chaps80

I think they'll make the playoffs, be it with Mrazek or Lyon. I'm pretty sure Mrazek hasn't put himself in a situation where he's not going to play regularily, yet. They're trying not use Lyon too much, that was clear when the trade was made for Mrazek even though Hextall didn't want it. He won't run ten straight. Everyone knows how good Mrazek is when he's on his game, but he needs to give himself a kick in the ass and stop being so bipolar with his play starting yesterday. Or he may as well get himself ready to go home or play as a third stringer in the NHL somewhere for peanuts. He'll get that one more win, no worries about that. It will only be one third rounder out of the deal though, nothing more. Might play against the Wings Tuesday, but who knows right now. When the trade happened, no doubt about it. Would be cool to see him get that 5th win then though.

Tankin.

I made peace with it long ago. It can't get that much worse. Currently tied for fifth worst in the league? Or is it fourth worst? May as well bottom right out next season. It guarantees no worse than a 4th overall pick. If were gonna suck, may as well REALLY suck and make it worth it.

He might not even play.

Yeah, they're pretty confident Elliott will be ready in time for the playoffs. Considering he had surgery, him being on the ice already, getting exercise, staying in shape somewhat, is good. Neuvirth is out for the season i'm sure. Even if he is ready, highly doubt he will get the backup role over Mrazek or Lyon. Hextall seems pretty fed up with him being made of glass and unable to be counted on, especially going down right after Elliott, forcing his hand into a trade he didn't really want to make. He was going to ride Neuvirth while giving Lyon odd starts, but Mikey had other plans. Would be surprised to see him black and orange again.

ALWAYS!

It's always a possibility he could come back. I agree he'll never win a Cup as a starter. He's not a big game guy. Only been to the second round twice in his career, and that's when the Wings were still a contender somewhat. He'd have to play for an absolute powerhouse that just needs him to make stops, not steal games. And those situations don't exist anymore, havent for a long time. But even as a backup, it still beats futility with a team that has no chance of winning anytime soon. Things could turn around faster in the process of rejoining the contenders if things fall into place, absolutely. But winning a Cup is years away IMO. Howard will be long gone.

Well if there's any picks available at next seasons deadline for him, that trade has to be made with him being an upcoming UFA. Tank again then look at options in summer. If they decide Howard would be the best option (for WAY cheaper), he can re-sign July 1 if he wants. If not, or he signs with the team he was traded to, so be it. I'd just prefer to have him gone for good once he's gone. Just like all the vets with big money deals. Time to move on. He may even want to leave Detroit in the past as well. He'll be in his mid-30's, short window to still try to win a Cup for a guy who's been injured a few times. No chance of that in Detroit.

I dunno how a 6'6 220lb or whatever he is goalie can be so horrible. He was born with the main thing he needs to cover the net, size. Top of his head is over the crossbar when he's on his knees. Stand up square to the shooter and cut the angles down to nothing. He seems to think he's got all this athletic ability. He's a big awkward bean pole with zero of it. You can't be all over the place and off your skates sliding and lying on the ice trying to stop shots when you don't have the reaction time to do it. Not saying Bishop is the greatest. He's pretty overrated. But Coreau would do good to study tapes of him and how he uses his size to his full advantage.

Mantha acts tough, but he's soft.

Blashill suckssssss.

2020 UFA goalies. I could handle a few of them taking over for Jimmy. Bobrovsky, Rinne, Fleury won't hit UFA, but the rest may or will. 1. Sergei Bobrovsky UFA 29 G Left $6,200,000 $7,425,000 2. Pekka Rinne UFA 35 G Left $7,000,000 $7,000,000 3. Semyon Varlamov UFA 29 G Left $5,500,000 $5,900,000 4. Marc-André Fleury UFA 33 G Left $5,750,000 $5,750,000 5. Mike Smith UFA 35 G Right $5,000,000 $5,666,667 6. Jimmy Howard UFA 33 G Left $4,250,000 $5,291,667 7. Cam Talbot UFA 30 G Left $4,200,000 $4,166,667 8. Steve Mason UFA 29 G Right $4,100,000 $4,100,000 9. Brian Elliott UFA 32 G Left $3,000,000 $2,750,000 10. Anders Nilsson UFA 27 G Left $2,000,000 $2,500,000 11. Michal Neuvirth UFA 29 G Left $2,500,000 $2,500,000 12. Ryan Miller UFA 37 G Left $2,000,000 $2,000,000 13. Keith Kinkaid UFA 28 G Left $1,300,000 $1,250,000 14. Al Montoya UFA 33 G Left $1,125,000 $1,062,500 15. Peter Budaj UFA 35 G Left $1,025,000 $1,025,000 16. Curtis McElhinney UFA 34 G Left $850,000 $850,000 17. Jean-François Bérubé UFA 26 G Left $700,000 $700,000 18. Casey DeSmith UFA 26 G Left $650,000 $675,000 19. Troy Grosenick UFA 28 G Left $650,000 $650,000 20. Alex Stalock UFA 30 G Left $650,000 $650,000 21. Pheonix Copley UFA 26 G Left $650,000 $650,000

Keep the tank full speed ahead boys!! Call up Kaden Fulcher to start the rest of the games. Actually, no. He might win a few.

