What forwards are out there that we could get/trade for??? Briere from Buffalo??????

GO TIGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That’s why we have scouts…the scouts are under-rated and Holland is over-rated. Half the time he’s putting his trust in them and hasn’t seen the player we’re drafting play in person. Just because he calls their name doesn’t mean he made the call…scouts are a big weigh in.

Holland is extremely good at his position; possibly the best. However, this summer we haven’t seen him produce (or do his job, can’t really think of a word to use there…) as well as we’re used to seeing, and I admit it’s quite frustrating.

However, does he really need to be making a whole bunch of trades and signings? I mean, we lost Shanahan and Yzerman, but overall we were first in the league. The early exit was due to lack of commitment by the players in the first round (and the fact Edmonton went to a game seven in the finals). But was THAT really Holland’s fault? Let’s just hope that he knows what he’s doing with signing the younger players (which he most likely does).

Now on Hasek…I don’t see a huge problem other than if he gets injured. So, I’m just hoping he doesn’t. If he does (like an 85% chance), then we still have Osgood. Just remember, when Hasek is well, his statistics are great. If he’s not…he’s only the second best in the league in SV% and GAA.

Anyway, no matter what happens, I’m just looking forward to a great season and quality hockey from the Wings.

-firebird995

Now, onto the Hasek signing. While I wasn’t thrilled when I saw this, I thought about it for a while and came to the conclusion that there is no down side. There are many people out there who wanted Ozzie to start and Howard to back up. Worst case scenario: Hasek goes down sometime after the trade deadline, and we have to start Osgood. Oh the horror. Best case: Hasek does not get injured, and we have Dominik Hasek in net in the playoffs. Show me the downside.

The Whitney signing was a dog but Hatcher could have been great for us had he not hurt his knee. Holland had nothing to do with that.

I don’t know that it’s reasonable any more to expect a Conference Finals showing this season. Holland is out if these signings don’t work out, not if they don’t do well in the playoffs. There is a difference.

In any case, I highly doubt Yzerman will be the next GM.

I’m not very impressed with Holland’s summer but he does have a lot of credit built up. Just last season, everyone was singing his praises after the roster he assembled and the coach he got. It just didn’t pan out.

It’s time to change our expectations and accept that the team is not the #1 contender every season any more. I’m having trouble making that transition myself and that’s why I’ve been hard on Holland this postseason. He’s still a good GM and could still build a team that’s capable of going all the way. It’ll just take a couple years.

Holland has been over-rated for years. It didn’t take much effort to spend $80 million like he used to. I’ve been losing faith in the guy ever since the Derian Hatcher/Ray Whitney signings. And the moves this season just show he is not the right guy for the current market. If the Wings don’t make the Conference Finals or better next season, Holland is gone. And Yzerman is in.

Taking no chances though, at the trade deadline Holland will send five key players to the Coyotes in return for Curtis Joseph.

…

But I’m not, you know, bitter or anything.