krsmith17

I'd be ecstatic if Holland were to pull off a big trade that brought in Trouba without giving up anything too crazy. Unfortunately, I don't see it happening. Despite everything lining up and looking like a slam dunk trade opportunity, I don't see Holland making it happen. If Trouba doesn't end up staying in Winnipeg, I bet he gets traded to a team like Boston for a very underwhelming return...

Not to mention the fact that Fowler is another 2nd pairing defenseman. We have a ton of those, we need a top pair guy...

Here's what Simmonds had to say about Smith after playing along side him in camp... "He's a tank out there. He skates well, he shoots well, he thinks the game the right way. Detroit got a great pick there in the second round. He's sure of himself but not cocky. That's good for a young kid"

Unfortunately I don't think I'll be able to make it down for a game this season, which sucks because I usually make the trip every year for a couple games, and this being the last season at the Joe, it's going to be tough... Maybe I'll make a last ditch effort to make it happen towards the end of the season, but I don't see it happening with so many other expenses coming up over the next year...

Similar to a beer league skate, but a few big name players there, including McDavid, Seguin, Hall, Domi, Strome, Simmonds, Nurse and Ekblad... Good stuff Smitty! F***ing love this kid. I've been a huge fan ever since we drafted him a couple months ago. I'm really hoping he lives up to his potential, and we get ourselves a Wayne Simmonds like player in a few years.

With what we have available, I'd like to see something like this... Zetterberg - Nielsen - Nyquist Abdelkader - Larkin - Tatar Mantha - Athanasiou - Vanek Sheahan - Glendening - Helm DeKeyser - Green Smith - Sproul Kronwall - Marchenko Healthy Scratches: Frk, Ericsson, Ouellet Injured Reserve: Jurco, Pulkkinen LTIR: Franzen, Vitale Waived - Miller, Ott, Callahan, Tangradi, Street, Lashoff, Jensen, Coreau, Pasquale ... Of course, I see no way this actually happens, but one can dream...

I think that was his point. Columbus aren't trading Jenner or Werenski unless it's a significant overpayment. As much as I would love either, I probably wouldn't want to pay what it would likely cost...

Larsson likely had more value at the time of the trade, but I think Werenski will be much better than Larsson in a few years...

I'd give up Nyquist plus for Werenski for sure. Kid is going to be a stud. I'm sure Werenski would love to come here too. Local kid and best buds with Larkin...

I never really put any players in the same pool or made any comparison between them. I've said that I still think Zetterberg is a top 6 talent and shouldn't be dropped to the 3rd line. I've also said being moved to the wing, rather than playing center should keep his legs going longer into the season.

I agree that based on last season all 4 of Nyquist, Tatar, Larkin and Athanasiou should have a secure spot, but I'd like to see everyone have to compete... New season should mean new slate for every single player. I would love to see coaches and management go into training camp with no previous knowledge or bias of any player. Strip every name off their jerseys and let them compete for jobs and positions in the lineup. That means if Mantha out plays Miller, he gets a spot opening night, if Sproul out plays Ericsson, same rule applies. No tie goes to the veteran bulls***. Of course this will never happen, and Zetterberg will lead forwards in ice time, Kronwall will lead defensemen in ice time, Miller will never be scratched, nor will Ericsson...

Nyquist and Tatar were relied upon a few years ago because of the rash of injuries. Last season they had their minutes inexplicably decreased. Larkin was relied upon, which is great to see, and it looks as if he's going to take on more responsibility next season, centering one of the two top lines. Mrazek was relied upon for stretches as well, but it even took longer than it probably should have for him to get the lion's share of the starts. I wouldn't exactly say Marchenko or Athanasiou were relied upon in any way... And that is who I'm mostly talking about here. I want to see Larkin take on a bigger role, give Athanasiou and Mantha an opportunity, give Jurco another shot in a scoring role, and give Sproul a shot to see what he can bring to the table... Stop relying on Zetterberg, Kronwall, Ericsson, and give the kids a shot...

The writing was on the wall with McCollum. He had some decent years in Grand Rapids, but there was never going to be an opportunity for him in Detroit. With Mrazek looking like he will be the guy for the foreseeable future, Coreau looking like he could become a solid NHL backup, the addition of Pasquale, as well as Paterson looking to battle for a spot in Grand Rapids, and the glut of other guys in the system... Glad to see McCollum get a shot elsewhere, and I hope they sign him to a contract.

My question to that would be, will players be given the opportunity to elevate their game?... Or will we rely on the vets and "defensive specialists" again?...

