Two Swings-and-Misses! Now What?!

[SpikeDDS]

We took a legitimate swing at Suter and a half-hearted one at Parise. I think Holland had it right--can't compete with family. I don't think it's the end of the world long-term. But I DO think it's pretty much the end of any thought of competing for the Cup next season.

We are now officially in a rebuilding year. The question is, do we bide our time and rebuild looking at next years available FA's, make trades this year, or what?

Brendan Smith is going to be a fine defenseman someday, but he's no Lidstrom and won't be in his stratosphere for years. How do we fill the holes without giving away the store? Or...is it time to give away the store?

I like the supporting signings, but they don't even get us back close to where we were last year. Closer, but I'm really concerned about the defense. I don't see getting Nash as any kind of answer, especially with what Columbus would be asking. SO not worth it! If Kenny pulls THAT trigger, I'll be REALLY disappointed.

Are we better off waiting until closer to the trading deadline to try to pick up a higher-quality veteran and not pay through the nose for him? That's what I think.

Yeah, we can try to get Semin, but again that really doesn't address our hole in defense.

This could be a very disappointing first half of the season.

[flyerrod]

@SpikeDDS

Welcome to the swing and miss club on Suter/Parise. The Wings are going to be very hard pressed to find any kind of help on defense this season unless you have some homegrown boys coming from the farm. Hard to believe Carle was actually the 2nd best d man available after Suter. That just goes to show how thin UFA d-men are this season. Sorry for your loss of Lidstrom to retirement. The guy was a class act.

[hf101]

@SpikeDDS

Well hey, what do ya know, I just found a home for Lilja.

If you want we can give you Walker too in a two for one. I'll take a 7th round pick and call it a deal.

[flyerrod]

@SpikeDDS

Well hey, what do ya know, I just found a home for Lilja.

If you want we can give you Walker too in a two for one. I'll take a 7th round pick and call it a deal.

Screw that...I will give them a 2nd to take them......

[hf101]

Screw that...I will give them a 2nd to take them......

How dare you "Uppie" my deal.........

[Vanflyer]

That just goes to show how thin UFA d-men are this season.

And thus why this years draft was so significant. When I did my mock rankings review in May, I counted no less than 30 d-men in the top 60. While not necessarily going to have an immediate impact, certainly would could prospectively have an impact in 1-3 years.

We did not even get a 2nd rounder for Carle. Oh, but wait, if we did, we would have drafted another goalie that has not shot at playing in the NHL. :unsure:

[Polaris922]

If I were your GM I think I'd wait. Use the time to develop young players and see where I'm at come trade deadline time. If I'm in contention see if I can pull off a good steal and make a run without losing my hat. If not, wait it out and see what I can pull with the new UFA'S at the end of the season.

[SpikeDDS]

@Polaris922

I hate to say it, but I think I'm with you. There seems to be little reason to sell the farm to get Nash. He doesn't solve our main issue which is defense. I think you wait to see which teams might be looking to dump players near the trade deadline and see what you can get then. Cash on hand isn't a bad thing if there's nothing good to spend it on right now. But patience is hard for many fans to understand.