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Fabbri and Zadina have both been positives in a terrible season. My two cents.

One small correction... I wouldn't say the Oilers still suck. They're currently 2nd in the Pacific, one point behind the Canucks. I think they'll comfortably make the playoffs, and with a few tweaks over the next couple years, likely a legit contender. I'd be shocked if the Oilers don't win a Cup in the next 10 years, on the back of McDavid, winning the Conn Smythe. I don't think I'd be saying the same thing if the Oilers had Eichel+ instead... Crosby was a generation talent, and helped the Pens win three Cups, at the age of 21, 28, 29. McDavid is only 23. He could definitely win a couple before he turns 30. Like @marcaractac said, Lafreniere may not be on the same level of Crosby and McDavid, but he's definitely in the conversation. For that reason, this is not your typical draft, where you might consider shopping that pick. Lafreniere may be the best player to come along since McDavid. He's that good. Trading that pick would likely be a monumental mistake. No GM is trading it, unless it's a MASSIVE overpayment...

True. (Zadina's better tho)

Comrie must be the most argued about AHL goalie of all time

I was concerned with his start in GR, but what a turnaround. I'm pretty confident he's going to be at minimum a good top 6er for a long time. I think if he adds strength and learns to play more physical, the sky's the limit.

The case you're making is dumb and boring. "Hurr durr well I'll just trade McDavid for a package that's even BETTER than McDavid! Ha! No GM has thought to do this, because they are dumb sports people and I'm not. I'm way ahead of the curve here." Cool story. "In this hypothetical scenario, I'm assuming my scouts and I are just so good that every piece we'd be getting in return for the 1st overall pick is a home run." Cool story. "Getting Forsberg+ for Lindros worked out for the Avs because they won Cups. Getting McDavid hasn't worked out for the Oilers because they still suck. Bad GMing has nothing to do with this. The difference between those Avs teams and these Oilers teams is the (un)willingness to move a 1st overall pick." Cool story. blah blah blah

Guys like McDavid are never a risk of becoming a Nino Neidereitter. They are just that good that it is a foregone conclusion they'll be top players in the league. Lafreniere, while not at that McDavid level, is in the same conversation. This is not the Nolan Patrick draft, after all. Most years everything you're saying is true. But this coming draft is one of those rare exceptions. Considering how much more important the draft is now compared to the Lindros days, it's also a lot less likely goes overboard to pry the first overall pick, as you'd cripple the farm to do so. Back then? Just use UFA and trade draft picks to make up the difference. Mathews and Laine was also another exception. Both guys spent their draft years playing against men so it was easier to see what they were. Svech was a nice consolation prize in his draft year, but the Sabres got a generational talent on the blueline. There was no doubt about that before the draft or since.

Serious question: why did Yzerman make the trade? Answer: He thought that an actual NHL player would benefit him more than a player who only possesses the "potential" to be an NHL player. It very well could turn out to be a bad trade, no one is disputing that. But to already declare this a bad trade because Perlini has 0 goals is dumb because you know who else has 0 goals? Regula. And a 4 year NHL player still beats a never was. If both players stopped playing tomorrow, who wins this trade? You know this. As I said before, SY could lose this trade. Fact. But as of right now, he hasn't. That's where KRS is disagreeing with you. He never said this was a good trade, just that its too soon to tell and that to declare this a "dumb" trade before Regula steps one foot onto NHL ice is also "dumb". And I agree. Time will tell. But as of 2019/2020, Perlini beats Regula. If you dont understand this, I dont know what more to say.

This change happened several games ago.

He scored his goal on PP2 and I don't recall ever seeing him on 1, for the past few games that is. Since he's been on the team he's 5th in pp time. You know who's first? It starts with an F. In fact Fabbri's third since he joined the team, just behind Larkin and Bertuzzi. I've referenced offensive talent multiple times, you must not be reading closely. It's how the conversation started when I quoted your list of offensive talent. My point is that Zadina is the better offensive player right now, he is. Originally, I only meant recently, but really if you look at Fabbri's total 43 games (both Wings and Blues) his points per 60 is just lower. That's all strengths of course, because PP matters imo. Statistically, 5v5 points per game numbers support Fabbri if you include all of Fabbri's 43 games (1.7 vs 1.57). That's pretty much it though. Zadina shoots more, scores more, creates more rebounds, has more rush attempts, is involved in the goals that are scored when he's on the ice more, and most importantly has been better the last 26 games even 5v5. Also, he's doing it at 20 in his first real season. Anecdotally and statistically, I prefer Zadina. Also, 26 games isn't really a "small sample hot streak". It's a large chunk of the season.

No, I've read your posts about Zadina. I was asking if you watched because if you had you would know he's not on PP1 anymore. I'm not sure if you misunderstood or just dodged me there. I'm not basing my opinion on my eyeball test, I've actually never said anything like that (though if I was I'd say he's noticeably more dangerous too), I'm telling you it's not anecdotal because I'm staring at a side by side of all their stats. 5v5 play is important, and I would probably use it exclusively if we were talking simply "who's the best player", but we're talking about offensive talent. If you don't think the PP is important for that I'm not sure what else to say. I've never really understood the negative connotation associated with being a "pp specialist" either. Special teams are a hugely important part of the game lol. But I think labelling someone a pp specialist simply because he's good on the PP is silly anyways, Zadina has more points 5v5. I did get you there btw, if you look at the last few weeks all his stats are better. He's better at this moment. I'm not sure why you're even arguing this part tbh. The bolded is good news, Zadina has scored at a higher rate even strength than Fabbri since he's been on the team.

