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You need to repair your sarcasm sensor

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I'm counting on a trade or two. I'll be surprised if they send Rasmussen back to junior.

Fleury has been "okay"... 3 goals allowed on 130 shots, 0.977 save percentage, 0.65 goals against average, 2 shutouts in a 4 game sweep...

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/

Yup. Tkachuk might be an NHL center, but my money's on him becoming a winger like his his older brother and performing more or less the same as his bro has. I'm thinking Veleno probably goes in the top 12. That said, I'd be thrilled if we could somehow trade up and get him with our second pick. Maybe an AA+ package gets us there? AA + Vegas's 1st + one of our 2nds? Does that get us a pick in the 9-12 range and, if so, would Veleno be worth it?

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.

If I had to choose between Wahlstrom and Tkachuk, I think I'd take Wahlstrom. While it'd be great to have a throwback power-forward with a mean streak and soft hands (Tkachuk), I think Wahlstrom's game is better suited for today's NHL. He's got size, he's a great skater, he plays a physical game and likes to be in the middle of the action -- but he's also a wildly skilled scorer and playmaker with very real gamebreaking ability. And he shoots right-handed. "Yet you say you might be disappointed if we take him in the 6-8 range. Be consistent, man!" I just like those three or four defensemen that much, and we need high-end defensemen that badly. Not that we don't also need a scorer like Wahlstrom (or Zadina), but I don't think he (or Zadina, or Tkachuk) is on Svechnikov's level. If we're not getting Dahlin or Svechnikov, the smart pick is probably Hughes/Boqvist/Bouchard/Dobson. I won't get bent out of shape if the Wings decide otherwise, though. Because all of these players are excellent.