krsmith17

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Everything posted by krsmith17

  1. krsmith17

    1/18 GDT : Sabres 4 at Red Wings 6 (Z w/Hat Trick)

    I see the Wings continuing the same way they were playing last night and beating the Sabres with ease. At least a 3 goal spread again tonight.
  2. krsmith17

    Tyler Bertuzzi

    Bertuzzi continues to impress. We have two guys in the top 20 goal scoring in the OHL. Bertuzzi is 9th with 60 points (27 goals, 33 assists) in 43 games, and Nastasiuk is 20th with 48 points (23 goals, 25 assists) in 40 games.
  3. krsmith17

    All Purpose Grand Rapids Griffins Thread

    Sproul was our best defender for a while there, playing great hockey, while paired with Paetsch. The past few games he has been paired with Brennan Evans and he hasn't looked near as good. A lot can be said about the veteran presence of a guy like Nathan Paetsch, he makes whoever he is paired with, that much better. There's no question that Marchenko is our most consistent, and definitely most NHL ready defenseman. He is more of a shut down defender but can put up some points as well. He doesn't shoot very often, despite having a pretty decent shot, he is also a very underrated passer. He leads the Griffins defense in points, despite getting very little power-play time, spending most of his time at even strength and penalty kill. Mantha hasn't been playing as well as many had anticipated, but he's right where I figured he would be at this point. I said that I think he will start to pick it up after Christmas and I still expect that to be the case. He has been playing much better as of late, although he did have a pretty forgettable game last night, with a couple horrendous turnovers. The thing that I still see Mantha lacking, is what he was labeled for in his draft year, up until he supposedly proved everyone wrong in his final year of junior. He lacks compete level. Often times he will give the puck away and then show little to no effort in trying to get it back. He doesn't back check the way he should, and until he improves his defensive game, I don't see him making the jump to the NHL. I'm sure Blashill has had talks with him and I'm sure he will get it straightened out, but until then, he will remain down in Grand Rapids.
  4. krsmith17

    1/18 GDT : Sabres 4 at Red Wings 6 (Z w/Hat Trick)

    Mrazek is getting the start again tonight.
  5. krsmith17

    Jimmy Howard.......All-Star!

    I love Mrazek and I think he will eventually be better than Howard. However, at this point in their respective careers, Howard is their guy, and the team wants their number one back as soon as possible. To think otherwise is a tad ridiculous in my opinion. I did watch the postgame interview with Trevor Thompson that you are referring to and after commenting on the teams play of late, being reunited with Tatar and Nyquist, and his set-up on the Tatar goal where he was actually looking for "Pukey"... (Pulkkinen) back door before Tatar intercepted and batted in the pass for the goal, as well as his set-up on the first goal by "Nyquie"... (Nyquist) Here's exactly what was said talking about Mrazek... Thompson: "And again another big game for Mrazek here tonight as he fills in for Jimmy Howard. This guy hasn't skipped a beat" Sheahan: "He's amazing and I know all the guys like when he's in the net, plays the puck really well and breaks it out for us and then he's amazing in the net, so we definitely feel comfortable with him in there" How you can translate that into the team not missing Howard... I don't know... What did you expect him to say? "Yeah, Mrazek has played well, but we can't wait for Jimmy to get back"... You're just trying too hard to put down Howard, and you're looking for someone, anyone, to jump on your "Howard Sucks Train". Howard has had an unbelievable year up until his recent injury, and assuming he can keep up his great play, when he returns in a few weeks, there is no reason to not want him manning the pipes as our number one. Mrazek will be the full time back-up next season and I would not be surprised if he steals the number one job in a couple years from now, in the meantime enjoy the ride, we should be in great shape at the goalie position for the next 10+ years...
  6. krsmith17

    Dylan Larkin

    5 points out of a team 10. Garbage! Trade him. We should be able to get a big lanky mediocre defenseman for him...
  7. krsmith17

    Franzen on IR

    I agree Kip, but there is ONE Leaf that I would love to have... Cody Franson. I think he is the one bright spot on that loser team...
  8. krsmith17

    Franzen on IR

    IF they ate 50% of his cap, I might consider trading Kindl for him... All joking aside, Phaneuf really isn't nearly as bad as he's portrayed to be by Leafs fans and Toronto media, he's just way over paid. For $3.5M he would be worth it and he would be a solid 2nd pairing defenseman for some team. I'm just not so sure I'd want him in Detroit...
  9. krsmith17

    Do we need a trade to get our offence going ?