Yep. And no Raanta in the offseason please. Money for nothing. Just roll forward with Jimmy and Jared until Jimmy's deal is up or he can be traded and figure it out then. Need to lose anyways. And when Jimmy is gone Kenny, JUST LET HIM GO!!

Even I can't defend his recent play in Philly after his great start there. He has the perfect chance. Change of scenery, the chance to start all the games he can get in front of a better team, but he's slipped right back into play very reminiscent of last season. Either very good or very bad. He may have just lost the starting job to Lyon, the kid who he was brought in to handle the load for. Lyon just won 4-2 against the Canes tonight. No excuses for Mrazek anymore. Elliott still isn't due back for a bit, but if the Flyers make the playoffs, I think the Wings can kiss anything more than that one third rounder goodbye, because unless Mrazek gets his s*** together real quick, he won't be playing any playoff games with Elliott available. He might not even be on the bench. And if that happens, kiss the extra third for re-signing him goodbye too, although that was a long shot unless he kept that streak of great games going. Really hoped he finally got his s*** together, especially after continuing his great play when he got to Philly. Not sure what'll become of him July 1, but if he does find a team, he's not getting paid much barring a turnaround. And he better do it now. Sad stuff. So much potential but zero consistency. Smarten up.

And old things are crappy and boring. Kronwall peg legging it around the ice, excitement defined.

Jury is still out on Mrazek. He hasn’t really missed a step since being moved. Wait and see how he does the rest of the season/playoffs at least. You seem like you hope he doesn’t succeed. If anything, you should hope he does succeed so the pick gets better. Smith though, definite fail. Holland fleeced the Rags, then they screwed themselves.

Vegas as well. I can see that being an attractive option for him.

I’m sure he does have a certain level of sway within the organization. Players who have spent 20 years with a franchise since being drafted and played at the level he has, won a Cup, and is currently the captain, usually do. I’m just not sure if it’s at that level where he can influence the GM not to buy out a contract. I already said that was a rumour. Sorry I didn’t word it EXACTLY right. Figured you could understand what I was trying to say.

And he usually settles ahead of or outside the hearing anyways. Mrazek wanted 5 million per, Holland was offering 2.85. They settled on 4. Tatar wanted 6 if I remember correct, Holland offered 5 for 5 years, and they settled at 5.3 for four. So by those numbers, Larkin probably won’t lose much money if Holland takes him to arbitration. And arbitration can strain player/GM relationships. That’s a risk to take for certain ones, but Larkin is a franchise cornerstone for the future. Don’t bow to a ridiculous amount, but if your not that far apart, then avoid it. Holland plays hardball with his young future guys but throws money and term at vets and older UFAs. That’s gotta stop.

I said APPARANTLY. Meaning not sure if it’s true or not. But there were rumours out there. Most stuff like this can never really be confirmed by even the best “insider”. If Z did ask Holland, neither of them would say it publicly, since it wouldn’t look very good.

Which is why I’d be fine with him being signed for one more season, only as a stop gap measure while they look for his replacement. No need to make a decision over the summer, and I doubt they will. Doesn’t seem like enough time for the Wings. They won’t rush it, but I hope he’s gone.

Oh, Z has influence. Not as much as some think, but I believe he can influence some decisions due to his position and nearly two decades with the team. When Holland was thinking of buying out E in the summer, Z and Krons went to him to convince him not to, apparantly. Never know if Z went to see him on Nyquist’ behalf, but it’s not immediately dismissable.

Yep. Can’t just say they were wrong after they’ve used league money to prop the franchise up for so long. Everyone has already noticed the futility of the situation awhile back though, so it doesn’t look good on them regardless. Players don’t want to sign there, and i’m sure at each draft whenever Arizona’s pick is coming up all the kids pray they aren’t the one chosen. I still cant believe Doan wasted his entire career there. Never asked for a trade to a contender as far as I know either. That’s dedication to futility right there!

Same. I think Minny might even regret moving him. Setoguchi, Coyle and a 1st (became Zack Phillips, never sniffed the NHL) from SJ for Burns and a 2nd ( traded to Tampa for Moore and a 7th). Lol