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http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2017/07/red_wings_tomas_tatar_excited.html "I really, really wanted to stay," he said. "I think Detroit is where I belong. I have so many friends, the fans are awesome. I have a great relationship with guys in the locker room, so it would be really, really hard to have a one-year deal and kind of not knowing what was going to come in the future. I'm extremely happy that I could stay and we found a way to sign the deal"

I see zero reason to buy out E this year...we do that and all we have to show for it in the short term is an extra 4 mil in cap space that will remain unused. If next off season we cant move him AND we need the money, then I am open to it. Plus it saves us a year against the cap.

He needs to play on Zetterberg's wing this season. He tore it up with Z at the end of last season. Tatar-Zetterberg-Mantha

There is no point, he thinks that AA is much better then he is and should not be traded for anyone. This is not even a knock on AA Lefty, you just think wayyyy to highly of him.

Your first paragraph is directed at me as if I said I wanted to go with Howard over Mrazek.....where did I say that? I have gone on record many times saying I want to trade Howard and go with Mrazek, but not because Howard sucks, but rather he is a middle aged goaltender with an injury history. If we could have Howard as a backup at a 2mi caphit, I would love to have him here. With that being said, I don't think Mrazek is a sure thing by any stretch. My comments to you were: "Jimmy became a full time starting goaltender at 25, that is not that late for a goalie. Can you provide something to back these claims up? Based on your "whiny" comment, I am prompted to believe this is an emotional based post opposed to a factual post." If you interpreted that as me saying get rid of Mrazek and stick with Howard then that's on you.

I don't think we'll be trading for a young, proven top-pairing defenseman anytime soon. The price is simply too high. Through the draft and/or by trading for a high-end prospect, e.g. Haydn Fleury.

I’ll dig more into older Howard references, but here’s an early one that references his slow development and poor start with the organization. Again, not surprised at all how people have conveniently forgotten how all but written off Howard was when he initially joined the team. http://blog.mlive.com/regners-ravings/2010/04/post.html And to be clear, I’m not saying Howard is “the worst” and I’m not wildly enthused about either goalie really at this point given all that’s gone on. Mrazek has a lot of work to do to prove he can be a big game goalie consistently, though I do believe he has the potential to be great. But Howard has had a career based on wild ups and downs, and he kicked off his NHL career at an older age than Mrazek is now! All I’m saying is I think it’s well worth giving Mrazek a bit more benefit of the doubt. We’re not an organization rich in top-notch prospects, and while Mrazek’s fallen from grace, he’s still very young and with the right attitude and choices, he still has potential to turn things around.

Sproul hasn't had a chance to be consistently in the lineup... and he won't unless we move some players.

You have to give to get. We have some dynamic youngsters in the 3 that you mentioned as well as Svechnikov. What we don't have and are desperately in need of is a top 2 D. That, in my opinion, is more important to this team. Trust me, I don't want to trade AA, but if that's what it takes, I would heavily consider it if I'm Holland. How else do you expect us to get a top 2 D that is young?

There is always a buyout period for teams, but there's the 2nd if a player elects arbitration. Larkin and Mantha are not arbitration eligible, but Sheahan, Sproul and Mrazek are. I'm sure with three players eligible, we'll get the 2nd buyout period.

Ok pretend we have an extra 11 mil. Who you gonna sign?

We can't do the same buyout next year, it's a one time option unless Larkin or Mantha elect arbitration (under CBA rules). It gets a pretty useless player off of our roster and gives Sproul a better chance to show what he can do and if he's worth investing more time and development in. Ericsson does nothing for this roster.

We could always try something like AA, Nyquist, and picks or AA, Tatar, Picks. Who knows. Best case for us is that the Jets goalie's suck this year and they need to make a trade.

Well, yeah. I feel that A2 would be the prime piece in the trade and we'd have to throw some extra goodies in. Bring on Trouba!

I'm okay trading A2 if the trade brings back a top 2 D or a top Center.

I've gotta give Kenny some props for this. Salary is a bit higher than I hoped, but I'm looking at it as the trade off to get the shorter term. I thought he'd either go 5.5 for 5 or let the arbitrator rule. Tats has been a bit of an offensive catalyst when Blash actually deployed him properly. If his shoulder is fine (and that is my biggest worry), this is good for both sides.

I'm fine with that. I think NYI would take it, they bid higher then us last year on Nielsen, so if Nielsen gave the ok (due to NMC) that's where I would attempt to trade him. The only way I'm keeping him is if he could help us get JT (hey, one can hope).

Honestly, Vanek has worn 26 more than any number. He took 62 here because Jurco already had 26. Similar with Hossa, who always wore 18 until he came here and took 81 because Maltby. When Vanek returns, he'll wear 26.

Oh, and of course the idiot gave him a full no trade in years 2 and 3 and a partial no trade in year 4. Can this guy stop handing out NTCs like they're candy.

Like Sheahan. Great.

True, but not every player should be defense first. We need some more offense first wingers. I'm hoping we allow Mantha to play his game, and do what he does best, score goals.

Not really. This board has been a Mrazek circle-jerk since 2012, and only now are posters starting to warm up to the idea that he isn't the savior. Most still have faith that he can be. I don't think anyone here, besides me, wants to lean heavy on Howard. It sounds to me like you've been reading too much of my constant Howard drum-beating, and not enough of the rest of the board.

Johnathan Toews sucks

AA played sheltered minutes and this guy calls him the best player. Outstanding.