Too Much D in the D?
With the eventual return of Colaiacovo Detroit will have 9 NHL defenseman on the roster. The obvious yet unpopular 1st move made would be to send Lashoff down to GR. That leaves 8 defenseman left. Kindl and Huskins could sit eating up roster space in the press box, but it may not be that simple. Lashoff has proven too valuable to the Red Wings to honestly send him down while claiming they are icing the best defense possible. He plays in all situations, not only being trusted to be out defending a 5-on-3, but doing it extremely well in the process. If you were looking for a Brad Stuart replacement look no further than Lashoff.
Click the jump for my thoughts on the Wings D. Now and beyond.
Kronwall-Lashoff
Ericsson-Smith
Quincey-White
Colaiacovo-Kindl
Huskins
Huskins may never see the ice again in a Wings jersey and that's ok. He played well as a bandage, and that's all we should expect. That leaves us with 8 NHL defenseman as much as you don't want to admit it Kindl is. They have put in a lot of time cultivating him, he's a RFA at seasons end and has too much size and ability to move the puck (at times) to let go via waivers.
Where do they stand? White was a scratch last night, probably just a way to get a fire going in him. He hasn't been as effective as last season, but that's understandable. He played with the greatest defenseman of all-time last year, who wouldn't drop off? If White gets scratched tonight, then something is up. Trade? Who knows.
What I do know is for 2013-14 the Wings have.
Kronwall-Lashoff
Ericsson-Smith
Quincey-Colaiacovo
All locked in. This is under the assumption that Smith (RFA) will be signed. White is a UFA and Kindl an RFA. One or both of them may not be back next season. If Kindl isn't traded, or waived he will get a qualifying offer leaving White the odd man out. This leads me to believe that the Wings may be looking to unload him now for a pick, or defensive depth in GR before they lose him for nothing.
I wouldn't expect a big splash in the FA market this summer. Detroit seems to have their pairings set, and there really isn't much to choose from.
Not a bad place to be considering most thought we would implode with the loss of Lidstrom and Stuart.
LGRW!
Next game Nyquist is up... watch him VERY close. He avoids body contact. My wife says he's the "Lidstrom" of forwards because he'll take a hit, but prefers to just slip through or go around. Nyquist is not a checker or a net front guy. As much as I hate it... Cleary and Abby do a ton of it. Well... Abby used to. -Josh
I should have reviewed my post. You hit it best when u mentioned "reviewing" players so to speak.. My GOD, I love our team, but I may buy Sammy out for us this year. Lol. If they send Tats back down, and Lashoff when everyone is "healthy", I'm gonna lose my gord. Tats for sure doesn't need any more seasoning...
First and foremost - some of the members of the Facebook crowd are annoying.
I agree, we have too many defensemen. The problem is, they are all mediocre. We've got 9 defensemen who range from slightly above average to below average. We don't really have anyone who truly stands out as a top d-man.
@Tnhgeno I think most NHL teams find themselves in that spot. True #1 defensemen are an endangered species out there, and that is becoming worse (I think from kids all focusing on being a forward or Mike Green/Kris Letang defenseman with all the emphasis on offense). This will likely only be resolved if we get a winner in the draft. Smith might be that one day, who knows.
Nyquist is not up because he's playing big minutes on a playoff team. He's a skill guy and not a replacement for the guys that have been injured. Sure, he's leading the points in the AHL... but he wasn't exactly lighting the NHL of fire not long ago when he was an injury call-up. For the role he plays on this team... TATAR has actually passed him on the depth chart. Never fear though, someone will get injured and he'll get called up again. Next year he'll be up full time without a doubt unless something crazy happens.-Josh
I don't think we have too many D... I think we need to re-evaluate guys who aren't playing right now that are forwards. Seriously thinking Sammy gets a buyout this summer if he doesn't give the team anything. And this coming for a guy who isn't against Sammy and doesn't hate his guts. He just isn't healthy... seemingly ever. -Josh
I think we have too many players.. IMO, I think (health permitting) we need to roll the dice, and go with a set group. Enough of this rotating crap.. Again, I'm not implying we have too much, but look at Kindl. Its been what now, 2 years they have been saying he "needs to step up"? And White sat out last night, over Ericsson?? Smh. Sorry, I don't get that call, for sure.
Lashoff definitely deserves to stay up. No one has taken up Stu-beef's mantel as well as this guy. He is absolutely brutal along the boards. Every game he is tossing guys around like dolls. I do like White for his shot but his defensive play is lacking a bit compared to others on the team. Unless he starts scoring from the blueline then I can see him being moved.
I didn't even think White was that good last year. He is a good person to have on the point during the power play but not someone I like seeing on the ice when the other team is pressing. Too many battles lost in the corners and too many bad passes... rather see him gone now and keep Lashoff around.
