frankgrimes

Very well done, I like the fact that even Chris gets mentioned at the end. Will be interesting to see if he is about winning a cup or the bottom line.

AA basically has 1 asset which is tremendous speed and he is still young enough to maybe witness a deep run in the distant future but the guy doesn't seem to have any defensive abilities so he will never be a reliable 2 way player. Saying he is already better than Nyquist is wrong Nyquist to me is the most dangerous pure goal scorer on the team right now but the league has long adjusted to him so it's much harder to do it regular. The NHL teams also planned for Larkin and he has yet to figure out how to adjust his game, the same is going to happen with AA stopping him is not that difficult keep the guy on the outside and force him to shoot his release is not that good. With that being said this whole saga just proves that the Wings are having the wrong priorities. Can't or don't want to sign him fine the trade the guy and get a pick or else sign him. The days of young guys signing low ball offers are over maybe the Wings front office needs to learn that the hard way.

Very justified and understandable. I think KH and JB are a package deal because both are in the last year of their contracts. I'm sure Larkin and Mantha are watching closely

See that's why it's better to focus on the positive things like the best draft pick since years, the chance to pick Dahlin in order to kick off the real rebuild. Looking at it this way is much better than getting depressed with the current office. AA has the chance to play with Pasha learn from him and make more money while doing so ad the Olympics and the decision is even easier. Young blood is needed from top to botrom in this organization. Hopefully it happens next year

Larkin, Mantha, Dekeyser = 3 for hockey in general very glad it's back so my hype level is of course

First off thank you still getting used to the new design of the site liked the old one much better and found it easy to handle. By precedent being set I meant the RFA market like everything else in this league is changing and front offices need to keep that in mind that's not just on the GM it's GM, AGM and whatever job description a cap guru has. There is no guarantee to land the top pick but the Wings should be one of the teams with the highest odds to land Dahlin and if that fails at least get the 4 overall. If I'm the GM with the roster right now I'd be looking for getting a good pick for him instead of losing AA to the KHL for nothing and then going through this again. That being said I would also work my butt of to get rid of vets in order to retain Larkin and Mantha.

This precedent has been set long before that ship has sailed. It's not about AA being worth the asking price or not it' about not thinking ahead when signing veterans to unmovable deals, period. What's next Mantha and Larkin getting lowballed? When you are a team that's almost guaranteed a top pick you don't trade your first round pick and nobody is going to offer a top 4 dman for AA. AA can come back and ask for a trade so the Wings return would be even less that's the reality. Getting worked up over this stuff is useless but everyone saw it coming and it's just another reason why this franchise needs people from the outside starting next year

Of course that's why I think Chris will do something after this year. Just ride it out watch some teams that actually have promising young talent and hope for Dahlin or at least secure a top 4 pick. Edmonton and Toronto needed to see all the flaws till they acted maybe its the same with Detroit AA's situation shows a lack of longterm thinking and therefore the wrong philosophy for a real rebuild

It's not a bluff if he actually does go because he then fullfills the intention, if he doesn't it would have been a bluff. Wheter AA is worth 3 mill per or not isn't the problem the way this organization is dealing with young players is while and if that doesn't change next year Detroit will not be a favorable destination new arena or not.

Here is the article http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2017/09/05/detroit-red-wings-andreas-athanasiou/632696001/ so: 3 million tax free plus Olympics vs low ball offers and no Olympics on a bottom five team Tough choice? Not really look I don't think AA is that great but he is better than some of the beloved have beens on this team and it's not Ferris' or AA's job to help out here. if you are scenario is true and it very well could be just as likely as mine then the Wings would have a massive ownership problem simple as that and at that point I'd be looking to become a fan of team like Buffalo who's owner is like Mr. I

He doesn't have to if Chris doesn't extend his contract he would be gone or even if he did Holland could still get fired. It will be very interesting to see how he handles all of that before the draft if he is happy with the current state then Holland would be way down the list of problems and Chris would shoot to the top but I believe he is smart and hopefully cares as much as his dad did if not oh well.. AA can make more in 1 year of KHL hockey than in this whole bridge contract or whatever the Wings had planned for him.

Yes I think so. Chris is a smart guy he knows this seasons highlight is going to be draft and no GM is going to change that because the team has no cap space and no elite talent. So he will honor Holland's and Blashills contract but not extending them. Martin, Draper and a some scouts should also be evaluated of course it's just me rehashing the thoughts from the Wings Podcast but it makes a lot of sense. Maybe it's non sense and Chris is happy with status quo but that would spell doom for the Wings going forward especially given the Leafs like ticket prices while also accepting a basketball team into a hockey arena.. If AA really goes to the KHL that's smart he can increase his value and play in the Olympics

Wow pages upon pages for a guy who has insane speed but lacks defensive ability and doesn't seem to be a low maintenance type of player and who experts project as a 3rd line center. I' not saying AA is wrong here it' not his job to manage or help out with the cap. If AA and his camp think they are worth more and the Wings aren' willing or able to offer it ask for a trade publicly. Otherwise sign a KHL contract play in the Olympics and increase your value further. I believe getting fixated on any current player is a mistake because next year when the real rebuild starts a new core needs to be build, vets on ltir... Wheter AA stays or goes has no impact on that but of course it would reflect poorly on the organization from top to botttom because it would show a lack of long-term thinking in terms of signings and cap management

Biggest franchise, o 6, largest fanbase, huge media market and one of the next superstar centers = $$$ but wow that's a huge amount of cash For me it will always be the Maple Leafs Gardens

Whats wrong with a PTO? It's a chance for the player to see the team and for the team to see the player. At the very least it pushes young guns on the cusp of making the team to work harder and not get everything handed to them.

Sorry but that's wrong Larkin played awesome for this first half of the season, after the ASG his play dropped and it continued to do so last year. Can the guy bounce back? Yes, will he be as good as he showed in his first half season who knows. I think the truth is the guy will be a very good second line center but

Rightfully so

Fact is by the time the Wings could be able to do some damage again Tatar will be past his prime, so why not get cap space and a pick for him now. Nyquist and Tatar are similar players no need for both

Turned out to be a very solid player but the Wings need picks so I'd rather trade him maybe for a lesser return than lose the guy for nothing.

2003 such a tough season

Classic sign and trade scenario, sign him to one year and then trade him to a contender

Leafs management: Best coach in hockey Most experienced GM in the game Mark Hunter also known as draft Guru A guy who wants input from everyone and he can convince ownership to look at the big picture Very talented young Marlies GM in Dubas That's a lot of front office knowledge plus they have great young core add a top pairing guy fo to Reilly and they're set for years to come which should be scary for everyone in the east.

Agreed it would be great. Personally I think using him as an asset to get cap space and a pick for next year would make more sense

Like this a lot

Don't think so, Galchenyuk is a better player. Tatar while a good top 6 winger isn't as versatile and to easy to knock if the puck. Galchenyuk can also play center. I would offer him 4 mill for 5 years to get a tradeable contract