kipwinger

Not really sure how a small, skilled, playmaking forward would have helped us last night. Especially considering how the small, skilled, playmaking forwards we already have (and whom are all better than Nyquist) were nonexistent last night. If Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Flip couldn't handle the Blues, Nyquist sure as hell couldn't.

Wings win 3-1. Goals: Franzen, Zetterberg, Cleary.

Right, I wasn't being clear. You'd obviously need to trade more than Nyquist or Tatar, they would just be the center piece of a package for sure. I would think that Nyquist and a second would get Volchenkov, Nyquist and a first for Bogosian. I'd make either trade though. Maybe sweeten the pot with a couple of our throwaway forwards if anyone were interested (Emmerton, Mursak)...or, if Eaves turns out to be healthy and ready to go I'd consider moving Miller as well. Whatever the package, we've got assets now, and as I've said elsewhere, considering neither Bogosian or Volchenkov are top 20 d-men in the league I think they could be had for something like what I've proposed above. Edit: Another guy like the two I've mentioned is Robyn Regehr. Given his age and Buffalo's glut of defensemen I think he could be had as well. As you can see from the types of guys I'm listing, what I want is a physical, shut down defender, who can play big minutes. I couldn't care less about how many points they score, and point totals are typically what make defensemen so expensive in the first place. Any of these guys could be had, Bogosian would cost the most, so I'd lean toward the other two first.

Neither Nyquist nor Tatar are spare parts. Both are two of the better two way forwards in the AHL, and if packaged with a decent pick either of them could easily land a guy like Bogosian, who is not a top 20 defenseman in the NHL.

Bogosian and Anton Volchenkov. I think either of them could be had if you were willing to part with Nyquist (or maybe Tatar) as their respective teams need a lot of offensive help. Bogosian has been actively being shopping since last year's trade deadline.

Wade Redden signed and Colin White on a tryout? Why wasn't I invited to St. Louis' throwback party?

No he didn't. In two of the three seasons he was with another team he had over 30 wins. In the other he had 21 (so one bad season, although he was traded in the middle of it, which screws with a goalie). Additionally, his goals against, and save percentage were either as good, or better, than most of his years with the Wings. Another misrepresented "fact" which unfairly diminishes just how good Ossie really was.

Well I definitely hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Franson plays pretty much the exact same game as Kyle Quincey, except maybe less defensively responsible. He's a guy with decent size, who CAN play the PP but shouldn't, who COULD be more physical but isn't, who's alright defensively but not shutdown capable, and who's a decent puck mover but not going to give you much more that 25-30 pts. There's nothing especially bad about Franson, but there's nothing that makes him any better than White, Colaiacovo, or Quincey. He's considerably worse than Kronwall. Doesn't play as big as Ericsson. So you'd essentially be trading for a 5,6,7 defenseman who's an upgrade over Kindl but nothing else. I'd rather they save the assets and move on a legit top four d-man. Not take on another middling defenseman to log jam the bottom pair. Also, as I've already stated. It would be nice if at least one of our defensemen was actually REALLY good at playing defense rather than just putting up points.

What does Franson add that we don't already have in spades?

Honestly I think it's a matter of using him correctly, and that can't happen here in Detroit with our depth at center. Emmerton was drafted and developed as a playmaker, not a checking line center. On another team's third line, I think he'd be a bit more impressive. But here, with Dats, Flip, Helm, and Abby, I just don't think there's room for him. Especially considering Andersson could be called up as a fourth line center if there's an injury.

Not tougher, per se, because Stuart was really tough, but meaner. Anyway, I don't think it's that far fetched. We've got a ton of puck movers, and they're hoping Ericsson and Quincey can play a shutdown role. If they can't, and it's a problem early, then they'll move on a guy. Defensive defensemen don't typically cost too much to acquire. If it's a problem it will be addressed, probably very much like when it was a problem and they brought Stuart in in the first place.

Cinnabruns?

I'm already losing my mind and it's only Friday. Tomorrow I'm going to be like a kid waiting for the last day of school to finish. I'll be counting down the seconds until the broadcast starts. So Pumped.

First of all, "Gunner" was the bad guy from team Iceland and the Mighty Ducks. So as much as I'd love to support the aforementioned nickname, out of respect for Charlie Conway and the rest of the gang I cannot. Secondly, "Brunbelievable Goal!" is going right up there with "Brunder Struck!" as my new favorite Brunner saying. Ken Daniels will say it and love it. And maybe it will give him some new material so he's stop saying every member of the team is "Datsyukian" because the drop a shoulder fake on a goalie once in a while.

Glad to see Patty Eaves back. What's not to like about this guy? He provides depth scoring, PK acumen, works hard, forechecks like a badger, and makes the ladies swoon. Hope to see him play his way into the lineup soon, thus making my the first of my season predictions in the "2012 predictions" thread dead on.

Not interested in Franson. A good 5 or 6th defenseman with decent size, offensive upside, and who's shaky in his defensive zone play? Sounds like every other member of our defensive corps. For the millionth time Kenny, how about a guy who is essentially Brad Stuart 2.0. Good size, good defense, able to play top pair minutes against top forwards. Only maybe get someone a little meaner this time. Thanks, MGMT.

Ah, gotcha.

The Wings got worse on defense but improved their forward units and goal tending. I'm not so sure they "got worse" as you'd suggest.

Detroit is one good shutdown defender away from being a VERY good team. Holland will fix this early and Detroit will make the playoffs without a problem.

My predictions: 1) Nyquist gets traded early as part of a package to bring in a bigger bodied shut down defender...someone like Anton Volchenkov or Zach Bogosian, though maybe not either of these two guys. Other pieces may include Emmerton, Kindl, picks. 2) Tatar becomes injury call-up and performs well as a winger in his new role beside our glut of quality centers. 3) Eaves plays himself back into a regular spot on the fourth line, adding a little depth scoring, playing solid defense, and shoring up the PK units. Miller is therefore expendable and may be traded at the deadline if there's any interest. 4) Brunner performs well, though probably not star level (this season), as he adjusts to the NHL game. 12 goals, 20 assists. 5) Gustavsson improves greatly since his Toronto days. 6) Franzen plays like a stud in his new Holmstrom role. 7) With the defense shored up, the bottom six as good or better than any in the league, improved goaltending, and quality top six scoring, Detroit makes the playoffs advancing (at least) to the WCF. Edit: Tom Renney will improve the PP considerably as well.

I'm not really sure what type of guy you mean? Do you have any examples of someone you think fits the bill in terms of style of play? Doesn't have to be someone on the market, I just want to get an idea of what you're looking for.

Yeah dude seriously, if Kindl is your biggest problem with the defense then our defense is stellar. Kindl will hardly play this year and has essentially zero responsibilities. He's not expected to score, he's not expected to shutdown top flight guys, he's not expected to kill penalties, or man the power play. Why is he your biggest concern? Now, if you were worried about the fact that we don't have a single defenseman capable of shutting down top forwards I'd agree with you.

Neither am I, that's why I wouldn't be too upset if Holland moved him for Volchenkov...or Bogosian once he gets healthy.

Just had a look at their defensive roster. Given the amount of shutdown d-men they have it probably wouldn't even take Nyquist to get them to come off of him. Maybe Tatar and a 2nd. Or Tatar and Kindl.

Plus as good as Nyquist is, he's a bit redundant for us at center (especially with Jarnkrok showing solid development), and if Brunner turns out then Nyquist is less valuable on the wing. I'd do Nyquist and a 2nd for Volchenkov. But then again, I'm sure I'm in the minority.