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Defense is the key of keys. It's a truism, not even worth debating. However, I do feel like the past few seasons have shown that a "winning defense" can come in many different forms in today's NHL. Historically, I've been very pro-"You'd really, REALLY like to have a superstar 1D." While I'd still take having a superstar 1D over not having a superstar 1D, my eyes have been opened to how far a modern-day team can go with "the right mix," whatever that mix may be. Find something that works for your team. Just make sure it involves a solid team commitment to taking care of business on the defensive side of the puck.

Huge if true. The Hockey News penned an article about the top players in Europe and highlighted Jonatan Berggren. They have him listed at center. Not sure if he's currently torching the SHL down the middle, but if so I'm overjoyed. "Jonatan Berggren, C, Skelleftea (SHL): Speed, smarts and great hands are Berggren's trademarks and the Detroit Red Wings prospect has really been putting all three together with 13 points in nine games for Skelleftea, making him the third-highest scorer in the league right now. The 2017 second-rounder has already eclipsed the 12 points in 24 games he had in the SHL last season."

I would like to add that it's also important in todays speedy hockey that you have a defense that consists of players that can play the puck. They don't all need to be "puck moving defensemen", just capable of sending the puck out of your own zone to the right adress. A good transition game is key today.

From your lips to Higher Power's ears.....

I dunno whether Raymond's gonna be better than Lafreniere. Could go either way. I won't be surprised either way. But I agree that people are sleeping on the CHL-versus-SHL angle. Raymond would've torched CHL competition this past season.

So, instead of increasing our odds at the draft lottery, since, you know, 26 other teams got to play for a chance at Lord Stanley, including the lottery winner, our reward for sucking is an extended training camp....gee NHL, these 7 teams thank you oh so much for giving us a perk.

Could you imagine the condition Howard would be in if he were still under contract with all this time off?

Seems the 7 non playoff teams will get an extended training camp when hockey does resume https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2041777

If Veleno turns into another Larkin I'll be thrilled. But I don't think a center group anchored by two guys like that would stand much of a chance against the top offensive centers in the league. I don't think they'd score enough, in enough different ways, to compete for a Cup. But it's nothing to turn your nose up at. I'd rather have two guys like that than just one. I mean, there ARE examples of teams that have won the Cup without elite offensive centers. Boston in 2011, St. Louis a couple years ago. But it's not like those were dominant teams that had staying power. Hardly the teams I'd be trying to emulate as a GM. The ONLY team that was both dominant, and weak at center, was Chicago and they happened to have HoF level talent at defense (Keith) and on the wings (Kane and Hossa). So I suppose if we want to be weak down the middle we might wanna find some Hall of Fame level talent everywhere else, and pronto.

IMHO - just have a 40 to 50 game reg season in which the Canadian franchises play host to the league. Too many teams traveling between the two countries is a mess just waiting to happen.

“I truly believe that we are a Stanley Cup winner within four years, it can happen any time, but within four years.” - Eugene Melnyk That's an actual quote...

This is great news for Detroit. I was hoping it would dip to around $78-80M next season, but I'll take a flat cap for the next three. This is a prime opportunity for Yzerman to acquire some major assets (prospects / picks) from teams like Toronto, Tampa, St. Louis, etc...