Draft Strategy in 2010

[WorkingOvertime 536]

I think our main focus should be a natural goal scoring forward. However, without a top pick it is always hard to find one. Also, I think that we need to go for a physical defenseman (like Lilja) and an physical forward/enforcer (think McCarty, Kocur, Carcillo).

[thedatsyukian 7]

It seems the near unanimous decision is a goal scoring winger.

Tyler Toffoli

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=115633

He probably fits the bill best and may be around by the time we draft assuming we finish in the 16-20 range. Most rankings/mock drafts I've seen have him going at around 16/17 although a strong finish to his season will bolt him up the board quick.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

You're so god damn stupid.

I assume you said that because his deal is so lopsided in favour of Detroit. If you meant that he was dumb for thinking Hall would make the Wings better than Filppula and Kindl... well in that case I'm just bewildered.

[Finnish Wing 110]

I assume you said that because his deal is so lopsided in favour of Detroit. If you meant that he was dumb for thinking Hall would make the Wings better than Filppula and Kindl... well in that case I'm just bewildered.

No, I meant because he favours NA players and "tough" guys and probably thinks Lidstrom is a soft Euro as well.

[Carman 387]

You're so god damn stupid.

Amen, why can't we throw in Leino somehow as well. Then it would be a perfect deal.

[Finnish Wing 110]

Amen, why can't we throw in Leino somehow as well. Then it would be a perfect deal.

If we can get players like Frolov trading Leino + picks + someone like Larsson I would be happy. Leino is a project. Frolov is already a complete package. I'm just hoping good things for Leino, but I was NEVER among those this pre-season who said he was going to score +20 goals or something like that this season. But I'm not bashing players just based on their nationality or playing style.

edit: maybe I should change my avatar, so that everyone don't think I have some kinda man love for Leino.

Edited December 22, 2009 by Finnish Wing

[Carman 387]

If we can get players like Frolov trading Leino + picks + someone like Larsson I would be happy. Leino is a project. Frolov is already a complete package. I'm just hoping good things for Leino, but I was NEVER among those this pre-season who said he was going to score +20 goals or something like that this season. But I'm not bashing players just based on their nationality or playing style.

Eww at Frolov just another bad attitude. Nathan Horton would be a better option IMO.

[Finnish Wing 110]

Eww at Frolov just another bad attitude. Nathan Horton would be a better option IMO.

This team needs a goal scorer, even Babcock said that. I don't care if the guy is Canadian or Chinese as long as he's a real NHL calibre goal scorer.

[Dimaline312000 51]

This team needs a goal scorer, even Babcock said that. I don't care if the guy is Canadian or Chinese as long as he's a real NHL calibre goal scorer.

I agree, let's get someone who can put the puck in the net.

[newfy 695]

No, I meant because he favours NA players and "tough" guys and probably thinks Lidstrom is a soft Euro as well.

Well too be completely honest... Lidstrom is a soft euro theres no way around it. He just happens to be one of the best soft euros of all time to lace up the skates.

And if youc an get a player that can score goals and is tough thats better then just scoring goals.

[Marty Barry 230]

This team needs a goal scorer, even Babcock said that. I don't care if the guy is Canadian or Chinese as long as he's a real NHL calibre goal scorer.

Made in China!?!?! f*** you. No thanks! Tired of it. Now, made in Haiti, or Bangladesh like some good old American Levi's, I'll take that.

[Miller Brew 0]

It seems the near unanimous decision is a goal scoring winger.

Tyler Toffoli

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=115633

He probably fits the bill best and may be around by the time we draft assuming we finish in the 16-20 range. Most rankings/mock drafts I've seen have him going at around 16/17 although a strong finish to his season will bolt him up the board quick.

Tyler Toffoli is eager to drop the gloves and stick up for his team mates.

[newfy 695]

Tyler Toffoli is eager to drop the gloves and stick up for his team mates.

That was a one time thing from Toffoli actually, but he did have a good showing.

