kipwinger

I realize this is anecdotal, but Bob Kaser (the Griffins play by play guy) said during tonight's broadcast that "everyone he talks to around the NHL thinks Edvinsson is going to be a perennial All-Star". Obviously take this with all the appropriate caveats but the last time I heard him say anything like that was in reference to Mo Seider.

Strong night for Cossa against the top offense in the AHL in the Texas Stars.

At the risk of turning this into a Sprong thread I'll just say that he's much more physical than I anticipated. His defensive game is better too. He works hard on the boards and forechecks/backchecks well. I've followed his career for a while and could never figure out why he couldn't catch on somewhere. I'm still not sure why he didn't, he's a heck of a depth scorer and I wouldn't hesitate to play him higher in the lineup if injuries required it.

ESPN ran an article today discussing how the Wings have become a "contender" again. While I think the "contender" part is a little much, I do think it's a fun thing to discuss. For the sake of fun, let's not say "We got Debrincat and Kane" or things like that. Let's keep it broader in scope. I'll start. The Wings are good again because: 1. Yzerman has a clear preference for drafting out of European men's leagues. 2. Yzerman recognizes that all things being equal it's better to have more competitive guys with less skill than more skilled guys who don't compete hard. ESPN Article: https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39105878/nhl-red-wings-playoffs-standings-contender-rebuild-yzerman

Husso was exceptional last night. I agree he's been crap for a while now, but he earned another start last night. Right now I'd be looking to trade Reimer, pencil in Lyon as my full time backup, and continue to evaluate Husso. If Husso keeps looking like he did last night, then crisis averted. If he falls apart again, trade him and whatever else is needed for John Gibson.

After seeing him dominate the SHL in his D+1 year my only real questions about Edvinsson were A) how will his game translate to North American physicality, and B) can his shot improve enough to be a threat. He already had everything else. Both questions have been answered at this point. In the pre-season Edvinsson admitted that last season he wasn't ready to compete physically in training camp and that he wasn't asserting himself. By the end of this season, during his call up, he was bodying guys like Tkachuk, Malkin, and MacKinnon and closing out plays. While I don't think he's done in this area, I think he's plenty physical enough for the NHL game. I also think he's come a long way toward answering questions about his shot. I don't know where he found time to do it but he's worked on this 1T and he's picking corners with his wrister. His passing was already exceptional. I'm not ready to say he'll never make a mistake again, we're seeing now that even for world class young defenders like Seider mistakes will still happen. The NHL is a really good league. But I think that all things considered he brings more to the team right now than Holl, Petry, Maata and that's he roughly even (and remarkably similar) with Chiarot in terms of his positives and negatives. The difference, of course, is that Edvinsson is 20 years old and this "Chiarot level of play" is his starting point. He's going to be really really good.

You can't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. I still maintain the Vrana trade was a good trade that we won. We gave up an overpaid, underperforming, winger at the apex of his value and got another total waste of space back...plus a first and second round pick. We traded Hronek for a first and second and it was pretty universally agreed that was a great trade. So even if you take Vrana out of the trade it was a win for SY. No GM makes zero mistakes. So being perfect can't be the standard. I think you have to ensure that you don't make big mistakes that have long term effects...like whiffing on first round draft picks or not managing your cap space and losing a player (or something like that). By that standard SY has done incredibly well. It's not that he doesn't take risks (like Holland), it's that he never gambles more than he can stomach losing.

I think Bert has two problems. He's not as good as he thinks he is, and the Red Wings are better than he thought they'd be. Sucks for him because he'd be perfect to play the role David Perron is currently occupying for the Wings.

I wouldn't mind that. I love ultra competitive bottom six guys. Christian Fischer is quickly becoming my favorite Red Wing.

Would you rather have Bertuzzi at $5.5 million or Sprong at $2 million right now?

Good point.

I'll get clowned for this take but whatever: He reminds me of Mantha in his last year in the AHL. In 2016-17 Mantha had 10 points (8 goals) in 10 games in the AHL. He WAS the complete package. Too big, fast, strong, skilled for that league and it was OBVIOUS that he was going to make an impact as soon as he was on the big club. After ten games he got called up and had 36 pts in 60 games as a rookie. Edvinsson dominates like that, but as a defenseman. Obviously you'd hope Edvinsson continues to get better after his call up in a way that Mantha didn't, but Seider and Raymond have. All great players have to do that. But to me, when I watch him, I'm watching a guy who's a difference maker in the NHL the first game he plays.

Just landed tickets to this bad boy. Tonight has all the ingredients for a great game…so of course it’ll be a 1-0 Wings win in OT. Or a Kane breakout. Showtime baby. LGW!!!

I really don't care about bringing in any forwards considering how well we play offensively. I also obviously like our internal options on defense. Goalie is the only upgrade that makes sense to me, but I agree that SY and Verbeek have every reasons to help one another.

Skated with the team today. Can't play saturday and Lalonde says Monday is too optimistic, so maybe later next week. But Compher looks like he'll be back Saturday.

Think whatever you want, but I obviously don't agree with you. I've seen a ton of Edvinsson this season and I think he's the best player in the world not currently in the NHL. I think he would massively help this team.

With Larkin, Compher, and Perron out there is no such thing as easy wins right now. This period of the season is going to be a character test and so far they're owning up to the moment. A win in Philly and another in Anaheim would be massive for this team.

God damn that was a close game. We looked really good except that one blunder by Husso. Man it would have been nice to have that one. I hope our guys are absolutely itching to get on the ice Saturday.

We have so many old legs on defense. Guys that are quick enough in straight lines but don't play with any pace.

I'm not going to say it, but you guys know what I'm thinking.

Big powerplay to start the period. We ended the 2nd strong. If we can come out and get one to start the third we'd be sitting pretty.

Husso has been feeling himself tonight before that wonky play off the boards, let's see how he responds.

Look at Ras get going after a slow start. That's like 4 goals and 7 points in his last 8 games.

I'm afraid to jinx this but I really like how Husso looks tonight. Big Ras!!!! What a snipe!

I'm glad you're having a good time man. Is this your first time at the LCA? I was in 118 and loved my seats. I could see the whole ice perfectly and the Wings shot in front of me twice. Kane's first was right in front of me. Awesome arena.