Leaderboard

This is basically where I'm at. I don't have a strong opinion about what to do with Mantha; I'm not necessarily against keeping him and I'm not necessarily against moving him. Whatever we do, I want it to fit with whatever The Plan is. If Yzerman is thinking we're heading into year two of a five-year rebuild (having reset the clock when Holland left), trade Mantha. If Yzerman wants us back in the playoffs within the next two or three years, keep Mantha and do what you can to make sure we don't waste the back half of his 20s.

OHL Coaches Poll Smartest Player: Eastern Conference: 1. Marco Rossi, Ottawa 67’s (41) – finished first in 2018-19 2. Shane Wright, Kingston Frontenacs (17) 3. Akil Thomas, Peterborough Petes (10) Western Conference: 1. Cole Perfetti, Saginaw Spirit (31) 2. Jamie Drysdale, Erie Otters (27) 3. Connor McMichael, London Knights (22) Best Playmaker: Eastern Conference: 1. Marco Rossi, Ottawa 67’s (45) 2. Semyon Der-Arguchintsev, Peterborough Petes (17) 3. Philip Tomasino, Oshawa Generals (16) Western Conference: 1. Cole Perfetti, Saginaw Spirit (40) 2. Ryan Merkley, London Knights (22) 3. Cam Hillis, Guelph Storm (15) Best Skater: Western Conference: 1. Liam Foudy, London Knights (35) 2. Jamie Drysdale, Erie Otters (28) – finished tied for third in 2018-19 3. Jean-Luc Foudy, Windsor Spitfires (18) – finished tied for third in 2018-19 Best Stickhandler: Western Conference: 1. Cole Perfetti, Saginaw Spirit (31) 2. Evgeniy Oksentyuk, Flint Firebirds (24) 3. Aidan Dudas, Owen Sound Attack (15) Best on Face-Offs: Eastern Conference: 1. Zach Gallant, Peterborough Petes (36) – finished second in 2018-19, second in 2017-18 and first in 2016-17 2. Marco Rossi, Ottawa 67’s (23) 3. Cole Schwindt, Mississauga Steelheads (12) Best Defensive Forward: Eastern Conference: 1. Kyle MacLean, Oshawa Generals (24) – finished first in 2018-19 2. Marco Rossi, Ottawa 67’s (21) 3. Macauley Carson, Sudbury Wolves (19) Best Penalty Killer: Eastern Conference: 1. Kyle MacLean, Oshawa Generals (24) 2. Jacob Paquette, Peterborough Petes (16) 3. Marco Rossi, Ottawa 67’s (15) Best Offensive Defenceman: Western Conference: 1. Ryan Merkley, London Knights (41) – finished second in Eastern Conference in 2018-19 2. Jamie Drysdale, Erie Otters (22) 3. Brady Lyle, Owen Sound Attack (15) Best Shootout Shooter: Eastern Conference: 1. Marco Rossi, Ottawa 67’s (29) 2. Nick Robertson, Peterborough Petes (23) 3. Philip Tomasino, Oshawa Generals (12) Western Conference: 1. Cole Perfetti, Saginaw Spirit (25) 2. Liam Hawel, Kitchener Rangers (21) 3. Pavel Gogolev, Guelph Storm (18)

I want a center that plays like a center. I don't want a "center" who doesn't even play that position consistently and is kinda weak and kinda slow. I genuinely don't think Pefetti will play C at the NHL level without significantly more development. We're talking years. The kid looks like a tadpole and the creative part of his game, while significant, tends to get negated without decent skating. Look at Casey Mitelstadt (a guy I was VERY high on). He was supposedly an cerebral, offensive, dynamo too. But he was under developed and couldn't dipsy doodle around the ice in the NHL the way he was accustomed to. So now he's back in the AHL indefinitely trying to learn how to play like a professional center. And he was much bigger and faster than Perfetti. I think Perfetti is a talented player and might be a top five talent on offensive skill alone. But I think he falls on draft day. Maybe a team with a very long developmental curve picks him in the 8-12 range, but there are significant concerns about picking that kid for me.

There are also scouts and draft analysts that believe his "skating deficiencies" are vastly overstated. He's certainly not the strongest skater in the draft, nor will he ever be, but skating is a skill that can be worked on and improved over time. And by all accounts, he is aware of that weakness in his game, and working hard / improving. The one hockey trait that I believe is unteachable, a player either has it or they don't, is hockey IQ. A player can have all the skill in the world, but without the brain for the game, they'll never reach their full potential. Sure there are different fundamentals that can be taught, but that elite hockey IQ, which Perfetti has, cannot.

Yeah, this is totally it. I wouldn't even be shocked if Yzerman didn't bother watch him play. I mean, the connections are just too much to pass up on... We all know the ONLY reason Perfetti is being considered at 4, is because Devellano and Osgood are co-owners of the team... It's not like Perfetti is an extremely skilled center, with off the charts hockey IQ... Again, Perfetti (or Rossi) wouldn't be my first choice(s) at 4, but to pretend that (t)he(y) would be this colossal failure, is absurd...

So you're telling me we're getting Anderson?!?!?! But in all seriousness, I wouldnt trade a first rounder for him either. I love how he plays, but the injury concerns are valid. I'd do a 2nd and maybe add a mid level prospect. Anything more and I'd just wait a year and look at him in free agency.

Totally fair evaluation. I bet you could do the same for any of the other 4 or 5 options available in the 4 spot though. Which is why falling outside the top 3 on lotto day was such a ******* bummer.

Picking Perfetti, as I've said before, is 2000s Oilers type bafoonery. Is he a legit prospect sure... but if the tipping point is a connection to the state and a connection to a former teammate and not something in his game, then we're doomed. I'd like one of Stuzle, Byfield (if available) or if not Rossi, Drysdale, Raymond. A pro coach I know personally raved about Rossi.

To be fair, it's kinda hard to seriously take prospect analysis from someone named nyquististhefuture. Just sayin'

How TF does NHL have a higher percentage of "other" than MLB? I dont even trust this data. MLB is dominated by latinos and dominicans and i expect them to dominate this category. But hockey - a sport played in privledged northern countries - has more other viewers? Highly doubt. And honestly black viewing of the NHL is only 6% lower than the NFL? Please. Every black guy i know can tell you stafford's rushing stats off the top of their head. None of them ever even heard of steve yzerman though. BS stats or lying pollsters or pollers.

re: Mantha. You have to ask yourself at what point are The Red Wings going to be back in serious contention? 4-5 years? Ok, that puts Mantha over 30, not over the hill by any means, but maybe if you could get a younger elite prospect, or a top 10 pick in the draft, how much better off will they be in 4-5 years? A player at 31 years old, possibly making over $10 (if he only signs a 3 year deal, then another one as a UFA, unless he leaves as UFA) or a player quite possibly of the same or better caliber at 23 years old? I think if (Buffalo for example) offered the #8 pick and a high prospect (Cozens? (may be too high) for Mantha to put on a line with Eichel, Yzerman would have to jump on it. Plus, Buffalo is also under the salary floor, so they could also pay Mantha a ton of cash. I have nothing against keeping Mantha either, I am just saying if offers came rolling in and something like this came up? I'd have to say goodbye to him.