LeftWinger

I agree. I would accept a trade of Mantha PLUS if it meant bringing in an elite type player. This draft will tell a lot, but ya, there just may have to be some deals made in order to get us back to where we were. I do believe Larkin is here to stay, Fabbri I think is going to be a great player for us. Bertuzzi will hinge on what he wants to re-sign for and whether or not he pulls a hold out. Both he and Mantha are good building blocks though. If either of them are dealt, I could see Mantha going before Bertuzzi. What do you think we could get out of Montreal for Home-town Mantha?

everything hinges on the draft results. Do we get Lafreniere or do we get another player with 2-4 years of development? I understand that Holland HAD to take Zadina, he was a Holland player, plus "experts" said he was the best available, but I sure do wish they had gone D. I wasn't exactly on the Hughes train (I was more of a Bouchard guy) but everyone knew Hughes was going to be the drafted player. I sure wish we had gone D. Can't change that now, we just have to hope Zadina becomes the player that Holland envisioned.....or trade him for an Yzerman player. Our D is going to be VASTLY different this upcoming season, No Green, no Ericsson, no Daley. I am pretty sure he'll qualify Bowey, but either way there is going to be 2-3 new faces back there when it's all said and done. Dekeyser being the most senior and most seniority with the club, on D. Considering the state of the rebuild, I don't see a huge signing back there, maybe a veteran presence (like a Shattenkirk or Bogosian type) but no big contracts. Seems Bernier earned the odds on #1 spot, so I don't see Yzerman going after a G other than a backup. (please God NO JIMMY HOWARD!)

This is the official LGW.com 2018 NHL Amateur Entry Draft to be held June 22–23, 2018, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Ok, since we are all (most) hoping we get a legit shot at the #1 pick, I figured a thread to discuss the prospects and where they rank would be a nice thing to have! We can also update draft rankings as they change throughout the season. Here is a September ranking I found of the top 93 prospects, but I'll only post the top 31. I'll add the link at the end for those of you who want to see all of them. This site also has some videos of some of the players to watch! Check it out and come back and comment! While I am officially throwing my hat in the Dahlin ring, I'd like to note that #20 has an absolute Awesome name! Also of local note, I haven't research all of the players, but #7 Hughes and #12 Wilde are both Wolverines. At #61 Johnny Gruden is from Rochester, MI. #39 Ty Dellandrea plays in Flint. Another sidenote for one of our 2nd's, Mattias Samuelsson is a huge D-man at 6'4 216lbs. at the moment. 1) Rasmus Dahlin (LHD, Sweden, Frolunda SHL) 2) Andrei Svechnikov (RW, Russia, Barrie OHL) 3) Adam Boqvist (RHD, Sweden, Brynas J20) 4) Brady Tkachuk (C/LW, USA, Boston University NCAA) 5) Filip Zadina (LW/RW, Czech Republic, Halifax QMJHL) 6) Joe Veleno (C, Canada, Saint John QMJHL) 7) Quinn Hughes (LHD, USA, NTDP U18) 8) Ryan Merkley (RHD, Canada, Guelph OHL) 9) Ty Smith (LHD, Canada, Spokane WHL) 10) Rasmus Kupari (C, Finland, Karpat Jr.) 11) Jesperi Kotkaniemi (C, Finland, Assat Liiga) 12) Bode Wilde (RHD, USA, NTDP U18) 13) Ryan McLeod (C, Canada, Mississauga OHL 14) Barrett Hayton (C, Canada, Sault Ste. Marie OHL) 15) Jared McIsaac (LHD, Canada, Halifax QMJHL) 16) Oliver Wahlstrom (C/W, USA, NTDP U18) 17) Joel Farabee (LW, USA, NTDP U18) 18) Alexander Khovanov (C, Russia, Moncton QMJHL) 19) Vitali Kravtsov (C/W Russia, Belye Medvedi MHL) 20) Jett Woo (RHD, Canada, Moose Jaw WHL) 21) Calen Addison (RHD, Canada, Lethbridge WHL) 22) Evan Bouchard (RHD, Canada, London OHL) 23) Jakub Lauko (C, Czech Republic, Chomutov Extraliga) 24) Isac Lundestrom (C/LW, Sweden, Lulea SHL) 25) Jack McBain (C, Canada, Toronto OJHL) 26) Luka Burzan (C, Canada, Moose Jaw WHL) 27) Akil Thomas (C, Canada, Niagara OHL) 28) Benoit-Olivier Groulx (C/LW, Canada, Halifax QMJHL) 29) Dmitry Zavgorodniy (RW, Russia, Rimouski QMJHL) 30) Samuel Fagemo (LW, Sweden, Frolunda J20) 31) Mathias-Emilio Pettersen (C, Norway, Muskegon USHL) https://thehockeywriters.com/2018-nhl-draft-fishers-top-93-preseason-rankings/

