Leaderboard

Caps win 6-2. Lead series 3-1. I think Vegas sneaks in another win at home in game 5, and the Caps win it all in 6. Rewatching the 98 Finals highlights against the Caps, I am reminded what a beast Doug Brown(ov) was in that series. Game tying goal in Game 2, two goals in game 4. If there was one non-HOF guy on that roster that I could have on this team now, it would be Doug Brown, hands down. The expression on his face on the game tying goal in game 2 was priceless. With Dougie, every goal was like his first.

Happy 20th Anniversary Caps and Wings.

On this day 10 years ago (can't believe it's been that long), the Red Wings won their last Stanley Cup. Zetterberg scored the GWG in bizzarre fashion when Fleury sat on the puck. And who can forget the tense last few seconds of the game with that puck sliding across Osgood's crease? Here's to hoping it won't be the last one this century.

My understanding is that the talk is based on reporting by Craig Custance and Khan : Red Wings open to moving down from No. 6 slot, plus draft combine tidbits [Craig Custance, The Athletic, 5/30] Paywalls r dumb. Red Wing willing to trade No. 6 pick in NHL draft: report [NHL.com, 5/30] The Detroit Red Wings are willing to trade the No. 6 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, general manager Ken Holland told The Athletic on Wednesday. "I'm open to possibly move," Holland said. [ . . . . ] "I've started to talk to some teams about a lot," Holland said. "As you work your way toward Dallas at the draft, draft movement possibilities, I think at this stage in the game, everybody is kicking tires as to what might be out there." [ . . . . ] "If somebody on your list starts to slide, then you start to work the phone," Holland said. "We like a lot of players in that range, in that 30-35 range. We think there's some pretty good players. Do you package two of those picks and try to move up? Possibly, if somebody high on our lists starts to slide and starts to fall." Detroit Red Wings trying to move up in draft [Ansar Khan, MLive.com, 6/2] The Detroit Red Wings have the sixth pick in the June 22 draft, their highest selection since 1990. But it might not be high enough to suit them. A couple of the players they covet, right wing Filip Zadina and defenseman Evan Bouchard, might be off the board. That's why the Red Wings are trying to move up the draft, to as high as No. 3, a league source said. Will Detroit Red Wings make pitch for Ilya Kovalchuk? [Ansar Khan, MLive.com, 6/4] Red Wings will try to move up in draft Q: Do the Wings plan to look for a lot of trade-up opportunities at the draft and use extra picks to move up? – Tom A: They will try. They would like to move up to No. 3 for a shot at right wing Filip Zadina or No. 4 or 5 to get defenseman Evan Bouchard. If they do trade up or down it would happen during the draft on June 21 and of course depend on what transpires ahead of them. What would it take to move up? At minimum, in addition to swapping the No. 6 pick, the Red Wings surely would need to relinquish their other first-round selection (30 or 31, depending on whether Vegas wins the Stanley Cup) or one of their second-round picks (No. 33 or 36). ___________ Bonus: Petrella's Pre-Lottery Look at the Red Wings' Options [Clark Rasmussen, DetroitHockey.Net, 4/20] For what it’s worth, the Wings seem to be leaning Zadina, who The Athletic named as the one guy they’d go off-script to grab, if given the chance. More on that later. [ . . . . ] Craig Custance had a really great article on The Athletic a few weeks ago. In it, he identified a pool of eight players that, even in the worst-case scenario where the Wings move down to 8th, one or more will be available for selection. They are the same eight players listed above (before discussing Wahlstrom and Veleno). Custance also mentions that Svechnikov and Tkachuk don’t fit any organizational need. And then there’s this tidbit: “The Red Wings like both players but the crucial need is on defense and it would be hard to pass on a potential top pair defenseman for another winger in the system. The one exception would be Filip Zadina. The organization is well aware they need a game-breaker to compete with the best teams in what’s becoming a one-goal league. Zadina is that guy.” ___________ A couple of days ago I said I doubt the Wings are truly serious about moving up to 3. But where's there smoke, there's usually fire -- and there does seem to be smoke here. Maybe Holland feels it might not actually take a king's ransom to move up to 3. "In what world would it not cost a king's ransom?" Maybe no one's willing to pay out the ass for that pick and so Bergevin could be willing to settle for a smaller return. If Bergevin wants a player he fully expects to be available at 6, then he should trade back. He can tell GMs he won't trade the pick for anything less than a king's ransom, but if he wants to get something (anything?) out of the situation, he might have to settle for a return that we might actually be ok with paying. Let's say Bergevin wants Kotkaniemi. He could get Kotkaniemi + a king's ransom...but maybe he couldn't actually get that ransom, because maybe no one's actually willing to pay that price. So he could be looking at two options: A) Kotkaniemi or B) Kotkaniemi + pretty good haul.

