kipwinger

Nyquist is very good, but Tatar is better. Tatar creates all his offense on his own. Nyquist has superior linemates, more icetime, and more PP time (with better linemates again). Look at his hatty last night, Zetterberg basically gift wrapped that one for him. No reason to believe that Tatar wouldn't do the same with similar opportunites, since he's basically doing the same with third line minutes and two rookies. Also, Tatar does not play bad defense...and Nyquist is no shutdown defensive forward. They both work extremely hard on defense (watch Tatar backcheck), but they're both too small to be effective right now. I think everyone saying Nyquist is better defensively is just something people repeat for the sake of it. Tatar gets back as often as any on the team at this point. Well then don't set your sights too high on trade deadline day because if you're not willing to part with a good player, you're not going to get anyone back who's worth a damn.

Nyquist, Kindl, pick for Kyle Okposos?

Based upon the graphics for the GDT I can safely posit only one thing. Riley Sheahan's head is roughly 3 times the size of Patrick Eaves' head. Given their relative TOI lately, I can only assume that Babs has some sort of head size bias.

You're right, that was pretty condescending. I apologize to everyone. I get a little frustrated with referee blaming, but that's not an excuse to be a d*ck. My bad.

Edit: What this? Oh, it's actual facts suggesting that they call less penalties now than in the past. Interesting. http://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/stats.html

As long as they were in favor of the Wings many around here would love 30 powerplays a game. Compelling hockey for sure. Just read back through old GDTs and count the number of times people are begging for calls around here.

3 tripping and 1 holding call. Wings getting outskated much?

Anybody else think there's a correlation between our team suddenly getting noticeably worse on defense and Brian Lashoff being taken out of the lineup. Maybe we should consider putting him back in, ya know, because he's good at playing defense.

Oh they did....soooooo bad. Because it's a well known fact that "the refs" hate the Red Wings with the fire of a thousand dying suns. The Detroit Red Wings are to NHL referees what freedom is to a terrorist. They'll stop at nothing to destroy the things they hate because they have nothing but evil pumping through their cold black hearts.

I live in D.C. but didn't get a ticket. Watching at a Red Wings bar in Alexandria.

I didn't know that there was any animosity between the two, but I don't follow Blues hockey. I guess that's a good enough reason...maybe...but I'd still be REALLY hesitant to mess with chemistry on a team playing as well as the blues are.

I really thought the "future stars" thread had the potential to meaningfully discuss the ceiling of our current young players, and focus on developmental trajectories. Prior to merging, only one person had discussed trading of any sort and it was pretty clearly meant to derail a discussion that was nonetheless a nice break from the "trades", "Cleary sucks", "our team sucks" threads. Edit: Nevermind. The OP did discuss trades at the end of his post. I guess I need to read more closely.

Tatar especially has not been "the focus" all season. Additionally, he's got 12 goals in 45 games in his rookie season, with third line minutes and minimal powerplay time. Nyquist probably has a lower ceiling in goals, but higher in assists. Also, he has really come alive the last week with both Z and D out of the lineup at times. Now, I'm not guaranteeing that it will happen, but I don't think it's fantasy either. I agree with this. I was only talking about whether that had that kind of ceiling. I'm not making any statements about how good the team will be.

I don't think anyone is anti-Eaves. I think he has just struggled to find his place on the team since missing a year to injury. As such, he just seems expendable comparatively. Especially with the accent of the young guys. Personally, I think he's ideally suited for a third line semi-scoring role (which he wouldn't get on this team). He's got more to give than your average everyday grinder. As such, I really think it's a disservice to him to stay on this team. I see him going to a young team in the offseason and having a good bit more success than he's had here. He'd fit in well on Edmonton's team to be honest.

A couple of things. Kronwall is a top 30 defenseman...easily. Also, given how Tatar and Nyquist have produced in their rookie seasons, it's not unreasonable to see them (especially) Tatar up in the 30 goal range. If so, and depending on their assist totals, they may be able to crack top fifty forwards in another couple of years. I think Jurco and Mantha both have that ceiling as well, as do Sproul and Mrazek at their respective positions.

I was thinking about Zidlicky too. I agree with your thoughts about the unpopularity of the move. But he's a good puck mover and would definitely help on the powerplay. His contract isn't too bad either.

I've heard this rumor too but it doesn't make any sense to me. St. Louis is one of the best teams in the league, Stewart is producing well, and they've already got great scoring and defense. Why screw up team chemistry to add a piece that really doesn't provide much? Even if that piece is a good one.

I like to think of my Ken Holland with giant angel wings and singing lead vocals for Lynyrd Skynyrd with like an angel band, and I'm in the front row and I'm hammered drunk.

I'm not really sure why we'd want Vanek. I mean, I get that he's really good and would be a nice fit on the team and all. But I don't think we need a superstar goal scorer. Especially at the expense of our young talent. Wouldn't a guy who put up 20-25 goals and was hard to play against benefit us just as much and not require the massive payment?

I don't think I'm being clear. I don't want Babcock fired. As I stated before, he's one of the better coaches in the league and every coach who's as good or better is locked up somewhere else. I definitely didn't want to imply that he should be fired...he shouldn't. My previous posts were 1) A response to the hypothetical "what if" question posed in the title; 2) An attempt to explain why I don't think Babs is THE BEST coach.

Right, but all that proves is that Babcock is better than Lewis. I wouldn't argue that. I'm just saying he's done a good amount of winning with a freakishly talented lineup. Show me a guy that wins almost as much, with FAR less talented lineups and I'll show you a better coach. Babs is good, Tippett is better.

Why is Brian Lashoff not playing? Too much defensive responsibility?

I agree with that, and I think he'll certainly be a 2nd pairing guy eventually. I guess I was asking if you really felt comfortable with him on the 2nd pair next season as you'd suggested bringing in a stay at home type vet to play with Lashoff and thus making Smith the second pair puck mover. I guess I just don't like him (yet) on the second pair if we're going to try and compete for a Cup.

Bingo. Compared to what we've iced for almost the entire season I think it's significantly better. But every point you made is valid and I'd add that I don't agree with many of his lines/defensive pairings. However I think that roster (rearranged) would probably make the playoffs, but not challenge for the cup, which is what I think we're capable with a couple changes (Kindl gone, Smith to the third, puck mover to the second, and power forward to the top six).

Do you really feel comfortable with Smith on the second pair? We've had our back and forth on the Kindl or Smith question, and I'll concede that I was wrong on that one. Smith is the better option over Kindl, BUT I still don't like him on my second pair right now. In a year or two, with significant progress, sure. But right now, I think a second pair with Smith gets exposed in the playoffs against a quality team. I agree about adding defense, but I'd prefer to sign a second pair guy and drop Smith down with Lashoff until he's more reliable.