krsmith17

IF they run with those lines, they have the potential to be better. However, the chances of them running with those lines are slim. There's no guarantee all of those players will even be with the team in October. Also as much as I'd like to see it, there's about a zero percent chance Blashill runs that defensive shutdown 4th line. It'll be Glendening and some combination of Svechnikov, Frk and Rasmussen (if he even makes the team)... I love your optimism, and I'd usually be right there with you, and maybe (hopefully) I will be in the next couple months, when Holland maybe (hopefully) makes a few shrewd moves to get this team back on the right track...

Let's hope so... I really hope this is the year we see all the kids given a longer leash.

Which could be a good thing, assuming we get our defenseman in this year's draft. Next year, we'll probably want another high end center, or even winger. I'm hoping we'll have two 1st's again next draft as well. Maybe another high 1st and mid to late 1st.

Who the f*** is Jimmy Murphy? I would break all the things and cry for days if this were to happen... If Yzerman were to leave Tampa, he'd come back to Detroit long before he'd go to Toronto though wouldn't he? I know it's most likely a dumbass guy trying to spread a dumbass rumor, but still... I'm sad now...

No. He's saying he is a scout. Probably the top Amateur Scout in North America...

Care to share your full rankings list? I'd love to see it...

There's also a reason virtually every amateur scout has Bouchard ranked ahead of Dobson... Maybe Dobson did shoot up the rankings from a late 1st to a top 10 pick because "he's shown a maturity and dependibility level"... or maybe he just peaked at the right time... If anything, a player that shoots up that high, that quickly should be a bit of a red flag. Is this kid for real? Or did he just have a really strong year on a very good Titans team? Look, I'm not trying to take anything away from Dobson. I think he'll be a damn good player, and I'd love to draft a kid from the Maritimes, but not ahead of Bouchard. If Bouchard is gone at 6, I'd definitely consider Dobson, but even then, I think I'd try to trade back a few spots in hopes that he'd still be there in the 8-10 range (good chance).

I thought you were onto something when I seen Shattenkirk and Carlson, but then realized you mixed them up... I see Bouchard as a Carlson / Pietrangelo and Hughes as a Shattenkirk / Krug. I think you're vastly overrating Dobson, but then again, I'm only going on what I've read and a few highlights I've seen. You've clearly talked to scouts, coaches, and the players themselves to have that much information on them. I still take Bouchard over Dobson, despite all of your inside information on stamina, conditioning and what not...

Hey now, "beat Bert" is putting it a little mildly don't ya think? He "kicked his ass"...

Oh, I totally agree that Helm and Abdelkader won't be on the 4th line, but I just don't want Svechnikov down there. If the team is taking this "rebuild" seriously, they shouldn't either. I'd also like to see Frk in the top 9 as well, but with the forwards we have on the current roster, I see him as the likely odd man out. I hope there are some trades this offseason, but I'm not going to hold my breath... I'm open to trading Athanasiou, but only if the return is there. I wouldn't trade him just for the sake of trading him. I think any trade involving AA would have to be in a package for it to be worthwhile. ... maybe you should try watching it again...

3rd line left wing eh? Bertuzzi - Zetterberg - Nyquist Athanasiou - Larkin - Mantha Rasmussen - Nielsen - Svechnikov Abdelkader - Helm - Glendening Frk / Witkowski

This is probably in the neighborhood of what Vancouver would be looking for, but I don't think I'd do it...

If Boqvist is Almqvist 2.0 and Dobson is Keith 2.0, what are Bouchard and Hughes?

I'm aware it would take an overpayment, which is why I suggested it would take a late 1st, two early 2nd's (that's three picks in the late 20's - mid 30's range), as well as a top / middle 6 winger. That is overpayment, but an overpayment I'd be willing to make. I disagree that we'd have to give up two 1st round picks, especially one that will likely be as high as top 5 next year. I guess that's where we disagree though. You think we'll be as good or better next season. I don't see it. I don't think the growth of the kids will offset the loss of Nyquist, Tatar and Green. By the way, draft analysts are saying that next year's draft is supposed to be as good or better than this year's. So that "top 4 or 5 in any other draft", goes out the window. If we could get a top 10 pick this year for the Vegas pick, plus a 2020 1st round pick, plus player / prospect, I'd do it in a heartbeat. I think we'll be a bottom feeder again next season, but I could see us making the playoffs the following season. This debate is moot though. Holland isn't trading up. If anything he'll probably trade back again...