I'd say the chance of Zetterberg's minutes being significantly reduced, is just as likely as Glendening's minutes being reduced, or Mantha making the team out of camp, which is to say... slim to none...

"It's just the way the fourth line plays". This right here is my biggest issue. The 4th line shouldn't necessarily have to play that way, but the guys we have on our 4th line do. We could go with a 4th line of players sitting / sent down, Jurco - Athanasiou - Mantha, and actually generate some offense, but instead we'll have the "shut-down" line of Miller - Glendening - Ott...

Jurco is where he is because of mismanagement, not because of lack of skill. He is expected to play differently because he's on the 4th line playing with scrubs. Jurco's issue has nothing to do with physical ability and everything to do with mental stability, aka confidence. Anyway, this has been argued to death, so that's it for me...

I agree with you kip, but I was referring to if Jurco had been given the same opportunity (not saying he should have) as Larkin in the beginning. I do believe that if he were thrown on a line with Datsyuk and Tatar (or similar linemates) a year or two ago, he would be a much better player today. Again, I'm not saying he should have been gifted that sort of opportunity, but I haven't seen anything of him on the 3rd line yet that has said, he's not cutting it, he should be demoted or scratched, but yet, that's what continues to happen. I hate that they tried to mold a pure skill player into a "grinder", playing with scrubs, just because he has size... How well would Tatar or Nyquist have done in their first couple seasons if they were given the same sort of treatment? Not too well would be my bet... I do still think Jurco can be a very good middle 6 winger, I just don't think he will get that sort of opportunity here unfortunately...

Yes, Jurco was rushed and no Larkin was not. They're not even close to the same in terms of where they were in their development. Jurco, like Nyquist and Tatar should have spent more time down in Grand Rapids. Although I initially wanted Larkin to start the season down there, he clearly was ready for the jump. It's not even close to being the same situation though. Also, if Larkin were put in the bottom 6, he likely wouldn't have been as hot out of the gate either. Likewise, if Jurco were given a bit more of an opportunity in the top 6, I think he would be a hell of a lot better off today...

The way I understood what you were saying was that Datsyuk specifically being injured was the reason Larkin made the opening night roster. That's what I disagree with, but maybe that's not exactly what you meant. An injury, any injury would have put him in, and how often does a team go through an entire camp with every player being healthy on opening day. I also agree with Buppy in that he could have / would have pushed one of Andersson / Ferraro off the roster if it came down to it. Regarding Mantha and Bertuzzi, I personally think both needed a / another full season in Grand Rapids going into last season. Mantha was just coming off a "very very disappointing" rookie season, and it was Bertuzzi's first full pro season. This season however I would have liked to see both on opening night roster, Mantha in Vanek's spot and Bertuzzi in Miller / Ott's. Management must see both taking over said spots full time next season as all three of those players are on one year contracts.

I completely disagree with you here kickazz... To say that Larkin wouldn't have made the team if Datsyuk weren't injured or weren't leaving is big time speculation on your part, and way off in my opinion. I think if Larkin weren't able to Crack the top line, he certainly would have cracked the top 9. He was that good in training camp, and Blashill and Holland were that impressed that they simply couldn't send him down. If we were in a major roster crunch like we are this year and a relatively valuable player would have had to be waived, maybe he gets sent down. As it sits right now, there isn't room for any kids to force their way onto this roster, unless they're willing to waive Miller / Ott because of poor roster management (never seen that before)...

Larkin was on the opening night roster because he earned it. I disagree that it had much, if anything at all to do with Datsyuk's injury. Larkin made the roster as a winger, the same position Mantha and likely even Athanasiou would be fighting for in camp this year. If Datsyuk were healthy to start last season, I still believe Larkin makes the roster. I doubt Holland would waive Jurco or Pulkkinen to keep a waiver eligible player on the roster. As much as I'd like to see one or both on the roster, I'd be pissed if he lost either to waivers. What a mess of a roster... Holland better hope there are injuries in camp...

Hypothetically, what happens if both Athanasiou and Mantha kill it in training camp / pre-season, and force their way onto the roster, the same way Larkin did last year? Does anyone actually believe Holland would keep both on the opening roster (with everyone healthy), and waive a vet like Miller / Ott or make a trade to get down to the 23-man roster limit / cap compliant?...

Sakic, overrated? Seriously? Why do fans that hate opposing teams have to hate every player on those teams? The Wings Avalanche rivalry is long over. Not a single player involved remains on either team. Why do people still hate them so much? I guess for the same reason they still hate the Penguins and Crosby... or should I say "Criesby"..... Burnaby Joe was a beast in his day and to say otherwise is flat out wrong...

Green and Abdelkader are also on one of the lists each...