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Exhibit A of my AA theory AA is the most fun player to watch, which is making him overrated as all heck. Zetterberg is boring as heck to watch. But the man plays winning hockey. Exciting does not equal good. Larkin, now thats a player who is exciting and good. I hope AA does really well and becomes the 50 pt player we all hope he can be. But he clearly has a lot to work on. Hes way behind Mantha and Larkin. And I think Bertuzzi is about leap frog him. Hes certanily not the 4th best player on this team in my book. The score sheet reflects that and the salary chart reflects that, even considering overpayments.

And if he can be moved NOW in a package to bring a top 4 (YOUNGER) d-man, you freaking do it. Drafting Zadina made him expendable. What does this team lack more than anything? Defense.

NYE game is gonna cost more. Last season for lower bowl I was paying anywhere from 145-200$ a seat. I honestly can't remember a time 100$ getting you lower bowl seats in the last 10 years. Maybe it's where I seat or maybe I've been overpaying..... I go to about 8-12 games a year since 2007ish.

I also went with Cholowski. But would like to add Berggren to the dark horse group.

Good Read By Khan On Projected Lineups Khan's lineup to start the season: Mantha - Larkin - Zadina Athanasiou - Nielsen - Rasmussen Nyquist - Helm - Vanek Bertuzzi - Glendening - Abdelkader Extras: Frk, Witkowski Explanation: On the defense: On trading for a Dman: More on Athanasiou:

I don't think a player picked at #31 overall will rise that quickly

I like guys that want to be here "I had a few options, but I love Detroit, easy"

He ain't the captain. First, I am not joking. I think that both of our goaltenders in the grand scheme of things are "better" than AA. RIGHT NOW. Second, that wasn't the premise of the argument. If we're clean slating here? How do I get to choose my replacement goaltenders? From available UFAs? ...because I think we picked up the best one in this offseason and creating a tandem of Bernier/Howard is fine with me for this season.

Pretty much what Neo said. I love Kronwall. Great leader whose given, and continues to give, his body n soul to this team. Very much want him around as long as he can still contribute. Id consider re-signing him again after this contract. Green is an entirely seperate issue in my book. I dont think im overvaluing Green. I thought I was being pretty modest calling him a placeholder. Certainly didnt call him a god or anything close to it. Just so were clear, IMO, Green is not a #1 NHL dman. He's a high end 2nd pairing playing the #1. And I think our D has a big drop off after that. Daley was a great signing, but in my book hes a low end 2nd pairing. After that I think were looking at all bottom pairing guys. Including Dekeyser and Kronwall. Thats why I want Green on this team. I dont doubt that Kronwall sets a great example for prospects, but I want a player that can literaly lead the D on the ice and eat the hard minutes, for the good of every players confidence. Kronwall can have the lockerroom. Green is plugging a hole. I think its a HUGE hole, and thats why i think its worth plugging.

How is this not enough for you?

Larkin isn't as smart as Zetterberg quite yet. And you're still talking out your ass with no evidence other than "because I said so" and "eyeball tests". I'll play your game, here's eyeball proof. 200 foot player visual example. Clearly has got the skill and has done it. Also AA is a penalty killer. Nyquist isn't. You dodged a big point I made and just said it's because he's fast lol. Pure speculation and again; you haven't given any proof. Another example of 200 foot game. AA is the deepest forward on the backcheck before the turn over while he makes the play. Example of him going against the boards and helping creating a turn over. So. Much. Floating. People like to criticize AA a little too much. I agree that he's had his fair share of issues and on occasion have even spoken against him, but let's not discredit him this much. He's about as good as Nyquist is and has a higher skill set and likely will end up being a top 6 winger. And yes his speed is his biggest advantage and that's good enough in the present day NHL to make it far. Welcome to 2018 NHL. Speed kills.

Larkin, Mantha, Zadina, AA: : That doesn't excuse AA from not playing a 2 way game, nor is it an excuse for being selfish. He needs to play some defense like every other forward on the team. He may have a higher ceiling, but that doesn't make him 3rd or 4th best now. He has a lot to learn and he will never reach that potential if he continues to be one dimensional. Because he has "potential". His trade value will start to go down if he doesn't wise up. PLaying D isn't entertaining, but You can't win without it. AA may be entertaining to watch, but that doesn't win you any games.

Cool. You have to go back in time then, and uncheer for the Wings when they won in 08 with you boy Johan laying waste to the Western Conference.

So forwards aren't supposed to play any defense? How bad the D is has nothing to do with it. Even F on the teams with the best D corps still play a 2 way game. AA doesn't. The criticism is warranted. AA may be younger than Green, Daley, and DD, but that doesn't make his contribution more valuable, nor does it make him a better player than any of them. He has the ability to be "Helm with Hands". Which isn't a bad thing. He could actually be a much better player if he would learn to play a 2 way game. Even then, I disagree that he has a high ceiling. He is a middle 6 winger at best. PLanet LGW

How dare you disrespect the captain.

Dude, hes the 4th best player on the team

So Lamoriello is Toronto GM with an agreement that he'll step away from Toronto to make way for Dubas when the timing is right. Apparently that right timing coincides with exactly the same time Toronto/Mississauga native, elite center, Johan Tavares is set to leaves the Islanders via FA. Lou then becomes GM of the Islanders John Tavares then signs with Toronto Lou then trades with Toronto to get an overpaid Matt Martin, giving Toronto cap relief. I'm not saying there's a conspiracy going on and Lou is a double agent, but I also don't trust Italians who've spent that much time in New Jersey...

it's confirmed Z-Z in the Top line...