Jesusberg

I basically threw in that "I don't think all of those guys have the exact same value, but I think they're in the same ballpark" comment, just because I knew you'd reply with this Honestly, I can't comment too much on his value, as I've mostly only caught a few highlights. I started watching the Griffs more a few games after his injury. Has he been centering Mantha for most of the year? When you look at the recent trend with DRW prospects, not many guys have truly excelled in their first season with the Griffins, outside of Nyquist. Tatar and Jurco both took a year to settle in, so I'm not too worried about Mantha just yet. My best guess would be that both AA and Mantha have a respectable 2nd half, and absolutely blow-up next season.

And this is probably the reality of what he's going to command. If Toronto really is starting at a 1st + prospect, and teams are (likely) offering a 2nd rounder, they're likely to meet halfway. If that means a 1st or a 2nd + good prospect, then Detroit's going to have to toss out a 2nd + Ouellet/Pulkkinen/Athanasiou to compete with some of other offers out there. I don't think all of those guys have the exact same value, but I think they're in the same ballpark. Not our highest end guys, and not players most fans would be comfortable giving up. I'm not sure I pull the trigger on that - meh. The trade deadline has my love and hate. Edit: If moving Smith for Franson was possible, I would rather go that route. I'm not sure how much interest Toronto would have in Smith, though (if they're looking for picks and prospects). Guess we'll have to see.

Honestly, I think he's staying. Some of his quotes lately (in the NHL.com article) have reflected a sense of optimism regarding the current roster, and the future of some of the younger guys. More than anything, I think Babcock wants to win. If he believes he can win with this team (which seems more likely now than ever), he's not going anywhere. I also thought his quote about the Stadium Series was a bit telling:

I figured something close to this. He's basically the net front presence down there from what I've seen, but I've only been checking out games more recently. I'm wondering if he could tweak his game to suit our 4th line, as I know it would be a change from what he's doing down there. I know Detroit's got a lot of depth at forward right now, but I'd love to see a 4th line of Miller-Glendening-Callahan. At the very least, I still think he's an upgrade over Andersson.

Honestly, I think the starting point is a 2nd + decent prospect. The winner will most likely be the one to offer the best prospect, or (if they're really after Franson) even a 1st rounder. I seriously think he's going to command more than Kindl, 3rd + D prospect. Prices are super high right now. As a matter of Bobby Mac's opinion, Franson might command a low 1st rounder: https://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/565309487402459136

Have there been any reports linking Zidlicky to Detroit... or anywhere, for that matter? It seems like New Jersey has been quiet, despite them being a sure-fire seller at the deadline. Their prospect cupboard is U.G.L.Y.

Just curious, for those who watch Griffins hockey regularly, does Callahan still play with an edge? I know he's toned down the extra-curricular stuff, but is he still a pest?

I think a 1st is stretching it, but I could see someone sending a 2nd over. If some of the bigger names out there are being moved, Zidlicky could be a good under the radar pick-up while all of that is going on. He's certainly not the prettiest princess at the ball, but he's a still a solid defender.

Holy ****, these guys have sand in their lady bits. I wanna slap Bolduc upside his head. Please score on the PP. Edit: WOO!

There was a time when I felt bad for Leafs fans. A couple of Toronto-fan friends of mine some of the more knowledgeable and passionate fans I know. Then Detroit lost that back-to-back in the middle of December and I got texts, FB messages and tweets from people I hadn't heard from in legitimately over a year, going on about how great Toronto is now/how they knew Detroit was on the decline. I'm thoroughly enjoying this. I hope they split the rest of the season between wins and losses, and end up with somewhere around the 8th-10th pick.

It does seem to be heading in that direction. MacLellan's recent comments about not wanting to move him for picks/prospects strike me as genuine. Unless someone's willing to move a solid 2C, or someone who can contribute right now, I think the Caps are going to hang onto Green as long as they can.

