Jesusberg

Not that I'm surprised, but...

I'd take this one with a grain of salt, guys. I lived in Windsor for 27 years, and got to read Bob Duff's work quite a bit. In 2011, Bob joined Twitter and stirred things up with a Bogosian to Detroit rumor. He even tweeted me back at the time, saying it was very close, and Holland was about to pull the trigger on the deal outlined here: http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=34058 Oddly enough, Bob writes for Hockey Buzz on the side now. I don't think it discredits him as a journalist, but I question anyone who writes in the same realm as Eklund when it comes to rumors. I'm not saying there's no chance he's right about this one, but he's been getting a little less reliable the past two to three years or so. Right when he joined Twitter, which I doubt is a coincidence.

I agree that they may attach some conditions for the players being exposed, but I don't think there would be any shortage of those "bad contracts" available (Semin, Mike Richards, Brian Campbell and Matt Carle come to mind). While I think teams should have a minimum amount of salary exposed, if the criteria is too specific, it's going to handcuff a good number of teams. For example, outside of Michal Neuvirth, Buffalo doesn't have another player in the 2.0-3.5 range. I think the onus should really be on the expansion teams. They can overpay UFA's, make deals, etc., but I agree there should be a minimum amount of cap dollars made available - maybe not just so specific on the number of players and their ranges. It's another obstacle (the cap), but I think teams would be relieved to unload some of their contracts for sure.

"Petr Mrazek's waiver exemption of 5 year(s) and 73 games remains in place through to the end of the 2015-16 season. However, that exemption will end immediately when he appears in 73 career NHL regular season and playoff game(s). He has played in 14, meaning he is 59 away from his exemption ending." http://www.capgeek.com/waiver-calculator/?player_submit=1&player_id=2134

I can't speak for anyone else, but knowing what I know, I wouldn't even buy it for cheap. I've found the whole experience mind-numbingly frustrating. Sliders won't update, can't find a good set of sliders that I can work with and my "Today's Game" default screen is always a month behind. Though, if I'm being honest, I'd most likely buy it for like $20, just to add it to the collection. I'm just mad at myself for shilling out the $70.

The issue I have with expansion to QC is the possibility that either Detroit or Columbus is going to be moved back out West. If expansion does go down, I'd much rather LV, Kansas City or Seattle be given teams, with Florida relocating to QC.

I get that we would be fine if it were this season, but I feel like it's going to be pushed back a year or so. I would be absolutely shocked if there was an expansion draft this June. That's where I'm worried, as we won't have a goaltender who has the experience requirements outside of Howard and Mrazek. Though, as you mentioned, they could keep Petr in the minors for another season. Not exactly an ideal situation for the Wings. Alternatively, they could swing a deal for a vet goalie (like the Ranford situation) before the expansion draft. Giving up assets just to protect your goaltenders isn't exactly ideal either, though. Goaltending really is the only situation I'm worried about at this point. It would suck to lose Helm or Abdelkader, but not as much as losing Howard or Mrazek. I almost envy a team like Toronto - "Here, take Reimer. Go right ahead."

If we're protecting two, does McCollum even count? He's played one game in the NHL. For some reason, I was thinking July and not June, hence me thinking Detroit could sign someone to protect their goaltenders right away. While I get this theoretical draft would occur this June, I imagine it's going to be next June or the one after (if this happens). I think it would be tough to find someone fitting the criteria to sign in Detroit's situation - it's all but certain that we're going to roll with Mrazek as the back-up next season. Someone like Fasth or McElhinney could meet the requirements (depending on how much they play this season), but it's hard to imagine they'd be up for playing in the AHL. I'm assuming that if they don't have a 3rd goaltender that meets the 10/25 game criteria, they'd have to expose one of Howie or Mrazek? Bleh if so.

I would basically go with the 2-3-7 format, and those who were selected, but two things pop out at me. #1: I wonder if Columbus and Minny would be protected. They've been around since 2000, so I'm not so sure they should be. With four extra teams to take talent from, I wonder if the number of players drafted would still be 26. If not, some teams could only have one player selected from their team (though, I imagine they could bump it to 30 players to keep it "fair"). #2: By the time this happens, neither Gustavsson or McCollum (not that he meets the criteria right now) will be under contract - both of their contracts expire this off-season. I wonder if Detroit (if it's legal/possible) goes out and signs an older vet to keep in the system with the possibility of expansion looming, thus protecting Howard and Mrazek. Otherwise, the team doesn't have a goaltender that meets the 10 game minimum criteria, unless I'm missing something here.

