mackel

Awesome to see we're back up... ironic that the site went down just as we had something to finally talk about LOL.

2C, quantity over quality.

Now you're paraphrasing me... I've said multiple times we'll need another 2C of Larkin's ability to have any chance. #StopTheSteal

Nice side step, you might just be a politician. I'm like a broken record because people still need education on both counts. 31st ranking, that's what you want to hang your hat on, then by all means. To be a contender we need Larking playing at 2C, if not we're a pretender.

He's our #1C by default... as you correctly point out, we literally have nobody else for the roll. We have several replacement level centers a couple of 3Cs and Larkin. He's playing up in a very thin line up. I can't think of a single contender where, if given Larkin for free, he'd push their current 1C down the line up. That's because he's a 2C.

WRONG! He's a very good 2nd line center.

Why wait, when it's readily apparent right now!?!

So it does look like if we kept Rasmussen on the NHL roster and say Erne was sent to the Taxi Squad, Erne would need to clear BUT if we kept Erne and sent Rasmussen to the taxi squad he would not need to clear waivers. This seems like a no brainer to me, keep the waiver exempt kids up and play them... see what you've got we still have plenty of experienced players to help and shelter them. If in the process someone claims our ECHL level replacement players, consider it a massive win! Now, consider that Boston cut ties with Chara a guy who was still highly effective last year to play kids that need NHL reps; why are we even considering Erne and Nielsen for roster spots?

Is that accurate? or do they have to clear when moving on or off? Also if, in a normal year, a player was waiver exempt and could be assigned and recalled at will does that same player now have to be exposed on waivers to go to and from the taxi squad? I ask these questions because I have no idea BUT... I'd keep every waiver exempt kid on the roster if they could be sent to the taxi squad without risk and hope in the process the likes of Nielsen, Erne, etc being exposed, when called up, would lead to them being claimed.

LOL

BUT, BUT, BUT THE HYPE.... FOR THE LOVE OF GOD THE HYPE!!!!

Larkin isn't an elite 2nd center by that definition. BUT @krsmith17 has assured me Larkin is a definite 1C. Oh my who to believe.

I'd 100% take on both players... but and it's a BIG BUT, I can not lie, it would take a King's ransom... my ask would be 2021 and 2022 1st rounders and 2 of their top prospects. In this scenario we'd have all of the leverage and can simply walk if the deal isn't sweet enough. Worth considering is that some of our prospects can be left in Europe until the season there ends and then recalled... this should roughly get us to the TDL where some of our own UFAs Helm, etc can be traded for futures to open roster spots. Additionally, we can in a couple of years, retain salary and flip Johnson and/or Killorn for more picks or prospects. This is EXACTLY the move we should make if the price is right.

This all makes sense... Christmas miracles do happen!

Woah... then I guess Zadina is going to break your heart.

We're in month 76 of the off-season... we need something to talk about at this point.

Looks like he's found a league that suits his game... wish him all the best. I did tell you he'd be playing in Europe before too long... I was 100% correct.

And Larkin looks extra good as a result.

I really like the Athletic... though they are really reaching for Wings content this far removed from actual on ice action with months to go still.

The thought of that is infuriating... gee thanks for the mental image lol

I'm sure the draft lotto will magically need changing when we're in the position to jump other teams, similar to what's happening to us now. At that time the league will suddenly see that its unfair thus screwing the Wings on the back-end too.

On that second point he was clearly correct :-)

Another Larkin would be useful.

Do we know how the proposed trade deadline in the NHL and the end of the SHL and other leagues we have loaned prospects to line up? Could we leave all prospects in Europe and use them to backfill the roster after we trade a bunch of our expiring UFAs?

I think any hope of being competitive is down the drain when we remember Blashill is still the coach... that's the ultimate tank insurance.