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I think we could be a .500 next season tbh. Our record is only as "bad" as it is because of the big losing streak earlier in the season when we had a bunch of guys out with covid.

In all fairness, the Mantha trade was a hockey trade that also got the Wings picks. It would have been completely different had Mantha been moved for only futures. We could see guys like Fabbri get moved in the next couple of years. Maybe, maybe not. I think Bert is just too playoff built to part with for the time being. Larkin is the captain and the veteran leader that will be counted on to help young players joining the team in the coming years. Other first rounders like Zadina, Seider, Raymond are likely untouchable at this point due to their age and potential. So I'm guessing we see a combination of some roster turnover and building with what we have. I don't foresee any trades happening that sets back the current on ice product. Mantha is a special case because he just didn't perform the way he could all the time and he was the oldest of our young core. He was always engaged when good things happen, but not so much during tough stretches. That combined with a can't refuse offer led to him being moved. I do not think that will become a regular thing. Sure Bert is the same age, but the guy also brings it 100% of the time and is just one of those guys who seems built for playoff hockey.

Wings hold on to close out the Hawks 4-1 and win their 3rd straight for the first time this season. Great game!

Anyone who has actually watched Zadina play this season knows his spot on the team is about as safe as it gets. He's been extremely impressive despite not yet breaking out offensively. AA would likely still be in Detroit had he had the same work ethic and attention to detail on both ends of the ice.

Three straight...nice to see them playing confident hockey

Jared McIsaac to play for GR tonight. First game after shoulder surgery

Beat me to it

I think his skating looks great this year. A week or so ago he jumped up into a 2 on 1 and I was super impressed. I think he needed more leg strength TBH. I suspect his skating will only improve as he gets a stronger lower body.

Certainly I think 1 or 2 could survive the next 3 years. Maybe that guy is Bertuzzi. It will entirely depend on the commitment to the team said player has. Said player is going to have to continue to work hard and want to be here through the bad times. I don't think most player want to wait until they are in their 30's to start realistically competing. But maybe 1 of them bleeds red enough to do this. We'll see. We've already watched AA and Mantha prove themselves with big seasons, only to take their foot off the gas the next season when the team doesn't improve. IDK how much of that is intentional on their parts. Coward. Where are the hard uncompromising opinions derived on limited information that LGW expects?

To clarify: I agree 100% with this. If you scroll back you'll see I'm mostly asking questions, surveying for opinions, not flying any flags.

Things are clearly, finally, headed in the right direction. Not sure what mess you speak of. Almost all bad contracts are off the books, Yzerman has insane cap flexibility going forward, he has stockpiled picks, had two good drafts to stock the prospect pool, and has used cap space to take on contracts for more picks. The right moves are being made and the team is playing their asses off every game. They are literally on a 9-7-1 run. With this roster. It's almost as if the team is well coached as well. The Buffalo Sabres are a mess. The Detroit Red Wings are not.

Every team is gonna protect someone who is "expendable" though. And little talent in the majors is kind of normal during a rebuild. We're fortunate that we don't have to protect most of our young players like Zadina, Seider, and Raymond. Expansion drafts are the perfect time to be in rebuild mode to be honest.

Agreed. I see a team that's playing good teams really tough (and beating them a lot too). The COVID thing hurt. Losing Bertuzzi hurt. But we've still hung around and been very competitive most nights. And that's with a roster with some glaring holes, even at full strength. Full credit to Blashill here too. This is still a very patchwork roster that is regularly beating the top end teams in the conference (Tampa, Carolina, and Florida) despite having a piss poor defense, abysmal powerplay, and no 2nd line center. Start addressing those issues, see continued growth from guys like Rasmussen (who's going to be a monster next year) and Zadina, and you've got a .500 team.

Erne with the assist to keep his point streak going. Really solid game! And to think a significant portion of this roster is 21 to 26 years of age...These guys are in the range where for the next 3 to 5 years they'll grow/bond.

Rasmussen with the ENG to seal the win! Wings lead 4-1 late in the 3rd.

Stecher making a solid case as to why Grand Master Y needs to protect him from the expansion draft.

Vrana has been looking great!

Indeed it is. Mid to late 80s while being bad we had Yzerman/Probert/Kocur and a few other guys to cheer for. Nobody today really gets me pumped for a Wings game.

Just PM'd Matt - he'll make me a MOD...And if you think Vladdy16 was bad - just you wait buddy...

Unless they get traded....lol sorry I had to ...