chaps80

I thought he chose Franzen over Hossa? Lol

That damn Bure. Fedorov could have signed a deal then worked out his personal stuff though. Holland probably wanted the deal done so they could both relax on it and focus on other things. After all Fedorov did for the team, I don't see Holland not allowing him some personal time after that, whether he was there on opening night or not. As long as he was returning within a reasonable timeline. Leaving Detroit didn't really work out for the rest of his NHL career anyways. His number could go up someday. But if it ever goes up before #30, that would be an epic kick in the nuts to Osgood.

Not that cut and dry to me. Howard improved when it looked like he was done in Detroit, and it coincided with Mrazek's fall when he looked like he was the future in Detroit. Mrazek was superior when he first broke in, enough to unseat a guy who had a hold on the job for a few seasons already. He was impressive. But he fell off and Howard took advantage and took the job back and has been superior since. Can chalk it up to veteran experience and hard work with Howard. He re-invented his playing style and it's paid off. With Mrazek, seems like youthful lack of discipline, not very open to coaching help, stubborn, and won't make needed permanent changes. Even though i'm sure he knows his aggressive style burns him. He has more natural talent than Howard, but needs to make adjustments and dig in to figure things out if he wants to stay in the NHL. He seems to just shrug off goals and bad games, which is a good quality, but you can't take it to the point of not caring and not learn from it. Howard made his adjustments and seems to be thriving. Mrazek might not be a Wing next season, but I can see him getting one year somewhere at a big pay cut as one last chance simply due to age and potential. Get him cheap, might turn out to be a hell of a steal.

Happy for Bert. Sudbury produces some damn good hockey players.

He stopped every shot he faced. He was as good as he needed to be. The defence actually played quite well in front of him though.

I’m neutral. I think players will stay away from it though, regardless. At least until the old guard has retired or moved on. 100% serious about #90 though. It’s cursed.

I’m neutral. I think players will stay away from it though, regardless. At least until the old guard has retired or moved on. 100% serious about #90 though. It’s cursed.

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2017/12/could_red_wings_get_a_decent_d.html Discussion with the Edmonton Oilers about Mrazek centered around a fourth- or fifth-round pick. The Red Wings, who would like a third-rounder, decided it was better to keep him around as insurance while they're still reasonably close to a playoff position. Pretty sure any trade involved Holland retaining salary as well. I’ve accepted his fate. Games like today’s make me wish the team wouldn’t give up on him though. He clearly hasn’t lost what he once had, but isn’t showing it enough for them when he gets chances now and then. Pretty good turnaround from Tampa though, I must say.

Petr shuts out the Hawks. Good job kid!!

No, but I think he’ll still be on the roster at the end of this season. Edmonton offered a fourth or fifth depending on factors, but Holland turned it down. I don’t see any higher offers than that coming in now. Holland may sell lower as time runs out though, if there’s interest. But why would there be interest from a playoff team in him? Or, Holland may still see him as an asset, and not just give him to another team just because he can, even if it means he walks. He COULD be qualified in principle in the off-season, but then settle for a lot less. Not like he’s going to get close to his current salary anywhere in the league anyways. Or they just cut ties fullly and promote Coreau. Who knows. This 99.9% wouldn’t happen, but I read something recently where it was suggested they put him back in the AHL now and bring Coreau up. That way he’d get a lot more playing time and be able to work on his game. But that’s IF they still have any faith that he can return to form, and IF he clears waivers. His salary is going way down in July, a team may snag him for nothing. All kinds of options. But right now, I do expect Howard/Coreau next season. Its weird how well he was doing at one point, then just fell off. Coaches earlier in his career thought he was really something special. Fierce competitor with superior athletic ability and eyes in the back of his head. Thrived under high pressure and was never rattled. Every game he would be out to outplay whoever was across the ice from him, and usually did. He rose up very quickly, and fell down almost as quickly. Shame. Such is goaltending though...

People still watch the ASG? Seems like players aren’t even excited about being selected anymore. It’s like “Damn, I really wanted to go home for a couple days instead, but I guess...”

Sounds good to me. Keep bringing the kids up.

Hahaha screw interviews. He barely makes sense anyways. Obv he’s going out trying to win. They’re not in blatant Buffalo McDavid draft tank mode. But inadvertent losses are a good thing. Barely missing the playoffs is the worst spot to finish when you need a top pick desperately. Next game will be even tougher though, cause it’s Chicago with a 32 year old rookie in net. We always make rookies look great.