[cmonster 11]

Unfortunately, I don't think we will tank bad enough to get a high end player to help us next year. So my wishes for drafting include:

1. Power Forward who is physical, goes to the net, and drops the gloves

2. Sniper, someone who can score at will

3. Stay at home Pronger type defenseman

[Miller Brew 0]

I wouldn't mind a Datsyuk 2.0 . Kovalchuk . Ovechkin hybrid type player named Kirill Kabanov - Remember his name because you will be hearing it a lot in the NHL for many years to come.

Mock Draft: http://www.draftsite.com/nhl/2010mock.htm

[seeinred 1,488]

I would love it so much if the Wings actually picked up the kid on that mock draft site, though I doubt it will happen.

And it's not just because he's a Finn. Granlund is gonna be sick nasty.

[Probie 7]

The Wings will draft THE BEST AVAILABLE PLAYER at their draft spot, and not by position/need.

If we were to pick a position when drafting its because they rank two or more players at the same ranking number, and those players play different positions.

This teams strategy was to cheap out on the goalie and make up for it with a dominant defense. In 08-09, Lids and Rafs were considered the wings best two Dmen. It would make sense to me that either Lidstrom is hurt, or has aged overnight, or both. Rafs is on the downword slope too. If Rafs is done in a year or two, well then its quite possible the teams two best Dman (from last year) are both gone. That hurts. To me the most important position that I see that needs to be filled is defense. To be honest, so what if Kindl has a good toolbox, i dont see him becoming another Rafalski. I see him being a #3 Dman with decent offensive potential. To me Smith will be a little better, maybe a number2, maybe. Either way, I see our D weakening and keeping with the teams strategy a TOP D man is most important.

Volchenkov would be a great addition, maybe for free if he reaches free agency...If Lids retires at the end of the season. He wouldnt be able to move the puck like Lids and Rafs did, but as a physical shutdown guy, hes great. We need physicality. Volchenkov, Stuart, and Kronwall would be do some good damage to other teams forwards. Erricson and kindl have size and could, if they wanted to, lay some hurt. Imagine if big Kolosov makes it , I could see him possibly taking Liljas spot sometime soon. You have some big physical guys on defense. I think it would be frigin great. Volchenkov 6'1 225, Kolosov 6'4 215, Kronwall 6' 190(but hits hard anyways), Stuart 6'2 210, Erricson 6'5 210, and Kindl 6'3 210. I dont think many teams would like dealing with that.

As noted by others, we do have a bunch of scorers with 20-30 goal potential, mostly 20 goal potential. So it would be great to have a 40+ goal guy but they dont grow on trees.

Off the topic slightly. I see looking at our prospects, and the positions that need to be filled in the near future, we have to end up making some trades. Too many 20goal or less hard working types, and no elite talent. Tatar might be a 30-40 goal guy, he has something, but thats in the future, and the future is not certain. Grigorenko never panned out...s*** happens. I hope he does pan out, I was stoked when we got him in the position we did.

Ive been off the boards since August, as Ive been away working far far away. Its nice to be back LGW people, even if its only for a few days.

Merry Christmas to all. Enjoy the Holidays.

Edited December 25, 2009 by Probie

[Probie 7]

Double post, mods feel free to delete.

Edited December 25, 2009 by Probie

[Miller Brew 0]

I would love it so much if the Wings actually picked up the kid on that mock draft site, though I doubt it will happen.

And it's not just because he's a Finn. Granlund is gonna be sick nasty.

Granlund is definitely not what Wings need. He's 5'9 and 160ibs. He's not really tearing it up either, he's got 5 goals in 22 games w/ 19 points in the FNL league.

I doubt he goes in the 1st round. He's too tiny.

http://www.mynhldraft.com/2010/NHL-Draft-P...Mikael-Granlund

[Finnish Wing 110]

Granlund is definitely not what Wings need. He's 5'9 and 160ibs. He's not really tearing it up either, he's got 5 goals in 22 games w/ 19 points in the FNL league.

