krsmith17

Yes, we know Zadina is getting 9 games at some point down the stretch, I just want to know WHEN??? I'll be at two games in two weeks time. Please have him in the lineup for those games... Please?...

Helm a healthy scratch? Not going to happen. I don't even think de la Rose would be a healthy scratch or Ehn would play in Grand Rapids in favor of the waiver exempt players, even if they do outplay them. Looking at that lineup, either Svechnikov will be a healthy scratch, or Zadina, Veleno or Rasmussen will be in Grand Rapids... I have no issue with young players having to "earn their ice time", I have an issue with veteran players NOT having to earn their ice time... Again, I have no issue with signing Nyquist. I have an issue signing Nyquist long-term to a big money contract. He's not going to accept anything short-term, and long-term doesn't work for us... in my opinion.

Khan on trading Nyquist "The Red Wings have three young forwards up for contracts in 2021 (Anthony Mantha, Andreas Athanasiou, Tyler Bertuzzi) and need to make room for a few more in the next couple of seasons (Filip Zadina, Evgeny Svechnikov, Joe Veleno). They're not likely to have the roster spot or money to keep Nyquist."

I agree. We need to make room for our young stud Zadina...

This I agree with. The problem is, like I've mentioned, this may be Nyquist's last opportunity to get paid, and I think he realizes this. I don't think he's accept anything shorter than 5-6 years, or below $5-5.5M.

No. 30+ is exactly that, 30 and up... Besides I was referring to his next contract. You want to sign him for 5 years? He will be 30+ through the entirety of that contract... Maybe he is hitting his prime a little later than most (I doubt it). That doesn't necessarily mean that he will hit his decline later than most though. Maybe the career year has more to do with it being a contract year and less to do with age. Maybe... I'm not even completely opposed to bringing Nyquist back. I'd prefer if we didn't, but I wouldn't be too upset if we did (depending on the contract). Speaking of which, you didn't answer my previous question... What contract would you be comfortable giving Nyquist entering his 30's? What I would be upset with, is if we didn't trade Nyquist at this year's deadline and cash in on a good player having a great season. If we can get a 1st, or a 2nd, plus, you have to take that deal (assuming he would waive his NTC). If you want to circle back this summer, sure, why not...

1. Nyquist will be 30 before next season, which is 30+. Is it not? 2. Average prime for a forward is closer to around 23-27. Not 29-30+. 3. Never once said "over the hill"... But yes, past his prime. 4. There is nothing wrong with having too many good players, but when you're a rebuilding team, your main focus should be on the youth. I'd personally rather see Larkin, Mantha, Athanasiou, Bertuzzi, Rasmussen, Zadina, Veleno, who ever we draft in the first round of the upcoming two drafts, etc be given top 9 minutes over Nyquist. I get it. You want to keep Nyquist. I'd prefer to move on. No big deal...

GSP is taking Witkowski's spot next season. Confirmed.

Not surprised...

Two years ago Hughes played 113 games in Midget AAA. Last year he played 100 games, including USHL (27), USDP-U17 (24), USDP-U18 (36), WHC-U17 (6), and WJC-U18 (7). This year he's playing with the USNTDP, playing with players his own age (17-18), against men (19-25). You should probably do a little research before you start throwing around false information...

What does losing Nyquist have to do with adding a plug like Smith-Pelly?

Why?

Seems pretty lazy, but here ya go... "On the other hand, the average collegiate hockey player is over 22 years old, with some as old as 25." "the fact that Hughes has played (and produced at an elite level) against both physically-mature opponents and same-age peers, plus the shrinking of your standard NHL rookie, should end any debate as to whether or not Hughes will be able to handle the physical demands inherent in an NHL job." So you don't even know if he's been injured? Why are you saying he's had injury issues then? Yeah, I had a quick look too and couldn't find anything...

I agree. However, it's pretty rare for a 4th line to have the skill to play a puck possession game. Most 4th lines dump and chase, grind down low, hack and whack to be effective. I'd like to see a top 9 that can play more of a puck possession game, but as it stands right now, we don't have the players to do it. Blashill is far from perfect, but his systems are actually pretty effective for what he has to work with. If you want to complain about the coaching, complain about player usage. I'd say constant line shuffling too, but that doesn't even seem to be such an issue anymore. My biggest beef with Blashill has been burying players like Athanasiou and Rasmussen, but that would change as well once we get rid of all the grinders and inject more skill in the lineup.

