Jesusberg

Because Toronto fans (on more than one occasion) have specifically suggested that either Ferraro or Callahan be paired with the 2nd rounder. Means nothing in terms of actual value or what's going to happen, but it was something mentioned a few times.

Rumored price was 2nd + mid-level prospect, but now it seems more likely to be a late 1st. Not sure I think Franson is worth that, especially in a deeper draft. Although, I really don't think Franson is going to command near 7 million. He asked Toronto for 5, so on the open market he'll land north of 5, but I can't see 7 at all - and not sure about the term. I understand the hesitation in adding another body to the back-end, though. We're going into next season with six NHL ready guys for sure, with the possibility of Ouellet or Marchenko as the 7th guy. If Detroit can find a place for Kindl, I'll be much more receptive to adding another defender.

You two must've missed "The Continued Growth of Brendan Smith" during the first intermission of the last game against the Panthers...

Perhaps I misread some of your comments about hanging onto homegrown talent/waiting to sign guys until the off-season. My mistake. Edit: You were talking about not moving Smith for a rental - must've been what I was thinking of.

Looking at previous trades for defensemen... man, some in 2010-11 are just ugly: Alex Goligoski for James Neal and Matt Niskanen Tomas Kaberle for Joe Colborne, 1st round pick & conditional 2nd round pick And then you have trades like: Dennis Wideman for Jake Hauswirth & 3rd round pick. James Wisniewski for a 2nd and conditional 5th It's really all over the map...

Kind of like Mike Green? I thought we didn't like rentals? As far as the 2nd + Ferraro/Cally thing, I'm basically going off of Toronto's rumored asking price earlier in the season. It's generally been "we'd like a 2nd for Franson" from what I've seen. I guess we'll see, because it's a matter of when, not if he's traded now.

I know Toronto fans are in "The Sky Is Falling" mode, but they really don't have a ton of great things to say about Franson. I'm sure part of it is them wanting the team to blow up and grab some assets, looking for someone to point the finger at, etc. I'm not so much worried about moving assets for Franson (I've seen 2nd + Ferraro/Callahan thrown around over at HF, which I would be comfortable with), as I am Holland paying 5+ with some term for a guy who may or may not succeed in a Top 4 role here. I think Franson is a safe bet for being a #4 guy, and I'm not sure I'd want to cough up the kind of money and term he might be looking for at this point.

Seriously. When you look at guys moved in recent years, it's generally been a pick or two (2nd, 3rd) and a mid-level prospect. These trade situations are usually speculated to have these insane packages involved for rentals, and they actually amount to being two or three smaller pieces. I wouldn't be that shocked if Green could be had for a 2nd, conditional 4th and one of our decent prospects. Maybe not even the conditional pick (would be based on him re-signing).

I think his diminished role has more to do with the Caps acquiring Orpik and Niskanen - he could definitely play a bigger role, IMO. I think considering when he signed his deal, and how thin the market is for guys like him, he'll definitely get 6+. My biggest concern with him would be the term (health concerns, prospects coming up, etc.). I would definitely be more comfortable paying more for a shorter term deal.

For the record, I wouldn't want to "overpay" for Green, by any means. I just think he's got elite offensive skills. He's been pretty sheltered this season, so I'm sure that has an impact on how he's looked. Being the #5 guy means you're exposed a lot less.

I don't disagree with that idea, but I think you factor in how contract talks are going with Green as well. The package they'll receive for him now is going to be much better than what they'll get for his rights just before July 1st. I guess it depends on how MacLellan views the Caps' chances in the post-season. I recall Trotz mentioning that they wanted to get deeper/older up front, as he's not sure about how the kids (Kuznetsov, Burakovsky) will fare in the playoffs. I do think that we've got a bit of a mismatch in terms of what Detroit can offer to them - they've got guys like Carrick, Kundratek and possibly Bowey who could slot into that #6 role next season, so I'm not sure they'd want our defensive prospects. I fully understand that the scenario isn't ideal for Detroit to acquire him. If they do move him at the deadline, I think the package for Green might be less than people are thinking. It really depends on what teams like Montreal, Anaheim, Los Angeles, etc. are willing to pay. It's basically a pipe dream, but I'm still pretty high on Green. Edit: I saw that TFP article, but I really think it sounds like conjecture. But yes, his NTC could knock his value down, for sure. Double Edit: Just saw this article, as well. http://www.nicholsonhockey.com/worthreading/2015/2/2/mckenzie-believes-capitals-will-trade-green-before-deadline-canadiens-may-have-interest

Personally, I think Green would probably cost less than Yandle or Myers. That being said, I don't think Washington has a reason to move him at the deadline, considering their success.

Based on Kenny's comments, I have a hard time believing that he's going after a Petry or Zidlicky at this point. If it's really, "go big, or go home" then he's after one of Myers, Green or Yandle, IMO.

