Jesusberg

This is a really good assessment. I think his back-checking and ability to battle for loose pucks have improved greatly. His skating was one of the biggest knocks on him when he was first drafted, and he's clearly improved that as well. I feel like he took the "shoot, shoot, shoot" advice too literally, as there were several occasions where he would have been better served just getting the puck deep. In his last couple games, I think he did a better job with the little things. The one thing that he probably struggled with (as most guys do when coming up) is not being "the guy". Your total ice time is lower, the offense isn't running through you and you have less time to make decisions with the puck (in part) because you have it less. I think they're going to ease him into the line-up next season much like they did with Tatar. He'll most likely start as the 13th-14th forward, then push to earn more ice time. As you say, this is going to be an important off-season for him. Pulks has all the tools, he just needs to adjust to the pace of the NHL and improve his strength. He's just going to have to bust his behind.

I completely understand this logic. Even though they're not the exact same situation, it's unfortunate that we gave up Jarnkrok for a rental. I think this situation is a bit different, though. I can't imagine Holland not doing every thing in his power to retain Green if we managed to trade for him. Babcock is high on Green, and the team sorely lacks someone like him on the back-end. I believe that Holland would be able to sign him, and at a fair cap hit to boot. There are definitely some risks involved - is Green looking to cash in, what kind of term does he want? I think it would be worth the risk, personally. Also, I wouldn't mind landing Franson in the off-season. He'll more than likely be cheaper than Green, and he doesn't have the injury concerns. As always, it's just going to be interesting to see how Holland would shuffle players around to make room for a UFA.

Khan's got a full article up on Holland looking at the Griffins now: http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2015/01/all-star_break_provides_red_wi.html Nice to see they're comfortable with Callahan. Just not sure where he fits in next season, unless they cut ties with Andersson.

Gustavsson should finish the year here. Petr's up full-time next season. As far as Grand Rapids goes, I wonder if they retain McCollum and Coreau, or just one of the two. Coreau has the better numbers this year. Paterson will be turning pro next season, so I'm curious if they insulate him in the ECHL, or let him back-up one of those two.

Obviously, we differ on our opinion of what Smith is worth, but I would do something around Mike Green for Smith, Frk/Tvrdon/Nastasiuk/Bertuzzi/Jensen + 2016 Conditional 4th that becomes a 2nd if he signs here. It may be viewed as over payment by some, but I think Green is legitimate. This is the guy I'd want most, which is pretty much moot, since Washington's making a run. Don't think Green is moved before the trade deadline. Other players I'd explore trying to acquire are Wisniewski, Wideman or maybe even Byfuglien/Bogosian. The packages would vary (Don't think I include Smith in the Wideman one), but the idea is to grab a bonafide Top 4 guy. This is pretty much my mentality. I would hang onto DeKeyser over Smith, though. IMO, we have a lot of pieces of the blueline are good at quite a few things, but not great. I'd be fine with having a bit of a gap between our Top 4 guys and the ones beneath them if it meant getting a legitimate offensive threat on the back end. It's not a knock on Smith - it's just that the Wings seem to be in a good position to acquire someone. Signing someone like Green or Franson this off-season sounds great, because we're not giving up any assets, but it further crowds the current group of defenders.

Honestly, I think Washington should be all over this one. Holtby goes down or has some issues in the post-season and you're looking at Justin Peters/Philipp Grubauer taking the reigns. I still don't really get why Marty left NJ, other than things going really sour. I don't know much about their goaltending depth, but Keith Kinkaid doesn't strike me as anything special. They're basically riding Schneider into the ground - he's started 41 of 47 games. Marty should have just kept his mouth shut, accepted his back-up role and stuck with his team.

It seems to me like Mrazek either plays lights out, or just breaks down and gives up some weak ones. Howie had those consistency issues early on, too. I'm sure if Petr talks to him about it, he'll get better as time goes on. A young Luke Skywalker, training with Master Yoda, if you will.

Personally, I'd like Green now, but you can tell Washington is making a run and isn't going to move him, at least I don't think they will. I'm all for grabbing either one of those guys in the offseason, but I wonder who Detroit moves to make room. Assuming Kindl is gone, you're still left with Kronwall, Ericsson, DeKeyser, Quincey, Smith, Ouellet and Lashoff. Unless they're going to waive Lashoff and rotate Smith and Ouellet in and out on the line-up, I'm not sure where they make the room.

