Bob Duff: Getting older, not better The rebuilding Detroit Red Wings opted to pay three veterans during the first day of free agency.

beat writers reporting that the wings have Rasmussen and Zadina in the lineup regardless of what happened today..

CHELIOS!!!!!!!

Being competitive and winning games are two completely different things. These moves will make the Wings slightly more competitive but they won’t win more games because of it.

Vanek was signed as a way to pick up another mid-round pick in the draft. Green’s there because we need at least one defenseman who can move the puck. He’ll get shipped out at the 2020 TDL for some picks.

I don’t think these moves change the direction the Wings are heading.

Bout (frank)ing time Holland didn’t bring McCollum in to play in Grand Rapids. Couldn’t stand him. Griffs should be a solid team tho. Tank for Hughes.

After having a home run 2018 draft. .then this?..if it would of been 1year deals it would make sense to flip at the trade deadline. .but Vanek no trade movement ..they should be going for hopefully Hughes! Next draft....then there good to go. .IMHO. .but things are looking great

Being competitive and winning games are two completely different things. These moves will make the Wings slightly more competitive but they won’t win more games because of it.

Vanek was signed as a way to pick up another mid-round pick in the draft. Green’s there because we need at least one defenseman who can move the puck. He’ll get shipped out at the 2020 TDL for some picks.

I don’t think these moves change the direction the Wings are heading.
- RedDog18

..no trade clause. .can't trade unless he says. .and if it's in their. .he might not! ..but hopefully he will ..or they.. not sure if green has one too?

Bout (frank)ing time Holland didn’t bring McCollum in to play in Grand Rapids. Couldn’t stand him. Griffs should be a solid team tho. Tank for Hughes.
- Pasha13

After having a home run 2018 draft. .then this?..if it would of been 1year deals it would make sense to flip at the trade deadline. .but Vanek no trade movement ..they should be going for hopefully Hughes! Next draft....then there good to go. .IMHO. .but things are looking great
- MR.Hunter

Seriously with a no trade clause? I didn’t know that. Perhaps just a way that he can control where he goes

Just friggen rebuild. Stop with this "rebuild on the fly" nonsense.

Just friggen rebuild. Stop with this "rebuild on the fly" nonsense.
- Gertner

Not our style we like to make it as difficult and as long as possible.

Vanek's NTC is a full NTC so that kind of makes me think he won't waive it this time. My guess is he might be tired of having teams sign him to 1 year and deal him at the deadline. Besides it's not like he brings in much in a trade even when he is doing well.

I knew this crap was going to happen. Holland the idiot thinks signing those guys will make fans want to watch this poop show of a team. I think most fans want to see the young guys play, not a roster full of old washed up vets.


The greatest part in all of this is none of Larkin, Mantha and AA are signed and the Wings now have 9.1 million left in cap space. Sure they can go over because of Franzen but that still means it will be a capped out team full of old guys that is going to stink. Great job Holland

Vanek's NTC is a full NTC so that kind of makes me think he won't waive it this time. My guess is he might be tired of having teams sign him to 1 year and deal him at the deadline. Besides it's not like he brings in much in a trade even when he is doing well.

I knew this crap was going to happen. Holland the idiot thinks signing those guys will make fans want to watch this poop show of a team. I think most fans want to see the young guys play, not a roster full of old washed up vets.


The greatest part in all of this is none of Larkin, Mantha and AA are signed and the Wings now have 9.1 million left in cap space. Sure they can go over because of Franzen but that still means it will be a capped out team full of old guys that is going to stink. Great job Holland
- dcz28

Yep... ditto to all you just said. Holland just couldn't help himself. He hasn't learned a damn thing from the last few years. He's still managing this team like it's 1998 and adding some veterans he thinks will put them over the top... or in this case back in playoff contention. What a freakin' idiot. The fans want to see what our young players and prospects can do. I'm so sick of seeing all the "over-ripe" players in GR when they should be getting longer looks in Detroit.

This rebuild could have started in earnest several years ago if not for Holland's terrible management. Babcock was smart to go to Toronto.. the writing was on the wall with the aging core (and no significant talent coming to fill that void) and Holland's affinity for way- overpaying veterans on the wrong side of 30.

Maybe Holland knows more about Hank than we do. From what I saw from Svech last year, he isn't ready. Rasmussen might be ready, but his only pro action was in the preseason last year (although he looked solid). Zadina probably makes it straight from camp, he is to good to send back to Juniors.

