krsmith17

Definitely not Bertuzzi. My guess would be Legwand but I have no idea...

They announced before last night's game even started that Larkin will be playing Sunday against Team Europe. These are just exhibition games that mean nothing. Larkin will be in the lineup next weekend when the games matter...

I still think Sproul is the one that has the ability to surprise in training camp. It's a little worrisome that they have yet to sign him to a new contract. He's the only remaining RFA left to sign...

Does anyone know how the camp invites work in regards to signing them to a contract? I know we signed an 18 year old Hicketts two years ago after being invited and impressing in camp, but I'm not sure if any camp invitee can be signed or are there certain rules and restrictions? Other than the 50-man roster of course...

Red Wings prospect tournament roster has been released. http://redwings.nhl.com/club/m_news.htm?id=892332

Agreed. I wasn't talking about that proposal, I was talking about certain other proposals including 5-7 assets going out and 1-2 coming back... If Nyquist, D prospect(s), pick(s) got us Trouba I'd do it all day. I wouldn't make that same trade for Fowler though...

What? Scoring 3 goals in a pickup game doesn't mean anything? I thought for sure there was a direct correlation between what a player could do in the BioSteel Cup Tournament and what they will eventually do in the NHL... Damnit, there goes my high hopes for this kid...

I want to upgrade our defense as much as anyone and I agree that we will likely have to overpay in order to that. However, there's overpayment, and then there's massive overpayment... I'm not willing to gut our roster, creating holes, to fill holes...

It would be Ericsson for me, not even close...

I understand that you think Fowler is a "mediocre" defenseman, but mock the idea that he could be traded for a top six winger. You point out his advanced stats and I know you're aware of Nyquist' and Tatar's stat lines, but it's hilarious to you to think a deal could get done there... You're right, if given the opportunity Jurco would be a legit middle six winger, I can't say the same for Pulkkinen, and Smith did break out. He's exactly what I said he would become, a top 4 defenseman (looking at his advanced stats). Keep up the passive aggression though, looks great on you...

Lol at saying that Fowler is only a second pair defenseman and then saying that a top six winger isn't equal value. Even if it's not quite equal, it certainly wouldn't take "a top prospect at the very least"... Anaheim have made it very clear that they're looking for a top six forward, they also don't have room for all their up and coming defensemen. Much like we need a top pair defenseman and we don't have room for all our up and coming forwards...

To not be willing to give up a second line winger for a number two defenseman, given the situation we're in is ridiculous. We have a surplus of middle six forwards (way too many) and only one capable top pair defenseman. I'd much prefer Trouba (he'd be my number one target) but Fowler would be a decent option as well. The cost to get Fowler is also significantly less than the cost to get Trouba. As much as I want to pry him out of Winnipeg, I agree that there's not really a fit there, unless Cheveldayoff gets desperate. Winnipeg are looking for a defenseman coming back the other way, so unless they have any interest in a package including one of our mediocre defense prospects, I don't see it happening. Anaheim on the other hand, want a top six, scoring winger, which we have available. If Nyquist or Tatar straight up gets us Fowler, I'd do it, and again, I think you'd be foolish not to. Number two defenseman > second line winger. In my opinion, the points lost on either Nyquist or Tatar would be made up by the addition of Fowler and whoever fills their spot in the top 6. Bottom line, we need help on the back end, and Holland needs to start addressing some needs...

I realize that Winnipeg have a solid stable of forwards, and they probably aren't that interested in Nyquist or Tatar. My point is more so that I'd be willing to give up these players, for a player such as Trouba or similar skill set / potential. I'd also do a similar type trade for Faulk in Carolina as well as countless other defensemen around the league. The point is, we need help on the back end. We need another high end defenseman (preferably right handed) to play on the top pair with DeKeyser. To do that, I'd be willing to give up a Nyquist or Tatar... Vegas can't take Howard AND Ericsson, they can only take one player from each of the 30 teams. Unless there's a trade made, I doubt it will be either of them unless Vegas are trying to hit the cap floor. My bet would be on a player like Sheahan if we're unable to protect him...