Because that probably doesn't get us a Top 4, RHD... unless you're looking at someone like Zidlicky or maaaybe Dennis Wideman. Sometimes, I think you believe people just want to move Smith because they don't like him. It's possible that some do, but a lot of people suggest it for practical purposes (me). He's in a position of being at a good age, affordable, and still having potential that other teams might bite on. I'm of the belief that this team needs to add an experienced, offensive presence on the back end. You're not moving Kronwall or DeKeyser, and Quincey, Ericsson, Kindl and Lashoff don't have as much appeal (perhaps Ericsson does to a GM who hasn't watched hockey this season, and maybe Quincey to one who has). I truly believe Smith is the only guy who may have the appeal to land a true offensive defender. I get it, I really do. You like Smith and think he has Top 4 upside. The problem is that he's still only showing flashes, and that Babcock does NOT seem to trust him. Do you honestly think that Babcock is going to use him in a Top 4 role? Let me tell you a story. I had an irrational love for Kyle Calder when he was traded here. I was like, "whoa... that dude comes out hard from the corners and attacks the net." I just looked it up right now and he had something like 14 points in 19 games. He has a soul patch - I should have known better. Don't go down the Kyle Calder road, man.

They could have just announced, "Goal by Babcock's whipping boys" and I would have known which three guys were in on it.

Kind of weird that there's no mention of Callahan.

His rise to captaincy begins today!

With Justin Braun expected to be out for some time, the Sharks seem like they could have interest in Petry. I wouldn't be surprised to see them try to make a move for him now.

Smith is better than Ouellet right now, but I think you can argue that XO has a higher hockey IQ, and handles the puck better in tight situations. Here's the issue - what's the end game with Smith? Do you see him moving past being a #5 on this team in the next season? Honestly, I think as long as the PP stays in its current format, Smith doesn't stand a chance of sniffing PP time. With its success, they aren't changing it anytime soon. Kronwall isn't going anywhere on the 1st unit, and DeKeyser doesn't make many mistakes handling the puck (sometimes, it seems like zero). Let's push ahead to the 2016-17 season, when Quincey and Lashoff should be off this team. Chances are one of Sproul or Jensen is on this team, and most likely given PP time because of their handedness. Marchenko may even be given a look on the PP. At this point, has Smith developed into a more defensive oriented guy? I think that's what he's likely going to have to become. He may very well be in the Top 4 (Kronwall, Ericsson, DeKeyser, Smith), but is Ouellet knocking on the door? Ericsson is going to have to mess up royally to be knocked down the depth chart on a permanent basis (he's already back up with Kronwall). Babcock's on record saying that he believes DeKeyser-Quincey has been the team's best pairing. If Smith can play effectively in a Top 4 role, he's going to be hard pressed to prove it. I just really think at this point, you try to cash in on Smith's value. He may have the ability, but it's looking less likely that he'll be able to show that ability on this team. Edit: And don't get me wrong. I understand that Smith is only 25. People talk about Jensen like he's a prospect, and yet he's only a year younger than Smith. It's easy to forget that Smith isn't closer to 28. My point is, even though his development isn't over, it's looking like he's in a tough place on this team.

Not that I think the trade is fair, but it's tough to gauge value for a guy on a team like Edmonton against someone on Detroit, especially with peripheral stats. As you admit, the stats are skewed here. Petry in Edmonton =/= Petry in Detroit, and the same for Smith on another team. Who knows, with PP time, Smith could put up 30-35 points on another club. Really though, Petry's not going to produce a lot more on a team that's pure, hot garbage. Any peripheral stats are most likely going to be inflated, too. Edmonton spends far less time with the puck, so Petry's hits, blocks and takeaways are going to be higher.

