Jesusberg

I think this makes a lot more sense than QC getting an expansion team: https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/hurricanes-in-swirl-of-quebec--las-vegas-nhl-relocation-speculation-175439292.html

I'm not sure it's all that simple. When that top line was together, Blashill was leaning on them way too hard, playing them over 20+ minutes a night. Larkin and Athanasiou haven't seen regular time at center all season - both need to work on their faceoffs. Helm and Richards have both scored, or been involved in clutch/game-winning goals recently. Clearly this team needs help, but I don't think shifting everyone around to fit in a guy who hasn't played in two weeks is going to fix much.

I agree that Smith isn't the guy to remove for Marchenko. IMO, he's comparable to Ericsson, Quincey and to a lesser extent DeKeyser. Ericsson and Quincey have both been messes lately in terms of turnovers, defensive lapses, etc. If anything, I'd take one of those two out over Smith. I don't think I'd scratch Kronwall at this point, though I do think his knee is much worse than he's letting on, and that a week wasn't enough time for him to recover properly. At one point, I might've agreed with Jurco being in the lineup, but I think he's been passed by Athanasiou and Mantha at this point. If I'm using the same justification for removing Ericsson/Quincey from the lineup for Marchenko, who draws out for Jurco? I don't think he's a fourth-line guy, so who does he replace in the top-nine group?

Agreed. Nyquist has 28 EVP his season. Last season? 30. The power play has hurt him, big time. As far as Tatar is concerned, his shot totals from 2014-15 to 2015-16 are down from 211 to 152. I'd wager that having your playing time trimmed down by nearly two minutes might have that effect, though. Not making excuses for either guy, but it's not really fair to place the blame on them as individuals.

I'm not entirely sure how to fix the mess, but I do know a few things: 1. The powerplay is an atrocious mess that should have been fixed awhile back. They've done next-to-nothing to change it up all season long. A number of the players have similar EV point totals compared to last season's, but they PP has really hurt the offensive totals for most on the team. 2. There's no way they should be leaning on Datsyuk and Zetterberg as heavily as they have. Through February, both guys (along with Abdelkader) were playing 20+ minutes a night. They were 4th and 5th in the league in time on ice. It's gone down this month, but only because Blash separated them. When your primary, go-to offense guys aren't getting it done, try leaning on some of the younger guys. 3. As critical as I've been of Smith in the past, there's no way he should be sitting. He drives possession on this team. Blashill's system is suited for players with wheels. When I look at this defensive corps, I don't see many players well-suited for Blash's system. If you're not going to change it up, make better use of the players who CAN play within your system.

Nice to see Tangradi sticking around. Figured he'd help out GR's top-six when he was signed in the summer, but he's done better than I expected. Hope Miele follows suit - a couple of good vets to have around the prospects. http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/03/21/red-wings-extend-tangradi-for-two-years/

Marchenko's had a real rough go as of late, and the underlying numbers support that. I was actually thinking that Quincey's looked rough lately as well, and the numbers also support that. Either way, Smith drives possession - I'd keep him in. Go numbers.

Guess they were just messing around in practice? The Wheel Deal ‏@Bill_Roose 32s32 seconds ago The #RedWings lines in pregame: Abdelkader-Zetterberg-Larkin; Tatar-Datsyuk-Mantha; Nyquist-Sheahan-Athanasiou; Helm-Glendening-Richards.

I don't mind the move, honestly. I'm not the biggest Helm fan, but it makes sense. He's not the ideal NFP, but he's one of the best guys on the team at getting to loose pucks around the net and creating issues for the oppositions defense. If he's around/behind the net jarring pucks free, it means Mantha's going to have more time to focus on getting open. At this point, AA is going to get the same amount of minutes wherever he's at. It has more to do with special teams than anything else. He strikes me as a guy who does less with more right now, anyway.

Maybe it was because it was later in the game, but I'm pretty sure they rolled out Tatar-Datsyuk-Abdelkader and Larkin-Zetterberg-Glendening more than once last night. I hope they're not already finished giving AA a shot in the top-six, but I wouldn't be shocked. Edit: Yep. Looks like it's over already.

I'm glad Blash is finally tweaking the lines. He's been leaning on the top line and Glendening far too much in the past month. Hopefully this will balance out the minutes and provide an offensive spark. I'd still consider swapping Abdelkader and Nyquist, though. Either way... line juggling, first game of a three-game home stand and Mrazek getting a chance to get back on track. Feels like an ideal game to start moving in the right direction, doesn't it?

At this point, I don't think it should even be Smith vs. Marchenko. Sit one of the veteran guys. At the very least, it might serve as a wake-up call to one of them.

