Leaderboard

My dudes, here's the top 10 pool (give or take) + the goalie: Beniers, Matthew Clarke, Brandt Edvinsson, Simon Eklund, William Guenther, Dylan Hughes, Luke Johnson, Kent Lucius, Chaz Lysell, Fabian Power, Owen Wallstedt, Jesper Point being: It's gonna be ok, we're gonna get a good player.

A point for San Jose against Arizona tonight guarantees us top 10. They currently lead by 1.

The weak draft title definitely comes from a lack of scouting compared to normal. I also think that term is used simply when there is no consensus high-end talent. Does not mean the talent is not there, just means there isn't that kid who seems ready to jump into the league at 18 years old. The top 10 guys all likely need anywhere from 1-3 years of development before making any sort of NHL impact. Which is fine, as that fits our timeline. This draft definitely feels like 2017, which was considered "weak" but lots of talent came out of it. Even AFTER pick number 10. I feel the guys we get with top picks going forward are not gonna be the ones who get the Wings back into the playoffs, but rather contribute to turning us into a threat once we get there. I feel we have everything needed in the system to simply return to the post-season in 2-3 seasons. Last year we were on pace for something like 18-19 wins based on 82 games. This season we're on pace for about 29 wins. With some health luck, it's not far-fetched to see this roster put up 35 next year and become a .500 team. Though I think it'll be 2022/23 season when we see this roster start to break out offensively like the Sens have this year. Edit: If there is one thing this season has shown, is that the CHL rules for drafted players are garbage. These rules actively hamper the development of some players. We'd have likely never seen guys like Drysdale or Byfield make NHL debuts this year under normal circumstances.

- Pat Maroon before last nights game against the Panthers (Lightning lost 1-5) Also Pat Maroon:

Is it just me, or does this list sound like the secret identities of comic book heroes.

I'd like to sign 2 ufa left d to be Hronek and Seider's parters, have Cholowski and Stecher as the other pair, and have Dekeyser as the 7th d.

I could get behind that if Stecher or DK are taken in the expansion draft. Yzerman might try to re-sign Staal or Merrill too.

Eh. With only 2 lottery draws now, I doubt more than 1 team above us in the standings moves up.

I don't disagree. I'm just saying there is always better, younger options in UFA.

Seattle knocks us down one spot, which means 9th best odds and 11th overall are still possible.

Not sure I would pair a rookie D with Cholowski. I would pair Cholowski with Stetcher and Seider with DeKeyser.

When his contract ends, it's good bye. Don't care of he is willing to play for league minimum. He can be easily replaced with someone better.

I like these ideas. Only change is make is Cossa with the caps pick, but that's nitpicking. I'd also prob swap Ras and veleno.

I’ve seen it rumored that Nashville will leave Johansen unprotected in the expansion draft just to get his contract off the books. So if they’re willing to lose him for nothing then I’d assume it wouldn’t take much. But I’d want them to retain salary, so maybe a 3rd and a B level prospect depending on how much they’re retaining.