kip, I specifically said top pairing defenseman, meaning 1D or 2D. None are available? Says who? Trade talks are not always known to the public, and there are some trades that are made completely out of nowhere, so you can't really say "none are available"... Yes, I do believe that all three of Shattenkirk, Fowler and Trouba are (or will become) top "pair" defensemen. Would I give up a 2nd line winger (of which we have a ton of) for a top pair defenseman (of which we have one of)? Absolutely. Who wouldn't?... We could stand to lose a top 6 winger, such as Nyquist or Tatar. We need help on the back end, and sometimes you need to overpay to fill a need. You may not be all that high on Trouba, but I think he's the real deal and if given the opportunity (he would in Detroit and I don't believe he has in Winnipeg) he would become a legit top pair defenseman, possibly even a 1D... Personally, I'd be willing to overpay for a player like Trouba...

You think that predicting that a player can score 20-25 goals is predicting that they will be "great"? 105 players did that or better last season, 92 the year before. 20-25 goals is good production, not great, and I don't think it's at all far fetched to think that Mantha will be a good player...

I don't think 20-25 goals for a player like Mantha is overhyping at all. That's a very realistic expectation in my opinion. No one is saying he would do this next year, but in 2-3 years time? Absolutely. I'm also with Dickie in that giving up Nyquist or Tatar in a package for a top pair defenseman is what we should be going for. The amount of goals we'd lose in either of those players would be made up by a combination of whoever replaces them up front and the defenseman we get back in the trade. Not saying it will happen, or that Cheveldayoff would be willing to do it, but Nyquist plus should be a good starting point for a team with a player that wants out. They're likely going to want a defenseman coming back as well, so maybe they would have interest in Marchenko. I don't know, but something needs to be done with this roster. Holland's getting lucky with all the injuries, but at some point, all of these players will be healthy and at that point (if not sooner) a trade will have to happen, or lose players on waivers...

I agree, really want to see the kids get a chance. More than anything though, I want to see Sproul make the team. I think it would be a huge mistake to waive him, as I don't see any chance of him clearing waivers. I know a lot of people don't think he'll amount to much at the NHL level, but I still think he has it in him to become a middle pairing, power-play quarter back. Despite the lack of opportunity and what seems to be, confidence from management, I'm still much higher on him than any other kid in the system. And yes, that includes Marchenko, Ouellet, Jensen, Russo, Hicketts, Saarijarvi, etc... I hope he picks up right where he left off from last year's playoff run. He was a beast, and if he continues that level of play, I don't see any way management don't give him a legit shot.

I'm rooting for the young guns.

Hopefully this is a similar situation we are seeing with Kronwall. Not 100%, so opting out of the tournament to be ready to go opening night for the Wings... Regardless, if it wasn't already crystal clear to management and the coaching staff that Zetterberg's and Kronwall's minutes / roles need to be significantly reduced, hopefully this will prove that...

F***ing Love that mask.

I'm just happy no one has taken Trouba's number 3 (before he switched to 8), because of course he's not getting our new alternate captain's number 8...

Apparently Marchenko is switching from 47 to 53 and Pulkkinen is switching from 56 to 4 as well...

I guess management really wanted to keep a close watch on Hronek...

There's no way Quincey gets another contract from the Wings. I actually think he would be a really good fit in Calgary or Edmonton.

Trouba may be looking for a huge contract, but that doesn't mean he will get anything close to what he wants. Look at the contract Jones just signed with Columbus, $5.4M x 6 years. I don't see how Trouba can expect to get more than that, certainly not $7-8M over max term. I also think he would take a slight discount to play at home for his childhood team, knowing he will be a staple on the top pair for the duration of his contract. If we were able to trade for Trouba and sign him to around what DeKeyser / Jones just signed it would be huge for this team. I'd go as high as $6M, but I think even that would be a bit of an over payment as of right now. As for cap space, yes we would have to get rid of a big contract in order to make it work, but regardless of this trade scenario, Holland should be working on freeing up cap anyway. Howard should be gone by the end of this season at the latest. There are always ways to shed cap space.