until that happens, there is just no guessing who may become available. If the cap goes down, and the teams get two compliance buyouts, there could be some tough decisions to be made by the teams at, near or over the cap as it sits. For example, who could Toronto or Arizona need to buyout? There are potentially about 10 teams that would be in cap hell if it drops below $77M for instance...thankfully Detroit will NOT be one of those! We'd still have about $30M to spend, plus that would also save us some money on these RFA's, maybe they'd be taking a smaller bridge deal now to remain compliant. Also, maybe the league cuts salaries by a certain percentage too, just like after the lockout season.

I'm just going by the report that teams may receive 2 compliance buyouts. I really have no interest in having Abby on the books for 6 more years and Nielsen 4. If there are no compliance buyouts, then just keep them and scratch them. But with all the lost revenue these teams are experiencing, along with the NHL, I cannot see a scenario where there won't be compliance buyouts. If there is only 1, I guess you'd have to look at which position is more needed. If we could replace Nielsen at C via UFA easier than replacing Abby? Then Frans is the one, depending on need I suppose. Neither have to be protected at the expansion draft, so that plays no bearing on the decision either.

I think it's a given. Buying out both makes 100% sense. You could argue Dekeyser, but this team lacks NHL defense-men, and he is an NHL quality D-man, bottom paring on most teams, but on our team, he still has value. Same with Helm, also Helm will only have 1 year left, so it would be pointless to buy him out. Abby and Nielsen have ZERO value on this team, IMO. Maybe they are good locker-room guys? They both wear "A's" but that is more of a coaches choice... I agree with the Svech opinion, this may be his make or break year. Depending on who I get at the draft, or make a deal for, sign as UFA, I think Svech, Ehn/Hirose, etc... and just going to be 13th and 14th forwards here. Best to try and deal a couple of them away at the draft or something. We have a good amount of players who have seemed to pass them on the depth list. Ehn, of course spent his time in Detroit, but he is just a bottom 3 player, who can be replaced, especially if there are a lot of buyouts this summer and others become available.

of the mentioned players (because we really do not know who will be bought out from other teams yet) I see Yzerman offering Gagner a contract and then if he goes after another, I could see him offering Namestnikov a contract. I don't see anything long term being offered. I happen to believe Abby and Nielsen have seen their last days here, that could give both Gagner and Namestnikov a shot at 2C, with the other going 3C. I see Filppula taking up the 4C spot with Ehn and Glenny or Helm on the RW. I am hoping for a bunch of buyouts and having more options open up!

