Dabura

To be fair, everyone in the world knew Laine was gonna score on that PP. It was an inevitability. His shot is just that ludicrously good. PK

Laine scores on the 5-on-3. 2-1.

PP PK 5-on-3 PK

Live dangerously.

End of 1st. Wings lead 2-0. Outstanding start. Keep it up.

Tatar and Kronwall with the assists.

NYQUIST! 2-0!

Nyquist and Zetterberg with the assists. PP 5-on-3!

ABBY! 1-0!

PK

Fortunately, I have...an alternative feed. But, still. NHL.tv, get your s*** together.

NHL.tv not working for anyone else?

Soulfly covering Helmet! Double dose of goodness. I would just like to point out that Larkin's line is listed as the top line on the official lineup card dealy: I'm pointing it out because I think it's a first. Dunno that it really means anything, but I thought it was worth noting.

HYPE!

Holland likes handing out generous extensions, I get that. But you and I both know that Holland also likes big-name UFAs. He made sure we had the requisite cap space for Suter and Parise. He made sure we had the requisite cap space for Stamkos. He (or his successor) is going to make sure we're in a position to add one or two of of Doughty, Karlsson, Panarin, Couture, Skinner, Ekman-Larsson, Myers, Brassard, McDonagh, Pacioretty, Simmonds, Silfverberg, etc. Cap space could also be used to take advantage of a team that desperately needs to free up cap space of its own so it can re-sign one of these big names. That's how Carolina got Teravainen.

Alright, fam. Real talk. Doesn't matter what the lines and pairings are for tonight. What matters is that we win. Or lose. One of those two. Or both? I dunno anymore, man. So, with that being said, Mrazek is your starter tonight and Frk is slotted on the top line with Zetterberg and Nyquist. On the Habs' side, it's looking like Drouin and Weber will draw back in. I will update this post later when the Wings release that fancy official lineup card and I link to it instead of making my own lineup cards because I am lazy trash. HYPE! LGRW

Frk and Daley are game-time decisions. Drouin is out. Niemi will probably start. (Historically, Niemi owns the Wings.) Habs played last night, so we're doomed. HYPE! LGRW

I completely agree about why he'd want to keep the job. He wants to "leave no doubt," as Babcock would say. Ego. Personal redemption arch. Attaining "Legend" status. What I'm starting to question, though, is how much that actually means to him. Maybe he's privately in "I'm too old for this s***" mode.

2019 UFA class: http://www.spotrac.com/nhl/free-agents/2019/ufa/ Look at that list. Read those names. Now, look at the Wings' situation. Consider the Wings' stated goal of avoiding a "proper" rebuild. Consider the real possibility that this season will lead to changes in the Wings' modus operandi (specifically, how exactly we go about "retooling"). Consider, again, that the cap is expected to rise next season, possibly by as much as $5M, possibly by even more than that. You can tell me Nyquist and Howard will each be extended for 4+ years and that they'll each get raises and that Kronwall will retire and leave us with a recapture penalty and that all of this will ensure that we can't aggressively pursue any big-name free agents next season/July. You can tell me all of this, and I'll tell you you're concern-trolling. Bcuz u r. To be clear: I'm not saying Nyquist and/or Howard definitely won't be back after next season. What I'm saying is the front office knows what's up, knows how profoundly valuable a big chunk of free cap space could be next season/July.

A couple months ago I was pretty sure Holland would stick with the job. Now? I'm thinking there's a good chance he gracefully bows out, "moves upstairs." I'm not sure he'd be an improvement over Blashill, tbh.

Even then, I doubt he'd be getting a raise. My sense -- and, admittedly, I'm not basing this on much/any solid evidence -- is that the organization isn't especially attached to him anymore. I think Holland would like to move him for a decent return right now and I think the problem there is that no GM is interested in trading a meaningful asset to acquire him. He's kind of a nothing player right now and I dunno that I really see that changing next season, even if he's playing easier minutes with better linemates. I could be wrong, of course.

Agreed. If Blashill does get the boot before the season's over, it'll be an interim replacement (Torchetti or maybe Nelson). Blashill's probably gone when the season's over. Elliotte Friedman noted a few weeks ago that the Wings "did some due diligence on [Dave] Tippett."

Kronwall could retire, or he could go into LTIRement. I think the latter is more likely. Or maybe he plays out his contract. There's nothing to say Nyquist or Howard will be extended. They certainly wouldn't be getting raises. Nyquist could be replaced internally, i.e. cheaply. Sign one or two of the thousand good-not-great veteran goalies that are always available for cheap.