kipwinger

I don't think that line is all that good, at least not as a 2nd line. None of them have the production a good team would get out of a line averaging 15(ish) minutes a night. I think they'd be a decent 3rd line. As you've seen elsewhere, when I propose a 2nd line it's usually Veleno with Roslovic (placeholder for a new 2C) and Vrana.

A couple of points on this: 1. You don't win games with theoretical points. You win them with actual points. The production a guy SHOULD have is irrelevant if he doesn't turn it around at some point. We're all still waiting on that turn around with Zadina. 2. We had this same EXACT conversation with Mantha. His underlying numbers were great and all the analytics guys were positive he was due for a big breakout, year after year they predicted he'd be a 60-70 pts winger. He still has yet to score 50 NHL points in a season. Conclusion: You count production when it's on the board. And you won't win games with possession metrics. There are plenty of players who have good shot generation numbers who never score very much at all (Brendan Smith), and some who bad metrics who score a lot (Rasmus Ristolainen). I don't know which Zadina will be, but we need to be careful we don't confuse a guy who can't finish with a guy who's snake bitten. The longer Zadina goes without producing, the more it looks like the former and not the latter.

Larkin's a point per game player right now. Seems pretty consistent to me.

Yawn, this is boring. You all suck at debating. Just reject his premise (that the handling of Svech is indicative of Blashill’s quality as a coach) and then point out the numerous prospects that faired exactly the same under other coaches as they did under Blash and the numerous prospects that have flourished under Blash. All great coaches let one slip between the cracks now and again, Svech is at best and outlier and at worse a Martin Frk, either way he’s not a benchmark for anything.

Yup re:Hronek

I read this about Edvinsson recently. It was a translation of a Swedish article on Malik's blog (see:https://themalikreport.com/2021/11/08/roughly-translated-via-icehockeygifs-simon-edvinsson-speaks-with-rakapuckars-henrik-lehman) "He’s been praised by [teammate] Ryan Lasch, by most experts, and when I spoke with Dan Cleary, the Detroit Red Wings’ Assistant Director of Player Development last week, the NHL veteran said this with a smile about the successful young Swede: “Take the opportunity to enjoy him, there’s not a chance that he’ll be here for any longer than this season.”

Expecting a big night from Rasmussen tonight. Have to imagine getting that first one yesterday will pump him up a bit. 3-2 Red Wings. Goals from Ras, Suter, Bert.

I'm never quite sure if you're trolling or not, but I'll take this comment at face value. I agree we need another top center. I don't agree that tanking is the way to do it. First, tanking doesn't ensure you're going to get a top pick like Wright. Second, the last three Detroit drafts have shown that you don't need to pick 1st to get elite talent. Third, tanking DESTROYS your organizational culture. It takes a toll on your best players, ensuring they'll leave as soon as they can (Buffalo). It is HORRIBLE for young players' development (Edmonton). It drives down attendance, which drives down revenue, which makes owners less likely to sign big ticket contracts (Ottawa). If I'm going to leave something to chance I'd MUCH rather roll the dice hoping my scouting staff finds me a mid first round gem. Based on their body of work the last few years I'd prefer that to tanking.

Agreed. Yzerman has basically said as much, something along the lines of "if you make this a good defensive team you can add to the offense later". Sounds good, but I've seen a lot of teams over the years who were good enough on one side of the puck or the other but not good enough to win.

Well then can I interest you in Marco Kasper? An Austrian center currently playing for Rogle of the SHL? Very speedy, solid offensive numbers at all levels, decent size, but may need a little time to round out his 200 ft. game.

I'm fine with Leddy. He's an offensive d-man and he's over 30. He's going to have some gaffs. But he's a top four defender by just about any measure and I'm thrilled that we've at least got 3 of those on our team now.

Woof, last night was a stinker. I'll be looking to see if they tighten up in tonight's game.

Best case scenario we nab an Anton Lundell or Alex Newhook type center in the middle of the 1st this year, but that's leaving a lot to chance. Plus it'll take a few years to develop a guy like that.

Just you two wait, he'll be a Wing by December. Mark it down.

These two teams are identical.

I’m liking Filip Hronek’s game tonight. He seems like the meanest little bastard alive.

Why does Adam Boqvist look like he’s 43 years old?

I am but a humble public servant.

I try to be a role model around here.

Blashill had this to say about Veleno today: “He’s too young in his development to say what his ceiling is going to be, but I do think he’s a guy who can come in and play those types of third- and fourth-line role-type minutes because I think he’s accountable defensively,” Blashill said. “He knows how to manage the game, knows how to manage risk and when he’s done that he’s been really good. I certainly wouldn’t put a ceiling on him, but he’s going to get a chance to get back in the lineup, and every time you get back in you got to show that you can help us win hockey games.”

Kinda. I think Detroit's going to have to model their centers after the 2011 Bruins or the 2019 Blues. I see Roslovic as a very high end offensive player. Think Vrana, but at center. But he also needs to be sheltered because he's bad defensively (although he's been better this year by all accounts). I think if you've got Larkin as a workhorse 1C (think Bergeron or O'Reilly), Roslovic as a high end offensive guy that needs sheltered, Suter as a solid two way guy, and Ras as a shutdown center then Blashill can play to their strengths by using them situationally. Plus, at 24 Jack still has some room to round out his defensive game. But I like that he's produced good offensive numbers in relatively defensive systems under Maurice and Torts.

Right now? 3C until he gets the systems down and drop Rasmussen to 4C. Longer term I'd do something like: Bert-Larkin-Raymond Fabbri-Roslovic-Vrana Nemestnikov-Suter-Zadina Erne-Ras-Gagner

We've got Columbus tonight and Roslovic is listed on their 4th line. Yzerman works out the details of the trade this evening and Gentleman Jack is a Red Wing by December. Calling it.

I'm going to preface this by saying that Wallinder has consistently proved me wrong this season and I know it. He's produced much better than I thought possible. With that said, I see his scoring highlights and I'm still not convinced of his offense. He's got lots of goals like this, and there's just no chance that shot gets through in the NHL. I'll be happy if he continues to prove me wrong, but I'm still very skeptical.