krsmith17

As of mid April. So he's basically three months into his rehab. He should be ready to go at the start of training camp. I've seen he's already training hard so far this summer, so hopefully the surgery hasn't / doesn't set him back too much.

As I said previously "impactful" trades is what I'm referring to. I wouldn't consider trading for or trading away rentals at the deadline to make any sort of real impact. Those "blockbuster" trades that you speak of are what teams usually need to get over the hump. I don't want Holland to make a trade just for the sake of making a trade, but if he could pull off one big trade to acquire a top two defenseman, I believe it would go a long way in advancing this "rebuild" / "retool"...

To build a contender, I believe you need to be willing and able to make trades. I don't think it's possible to build a team strictly through the draft / free agency. We are still a few years away from contention, so there is time. I'm just not confident that when the time comes, Holland will be capable of pulling off the trade that puts us over the top...

My last jersey purchase was Larkin. My next will definitely be Mantha.

Now if he can just prove that he's capable of pulling off an impactful trade in the cap era...

Is either of their names Anthony Mantha by any chance?

I agree with everything you said except for this... Mantha WILL be a 30-goal man. We know this.

Nelson sat down with Craig Custance of "The Athletic" this week during development camp for a Q and A. https://theathletic.com/74290/2017/07/09/sunday-q-and-a-todd-nelson-and-his-jam-it-down-their-throat-coaching-philosophy/ Great read. I really like his aggressive coaching strategy. Although, it may have more to do with player personnel than anything else. Blashill coached a very similar style in Grand Rapids, but for whatever reason, has gone into a defensive shell with Detroit. I'd just like to see this heavy forecheck, all out attack style of play implemented with the Wings.

What makes you so sure? Teams lose quality players to free agency every year without getting any sort of return. Both Hudler and Filppula (somewhat similar players) walked as UFA's a few years back. If Tatar signs a one year contract, I would not be at all shocked to see Holland keep him this season in hopes that they can work out a deal next offseason. If Tatar wants to test free agency though, Holland likely won't get any return on a very valuable asset. I liked Filppula, was never a fan of Hudler, but it was a mistake to let them walk for nothing back then, and it would be a mistake to let the same situation happen with Tatar next offseason. I wouldn't be surprised to see Tatar sign a multi year deal in the next few weeks though, something in the $4.75-5.25M range.

I agree. We shouldn't be looking to trade Tatar and / or Nyquist for draft picks and / or prospects, unless that prospect is a high end defensive prospect, similar to the Drouin for Sergachev trade. Not saying that Nyquist / Tatar equal Drouin, but I think either in a package could get a similar type player. There are teams out there loaded with defensive prospects, and lacking offense. I'm sure there could be a deal made, but for whatever reason, Holland is unwilling / unable to pull off such a trade. We will continue to build through the draft and free agency. Who needs trades anyway? We like our team...

Pulkkinen to Minnesota...

I think Svechnikov needs another season in Grand Rapids, and I wouldn't hate if Bertuzzi started down there as first call up. Street already being 30, is a career AHLer, so no need to waste a spot on him. Frk may never become a full time NHLer, but I'd like him to at least get a shot on the 3rd line. My vote goes to Frk.

Yeah, I'd take anything Michelle says with a grain of salt. I've never really heard her say anything bad about any Red Wings prospect. She does tend to pump their tires quite a bit. Regardless, it is encouraging to hear that Rasmussen's skating may not be a weakness like a lot of draft analysts had suggested. I'm hopeful that Rasmussen can become a legit number one center, and Cholowski can become a legit number one defenseman. It's a bit of a long shot for both, but not out of reach. With proper development and all the tools to reach their ceilings, they could get there.

Yes. I think if he re-signs for one year he will likely walk after this season.

No one is suggesting to trade Athanasiou just for the sake of trading him. Anyone that has brought him up in any trades is to bring in a top pair defenseman. A top pair defensemen is a much bigger need / hole to fill than top 6 winger. In order to get a top 2 defenseman, we're likely going to have to give up one of Larkin, Mantha, Athanasiou or Svechnikov. If one of those 4 need to be moved, it's one of the latter 2 for me. Of course we'd like to keep all 4 and trade one of Nyquist / Tatar, but for the same reason, other GM's are going to want one of the big 4, and not Nyquist / Tatar. Ideal situation, we land a top 2 for Nyquist / Tatar, Hronek / Saarijarvi, and a pick. But it would likely take more than that. Which is why people have brought up AA in trade scenarios.

