The Perfect Acquisition For The Wings
While I think Holland was successful with his first move at the deadline, I don't think he hit the one position I think needed to be hit. Simply put, we need a tough, goal scoring, power forward to play in our top six.
With the loss of Datsyuk for a few weeks, watching the team during last night's game only made this need more apparent. The Wings have a ton of guys who can dance around, keep the puck, make crisp passes and shoot well in their top six. The only one who could even remotely be considered power forward is Franzen and that's only if he decides to play hard. Thankfully, Detroit is ripe with that style of play in their bottom six, as shown last night, but that's not enough for the playoffs, in my opinion.
I have my mind on one additional forward who'd be a great fit for the Wings and not cost them an arm and a leg.
Hit the jump to find out who and why:
That man is former Red Wing, Mike Knuble.
Now starting off, anyone can admit he's having a rough year. He's got a pathetic twelve points on the season. That's terrible. Knuble's been scratched the past few games and is barely getting 10 minutes a game now.
But just last year, he scored 24 goals. The year before 29. In fact, he's scored at least 20 goals a season for the past 8 years. That talent doesn't simply disappear in one season. For his scoring numbers to go down like they have this season, that means that his talents simply aren't being used they way they should be.
Knuble's a pure goal scorer. He has more career goals than assists, a feat that's tough to match. Match him with a Filppula or Datsyuk and he'll be able to put the puck in. In addition, Knuble's never been a pretty player. He scores almost exclusively ugly goals and that's great. We don't have enough of that now that Homer is a bottom line player.
Finally, he's a former DRW who grew up in Michigan, Kentwood to be exact. And to top it off, his contract ends this season, leaving Detroit flexibility. He is a leader and veteran who shined on 24/7 as the only rational voice in the Capital's locker room.
Now I know that Washington said that he won't be traded, but something tells me that's flexible when you have a player who clearly isn't happy and the team is sitting him.
He's a perfect, low risk, high reward player who fits the exact mold of who the Wings usually go after. Do it Kenny.
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What about Dustin Brown from LA? http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=618728 That places him available. Young, years left on team friendly contract, plays a very physical game, RHS- all the upside with only like a $3.5m cap hit. Not a sniper, but he's the guy I want the most of those being talked as available.
@ThroatShot I agree with you but how do you get him? I LA is still in the hunt. They are going to be asking for a LOT. And more than likely no prospects.
Apparently they're asking for a top 6 forward and a defenceman. So, we'd have the d-man they'd likely want (Ericsson or Kindl) but not the top 6 forward. They wouldn't take Hudler (pending UFA) and I doubt we'd move Fil.
Either way, Lobardi says he's not on the market.
@DetCapC19 From the same site, Vanek maybe? http://aol.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2012-02-23/nhl-trade-deadline-washington-capitals-alex-semin-contract-ales-hemsky-rumors
@DetCapC19 Still an option to pursue. Going to have to give in order to get, regardless of who we want. I'm not a fan of the Knuble option. Some sentimental value, but I think he is just past a not so amazing prime. I also don't see him replacing any of our current players in our Top 6, and our 3rd line is the best in hockey. They need to be left alone. So, sniper on the 4th line? He won't do anything there.
We want a pure scorer absolutely, but I'm not convinced with Knuble. I'm not proposing a blockbuster Selanne deal, but I would rather that than bring in someone I can't see a perfect fit for. Then again, the play of our only power forward leaves a lot to be desired. If Kenny decided to do it though, I trust the guy enough not to complain.
Yea I agree, he hangs on to the puck well and has an alright hockey sense, I just have faith that he can get better over the years especially is he's playing with better players, him emmerton and homer is just not a good line. No chemistry to me
Mursak? A 2nd or 3rd rounder? Haven't thought that out that deeply yet.
Lol idk about mursak. Tatar maybe, 2nd or 3rd added or just a 2nd or 3rd I wouldn't have a problem with. Or even emmerton, but not mursak. But I like out line up going in to the playoffs, that's just me though
I usually agree with everything you guys say on this site, but I gotta say - not a fan of brining in Knuble. Don't think he does anything for us. When we're healthy, he doesn't fit anywhere. We already got Homer on the 4th. Our 3rd line is sick. We've got the best 2nd line in hockey and I dont think he's a good fit with Mule and Pav (at that point, just put Homer with them).
Gaustad is still the guy I'd love to land. I'd even rather see Conner back up than Knuble. Even Eaves if he gets healthy again.
@DetCapC19 I have no interest in Gustsad personally. He's a big hard working fourth/third liner who will cost a lot. We have a lot of hard working bottom six guys already. We need a scorer.
@moorecha Interesting. So you think that we go after a top 6 eh?
I like Gaustad because he's big, can drop them if need be, and can win faceoffs. I think he'd help our PK as well.
I must admit though, Emmerton has grown on me. Dammit.
@DetCapC19 @moorecha Why does Mursak wear the Wings jersey anyway? He reminds me of a RHS version of Lebda if we had let Lebda play forward.