Yep. After that playoff run, he deserved that Cup and I agree he would have won the Smythe. Sucks how one game changes things so much. He gave the team every chance to win. He should get in the HHOF no problem. There are much less deserving guys in there. Sawchuk is the only goalie with his number in the rafters, and if you look at all time playoff stats, Osgood shares the whole column with him besides two spots GAA (Smith) and sv% (Joseph). Time to put another goalie up, and it’s clear who it should be.

Well this game sucked. Losses are good though, keep em coming.

Think that’s fair. Add #90 too, but for a different reason. #40 is a lock. #30 should be up there too. When you own the all time career playoff record for games played, minutes played, wins, shutouts, and even points on an Original 6 franchise, I think it’s deserved. But for a goalie who achieved so much, he’s always been an afterthought with some fans, while being considered a legend to others. Did his job well, won a lot of games and three Cups. But he was quiet, wasn’t flashy and didn’t really stand out, and didn’t compete much for individual league awards. I’m sure retiring his number has been discussed by Wings brass. #91? Skills, stats, individual awards, and Cups are there, but that is somewhat tarnished by his money hungry attitude and him leaving Detroit for Anaheim in the off-season right after the first round upset sweep. I dunno if Wings brass would bother with it at this point.

I’m counting starts. Not games he came in in relief, of which there were two. Nov 9, 25. Dec 2, 25. Then tonight. Before that he was getting more starts. Then all of a sudden barely anything. As i’ve said three times now, I get it. He’s got no future in Detroit and it’s clear. I’d like to see him get a chance elsewhere and I hope he does.

True. But the era most of them played under Brodeur, NJ was a powerhouse with a nasty trap system. Marty even benefitted from that. Detroit currently is s***.

He’s played more, but only because Blash was actually playing him up until early November and he had some solid outings while playing some high powered offensive teams. Since Nov. 9 he’s had four starts. Three in two months give or take. Doubt he would have played tonight had things been the norm. McIllhenneys are spaced out pretty consistently. Hasn’t had one for a little bit though. Bit of a bad example, I see quite a few Leaf games and he seemed to be in net more than his numbers indicate. but the fact remains Blash just gave up on Mrazek and they may as well move him.

Other teams actually use their backups in some sort of rotation though. Look at Babcock. He doesn’t let Curt Mac rot just because he has Fred Andersen. The Wings have Coreau. They’d be fine. Why not take money off the books? Money off the books sounded good around here when the Mrazek trade rumours hit a couple months ago. What’s changed?

Nah I just look at other factors. But it doesn’t matter anymore, his fate has clearly already been decided. Three whole starts since late November, and only got this one due to Howard’s injury or whatever it is. And you expect him to come in cold against Tampa and win? Lol I knew he wouldn’t do well. Not many goalies would after that kinda lay off. A backup goalie needs to play more than once or twice a month. It’s common sense. I dunno why the Wings are holding onto him if he’s clearly not in their current or future plans. Why not just waive him and hope he gets picked up and $4 mill comes off the books? What are they worried about? He’s not needed, is he?

Can always count on that!

No idea. Doesn’t seem that way, but maybe he looks half decent. But that’s kinda how things go when he starts like two games a month. Keeping the backup rusty is key to Blashill’s process. May as well start Coreau, least he’s played recently. 5-2. Nice.

I looked at the lineup for tonight and saw Mrazek starting. Was thinking to myself that it hasn’t been a month since his last start yet, and Howard has been playing well, what’s up? Then I see Coreau backing up. Ruh roh. Jimmy has a lower body injury? Didn’t think anything was wrong with him since he finished the last game. Must just be precautionary? Nice! 3-2. I dunno how to feel about this winning lately. It’s nice, but it sure keeps the team in the mid-pack non-playoff bunch. Good to see AA stepping up though, his OT goal against the Sens was savage!

Or trade neither. All that’s at stake right now is a POSSIBLE half decent draft pick, and Holland only received one known actual offer, now off the table. From Edmonton for a 4th or 5th depending on how much salary was retained. Holland declined. If Mrazek doesn’t earn his qualifier, Holland can give him the qualifying amount “in principle”, then negotiate and sign him for less if both sides agree to him staying put. If he’s offer sheeted, which is a rare occurancr, it won’t be for more than the third round compensation pick amount, and Holland can easily match if he cares to. If Holland wants to part ways, then he loses him for nothing. But at least he can move on knowing he gave Mrazek a proper chance, and did all he could to try to get him to reach his potential. I think anyone would agree Mrazek would have to move on if he fails to get his numbers up this season if given the starts. If he becomes something elsewhere, it’s no ones fault. Holland doesn’t have anything on the table at this point anyways (that’s known), and won’t get much IF there is an offer. Most of the rumoured “interest” turned out to be fleeting. Howard is still locked up for one more year, so no one has to worry about that.