Jesusberg

Not that I'm OK with it at all, but Ouellet will likely be called up and play more than Kindl and Smith. Huge hole if Kronwall's out for any period of time, though. Yuck.

Kindl still being on this team has to be the most mind-numbingly frustrating situation this season. Ouellet was 4th in TOI in his last game, and Kindl's glued to the bench tonight. Wake the f*** up Holland and MOVE him. Babcock doesn't trust him - he's useless here.

Assuming Nyquist at C is a typo by DRW's twitter account - Khan has Helm at C right before DRW's Tweet. Still, don't see how Weiss is on the 4th over Helm. Who's going to generate more offense? Honestly?

I agree - AHL veterans are important. I think guys like Paestch, Hoggan, Miele (even though he's only 26, he strikes me as a career AHL guy) and Porter have their place on this team, 100%. Those guys provide leadership, chip in offensively and make their line mates better. I understand the defense core is pretty young, but I feel like Ouellet and Marchenko are fairly stable in their own right, and I'd even trust Jensen to a lesser extent. If the argument is that Backman's the low man on the totem pole, and he's irrelevant because the other prospects are better than he is, then what is Evans? All of the vets I mentioned provide more than Evans does. Again, if we're going to take one "lesser" player, I'd rather take the guy who's going to potentially be a member of the Red Wings in the future. Heck, I'd be all for Nedomlel playing over Backman if he deserved it - at least he's considered a prospect and could play for the Wings down the road, doubtful as it may be. I get we're kind of spinning our wheels here - there's not much middle ground on this one. I just feel as if this team moving Kindl is long overdue, and Evans on this the Griffins is redundant with the existing veterans. Either guy being gone would have assuaged the situation. For me, it just comes down to a guy we know is as good as done with this team and an AHL vet with minimal contributions being kept over someone who could make a difference down the road.

Happy to see ZDA reunited, and Helm off the wing - the lines needed a shake-up, for sure. Pickard seems to be playing well as of late for the Avs, but here's hoping Detroit can change that.

Did it have (E4) or (E5) next to it?

So Evans' job in the AHL > Backman's job in the AHL + his potential job at the NHL level. Perhaps I'm underestimating the importance of a plug, who's scored zero points at the AHL. It's fantastic that Blashill feels he's got more intangibles, or brings leadership to the team, or whatever... but I think it's a very short-sighted strategy. Grand Rapids is what... 10th or 11th in the West? What exactly are they winning, and how is Brennan Evans helping? How does Backman playing in his spot hinder their "success" this season? I admit, Backman leaving is a short-sighted move on his part. As much as he's responsible for his development, management is just as responsible, if not more. He's a suck for leaving, but I truly believe this is an example of mismanagement as well. To say that the onus is on a 22 year-old kid for leaving, what he feels to be a situation that is hindering his potential, is kind of ridiculous, IMO. Backman's playing in the SEL and likely not coming back - that's partially on him, but there's more to it in my view. This team can't or won't move Kindl, and won't sit Brennan Evans. Both contributed to this situation.

Let's say that Backman wasn't performing up to snuff in practices, and the 13 games he played in. That's fine - he wasn't doing enough to stay in the line-up on a consistent basis. My issue with the situation right now is that Evans has played in 20 games, and has contributed nothing on offense. I understand his role on the team, but Backman was essentially sitting while Evans has been racking up PIM's. Earning it or not, I just can't understand the logic behind letting a player who could potentially contribute to your team in the future sit over an AHL veteran who's got zero points and no future in the organization. I'm sure Backman played his role in the situation - perhaps a poor attitude, sense of entitlement, being homesick, etc., but now a player this team was pretty high on going into the season is back in Sweden, and I can't see him coming back to GR. The chances he makes the Red Wings out of camp, from the SEL are pretty much slim to none. It's a situation that could have been avoided, IMO.

So uh... how about that whole getting him playing time and seeing what he has to offer thing... worked out well. *cough* That's unfortunate.

