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MLive's Ansar Khan ponders whether Jeff Blashill might finally choose to utilize Brendan Smith on the Red Wings' power play, unlike his predecessor: "I think Brendan has that ability to do that (power play)," Blashill said. "You have to see where the whole puzzle fits at camp. He's somebody I know that's done that in the past because he's done that for me in the American League (for half the 2012-13 season)." Blashill has a vision of how Smith can be best utilized. "I think Brendan's best offensive ability is kind of roaming around below the tops of the circles," Blashill said. "If he's a weak-side guy on the power play, going to the net a lot, he can retrieve pucks because he's quick, he's strong, he's competitive. He's got good offensive instincts once he gets below the tops of circles. I know at Wisconsin he was on his off-side (right side) hitting one-timers. That's something we'll explore going into camp."

Well, you have to look at this way Frank. It isn't a similar situation. AT ALL! Goose files because he wants to stay, doesn't want to be offer sheeted because he's going to negotiate with the Wings in good faith... and would you look at that the Wings want him to stay, don't intent to screw him over dollar-wise. Saad and Chicago were not close on making a deal so they traded him. While this was unexpected, you knew something was going to give and Chicago. So it did. So, Columbus while not giving up a kings ransom for Saad... HEY! They'd sure like to keep him and not lose him to an offer sheet... so they went probably higher than needed with both dollar and term and Saad accepted. So while they might be comparable in stats for this year... and because I'm nice I'll point out that they had similar years last year as well, but I'm still going to maintain based on my thoughts above and below that... It's not really the same thing at all. ...and as you have so kindly pointed out TWICE... Saad is younger (therefore broke into the NHL at an earlier age than Nyquist/etc) and has ALREADY helped a team win two cups... Goose is OLDER and helped no team win ZERO cups. . No cups, No CA$H.* *(Not always true, but there's always some moron GM trying to save his job that'll throw a horrible contract at SOMEONE!) There's no reason to think Goose is going to demand outlandish term or dollars on this contract to stay on a team that brought him into the league, that he wants to play for, and to play for a coach that loves the s*** out of him.

Only if half are going to the charity of your choice... ...but really guys, thanks for keeping me somewhat clued in to the prospects. !!!

...so how does this work in Goose's favor and garner him something close to six? Adam Larsson, anyone? A N Y O N E?

I've read it's a modified No-Trade that covers the first three or four years of the contract (see below) and probably includes the "I get to give you a list of teams that I'm willing to go to" clause. http://kuklaskorner.com/tmr/comments/red-wings-morning-news-august-version-a-swedish-ericsson-interview-and-tidb --- I still think giving Smith time with Kronwall should be an early season experiment. Kronwall - Smith -- Kronwall can balance out Smith's defensive shortcomings, give him the green light to be aggressive on the puck. See if Smith understands that while we want him to be more offensive minded, he also has to play smart. DeKeyser - Green -- Dekeyser can erase any of Green's defensive shortcomings, let Greenie do his thing. Ericsson - Quincey -- Shutdown pair. Get these two laser sharp on just shutting down the oppositions' offense. Nothing fancy. Kindl - Rotates in on third pair against weaker teams where his offensive upside can possibly help out.

Ansar Khan ‏@AnsarKhanMLive Jul 2 Blashill likes idea of pairing together the offensive Green and defensive DeKeyser but said nothing is finalized as far as lines/parings. With the above tweets about Smith and Kindl. Looks as if Blash is playing his cards pretty close to his chest at this point. Needless to say, he's got options. Some seem more risky, but may have high reward. Because they don't have to clear waivers, I think we're looking at all of our defensive prospects starting their year in GR while Blash takes a look at what he's got with the six d-men from last year plus Green. Then I imagine that Holland is going to have to look and see which of our defensemen can garner the most return. Is it Ericsson or KFQ? If it's Ericsson, sign KFQ to an extension first. If KFQ wants to test the UFA market... trade him. Can Smith and/or Kindl and/or a defensive prospect be packaged with a forward(s) and bring back a nice return?

2.4 or 2.75 million sitting in the press-box is not enticing either. (Kindl/Smith)

He won't serve 90-days... if he does, it'll be min. security, house arrest or half-way house type situation I'm sure. The probation and counseling are appropriate. Thing that is a head scratcher for me. 8 hours of community service? How skipping the 90 days of meaningless jailtime and give him 2160 hours of community service (90 days x 24 hours) that has to be served at a battered women's shelter.

Here... I'll say it BoS. Deport his wife beating ass. ...and to his wife: Get away. Quickly.

Sekera got 5.5 million for 6 years. Green got 6 million for 3. My guess is Franson still gets more than Green for a three year term -- 6.2?? Slightly more than Sekera for more term. Maybe 5.7, 5.8. Bigger and more durable, supposedly more balanced between offense/defense, physical. Is probably listening to multiple offers...

So I amend my previous statement: BRAD RICHARDS WANT AT LEAST CONFERENCE SEMI FINALS C... cup?

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger 35s35 seconds ago 1 yr for Richards to Det. $3 mil with bonus to $4 mil Wow. That just tempered my excitement about Holland finally getting things together. JEEZUSSSS!

Brad Richards NEED MOAR CUP!! BRAD RICHARDS NEED ALL THE CUPS!!

DeKeyser - Green isn't good enough for ya?

Will take it!

You don't say...

Phaneuf will probably stay put now.

New York Rangers ‏@NYRangers 41s41 seconds ago OFFICIAL: #NYR have agreed to terms with defenseman @diaz_raphael_61.

Was just coming here to post that. Thanks Amato.

15% just reported on TSN. 1.25 million eaten Spauling. The first rounder, and additional pick, and some non-roster players going as well in the deal

Elliotte Friedman ‏@FriedgeHNIC 13s13 seconds ago Hearing Frolik to CAL will come in around five years at a $4.3M AAV.

It's a first round pick. Toronto is retaining some salary.

Hey, does anyone have a stream for TSN. Sportsnet coverage that's on nhl.com is really, really lame. I need my McKenzie, Dreggs, etc. PM if ya got one. thanks in advance.

Kapenen, Harrington and a draft pick

Frolik headed to Calgary.