Detroit Red Wings Roundtable: Sitting in Ken Holland’s seat

In yet another crucial offseason for the Detroit Red Wings, General Manager Ken Holland will have to make some interesting decisions on the future of the Wings. What will this team look like in October?

Today’s roundtable includes a special guest. George Malik of The Malik Report joins us to give us his take on what the Red Wings should do this offseason.

Do you trade Anthony Mantha? Jettison Stephen Weiss to Toronto with Mike Babcock? Offer Dan Cleary an office at Joe Louis Arena? Ken Holland has a tough job. No matter what he does, he’s going to face criticism. Here’s our two cents.

Next: Pat Brown - Staff Writer

Jan 6, 2015; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Detroit Red Wings forward Johan Franzen (93) follows the play against the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Pat Brown – Octopus Thrower Staff Writer

The 2015 offseason is Ken Holland’s most important in recent memory. In addition to the obvious, (RFA signings, drafting, etc) Holland’s success hinges on who isn’t skating in a winged wheel next year – Johan Franzen (Love you Mule, but you’re a liability at this point), Stephen Weiss and Daniel Cleary.

Franzen should remain on Long Term Injured Reserve, a la Chris Pronger.

Weiss should be bought out, because no one is going to trade for that contract (you have until June 30, Kenny! My friends in Seattle swore up and down Richie Sexson would come around … how’d that work? You made a bad decision, so own up to it and let’s move on).

Finally, and I can’t stress this enough, SAY NO TO CLEARY. The only way we should see him this season should be in the JLA press box.

Next: George Malik - The Malik Report

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.

Next: Frank Cerulla - Staff Writer

Frank Cerulla – Octopus Thrower Staff Writer

If I were in Kenny’s shoes this offseason, I would start with the goalie situation. There can’t be a back and forth setting. There needs to be an immediate decision and they need to ride with it. Mrazek seems to be able to hold his own just fine, and with Jimmy constantly injured and as inconsistent as he shows, Mrazek deserves that spot for now.

Detroit need to strengthen up the blue line and give their starting goalie a chance. There CANNOT be as many defensive breakdowns that have no only resulted in some crucial goals, but losing some crucial games as well. Cody Franson would be a good option.The man has a big body, and would be a great compliment to our defensive line-up taking some of the pressure off on Kronner. No need to break the bank.

Overall the pieces to the puzzle will work themselves out. Strengthen the Blue-Line, gather a consistent goalie, and keep Cleary out of the line-up and give the younger guys some time to grow and develop.  But do not fret, the young kids got game, and just a matter of time before they get comfortable and are able to produce more as the years move along.

Next: John Curran - Staff Writer

Natalie Longroy – Octopus Thrower Staff Writer

If I was Ken Holland, I would desperately look for a defenseman. We have the forwards, young guns and veterans alike, but we can’t survive without a solid defense.

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That proved to be true during the series against the Lightning in game 4 when we were up 2-0 and gave up 2 goals in the third period and then the game winner in OT. Now specifically we need to look for a defenseman that is right handed because besides Zidlicky, who we picked up in

hours before the trade deadline, they’re all lefties. To really open up the ice for opportunities we need a balance between both right and left.

Next: Nate Francis - Editor

Nate Francis – Octopus Thrower Editor

I would listen to offers on Anthony Mantha. Blasphemy, yes, but hear me out. The Quebec Junior League is generous with offense but lacking on defense. Should they trade him for that? Absolutely not. But what has plagued the Red Wings since 2011 has been the withering blue line. Losing Brian Rafalski, Nicklas Lidstrom, and Brad Stuart in a span of 2 seasons was a major blow.

Oliver Ekmund-Larsson would be the heist of a century, but I just don’t see it going through. He’s a generational defenseman and it would cost Mantha, probably Nyquist, and several 1st round picks.

Danny Dekeyser helped to cushion it, and Niklas Kronwall has been his steady self. But you need that top pairing d-man. And I would go out and entertain ideas for him. Only if the deal is right. One person who could possibly be had is Brent Seabrook. I would absolutely see if it would work. Oliver Ekmund-Larsson would be the heist of a century, but I just don’t see it going through. He’s a generational defenseman and it would cost Mantha, a proven commodity like Nyquist, and several 1st round picks. The promise of offense can be replaced with a quarterback at the blue line.

Johan Franzen needs to be on the Long Term IR. I love the Mule, but the stories of his head injuries were grim. His long term health–and life–is far more important than a hockey game. I don’t care if he’s making $3.75m a year or league minimum. He’s a human being at the end of the day. Bring him into the fold like Jiri Fischer.

Stephen Weiss may flourish under Jeff Blashill if he goes back to center. Then again, he may never be worth his contract. Deal him away or buy him out. Don’t let a $4.9M cap hit sit as a healthy scratch.

Finally, our favorite topic, Dan Cleary. Happy trails, my friend. Buy a lot of suits and ties. Welcome to the front office.

Next: Nate Gard - Staff Writer

Nate Gard – Octopus Thrower Staff Writer

The draft and July 1st are rapidly approaching and Ken Holland has a lot to think about. I am glad I do not have the final decision but I do have a few ideas as of what Holland should do. I am comfortable with the forward and goalie situation in Detroit for next year but am a little concerned about the defense. We desperately need a top two defender that is preferably right handed. Marchenko is right handed and developing steadily, but he is not ready for top two minutes.

I like Mike Green but I think he is more of a rental than the future of the Red Wings. I would much

Mar 14, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Dougie Hamilton (27) moves the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Boston won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

rather consider Dougie Hamilton of the Boston Bruins. He is right handed, has good size, and brings some offense to the table. I feel that Hamilton at 22 years old could be a big part of the Red Wings’ future and the eventual replacement for Kronwall. With Kronwall as his mentor and Chris Chelios coaching, Hamilton will  continue to develop into an elite defender. With 10 goals and 42 points this season, Hamilton was only 3 points behind Mike Green last season. The main problem with Hamilton is that he will be expensive.

The Bruins will not part ways with him unless they get some major compensation. The Bruins need more scoring so Mantha or Pulkkinen could be of interest to them along with either Jonathan Ericsson or Brendan Smith. The Red Wings could also use this years first round draft pick to tip the scales. These trade options would help the Bruins free up some cap space considering Hamilton will eventually cost 6 to 7 million a year.

Next: Mike Laybourne - Staff Writer

Mike Laybourne  – Octopus Thrower Staff Writer

So the first thing I’d do is trade Stephen Weiss and a box of pucks for Sidney Crosby and Steven Stamkos. Seems like a fair deal.

What I’d seriously like to see is some decisions made about players like Weiss who take decent money but don’t show anything on the ice. As long as Jeff Blashill is given the opportunity to promote from within, we could see some great young talent wearing the Winged Wheel. We just need to clear space to allow that. There is some deadwood at the Joe that needs to be cut adrift.

Decisions also need to be made about goaltending. The Howard/Mrazek situation will cause trouble in the long run. Maybe trade one and give someone else a chance as a backup.

Next: YOUR responses from Twitter

 Twitter Response 

We asked, and you answered. Here are some (with commentary).

The Goose could be loose

Edmonton does need a goalie….

Mantha is available 

Matt Beleskey also got some interest….

And finally, this was one of the few without four letter words