Jesusberg

I agree with this idea. I think they're going to give Larkin a real shot to make the team out of camp. Really comes down to what they decide to do with Weiss, though. I almost wish they'd just buy him out now and get past it, instead of waiting until camp to see who "earns" the job. I'd also like to see them go after Green or Franson, despite KH pushing the youth movement. I think either guy is a clear upgrade over Smith/Kindl. 1st Line: Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Abdelkader 2nd Line: Tatar-Sheahan-Nyquist 3rd Line: Combination of Helm, Jurco, Pulkkinen and/or Larkin 4th Line: Combination of Miller, Glendening, Jurco and/or Ferraro Andersson, Ferraro/Callahan Kronwall-Green/Franson DeKeyser-Quincey Ericsson-Jensen/Marchenko Smith/Kindl Howard Mrazek Franzen (LTIR or 3rd line forward) Weiss (Bought out/Traded) One of Kindl/Smith (Bought out/Traded) I know those moves are unlikely, but I'd like to see them. Also, I think if Larkin does well, it kind of turns Helm into a tradable asset. He's going to be in for a raise next season, anyway. Maybe packaged with a prospect and a pick for a defender, should they decide not to grab a free agent this offseason.

I don't hate Dan Cleary, but he's starting to remind me of that guy who just sort of invites himself to everything.

While some people are less than thrilled about the Red Wings' off-season, I think there should definitely be some optimism about the Griffins right now. The team is stacked, IMO. Leaves me wondering just where players fit in, and who will be going down to Toledo. I'm curious about what some of you think regarding the line combinations, and who will split time between GR and Toledo. These would be some of my preferred lines: Jurco-Miele-Pulkkinen (assuming Alfie signs) Nosek-Nestrasil-Mantha (could swap Nosek-Nestrasil at center) Hoggan-Porter-Callahan (chippy line, but could use a shooter, perhaps?) Athanasiou-Ferraro-Campbell (great speed, Campbell brings size/grit) As far as forwards go, I'm just not sure guys like Tvrdon and Frk will crack the line-up, hence why I have Campbell on that 4th line. If Frk could somehow outplay a few guys, I wouldn't mind him on that 3rd line, but I think GR's pretty deep on the right wing. I also wouldn't mind swapping Mantha with Callahan, at least until Mantha gets the hang of the pace in the AHL, but I can see people thinking that being "stuck" on a line with Hoggan and Porter might hinder his offense. On the back end: Ouellet-Paetsch (stable pairing, can eat minutes) Evans-Sproul (Evans will balance Sproul out nicely) Backman-Marchenko (seems like a very solid pairing - could work ahead of Evans-Sproul) I almost wish they had one less veteran here, to allow for Jensen to be paired with one of them on the bottom pairing. I would love an Ouellet-Sproul, Backman-Marchenko top 4, but Evans and Paetsch don't allow for it. This is what I think will pan out on defense. Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions?

I'm actually kind of torn at this point. I'm also tired of seeing some of the line combinations and the way some players are being used under Babcock. At the same time, it's hard to deny that he's got a way to get more out of his players than you'd expect. I'm leaning toward a fresh approach with this team, but I'm not going to be ticked if Babcock re-signs.

If people stop calling him Dylark, we can't pose the following question: "Who are the five best prospects of all time? Think about it. Dylark. Dylark. Dylark, Dylark, Dylark. Because he spits hot fire." I don't think it's something we can afford to lose. (Also, I'm sure someone else has made this observation. Full credit to Dave Chappelle... then you.)

I wouldn't mind Stafford, but I'd look into Joel Ward, too. Winnipeg has plenty of cap space and Stafford seems to be a good fit there. Depending on where Washington's priorities lie, they might elect to let Ward move on. If they do, I'd like the Wings to look at him - he's been pretty solid in the playoffs. They've got about four NHL defenders signed - Carlson, Alzner, Orpik and Niskanen. They have to lock up Holtby, Johansson, Kuznetsov and probably one of Green/Ward.

I agree, but I think we might see Kindl-Ericsson, instead. Babcock's gone with that pairing before during the season and it leaves the other two pairings intact.

I agree. That way that Babs views Weiss, I think it's Pulks' job to lose. Like you said, though, he won't be as productive as Tatar when jumping into the lineup. I think this summer will be huge for Pulkkinen. Needs to add some strength and refine certain parts of his game. Raw skills are there, for sure.

That's just it - it's unlikely that both Landon and Callahan wind up on the roster. Personally, I'd take either guy over Andersson. It basically has to work out so that Franzen remains on IR, Cole's not re-signed and they let Andy walk. I might be in the minority, but I'd be in favor of rolling with this roster: Helm-Datsyuk-Tatar Abby-Zetterberg-Nyquist Weiss-Sheahan-Jurco Miller-Glendening-Ferraro Callahan, Pulkkinen Ideally, the Wings find a suitor for Weiss, but I doubt that will happen. I think you've got two guys in Pulkkinen and Jurco who can swap in and out of the lineup, maybe even move into higher positions based on the play of other guys. Ferraro and Callahan could split time on the fourth line. I just like the look of that roster. It allows for guys to earn more ice time - good balance of youth and veterans.