I wasn't being selective at all. I was simply listing the top power-play teams and the top producers on those power-plays. Yes, every team has left and right handed players, but not every team has elite left and right handed shooters that they utilize on the power-play. That's my point. We need some elite (top 6) right-handed shooters. I'm not saying that having balanced handedness would fix our problems, but it would certainly go a long way in helping our problem scoring and setting up in the offensive zone. I never said "Frk would fix our power-play". I said he would help our power-play, which he did. Just like I'm not saying that a right-handed sniper would fix our power-play, but he would certainly help. I also didn't say "Frk doesn't count as a right-handed shot because he isn't good enough". All I said was that he probably won't even be back next season. That's a knock on management, not Frk as a player. I think Frk should be back, because he is good enough. I'm not saying two different things at all... I'm saying that adding some high end right-handed shots should be a priority, but we shouldn't pass up on better players just because of handedness. Why is this so difficult for you to comprehend? I believe a balanced attack on forward and defense plays a huge role in a teams success. You don't think it matters whatsoever. Whatever.

It doesn't matter where they finished in the standings. It only matters where they finished in the draft lottery. Carolina finished the season with 10 more points and about 16% less odds at a top 3 pick than us. They obviously wouldn't sell low on the 2nd overall pick, and neither would Montreal on the 3rd overall pick. Has there been anything more to that rumor than Holland saying that he'd be willing to move up or down though? I'm not sure if there was ever an actual deal on the table involving Montreal, was there? Would Bergevin dare to make a bold (dumb) move? Never! If I'm Bergevin and Kotkaniemi is seriously at the top of my list (no idea why...), I do whatever I can to trade back. If I'm Holland, there's no way I trade up to 3, unless it was extremely cheap. Even then, I'd probably prefer to stay at 6 and take Wahlstrom over Zadina at 3 and lose any assets.

From Ohio, drafted by Chicago, and played for Notre Dame. f*** this guy. But in all seriousness, more promotions from within? I'll keep my mind open, but we seem to do a lot of this lately. As Leftwinger would say, I'm spooked