I literally have the games recorded, I will most definitely trust my own eyeballs over some random source you link. I ask again, have you been watching? And again, it's not anecdotal, you're simply valuing stats differently than I am. For example, It's ridiculous to not include PP time when evaluating offensive talent. This has gotten a bit convoluted so I'm going to simplify back to my original point, Zadina is the better offensive player right now. He just is, using the not so small sample size of the entire time he's been on the Wings roster. I never said he's been better than Fabbri the entire season. I happen to like Fabbri, and think he's just fighting it right now. I also think he's being used wrong on the PP and would excel in the bumper spot. I don't like him on the walls and I REALLY don't like him quarterbacking from the top. My point on Zadina's minutes were simply that Blashill is no longer playing Fabbri more than him, so that point you were making earlier was moot. Doesn't swing the pendulum largely one way or the other, but Zadina's on pace for more goals. I do like goals better. edit: Also, to be clear, the conversation has been mostly fair and totally cordial, kudos.

Say he loves Comrie, he hat... oh nvm

I think numbers for 5v5 are generally fair, but I'm not using them here because we were specifically talking about offensive talent and they're both on the PP. This should be an advantage for Fabbri anyway considering he's on PP1 and Zadina's not. But, just for fun I looked at the 5v5 numbers for the last 26 games (how many Zadina has played) and Zadina's scoring per 60 is still better. I couldn't remember specifically when Zadina joined the top line so I looked for the last 4 games. All strengths Zadina's points per 60 is 3.48 vs Fabbri's .91. 5v5 It's Zadina with 2.13 vs 1.33. To be fair to both sides that's a small sample size, if you know how many games he's actually been on the first line feel free to correct me. I also think it's fair to point out a lot of Zadina's other numbers are better too. Shot blocking, takeaways, and the one I like the most is goals per 60. The takeaways is also by a considerable margin, he's got a sneaky good stick.

2.33 vs 2.35, this is an insanely negligible difference and makes for a weak argument. And like I said, I think Zadina being obviously better is a recent development due to adjusting to the nhl. I'm willing to bet if you look at just the last couple of weeks, Zadina's scoring per 60 will be better. Not to mention, he's been on the top line the last handful of games (where he's looked good) so I'm not sure where this "harder minutes" business is coming in. I'm pretty ignorant as far as advanced stats go, so feel free to school me here. But a lot of the things I see seem to be mostly a wash, so I'd say at this point there's a case to be made they're basically equal, but I'd say given the last few games Zadina's just better at this point in time. edit: Turns out you can filter for the last 15 games played (thanks naturalstattrick). per 60 over the last 15 games Zadina is 2.1 vs Fabbri's 1.83. In fact, most of his numbers seem to be better if I'm reading that right. To further this, since Zadina has been on the team his scoring per 60 has been better.

*laughs in Yzerman*

Bowman in his prime would 100% make a difference. Playoff team hell no, but our compete level would be a heck of a lot better. Bowman is probably the best coach to ever be behind the bench so its silly to think he wouldn't do a better job then Blashill...I think most wings fans knew we were gonna suck, and we actually needed to suck for a better pick. However the effort hasn't been there and the results of the losses show it, surprised we lose? no. Surprised loosing games by 3 or 4 goals as much as we have? yes

This is definitely not a thing. Zadina is better then Fabbri now and hes 4 years younger...That being said Id love to keep them both somehow but I cant see why Fabbri would want to stick around this s*** storm

Let me spell this out for you. I believe that if you're looking for a gamechanging, gamebreaking 2020 draft-eligible, Lafreniere is far and away your safest bet. It's not a big stretch to say he appears to have the highest ceiling and the highest floor of all 2020 draft-eligible players. I believe it's entirely possible that [insert some other 2020 draft-eligible] will ultimately be a better NHLer than Lafreniere. I would consider trading the 1st overall pick in this draft for a package that I strongly believe is worth *more* than Lafreniere. I wouldn't expect to get that kind of offer. Maybe I get it and maybe I pull the trigger. Unlikely. I straight up don't care about the Lindros trade or about what Edmonton could've gotten instead of McDavid. No real bearing on the here and now. We're not winning the draft lotto, so this is all moot.

Jimmy Howard needs to retire during the All Star break.

Is it possible for everyone involved in this incident, including Gritty, to die in a fire? Or is that asking too much?

So they were in a line with other fans, Gritty got up from a chair, took a running start, and punched his 13 year old son as hard as he could, but no one saw, and the kid is fine. Sure man, no one noticed the giant orange mascot running and hitting ppl besides u and ur boy. Also I would completely destroy a 13 year old if I ran and punched one as hard as I could "Gimme free stuff" is all this is

Damn, there go the playoffs!