FinWing

Little something I threw together real quick

30 minutes into Playoff hockey and chill

Whew! Was worried I wasn't going to be able to post this, but I backed up right into it!

Tonight will be Dylan Larkin's debut on the JLA ice playing for his hometown Detroit Red Wings. Stop and think about that for a minute. I know it happens all over the place from time to time, but the first shift he takes can you imagine the tears flowing from the eyes of his dad and mom? Can you just imagine for a minute all the years of practices, getting up at 3am, all the travel all the equipment purchased, all the money spent, all the memories of their child first learning how to skate using a chair or one of the newer plastic apparatus' they have now, all the tears Dylan cried when he thought he couldn't do it, he'd fall down and not want to get back up...my God, it's not only a rush of those memories because Dylan made it to the NHL, and that is overwhelming enough, 99% of the families who go through all the same motions don't even get a sniff of the NHL, but he was drafted by and is now playing for the hometown Detroit ******* Red Wings! Pardon my French.
Talk about dream of dreams, Mr. and Mrs. Larkin congratulations, God bless you and let those tears flow! All the years and struggles you have endured, the times you wanted to give up or had to call in sick to work to go to the next tournament or game or parent meeting, it has all been worth it. Exhale. You deserve it. I can't even imagine the euphoria they will be feeling tonight when he steps onto that hallowed ice. It most certainly is not his first time on that ice surface, hell, even two of my son's played tourney's on that ice, but as he pulls that sweater over his head, ties his laces tight, briefly remembering how many times his father had to do it for him, maybe just one more time wishing dad would make sure they were just right so he wouldn't fall and could share in this one time moment with him. As he walks down that hallway and puts his first foot onto that ice for the first time as a Detroit Red Wing in the arena he grew up (as well as his father grew up) watching their favorite players and fantasizing about being an NHL player. You made it, you are a Detroit Red Wing....Wow.

Negativity and Pulkamania, 2 things that don't go together brother.

NHL...Whatcha gonna do when the Pulkster runs wild on you?

It's amazing how fast people will turn on a player.
If memory serves, this is more of a basic procedural thing than a real indication that things are going poorly. By filing for arbitration Nyquist forfeits the right to accept an offer sheet from other teams. In other words, he's committing to the Wings by filing.
Today is the deadline to file so the timing is likely a result of that, not something that happened with the Wings. I'm pretty sure this is something players do that's just a backup plan for a worst case scenario. And again, by doing so he cannot accept an offer sheet from another team.

This was made by FlashyG posted on another forum. Another absolute gem that has to be shared and I haven't seen him around in awhile.

Take it for what it's worth, but I noticed a number of favorable mentions regarding Saarijarvi and his play during today's camp on Twitter earlier today. Malik did a write-up on him, too.

What's this I hear? Ken Holland actually made a meaningful and reasonable signing on July 1st? Hell I'm going to play the lottery today.

Good effort, we are just a little thin up front, Cole and Franzen would've helped that alot. Huge credit to Marchenko and Kindl tonight, those two looked great. Kindl is an NHL caliber defenceman and if's he not going to be playing for us he needs to be moved for something. It pains me to say it but Z is turning into Stevie late in his career. Looks sore everytime he takes a stride. We have lots to build on here and some movable assets.

that would imply that the organization is moving in the right direction, I honestly thought they were moving backwards on purpose lol

Don't worry Kenny's got a firm grip on the wheel.

New Uniforms for the playoffs

And this only seems appropriate.

Not to delve into hyperbole, but Wings fan should be more excited this wasn't the prospect traded yesterday. Besides Mantha, he's the only guy who projects as an above-average goal scorer we have in the farm system at the moment. Unlike Järnkrok, he's just adjusted beautifully to the North American style of play. Hes been one of the Griffins best guys all year, and he loves to shoot. Reading scouting reports about his shot is fun - you should all try it some time. Names like "Kurri" and "Hull" are mentioned more than once.
I hope he plays soon. I'm a big, big fan of his. Go get em, kid.

People are seriously rage quitting this team over a deadline deal involving a prospect that may bolt to Sweden and a jobber that requested a trade in order to get some playing time under his belt so he can get a contract next year?
Are these the same people that threatened to rage quit the team if Kenny *didn't* make a trade this year?
Not to be a *****, but I totally get why fans of other teams hate red wings fans. Some of the posts I've read today compared with posts leading up to the deadline are ridiculous.
Do I think Kenny overpaid? Probably, but I'm under NO illusions that I could possibly know how to do his job better than he does.
Forgive me for whining about whining, but DAMN.

Let's have a look at the positives of this trade though:
1. Legwand has 40 points in 60 games under Barry Trotz's Nashville system
2. Legwand waived his NTC to come here, has a place here, so chances are he re-signs here (hopefully for a good cap hit)
3. Our centre depth is ridiculous, and will be for at least another 4-5 years (D,Z, Legwand, Weiss, Helm, Sheahan, Andy, Glendening) which made Jarnkrok expendable (Babcock would have none of that attitude)
4. Legwand has managed to stay relatively healthy most of his career, whereas our other centres are made of glass right now
5. He's got great speed and is a decent 2 way centre (you can't play in Nashville if you're not a 2 way player)
All in all, Legwand makes our team look much, much better. He gives us a chance at the playoffs, especially since Datsyuk is now out for three weeks and Helm is out. Andersson as our 1C for one game is one game too many. On another note, I absolutely love Sheahan and his line. Their shifts are easily our most exciting shifts each game.

I think people are a bit quick to stomp on the panic button here. What a lot of you aren't considering is Jarnkrok's verbal desire to return to Europe and play hockey over there. If that is the case down the line, Eaves and a 3rd for Legwand isn't bad, especially if Legwand re-signs here.
Look at how many we have injured and Eaves still barely makes the line-up. We have a lot of players that can fill in his role. A 3rd might equate to a bottom 6 forward in 5-6 years, the rarity of getting a gem in the 3rd doesn't outweigh the risk.
A lot of this decision was based around Jarnkrok potentially pulling a Kovalchuk and bailing out of the NHL system. If that happens, a lot of you are gonna feel better about this deal. I'm assuming management knows more about this scenario than we do.
Take a deep breath, this isn't the end of the world.