krsmith17

With the rise of Mrazek and Howard being relegated to backup, I think Jimmy would be willing to waive his NTC. However, I don't believe he will do so to go to any ol' team, it would have to be something that makes sense to him and his family. He can list 10 teams that he will not accept a trade to, and I'm thinking Calgary would likely be on that list... There are two main things players in Jimmy's situation will usually look for; location and opportunity. He will likely want to be traded to a team, somewhat close to Detroit or his hometown, in Upstate New York. I doubt he'll want to uproot his family to live on the complete opposite side of the continent. Opportunity includes both individual and team. Jimmy is only going to want to be traded to a team that he believes he would have a legit shot at taking over the number one spot, he's not going to want to go to a team where he would likely become the backup again. He's also going to want to go to a team that he feels has a shot at winning, either a contending team or an up and coming team. To me, Calgary would be a bad choice, and I would think Buffalo would make the most sense for him. Whether or not it makes sense for the Wings to trade him to a divisional rival, or for Buffalo to even want him, I have no idea... Either way, I don't think we should trade Howard until the offseason, unless a goaltender like Holtby suffers a season ending injury, and MacLellan calls Holland and makes a significant offer he can't refuse...

PTS/60 S/60 iF/60 iC/60 0.41 / 1.74 / 2.40 / 4.05 - Kronwall 0.68 / 3.42 / 5.82 / 8.04 - Ericsson 0.78 / 3.03 / 4.20 / 5.75 - DeKeyser 0.53 / 4.74 / 5.54 / 6.85 - Quincey 0.87 / 3.77 / 5.50 / 8.11 - Smith 0.58 / 4.88 / 6.28 / 8.51 - Green 0.42 / 2.20 / 3.66 / 6.39 - Marchenko Kronwall has been particularly bad, let's hope a lot of that was to do with his nagging injury and they're able to get him back on track. Smith has been very good. You know who else has been good? Ericsson. Both need to limit their turnovers, but that can be said for every single one of our defenders. Our only defenceman with a somewhat decent giveaway / takeaway ratio is DeKeyser, and his isn't great by any stretch either...

This is in response to Dickie from the Trade Deadline Thread because I didn't want to go any further off topic... Why are people so fixated on the player Smith was prior to this season? It doesn't matter. He's playing like a top 4 defenseman this season, and that's what matters. He's one of the only defenders we have that has the ability to play with a bit of a mean streak. He's our best skater from the back end and he's one of our better puck moving defensemen. Like you said, offense begins with the back end, well Smith has been one of our best in that area. Look at these numbers (5on5 stats per sixty minutes) and without looking it up, guess which defenseman is where... PTS/60 S/60 iF/60 iC/60 0.41 / 1.74 / 2.40 / 4.05 0.68 / 3.42 / 5.82 / 8.04 0.78 / 3.03 / 4.20 / 5.75 0.53 / 4.74 / 5.54 / 6.85 0.87 / 3.77 / 5.50 / 8.11 0.58 / 4.88 / 6.28 / 8.51 0.42 / 2.20 / 3.66 / 6.39

What about Lehner? I don't really know much about him but he's still fairly young and his stats aren't really overly impressive. I'm pretty sure the Sabres have been counting on Ullmark to become their goalie of the future, but again, he's still very young so who knows how that'll turn out. I think both could learn a lot from a veteran like Howard.

I've mentioned Buffalo as being a potential suitor a couple times now. I really think Howard would waive to go there, and I think Buffalo could really use his services. I'm not sure what we could get for him, but maybe a 2nd or 3rd round pick and a mid teir prospect like Hudson Fasching...

No, Andersson would not have to go through waivers again unless he plays another 10 games or stays up for 30 days (he won't).

I think for Larkin to surpass Panarin in points would be very difficult, assuming Panarin doesn't get injured for an extended period of time. However, I do think it is very possible that Larkin could potentially narrow the gap by going on a couple good runs from now to the end of the season and/or Panarin slowing down. Of course, it could just as easily go the other way as well in Panarin's favor, or even Eichel, Domi or any other rookie... I think if Panarin were to finish the season with 70 points and Larkin finishes second with say 62, and Larkin also finishes way ahead in +/-, GWG as well as other statistical categories he could possibly walk away with the Calder. Regardless, as cool as it would be to see Larkin win the Calder, it doesn't really matter a whole lot, because like others have mentioned, we've had a ton of runner ups over the years, and they've gone on to have pretty solid careers for themselves. I think Larkin has been one of the Wings best players all season and will continue to do so for many more to come. In the end, that's what matters...

Absolutely. Tangradi uses his size everywhere on the ice. He's a pretty mean dude, but lacks in overall skill level. In saying that, I do think it would be worth a shot to see if he is capable playing in a 4th line role. There's one thing for sure, he isn't any worse than Andersson, and also brings a physical element to the team, something they could really use...

I love that Jensen has been recalled, but in all honesty, I doubt he gets in a game unless there is another injury... I like the size and strength Tangradi would bring to our 4th line, but same thing applies, unless there's another injury, I doubt he plays...

Jurco is finally playing the way we (most of us) knew he was capable. He's playing with a ton of confidence, and with that he can / will be a very dangerous player. I'd like to see a line of Tatar - Datsyuk - Jurco, but if Datsyuk really is against that (not sure why he would be...) and he actually does want Helm on his line (not sure why he would...), I'd go back to that 3rd line of Tatar - Sheahan - Jurco. Every time they're together, they're very dangerous, not sure why Blashill keeps straying from it...