I'm sure they are in that mode, but if they're moving out one of Yandle/OEL and Vermette, they need something to reach the floor. It was easier to figure out with CapGeek, but they're at 58.911 million right now, and clearing out about 9 million will put them under the floor. Even adding a player or two from their affiliate, you'd think they have to take on some kind of salary. Perhaps whoever they bring in on the Vermette deal would get that done, though.

While I wouldn't hate landing Myers, I think I'd hate the assets we'd have to part with for him. I'm actually rooting for the Ducks to get him. I wonder what the "two pieces and a draft pick" for Yandle are. If those pieces are Smith and Pulkkinen, I pull the trigger. If they're something like DeKeyser and Nyquist/Tatar/Mantha, I show Don Maloney that .gif of himself and laugh at him.

At least he's exploring bigger names and not just a band-aid. I hope he's aiming for Yandle or Green. As much as I want OEL, I think the price would make me shudder.

I'll take Larkin over Mantha. Mantha's the flashy guy, but I really think Larkin is built for this team. He's got "everydayer" written all over him. I remember being so pissed off when Detroit drafted Sheahan - I wanted Etem. Shows what I know.

Know what's great about the Detroit Red Wings this season? I'm never surprised when they score goals. Well, Smith and Ericsson, yes... but you get the point.

Did Weiss get knocked down to the 4th line for missing that pass on the PP? Tread lightly, sweet prince.

Solid play there by Marchenko. Did not expect Smith to be able to shoot it like that. Damn.

I think you guys are underestimating Mike McKee's ability to photobomb a "Red Wings of Tomorrow" photo shoot.

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree, because I can't fathom taking Franson > Yandle. Yandle is worlds better than Cody Franson. Even giving up the assets I mentioned, I think Keith Yandle is an elite offensive defender and you pull the trigger on that move, rather than hoping you can land Franson. He`s the left handed Mike Green without the injury concerns. Putting this stuff aside, I really do think Holland is up to something. Can't help but wonder if he's showcasing players, finding out how they fare at the NHL level with the intention of using someone, or perhaps both. Of course, I'm assuming he could be showcasing them. No real indication that he is for sure - just a guess. I think the issue with "showcasing" players is that if they look great, you don't want to give them up. If they look like crap, teams kind of sour on them.

Honestly, I think some of our prospects are being grossly overvalued. Right now this defense corps consists of two legitimate Top 4 guys, with perhaps Quincey on the edge of that. Here's the thing... Cup contention or not, right now this team's got nothing in the way of defenders to help with a transition from the vets to the prospects. When you look up front, you've got guys like Nyquist and Tatar who are going to hold things down before Mantha and Larkin (hopefully) transition into solid players. Kindl and Smith should be the guys helping with that transition on the back end, but they're just not good enough. DeKeyser by himself isn't enough. I definitely think Detroit has something in guys like Ouellet and Sproul, but who's holding down the fort as they progress? You can only pile so much on Kronwall. If you can pull the trigger on Smith, Pulkkinen and a 1st for a legitimate offensive threat between the ages of 25-30, you do it. I wouldn't go as far as to say that those guys are replaceable, but they are most definitely expendable. As much as I enjoy Pulkkinen's possible upside, he's more of the same on this team. We've got the smaller skilled goal scorers in Tatar and Nyquist, with Mantha on his way soon. Without coming down on the guy too much, I do think that Ouellet is more than capable of doing the job Smith is doing now, and has better upside. It isn't about adding a piece to put this team over the edge. It's about adding a piece to make real improvements to this team so that they can remain successful. I'd rather not find out the answer to, "Can Ouellet, Sproul, Marchenko, etc. progress fast enough to offset Kronwall slowing down?" Waiving Lashoff was a proactive move by Holland, and I hope he's willing to make another one with some of the assets in the system now.

What's to know? He's been with the same organization his whole career. If he doesn't want to leave, you don't ask him to. Shane Doan isn't going to hurt the team's rebuild by staying, nor is he going to bring back substantial enough assets in a trade to greatly aid in the rebuild.

Just another take on the Buffalo brass scouting GR games - George Malik brought up that Rochester has a back-to-back vs. Grand Rapids next week, so perhaps it's more about preparing for those games. Not to say they weren't there to scout GR talent, but that does add a practical reason for them being there. As far as the OEL stuff goes, I'm not sure what would get Maloney to move him. I'm thinking it'd have to be a massive overpayment. I can't even wrap my head around moving a 23-year-old stud player as part of a rebuild - at least, not without getting a king's ransom back for him. I wonder if it's a way to get talks going about some of the other guys Maloney wants to ship out (Yandle and Michalek). "Yeah, that doesn't get you OEL... but let's discuss Keith Yandle."