McIssac moving forward. IF I had to choose one of them. Cholowski could bring a nice return in a package. Probably just draft picks, but I'll take it.

ran the sim ONCE and this is what came up. So to add some thought and discussion to what I said above about trading down no further than 4th, what would these teams have to offer Detroit and what would you expect or feel that it would be worth trading down? If NJ wanted the #1, I'm asking for the #2 (in this sim, they also ended up with the #10 and #17,) Jack Hughes and Nolan Foote. Would they do it? I really don't see many Roster players on ANA that I would want, but I would take BOTH their first's (#3 and #31) and maybe Zegras? Ottawa will have (in this scenario) the #4 and the #5. Not sure if they'd part ways with BOTH of those, but I'd ask for sure, especially if they want to outbid NJ. Plus I would definitely ask for Anthony Duclair. Maybe THEIR #4 pick, their 2nd (#33) and Duclair.

Honestly, IF Lafreniere is not a McDavid type player, and we DO get the #1, I see what Montreal (or others) have to offer! If he is not McDavid-ish, then I am more than happy with getting others (Rossi, Stutzle, Byfield, Perfetti, Drysdale, etc...) Really, we could SO move this rebuild up with a trade down! If it were Montreal, I'd want Domi, Caufield, their 1st and 2nd. Maybe they want to get out from Carey Price? They are going to offer HUGE to get the #1 (if they are given it by Uncle Gary outright.) Domi has to be protected in the expansion draft, that would help Montreal dealing him since they have a ton of players that need protecting. This being said, if Montreal is NOT in the top 4 after the lottery, then I will not trade with them. I do not want to be out of the top 4 really. I know I listed 5 others I would be fine with taking, but of them, I do want more choices of the bunch. ANA, NJ and OTT will have two first's, I will be asking for both of those from either team if they want the #1. I am wheeling and dealing come draft day if I have the #1. Here's a serious question (although it may not sound serious) could any of the following players be traded for a hypothetical trade for Lafreniere? Would you accept any of them along with the respective team's 1st and high prospect? Eichel, Dahlen, Jack Hughes, Laine, Connor?

No secret I was/am a huge AA fan, but I do think that with our current crop of young players (not including last year's and this year's draft) Gagner fits a better role for us. I certainly hope that he re-signs with us. I don't think he'll be buried with Abby, because I really do believe that Abby and Nielsen will be the compliance buyouts once it's all said and done. They just are not performing up to their contracts and we have plenty of lessor paid players that can contribute more than they have. I could see Abby retiring and possibly taking a job as a scout with us, maybe scouting Colleges and USHL or something. Nielsen will try to sign somewhere else, and who knows, maybe he'll get a depth role on a Cup team. Ya, TWO 2nd's and Gagner is looking very nice right now!

https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/james-neal-milan-lucic-jeff-skinner-p-k-subban-which-nhlers-might-face-compliance-buy-out/wcm/4df8ce1c-697a-4a62-8f7e-f8db68de9a8c/ Compliance buyout speculation. Goodbye Abby and Nielsen!

Hmmm, would this make only 7 teams lottery eligible? Because that would be more fair, the only teams that should be in the lottery anyhow are the bottom 5, IMO.

Ok, so do you think that they will hold the lottery as the standings are then?

so, if the regular season ends and they jump right to the playoffs, and not hold the draft lottery, do you think they'll just go in order and we get #1?

I'd be more than ecstatic with Rossi

I prefer the Wuhan Klan.

IMO, Perlini is a better choice financially and for where this team is right now, than any expensive UFA out there that may be interested in here for a similar role. Nothing wrong with Perlini, as much as I used to get on Franzen and Hudler about them "sucking" I don't think any of them sucked to the point of not being able to play in the NHL. I just didn't like them. Perlini, while he is obviously NOT Bertuzzi or Mantha, he is, to me, a much better choice than any of Filppula, Nielsen or Abby. If we could ditch 2 of those players, re-signing Perlini wouldn't cause so much commotion. I happen to think a line of Perlini - Glenny - Erne could be a very good 4th line, not just on our team either. But since we probably cannot get rid of two of the players mentioned above, or even one of them, Perlini will be just a 13th/14th forward here. Oh, and ya....Jeff Blashill.

