2021 Off-Season (Too Soon?)

[Neomaxizoomdweebie 3,083]

2 minutes ago, Dabura said:

getterdunsteve.wmv

I do feel like Cossa is a legit possibility, assuming he's as good as advertised. Yzerman took Vasilevskiy with a second 1st, 19th overall (as we all know).

I think Dmitry Kulikov could be a really good UFA add. That means someone would have to go, though. And it wouldn't address the PP QB problem.

meh

I could get behind that if Stecher or DK are taken in the expansion draft. Yzerman might try to re-sign Staal or Merrill too.

[TLGTrico 627]

6 minutes ago, Dabura said:

getterdunsteve.wmv

I do feel like Cossa is a legit possibility, assuming he's as good as advertised. Yzerman took Vasilevskiy with a second 1st, 19th overall (as we all know).

I think Dmitry Kulikov could be a really good UFA add. That means someone would have to go, though. And it wouldn't address the PP QB problem.

meh

I'd like to sign 2 ufa left d to be Hronek and Seider's parters, have Cholowski and Stecher as the other pair, and have Dekeyser as the 7th d.

[Dabura 12,207]

26 minutes ago, Neomaxizoomdweebie said:

I could get behind that if Stecher or DK are taken in the expansion draft. Yzerman might try to re-sign Staal or Merrill too.

26 minutes ago, TLGTrico said:

I'd like to sign 2 ufa left d to be Hronek and Seider's parters, have Cholowski and Stecher as the other pair, and have Dekeyser as the 7th d.

Gut check time: How much do we like Cholowski? Because...

...I'm feeling like he's probably not part of our future. While he did pretty well in his latest stint, I'm still not convinced he isn't a Jakub Kindl.

Here's Kulikov:

He's been a low-key revelation this season – and it's carried across three teams, which is at the very least interesting. Solid CF% and solid CF% rel despite brutal zone start splits = good two-way hockey. Stecher's somewhat similar:

So...yeah. Maybe Cholowski gets dealt this summer. Or maybe we don't protect him in the expansion draft and he gets claimed. (Unlikely.) I dunno. Of course, Kulikov probably gets way overpaid, which means this is all probably moot. [shrug]

[Akakabuto 1,750]

So, what to do about Bert? Signed a one-year contract last offseason but lost almost all of the season to injury. Another one-year contract takes him to UFA. Try to sign him long term? I dont think neither Tyler or Steve likes that idea.

Edited May 9, 2021 by Akakabuto

[kipwinger 8,524]

12 hours ago, Neomaxizoomdweebie said:

Not sure I would pair a rookie D with Cholowski. I would pair Cholowski with Stetcher and Seider with DeKeyser.

Leaving a pair of Tony DeAngelo and Hronek? You'd have to shelter the hell out of that pair, they'd get lit up. I do get what you're saying though. I've mostly liked Cholo with Hronek these last few weeks, so maybe go with that and put DK with Seider. Either way, I mostly view our defense as the weakest part of my overall picture here. But just like the offense, I'd expect it to rapidly improve over the next two years or so.

[Neomaxizoomdweebie 3,083]

35 minutes ago, kipwinger said:

Leaving a pair of Tony DeAngelo and Hronek? You'd have to shelter the hell out of that pair, they'd get lit up. I do get what you're saying though. I've mostly liked Cholo with Hronek these last few weeks, so maybe go with that and put DK with Seider. Either way, I mostly view our defense as the weakest part of my overall picture here. But just like the offense, I'd expect it to rapidly improve over the next two years or so.

I wasn't factoring in DeAngelo, don't know that SY would get him.

[kipwinger 8,524]

3 minutes ago, Neomaxizoomdweebie said:

I wasn't factoring in DeAngelo, don't know that SY would get him.

Not sure why you'd respond to a post about my proposed offseason changes and then disregard my proposed offseason changes, but okay lol.

[marcaractac 3,963]

14 hours ago, Akakabuto said:

So, what to do about Bert? Signed a one-year contract last offseason but lost almost all of the season to injury. Another one-year contract takes him to UFA. Try to sign him long term? I dont think neither Tyler or Steve likes that idea.

This is a tough one really. Back surgery is a concern as far as long-term goes. But he has shown enough that when healthy he is a beast. My hope is to target a 3-year deal. That way when it's up, the team should be good enough for him to want to stay and win a cup with this team. I think a one-year deal is lose lose. If he comes out flying and you can't lock him in by the deadline, you have to trade him before risking losing him for nothing. As a rental, you'd also extremely hamper his trade value. 

I think you have to take a risk here and go 3-4 years. If his back is an issue, there is LTIR at least. But at least then you have the option of having him for the rebuild or setting the team up for another Mantha-type trade. I think the back surgery might get you a tiny bit of a discount on a longer deal also. 

[Gniwder 168]

On 5/8/2021 at 11:43 PM, Dabura said:

getterdunsteve.wmv

I do feel like Cossa is a legit possibility, assuming he's as good as advertised. Yzerman took Vasilevskiy with a second 1st, 19th overall (as we all know).

