Ansar Khan wrote on the Forsberg trade last night, pointing out that it’s better for the Wings that he ended up in Nashville rather than Anaheim, as a possible matchup with a Forsberg/Pronger team would make things tough in the first round. In Nashville, he can’t hurt the Wings until later rounds, if at all.
It’s looking like it will be tough for the Wings to respond with a big trade of their own, but possible acquisitions include (as listed by Khan) Bill Guerin, Keith Tkachuk, Todd Bertuzzi, Gary Roberts, Owen Nolan, Fredrik Modin, and Marco Sturm. I have to say that none of those names really appeal to me, but I’d take any one of them as long as they don’t go after Bertuzzi.
Guerin’s the guy we need. With grit and scoring (he’s warming up right now) he’s the working man’s Forsberg.
That may be true, rislac, but it’ll be tough to get him. The Blues aren’t going to be too interested in letting the Wings off easy on a deal, that’s for sure.
I agree again. I think the price that Nashville paid for Frosberg was incredibly high. Apparently they are literally betting the franchise on this deal. Winning the Cup may be the only way to save their team. I don’t expect that Holland’s feeling that kind of pressure to win this year.
The Preds paid a high price, but they had the depth to do it along with the need to make a splash and try to end Nashville’s apathy. However deep their young talent well is, they’re screwed as an organization if the deal flops and they don’t at least make the Conference Finals. The Pens might not be the only team moving in the near future.
You’re right, Holland’s not feeling that kind of pressure, though he should be worrying some about his job. The Wings have nowhere near the problem the Preds have with filling seats, but there does seem to be a decline in interest in “Hockeytown.” Fans are impatient waiting for another long playoff run, let alone a championship.
For the Preds, it’s a matter of creating interest, for the Wings, it’s one of getting it back. The Wings need to get past the first round this time or they’ll lose even more ground on the Detroit sports scene.
As for Holland, his neck is on the line pending the post-season results of his gamble on Hasek plus his actions for the deadline.