krsmith17

Fair enough. 2/10 is lower than I'd grade his defense, but I get your point.

You're dwelling too much on this one article. It's not about this one article. It's about the countless articles and snippets commenting on Zadina's "two-way game" or "defensive awareness"... I just posted the article because the heading was "Zadina is a solid two-way player who prides himself on playing a complete game"... If I'm being honest, I skimmed the article and hadn't even realized who wrote it until afterwards. I just find it funny that Red Wings media keep saying the same thing over and over again, and some refuse to believe it's even a little bit true... Are they making it up? Are they being fed bad information? Are the Red Wings front office completely clueless when it comes to evaluating players? Which is it?

Yes, that's exactly what I would say. You are people too and you could just as easily, or in my opinion, more likely be wrong. Yes, for the most part, people within the organization are going to talk up their prospects, but they're not going to flat out lie about aspects of their game. If Draper says his defensive ability is strong for a scoring winger, I'd believe that over some random guy on the internet that says he sucks defensively, because reasons. Regner is an asshat, but like it or not, he does have an in with the Red Wings higher ups, and the fact that he is regurgitating what he hears from them, must be somewhat telling. We're only hearing these things from Detroit media, because fact is, they're the only ones that are watching these kids (Red Wings prospects) on a nightly basis. Who else do you want to hear an in depth analysis on him from? Anyway, I don't necessarily disagree with your take on Zadina's game. At least you're being reasonable with your negative feedback. mackel is the one that is over the top with the unfounded negativity. I don't entirely disagree with your breakdown on Zadina, but I would say that one of his strengths (pro) is reading the play. It's certainly not a weakness (con). I would also chalk the other things up to him being young. He's never had to play much defense early in his career, because he relied so heavily on his offensive game. It's only been the last few years that he's been working on the defensive side of the game, and from what I've seen and heard, he's doing a pretty damn good job adapting. I completely agree with the "I'll believe it when I see it" with prospects approach, but for now (that's all we have to base anything on), he's trending in the right direction *in my opinion*...

If Regner was the only person that thought it, I'd probably take it with a grain of salt. But the fact that a LOT of people say it, and only a couple people, like yourself and mackel say he's a disaster defensively, based on one dumb stat, makes me believe that what I've seen may be closer to reality than what you claim to have seen from him... No one is claiming that he will be a future Selke winner, but for a goal scorer, his defensive game is well above average, especially considering his age and development.

B...b...bu...but Zadina sucks defensively...

Yeah, I'd do that for sure. I honestly don't think Holland should be expecting a whole lot more than that for him at this point. I assume he's hoping Puljujarvi will go back to Finland and tear up the Liiga, to up his trade value. Even if he does do that though, he would still be a relatively unknown at the NHL level. He is still very young though with a ton of potential, so I'm sure teams will show interest. There may even be a team that is willing to "overpay"...

"If it is a 1-for-1 deal, Oilers would like a player that can step in and help now with some term left on his deal". Helm is a player that can step in and help now with some term left on his deal... Seriously though, Puljujarvi's value is plummeting by the day. No team is going to give up anything close to a prospect and a 1st round pick. Holland is going to have to come way down on his ask, or they're going to have yet another wasted top 5 pick. He's signed with Karpat in the Liiga this season, and will likely stay there unless he's dealt out of Edmonton...

Can't wait! It's been a long, fun, busy summer, but I miss hockey...

Bad trade.

I would love to see Yzerman somehow acquire Boeser... Man, would he look good on Larkin's wing...

Nielsen? You're talking about Nielsen aren't you? Edit: I never realized that was an actual link... So yes, you were talking about Nielsen... Do I still get a prize?

Absolutely. All I'm saying is you take the most skilled player available, unless he's a complete meathead...

Like I said, character is important, but that only gets a player so far. You need talent above all else. If I'm running a draft, I'm taking the homerun swing on the more skilled player every time. If the more skilled player also has great character (like Seider), that's a bonus. I think we drafted Rasmussen based mostly on his "character", and that pick may turn out to be a dud, in comparison to other players that were available...

This is one thing I'll never agree with. Character is important, but never over talent. Fortunately, I believe Seider has the talent / skill to go along with the character / work ethic.

I agree. Bit much...

You're forgetting that we already have an elite center wearing that number... So now we have centers wearing 41, 51, 61, 71, AND 81...

Yeah, I mentioned this the day we signed Filppula. The similarities are staggering... They were even drafted just 8 spots apart in 2002.

Confirmed, Nielsen is being traded...

I agree with adding more picks, I just don't see a market for a guy like Saarijarvi. Of course you're more excited about Kivenmaki than Saarijarvi. Everyone is right now, because he's newer and shinier. He hasn't had the opportunity to disappoint yet... It wasn't too long ago that many thought Almqvist was going to be a steal. Then shortly after that it was Marchenko. Then Holmstrom. Now Kivenmaki. Fact is, the odds of any of them making the NHL as a permanent fixture was always slim. I would say it's the same for Kivenmaki (especially at his size), as well as any future 7th round picks.

Kivenmaki is a decent prospect, but much like Saarijarvi, he's still a long shot to ever make the NHL.

You're a homer... Haha I can see what you're saying, but I think you mean a "homeless man's" version of Marner... Marner is a 90-100 point winger. I'd be thrilled if Hirose can become a 40-50 point winger.

I'd be okay with either as well, but my preference would be in the AHL (for the reasons stated). I think he'd instantly be one of the top defensemen in Grand Rapids, so I doubt ice time would be an issue, and playing in GR wouldn't prevent him from playing in the world juniors either. I don't think he will get much time in Grand Rapids either. He has already been pushed way down the depth chart, and for that reason, I wouldn't expect anything at all in return for him. He's a dime a dozen prospect. Maybe you can convince a team to take him for a 7th, but at that point, who cares...

You don't think Athanasiou is capable of retrieving pucks? There are plenty of very productive lines in the NHL that don't have a prototypical "puck retriever" on the line. I've seen a lot of projections with Hirose on that line in place of Zadina. I don't see that being a better option if you're worried about puck retrieval. Who would you put there? Erne? Helm? We don't have the players right now to put together three highly skilled scoring lines, but that's what I'd like to see in the next couple years. The "puck retrievers" can be reserved for the dump and chase 4th line. I'd be more than okay with that as well. Good job. You commented on Zadina without calling him a bust...

I could see Seider going either way. I'd prefer to see him in Grand Rapids, to be able to keep a closer eye on him, and for him to get used to the North American culture / game / ice. McIsaac isn't eligible to play in Grand Rapids. It's either Detroit (not going to happen), or back to Halifax for him. It would be the same for Veleno if it weren't for the exceptional status, already having 4 years of juniors under his belt. Saarijarvi wouldn't get us a 4th round pick. Every team has prospects in the minors as good or better than Vili. He'll likely end up back in Europe in the next couple years.