I think Miele, McCollum and Aubry will be brought back. I can't seem to find it now, but there was a quote from Blashill recently saying that he thinks Aubry has more to offer. At the very least, I don't think it would hurt to keep him as a fourth-line center. I also think they'll keep McCollum around because of how he played down the stretch - Jake Paterson will likely start in Toledo. I agree about letting the other guys go, though. I think Porter is expendable, Cleary is done and I'm worried about Cole's health (though, I would want to hang onto a healthy version of Erik Cole). Kind of a dark horse for a contract, but I wonder what the brass thinks of Mark Zengerle. He was sixth in scoring among GR forwards. I'd prefer Hyman over Zengerle, for the record. Two years younger and more upside. That's the question with Miele. I like him down in GR - gives the team some real scoring depth. They're going to be an inexperienced team up front next season. We're probably looking at a top line with Hoggan-AA-Mantha on it and Tvrdon-Nosek-Frk as a line. It would be nice to have a line with some experience on it. Perhaps Bertuzzi-Miele and another winger. Even with guys like Pulkkinen, Ferraro (and hopefully Callahan) moving up, they've got a solid team.

This says we're at 49 contracts: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AhRmiZsKUESLdHU1U0ZlalFJeEV6UU94N0J6TVQxNXc&usp=sharing#gid=0 As for Hyman, I think it's worth a shot, but I also think it's important to temper our expectations. Anyone remember Willie Coetzee? He showed some chemistry with Ferraro the year that Landon scored 37 in Red Deer. Doesn't always work out...

I'd like them to hang onto one of them - doesn't hurt to have size in the system down the line. I'm just not overly convinced they'll sign both players. With Wheaton sidelined for most of the season, they could keep him around to get a better look.

I wouldn't mind if they offered him a contract. They'll be shedding a few and I'm not sure if any of the prospects with a '15 deadline will be signed (McNulty, Wheaton, Marshall or Hudon). Not sure what Hyman's endgame is (I'm guessing he may want to jump right into the NHL), but I'd be comfortable taking a chance on him. He'd have to start in GR, though.

This is pretty much as spot-on as it gets with this situation.

Hicketts is only 18-years-old (19 in May), anyway. He'll be spending another year in the WHL for sure, then jumping into the mix the situation clears up down there on defense. Good for Bertuzzi. Jump in, score a goal. Edit: Highlights here: http://sendtonews.com/#!highlight/story/fktnwLxS98 Bert's goal is @ :40 of the second period clip. Definitely a soft goal, but I'm sure he'll take it. Nosek's goal in the first period was a beauty. Great assist on Porter's goal in the second period, too.

Wouldn't that be a little counterproductive?

I feel like he's Bischoff in this scenario. Who's the third man? Someone's gotta be on the ice to be part of the "Own-Goal of Doom".

Yzerman: "And then I said, 'sure, I'll be your GM. Maybe we'll even beat the Red Wings in the first round one day...'" https://twitter.com/DavidGuralnick/status/588412103955980288

I should have known better Though, what I said wasn't directed at you. I've seen this stuff all over. Makes little sense to me.

Honestly, why do you guys/gals even care? Were/are you planning on going to Tampa Bay for game 1? I really don't see the issue with this - it's home ice. If a team wants to fill a building with their fans, that's their prerogative. Unless you live in Tampa and/or planned on making the trek down there, why do you even care at all? Seems like something to complain about.

- He's still learning - OK. How does that help Detroit, though? Smith is 26-years-old and still seems to have issues making an outlet pass. How long should the team give him? They've got players who have played in the AHL this season, guys who can play as a #5 on this team and probably have a higher ceiling. At the very least, they will make less mistakes with the puck. One of them is most likely subbing in for him in game one. - Smith does get a lot of focus, but doesn't Ericsson, too? There's a reason these guys get attention - they make these glaring errors and all eyes are on them. Ericsson finished the last 5-8 games on a high note, Smith did not. Remember when Detroit sign KQ in the offseason? The guy was under the microscope from the outset of the season, but he played better than expected. If Smith would have played better than expected, I would be cutting him some slack, but he's still making the same mistakes he did when he first entered the NHL. - He won't under Mike Babcock. Consider everything that's happened this season and how Babs has used Smith - basically, he hasn't. He used Danny DeKeyser over Smith on the PP because he doesn't trust Brendan's judgement or ability to man the point. I think Smith has the physical tools to be better than he is, but he just can't get it together mentally. I'm not going to bash the guy for mistake he made at 17 or 18-years-old, but I do think he's got some maturity issues. That translates to a less-than-stellar relationship with his coach. Even if Babcock is just trying to teach him a lesson right now, Smith is going to have claw his way out of the dog house.

If anything, I think their reunion was a long time coming. Z was struggling, Tatar was struggling on Pavel's wing - the time for a change was long before the move was made, IMO. For this series, though, I definitely think splitting them up is the right move. As I said above, I think some of the other players would have a hard time containing Johnson's line. If I'm not mistaken, they were one of (if not the best) lines in the league at even strength. I think Sheahan has grown quite a bit this season, but I'm not sure if he's good enough to shut down that line. If Babcock puts Z-Pavel back together, I would prefer for him to put Helm at center on a line against the Johnson one. Maybe something like Tatar-Helm-Jurco? Frees up Weiss-Sheahan-Nyquist as the third line. Depends on how Babcock matches up, but I'd like that line against Drouin-Filppula-Paquette.

I agree, partially. Part of me wants them together, because I think they'll produce more offense, but I don't think our other lines would match up well against Tampa's kid line. Palat-Johnson-Kucherov vs. Tatar-Sheahan-Nyquist wouldn't end well, IMO. Need Z and D separate to run against their scoring lines.

Which is why the Babcock to TOR or BUF rumors amuse me. I can't imagine Babs wanting to deal with the Toronto media after every game, but it would be hilarious to watch. If McDavid lands in Buffalo, I imagine the media there kicks it up a notch, too. Neither destination makes much sense to me.

Doesn't really offer context, but if it was as a "joke"... You're sitting the first game of the playoffs. I guess it's funny, though? Bob Duff @asktheduffer Follow You can't make this stuff up - #RedWings Smith just played puck with his stick during practice while on the bench.