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Kid is going to be a stud.

I've always been a big fan of Bertuzzi, but even watching him in Guelph and Grand Rapids, I never really thought he'd be anything more than a bottom six agitator at the NHL level. I thought he might be a 20-30 point player that can play a solid two-way game. He's far exceeded my expectations (and I think everyone elses) thus far. He's currently on pace for 46 points, and the way he plays, that number or higher may be very attainable. He plays hard every single shift, every single game, goes to the dirty areas, and won't back down from anyone. These are all things most of us knew before he ever played a game in Detroit. What most of us have been pleasantly surprised by is the level of skill and hockey IQ he has. Such a smart, cerebral player. At this point, I think he could be a 40-50 point middle six player that can play up and down the lineup in all situations. Great pick at 58th overall, and great trade by Kenny, nabbing Mantha and Bertuzzi for the 18th overall pick (Mueller). Too bad Mantha didn't have the same compete level as Bert, he'd be a perennial 30+ goal scorer for sure...

Yeah, Fabbro is still a player I'd like to target. The Preds are stacked on D, and would likely give him up for an upgrade up front. Maybe Nyquist and the Islanders 2019 2nd round pick for Fabbro and the Panthers 3rd round pick... I'd be open to trading Mantha for an upgrade on the back end, but not for Klefbom. He's a solid defenseman, I just don't see him moving the needle all that much. But man, Mantha would score 40 in his sleep on McDavid's wing...

sellout

Meh. We have too many 2nd pair D already. Would rather have Pesce off that list, RH, although I don't know why the Canes would trade him when they just signed him to that contract. Want #15.

Not sure if this was posted yet or not. I'm pretty excited though. Also Zadina had a couple goals today in an 8 - something win over somebody. Hopefully he's getting comfortable at this level.

I'm a junior moderator, I'll see if I can get this fixed. Texting Mabus now.

yeah

Came to say this. He constantly surprises me with his vision and quick thinking. I don't know what his upside is, but if he manages to be a middle six guy who maintains an offensive pace like this I'll be pleased. I see him filling the role I wanted Abdelkader to fill.

At the time of his draft, Tyler Bertuzzi was considered a reach. A guy with a name around Detroit and not much more than that going for him. But that this point in his (admittedly short) career he's a point every other game kinda guy. Beyond just producing, he provides a different offensive dynamic, compliments skill players well, and draws penalties. So, what lessons can we learn from the case of Tyler Bertuzzi? Will he maintain his offensive pace or will he regress? Will he turn out better than Detroit's first rounder that season (Mantha)?

Cuz Holland hasn't made any trades the last two deadlines.

The most salary you can retain is 50%. Everything else is obviously accurate though... 1) Finish bottom 5, while being somewhat competitive (lose 27 one-goal games...) and win the Hughes lottery. 2) Trade Nyquist to Nashville for Dante Fabbro. 3) Trade Howard (retain salary) to whichever team suffers a significant goaltender injury after Christmas for a 2nd round pick. 4) Trade Daley or Ericsson (retain salary) to whoever will take them for a mid (3rd or 4th) round draft pick. 5) Trade Vanek (if he will waive his NTC) to a contending team for a 3rd round pick.

Well there's two ways of thinking about it. Hitting on your lottery pick is necessary for a rebuild, every rebuild pretty much has to start with that. So that's standard. When I say "accelerate" I mean, what can be done in addition to that. If you get incrementally better across the board AND you hit on your lottery picks then your rebuild should, in theory, move along more quickly. It's those moves that can be made on the margins that can speed things up. Now, Ho Sang. Kid's a dingus? Maybe. But there's a lot of very legit concerns about how he's been handled. He's been a productive player at the NHL level and he was buried on his AHL team's 3rd line? C'mon? Since he spoke up about it he was put on his AHL team's top line and has like 8 points in 3 games or something? So it's not like the kid can't play. And it's not like the Islanders haven't been absurdly mismanaged forever. And it's not like black hockey players get accused of being selfish or having an attitude ALL THE TIME. And its not like Lou Lamorello isn't an epically authoritarian f***-head who has buried guys before just to show that he's the boss. Point is, maybe he's an dingus and maybe he isn't. But he can play, and his value is at an all time low. Why not take a flier on him?

Hell No! Why would we trade for a 31 year old 2nd pair defenseman? We're rebuilding. With Green, Daley, Ericsson, Kronwall, DeKeyser and Jensen on the team, why add another veteran? Just because he's from Michigan? We need to be shipping out guys like Martinez to acquire draft picks, not the other way around.

I love his game and heart. He has many intangibles. I'm liking his game a lot more than Mantha this season. To me, Mantha has become Robert Lang. Floater. Waiting around to play offense. Against the Oil the other night, he was not good. i saw on multiple occasions him neglecting to engage in a battle for puck possession. Eye test = uninspired.

lol, oh the memories

So make Ras-DLR-Nyquist the "2nd line" then. That was hard.

It’s still pinned...who’s in charge here? The loyalty given to these old threads while we try move this forum forward is slowing us down and using unnecessary space. If anyone knows any recently unemployed moderators who used to be a big deal around here maybe we can pine over them for a while.

LA fired their coaching staff today... they have 1 less point in 1 less game than the Wings.... here's hopeing this gives Kenny some ideas!!

With a healthy lineup (Nielsen + AA + Vanek) what are the lines going to look like? IMO De La Rose has earned a spot and I think he and Rasmussen need to remain a thing maybe even with Goose. I'd role: Bertuzzi - Larkin - Mantha Vanek - Nielsen - AA Rasmussen - De La Rose - Nyquist Abdlekader - Glendenning - Helm

And he has above average hockey IQ and underrated hands. Edit to add: love this thread

what can we learn? he comes to play every night. he hustles he skates hes not afraid to battle he goes to those gritty spots and not afraid of a little contact. he doesnt sit around and wait for the puck he goes and gets it. hes a pest and doesnt give up.

somthing with the flyers to get some of that power forward goodness or islanders for anders lee

We don't really need "outside the box" moves. What we need is to go back to a time when we had the right people in positions to succeed. The organization has been getting fleeced for 20 years from scouts, to coaches, to management. What was once an organizational dominance is now spread out over the whole league (some would call this utopia). What this franchise needs is to restock every shelf in the cabinet (scouts, builders, coaches, managers, front office, etc), not just the top shelf (the players). It won't happen over night, but relying on luck is a poor investment strategy. That's like buying lottery tickets to gain wealth. I don't think "swinging for the fences" is necessary. It's too risky and could do more harm than good. For right now, I would stand pat and continue to acquire draft picks and stock up on kids. In a few years, we should know what areas are lacking, and then that would be the time to make "hockey trades" (F for D, for example).

Jared McIsaac up to 4 goals, 5 assists, in 9 games.