Marchenko recalled from GR... Ouellet sent down

[Euro_Twins 4,476]

Kronwall is on pace for 8 goals and 38 assists (46 points) this season. He had 49 points (8 goals and 41 assists) last season. In 2012-13 (lockout season) he had almost exactly the same production as this season so far - one more assist and the same # of goals through 48 games. How exactly has his offense 'dried up'?

So you think he's been playing well offensively lately? I personally don't, I love Kronner but I think he's been in a dry spell lately. if he ends up where he always is points wise, that's great. Regardless of anything I think we can all agree that he needs an upgraded #2.

Umm... Aside from one 51 point season kronwall has had his best point production this and the two previous years. Don't know where you get this "hi. Offense has dried up" stuff

[wings4thecup06 504]

Hmm. I thought Marchenko was solid, but personally, I think Ouellet has looked better and has more upside. I just didn't see anything at all in Alexei's game. He made some decent plays and didn't look out of place, and maybe it's cause it was his first NHL game in a year, but I just thought that Ouellet looks better and more promising. Might be just me though. Sure as hell glad that their giving the guys a try out though.

[barabbas16 499]

Kronwall is on pace for 8 goals and 38 assists (46 points) this season. He had 49 points (8 goals and 41 assists) last season. In 2012-13 (lockout season) he had almost exactly the same production as this season so far - one more assist and the same # of goals through 48 games. How exactly has his offense 'dried up'?

So you think he's been playing well offensively lately? I personally don't, I love Kronner but I think he's been in a dry spell lately. if he ends up where he always is points wise, that's great. Regardless of anything I think we can all agree that he needs an upgraded #2.

You think he is in a dry spell lately based on what? What is the definition of 'lately' in that statement? A dry spell compared to when in his career?

....Please provide some clarification as to what specifically leads you to believe that Kronwall's offense has dried up, as you have stated.

[Smite 399]

Kronwall is on pace for 8 goals and 38 assists (46 points) this season. He had 49 points (8 goals and 41 assists) last season. In 2012-13 (lockout season) he had almost exactly the same production as this season so far - one more assist and the same # of goals through 48 games. How exactly has his offense 'dried up'?

So you think he's been playing well offensively lately? I personally don't, I love Kronner but I think he's been in a dry spell lately. if he ends up where he always is points wise, that's great. Regardless of anything I think we can all agree that he needs an upgraded #2.

I never really saw kronwall as an offensive d-man. He is good on the boards and in the corners and has ability to make huge timely hits. What he has lost is the hits. I believe this because of multiple things including: pressure from the league, age, and every player knows when he is on the ice.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Kronwall scores well over 40 points a year and is on pace to do so again, but he's not good offensively and his offense has dried up because he hasn't scored a ton the last week or two, because nobody goes through stretches like that. Gotcha.

[Andy Pred 48 337]

Hmm. I thought Marchenko was solid, but personally, I think Ouellet has looked better and has more upside. I just didn't see anything at all in Alexei's game. He made some decent plays and didn't look out of place, and maybe it's cause it was his first NHL game in a year, but I just thought that Ouellet looks better and more promising. Might be just me though. Sure as hell glad that their giving the guys a try out though.

I think he maybe was just doing the safest and easiest plays out there. If he gets the same amount of games that XO has played I think you'll see him become more comfortable within the system and express himself more. Made a nice play leading to Smith's gw goal would love both him and XO up but they need to move Kindl and I don't think there's many takers on that contract.

[Desert Rat 78]

Kronwall scores well over 40 points a year and is on pace to do so again, but he's not good offensively and his offense has dried up because he hasn't scored a ton the last week or two, because nobody goes through stretches like that. Gotcha.

Yeah I meant a stretch where he hasn't scored much in a week or two is "dried up a bit" not a permanant statement just an observation about recent play that would be benefited from having a more offensively capable d partner. Nothin too far fetched in my original post I thought.

[Desert Rat 78]

You think he is in a dry spell lately based on what? What is the definition of 'lately' in that statement? A dry spell compared to when in his career?

....Please provide some clarification as to what specifically leads you to believe that Kronwall's offense has dried up, as you have stated.

You got me on that I can't really prove it via stats or anything I just haven't seen those awesome dekes from the point he's so good at using to get open space and get shots through. Just a personal opinion comment on what I've seen lately from games I've seen in the past couple of weeks. I'll try to have concrete stats to back up posts I make in the future. That's not sarcastic either. I've caught myself making posts without providing links and stuff so I'll try to clean that up.I think in his last 10 games he has 4 or 5 assists which are nice numbers.

[barabbas16 499]

NHL.com (http://redwings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=751825) says Ouellet was recalled... doesn't say Marchenko was sent back down. Am I missing something? Did someone get hurt?

[The Greek 323]

NHL.com (http://redwings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=751825) says Ouellet was recalled... doesn't say Marchenko was sent back down. Am I missing something? Did someone get hurt?

I don't think so. I read that the wings are going on the road trip with 8 defensemem.