Now between some of the older guys and their outstanding durability, do we really expect them to play all 82 games? Our defense is atrocious and as promising as Hronek is or how we hope Chowolski (who still hasn't played pro) pans out, they could easily suck. Green can at least pass the puck.

I'd also have to assume Holland knows ball park figures on how much AA, Larkin, and Mantha will be getting paid. Currently with Rasmussen, Zadina, and Hronek called up we would have around $11.2 million. May have to do some maneuvering, I'd put those 3 around $13mil depending on contract length.

We are 3 months from the start of the season.

Holland signed quality veterans at reasonable prices.

Hronek should be able to beat out Jensen.

Hicketts should be able to assume XO's roster spot.

Witkowski should be in the AHL.

Frk although I think he is a useful player can be buried in the AHL.

Franzen can go on LTIR.

If no trades are made:

Athanasiou - Larkin - Mantha
Bertuzzi - Zetterberg - Nyquist
Rasmussen - Nielsen - Zadina
Abdelkader - Helm - Vanek
Glendening/Frk

Kronwall - Green
DeKeyser - Daley
Ericsson - Hronek
Hicketts

Howard
Bernier

We are 3 months from the start of the season.

Holland signed quality veterans at reasonable prices.

Hronek should be able to beat out Jensen.

Hicketts should be able to assume XO's roster spot.

Witkowski should be in the AHL.

Frk although I think he is a useful player can be buried in the AHL.

Franzen can go on LTIR.

If no trades are made:

Athanasiou - Larkin - Mantha
Bertuzzi - Zetterberg - Nyquist
Rasmussen - Nielsen - Zadina
Abdelkader - Helm - Vanek
Glendening/Frk

Kronwall - Green
DeKeyser - Daley
Ericsson - Hronek
Hicketts

Howard
Bernier
- Feds91Stammer

I know the lines here aren't necessarily set in stone but Vanek is going to get eaten alive if he's playing energy minutes with the likes of Helm, Abby, and Glendening. There's a reason why coaches consistently give him twice as many offensive zone starts as defensive ones.

Basically if you sign Vanek in 2018 you should already know that you're going to have to bust out the kid gloves, give him good linemates and keep him as far away from his own goal as possible.

I know the lines here aren't necessarily set in stone but Vanek is going to get eaten alive if he's playing energy minutes with the likes of Helm, Abby, and Glendening. There's a reason why coaches consistently give him twice as many offensive zone starts as defensive ones.

Basically if you sign Vanek in 2018 you should already know that you're going to have to bust out the kid gloves, give him good linemates and keep him as far away from his own goal as possible.
- Sven22

I also have major doubts that Jensen gets waived. Blashill loves him for some reason. I think there is only one spot on defense and whoever it is (my guess is Hicketts) will likely be used like Ouellet was this past season if there are no injuries. I hope i'm wrong but i don't think i am.

I think those that think this team will start off the season with a bunch of rookies will be very disappointed if the team is healthy.

I know the lines here aren't necessarily set in stone but Vanek is going to get eaten alive if he's playing energy minutes with the likes of Helm, Abby, and Glendening. There's a reason why coaches consistently give him twice as many offensive zone starts as defensive ones.

Basically if you sign Vanek in 2018 you should already know that you're going to have to bust out the kid gloves, give him good linemates and keep him as far away from his own goal as possible.
- Sven22

I still expect AA to be moved to create a spot in the top 9.

I still expect AA to be moved to create a spot in the top 9.
- Feds91Stammer

That would not surprise me in the least.

And honestly it could very well be a good move depending on the return; AA is fun as hell to watch but I think his perceived value probably exceeds his actual ability.

I still expect AA to be moved to create a spot in the top 9.
- Feds91Stammer

AA and Svechnikov to Carolina for Necas

AA and Svechnikov to Carolina for Necas
- dcz28

That would be amazing

That would not surprise me in the least.

And honestly it could very well be a good move depending on the return; AA is fun as hell to watch but I think his perceived value probably exceeds his actual ability.
- Sven22

My exact thoughts.

That would not surprise me in the least.

And honestly it could very well be a good move depending on the return; AA is fun as hell to watch but I think his perceived value probably exceeds his actual ability.
- Sven22

I hope you are wrong. Signed 2 yrs- 3 mil per?—6 mil. Kinda surprised it got done without him having to file for arbitration.