LeftWinger

The thing is, if you protected DD, Sproul and XO, that would leave Marchenko open, if you protected him, that would leave XO or Sproul open. If you dealt XO in a deal to acquire Fowler or Trouba, then you protected DD, Fowler(Trouba,) Sproul, that would still leave Marchy open (or Sproul) and if I'm Vegas, I am drafting higher end young D before I am drafting a 37 or 35 year old broken down Z or Kronner. I understand the whole veteran thing on the team, but even if they don't come out and say they will retire, everyone in the NHL (us especially) have ZERO doubt that they'll (especially Z) play out their contracts, even here. So it would be pointless to even attempt to draft those two, especially if someone like Sproul, XO or Marchenko is available. If Howard stays as good as he's been, he may be the best goalie left available, even at 33 years old. Nielsen, Abby, Helm, Nyquist, Tatar, Mantha, AA DD, Sproul, Marchenko Mrazek ..from our current team and status, those are my choices to be protected. Any UFA's should not need a wasted protect because if you lost one (Vanek, Smith, Ott, Miller) they could turn around less than a month later and come back to Detroit. Vegas would waste a draft pick. I could especially see Vanek doing this, he can negotiate with Holland anytime, have a deal set in place, but not sign until AFTER the draft. I don't think that would be against any rules.

I have a feeling that Vegas will not want to pay Z or Kronwall's cap for broken down players. If either of them are protected, it'll be a travesty. They both should want Detroit to keep more of the young talent so they have a better chance to maybe win something before they retire. They both should volunteer to be left unprotected and make it known that if Vegas selects one that they will retire. If we waste 2 protects on them, that means Helm, Nyquist or Tatar goes unprotected. Same with Sproul or XO. Now, if your Vegas, even if they don't threaten to retire, are you more excited to see Zoey and Kronwall there or any combination of the others mentioned. If Z and Kronwall are open, there's a better chance Howard or Jurco get selected. If those two are left along with the others I mentioned, who would you take? Worst case scenario, IMO, Holland protects Z, Glenny, Kronwall and Ericsson. Disaster...

He's an alternate captain now, he's here for the long run. Even beyond 7 years.

I'd say, if we continue to win 5 out of 7 games our "need" for Trouba most definitely decreases, thus making the return, from us at least, less. If WPG had an idea to trade with Detroit, their worst case scenario is us doing good and not desperate. Even with our current run, I can still see Holland inquiring about Trouba, but maybe Fowler turns into the better option.

Ahhh, memories. When my son's played at The Joe, I was behind the bench and worked the door right there where Houda was standing.

Did I say Ott earning his keep yet? We didn't have anyone that stood up for our players last year like this.

Was that Nyquist The Horse there? Where'd he get those wheels?

Ott earning his keep, AA proving again he needs to stay in the lineup. ...and the Ott signing.

Are we having a last season moment in the 2nd? Can't give this up. Call a TO Blashill.

I said thus far...

Just want to clear some much needed cap space. We can wait until the deadline though, if he continues, he may get us a 1st rounder!

A couple of observations....can I retract my miss the playoffs prediction? Also, Sproul is staying. I think officially XO has become the young D that would be involved in any trade. Nyquist is making Tatar look like he may be the one traded if we deal a forward. Helm looks good again. I'll eat the Helm and Nyquist crow thus far, but as long as I can gloat about my immediate affection of the Vanek signing.

Me thinks Carolina needs a goalie.

Uh oh, Frk with the hatty, Nestrasil with 2. Lol! I kid....I hope! Wings win!

Lest we forget, Holland traded Vernon after winning the Cup in 97 for what I think was a 3rd round pick. Winning doesn't guarantee you'll still be here. Oops, it was two 2nd round picks.

I don't think it's a good idea to take Nyquist off that line. Sometimes it's not how good you're playing, it's how good your linemates make you play. Those three together have great chemistry. Not gonna say he wont do good with Nielsen, nor AA with Helm. They may keep up the production and that will be nothing but good for us. Also like that Sproul has been good. Nothing but positives the last 4. I give them 5 wins tonight.

Strange...I see its not showing as a link, but I typed it in and it came up. Just type it in and I will continue to try to get the link to work. Sorry. Ok link works.

I agree, there's no way to get all three players. I'm holding out for two, but in reality we may only get one....or none. I think it'll be Fowler.Winnipeg is just too unrealistic in their demands, but that's because they're in the driver's seat. If we can clear space somehow to fit Fowler in, I think he could be had for a pick. At most a young player and lower pick.

#TheWalkingDead....totally devastated.

I don't think he was going to move DD for Trouba. That Dreger report said they asked for Larkin and that we didn't have anyone else they were interested in. Dreger then speculated that "you would think Dekeyser would get the deal done." IMO, the price will come down. It will have to if WPG wants a deal, but they are in the drivers seat and don't mind being pricks about it and making him sit for a year as a form of "punishment." I certainly hope the play of Howard has turned some eyes this way. 2 games is a small sample size, but if he keeps it up, Holland could be hearing some phones ring.

It's a risk either way. If we get one of the targets, XO or Sproul will probably be included in a deal. Fortunately we can only lose 1 player. But until a trade happens, its all guessing. You're right though, Vegas would probably ****** Sproul up before a 32 year old. As of right now: Protect: Abby, Nyquist, Tatar, Mantha, AA, Nielsen. (Now which forward do you use the last one on, Helm or Sheahan?) DD, XO, Sproul Mrazek LOL, the curse word filter, filtered out the word used for a quick grab! Rhymes with catch.

I agree with Green, but, if we do acquire both Trouba and Fowler, you may want to protect them along with DD. But if we get either, it'll most likely just be one. In that case, for example, if Green continued his pace, I protect Fowler, DD and Green. With the way Howard is playing, if not traded at tge deadline, he may be our one player to be selected.

I meant one of Tatar or Nyquist in my proposal.

Gilchrist is lazy and he sucks... Calling GilchristFOREVER, GillyFo are you there?

Howie is upping his value thus far.