amato

Exactly. Team chaos!

Even if I weren't a big fan of this team, I just really want to see the rest of the hockey world react to the wings missing the playoffs once and winning the draft lotto

Damn.. kid can't catch a break. Sounds like plenty of Russo and possibly Hicketts time.

Patrick was still at the top of central scouting' midterm rankings and I think just about every other list, if not all of them.. he was injured for a while (had sports hernia sugary last playoffs, played six game to start this year, then was out 35) so there were questions there I think but he came back and has dominated. 18 goals/42 total points in 28 WHL games this year.

I dont really follow the isles but according to their SB Nation, sounds like their NHL roster was pretty young and their defensive prospect pool was pretty crowded.. this is from August of 2015 when Russo signed with the wings: ‪http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2015/8/16/9161749/islanders-pick-defenseman-robbie-russo-signs-with-red-wings‬

Add Mittelstadt to that list. I think he could end up being one of the steals of the draft around the 5th pick. http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=300831

Our roster today won't necessarily be our expansion draft day roster. Trades can still happen between now and the expansion draft.. we could technically trade someone today, they'd just be ineligible for playoffs.

I'm sure you guys will have a wonderful time. See the thread called "pilgrimage to Detroit" or something (linked by F.Michael above) for ideas on what to do if you don't have every day planned out yet. Downtown Detroit has a lot to offer.. it's really come a long way in the last 5-10 years. I love it down there.

That's rough, I hope you get it all worked out. Stoked for you to get to go to the Joe before it's gone though! It's definitely something every wings fan should get to do.

Right, I guess I should've said hopefully he plays well enough to stay in the lineup. I really don't see why they'd play miller over him.. but it wouldn't be the first time something like that happened.

Callahan was recalled because nyquist is still suspended. Hopefully he plays well enough to stay up after nyq is back.

Oh good point

Expecting McIlrath to get called up may lead to disappointment.. I think Russo or Hicketts would be called up before him as they have a better chance of being part of the future than McIlrath. I think he'll play out the year in GR and if he does well, he'll get another short low budget contract and start the year down there next year.

I'd be stoked with Mittelstadt at 7 for sure. I think Makar will make his way into the top ten though.. would take him if we picked around the 8-12 range and liljegren, Tippett, and all the top center prospects were already off the board.

Vilardi is definitely intriguing.. and probably more realistic than patrick as far as the wings pick goes. Two of the players in the top ten (also on the more realistic side for where we'll likely draft) that I'm more interested in lately are Mittelstadt and Makar. Mittelstadt is a center with great speed and hands. Imagine he'd fit right in with AA and Larkin someday. Makar is a little on the small side (around 5'11"/180lbs) but is a high point producing two way defenseman with great skating ability. Both aren't in college yet so they could even be a little underrated going into the draft (also perhaps a bit risky) but both sound like they might have the most upside in the draft too.

I post here because I enjoy it. Don't take life too seriously, no one gets out alive anyway

i think the real winners this trade deadline are the workers at sportsnet http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/25-fun-things-ilya-bryzgalov-said-trade-deadline-day/ Never stop being you Bryzzy. how does he not have a color commentator job somewhere yet??

Shout out to nemo's bar (best burgers imo) and old shillelagh! Love that plug at the bottom of the article. But yeah the district definitely looks like a game changer. Just another example of how much Ilitch cared about the city of Detroit. They could've easily just built an arena and it would be nice and everything.. but why not aid in the revitalization of the city as a whole if you have the means? I love it! Downtown is only getting better.. big fan of being down there already and can't wait to see how the district/LCA turns out.

Maybe that's why his name sounds familiar.. I might've been one of those. But to be fair, he was basically thought of as the next coming of Scott Stevens when being drafted. Somewhere along the way his development either got derailed or he was projected too high. Either way, looks like he has about a two month trial with the Griffins. Hopefully he does well.

That analysis makes sense. It just so happened to be exactly what the wings have needed, imo.. so obviously it worked out great here, and fans loved him. I can see why some teams might be a little skeptical of adding Vanek though.

traded to Pitt so Tampa basically gave up a conditional 7th for getting rid of filps cap hit. Yzerman wheelin and dealin.. good job.

Sounds like he'd be taking on less salary than Philly.. smart.

wow decent deal by Stevie

Oh so now he's lying to us too?!?!! /sarcasm Hopefully Florida makes the playoffs. That would give us what will probably be the 64th pick.