This is actually the scenario I like as I feel Wahlstrom can probably step right in, so they can move some current pieces for later picks and D needs. As far as Dmen available with our other picks (assuming we don't try and package a couple to move up into the 18-20 range: Alexander Alexeyev - WHL - 45gp, 7 goals, 30 assists - 6'3" 200 lbs, shoots left "Alexeyev does a lot of things well. There are a couple of things he can work on, but most aspects of his game are good. The difficulty here is finding one skill where he will be elite. There is a collection of good tools here, but no great one. Alexeyev projects as a potential second pairing defender, who can play in all situations. In terms of style, Alexeyev’s game is reminiscent of Jonas Brodin." Jacob Bernard-Docker - AJHL - 49gp, 20 goals, 21 assists - 6'1" 181 lbs, shoots right "Bernard-Docker will need time to develop, especially with the jump from the AJHL to the pros. Expect to see him spend a couple of seasons at North Dakota before being ready for the pro game. As he faces higher competition and gets better coaching, his defensive game should improve. It is sometimes tough for a player who doesn’t face top competition to improve defensively as he is not challenged by strong opponents game in and game out. Bernard-Docker can also improve his strength. His game is reminiscent of Jeff Petry." Mattias Samuelsson - USDP - 58gp, 11 goals, 20 assists - 6'4" 217 lbs, shoots left "Samuelsson has the unique combination of size, physicality and skill that NHL teams covet on their blue line. He may not have the offensive game to be a top power play unit player, but could contribute to a second unit. Samuelsson will need to work on refining his skills, cleaning up his skating, and improving discipline. As he is headed to the NCAA, there is plenty of time for him to improve. Samuelsson’s game is reminiscent of a left-handed Brent Seabrook." Jakub Adamek - Czech U20 - 42gp, 1 goal, 4 assists - 6'6" 200 lbs, shoots left Can't find any scouting info on him Calen Addison - WHL - 68gp, 11 goals, 54 assists - 5'10" 179 lbs - shoots right "The lack of size and strength will likely prevent Addison from ever becoming a shutdown defenceman, playing on the top pair. However, his skating, puck-moving, and offensive abilities still show him to be an intriguing prospect. He likely needs more time in juniors, to bulk up and play a bit more disciplined with the puck. If things go well in development, Addison has the potential to be a first unit power play defender and second pairing player at even strength. His game is reminiscent of Tyson Barrie." Axel Andersson - SuperElit - 42gp, 6 goals, 25 assists - 6' 174 lbs, shoots right "A long-term developmental defender who needs to add better habits and less gambling in his end and more grit. Strong on the puck and able to hold it in his end, with losing possession. Needs better awareness and presence in his end and bit more grit. Very skilled skater and puckhandler with flash and dash, and a high patience when under forechecking pressure. A long-term developmental right-hander who needs to continue to build his overall game." Aleksi Anttalainen - QMJHL - 61gp, 4 goals, 18 assists - 5'9" 182 lbs, shoots left No information If we trade into the 15-20 range: Adam Ginning - SHL - 28gp, 1 goal, 1 assist - 6'3" 196 lbs, shoots left "Ginning has the potential to be a defensive defenceman in the top four, however he must continue to improve his skating. He will likely never be a big offensive contributor, but can still keep the puck moving. He will need some time to add muscle to his growing frame as well. Expect Ginning to spend at least another season or two in Sweden before coming to North America. His style is comparable to Johnny Oduya." Ty Smith - WHL - 69gp, 14 goals, 59 assists - 5'10" 174 lbs, shoots left "Smith can be an excellent offensive contributor at the next level. He has all the skills to transform a team’s transition game and to run the power play. It is not clear if his defensive game will be good enough to take on top pairing minutes at the next level. Continued work on getting stronger will be key. He likely needs another year of junior, possibly two. Stylistically, Smith's game is similar to Shayne Gostisbehere." Jared McIsaac - QMJHL - 65gp, 9 goals, 38 assists - 6'1" 195 lbs, shoots left "McIsaac has all the upside and skills necessary to be a top-four defenceman at the NHL level. While he is not NHL ready yet, another year or two in junior, rounding out his game will serve him well. He should continue to play big minutes, and in all situations. This is something that will serve him well in his development. McIsaac’s game is reminiscent of Drew Doughty." Bode Wilde - USDP - 61gp, 12 goals, 29 assists - 6'2" 194 lbs, shoots right "Wilde has the potential to become a number one defenseman in the NHL, but he is more likely to slot in as a number two or three. He plays a solid two-way game and can be an important part of a team’s defensive core, playing both power play and penalty kill minutes. He has to continue to refine his game and will need some time before he will be NHL ready. Wilde’s game is reminiscent of a smaller version of Dustin Byfuglien."

Fixed it for ya.

Says the guy with the Pee Wee Herman avatar

"Hello, my name is Hakan, and I will be your fishing guide today" "The only thing I need guiding to is Swedish hockey players haha [nervously whips out and points to a Polaroid of Borje Salming]" "........." "You're hired"

Should've hired Hossa instead of Andersson. It's a mistake Kenny will never live down.

"So you're a left-shot forward." "yeh" "You sure about that?" "Um, pretty su--" "THEN EXPLAIN THIS!" [whips out an old polaroid pic of the player where he's holding his stick like a righty] "How did you get that p--" "I'M ASKING THE QUESTIONS HERE, BUCKO!"

I have always wanted them to trade for OEL... I hesitate now when thinking about it. He'll be 27 this summer and we may not be back in the playoff picture for 2-3 more years (minimum). Then you're talking about a 30-year-old OEL when we are just starting to turn the corner but still probably being bounced in the first or second rounds... I just wonder if we need to skew younger at this point (with bringing in outside defense). I would be aiming to trade for someone like Trouba (24 and an RFA) or Hanafin (21 and an RFA). Both will cost less in the immediate future, as well.

In a heart there are four chambers, in my life I was blessed with four individuals that filled those chambers with life and love, today I lost one. I will be taking a break from things for a while. Stay awesome my friends.