I'm not describing my hopes for Sproul, and I'm certainly not trying to spin anything. I'm describing Sproul's style of play. The style of play that has made him successful thus far in his hockey career, and the style of play he will continue to "try" to play at the NHL level. Why is it so difficult for you to understand that style of play ≠ quality of play. You're acting like I'm saying he's Erik Karlsson or something. I'm not even saying he's a good offensive defenseman (yet) in the NHL, just that he IS an offensive style defenseman. It's like saying a goaltender that has played a butterfly style his entire career and finally makes the NHL... You say, well he's not a butterfly goalie in the NHL, because he hasn't proven that he can be good at it yet... Maybe some day he will, but right now he's nothing... Anyway, I'm done with this ridiculous debate...

We trade Sproul to Dallas. Nill is asked in a presser, "How would you describe Sproul's game? What can he bring to this team?". "Well I don't know what to tell you. At this point he's nothing but a prospect"... Yeah, probably not... maybe something along the lines of. "He's a big guy, that skates well and can really shoot the puck. Likes to jump up in the rush and make things happen offensively"... Too much? Name calling? I said your analogy was dumb. You said yourself you were "trolling". Funny you mention Trump, because he's exactly who I think of when I read your debates on here... Tried adding the Trump "Wrong" meme, but can't upload pictures on here for whatever reason... This is the last time I'll say it. Sproul IS an offensive defenseman. Whether or not he has put up points thus far has not changed that. Smith was also an offensive defenseman, just not a great one, so he evolved into more of a two-way. Maybe Sproul will as well. Again, the fact that you're still arguing this is absurd... Love the Daley signing. We really needed more veteran leadership. Sproul probably won't amount to anything. There's no chance Daley takes any minutes away from Sproul or any of the other young guys.

Yeah, I'm very interested to see how all of our defensemen develop over the next few years. I'm hoping one of Hronek or Lindstrom (or anyone really) can develop into a stud. Interested to see how Rasmussen and Smith do as well.

Haha fair enough. I hope you're right. I have to ask though, since you didn't really clarify, is that opinion or fact?

You (and Buppy) specifically said that Sproul isn't an offensive defenseman. What is he then? Certainly not a defensive defenseman, nor a two-way. Definitely not an enforcer... What the hell is he? At this point in his career he is an offensive defenseman, a great one in junior, a good one in the AHL, and yet to be determined in the NHL. How well a player plays, does not determine his "style" of play. I would consider Ericsson a defensive defenseman. Not a great one, but one nonetheless. The fact that you're still arguing that is absurd. Your superman analogy is too dumb to get into. Smith WAS an offensive defenseman coming into the league. He never did develop the way we had hoped (maybe Sproul never will either), so he had to work on his defensive game and mold himself into more of a two-way defenseman. Maybe the same will happen with Sproul, or maybe he'll continue being an offensive defenseman as a career AHLer. You can predict all you want. If I believe Sproul is being mishandled, I will speak my opinion on that (I know that will bother you...). However, I will never blame Daley for it, just like I never blamed Vanek or anyone else for the way Jurco was handled here. Like marcaractic said yesterday, "Do you need people to spell it out for you that everything they say is their opinion? Are we not all adult enough to infer that already?" Obviously me saying we won't be contenders in the next 3 years is my opinion. An opinion that most would agree with. Let's ask the most optimistic Red Wings fans if they think we will be Cup contenders in the next 3 years. I bet you'd get 95% say "No"... By the way, I'm not stating that number as fact... just so you know...

Yeah, the Cougars own Cholowski's rights, so if he doesn't make the Griffins out of camp, he goes back to Prince George. I'm kind of hoping that's the case. Wouldn't mind seeing what he can do in a season in the W, before turning pro.

I say f*** it, call up McIlrath and McKee to play forward too. Form a 4th line of McKee - McIlrath - Witkowski and just have them skate around and destroy. Don't even attempt to play the puck, just pound the s*** out of whoever touches it...

Of course he did...

I'm hoping he turns into another Lidstrom type pickup...

I hope you're right. I just don't want to see any of the young guys treated differently than the vets. Whether that's Sproul / Ericsson or Athanasiou / Sheahan or whoever else.