rick zombo

I think a few Bruins scouts were at that game. They all stared at his knee and BAMB!!!!!!!!!!!

What a thoughtful contribution.

I'd trade him for Shea Weber

The knock on Mantha at the draft was that he had questionable work ethic and day-to-day consistency and compete level. Obviously a lot of scouts were a little off the mark. edit to add: the best part is that Athanasiou also looks like he's going to a legit keeper too.

nm

Never in doubt. For anyone keeping track, that's DD + Tatar + Sheahan all wrapped up for less than 6M/year. Hollands RFA dealings continue to be impeccable. Exactly. Now the talk will be about how DeKeyser will walk in 2 years because Holland low-balled him. Anyway, moving on, I'm glad the deal is done. If Alfie does retire this gives Holland a little cap space if he could ever swing that deal for a top four D man.

Holland has shown a history of paying for potential (See: Kronwall, Filpulla) with hopes that the player grows into the contract. This is a fact. Obviously the Holland haters are hoping that Kenny offered him 100 dollars/year so that they can be even angrier at the man. But the truth of the matter is, DD's agent is most likely asking for 4M/per. Like I said, with Holland's mostly spotless history of dealing with RFAs, ypu have to think that the friction is coming from the DeKeyser camp.

^ Exactly. I love DD but if any of you armchair GMs think it's easy to negotiate a contract with a kid who has only played 70 games or whatever, then you're snorting the crack dust, plain and simple. To me, DD is to the D what Tatar is to the offence. Both have had similar career arcs so far, except Tatar has a Calder Cup MVP under his belt and almost scored 20 last year in his first almost full season. If you ask me, something like 2.75-3M/year for 3 years would have gotten this deal done a month ago. I have a hard time thinking Holland wouldn't offer that. Makes me think that it's DD's camp that is being unrealistic, not Holland.

I understand why Helm gets no benefit of the doubt on here, I really do. That being said, 'tender' groins in training camp are like Kardashians on the internet: mostly unavoidable

Aaron Rome's been invited to camp http://kuklaskorner.com/tmr/comments/pleiness-red-wings-invite-defenseman-aaron-rome-to-camp

There is a discussion to be had though. Maybe not regarding game 1. Not all, but some of Jurco, Mantha, Pulkinnen, Ouelett, Sproul, Marchenko, Backman, and Mrazek are coming for someone’s job sooner rather than later. It’s a certainly IMO. So something’s got to give. Holland and Babcock have never exactly come off like semi-large roster personnel changes was their thing, but they might have to get used to the idea.

My apologies. The problem is that there's nothing to discuss. The OP flavored the opening post with "and it begins". Considering nothing about this thread is new news and only gives people a pseudo chance at "I told you so" it was a recipe for disaster from the get-go. Just my opinion.

The whole video review 'improvements' reek of vagueness and subjectivity. I'm polishing up my tinfoil hat.

This forum is going to be 'something' regardless of what happens. If Mantha plays 40 games and has 15 goals it won't be: "Awesome, this kid's the real deal and our future is secure. Way to go Holland and staff for drafting this guy!!!!" It will be: " f*** you Kenny for signing Cleary and Quincey and letting Hossa go and not giving me a team as tough as Calgary and for not signing Niskanen" Some dudes on here have spent too much time building their opinions and reputations and dealing in absolutes. Whatever happens this year, people are going to feel the need to spin it whatever way they need to in order to back up their zealousness.

You must love the Sawchuck option then? Skin and hair.

******* awesome. Between Jimmy and Monster (and even Mrazek) we've come a long way from this:

Diaz to Calgary? Who gives a f***.

They can’t all be as good as Brad Boyes now can they? That guy’s a franchise player.

Rumor has it the Wings have extended a camp invite to Raphael Diaz. http://www.wingingitinmotown.com/2014/9/6/6113811/red-wings-rumors-raphael-diaz-getting-a-camp-invite

Only on LGWs can a “Cam Fowler Skated at Wings Practice Today” predictably spiral into a trade/Quincey hate thread.

Awesome read on Brewer. Only 28 years old and shares the same alma mater as me http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=729400 Seriously though, these hires din't really generate much interest here at LGWs during our Summer of DoomTM tirades, but I think they could end up being great moves. I really dig the part about Brewer offering to help with analytics.

If Holland fails to get a deal done with DeKeyser and totally messes up the entire thing, then you have a beef. But we both know that he's going to get a deal done because one of his strengths is handling RFA contracts.

I still can't believ he fell all the way into the Ducks' lap at 12th overall in 2010. he was supposed to go top 5. Just another reason to hate Anaheim.

No to be that guy who goes there, but the DeKeyser/Alfie math would be a lot friggin easier without the 5.75M that's tied up in Cleary and Quincey.

What is this? The Cold War? Come on. All these goalies were or will be awesome. No need for camps.