krsmith17

I agree, and I've thought this for some time now. I wouldn't give him away, but I'd certainly be shopping him. He's the piece I've been advocating moving for a defenseman since last off-season. I don't think he alone would get us a first or top defense prospect, especially after the underwhelming season he's had. But maybe as a part of a bigger package, he could get a late 1st or that defenseman we've been looking for. Athanasiou and a pick / prospect for pending RFA Trouba or Montour? Yes please. Winnipeg and Anaheim probably wouldn't feel the same though...

Euro Twins.

I actually like what I've seen from Holland over the past couple years. I've been happy (or wrongfully unhappy) with most moves he's made in that time. This is a big off-season for him. I don't expect any huge moves, but it'll be interesting to see what he does. If he can make one or two trades to offload some dead weight (Ouellet) / bad contract (Nielsen) and continues the youth movement (Rasmussen), I'll be happy. I'd also like to see him make a good hockey trade to acquire a young potential top end defenseman, but not holding my breath on that one... If you asked me last year, or even a few months ago, I would have said no way to bringing Holland back. I'm okay with it though. Show us what you got Kenny!

Not sure. I know they started with the normal lines. The defense pairs may have switched up at some point though. I drank a lot last night, so I can't say for sure...lol Any reason you're wondering?

I don't think that's right though. I'm pretty sure because Vegas won their division, the highest that pick will be is 24. If they don't make the Conference Finals, the pick is between 24-27. If they lose in the Conference Finals, that pick is 28 or 29. If they lose in the Finals, the pick is 30, and if they win the Cup, the pick is 31. So yeah, the way I understand it, best case scenario, we get pick 24 from Vegas. That's why I'd like to trade up to get another pick in the middle of the first. I'd love for a big name to drop to us, but I don't see it. I'd prefer to draft quality over quantity. But hey, maybe there's a guy we really like, that we know will drop to the 2nd round.

Unless the best team is Pittsburgh...

The Griffins clinched a playoff spot last night with a 4-1 win over Tucson. They have three games remaining in the regular season. Also, Bertuzzi has played his last game in a Griffins jersey, and Coreau cleared waivers.

Minor correction: Our two 2nd rounders are 33 and 36. You're forgetting there are now 31 teams. Also, just curious, which site are you getting your rankings? They seem a little off from most mock drafts I've seen... I'm still kind of hoping we make a trade to move up to the middle of the 1st, to have two picks in the top half of the 1st round.

Jets for me.

Why should #33 and #18 be retired and not #25? McCarty had better numbers in the regular season and playoffs than Draper or Maltby. D-Mac had a much bigger impact in those first three Cup runs ('97, '98 and '02). He was a warrior, and a pivotal piece in that rivalry vs the Avs. I'm not saying #25 should be retired. It shouldn't. But neither should #33 or #18... I can't believe people are actually advocating retiring so many jersey numbers of mediocre players. Why? Because they were heart and soul guys? Sure, let's retire #8 and #41 in 10 years when Abdelkader and Glendening retire. That's pretty much who the modern day Draper and Maltby are...

I doubt Bouchard falls to 8, but I also doubt we fall to 8. If we don't move up to 1 or 2, I want Bouchard. I can definitely deal with that outcome. Wings at number one, and no sign of the Hawks.

Rasmussen continues to torch the WHL playoffs with 19 points (9 goals, 10 assists) in 6 games. This is the sort of production I was hoping to see out of him all season. He's really starting to show that he was worthy of that top 10 pick. Tri-City swept Kelowna in the first round, and are up 2-0 on Victoria in the second round. They look like they may go on a deep run, which is great, but I also want to see them knocked out, so Ras can help the Griffins go on a deep run... This will likely be the only time Rasmussen gets a chance to play in the AHL. If he continues to dominate the WHL playoffs, and impresses in the AHL playoffs, has a good summer / training camp, he will likely make the Red Wings full time next season. It's either another year of junior or NHL for him next season, he cannot play in the AHL (except when the WHL season is officially over).

Yes, that's right. We officially have an 8.5% chance at the number one pick, 8.7% chance at the number two pick, and an 8.9% chance at the number three pick, which gives us a 26.1% chance of moving up into the top three. We have an 8.4% chance staying at five, 34.5% chance to drop back one spot to six, 26.7% chance to drop back two spots to seven, and a 4.3% chance to drop back three spots to eight, which is the worst we can pick... Odds are we drop back, but I have a feeling we defy the odds and move up this year. We might not get the number one pick, but we're going to get a top three pick!

For the Wings? Same as they've been the past couple weeks (Booth / Ouellet in for Svechnikov / Hicketts).

A lot of crucial games today to keep an eye on... Rangers vs Flyers @ 3:00 - We need the Flyers to get at least a point in this game to guarantee the pick from the Mrazek trade moves from a 4th to a 3rd. Lightning vs Hurricanes @ 7:00 - Lightning need to win this game to guarantee top spot in the East and a first round matchup vs the Devils, Flyers, or Panthers. Senators vs Bruins @ 7:00 - Bruins need to win this game to have a chance at top spot in the East. They would also have to gain another point on Tampa (either Lighning loss or Bruins win vs Panthers tomorrow). Canadiens vs Maple Leafs @ 7:00 - We need the Habs to get at least one point in this game to (temporarily) jump us in the standings. Sabres vs Panthers @ 7:00 - Panthers need to win this game to have a shot at making the playoffs. They would also need the Flyers to lose their afternoon game today in regulation and win their game tomorrow vs the Bruins. Devils vs Capitals @ 7:00 / Blue Jackets vs Predators @ 8:00 - These two games will determine which team plays the Caps or Pens in the first round. If the Jackets win, they're guaranteed to play 2nd seed Pens rather than top seed Caps. Probably not a good thing... Blues vs Avalanche @ 9:00 - This is probably the biggest game tonight. Whoever wins gets in (Avs must win in regulation). Ducks vs Coyotes @ 9:00 / Stars vs Kings @ 10:30 / Wild vs Sharks @ 10:30 - These three games determine who plays who first round. All three California teams can end up anywhere from 2nd seed, 3rd seed to wild card. Islanders vs Red Wings @ 7:00 - Wings need to lose in regulation, Habs to gain a point and Yotes to gain two to move down to 29th overall (3rd best lottery odds)...

Beat me to it hankzet.

Unfortunately, I agree.

Good news...

Dahlin.img

I personally love that the Red Wings are an organization that only retires the numbers of the elite of the elite. I don't think #30 should be retired, nor do I think any member of the grindline should be retired... I'd love to see #91 eventually retired, but I also understand the reason it likely won't. For the same reason, #13 may never be retired either. #40 should be the next number retired, and the only other one from that era in my opinion. After that, hopefully in 20+ years #71, #39, and #26, among others, will have been elite enough to at least be in the conversation...

Luckily we didn't lose our twins (two best players) at the same time...