amato

Came here to see if this was posted yet. Pretty amazing. He seems to only get better and better. His points right now, prorated to 82 games, puts him at just over 50 if he would've played all games this year. Not bad for his first (basically) full year in the NHL.

Do like the idea of adding Cozens but I'm starting to lean toward defense in the first round.. obviously it depends on where we land/which players potentially fall to us, but I really like the look of our young forwards both on the team, and pushing to make it soon. We really need difference makers on defense though, and this is probably going to be our best shot to land one. The idea of Bowen Byram in the first is really starting to grow on me. He's having a.... Giant... season in the WHL, and is still only 17.

OH yeah, 100% agree. I wouldn't trade Larkin at all. Was just comparing them as far as drafted talent outside the top three goes after it was said that we haven't had a draft day steal in ages. Larkin was a draft steal imo.

I don't think it makes me think we're better than we are though.. I know we're a bottom team. But that only makes games like this one more exciting imo. It doesn't matter what point in the season it's in to me. I like Mantha a lot too. Hopefully he's not the type to leave. It wouldn't make a lot of sense for him to leave as a UFA though.. He's 24 & still an RFA after next season. If all goes well with the rebuild and his next contract is a good one (we've been pretty good at RFA contracts), he'll be hitting Ufa right when we're back to being competitive again. Plus, in the best case scenario where he really becomes a good player and is ready to get PAID when he's about to become a free agent, we'll have a lot of the current bad contracts off the books. I'd rather we hold onto him if he keeps improving like he has this season.

I don't know about ages.. Larkin at 15 is starting to look like about as big of a steal as Pastrnak. And Pasta gets to play with better linemates (at least for the time being). I also don't buy the made up "teams aren't trying anymore" argument.. it's a little too convenient to just say that. Both teams were skating hard last night and the wings had more bounces go their way, it happens. But yeah, hopefully Zadina take a big step forward next year for sure, he's got the ability. And I'll agree that some more consistency out of Mantha would be nice.. but I think he's slowly getting better in that department - especially with his patience with the puck.

it's okay, i've got two so they probly cancel out that one. we good.

hasn't kronwall earned more than that by now?! should be at least 5x5 FFS it's like there's no loyalty with ken holland....

Any player could bust yeah, but when a guy gets drafted in the top 10, hell most of the first round, they are a top prospect for that team. I'm hoping Zadina will be up with the big club next year and whoever we draft this year is the new top prospect. When did I ever say Pastrnak and Kucherov would fall into our laps? Although, Veleno and Zadina did so I guess we have had SOME luck with that. Hope they pan out. Also, it's not necessarily the win that I get excited about. I get the wanting better lotto odds, but I'm excited to see our young guys play better and better every game. If we ended up losing the Boston game, I would've been equally happy about it.. that was an exciting game; something we could use much more of around here. One draft pick isn't going to magically make or break the team's rebuild. But yes, it could speed it up significantly, if we get really really lucky.

I don't hope to God we gee whatever the f*** for a pick. I'd be stoked with a top three, but I wouldnt get my hopes up even if we were first from last. It doesn't matter how we finish, whoever we draft will be our new top prospect. It's not like there's never talent outside the top three picks. And if you're already thinking whoever we pick will be bad before even knowing who it is, rather than looking forward to them developing, then you're part of the problem with this fanbase.

Nah, we're fourth. The bottom team doesn't count as first from the bottom. We're in the winning spot.

Your worry will not change how the team plays or how the lotto goes, is my point. it's pointless.. unlike the wings lately. besides, fourth from last is winning the lotto. we're playing right into the winning spot.

right, no one would complain about that at all.... worrying about our draft spot is pointless.

No one's guaranteed a top 3 pick at any point during the season.

finishing last is still a HOPE for the lottery these days....

Mule 2.0.... we need to get that boy to the playoffs!

Mantha on fire lately!

fixed lotto? who do you think we are, the penguins???

Don't forget about the free curlies! Even under old school rules tonight

Remeber that time Tyler Bertuzzi was a huge reach?? glad we reached.

HATS!!! Bert and Mantha have been so good

And the power play?! That's just good value.

Best 13th forward/7th defenseman we could ask for

Witkowski chuckin knucks! And what a hit!

Been very impressed with the young sparty so far

Mantha feeling a little left out in the red wings goal race eh?