kipwinger

Still really like Kasper and Nazar, but I'm becoming a Cutter Gauthier fanboy as well.

I agree with some of what you said, but have some issues with the bolded. In the case of Edmonton Holland DID walk onto a team with it's core pieces intact. But that's not really what happened in Detroit. Holland was directly responsible (as Director of Amateur Scouting) for contributing significantly to the dynasty Wings teams. Any GM will admit that they defer to their scouting departments during the draft. Devellano was no different. Guys like Lidstrom, Fedorov, Konstantinov, McCarty, Holmstrom, and Osgood where all drafted by a Holland led scouting department. THEN, as GM, he was responsible for bringing in Hull, Hasek, Robitaille, and any number of other FA's that contributed to Cup winning teams (edit: Chelios). He's had it easy in Edmonton, but Holland earned every bit of the success he received in Detroit. Edit: As GM he also made key acquisitions to the 2008 winner by bringing in Rafalski, Stuart, and Drake.

I'm not worried about Cossa at all. Bet on tools. The kid is 6'6 and athletic. Good enough for me. Yzerman seems to do this with most of his picks. Seider, Edvinsson, Wallinder, Buium, Sodorblom. All guys with great tools that had to grow into their bodies a bit. Cossa will too. I do think this is interesting and brings up something I've been kicking around for a bit. Is it possible that the Canadian Juniors leagues aren't the premier talent producers that they once were? Sure they'll always be a factory because it's Canada and all. But it seems like lately the really high end Canadian guys have struggled when going up a level, while the Euros have been more equal to the task. Same for the Americans playing in the NTDP. It's all well and good for Alexis Lafreniere to torch a bunch of 16 and 17 year old kids each night, but Trevor Zegras was doing it to college kids in his draft year. Raymond, Stutzle, Seider, etc. were doing it in men's leagues. If the skillsets are generally equal I think I'd probably rather draft a kid from those leagues these days. They're playing against much better players. Recency bias is a thing, so I'm not sure if this will continue but it's been interesting to note.

Typically I'd agree with you, but I think things are changing a bit these days. Teams have figured out that one way to manage the salary cap is to spend a lot on high end free agents and then underpay entry level guys to balance it out. That means teams have a strong incentive to find young, NHL ready (or close to it) talent, and get them into the lineup as soon as possible. In Raymond's case he could do it because he's super skilled (if underdeveloped physically). In Seider and Edvinsson's case they were already physically developed at 18. I think Kasper is close to those guys IMO. There is no noticeable flaw in his physical tools. He doesn't need to get bigger, stronger, faster (even though he will). If the Wings draft him I'd fully expect him to play his draft plus one year in GR (at center) and then be vying for a roster spot thereafter.

Agreed. I guess I was interpreting your original post more conservatively than you intended it? I don't think it's unrealistic for Kasper to be on the Raymond/Edvinsson timeline (on the Wings roster in his draft plus two year). That's not a "long wait" as your original post suggested, but it IS within the 2-3 year timeframe you mentioned.

Why do you think this? He's one of the most physically developed players in the top part of the draft and has already been playing productive minutes in a top men's league at 17 years old. Currently he's playing very well at the World Championships against NHL level talents. With Kasper the only drawback is upside IMO. He reminds me of draft age Dylan Larkin. Despite having every tool you'd want, it wasn't obvious that Larkin was going to be a top six center at the time. Obviously that one worked out for Detroit, but there was some unknowns there.

Lekkerimaki is Vrana 2.0. So, while I'd be annoyed with not drafting a center for the zillionth time in a row, if you're going to draft a winger draft him.

I'm happy for any of Gauthier, Nazer, or Kasper with that pick.

Gotta have a Canadian.

You already know who the Calder Finalists are: Seider, Zegras, and Bunting. It's just not official yet.

That sounds good and all, but unless we’ve got 3 or 4 blue chippers on defense we are cooked. Wait…What’s that? *checks notes* We have some dudes named Edvinsson, Johansson, and Wallinder too? Well that seems good, eh?

I'm not sure too many folks think he's "unmovable/irreplaceable". I certainly don't and have advocated trading him elsewhere (for the right return). BUT, I think there are some reasons to keep the guy too. First, he's a pretty good player. Second, he's well liked and well regarded by his teammates. Third, he sets the tone (particularly in terms of competitiveness and effort) that young players should model. Finally, no team wins the Stanley Cup with a roster full of 25 year olds. You need veterans, especially good veterans, to carry those young guys on the ice. Would you rather have 32 year old Tyler Bertuzzi doing that (and Larkin and Vrana too) or would you rather it be guys like Marc Staal and Sam Gagner? No disrespect to the latter, but I'd prefer the former.

To Carolina: Tyler Bertuzzi To Detroit: Martin Necas + 1st.

Careful, your boy Corey Pronman is a huge fan of Gleb.

Good point.

Anybody watching the Bolts/Leafs game? Pat Maroon is hilarious. He runs Toronto players like it’s his job. I want his tape, and Tom Wilson’s tape, beamed directly into Michael Rasmussen’s brain.

As a hockey player I have almost nothing good to say about Brendan Smith. But he's a tough b*stard. Wilson is an absolute beast (please someone give his tape to Michael Rasmussen), and he's got quite a bit of size and strength on Brendan. Smith got whooped here, but kudos to him for taking it like a man.

Berggren with two more points today makes him the highest scoring rookie in GR history. #Nyquist

Two more points for Berggren last night. If GR misses the playoffs it sure won’t be because this guy didn’t live up to expectations

Agreed, just sign two mid-level lefties in FA rather than giving up assets in trade.

This aged like fine wine. Zadina is a last minute scratch and given the same offensive opportunities and line mates as Zadina it took Sam Gagner less than 5 minutes to score. Atta boy me.

Correction, Niederbach isn't slow. He just glides around the ice a lot, a la Anthony Mantha. Barely moves his feet. When he actually skates his speed is probably average.

Lulea 1-0. Andreasson with a sick backhand saucer pass for the primary assist.

Watching the Swedish feed of the Frolunda/Lulea game and they just showed a montage of Frolunda's defensemen beating the sh*t out of Andreasson so far this game. They are clearly targeting him.

First look at Andreasson: he's very fast, and plays fast too. He's definitely got transitional/puck transporting value going forward. He hasn't show too much skill (yet) but that's probably because Frolunda's defense is pretty good, no space out there. He's also not small per se, but he definitely need to see the weight room more in order to hang on to the puck in the NHL. Also, Niederbach sucks. Thin, slow, plays with zero pace. He's a reasonably clever player, nifty with his dekes and passes, but he'll get eaten alive in the AHL even, unless he gets MUCH stronger (and therefore quicker) in this lower body. He's a puss.