He HAS played against men though. I'm not sure what all the injuries are that you're speaking of. I know he was injured for a couple games at the WJC, but other than that, what injuries has he had? Anything serious? If not, I'm not too concerned. Injuries are way too unpredictable and it doesn't bother me at all if he missed scattered games here and there because of tweaks or whatever. I'm not saying Hughes will be as good as Kane, but the potential is definitely there. He has been breaking records previously held by Kane and Matthews in the USNTDP. Kid is an unreal talent.

Nyquist is in his prime? Really? 30+ would only be considered prime by one man, Ken Holland... Is that you Kenny? Nyquist is way past his prime, and in fact is due for a pretty significant drop off over the next few seasons. Which is why we should probably move on from him. I'm curious, what would you be willing to pay Nyquist for his "prime" years?

I think it's foolish to consider future injuries when picking between players to draft. Always take the best player available, and in this case it's Hughes. Any player can get injured at any time. Kakko could suffer a career ending injury in his first season. Hughes could become an iron-man like a Martin St. Louis. After watching the Hawks last night and what Kane has been doing this season, and throughout his career, I don't know how you pass on a player that projects to be a clone of him... I think Hughes probably ends up on the wing, which I'm fine with, because we still need an elite winger up with Larkin. Hughes would fill that role...

Drafting Byram isn't an option. Hughes or bust. Naw, seriously though, I'd be shocked if we didn't take a forward with our first round pick. Even if we drop to 5 (I don't think we will), I think any of the defensemen would be a bit of a reach there... They will. He might be if Blashill continues playing him with scrubs. It was nice to see him get a couple shifts with Athanasiou / Nyquist last night. He needs to continue playing with good players to develop into a good player. IF that happens though, Bertuzzi or Athanasiou could easily move up. Bertuzzi has proven to be an effective top six winger, and Athanasiou continues to be one of our most dangerous players, despite getting s*** minutes with s*** players... Let the bird go. There are plenty of other birds in the cage. Grab another damn bird... The bold is all that really matters here. He SHOULD test free agency. He owes it to himself. Side note. Nyquist was featured in an episode of "The Red and White Authority" a few weeks ago, and Art was trying to get an answer out of him regarding his future, and I just got a vibe, not so much from what he was saying, but how he was saying it, that he was likely done in Detroit after this season...

Yeah, re-signing Nyquist for 2-3 years at a reasonable (similar) cap-hit wouldn't be the worst thing, but there's no way he'd sign short-term. The last thing this team needs to do is overpay Nyquist on a long-term contract... I think we need Nielsen (or a similar player) next season to fill that 2C slot. Hopefully Veleno can take over the following season and push Nielsen down, but I don't see any major rush in getting rid of him at this point. If / when we do need to trade Nielsen, it likely wouldn't be until the final year or two of his contract, and I think by that time there will be a team that would take him, even if it meant retaining some of the cap hit.

I agree with @nyqvististhefuture here... As much as I love Nyquist, and know how important he's been to this team the past few seasons, there simply isn't room on the roster going forward. We have too many young players on the roster that need more minutes, and prospects that will need promotions. Nyquist is turning 30 and having a career season in a contract year. This could be his last chance to really cash in. He won't be signing a short-term contract. He will be looking to get PAID (rightfully so), and long-term. Thanks for your services, but we need to move on... Not necessarily this season, but this is what the lineup could look like in a year or two... *Hughes* - Larkin - Mantha Zadina - Nielsen - Rasmussen Bertuzzi - Veleno - Athanasiou Abdelkader - Glendening - Helm Svechnikov / Berggren / de la Rose / Ehn / Holmstrom / Turgeon /// That's not even including Svechnikov, Berggren or any other prospects or picks as regulars in the lineup...

#bust

Howard really doesn't want to get traded...

For sure, but Coyle is a center, which is why Boyle brought back a 2nd. But yeah, Nyquist should get a pretty good haul I would think (hope)...