Detroit Red Wings Roundtable: Sitting in Ken Holland’s seat
By Nate Francis
George Malik – The Malik Report
I get asked this question a decent number of times, and the answer is pretty simple:
Barring a lack of success going after a Matt Beleskey or a suitable upgrade on defense (via trade or free agency), make room for the kids. Decide whether Joakim Andersson, Stephen Weiss and Jakub Kindl have futures with the team, if they don’t, find them new homes.
Mar 15, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Teemu Pulkkinen (56) celebrates his second goal of the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Detroit won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Figure out what’s going on with Johan Franzen (and don’t dare play him unless U of M’s neurologists clear him to play), and don’t sign a Daniel Cleary or even a Mike Green just because you feel you have to due to loyalty or the need to make SOME sort of transaction.
Make sure that Teemu Pulkkinen, Landon Ferraro and one of Xavier Ouellet or Alexey Marchenko has a spot on next year’s team, see what Jeff Blashill wants in terms of the prospect pecking order, and save up that cap space.
No more Kyle Quinceys or Mikael Samuelssons–just give the damn kids a legitimate chance to compete for jobs.
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