[MabusIncarnate 5,344]

I don't think so. I read that the wings are going on the road trip with 8 defensemem.

Yep, this is the case, I read the same earlier today.

[barabbas16 499]

I don't think so. I read that the wings are going on the road trip with 8 defensemem.

Doesn't that seem odd? I mean, you wouldn't expect that the Wings would want Ouellet and/or Marchenko up in Detroit if they weren't going to play. And, it doesn't really seem preferable to have them both in the top six at the same time. Is one of Kronwall/Ericsson/DeKeyser/Quincey/Smith hurt or something? It doesn't really add up otherwise, does it?

[MabusIncarnate 5,344]

Per Khan

"The move enables Ouellet to join the team on its annual Fathers/Mentors trip with his dad, Robert, a former professional hockey player in France and Germany.

Ouellet is not expected to play Thursday in Colorado - coach Mike Babcock said he was not making any lineup changes from last Saturday's game - but he might play Saturday at Arizona.

A roster spot opened for Ouellet when goaltender Tom McCollum was reassigned to the Griffins.

Jonas Gustavsson, already on the active roster, was scheduled to join the Red Wings in Denver on Wednesday night. He completed his two-game conditioning stint for the Griffins earlier in the day, making 30 saves in a 3-1 victory at the Toronto Marlies. Gustavsson, who suffered a dislocated shoulder on Nov. 5, stopped 59 of 62 shots in going 1-1 for the Griffins."

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2015/02/red_wings_recall_xavier_ouelle_1.html

[Jesusberg 1,256]

Doesn't that seem odd? I mean, you wouldn't expect that the Wings would want Ouellet and/or Marchenko up in Detroit if they weren't going to play. And, it doesn't really seem preferable to have them both in the top six at the same time. Is one of Kronwall/Ericsson/DeKeyser/Quincey/Smith hurt or something? It doesn't really add up otherwise, does it?

What Mabus said. With Mule on IR, they're only carrying 13 forwards right now. They promised Ouellet he could go on the father-son trip, thus the call-up.

[nyqvististhefuture 1,002]

I read something about ouellet already inviting his dad to the trip and thought he was given the ok by holland but he wasn't?

Guess holland did him a favor

[number9 3,297]

Classy

[rick zombo 3,739]

Classy

Yep Holland and the Wings really are classy.

Except when it involves keeping promises to veteran players regarding contracts. Then they are just incompetent, over-loyal fat cats that obviously don't care about winning anymore.

[kipwinger 8,522]

Aaaaand Ouellet is sent back down. Interesting.

[nawein 324]

Aaaaand Ouellet is sent back down. Interesting.

He was only up because he already had invited his dad on the father's trip. I think he and the wings both knew he wouldn't play.

[kipwinger 8,522]

He was only up because he already had invited his dad on the father's trip. I think he and the wings both knew he wouldn't play.

Nevertheless, it's interesting because it may give some indication as to how the organization is feeling about the Smith-Marchenko pairing.

[Smite 399]

[Buppy 1,720]

Nevertheless, it's interesting because it may give some indication as to how the organization is feeling about the Smith-Marchenko pairing.

Marchenko's only had 3 games. Don't think it says anything more than that he hasn't been awful. I expect he'll get quite a few more games, then get swapped for Sproul to get him a few games prior to the trade deadline. Then, barring a deal, probably have one of the kids up for the rest of the year.

[kipwinger 8,522]

Marchenko's only had 3 games. Don't think it says anything more than that he hasn't been awful. I expect he'll get quite a few more games, then get swapped for Sproul to get him a few games prior to the trade deadline. Then, barring a deal, probably have one of the kids up for the rest of the year.

I disagree. I think it means something because of the effect its had on smith. He's looked really good since being moved to his natural side. If having marchenko up means smith plays better, then that may put ouellet in play at the deadline. If marchenko and smith can be a solid third pair it may impact Hollands deadline strategy. IMO Smith has looked much better with Marchenko than he did with Ouellet.

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

I disagree. I think it means something because of the effect its had on smith. He's looked really good since being moved to his natural side. If having marchenko up means smith plays better, then that may put ouellet in play at the deadline. If marchenko and smith can be a solid third pair it may impact Hollands deadline strategy. IMO Smith has looked much better with Marchenko than he did with Ouellet.

But Ouellet was only brought back up because of the Dad trip - without that it's Ouellet getting 21 games and then give Marchenko a shot. I think you're reading too much into a player getting more than 3 games to show what he's got. I doubt they've even made much of a judgement on him after so few games anyway.

[kipwinger 8,522]

But Ouellet was only brought back up because of the Dad trip - without that it's Ouellet getting 21 games and then give Marchenko a shot. I think you're reading too much into a player getting more than 3 games to show what he's got. I doubt they've even made much of a judgement on him after so few games anyway.

To me its not about the player, its about the pair. If marchenko can play as good as ouellet, but make smith more effective then that's a net gain. I think the third pair looks better now than it did with ouellet. If marchenko had come in and the third pair had looked bad, then he'd be in GR right now. But its looking good. So that changes things.