I see where the underlying numbers have their place, but as others have alluded to, QoC isn't always factored in. Sometimes I get tired of seeing people (not you guys, the bloggers, etc.) preaching on about how great "Player X" is and that it's just a matter of time. If his underlying numbers are based on third pairing duties, they might not necessarily translate if he were given a larger role. There are just a lot of factors that people leave out when discussing analytics (Again, not directed toward you, Buppy. Just a general comment about how people sometimes lean on them too much, IMO)

I never said anything about disliking Ericsson. You don't have to tell me what guys of his ilk make - I'm fully aware. What I am saying is that the term of his deal, and his cap hit limit the team in several ways. There are better players to be signed (Quincey, right now) and prospects who should be getting a shot in the next season or two. There are also players on the roster, currently, who should play over Ericsson, IMO. I'm not harping on Ericsson, I'm just not a fan of the situation. I don't fault Ericsson for his contract, I fault Ken Holland for giving it to him.

I can't speak for every one else, but I'd rather have Quincey next season. I don't think Ericsson is worth his 4.25M, and he's got four years left at that hit. It's more about how his contract is handcuffing the team for me.

Important to keep this in mind, too: General Fanager ‏@generalfanager 5m5 minutes ago General Fanager Retweeted Elliotte Friedman #RedWings set to end with $0 space, so Larkin, Richards bonuses could give them overage. Moving Kindl helps there.

Only retaining 15% (360K) on his contract. I'm good with that. Thought it would be more.

For whatever reason, I thought the KHL's salary cap was higher than it is.

Never thought I'd see the day I'd agree with DD, but here we are... Not saying it's impossible, but I doubt we'll see Frk's get a crack at the NHL (not with the Red Wings, anyway). Even if he were to get the chance, I don't see his game translating quickly enough to impress management.

That's twice now that no one's taken the bait. I know it's a long shot, but I wonder if contract termination is an option? Why would he walk away from 2.4M next year, etc? I get that. I'm just curious about the option. I'm not 100% clear on the rules. If I'm not mistaken, he wouldn't be able to sign in the NHL next season, correct? He could probably get decent money overseas, though. No real reason to think this is even possible, as he'll probably just ride it out in GR and collect his money next season.

The reason I brought up his preseason performance is because Nestrasil's was mentioned. Jensen played well in the preseason, and if IIRC was one of the Red Wings' last cuts before the roster was finalized. I think it's unfair to dismiss his play at the NHL level when he hasn't played at the NHL level yet. Poor example right now, but Howard was a mess at the AHL level. No consistency whatsoever. Considering the way the NHL is trending (more about the speed/skating than ever) and the way Blashill likes his defenders to be active in the play, I think Jensen could serve as a bottom-pairing guy. His skating ability allows him to rush with the puck without compromising his positioning. I'll agree with you when you cite the "nail in the coffin" being that Detroit hasn't given him a shot yet - he's 25-years-old. I think if they had plans for him with the team, he would have been given a shot over Marchenko, or more recently Ouellet. I guess the point is that it would have been nice to see him get a shot. At this point, it would have been nice to see him get in a game or two with the organization.

And yet Jensen played in more preseason games (6) than anyone else, scored 4 points and was a +8. Personally, I don't think he's been given a fair shake with the team, but it is what it is. I'm sure the Wings' brass have their reasons for not bringing him up over Ouellet, but I don't think it's because he hasn't made good on his limited number of opportunities. At this point, it seems to me that Ouellet and Marchenko has the inside track on the (presumed) two spots on next year's roster. IMO, Sproul will pass through waivers, but I think someone could take a chance on Jensen, should the Wings elect to waive him, too.

Sometimes my immaturity betrays me. This is one of those instances. All I can picture is Kindl dropping his gloves and front of Green, slyly bending over to grab them and going, "whoopsie ".

HSJ reporting that DeKeyser will be ready to play on Friday. Helene St. James ‏@HeleneStJames 7m7 minutes ago Red Wings off today, but spoke with GM Ken Holland, he said Danny DeKeyser (knee bruise) "all good" for Friday's game. Also, the Wings sent Andersson down to GR. Either they like what they see from AA, or they're letting Andersson get in some games instead of sitting. Maybe both.

Seems like Jurco and Nyquist have shown a little chemistry in their (albeit, very short) time together. In fact, I think both of Jurco's goals were in the middle of a line change, but I'm not 100%. I'd like to see what they can do playing on an actual line together for a full game. Anything to keep Jurco in the top-nine group over Helm at this point.