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I'm pretty sure the Wings will be looking to take a defenseman with the first pick, but it's entirely possible that they decide an available forward is better than the available defensemen. Taking Svechnikov over anyone not named Dahlin is, to me, a no-brainer, but you could also make a case for Zadina or Tkachuk being every bit as appealing as any of Hughes, Boqvist, Bouchard, Dobson. I might be a little disappointed if we take Wahlstrom in the 6-8 range, but on the other hand, we're talking about arguably the top centerman in this draft class. Taking Veleno 8th overall? Could be a reach, but I'm not sure he's any less promising than Larkin was in his draft year. I'm so pumped for this draft. Lottery's only 12 days away! http://www.tankathon.com/nhl/mock_draft

I'd rather that then us sign a UFA to a multi year deal.

Kronwall Ready for Next Season Looks like he'll play out the contract and spend next year mentoring the kids. Perhaps this is one of the reasons motivating Holland to avoid FA and bring up more kids next year?

I guess extending that playoff streak doesn't seem so bad now, huh? It was all part of the long con.

Penguins seem to make it work. But I get your point.

Some light end of season reading: https://www.si.com/nhl/2018/04/17/penalty-box-history-nhl-playoffs Also, if anyone hasn't heard, the Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City was blind sided last year by the NHL into having to spend $200K to upgrade both ice rinks to NHL standards. There was talk that the Wings would have to move the Prospect Tournament and Training Camp somewhere else if the remodel wasn't completed. That would be a shame as having it there in such a small, quaint atmosphere, getting that close to the players, just wouldn't be the same if it was held at LCA. It is a truly a unique experience. Imagine the Wings playing a scrimmage game at your local indoor ice rink, and bumping into and taking pictures with guys like Kris Draper, Chris Chelios, and Ken Daniels walking around. That's what it's like there. Even the worst seats are only feet from the ice surface, and you not only get to see all of the roster players (no healthy scratches) you also get to see all of the prospects. Luckily, it appears that arena is moving forward with the renovations, which would make sense considering the city generates far more than $200K each year from the Wings being there. And the Wings have agreed to stay there for at least the next 5 years if the renovations are made. This is good news as I plan on attending both the Prospect Tournament and Training Camp this year, and maybe take in some Upper Peninsula while I'm up there. They are currently taking Private donations as well. You can read about it here: http://themalikreport.com/2018/04/16/a-bit-more-about-centre-ice-arenas-fundraising-drive/

I agree 100%. Tkachuk is also listed as a slash too. He won't be a center at the NHL level. The highest ranked "true" Center is Veleno. Whenever I See C/LW or C/RW I always see that as the equivalent of "padding a resume". Svech Sr. was listed as a C/LW when he was drafted IIRC, but i don't think there's much argument about him being a winger at the NHL level. I think if it Dahlin and Svech are gone, I draft one of the D, then I look to trade up into the teens and draft Veleno if I can get him. The problem with that scenario is they'll probably want an early second back in the trade. I guess my point is, unless it's Svechnikov, there are too many good young D to draft a winger with the first pick.

It's not. The coach has him and Geekie together for their incredible chemistry, despite the fact theyre both centerman. It has nothing to do with how good of a centerman he is.

I don't think many are "down on Wahlstrom". I think anyone would be thrilled to have him in their organization, but if we're picking top 5, there will likely be better options available. If we fall back to 8, I'd consider taking him for sure, depending on who else is still on the board.

Well, he will be mentoring Rasmus Dahlin afterall..... So ya, a healthy Kronner is a plus for us. Just don't sign Green....at least not more than one year.

Unless the UFA would be Karlsson a year early!

Are you sure? I have seen him listed mostly as a RW, occasionally as a C/RW. If he isn't a full time C at the lower levels, I don't think he'll play C at the NHL level. Which is why I'm not high on him. I'm only looking at Svech, Zadina, Tkachuk if I am looking at a forward in the top 10. If I need a Center, I trade down and pick Veleno.

The fundamental problem here is that the Wings' system is extremely low on players with really substantial trade value. (Another way of saying we don't have enough high-end talent.) This means that in addition to our trade options being incredibly limited, any big trades that we could pull off probably wouldn't do much for us -- and, indeed, could easily hurt us. Trade Larkin for a stud defenseman and now we're in need of a stud centerman, with only one other high-end centerman in the system (Rasmussen) and with no guarantee that the stud defenseman we're getting is going to work out for us the way we're hoping he will. Trade Mantha for a stud defenseman and now we're in need of a stud scoring winger, with essentially zero comparable wingers in the system and, again, with no guarantee that the stud defenseman is going to be a stud for us. Trade Svechnikov and you're not even getting a 1st-round pick in return. Nyquist might get us a 1st at next season's trade deadline. Trade Hronek or Cholowski and you're giving up one of our top two D prospects. This is why I'm so excited about the next couple of drafts. The Wings have learned to scrape by in drought conditions, but now they're finally in for some heavy rain. 21(+) picks across two very deep drafts means a hell of a lot more to the Wings than it would to most other organizations. The 2018 draft alone could totally reshape our talent pool. We could double the number of Rasmussen/Cholowski/Hronek-tier prospects in our system practically overnight.

And he did it to stop playing hockey, not to hamper us with a cap hit and go play somewhere else. Dats would have f***ed us with cap hit in 2014 technically if Holland didn’t tell him he would block him from playing in KHL. Like it or not, the Datsyuk drama was ongoing from 2014 onwards and I’m sure it left a bad taste in Holland and Illitches mouth having to deal with it on and off for 3 years. These same people happen to be the ones who decide if the number gets retired.

He can walk away sure, but I’m referring to the fact that Holland said he was going to stop him from playing in the KHL had he left in 2014

If Ottawa gets the#1 pick, their Karlsson problems will be solved. He will probably re-sign and finish his career there. Here's a scenario/question for you. Ottawa gets the #1 and wants to package it and Karlsson together, what is your offer? Mantha, Ras and every remaining 2018 pick? Would that be enough?

It's done....