Red Wings GM Ken Holland is at it again. He’s further proving why he is without question the best general manager in the National Hockey League.
Why?
During this offseason, many thought that Holland was backed into a corner with the sudden retirement of defeseman Brian Rafalski. However, unlike some other GM’s in the league who decided to go out and spend a ton of money on guys like James Wisniewski Holland went the conservative route and it paid off. In four games Ian White has 2 goals, an assist and is making it very easy for the organization to move on from the future hall of famer Rafalski.
Here’s what Joe Yerdon of ProHockeyTalk.com has to say about Detroit’s acquisition of White and the way he’s played for the Wings so far this season…
White has bounced around over the past two years playing on four different teams (Calgary, Toronto, Carolina, and San Jose) but now that he’s landed in Detroit, he’s giving them the offensive steadiness that Rafalski always used to. He can move the puck, he can play responsible enough defense, and he’s making sure younger guys like Jonathan Ericsson and Jakub Kindl aren’t forced into playing too many minutes of their own when they’re not ready.
Instead, White’s veteran savvy mixes well with the likes of Nicklas Lidstrom, Brad Stuart, and Niklas Kronwall and gives Detroit’s top four on defense. White’s play even has Kronwall saying that he plays like Rafalski but with more of an edge to his game. It’s not like Rafalski was ever the toughest guy on the block. Having a bit more sandpaper to your game goes a long way in the NHL, especially out West.
GM’s from around the league need to take note (especially in Columbus and Buffalo) that you don’t need to spend a ton of money to get good players. Now the Wings have set themselves up perfectly to acquire that big name at the trade deadline if need be.
Whether it be through free agency or the minors, the Red Wings simply don’t rebuild, they reload their roster with new talent.
Ref: ProHockeyTalk.com,