LeftWinger

First of all Happy New Year Everyone! I hope 2025 brings you joy, security, money and success! The Detroit Red Wings are 2-1 under new head coach Todd MacLellan (as of Jan.1, 2025) they sit 10 points out the top 3 in the Atlantic, and 8 points out a wildcard spot. Can they go on a run to catch up? Sure, anything is possible, but in my opinion (after giving a lot of thought to this) they should shed themselves of all the vets they can and start tweaking the team for next season and beyond. That being said, I think it's time to acquire legit NHL talent that is gong to be part of the future Cup winning core here. No longer should we acquire middle draft picks for these players. I am saying package players WITH our draft picks to get talented 26 or under players that will fil the holes in the core. The vets on the table should be Kane, Tarasenko, Chiarot. All draft picks in play (lottery protected for this year) and some prospects. We need players like Dylan Cozens, Bowen Byram (both of whom are rumored to be on the trade block.) If they are too expensive to acquire, we could go looking for a Cup Contender and try to get a player from them, like Edmonton's Matt Savoie. They could use a star forward to help them over the hump. Kane and a pick for Savoie? We do need to solidify the D though. Seider, Edvinsson, ASP are all untouchable and will be 3 of our 6 when all said and done here soon! Would you sacrifice a Buium, Tuomisto or Wallinder for Byram? What would it cost for an upgrade to the fwd group all while staying young? IMO Veleno and Rasmussen should be in play as well. You might be able to swing some deals for an upgrade if you throw in picks along with some above average prospects. Could you pry Sergachev (NTC) out of UTAH for a 1st and prospect? Hoglander from Vancouver? My point being, I am 100% ok with calling this a season and selling off the vets that we can, but not for 3rd or 4th round picks. We need to package OUR picks with these vets, or prospects and acquire NHL ready players that would help us next year and moving forward. Swing a huge trade for both Cozens and Byram. Offer Edmonton some playoff help and higher pick for Savoie? Maybe even take on a bad contract so teams can have more space to make bigger deals? Picks and prospects, players for Sergachev? Vancouver needs D help, what about Chiarot, pick, prospect for Hoglander? We need to cleanse the roster, but not for future picks. We need players that fit the timeline, no longer do we need middling draft picks that may never pan out. What are your thoughts? Who would you trade for upgrades to our NHL roster? There has to a playoff team out there willing to give up something good for a player that gives them a shot at a Cup.

I'm just gonna go ahead and assume that this REALLY is the roster Yzerman is going to be giving us come opening night isn't it? :depressed:

He can be the future considerations in the Tarasenko deal. Shoot, we already gave them Tarasenko, just add a couple more pieces.

Hamilton is the play then. I am hoping each morning I wake up that I see some news! I say take the risk. We could use 30 goals next to Larkin and Raymond. I'd even throw in a draft pick sweetener.

Local kid Dakota Joshua was traded to the Leafs for a 4th.

Would Doug Hamilton help more than EK?

...and $1.8M in Berggren.

Better them than Chicago or San Jose again. They're gonna throw games either way.

Berggren, Holl, 3rd, No salary retention needed.

Here's my suggestion, call Toronto, acquire Nick Robertson, treat him like Gold, have him convince his brother to come home when he hits UFA next July. edit: My bad, he's an RFA next summer...but I guess he could always do a Debrincat and tell Dallas he'll only sign long term in Detroit?

dammit! Isaac Howard was traded to Edmonton, AND he signed a 3 year deal.... I know Yzerman cannot control where players would rather play, but it is just damned depressing that we lose out on some players due to our lackluster play and lack of playoffs. Sorry, just in a crappy mood, and really waiting for something good to happen to pick me up... have a good night...

I believe the cap is only $10M because San Jose retained some when traded to Pitt. But I understand your point.