    Yandle isn't even an option. He would cost way more than Kenny or most any Red Wings fan would be willing to give up. Zombo's package of Smith, Pulkkinen, Larkin, and a first is probably fairly accurate in what they would be asking for, possibly even more (Smith, Ouellet, Mantha and a first). And there is no way I give up that package for Yandle...
  10. krsmith17

    Are the Wings a Contender?

    Dickie, I think it's pretty clear that anyone would trade a Mantha or Larkin type of prospect for a Weber, Doughty, Pietrangelo, Tavares, Seguin, Benn, Giroux, or any other young, established player in the league. But those types of players simply are not available. When I say, "this is my untouchable list", I mean, "in any plausible trade that Ken Holland could make, I would not trade...". The type of trade that Holland is likely to make (if any) leading up to the trade deadline would be for a rental / veteran / depth defenseman. So no, I would not trade anyone on my lengthy "untradeable" list for what Holland could possibly get in said trade... You (some people) may be okay with trading away a Pulkkinen or Athanasiou for a few months of a Zidlicky or Petry, but I would not...
  11. Dickie, I understand your mindset that no prospect is a sure thing, and that like any prospect, Mrazek is not a "can't miss" goaltender. However, you can also say the same thing about Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel in this upcoming draft... Alexandre Daigle and Patrik Stefan say hello... But realistically, with the way scouting and player development is today, we will see less and less of these top prospects face plant like the aforementioned. No, Mrazek was not drafted first overall or even in the first round like these guys, but he has been regarded as one of the top goalie prospects not in the NHL for the last year or so. I agree though that he, along with any of our top prospects (Mantha) should not be labeled as the next big thing and thrown into the fire, not until they can prove they can get it done at the pro level on a consistent basis over time. So no, trading Howard should not even be a thought at this point, and yes we can carry both guys for at least another 2-3 years.
  12. krsmith17

    Are the Wings a Contender?

    I doubt Kenny's untouchable list is much different from mine. Kenny is very conservative when it comes to trading away assets and for good reason. Unless there is a big name player coming this way, our list of players to hold on to should be pretty lengthy. My list consists of Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Nyquist, Tatar, Jurco, Sheahan, Kronwall, DeKeyser, Smith, Pulkkinen, Mantha, Athanasiou, Larkin, Sproul and Mrazek. Like I said, unless a big name player in coming our way...
  13. PavelValerievichDatsyuk, I couldn't agree more, on all points. We have the organizational depth that most teams can only dream of, and despite never having any of these top 3-5 picks, we're still able to find a lot of gems. As sad as I will be to see the eventual retirement of players like Zetterberg, Datsyuk and Kronwall, I am extremely excited to see the likes of Pulkkinen, Mantha, Athanasiou, Larkin, Sproul, Ouellet etc. make this team full time. Not to mention, we have a pretty talented up and coming core of Nyquist, Tatar, Jurco, Sheahan, DeKeyser and Smith. I honestly believe that aside from that '02 team, this will be the talented group of Red Wings we will have seen in a long time... Whatever you do Holland, don't stray from the plan, stay the course, and keep the kids, and obviously Hank and Pav as well... I found it funny when you mentioned how Zetterberg has won a cup and played in the playoffs every year of his career, and that few players can say that. Well, I'm not sure on this, but I would think the only guys that can say that, that are currently playing and have been in the league for over 5 years, are the guys that were on that '08 Stanley Cup team (Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Kronwall, Ericsson, Helm and Abdelkader)... Anyone who thinks this team is not in good shape going forward, clearly hasn't been paying attention...
  14. No offense, but do you even follow the Red Wings? There is zero chance the most loyal organization in all of sports makes such a ridiculous move... Not to mention if there is one thing this team has an abundance in, it's top end prospects. Over the next few years, we will have more NHL ready guys knocking on the door than we have spots for... And you're suggesting trading our two best players that have done everything for the organization, for picks so we can overflow the system with even more prospects?... Also, we're really not that far away from contention. Is it likely we win the cup this year? No, probably not. Is it likely we win in the next 3-5 by maintaining the course we're on? I absolutely think so.
  15. krsmith17