I doubt he goes in the 1st round. He's too tiny.

http://www.mynhldraft.com/2010/NHL-Draft-P...Mikael-Granlund

That's the Finnish league, undestand? Same level as AHL. And the kid is almost point per game here. He isn't big, but he always goes to the dirty areas unlike many other player of that size. I'm not saying Granlund is what the Wings need. But to say that he's not even going in the 1st round is just stupid, as he's touted a top 10 pick in most mock drafts.

And the difference between Granlund now and Rajala last year is that Rajala never got it going in the Finnish league. But that's men's league, and Granlund has been one of the better centers in the league so far this season. And he's a playmaker, not a scorer. And he's not even played 22 games yet. It's 20gp 5g 14a.

So, please check your facts before making judgements like this one. He IS tearing it up.

edit: Those two games he played last year were over a year ago. He was 16 back then, playing for an entirely different team. And again, it's Finnish national league. You can't even compare it to these junior leagues such as WHL. FNL is the toughest European league.

edit2: Did you even knew what FNL stands for as you posted that?

Edited December 25, 2009 by Finnish Wing

[Miller Brew 0]

That's the Finnish league, undestand? Same level as AHL. And the kid is almost point per game here. He isn't big, but he always goes to the dirty areas unlike many other player of that size. I'm not saying Granlund is what the Wings need. But to say that he's not even going in the 1st round is just stupid, as he's touted a top 10 pick in most mock drafts.

And the difference between Granlund now and Rajala last year is that Rajala never got it going in the Finnish league. But that's men's league, and Granlund has been one of the better centers in the league so far this season. And he's a playmaker, not a scorer. And he's not even played 22 games yet. It's 20gp 5g 14a.

So, please check your facts before making judgements like this one. He IS tearing it up.

edit: Those two games he played last year were over a year ago. He was 16 back then, playing for an entirely different team. And again, it's Finnish national league. You can't even compare it to these junior leagues such as WHL. FNL is the toughest European league.

edit2: Did you even knew what FNL stands for as you posted that?

I hope he does get picked up in the top 10 so Wings have a chance to get someone bigger and better that slips through. Sorry, but 5 goals isn't very impressive considering he's totally lacking in size. He sounds more like a play maker. We don't need a small play makers.

I have a hardon for Kirill Kabanov. Datsyuk and Kovalchuk all packaged up in one body. He's 6'3. So if your boy Granlund gets picked up over Kabanov, that might give us a (slim) chance... here's to hoping.

Of course you could argue Kabanov only has 5 goals in 11 games, but he's 6'3. He won't be getting smaller anytime soon.

[Finnish Wing 110]

I hope he does get picked up in the top 10 so Wings have a chance to get someone bigger and better that slips through. Sorry, but 5 goals isn't very impressive considering he's totally lacking in size. He sounds more like a play maker. We don't need a small play makers.

It doesn't really matter to me who picks him, but I'm sure he'll be in the top10. And again, the size is nothing if you don't use it. Small players can be better in corners and more physical if they use their size well, like Granlund. And I'm not biased here. I'm just telling what I know and what I've seen watching games. He doesn't play for my favourite club like Rajala did so I don't really have any kind of man love in him either.

And again 'bigger' and 'better' doesn't necessarily have anything to do with each other. He's a playmaker playing in men's league - the toughest league in Europe - so point per game is really good. You can say what you want, but as you have never even seen him play, I suggest that you don't say too much.

Edited December 25, 2009 by Finnish Wing

[Guest mindfly]

I doubt granlund will be left over for when the wings will pick...

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Here's why I think you're an idiot. I don't care where they come from. If you want goal scorers, fine. But the hospital they were in when it happened... irrelevant.

It's preference. I like Shanahan more then Kozlov, just an opinion, dont really know why that makes me an idiot, but no big deal. Not like I get the kind of beaks GMR and mindfly get

[Marty Barry 230]

I'm down here in Ohio (God, help me), And have a 3 1/2 and a 2 1/2 year old, so needless to say I don't have much time to pay attention to G.R. and our prospects. But, reading your guy's posts has really gotten my kinda excited about this Tatar fella. Where can I get info and stats on him without spending an hour online?