It's used as a not-so-thinly veiled attempt to bash certain players on this team. The reality is, there isn't much to complain about with this team right now - tons of positives. The forward depth is fantastic, the defense has gelled well and goaltending has been solid. Special teams are clicking better than I can recall in recent memory. I think the one place the team could use a shot to the arm is on that 2nd PP. The PP has been clicking well, no doubt about it. I just think it would be nice to get a more stable presence on the blueline of that second unit. Flopping back and forth between DD and Kindl wears a bit thin. First choice is a righty with some experience, and without term on his deal - Green, Franson, Zidlicky. They're all rentals, so I wouldn't want to ship much out for them. That's not realistic for those first two names, though. Honestly, I would "settle" for the team finding a new home for Kindl, just so they can bring XO up here. Even though I think he's shown moment of solid offensive instinct, it's just clear that Jakub doesn't fit on the team, and I think that 2nd PP could use a more consistent presence at the point.

Is it bad that the thing I'm looking forward to most is Mrazek's new helmet? I mean, I want the two points, but... that helmet, though.

I figured it didn't merit a new topic, but has anyone seen Mrazek's new mask? I think it's unreal. My first reaction: "he's bat**** crazy... that's awesome." http://ingoalmag.com/masks/mrazek-mask-wishes-merry-christmas-czech/

Apparently, he missed practice because of personal reasons. He's slated to play on Saturday. https://twitter.com/AnsarKhanMLive/status/540932312540536832

Edit: Corrected information

Great success. ...yes, I quoted myself.

The idea of Petry himself is fine, but I'm not sure he fits this team unless someone else goes with Kindl. The whole point of moving Kindl at this point is to make room for XO. Outside of Kindl, I don't really have a legitimate gripe about how anyone on the defense has played. If it ain't broke...

Broke a bone in his ankle. Out for a month or so.

You could look up split stats, but you'd be looking at certain players. So you'd have to check individually. For example, Zetterberg: http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/z/zettehe01/splits/ Best that 30 seconds of Googling could do. Hope it's helpful.

Winnipeg just had 3 defenders go down with injuries (Bogosian, Enstrom and Clitsome). How about a little Kindl in your line-up, Mr. Cheveldayoff? Heh... heh? But seriously, Anaheim's guys go down one after another, they go out and get Brewer and Robak. Meanwhile, we've still got Kindl sitting here.

And that's exactly why Luke "Our Secret Weapon" Glendening is going to be doing most of the scoring. Sure, Rynnas could play lights out against Nyquist and Z, but Glendening's off-speed stuff will throw him for a loop.

Rynnas is going to be in net for Dallas. Anything less than 5 goals from the Wings is unacceptable. You hear me, Glendening!? Hat trick!

Seriously, are the lights still out for Kindl?

I agree, to an extent. Obviously, the team is in great shape right now. It just always irks me that there's an Emmerton, Samuelsson or Cleary hanging around. I'm sure I'm just nitpicking, but I would have liked to see full time for guys like Tats and Nyquist in prior seasons, Callahan this year. It just comes down to not wanting to lose Pulkkinen or Callahan for Andersson. A minor gripe, but still something in the back of my mind.

One of the things that worries me about the situation going into next season is Holland's stance on "asset management". I can't imagine Cleary being brought back, but I wonder what he'll do with Andersson. I would hope he goes the way of Emmerton, and Callahan and Pulkkinen are part of the roster at the start of next season. My nightmare involves all three being retained and having the "best players" earn their spots in the line-up. I think it would be short-sighted in this situation.

I don't think they'd be "awful", as much as they'd be inexperienced. I do agree that it's not the way to build a defensive corps. Edmonton is perfect example of mismanaging/rushing youth. Re-reading it, I see what you meant about KQ. I really think they let him go in the off-season to make way for some of the younger guys. By then, hopefully, DD and Smith establish themselves as reliable players who can be paired with less experienced guys. I get what you mean about E not fitting with the age core, but I think that's precisely why they'll need him - an experienced, defensive blue liner. I can't see Detroit moving him. You need veteran players in your line-up, especially with that many kids coming up. I think they'll be able to use him alongside one of Jensen, Sproul or Marchenko on a 3rd pairing.