SwedeLundin77

Wow, so the guy hasn't played a single NHL game yet and you've already assigned him to basically be a bust. Sounds legit. I'm pretty sure his performance in Mannheim and the fact that he's carrying that team as an 18/19-year-old would beg to differ with your pretty bad take.

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'm fine with what we got considering the state of this team.
Everything I fine on Stecher and Merrill is they are 2nd and 3rd pair Defensive Defencemen with limited Offensive ability. Should help cut down goals against.
Griess is an upgrade to the goalies.
Ryan should be able to provide some stability and on ice coaching to the younger guys.
Namestnikov may be the sleeper pickup. Fabbri, Namestnikov and Zadina may give us a second line that can consistantly score some goals.

In terms of immediate value and resale value, I'd probably rank the signings like this:
1. Stecher - one of the better under-the-radar D-men 5-on-5 in the western conference last year and is just coming into his own
2. Ryan - great character guy can hopefully score 20 and get rewarded for his hard work both on and off ice
3. Greiss - having a 1A/1B type that doesn't eat all the hotdogs will be huge
4. Merrill - Going to be one of the best 3rd pair D men this team has had in a long time and will get us a 2nd at the TDL
5. Namestnikov - versatile guy who could come close to a career high in points if he plays with Zadina

Lol. They're both CRL sock accounts.
As a depth player, I would think an NHL team would still be interested in Thornton. A 1 year, low dollar contract would be worth it.

Very well stated. I have family who have struggled with alcoholism and maintained respectable careers, had loving families, were great parents and grandparents, and eventually were able to seek help with what they were struggling with. It's easy for some to throw shade on something they themselves have zero clue about. That shows pretty poor character, especially when they double down on it.
I'm with you, which was the point of my first response, to say let's keep things on the topic of hockey and not start this nonsense of, obviously, fanning the flames.

Thorton's about to play with HC Davos
https://www.tsn.ca/joe-thornton-to-join-hc-davos-1.1539159

Very well stated. I have family who have struggled with alcoholism and maintained respectable careers, had loving families, were great parents and grandparents, and eventually were able to seek help with what they were struggling with. It's easy for some to throw shade on something they themselves have zero clue about. That shows pretty poor character, especially when they double down on it.
I'm with you, which was the point of my first response, to say let's keep things on the topic of hockey and not start this nonsense of, obviously, fanning the flames.

We need to stop feeding the troll. He's a lonely dude, that much is fairly obvious. It would be nice to have hockey conversations on this site without one person dragging it all down into the mud. Having worked with all types of folks working through trauma, mental illness, behavioral health issues, it's evident he has no clue what he's talking about (as is usually the case). 

Very well stated. I have family who have struggled with alcoholism and maintained respectable careers, had loving families, were great parents and grandparents, and eventually were able to seek help with what they were struggling with. It's easy for some to throw shade on something they themselves have zero clue about. That shows pretty poor character, especially when they double down on it.
I'm with you, which was the point of my first response, to say let's keep things on the topic of hockey and not start this nonsense of, obviously, fanning the flames.

We need to stop feeding the troll. He's a lonely dude, that much is fairly obvious. It would be nice to have hockey conversations on this site without one person dragging it all down into the mud. Having worked with all types of folks working through trauma, mental illness, behavioral health issues, it's evident he has no clue what he's talking about (as is usually the case). 

This is a crap response, man. You're just adding on to the nonsense that a certain troll in here started. You want to talk hockey, yet we need to read your "hot take" on what your think is going on with someone vehemently disagreeing with someone who clearly doesn't understand the content they're trying to troll others on. You don't either, given your ignorant response. Instead of trying to steer the conversation back, you just fanned the flames. Bravo. You and the troll have shown pretty bad character here.

Very well stated. I have family who have struggled with alcoholism and maintained respectable careers, had loving families, were great parents and grandparents, and eventually were able to seek help with what they were struggling with. It's easy for some to throw shade on something they themselves have zero clue about. That shows pretty poor character, especially when they double down on it.
I'm with you, which was the point of my first response, to say let's keep things on the topic of hockey and not start this nonsense of, obviously, fanning the flames.

This has been a great thread, and it's lasted a long time. The off-season is still among us and there is still tons to talk about, so please, let's not get this thread locked of deleted.

Oh but I'm not trying to construct an argument here. 
Just pointing out that yer being a dink (edit: but probably not for much longer)

The story is as old time.  All alcoholics or people with substance abuse problems cant be lumped together as having the same situation either.  A ton of athletes whether its hockey, basketball, football, soccer, tennis, wrestling , boxing struggle with substance abuse.  The toll these sports take on not only your body by pushing it passed its limits day in and day out, but the mind as well is the worse part.  Being on the road all the time, away from family for extended periods of time would be a different kind of lonely.  Its no mystery why falling to substances happen in these cases. 
The amount of people the struggle and deal with it without getting any help, without anyone even knowing they are struggling to me personally have character too.  They show up for work every day, some even maintain an extremely positive outlook about everything too, then when work is over they suffer in silence, alone.  
Bobby Ryan woke one day and wanted to change himself for the better, good on him.  To me it shows character for him to not only make the decision but see it through.  

We need to stop feeding the troll. He's a lonely dude, that much is fairly obvious. It would be nice to have hockey conversations on this site without one person dragging it all down into the mud. Having worked with all types of folks working through trauma, mental illness, behavioral health issues, it's evident he has no clue what he's talking about (as is usually the case). 

LOL look who's giving advice about "strong character".
The irony is palpable. f*** I love that expression. 

A player who becomes a success in the NHL, ends up in a bad place,  and then perseveres and overcomes his " demons" is worthy of more respect and opportunity then a player who never achieves his full potential at all.
Judging a man by what he was, instead of who he is, is an impossible standard, because it leaves no hope for redemption.

That's because you're an ignorant f***...
It's a disease. Bobby Ryan being an alcoholic, and then having the will power to not only get the help needed to kick the habit, but get clean, takes more "character" than you'll ever have.

Because he keeps getting banned for being a pos

Does he need to "Erne" his way back on to the roster?

Does he need to "Erne" his way back on to the roster?

Yeah, that's the challenge really, for any of these players who are more in demand. They have to choose between going to a possible contender or a team that is in the early stages of a rebuild. It's tough, but that's another reason why I feel Yzerman has done a very good job of attracting the players he has. Ryan, Greiss, Stecher, Merrill, Namestnikov... They all very much seemed to WANT to come here, to be Red Wings, and help this team grow. 

Ummm.... I'll do you one better:

Timashov-Namestnikov-Svechnikov
Setkov - undrafted-kov
How do you figure? Do think Ryan takes the 2nd line wing?