by with bortuzzo and the like until martin is back. however, the teams bottom 6 will be their undoing in the playoffs. the dupuis injury is a killer
- stayinthefnnet

Agreed, forwward depth is the big issue for the Penguins

True, but the last time the Red Wings had a dman as good as Lidstrom was Red Kelly back in the 50s!
- BiggE

To be fair, you can probably count the number of dmen as good as Lidstrom throughout history on one hand... as the Flyers can tell you, any franchise is lucky to just have one of those.

i honestly dont think defense is going to be the problem. so in this sense, i agree with you. i think despres can step in and be fine. and they can scrape by with bortuzzo and the like until martin is back. however, the teams bottom 6 will be their undoing in the playoffs. the dupuis injury is a killer
- stayinthefnnet

Yeah, it would be if you guys didn't have enough time to address it, but the league's been off for 19 days...if Shero doesn't see what you just typed and doesn't address it -- and you guys have the assets to do just that -- then to me, as crazy as it sounds, some accountability needs to be exercised

Yeah, it would be if you guys didn't have enough time to address it, but the league's been off for 19 days...if Shero doesn't see what you just typed and doesn't address it -- and you guys have the assets to do just that -- then to me, as crazy as it sounds, some accountability needs to be exercised
- AllInForFlyers

but it would have to be the right deal. i wouldnt move a guy like pouliot or despres just for like a rental of a third line forward.

To be fair, you can probably count the number of dmen as good as Lidstrom throughout history on one hand... as the Flyers can tell you, any franchise is lucky to just have one of those.
- Tomahawk

I know. He's a once in a generation defenseman. Red Wings fans, likely, won't see another dman as good as him in their lives.

but it would have to be the right deal. i wouldnt move a guy like pouliot or despres just for like a rental of a third line forward.
- stayinthefnnet

Impulsive decisions are usually the best course of action.

Harold Ramis, Writer, director and actor has passed away at age 69.

Comedic genius. Animal House, Stripes, Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day. RIP.