krsmith17

... and Kaden Fulcher. Sambrook vs Fulcher in the OHL Finals.

Trash. Lost 5-1. I didn't expect them to go far without Bertuzzi, Turgeon and Lorito, and after losing Tangradi to suspension, the loss was inevitable. I was just hoping they'd make it a little further to see what Rasmussen could do in the AHL for a few games.

Must win game 5 about to start. GO GRIFFINS!

To be fair, Vilardi was much better in the regular season, and is also coming off an injury. I still think Vilardi will be a better NHLer than Rasmussen, but hope I'm wrong.

Well Larsson is definitively that. Hopefully he continues his progression and can help the Wings in 2-3 seasons.

Excessive love for AA? Who? Where? Most Wings fans see him as a good middle six winger, and one of our better trade chips. Just because he isn't a bonified top six winger, doesn't mean we're going to want to give him away. He still has value. I wouldn't consider a player being thrown into every trade scenario "excessive love"... Two more seasons at $5.8M? I'd do that for sure if it meant getting a top level prospect. As long as we have enough cap space to re-sign our RFA's, and I don't see that being an issue. These are the types of trades we should be looking to make over the next couple years. Do you really think that would be enough to get a prospect like Foote though?

I'd have no problem giving up Athanasiou for a Foote calibre defenseman, but I'm not sure if I'd be willing to give up Athanasiou AND a 1st round pick. Maybe? But if it were a draft day trade and they wanted to make it because a player they really like dropped, it would depend who it was that dropped. Maybe it's a player we're really high on as well. In which case, I probably wouldn't make the trade. I'm also not sure if Tampa would have much interest in Athanasiou. They're loaded with top 9 wingers, and more knocking on the door. If we're looking to acquire a high end defense prospect, Carolina would probably be a better fit.

Trading for Foote, starting with the Vegas pick, I think we'd have to include Cholowski, which is where I'd draw the line. Take your pick of any other defense prospect, or any forward prospect outside of Rasmussen, and I'd pull the trigger. Yzerman has a Cup calibre team and the cupboard is stocked with high end prospects. You'd think he'd just do his old buddy Kenny a favor and toss him a bone...

Why? It should always be Best Player Available. We need defensemen, centers and wingers, in that order, but that doesn't mean we should take them in that order. To predetermine that we're taking a defenseman with picks 6, 27 and 35, forwards with picks 37, 68 and 81, and a goalie with pick 87 would be dumb. As long as we take BPA with all of our picks, and we address all positions at some point in the draft, I'll be happy. I'm also hoping we look to trade up with our multiple 2nd's and 3rd's. Someone mentioned trading Svechnikov to Carolina for Hanifin. I'd love that, but no way the Canes give up Hanifin. Maybe a trade for Bean would be doable though. I'd aggressively pursue that sort of trade this offseason. If we could get Bouchard (or Dobson / Boqvist / Hughes) in this draft, trade for Bean, we'd be well on our way to fixing our defense. A top 4 of Bean - Bouchard and Cholowski - Hronek could be pretty damn good.

I think amato meant Foote for Vegas' 1st, not swapping Vegas 1st for Tampa's 1st and Foote. Still, it wouldn't be anywhere near enough. It may be a starting point, but we'd have to add a lot more than just the Vegas pick. Unfortunately, I think it would take a lot more than I'd be willing to part with to get Foote.

Brutal... At least we only dropped back one spot...

The fate of an elite franchise Swedish defenseman will be decided today. Today is Lidstrom's birthday... Coincidence? I don't think so...

He could be headed to Grand Rapids tomorrow, if Tri-City lose tonight. If that's the case, he could be in the Griffins lineup for game 5 on Monday. If they win that game, go on a bit of a run, and Rasmussen plays well, it could be a huge step in making the team out of camp this fall. Of course he's going to need a big summer and training camp, but I think he has a good shot in making the team out of camp next season.

Cholowski looked good for his 2nd ever pro game, first ever pro playoff game. The thing that always impresses me with this kid, is his poise with the puck, he never seems to get rattled under pressure. He got some power-play time at the end of the game, and looked good out there. The thing I didn't like, was he seemed reluctant to shoot the puck, always deferring, even with a grade A opportunity. I hope that's just nerves, and he becomes more willing to throw pucks at the net. He did make a couple untimely pinches at the blueline. One that caused the Moose' 4th (game winning) goal. Overall, I think he played a good game, and although I doubt he'll play game 5, he'll likely get another look next round, if they win Monday night. I agree on Foote. He looks like he's going to be a good one for sure. I'd give up quite a bit to get him in Detroit.