Unless a team that is a legit contender suffers a major injury to their number one goaltender, and calls looking to make a trade for Howard prior to the deadline, I think we need to ride it out until the offseason. Otherwise we need to wait it out and shop him this summer, and sign a veteran backup. I like Howard but Mrazek is clearly the much better goaltender at this point and $5M is way too much to pay a backup. I also like Coreau a lot but I'm not sure he is quite ready to backup in the NHL. If they do decide to go with Mrazek - Coreau and Paterson - McCollum in Grand Rapids next season, I wouldn't be too disappointed though. There is no question that Mrazek is a stud and a future (possibly even this season) Vezina candidate. We have a legit shot to win every game against any team with Petr between the pipes, even when our offense completely dries up for a stretch of games. He has shown he is capable of carrying the load, and winning in big time games. Keep it going Petr!

I've said for a while now that the Tatar - Sheahan - Jurco line should stay intact, and they were arguably our best line again tonight. If they are not together for the foreseeable future, I will be very disappointed... I'd go with... Larkin - Datsyuk - Richards Nyquist - Zetterberg - Abdelkader Tatar - Sheahan - Jurco Helm - Glendening Pulkkinen

Russo is still behind Jensen and Sproul in my opinion. He's putting up some pretty good points but his game still needs some work in my opinion. I wouldn't mind a swap of Callahan for Andersson either. The thing is, if we call up a forward, he may get a look for a couple games, with a defenseman, he may be a healthy scratch the whole time Kronwall is out, unless there's another injury on the back end...

Maybe it will be a new look for one of Sproul or Jensen because I'm pretty sure Ouellet is still injured. It was said that he may be back in the short term but I haven't heard or seen anything about him returning quite yet...

Andersson will likely be in the lineup tonight against Buffalo, and Athanasiou is expected to be back in the lineup tonight against Rochester. Maybe they swap them after tonight's games, assuming Andersson clears waivers and is sent to Grand Rapids... Although it's probably more likely that they're looking to call up a defender with Kronwall out for the next few weeks. Likely Ouellet, but I'd like to see Jensen or Sproul get a look.

Long overdue, but why now?... Are we calling someone else up? Or is there a trade in the works?... Doubt it...

Of course it would be because of Smith that the streak ends... Who else is there to blame? Remember that one time he made that really stupid play on the bench against Montreal? What an idiot... Overstating how "awful" Smith is?... That would never happen on LGW, where only rational fans voice their opinions...

I agree, but if we can get Helm re-signed for $2.5M ($2.8M max), I would do that rather than re-sign Miller to $1.5M. With the understanding that he will be primarily used as a 4th line, penalty kill specialist. And no, he definitely shouldn't be anywhere near the top 6...

I know this isn't related to Miller's injury, but since it was brought up earlier, I'm watching the Griffins game now and Callahan has returned. Hopefully he can stay healthy for the remainder of the season and maybe make his way on the Wings next season as a checker / penalty killer...

If we're not planning on re-signing Helm, I agree, he should be trade bait, however, I'd prefer to keep him as a 4th line, penalty kill specialist. I'd like to see what Callahan can do as well, but if you want to look at injuries piling up, look no further than Cally... Guy has spent more time on IR than in the lineup the past couple seasons. Granted, he's had the same freak occurrence (puck to face - broken jaw) twice, but nonetheless, he hasn't played a ton in the last two years... I also agree with using Larkin on the PK. Next season go with Glendening - Larkin and Sheahan - Helm (Athanasiou). Two very strong units. It's not like Larkin's been lighting it up on the PP either. He scores a ton 5 on 5, and I think he would be a major threat short handed as well.

I'm not really pro or anti re-signing Miller, but if it came down to signing one of either Miller or Helm, I pick Helm every time, even taking into account the difference in salaries. I was really hoping that we would groom Ferraro into a Miller type player, but that's obviously not the case. If we decide to have a 4th line of Miller - Glendening - Helm next season I would be okay with that. As long as Andersson is nowhere near the lineup, Helm is primarily used as a 4th line penalty killer and Jurco is a mainstay in the top 9... Either way, I hope our PK is able to get back on track while Miller is out and hopefully he has a speedy recovery and can get in some games before the playoffs...

I like the forward lines, and I'm happy Helm is down on the 4th line, I just wish there were room for Jurco in the top 9... Defense pairing appear to be... Quincey - DeKeyser Smith - Green Ericsson - Marchenko which I think looks as good as can be with Kronwall out of the lineup... Also, looks like Smith will take Kronwall's spot on the power-play. This is his chance, I hope he makes good of it...

I guess that explains all the "optional" practices he's been missing lately...

Sucks to lose Kronwall. However, while he's out, I'd like to see... DeKeyser - Green Smith - Quincey Ericsson - Marchenko

I agree wings4thecup, but I also don't think Jurco should be stuck down on the 4th line. But I'm a little more okay with two of them down there (if that makes any sense...) because it makes it a little less like your typical 4th line. With two of them down there, that line now has some potential to add some scoring punch, and not spend the whole game defending. In saying that, I'd much prefer to see a 4th line something like Helm - Sheahan - Glendening, and have both Jurco and Pulkkinen in the top 9 where they belong. Sheahan has been great of late, but he is better suited in that 4th line role than either Jurco or Pulkkinen. I think there needs to be a trade though. We have a ton of depth up front, and on the back end, I think we should trade some depth for some key pieces (that are under contract beyond this season).