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Call it nitpicking if you want, but the fact is their offense wasn't much better than ours. Two years ago, we had one of the top PPs and the Ducks were near the bottom. A handful of bounces over the course of a season can make what looks like a big difference. Ducks offense may be better than ours, but not by a whole lot. And I don't think the trade would be high risk (though I guess it depends on the specifics of the deal). With the forwards we have, PP and prime-scoring-line time is already going to be tough to spread out, and that's without including AA, Mantha, Jurco, or Pulkkinen. We can't possibly use all the skilled forwards we already have. I think the chances would be reasonably good that we could replace one of Nyquist/Tatar even without considering the benefits from gaining Fowler. I'd agree that there wouldn't likely be more than one big trade (at least in the near future), but if we're not a good fit for any of the other rumored deals I don't think it matters. Pretty much Ducks or nothing I think (or someone worse than Fowler even). Or blind hope that something better materializes. I wouldn't give up Nyquist/Tatar plus a top prospect, or give up AA for any of the rumored guys since we're not that strong at center looking ahead. And as far as Ducks defensemen, I think Vatanen might be cheaper and a better fit for us. But I certainly wouldn't just dismiss an opportunity to land Fowler.

I've been reading through this thread for close to an hour and I'm still not caught up...

See previous posts, it's in there somewhere. Once you complete your quest you can turn it in for some XP.

I knew it, you're an underpants gnome Apparently, Rasputin died a few months before Nicholas But, in Soviet Russia, pictures photoshop you!

Saw this from the Red Wings facebook page, and thought I'd post it here. Newsworthy enough since we're in the offseason doldrums... (Because Mrazek hates and/or loves puppies)

Hey man, without any abrasive this mask wouldn't be as smooth as it is.That's some damn fine sanding..

There is no shame in not being as good as Eichel, just as there is no shame in not being as good as Larkin. My point from the beginning is that you have created a narrative that Eichel is worlds better then Larkin right now, but statistically speaking he has not accomplished anything more then Larkin with the exception of 10 assists. At this point, I consider them at the same level. Which one out performs the other moving forward, I dont know, but up to this point I dont think either has out performed the other. Your Mrazek comment is exactly what I am talking about, any time you talk about a youngwing, there is always a negative tone to it. You dont have to think he is going to be a vezina winner, but why the need to try to talk him down? I never mentioned DD.

Ok, their PP scored 6 more goals than ours. Point is he was a key player on a good team. If he was good enough for them, he's good enough for us. Doesn't mean anyone thinks he would solve all our problems, or even that he's the best possible option. But to say he's "mediocre" is silly. Even if Nyquist/Tatar are our best assets, it doesn't mean we can get anything better for them. Realistically, neither by themselves would even get you anyone as good as Fowler. Adding something extra with them isn't going to get an elite player, even if there was one available. We certainly have the potential to replace them from within, so it's possible we wouldn't even miss them. So what are you saving them for? WPG would likely want a different type of package. Sakic has denied that Barrie is or ever really was available. StL reportedly wants a top-6 center. Aside from maybe going after a different Anaheim d-man, I don't think there's likely to be any better potential opportunity.

Jedi is gonna be so pissed when he comes back to this thread

Really? It seems obvious... 1. Nicholas II was born in St.Petersburg, where Datsyuk now plays 2. Nicholas II was executed in Yekaterinburg, where Datsyuk was born 3. ? 4. Datsyuk is Rasputin Plus, photoshopped pictures don't lie

Still didn't answer. I didn't say points, I asked why a division winner would play a guy who will never be a #2 top minutes? And what is the top potential for the three of them.

You think Fowler will get $8+ million? I'm not a huge Fowler fan, but what that scenario has going for it is that it looks like it might be a good match. We can sit around all day listing defensemen we'd rather have, but if there's not a good trade fit it's pointless. Anaheim has a surplus of good young defensemen, and at least one is almost certain to be traded at some point this year. They have reportedly been looking for a scoring winger. While I wouldn't say we have a "surplus" of them, I would say we have enough promising kids that it's worth the risk in giving up one of Nyquist/Tatar plus a little extra. Dickie wasn't talking about points. Fowler led the Ducks in ice time per game. And for the record, the Ducks only scored 6 more goals than the Wings.

Nor was Rasputin, he was born in Pokrovskotye and assassinated in Petrograd... besides the Magic, I see no connection to Datsyuk. unless...

No, Tsar Nicholas II was.

He's a solid #2 with #1 potential, better than anyone Detroit has. Now please explain why a team that won their division would play a guy who will never be a top pair D more than anyone else.

Is that why he led Anaheim in toi/gm?

Fowler will never be a top 2. And if a player isn't top 2 (something we need) then trading assets for him doesn't make any sense. Unless you think he is or will be top 2... and if you do then you're hyping him.

Where did I say either were already #1s?

We simply don't know what we'll have with Larkin yet, but last year was very encouraging - especially for a first year pro. I don't think that one year tells us much of the player he'll become, though. We'll have to see where his trajectory goes from there. I really haven't seen anyone call Larkin elite yet. I think he has the skillset to get there. As well as being close to Eichel's 1st year, he also measures up pretty well against some elite players for a first year in the league. Before people jump on me, I'm not saying that he'll be on the level of these players. I'm saying he did fine for his first year. We can only hope that he gets near the level of some of these guys. 1st year Pro/in the NHL: Larkin: 80gp, 23g, 45pts Toews: 64gp, 24g, 54pts (of course less games and more points, but similar goals) Seguin: 74gp, 11g, 22pts Stamkos: 79gp, 23g, 46pts Benn: 82gp, 22g, 41pts Bergeron: 71gp,16g, 39pts D Sedin: 75gp, 20g, 35pts The unfair part about looking at this, of course, is usage since Larkin played 1st line while some of these players started on lower lines - just thought they were interesting to look at for comparison. This year, Datsyuk's TOI will be up for grabs and he'll be more adjusted to the league and the tough schedule - I think for sure he'll take a big step forward.

Or like the people talking about Trouba and Fowler like they're already legit 1D instead of moderately good players with some potential? You're doing the same exact thing your chastizing others for.

The most interesting man doesn't always shut up. But when he does, it's to avoid a LGW permaban.

Or a Ford truck. No matter how much money you throw at it, it keeps falling apart at the worst times.

Well it was still the Soviet Union when he was born. Fun Fact (Or Not So Fun): His hometown, Yekaterinburg, is where the Tsar Nicholas II and his family (including the now infamous Anastasia) were exiled and later executed. Damn, that series had some of the best fan signs I've ever seen just due to their intentional banal nature. "STAMKOS WEARS SOCKS WITH SANDALS"

Perhaps, both Kronner and Z, are just playing it safe. We need to bring Paul Bearer to the organization.

Can we have GDT's for the WCH? It would be cool if you added a poll so we could all vote and predict the winner