Honestly, unless Yzerman has a deal going for a 1st line forward, I think his FWD's are set. The D on the other hand, is atrocious. He CANNOT go into the season with this list of names. JBD was a good depth signing, but that is it, DEPTH. I don't think there's much out there UFA to add, but there are a couple of trades. Not even talking about Byram, since the return would be ridiculous. I think Detroit would NOT be on Andersson's list, but even then, he probably would not extend here. But we need upgrades there. At this point maybe a trade for EK65? Pittsburgh is in full dump, tank, and rebuild mode. If we offered to take on 100% of his salary, and he'd waive his NTC to come here, it might not cost too much in return. Our PP would be even better, 5 on 5 scoring would increase dramatically, just have to pair him up with a D minded guy. To that, I say, add Matt Grzelcyk. Ironically, also, via Pittsburgh, although UFA. Even if ASP made the team out of camp, EK65 would be a great mentor, especially for the young Swedes, plus he's a pretty good leader and Lockeroom guy. Waive Holl, or trade him for Freddie Cooper, yes, the ol Future Considerations. Might even be part of the package that gets EK, Dubas is a fan of Holl. If we could somehow dump enough cap off o sign Grze, and trade for EK65 and Rust, full 100% contracts, I think we'd be a playoff team if the team all stayed healthy. I wonder if Holland would want his boy Rasmussen back? Might fetch a 2nd for him, from Holland for sure! BTW, NEXT UFA season, we better go HARD after Kyle Conner. That is if he doesn't re-up with his team. Rust - Larkin - Raymond ADB - Kasper - Kane JVR - Copp - Apple Soda - JTC - Mazur(or whichever kid earns this spot) Ed-dog - Seider Grzelcyk - EK65 Chiarot - AJo

Geez! Pius Suter gets 2 year at $4.125M AAV from St. Louis.

Defense does look REALLY bad compared to Forwards. He has GOT to make a trade soon, right? I believe he still needs both a LHD and a RHD, and not just depth, actual valuable pieces!

Copp, Compher or Rasmussen MUST be on the move soon!! Maybe he can convince his ol' teammate to come here too!

I am intrigued to see if maybe Yzerman can acquire a legit #1 Center, if Larkin would be more suited to play that top line LW. Who that Center is? Dunno. Vancouver seems ok with keeping EP40 and seeing if he bounces back to the 100 point player he was before last season of drama. anyhow, some interesting FWD UFA's that are still out there (if Yzerman traded away Copp or Compher or Rasmussen) that could help the middle 6: Jack Roslovic Mason Appleton Bring back Pius Suter? disney.com of course (he'd be a great penalty killer and shutdown C, better than Rasmussen at that. Besides, we need more three letter initial players on this team!) ASP MBN ADB JVR JTC JBD disney.com! A Couple of intriguing RFA's that might be available via trade: Gabe Vilardi Kappo Kakko Nick Robertson (especially if his bro is still available via trade)

ALSO: Still holding out hope that we are in on Ehlers, top line minutes has to be attractive to him. I still think we NEED a top LHD, or if they are going to use Edvinsson there, a least a 2nd pairing LHD. Also a 2nd pairing RHD would be beneficial. Grzelcyk would be nice for that LHD. 40 points on a crap show of a Pittsburgh team. We CANNOT go into the season with the D we have. Need TWO legit NHL D. JBD is ok, but he's not that 2nd pairing RHD we need...

They also will lose Red Savage if not signed by August 15th. I am surprised at Hanas, thought he had some upside.

Who is this? Did I miss something?

Gosh, I am really hoping for Ehlers. We gotta win something when it comes to acquiring players. $10M+!!!

Anybody have any interest in Jack Roslovic? Where could he fit here?

Maybe Yzerman is signing these future Griffins because he has a trade happening and we are losing a young D and a F? I haven't seen an official Miller trade yet, nor has Byram been dealt. Also: Later Lyon! Thanks for a couple nice years!

Yzerman must plan on the kids being in Detroit because he is stocking up GR.

I think they (Detroit) gotta throw $10M+ at Ehlers. honestly though, Yzerman has done nothing to address the PK. Maybe Gibson will make it better, but up front or D, still the same.