Fedorov... BTW, you guys need to stop talking about how Zadina is a bust. We are already going to regret NOT drafting Hughes for the rest of their careers (Thanks Holland!) so please lets hope he turns out to be a 40 goal sniper!

LTIR?

as was I! I flipping despise the music they play there! ESPECIALLY JOURNEY!!! UGH!!! It's time to dump Karen as well (Whats Kid Rock doing now-a-days?) I do not like the PA Announcer either...

Obviously I'd love to see some deals and a UFA or two that may help us now and later (I consider Gagner one of those) and absolutely I'd love for us to have Lafrienere here. I do like the trade scenario for Bokk up above too, it'd be great to have him in the organization, but I was only working with folks that are on this roster now (outside of Ryan Miller.) re: Draft Lottery, I ran the tankathon 12 times before we stayed #1, we dropped to 4th 9 times. Get ready for Marci Rossi or Stutzle, both of which I'd be more than ecstatic to have! Which is why, IF we won the #1, I'd listen to all competing offers to move down. If Montreal is #4 and they want my #1, it'll cost the #4, 2020 2nd, Domi, Suzuki and Caufeild. I'll be perfectly happy with that haul and drafting Rossi or Stutzle. This would be inter-division, so I would be demanding a ton in return, same with Ottawa. If not, I listen to a western team and see what's what out there. I know Lafrienere is a "Cheat Code" but you have to listen to offers... quick note, after the 12th time, I ran the lottery 3 more times and we stayed there for 4 in a row. Should be interesting! When is the lottery?

I didn't even want to take into consideration who we might draft or sign as UFA (except a backup G) or if they'll be any trades. The expansion draft isn't util 2021 off season, so I was just spitballing who may or may not still be on our roster by then.

Well, this is what I hope: RFA: Obvious signing's are obvious, Bert, Mantha, Fabbri, Timashov (all 4 of which will need a protect from Seattle. Along with Larkin, Rasmussen and for me disney.com) (of the D, the only 100% I am protecting is Hronek and Lindstrom, we will see who will earn that last protect on D, then of course I am protecting Bernier if we plan to or already have re-signed him by the expansion draft.) When it comes to Erne, Perlini, Ehn, I could let any of them go or qualify them all and see what happens in camp. I'd sign Bowey to be #6/7 along with Biega. Plus if we give him 2 years, he can be one of the exposed players on D to Seattle. UFA: I sign Gagner quickly! He can be that #2C that we had hoped Nielsen then Flip were gonna be. I think we keep this guy until he cannot play anymore or retires. He could be very valuable when we are contending as that 35+ veteran C in the bottom 6 as long as his play does not decline rapidly (or gets selected by Seattle.) I also re-sign Goloubef. Cannot rely on Dekeyser staying healthy, he's been kind of an injury risk the last couple of season's. One of the "kids" can compete for a spot (Seider, Cholowski, McIssac) besides, honestly, I don't see Yzerman wasting a protect on Cholowski if he doesn't make better strides this season coming up, so he and Bowey being exposed could protect players like Gagner, Smith, Svech, Helm, Ehn from being taken. I extend Bernier as quick as possible in the off-season. No matter who we get to be the other G next season, Bernier has more than earned another contract here. Of course he may want to test the UFA after next season, but honestly, his value is about as high as it's been in the last couple of season's right now, so he might take advantage of that sooner rather than later. Here is what I have with our guys: (I don't know which UFA's would benefit us now, so the only one I signed was Ryan Miller to back up Bernier (and to end his career in his home state.) Ignore the salaries, because I just threw numbers there to get them signed, besides, salary cap will not be an issue next season, so the numbers could be higher or in some cases lower) of course with having a ton of cap this off season,Yzerman might make a splash or two instead of qualifying all the RFA's...

Please tell me, please tell me why...my car is in the front yard, and I'm sleeping with my clothes on! They don't make music like they used to.... 3 in a Row tonight!