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If the Oilers get another first overall, the draft system needs a serious overhaul. That would be what, 5 first overalls in 7 years? And I agree, Mrazek isn’t a prudent option for them right now. Neuvirth would be the guy I’d take off that list.

I really would hate so much to lose mantha

Nope, wasn't serious at all. Maybe I should have added Draidaitl and / or McDavid to really show how sarcastic I was being... I've said countless times that Holland should be calling / making trades with the terrible GM's (Chiarelli being the worst), but no, I don't even think he's THAT dumb. But hey, if Larsson gets you Hall, and Strome gets you Eberle, a Green / Mrazek package should in theory get you a pretty decent return. However, I don't think two of them would come close to getting us Pulujarvi, let alone the other two pieces... I wouldn't trade them in a package though. I'd be happy to hold onto Mrazek and trade Green for a late 1st / early 2nd. That, I do think is somewhat realistic...

It's bigger than sports for the Russian government. They seem to believe that dominating something athletic on the world stage (the Olympics in this case) convinces the rest of the world that their way of governing is superior, and their country is mightier than it really is. And they are willing to go to such great lengths to accomplish that facade. No one buys into it, everyone knows they're cheating now just like they knew it during the Cold War. Their orchestrated doping effort actually has the opposite effect. I don't understand what the point is in putting so much effort into propaganda that no one buys into. The irony is that if the NHL had allowed players to participate in the these Olympics, the Russians in the NHL would be allowed to compete (as independents?) because they would have passed all of the drug testing thanks to the NHL's anti-doping efforts.

Ah, good to know. I guess they're looking for something to put the playoffs back on their radar? That would make sense for Green. Mrazek would be more for future years, though Talbot has some pretty bad numbers this years so maybe not. It's a good thing for our situation that there has been interest in our castaways (yes, this is a Wilson joke). Smith, Jurco, Vanek, Sheahan, WIlson... soon we will have all the picks (insert evil laugh). Still don't know how I'd feel about losing Mrazek, though (cue goalie flame war).

Those two players should easily get us Pulujarvi, Nurse and their 2019 first round draft pick...

Because believe it or not, Blashill might not be a good enough NHL coach, he's still a smart human being that understands his players' personalities well. Howard would never react well to criticism like that. His personality doesn't fit that mold. Howard is the type of person you want to remind that you believe in him. The type of guy that himself comes out and says "I haven't been good". People that are simple minded (the media people you're talking about ) don't get that concept.

https://www.tsn.ca/salary-cap-projects-to-rise-at-least-3m-for-2018-19-1.938437 Interesting.

I've been to a Mavericks game. It's fun. Filling the Sprint Center is a different story, though. The city and fans seem content to have that arena not include a sports tenant. The Midwest in general is a college sports place. The Chiefs and Royals are about all that residents can handle with pro sports. There's a reason both the NHL and NBA failed in Kansas City. How many cities have lost a team and got it back to have success afterwards? The NHL should learn its lesson from the debacle that was the Atlanta Flames/Thrashers.

I would definitely have to consider this. In the end, I probably wouldn't do it, if for no other reason than Karlsson's injury history. I also wouldn't want to trade that 1st round pick, for the off chance that it could end up being Dahlin. I'd much rather have Dahlin, Larkin / Mantha, and Nyquist / Tatar, than just Karlsson. Regardless, I think Ottawa would receive better offers if Karlsson were actually were to be shopped. I know you're probably not serious, but that would be an awful trade. Sure, we'd get that coveted number one, but it would completely wipe out any sort of offense we have. Karlsson is an unbelievable talent, but he can't do it by himself. If Tatar and a 37 year old Zetterberg are your only decent forwards, you're in big trouble...

Isn't that what he usually does? There are a lot of Holland type guys available this summer. Correct. It's not that they don't want to be traded ever, it's just that they want some control over when and where they are traded. Totally understandable. The NTC/NMC uproar by fans is WAY overblown. It's not those clauses that make them difficult to trade anyway, its their albatross contracts. Agree. I actually think he WANTS to be in Detroit. He only had the full NMC on the first 2 years to avoid being exposed in the expansion draft. Starting next season, he can only submit a list of 10 teams he won't except trades to, and I can see him refusing if Holland tries to trade him to one of those 10.

Makes sense. And yes, horrible trade. I always wanted Eberle on the Wings. Once McDavids new contract kicks in things are gonna be tighter cap wise. Always rumours of Nuge being traded, but they never amount to anything. Either no one wants him at his cap hit, or the Oilers can’t get their asking price. Lots of Oilers fans want him to stay too. But somethings gotta give.

I feel they overachieved last season, caught teams by surprise. What we're seeing this season is probably a combination of natural regression and teams having a season's worth of tape that they can dissect. Oh, and they turned Eberle into Ryan Strome. That hasn't helped. *facepalm*

Incompetence, thy name is Oilers.

Honestly, their roster really isn't anything to write home about, aside from McDavid. They might be underachieving, but not by much. Chiarelli's reaping what he sowed, IMO.

You've definitely turned into a much better poster Cady!

They are looking at cheaper options than Mrazek as well though. Johnson Hutchinson Neuvirth Pickard Also in talks with Sabres. If Mrazek is traded, he’s traded. I’d just hate to see him go to Edmonton, because they will actually give him a solid chance to regain form. Talbot hasn’t been there very long, and isn’t having a good season. They don’t “owe”him anything. I’m sure McLelland wouldn’t have an issue running with Mrazek. Unlike Detroit, where he can’t seem to escape Howard’s shadow because of multiple factors. Be even worse if he ends up being the goalie that gets the Oilers a Cup within a couple years, although it would be funny seeing him stick it to Holland, if he’s still around. They aren’t that far off, just need a few pieces. And they have the assets to get them.

It was Friedman who reported it apparently.

They’ll agree. Maybe not everyone but a few would. You really think someone would stay employed at a place where their boss doesn’t want them anymore? A lot of players waive their NTC/NMC. Fleury did it last season for example. He had no reason to really, he could have said no and stayed with Pitt and won possibly a third cup. No one in Detroit has even remotely that type of incentive to stay

Can I be honest with you, LGW.com fam? I'm feeling optimistic about the Wings' future. The 2018 draft class. The 2019 UFA class. I see possibilities and they excite me.

Been saying that for awhile. Jimmy’s on and off play lately should earn him a spot on the bench. Your paying Mrazek $4 million as a backup. Use him, give him a chance to play a few consecutive games and go from there. Never know, might get him heading towards where they want him to be, which is replacing Howard. Someone has to at some point.

Blash has to go... even if you just ride an interim the rest of the season... we've lost 7 of the last 8 and have been handled in a majority of those games. They need to let Mrazek play the next few games, regardless of how he plays. Give him a chance to get going and gain some confidence (if possible). Give Howard an extended rest because he just looks tired out there.

Does this mean the floor raises too? We could sure help some teams out with some salary!

If its 7mil, that is huge for us. Makes the bad contracts less of a liability. Hopefully we don't spend it on anything other then elite talent/RFA's.

Thanks to Vegas for this! It will be interesting to see how much space we'll have. But that will all depend on whether we're planning on bringing back Green and where Mrazek fits into things. Anyway, good thing for a big offseason where we have to re-sign Mantha, Larkin, AA. to deals (Frk too).