krsmith17

It's only because I'm in a kickazz mood, day buzzed, pre-game drinking before heading over to the LCA... But yes, Smith never did turn out to the player we hadn't hoped, but he is an offensive defenseman, just a mediocre one (at best) at the NHL level.

Absof***inglutely. This is basically my point. Defensive defensemen are labelled just that, no matter how good or bad they are. Why are only the good offensive guys allowed to be labeled offensive defensemen? It's dumb. Smith and Jensen are both lower tier offensive defensemen.

I doubt it. Turgeon wouldn't fetch much of a return right now, and what purpose would it serve to trade a 21 year old, whose putting up solid numbers in the A, for a mid round draft pick? We traded up to get him in the draft, and he's been progressing well. I've been impressed with him, and I hope we keep him, even if it is (likely) to be our 3rd / 4th line center.

This again?... People take too much stock into labels. What kind of defenseman would you say Jensen is? He's certainly not a defensive, shut-down or stay-at-home defenseman. Maybe you could say he's a two-way defenseman, but I think he thinks the game more offensively, which is why I'd label him an offensive defenseman. You don't have to be Karlsson or Doughty to be considered an offensive defenseman. There are several 2nd / 3rd pair defensemen in the league that don't put up big points, that are offensive minded. The term doesn't necessarily mean you have to be a big point producer, it just means you think the game offensively. Hronek and Saarijarvi are offensive defensemen. Does that mean if / when they make the NHL and don't put up big points, they're no longer considered offensive defensemen? I don't think so... Why is it that Orpik, McDonagh and Ouellet can all be considered defensive defensemen, but Karlsson, Doughty and Jensen can't all be considered offensive defensemen? Ouellet is nowhere near the level of the other two defensively, just like Jensen isn't anywhere near the level of the other two offensively...

I don't usually take many pics because I just like to take it all in. That's why it's great to have my wife there, she's taking pics and videos left, right and center lol.

Yeah, for sure. He's my go-to when it comes to anything Draft related.

Seen that last night. Haven't had a chance to listen yet though. That's my plan for the flight home tomorrow. I've listened to every episode of The Red and White Authority, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys Red Wings podcasts. Art is awesome!

HYPE! I'll be at this one again. Hopefully I bring better luck tonight. It's kind of strange this trip though. Usually I'm devestated if the Wings lose when I make the trip down. This time, I just want to see close games. We got that Tuesday night with the OT loss. Hopefully we get another close game tonight. I would love to see us beat the rivalled Hawks though... Wings win 4-3 in a shootout. Mantha and Athanasiou get a goal and assist each, Turgeon gets his first NHL goal, and Larkin gets 2 assists, and the shootout winner... GO WINGS!!!

I was at both of those games.

He was on a 21 point pace last season, and is on a 16 point pace so far this season; aka past two seasons... He has 9 points just past the half way point this season, and you think it would be "a miracle if he hit 20"? Why would you suggest that he's a 10-15 range guy when he's exceeded that pace the past two seasons? What makes you think Ouellet is "smarter"? I've seen him make a few boneheaded plays, just like any depth defenseman. Anyway, like you said, agree to disagree on this one...

Who's this Gavin Lee character? I'm not sure if I buy it. I'm sure it matters somewhat when it comes to top pair guys, but I'm not sure it matters much with depth defensemen. But hey, if Jensen brings a decent return, I'm definitely not opposed to trading him. My main point is that if we're trading one of Ouellet or Jensen, I'd prefer it be Ouellet, but I'd trade either in the right deal.

I'd take Jensen's "whole 9 points" over Ouellet's whole 4 points... I don't expect Jensen to put up 20+ points on a consistent basis, but he should hover around the 15-20 range, as he has the past two seasons. That's about all you should expect from a 3rd pair defenseman. The game is getting faster and faster and it's crucial to have players that can skate. Jensen is a great skater. Ouellet is not. That's what sets them apart to me, and the reason I'd rather keep Jensen over Ouellet.

Turgeon recalled again just after being sent down. Booth assigned to Grand Rapids. Looking forward to (hopefully) see Turgeon tomorrow night.

I don't know if right handed defensemen fetch more, but smooth skating, offensive defensemen definitely do. Jensen is a great skater, and can move the puck well. Ouellet, not so much. I didn't know this. I haven't really heard Holland announce anyone being available. I'm sure Green is, and I'm sure every team knows this, but other than that, has Holland actually come out to say anyone else is available? Daley? Ouellet? Jensen? Nyquist? Tatar? Howard? Mrazek? I didn't think so... Jensen > Ouellet, and it's not even close in my opinion. I don't take much stock in +/- and Jensen does pretty much everything better than Ouellet in my opinion. Much better offensively. Ouellet may be slightly better defensively, but I wouldn't even say that.

That's an odd couple guys to "only" like. I mean sure, I like them too, but there are much better players on the team and in the pipeline than these two. Like I said, I like Jensen as a 3rd pairing defenseman, and I'm hopeful Sambrook makes the team in the next few years, but I think at best he's a 3rd pair defenseman at the NHL level. You don't like Cholowski? Hronek?

Like who? Any reputable sources reporting this? I like Jensen as a 3rd pairing defenseman, but I'd trade Ouellet in a heartbeat.

I hope you're right...

You got to be f***ing kidding me!... I was looking forward to see both of these guys tonight...

Major HYPE! I'll be at this one. First game in the new barn. Really looking forward to see the kids live. GO WINGS!

Russo sucks and Hronek should be next in line. No doubt Hicketts has struggled this season offensively, but he was the last cut in training camp. I'm rooting for the kid.

I don't think Bertuzzi is going anywhere regardless. I think it could be to give Turgeon (who I think has looked very good in limited minutes) a bit of a longer look... That and to make room on the 23 man roster for Hicketts.

Yeah, I noticed a week or so ago he's been nominated for the Hobey Baker. Pretty solid numbers, even if he's an old man in that league. You mean Pulkkinen? That's a different Teemu...

We kind of are "getting pumped information" indirectly from people extensively watching footage though. We read scouting reports written by draft analyst (reputable guys like McKenzie and Button, among others) who do get inside information from amateur scouts. It's not like 10+ years ago, when we wouldn't even know anyone's name beyond the top few. There's a TON of information accessible to anyone and everyone. I do agree though, that it is a little silly to get so worked up over your team passing on a player you think they should have taken or taking a player you think they shouldn't have, but that's the fun of being a fan of a sports team. It can be kind of frustrating when your team goes way off the board though, and Holland has done that a few times over the years. Also, not a single person here watches players from other teams every night, but we're allowed to have opinions on them. What's the difference? I think Kucherov is a phenomenal player, and I've never watched any extensive footage on him. I've watched every single game he's played against the Wings, and maybe 10 other Lightning games in full (one live), but never have I broke down footage, or zoned in on only him. I base my opinion on small sample sizes, highlights, media, and stats. Pretty much the exact same thing most of us base opinions of these draft eligible players on. These players are a lot younger and not yet developed, but we can still have opinion and projections based on the information available to us. And like I said before, there's a lot of it out there. I haven't done a ton of research yet on any of these players, but I always do leading up to the draft, usually after the season ends. Do I think I know better than the amateur scouts out there watching all the games? Hell no! But there are always going to be players I hope the Red Wings select.