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At least one time in the preseason I'd like Ehn, Athanasiou and Frk on a line regardless of position so I can market shirts that say "The Frk-Ehn-A Line"

why tho.

You're going to be so wrong about Gino. Like @LeftWinger and @krsmith17 on draft day 2017 levels of wrong!!

HAHA they chose a chucky cheese robot and named it GRITTY lmao Oh damn they have a backstory for the monstrosity too lol THANK. YOU. SO. MUCH. PHILADELPHIA.

That's my concern as well. I'm worried that playing the best isn't as important as already having "paid your dues" in GR in this scenario. I've got nothing against Hicketts and would be okay if it's him + Cholowski that are considered the front runners right now, but the narrative that he's "been the best" doesn't sit well with me. Feels like I'm being prepped for a decision the organization knows everyone's going to be unhappy with. I'm with @krsmith17, in my mind Sulak has the edge over Hicketts.

I hear ya. I'm not saying we need to keep Jensen. I'd trade either in a heartbeat, along with every other defenseman on last year's blue line. But between the two, I think Jensen is the better player. The fact that he's younger and cheaper is just a bonus. Jensen is a good depth defenseman in my opinion. I like Ericsson, always have, but it's soon time for Holland to make some tough decisions, get rid of some of the old guard and bring in some young blood.

Rasmussen's definitely in. Svechnikov probably has a slight edge over Zadina (who doesn't look ready), but I'm not sure he's on pace to outright steal a top-nine job over the next couple of weeks, which probably means he'd be spending time on the fourth line, which might not be the best situation for his development. So, if Frk is good to start the season, maybe Rasmussen is the only rookie forward in the lineup. I think Veleno has done enough to at least earn himself an NHL audition, but there's really no place for him on the roster at this time, so you might as well just send him back to junior after a couple more exhibition games. On D...I'm assuming Hicketts gets a spot, because I think everyone's ok with him spending time in the press box. So he's a kinda-sorta reserve, a 6D or 7D, depending on how Jensen and [other kid] are playing. I really don't know who [other kid] is going to be. The other day I said Hronek makes the most sense because he's a right-shooting PPQB and Blashill likes him as a PPQB and Green is out. But Hronek has looked a little shaky, and I still worry about his scrawny build (look how much physical abuse Green and Jensen take). Sulak has been impressive, but I feel like it's been sort of a superficial impressive; he's a fantastic forward-skater and puck-rusher, but Blashill said he needs to improve in certain areas and I don't necessarily disagree. Of the four defensemen (five if you count Saarijarvi), Cholowski has impressed me the most. He's smooth, steady, poised, precise. He makes good decisions. He makes good passes. He can run a PP. He can kill penalties. My only concern is that, at this stage in his development, he needs to be playing big minutes in a big role and I'm not sure he'd have that opportunity as a Wing right now, even with Green out.

I actually laughed out loud. I am cautiously optimistic about Svechnikov though. I just have this feeling he's going to have a big year.

He's either gonna make the roster and Jurco it up, or he's gonna go back down and continue to be out-shined by Matt Pimple That's my professional opinion

Vilardi missed the beginning of last season due to a back sprain suffered during summer training. He finished the season and dominated the OHL for the few months he was able to play. His back flared up again at the end of the season and he missed the World Junior Summer Showcase this summer. He also missed all of rookie camp / training camp and has yet to play a single pre-season game. I think the disclaimer is warranted. Maybe the Red Wings staff knew something about a back issue last June, and that's why they picked Rasmussen over the much more skilled Vilardi. IF Vilardi can get healthy (I think he will), I still think he'll end up being the better player, but IF he doesn't and ends up being a bust, I'll still give Holland the credit (and eat a heaping plate of crow), because at the end of the day, he picked the right player, regardless of circumstances.

LOL. Hicketts? The best? Please. Is this management's way of saying Cholowski's going to be in GRs no matter how well he plays? Sounds like to to me.

I think Hicketts has played well. He's made some great plays in the offensive zone, but I agree, he hasn't been the best of the young defensemen. In my opinion that's been Cholowski by a wide margin. I might even say that Sulak has been slightly better than Hicketts as well. Hronek has struggled a little. I think he could use another season in Grand Rapids to be honest. Cholowski looks NHL ready, but it might not be the worst thing if he starts in GR as well. I'd be fine with Hicketts and Sulak making the Wings in a smaller role, and Cholwski and Hronek getting big roles with the Griffs. Although that may push Saarijarvi further down the depth chart once again.

I'll be eating some NFLD crow if Veleno > Rasmussen. Isn't that right @krsmith17 ? Until then, I'm safely enjoying my place as a hardcore original member of team Razz.

I'm not one of the herd that's peeing his pants over the idea of Yzerman coming back as GM and saving this franchise BUT I do think that it would be much easier for someone (like Yzerman) to come in and clean house (like Yzerman did in Tampa) then to expect Holland to do it. They are his contracts and he is loyal.

Zadina is 100% eligible to play in the AHL this season. If that's what you meant

He's a ginger? I dunno. I don't care about $. Or age. Jensen has no future in Detroit and Ericsson shouldn't either. I just like him more. I have fond memories of him standing up for his teammates. Plus he and Daley were decent last year. But any of the four D prospects could replace either of these guys right now for all I care.

Optimism: Wings have a lot of good prospects Pessimism: Wings and all their old-ass deadweight aren't going to be this fun to watch come Oct 4th Blah!!