Believe me, I agree. I doubt Kronwall, Ericsson, DeKeyser and Smith will be going anywhere (outside Smith being part of a package for a legitimate upgrade). After that, I think Ouellet and Sproul have the inside track on the last two spots. However, I'd still like to see how the other three guys pan out, and I think the best way to do that is by getting them as much playing time as possible. I doubt any of them are going to push Ouellet out, but one of them could at least challenge Sproul. Really, it just comes down to finding out what the team has in these five guys. Two will likely make it, and another could be used as the 7th defender (my hope is Marchenko). In an ideal world, the other two should be part of a package to get an upgrade somewhere.

I agree with some of your points, but I see things another way on others. Let me preface this by saying that I don't like Backman's tone, and I don't think any player should try to "strong-arm" his way into the line-up by suggesting he'll go elsewhere. That being said... Backman being the "5th best" prospect in the NHL has less to do with him, and more to do with the talent in front of him. Coming into the year, I don't even think Jensen was on anyone's radar - certainly not mine. Him being unable to get a spot on the blueline right now could have something to do with how Blashill feels about his vets - or wanting to create pairings that are to his liking. Don't quote me on this, but I think he and Sproul were being used as a pairing at one time, and it just didn't take. My point is, there may be an element of circumstance and coaching blended in here, not just Backman's individual talents. I really don't think Fournier and Backman are the same guy. Fournier looked great in the QMJHL, but never took in the AHL, or the ECHL for that matter. As much as I dislike that he brought it up, the SEL really is a much better league. Backman played well in a men's league, not one in the CHL. It's unfortunate that Fournier didn't pan out, though... I actually liked his game. Fact is, I do think they have one too many AHL vets on the back-end there. They could have gone without Evans and kept Nedomlel up as the extra in GR. I'm not advocating giving Backman a spot because he's whining and deserves one, but I do think he actually needs regular ice time to adjust to play in North America. Not getting in playing time here really could hurt his long-term game. As I said, I think he's going about it the wrong way, though. This should have been an internal matter. I saw the 30% yesterday, but didn't think to fix it on here. The Maurice connection didn't even occur to me. Makes more sense now.

They just traded a 6th rounder to Carolina for Jay Harrison. Carolina is retaining 25% of his salary (1.5 million). Seriously?

I think they'd all be good suitors, as well. The biggest issue with moving Kindl, I believe, is the term on his deal. One less year on his deal and he's gone by now, IMO. The Jets seem like a perfect place for him to go, considering a lot of their injuries have some term on them, and they have plenty of cap space. Rumors have them offering a bottom six player (Thorburn, Halischuk, Peluso, Galiardi) in return for a defender. I'd prefer a pick, but at this point I want that roster spot cleared up above all else.

So, it looks like there's something to the rumors about Backman being unhappy, after all. http://www.mlive.com/griffins/index.ssf/2014/12/organization_tries_to_control.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter To be honest, I'm a little torn. I really think Holland needs to step up and move Kindl now. This would allow Ouellet to play in Detroit, and create space down in GR for Backman and others to play on a more consistent basis. On the other hand, is Backman going to complain every time he doesn't get the playing time he thinks he deserves? Is he going to threaten to bolt back to Sweden in 2-3 years if he's not getting regular time in Detroit? “I play almost four years in Swedish league and played on national teams, so it’s kind of weird you don’t play here," Backman said. "In my opinion, the Swedish league is much better than here. But it’s like different hockey, so it’s hard to compare. You have to get used to the smaller rinks.” To me, this quote screams a sense of entitlement. At the end of the day, I do think the onus is on Kenny to free up some room for both Ouellet and Backman. I think it's fair to be concerned about Backman's tone, though.

Babcock scratching Kindl and Lashoff over Ouellet screams, "Hey Kenny. I want this kid here. Do you see!?"

Honestly, if this team does manage to grab a Yandle or Green, my first inclination would be to put them on the 2nd pairing next to DeKeyser. In my mind, on paper, those seem like a solid pairings. Then I look down at that 3rd pairing and it's Smith-Quincey staring me right in the face. I wouldn't want to break up Kronwall-Ericsson, but I sure as heck don't wanna see the Smith-Q pairing. This is assuming that he wouldn't be moved in the deal, otherwise it would be a different situation.