I wish I would have never mentioned 2nd + Ferraro/Callahan *sigh* It was a suggestion made by a Toronto fan, and it was immediately shot down as being not enough. It won't land Franson.

Sure, but what are the chances Detroit doesn't re-sign him after this season? Have to think that if they're going to move the assets for any bigger name, they're going to do every thing they can to hang onto that guy. He can go anywhere this off-season, but say he's got a chip on his shoulder, and likes the idea of playing against Toronto? Heck, Josh Gorges loved being in Montreal, and was willing to go to Buffalo (he felt going to the Leafs would be too much, but he's still in the division). You're telling me the Leafs and their fans don't hate having to look at Tuukka Rask's mug four-five times a year? As RZ mentioned, if Toronto can get the same package from a Western Conference team, it would be smarter (for them) to go that route. Less of a chance Franson can bite them in the butt later on. I definitely think the Leafs will want more from Detroit than, say, Anaheim or Los Angeles.

This is why I've been trying to stay away from a certain hockey forum (unsuccessfully lately, but it's the trading season). I generally keep it to myself, but it gets frustrating at times to see Red Wings prospects dismissed over and over again. Realistically, if people can't be bothered to look at Detroit's track record and see the value of some of these guys, then it's on them. It's still annoying, though.

I don't even care if I'm being petty - if Myers is moved, I hope the return package is underwhelming. I'm so tired of reading about how he's an elite #1 guy. Buffalo fans are insufferable when Myers is brought up in a conversation. I kind of just want the guy to be moved, or have Tim Murray outright say he's staying in Buffalo, so the hockey world can get on with it.

I literally left the room for 30 seconds to grab some popcorn, and come back to Ericsson punching someone in the face.

Pretty much. I used to write for Hockey's Future, so my view of prospects and how to rank them is forever skewed. Mostly, I'm saying I can understand Pulkkinen being seen in that light.

"Hello? Evander?" "Yes, this is Evander." "We're awesome, aren't we?"

Seriously. I'd be surprised if Andersson survives the "14th Forward Stand-Off" with Ferraro and Callahan during training camp before next season.

Objectively, Pulkkinen can be viewed as a "2nd tier" prospect. It's not to say he won't be an effective NHL player, because I think he will become one. I can't speak for every one else, but I wouldn't move Mantha, Larkin or Mrazek before moving Pulkkinen. When you place him next to other prospects in the NHL, (Ekblad, Drouin, Strome) or even guys outside of the NHL, (Reinhart, Bennett, Ehlers) he does seem to fall short. "2nd tier" has a negative connotation attached to it, but I definitely think he's below the "top tier" guys.

So, Jacob Markstrom has no value? I'd be willing to wager that he has some value on the market. At the very least, it's to a point where the Canucks have said they're not willing to deal him. I stated in my post that I don't think those two pieces would be enough for Toronto to bite on. Going after Franson with Ferraro/Callahan and a 2nd isn't what I'm getting at. It's more going against the idea that a guy waived in October is going to be worth nothing in February. I'm not saying a guy like that is going to tip the scale a significant amount, but they can certainly improve upon their own value and be worth more than they were earlier in the season.

Considering the kind of bidding war that may occur for Franson, I don't think that a 2nd + Callahan/Ferraro will be enough. I do, however, disagree that players who pass through waivers have little to no value. At the point in the season that those two passed through, teams were moving forward with their own prospects and trying to see what they might have to offer. There's a much higher chance that someone puts in a waiver claim during the season than at the beginning of it. Not to mention, if a guy has a solid year, passing through waivers has little to no impact on his value later in the season.

It was 4.6, apparently. http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/headlines-franson-maple-leafs-cant-agree/

Me likey... http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=66148 Not the whole window closing thing, but you know... the mentality of wanting to make a move.

What Mabus said. With Mule on IR, they're only carrying 13 forwards right now. They promised Ouellet he could go on the father-son trip, thus the call-up.