We need to hope all teams ahead of us in the standings get announced in reverse order 15-6. As soon as a team doesn't get announced, we know they have jumped into the top 3, which decreases our chances of jumping up and increases our chances of falling back. Each time a team is selected in the correct order, it increases our chances of a top 3 pick. But as soon as one team is skipped over, it drastically decreases our chances of a top 3 pick. If we haven't been selected by the time the 5th pick is announced, we know we're picking in the top 3. If three teams don't get announced before they get to 8, we know we'll be picking 8th... I really have a feeling we're jumping up today...

Huh? I said it would likely take McDavid to get a team to trade the 1st overall pick (Dahlin), but make no mistake, every team would make that trade 10 out of 10 times. If we lucked out with the 1st overall pick and Edmonton offered us McDavid plus their 1st round pick, I'd make the trade, and Chiarelli would officially be named worst GM in the history of all professional sports. Dahlin is the best defense prospect possibly ever, but it's still just potential at this point. McDavid is a proven elite, number one center, the best since Crosby, and already viewed as being better by some.

That would be an amazing trade... for Buffalo... If we win the Dahlin sweepstakes, there's no way we're trading the pick.

He didn't drop much. He was ranked 10th and taken 11th. The only European skater that was taken ahead of him that was ranked lower on NHL Central Scouting was Filip Chytil.

McDavid. Seriously though, there's zero chance any GM, including Holland, even entertains trading this year's first overall pick. Like Dabura said, a team would have to massively overpay, and that's not going to happen. If we get the 1st overall pick, we take Dahlin. If we get the 2nd overall pick, we take Svechnikov. If we get the 3rd overall pick, I'd definitely be open to trade offers. I'm with everyone on the Wahlstrom hype train. I think he'd be a great pick in the top 10. We desperately need some right handed shooters in our top 6. Wahlstrom could definitely fill that role. My number one outside of the top 5 is still Bouchard though. Either way, like others have mentioned, we're getting a very good prospect in this draft. Can't wait for Saturday!

I think Ouellet should and likely will be moved regardless if Green is re-signed or who we get in the draft. I think the biggest question regarding Ouellet, is will a team give up an asset (late round pick) for him or will he be waived. I'd be shocked if he'd on the team by October...

Griffins outplayed them for two and a half periods in the first game and lost. Did the same in the second game and the score reflected it. I fully expect this series to end in 4 games. I watched both games and I intend on watch every game in the playoffs, but it's just not the same as past years. The team is being carried by vets. There's not much to get excited about in the way of Red Wings prospects. Svechnikov has been decent, he scored a goal yesterday and could have had another couple, but overall not as impressive as we would hope from a top prospect. The same goes for Hronek and Hicketts. Both have looked decent, but not great. Street, Tangradi, Puempel, Ford, Elson, etc. have been leading the way. Hopefully Svechnikov, Hronek and Hicketts can get going a little offensively. Yes. Back to Grand Rapids Wednesday for game 3.

Pope should be given the opportunity as a 12th / 13th forward. He shouldn't have any impact on Rasmussen making the team. Moves can be made to make room for two of these guys. Hopefully Holland is willing to make the necessary adjustments. There are a number of young defensemen I'd trade Athanasiou for, but I'm not sure if Hague would be one of them.

I'm not sure who Ray Koch is, but I found this little tidbit regarding David Pope interesting... "When I watch David Pope play, there’s one particular comparison that comes to mind: Jake Guentzel. I know, I know, it’s way too cliché and way too early to say that. But really, he posted 41 points in 35 games, including 20 goals. He also has 12 power play goals, which ranked first in the nation. He likes to hang in the right slot and uncork one-timers that seem to either go in or nick off the post every time. Watching him play is like poetry in motion. More so, he has all the attributes to be an NHL star. He’s big, fast, physical and smart. And of course, he can really shoot the puck. Like, really shoot the puck. So why No. 2 on the list? Injuries hampered him part of his senior season, and probably cost him the NCHC player of the year, which he was nominated for. Pope may have the potential for the brightest future of all the Maverick student athletes, and I expect to see him in the NHL next year. The Red Wings are impressed with him and said he could compete for a roster spot next season." https://unothegateway.com/top-five-standout-mavletes-year/ There's no way Pope is even remotely close to the level of player as Jake Guentzel, but even if he could be a solid 3rd line winger that can help out offensively, I'd be happy. Another player I'd like to see given an opportunity and potentially a roster spot over a vet... Put your words into action Kenny!

Game 1 is about to start if anyone is interested. Go Griffs!