Oh? Because this: and this... and this... aaaand this... all seem to suggest that you think Mrazek is capable of doing the job that Howard's doing right now, only better because of his ability to handle the puck. Then suggesting that Howard is in his way of getting in a "full season" for the next six years, because management can't judge Mrazek playing 20-30 games next year - suggests urgency in getting Mrazek into the starting position ASAP. You do realize that they could be splitting the games 40/40 as soon as 2017-18, right? Regardless, I really don't think anyone was misreading your stance on the goaltending situation, but by all means, backpedal to your heart's content.

The next captain is going to be American, anyway. I can see it now... "And, your captain. From Grand Rapids, Michigan. Wearing number 41... Luke... Glendeniiing."

I'm still of the mindset that this team should package Smith for a legitimate Top 4, offensive defender. In saying that, I don't think that draft position should have much bearing, if any, on how much "leash" a player is given. I think guys have a certain number of years to prove their worth, and if they're not addressing a specific need on your team, they're probably not going to meet their potential. IF I absolutely have to choose between two guys, I take the earlier pick 9/10 times. If I have two players who are putting up similar numbers, or playing a comparable defensive game, I give the edge to the guy drafted earlier. There's a reason he was drafted earlier - he's likely got some kind of edge over the later round pick, whether it be better skating, hockey IQ, defensive game, etc. Obviously, situations can differ based on what a team needs, how players mesh in a system, etc. Don't get me wrong, some of those early round guys wind up being nothing more than minor league/major pro level players (Emmerton and McGrath come to mind). I think we've lucked out as fans of this team, with later round picks turning into gems. Generally, if you're choosing between two guys, I think you give the high picks more time than the lower ones to develop their game. If they find it, their upside is superior.

I understand Ericsson, but I think Quincey's played pretty well this season. He's played smart hockey, works well on the PK and is somehow 3rd in points for defensemen on this team. I hated the signing at the beginning of the season, but he's proven a lot of people wrong. He's doing exactly what the Red Wings need him to do with DeKeyser, IMO.

You're right. Trading for star players, and luring free agents is exactly the same as it was before the salary cap came into place. Holland has the freedom he did when he was able to move assets and spend whatever he wanted on free agents. (That was sarcasm, too.) Today's NHL is all about parity - every one having the same amount of money to spend, and similar assets. It's all about development now, so you hang onto the proven assets you have until the unproven ones develop properly. (This isn't sarcasm.)

I think this is spot on. Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Nyquist and Tatar are true "Top 6" guys, IMO. Abdelkader is a great complimentary piece, so if they could find someone else in that same vein, I think it would do them worlds of good. I don't think you have to add another overly skilled guy, but a better net presence/power forward type guy for Tatar-Datsyuk to play with would be nice. The defense is in obvious need of an upgrade, especially offensively. I actually like seeing Smith next to Kronwall, but I think it's more because of how bad Ericsson has looked than anything. I'm all for having balanced defensive pairings, but Kronner could really use a better partner at this point. Edit: Yeah, what he said ^

I agree, and I like Sproul way more. I just think anything can happen, and it's one or the other. I really hope Sproul rounds out his game. On another note, while I've been suggesting the idea of moving Helm in a package for a top 4 defender recently, I think they need to try to find a suitor for Weiss. Being able to split Datsyuk and Zetterberg, Sheahan coming into his own and looking like he could be a solid #2 center and Helm playing very well... Weiss is the odd man out at this point. Weiss has more offensive ability, but Helm offers more overall. He has Babcock's trust and was drafted by the Wings. Weiss is wasted on the 4th line, but I'm not so sure Helm belongs there, either. I'm not sure how long they'll hang onto Weiss, and if they can find someone to take his contract/he'll waive his NMC for that team, but I feel like the writing is on the wall for him. It's good to have extra guys who can slot in on higher lines as an insurance policy, but he just seems so out of place on this team.

Only if we're getting a conditional draft pick as part of the trade. It'll be a 2nd rounder at first. If he plays super awesome for one game, they have to bump it up to a 1st rounder, if he plays poorly, we can knock it down to a 3rd. No biggie.

I'm not saying I'm responsible for Kyle Quincey's offensive surge, but I mocked his offensive ability before he scored in Edmonton. Six points in seven games later, and here we are. OK, so maybe I deserve some credit. Hey, Brendan Smith, keep it simple. You totally can't score six points in your next seven games.

You're not giving Bill his due.