LeftWinger

All that being said, I'd offer them a top 5 protected 2022 1st (protected to 2023) and then the following 1st no matter what. So, if the 2022 first is #6 or after then they get the 22 and 23 1st round picks(no matter where 23 lands.) If the 22 pick is #1-#5 then they get the 2023 and 2024 1st (neither of which would be protected)

Ken Holland is no longer around to screw things and draft picks up...

10 years ago today. Tragic day for hockey around the world. We still haven't forgotten.

I just started looking into these guys, but honestly, don't you think Yzerman has his D for the rebuild? Sure, you can never have enough and if this guy is top 2 material, then you have to look at him, but I am thinking this draft is going to be C, especially if we are top 5. But, that's just my opinion.

I will continue my thoughts on Lambert v. Wright in here so as not to clog up the Off-Season thread. Right now one of the only pre-lim ranking I could find has Lambert at #5. Which honeslty, with the new rules, would be great if we landed 4 or 5, because then we'd still be eligible for a top 3 in the 2023 draft (Bedard.) Although honestly, IF we are that bad again this season, I really hope to be better by the 23 draft so as we don't get into that area of the draft. BUT, if we just happen to stink for the next couple of season's, then a 22 draft of Lambert at #5 and Bedard at #1 in 23 would be a nice consolation. Here is the pre-lim Top 10: ...btw, ranked at #20 is a Center named Jack Hughes...no relation though, not even a cousin of the Hughes Bros. He did have 34 points in 38 games for the USDP last season though.

Unless there's something going on in his private life, I am surprised that Ryan Donato isn't signed anywhere. He wasn't given a QO from San Jose and is currently a UFA. He is 25, C/LW and had 20 points in 50 games last season. He has 77 points in 180 games for his career, 35 of which are goals. These stats seem good enough to get him a contract somewhere. I honestly wouldn't mind giving him a deal around $1M to compete for a spot. Worst case scenario, he gets snagged off waivers if he doesn't make the team. If he cleared, he'd be nice depth in GR. ...meanwhile... Here is some reading to help get us through the rest of this off-season... https://thehockeywriters.com/red-wings-need-better-first-line-center-larkin/?fbclid=IwAR3-_8qFMlkJcFKLJRxkM7l1-uYYCNLaQlIv0O5o6x6X7gVYZPYMrTISnek The author mentions Shane Wright. I am going to be watching the stats of him and Brad Lambert this season. I know I have historically been of the, we must draft NA players (but not so much in the last few years) but I really think that Lambert might be the way to go if we get into that top 3 in picks. And technically he is both Finnish and Canadian, but again, that no longer matters to me. Now if we actually won the #1 OA, at this point today, I'd be in a pickle. We'll see how the prospects do through a full season. edit: I just added both Wright and Lambert to my bookmarks in Eliteprospects.com and I didn't even realize that Brad Lambert is the nephew of Lane Lambert, who just happens to have been a teammate of Yzerman for a few years in the 80's. Not that that'll matter in the end, but it is a nice little Easter egg to find.

The first is a conditional pick: so Arizona gets the better pick UNLESS one or BOTH top 10, then they get the worse of the two. Either way, Arizona does have three 1sts this year in this deeper draft! More than makes up for not having a 1st last season.

Canadiens do not match, then acquire Dvorak

Shots fired!

This is moreso 2022 draft, but am I the only one feeling that Brad Lambert is the way to go instead of Shane Wright?

I sure was hoping Hronek would come in under $6M, but as stated, the market is going to dictate to overpay him. But in reality he was only on a pace for 38 points last season, total points in total games played in his 3 years thus far is around 47 avg. I sure hope he'll give us a bridge for 2-3 years, but I doubt it. He may be the problem child when it comes to signing. Of course, Yzerman could give him the $7M and then deal him away at the TDL, like Mr. Mantha after he signed the bigger deal. I'll take an offer sheet from someone for about $7.5M to be honest. Here is the compensation and the teams that have the required picks to offer such a contract to an RFA: ...I honestly like that compensation, I'd offer sheet EP40 the max $8.2M to either get him or force Vancouver to match, thus rendering them very unable to re-sign Quinn Hughes this season. Unless Hughes would take a 1 year contract on the CHEAP.

I am not convinced that Yzerman is going to go with the current roster and just add the kids though. I see Bobby Ryan returning (unless he's announced retirement) and maybe there is some water to Anisimov getting a PTO? The ONLY kids out of waiver options is Smith, so if we give him roster spot, that only makes 12 FWD's. The usual number is 14. Like I said, I don't see Yzerman just giving 2 rosters spots to kids. Not that they wouldn't deserve the opportunity, but I just think Yzerman would opt for a couple of vets at this point. Maybe, MAYBE Veleno earns a spot, but I do beleive that there will be two vets here instead. There are a few names out there in the 27-35 year old range. He has expressed how he'd like a couple more RH'd shots. Ryan would be one, then there a few others. Nikita Gusav - 28 Kyle Palmeri - 30 Alex Chiasson - 30 Tyler Bozak - 35 ...just a couple of examples.

I only said what I said to get Stephens in the lineup. I wasn't fanning any Ras v. Joe flames. I don't care which one plays Wing. I want to see both here, and Stephens play as well. Heck move Larkin to wing and keep both at C for all I care.

No reason, I thought maybe he was more adapted to winger than Veleno? Heck, if Veleno is a better one, then put him there. Either way.

He re-signed with the Griffins. ...also, I'd put RAS on wing, move Veleno to 3rd line and dress Stephens. He one of the only RH'd C's we have.

Honestly, instead of trading Raymond, I would rather trade them BOTH 2022 and 2023 1st round picks with ONE of them being top 3 lottery protected to go to 2024. I'm not so sure Buffalo would do that, but outside of let's say 2022 being a top 3, they would then possibly get #1 OA in 2023 AND possibly a #4 (since not team can win a top 3 twice in a row anymore) in 2024. if 2022 is #4 and 2023 is #4, then they win that scenario as well. If I were Buffalo, I'd take that trade. I know I am on record as saying if he went to NYR, they'd should get one of Kakko or Laf back, but if NYR offered the same 2 1st's, with the same protection, I think Buffalo should do that as well. BUT we'd have to 10000000% make sure that Eichel is NOT damaged goods to possibly miss out on one of Wright or Bedard. But I think you're correct, Eichel would instantly be our #1C. Instead of bumpin Ras or Veleno down, I would moved Larkin to wing, maybe put Ras there too! 2021/22 FWD's Larkin - Eichel - Zadina Vrana - Suter - Bertuzzi Fabbri - Veleno - Ras Erne - Stephens - Namestikov Gagner/Smith (I waive Nielsen over Smith because I don't think Smith would clear waivers.) ...I think that lineup is well worth missing out one of Wright or Bedard. Seriously though, you KNOW Detroit is not going to get a #1 OA anyhow, so we'd be missing out on BOTH no matter what. And like you said, our Wing and D are pretty stacked right now, at least from the projections of how they are supposed to turn out.

A bit more than I thought for Erne. ...also

Guess he's the one taking over when (if) we deal Howard? The only explanation for the 3 years.

na