    Jimmy Howard.......All-Star!

    So who will be representing the Red Wings?
  16. krsmith17

    Franzen on IR

    There's nothing less appealing in an individual, than an arrogant, pompous, told-you-so attitude. Throw enough s*** at the wall, and some is bound to stick... Even a broken clock is right twice a day... People spew enough far-out opinions, they're bound to be "right" sooner or later...
  17. krsmith17

    All Purpose Grand Rapids Griffins Thread

    http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=312018 Only 15 years old, and yes he's a defenseman. Right handed though. Sign him up...
  18. krsmith17

    1/13 GDT : Red Wings 3 at Sabres 1

    Pulkkinen will pot one next game. I'm still disappointed Babcock didn't put him out there for 5 on 3 last game. Disappointed, not surprised though...
  19. krsmith17

    Do we need a trade to get our offence going ?

    If we give up any assets for a scrub goalie for a few weeks, when we have a very capable netminder while Howard and Gustavsson are out, I'd be pissed. Mrazek has shown that he is very capable, let the kid do his thing.
  20. krsmith17

    Do we need a trade to get our offence going ?

    I'm not taking the bait anymore Kip... There's no way you're truly that anti-Smith...
  21. krsmith17

    Franzen on IR

    LOL I like Smith and I think he will be a solid 2nd pairing defenseman in the next year or two, and I would no doubt be disappointed if he were traded before reaching his full potential. However, I can guarantee, I would not still be bitching about it 6 years from now... Also, I'd love to know who is arguing, saying that he has been playing well, or that it was the right choice way back when... The difference is, not everyone feels the need to bring it up every single time, Franzen's name is mentioned... Get Over It!... Your constant bitching isn't going to change the fact that we have Franzen, and Hossa is in Chicago, so why bother? Actually, come to think of it, why am I bothering with this? I know it's not going to stop. The same people will still be complaining about "The Choice" long after both guys are retired... It's sad really...
  22. krsmith17

    Do we need a trade to get our offence going ?

    Where is the "Dislike This" button when you need it...
  23. There are a lot of "if's" in there. "If Mrazek proves he's ready", "If Mrazek is at least as good as Howard". My point is that you don't trade a top goalie in the world, and replace him with a relatively unproven prospect. If you're not one of the people that were saying trade Howard before this season even started, then I guess my last post wasn't directed at you. I'm as big a fan of Mrazek as anyone, but I'm not ready to hand over the reigns just yet. He still has a ton to prove at the NHL level. I think he will get there. We'll have a better idea after these next few weeks, and I'm personally looking forward to see what the kid got.
  24. krsmith17

    Franzen on IR

    Like I said before... It was 6 ******* years ago... Get over it... Every GM makes mistakes and that was clearly one of Holland's. Difference between Kenny and the other 29 general managers is that his mistakes are a lot more few and far between.
  25. krsmith17

    Do we need a trade to get our offence going ?

    I honestly don't believe Holland has been actively shopping Kindl, or anybody for that matter. If he were, I don't think he would be okay with Babcock scratching him every chance he gets. It really boggles my mind, sometimes it seems as though they're trying to up Kindl's value by putting him on the powerplay, and then the very next game he is scratched. I think he should remain in the lineup so maybe someone would take him in a trade, if not, waive him...