I don't get all the talk about guys not being "top pairing" defenders. It's similar to having a forward like Abdelkader playing with Zetterberg-Datsyuk. Parity causes teams to look for balance through their line-ups - chemistry, spreading the talent, whatever. Tons of teams in the NHL do it. Suter-Brodin/Spurgeon, McDonagh-Girardi, Bouwmeester-Pietrangelo, Orprik-Carlson, Martin-Letang, etc. All of those pairings have a defensive/shutdown guy whose numbers aren't anything to write home about. That's the NHL today. The pairings putting up big numbers like Giordano-Brodie or Markov-Subban are becoming a rarity in the league.

Agreed, 100%. Even before Weiss was coming back, I was fine with moving Helm in a deal. As you say, he's a fantastic 3rd line center, but he's not being used in that role anymore. Sheahan's been showing he's got more offensive upside than a lot of people expected of out him. They wanna split Datsyuk and Z, they don't want to split them... either way. This team can run Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Sheahan, Weiss, Glendening and even Andersson down the middle without Helm. If another team thinks he's an attractive piece as part of a deal, I move him for a more pressing need in Detroit.

I just read this. Honestly, it seems more like speculation than anything. The articles are saying that "discussions are underway". Maybe I just have trust issues with journalists right now, but until I read something more concrete...

Athanasiou: "Hey guys, come check out this post on LGW. What's a Jesusberg? Either way, this guy said I should be made available for trade. I'm gonna go score a couple goals and maybe add an assist... make him look stupid."

We should just be impressed that many people over the age of 60 can use Twitter.

Believe me, I have this in mind as well. I'm very tentative when it comes to moving assets. I think running Sheahan-Larkin-Athanasiou-Glendening down the middle, in the future, would be excellent. However, I'm kind of viewing it in a similar way that I look at the defense. I really think that Detroit is going to hang on to Kronwall, Ericsson, DeKeyser and Smith (assuming nothing goes wrong in terms of health, etc.), leaving two/three spots for Ouellet, Sproul, Backman, Marchenko and Jensen. It's great to have that wealth, but something has to give there. Center isn't as deep, obviously, but I still think that at least one of Zetterberg, Weiss and/or Helm will be around. There are more health issues with these guys than the aforementioned defensemen. Again, I'm not advocating moving a guy for the sake of getting a slight upgrade on the back end - it would have to be someone who was a big boost to the offense from the blueline. Basically, it comes down to me thinking that Riley has taken a big step forward, and having more comfort with the possibility of moving a center in a package deal. I'd be more at ease losing AA in a deal than I would Tatar, Jurco or Mantha.

My worry is that Holland sees this year's team as a contender, and is going to try to land a high-end defender by overpaying. Generally, it's a good idea if you've got a shot at the cup. If that means one of two of the defensive prospects, then sure... but I hope he steers clear of the forwards for the most part. I haven't watched as much of the Griffins as I would have liked this season, but I've heard/seen tons of people raving about AA. To be honest, I'm more worried about moving someone like Tatar, Jurco or Mantha. I really want those wingers to stick around. The thing is, I do think ONE of our prospect centers should be made available for the right deal. I'm not saying they should just move one for a rental, and I definitely don't think Myers is the right deal. The thing is, Sheahan has exceeded my expectations in terms of the offensive potential he's shown this season. If we've got Sheahan, Larkin and AA as potential top 6 centers, combined with the remaining years of Z, Weiss and perhaps Helm... I would be fine with moving one for a significant upgrade on the blueline. When you look at the whole picture and factor in the years of overlap with the vets and younger players, I actually think we could be in good shape up the middle.

I wish this one would die... especially after reading this: http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/forget-mike-babcock-speculation-focus-on-tyler-myers/ "And this is where things get interesting. I’m told the asking price from the Sabres for Myers is prospect Dylan Larkin, a roster player along the lines of a Riley Sheahan or Tomas Jurco, and a first-round pick. That seems like an awful lot for an underachieving player who still has five years on his deal with a cap hit of $5.5 million per season." Seriously? Larkin, Sheahan/Jurco AND a 1st? No thanks.

After he joined Twitter... yeah, that basically sums up Bob Duff.