krsmith17

I think it is VERY unlikely Mantha makes the big club straight out of training camp. I would also be very surprised if he plays more than half a dozen games with the Wings this season. I hope he lights the AHL on fire, with 90+ points in 70 games but I don't see it. Even with all the size and skill he possesses, I see him struggling for the first month or so and finishing the season with a moderate 60 points in 70 games. Still not bad for a first year pro, but I think a lot of people are setting the bar too high for this guy before he even gets a glimpse of pro hockey. But of course, I hope he blows my expectations out of the water.

WingedWheel91, you make a lot of valid points, and I see where you're coming from. The potential is definitely there in this kid, but I think that would be MASSIVE overpayment. I understand that you have to give to get in a trade and what not, but that is way too much to give up on a guy that is still very much a project, no matter how you slice it.

I agree with you Kip, I'd much prefer to keep Tatar then trade him in a package for a project player such as Myers. However, I'm definitely not near as high on Tatar as you, I'm not sure if anyone is... I feel that he is the most expendable out of the young forwards, including Nyquist, Jurco, Sheahan, Mantha, and although I may be alone in thinking this, I'd add Pulkkinen to that list as well. I guess you know how I feel when I see everyone putting Smith in every trade package scenario, including yourself... There are always going to be fans angry about losing specific players, it's just the nature of the beast. I just think we should keep all of our young guys for now, including Tatar AND Smith.

"Top prospect Anthony Mantha didn't figure in the scoring but he didn't disappoint either. Mantha was one of the speediest - as well as one of the best - on the ice and is also among the biggest at 6-5." - Brendan Savage.

I'm surprised so many people are saying that he should spend the whole year in Grand Rapids. I definitely agree, I just thought there were a lot more people here saying he should be given an NHL spot out of camp. My bet is he starts the season down in Grand Rapids, he struggles for the first month - month and a half before he really finds his game, he possibly gets a look when a top 6 guy goes down with an injury, and is sent down after a few mediocre games, he finishes his first pro season with around 60 points in 70 games. He starts the following season, again with Grand Rapids and is leading the league halfway through the season with 50 points in 35 games, he then gets called up and remains with the Wings for the rest of the season, scoring 25 points in 45 games with the Wings...

I get that he's a pretty skilled player, but he's smaller than Almquist. Definitely not the type of player we should be targeting...

Really? This seemed like a thread worthy topic... Sad...

Couldn't agree more VM1138.

I'm a huge Holland supporter and I think he is still doing a great job and is STILL one of the best GMs in the league. But look at what Nill is doing in Dallas. It's crazy how quick he is turning that team around. I strongly believe they will be a serious contender within a few years. Part of me wished he took over as GM of the Wings and Holland took on another role. Again, I love Holland, so please don't turn this into another Holland bash fest. Nill just gets s*** done.

I also think we should be able to sign both Tatar and DeKeyser at around $3M per combined... Tatar - $1.250M per for 2-3 years and DeKeyser for $1.750 per for 2-3 years... Get it done Kenny!

Great signing. I was figuring around $950K - $1M.

It's not at all that I wouldn't want a second line center for around $6M or so per on a long term deal, because I absolutely would. However, I wouldn't want a third line center making $4.9M for the next 4 seasons. I would love to have a guy like Stastny but when we already have a capable number 2 center in Weiss. And yes, for all you naysayers, Weiss is very capable and he will show his worth this season when he puts up 55+ points.

Euro_Twins, you live in Windsor and you have to work TODAY? The biggest day in ALL of Canada... Oh yeah, and it's also Canada Day...

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

Thanks nawein, for whatever reason I cannot copy links on my account...

Red Wings aggressively pursuing Matt Niskanen, Dan Boyle in free agency; out on Christian Ehrhoff - Khan.

Apparently, it has turned into a one horse race, we're out on Ehrhoff according to Khan...

No, we're not in on Stastny... Did we really need another thread for this? It couldn't have been discussed in any of the other dozen UFA threads?...

I wouldn't necessarily call Frk a bust just yet. I'll save my judgement on him until after a full season with the Griffins. He's definitely going through a tough adjustment from junior to pro but I still have confidence in him becoming a solid third line winger with a chance at second line duties at the NHL level.

Thanks. I'd have a look at McBain for sure if we missed out on a couple other big names.

No on Del Zotto for me...

Source on McBain?...

If he plays with the Wings, under 40. With any other team, over 60...

My priority list would be... Defensemen Matt Niskanen - 6-7 years at 5.5 - 6M Christian Ehrhoff - 2-3 years at 4 - 4.5M Tom Gilbert - 2-3 years at 3 - 3.5M Dan Boyle - 1-2 years at 5 - 5.5M Sami Salo - 1 year at 3.5 - 4M Derek Morris - 1-2 years at 2.5 - 3M Anton Stralman - 2-3 years at 2.5 - 3M Forwards Jarome Iginla - 1-2 years at 5 - 5.5M (some of the cap being in performance bonuses that can be transferred to next season) Daniel Alfredsson - 1 year at 2 - 2.5M (".....performance bonuses.....") I'd like to see us grab one defenceman and one forward.

I agree that tomorrow is going to be a little more exciting than past Free Agency Frenzies, but I'm not sure it will be for Detroit so much... I think it is a long shot to think that Detroit will bring in 3 big name UFA's and I'm ok with that. You really think over paying for another left handed center, when we already have an abundance of centers, and targeting 2 left handed defencemen, on the wrong side of 30 is our best options?... I disagree. I wouldn't mind going after Ehrhoff if we strike out on Niskanen, but Volchenkov isn't even remotely close to the top of my list...