I don't think it would take near that much for either the Canucks or Hawks pick. No way would we include next year's 1st round pick. Even if next year's pick were lottery protected, you'd have to think, our team will be pretty much the exact same next year, minus Tatar, *Nyquist*, and potentially Green. We'll likely be a much worse team with those three subtraction. Maybe even bottom 2-3 bad. So even if we don't win the lottery, and drop back to 4th or 5th, is a 29th(ish) pick this year, plus a top 5 pick next year and a top 6 winger / potential top 3 defenseman worth a 7th / 8th overall pick this year? Nope. If that were the price, Vancouver / Chicago would make out like bandits... I think the Vegas pick, plus the Ottawa pick, plus one of Nyquist / Athanasiou / Svechnikov, and maybe a 2019 2nd, would be enough to get it done. I'd consider that. I'm not so sure Holland would though. Holland would much rather more picks (quantity over quality). Has he ever traded up in the draft? I don't think he has...

Not sure what you seen there... I see Bertuzzi being his (old) agitating self, probably not expecting to drop the gloves in training camp against a future teammate. Jensen turned around and got three good shots in before Bertuzzi even had a chance to react. When Bert finally realized what was happening, he dropped his gloves and took the fight over. He got a few good right jabs in, a couple pretty big uppercuts and another right hook. Jensen does get credit for the take down, right before a coach (Granato I think) stepped in to break it up. Jensen also needed surgery on his shoulder after the fight. I think Bertuzzi definitely got the upper hand in that one. A lot of people hated Lil' Bert after that scuffle, and I think management went down pretty hard on him, which may be a big reason he seems to be neutered of his old agitating / fighting ways...

Yeah, we desperately need some right-handed shooters in our top 6. I agree on Chicago making the most sense as well. No way Vancouver, a team in a similar position as us, would have any interest in moving their 7th overall pick, unless it were a massive overpayment. Maybe the Rangers would listen to offers on their 9th overall, since they have two other 1st and two 2nd rounds picks. I don't think they have much interest in a long rebuild and are looking to make a quick turnaround. I still highly doubt any team has much interest in moving a top 10 pick, but Holland should definitely be making some phone calls to see what could be available...

I agree. A full off-season dedicated to training should do Bertuzzi a lot of good too. I like that he's concentrated more on the skill side of the game, but I don't want him to completely lose that nasty edge he had in Guelph / Grand Rapids either. I'd love for both to develop into top 6 power-forward types that can play physically, but can also contribute offensively. I think middle 6 may be a more realistic expectation for both though. Bertuzzi took a huge step in his development this year, and took everybody by surprise. Hopefully he can have another big season next year and avoid the sophomore slump. And hopefully Smith continues on a similar path as Bert.

Obviously! Realistically, what would you expect that to cost? I'm sure it would be a lot more than I'd be willing to pay, and definitely more than Holland would be willing to pay... If we did somehow get two top 10 picks (not going to happen), I'd go defense and forward. Ideal scenario for me would be Bouchard and Wahlstrom.

Smith was suspended for game 7 against Sault Ste Marie for flipping off the bench after a game 6 victory. The Greyhounds won game 7. Terrible judgement call on his part. Discipline has been a major cause for concern with Givani. It also was with Bertuzzi and he figured it out, so hopefully Smith can as well. The more I think about it, the more similarities I see between Smith and Bertuzzi. Both are Ontario kids, drafted by the Red Wings in the 2nd round (earlier than expected), from the Guelph Storm. Even their birthday's are only three days apart. Both are left handed wingers that like to play a physical, in-your-face brand of hockey. Their high PIM's and sometimes undiscipline play have been a cause for concern at times. Both create opportunities with their heavy, relentless forecheck, causing opposition turnovers. Bertuzzi was known as a big playoff performer. Smith proved to be productive in his first real opportunity of playoff hockey. Bertuzzi made some major adjustments to his game to be productive at the pro level. It will be interesting to see if Smith can do the same, and how he transitions to the pro game next season.

If they do deem the best player available to be a winger, then they should take the winger. Always take the best player available. The issue I'd have with that, this year picking at 6, I think there will be at least one defenseman available better than any winger. Bouchard may be the only player outside of the top 2-3 that could be NHL ready next season. I think he makes any other team out of camp. If we take him, I'd hope he'd be given every opportunity to make the Wings. There's not a doubt in my mind that he'd be an upgrade over a few of our defensemen today...

Yeah, I'm pretty sure Fulcher will be in Grand Rapids or (more likely) Toledo (at least to start) next season. I've never seen the kid play but he's currently in the OHL finals, so that can't be a bad thing...

And 10 years from now when Boqvist is looking for a big pay day, they'll take the next elite Swedish defenseman in the 2028 draft in hopes he can replace Boqvist. Rinse and repeat. I feel so bad for Sens fans...

If he were with the team, he'd definitely be playing. Their offense was depleted and he'd likely instantly be one of their better (maybe best) players.