I think Dmitry Kulikov could be a really good UFA add. That means someone would have to go, though. And it wouldn't address the PP QB problem.

meh

Edmonton is using Kuly as the 4/5 and 2nd pair SH unit.

NJD pretty much the same thing with 1st pair SH unit.

He was 2nd pair in Winnipeg with similar SH usage.

I kinda hate how inept at offense and generally boring he is. Kinda like Dekeyser. And now he'll be 31 to start next season.

If this was the 2009 Red Wings or contemporary Lightning I'd prolly love a player like this on our 3rd pair. However, nowadays I think we need dynamic (offensively or physically) players in top roles. This is a passive support player. I want guys who are going to impose their will and add to the culture of this team. Guys like Bertuzzi, Seider - dare i say Tom Wilson - Radko Gudas, Cale Makar, Sam Girard. Spark plugs. Energy guys. Character. Attitude. Kulikov's cut rate corsi might lull a team to death 20 games a season.

That said... if we had another major addition like Mike Reilly on top of Kulikov I might forgive your transgression here.

 

Edited May 10, 2021 by Gniwder

[Dabura 12,207]

12 minutes ago, Gniwder said:

Edmonton is using Kuly as the 4/5 and 2nd pair SH unit.

NJD pretty much the same thing with 1st pair SH unit.

He was 2nd pair in Winnipeg with similar SH usage.

I kinda hate how inept at offense and generally boring he is. Kinda like Dekeyser. And now he'll be 31 to start next season.

If this was the 2009 Red Wings or contemporary Lightning I'd prolly love a player like this on our 3rd pair. However, nowadays I think we need dynamic (offensively or physically) players in top roles. This is a passive support player. I want guys who are going to impose their will and add to the culture of this team. Guys like Bertuzzi, Seider - dare i say Tom Wilson - Radko Gudas, Cale Makar, Sam Girard. Spark plugs. Energy guys. Character. Attitude. Kulikov's cut rate corsi might lull a team to death 20 games a season.

That said... if we had another major addition like Mike Reilly on top of Kulikov I might forgive your transgression here.

Isn't Kulikov kinda mean/dirty? Or am I thinking of someone else? Well, in any case, Kulikov's a pretty good left-shot shutdown guy and I think that's looking like an area of need, assuming Merrill doesn't return. Cholowski = Kindl until/unless he proves otherwise. Djoos was ultra-sheltered this season and may or may not be returning. DeKeyser is DeKeyser. Lindstrom's a RH shot and he hasn't impressed me. Johansson's 20 and he's coming over from the SHL.

I want next season's team to be more skilled and more dynamic than the team we iced this season, and I agree that we should be trying to get a better class of player in our top roles. I just figure we're at least another year away from that being a legit thing with our team.

So let's get Kulikov and Nikita Zadorov.

 

[Gniwder 168]

6 hours ago, Dabura said:

Isn't Kulikov kinda mean/dirty? Or am I thinking of someone else? Well, in any case, Kulikov's a pretty good left-shot shutdown guy and I think that's looking like an area of need, assuming Merrill doesn't return. Cholowski = Kindl until/unless he proves otherwise. Djoos was ultra-sheltered this season and may or may not be returning. DeKeyser is DeKeyser. Lindstrom's a RH shot and he hasn't impressed me. Johansson's 20 and he's coming over from the SHL.

I want next season's team to be more skilled and more dynamic than the team we iced this season, and I agree that we should be trying to get a better class of player in our top roles. I just figure we're at least another year away from that being a legit thing with our team.

So let's get Kulikov and Nikita Zadorov.

 

Now Zadorov is at the top of my list. But Chicago has him under RFA control.

I watched Kulikov for one season in Buffalo. He should go to a cup contender and play the passive defensive role he's used to.

[kipwinger 8,524]

On 5/8/2021 at 7:55 PM, marcaractac said:

I like these ideas. Only change is make is Cossa with the caps pick, but that's nitpicking. I'd also prob swap Ras and veleno. 

I've long been on record with the position that I'd never draft a goalie in the top two rounds. As for the bold, in Detroit's forechecking scheme the wingers do more skating than the centers, who play like a 3rd defenseman. Given that Veleno is a quicker skater I'd prefer him over Ras on the wing because of his potential to be more disruptive on the forecheck. Ultimately I'm not too concerned if either/both of them play center, but I'm my fantasyland where we have Johansen as a 2C Veleno seems like the natural choice to move to the wing.

[marcaractac 3,963]

Just now, kipwinger said:

I've long been on record with the position that I'd never draft a goalie in the top two rounds. As for the bold, in Detroit's forechecking scheme the wingers do more skating than the centers, who play like a 3rd defenseman. Given that Veleno is a quicker skater I'd prefer him over Ras on the wing because of his potential to be more disruptive on the forecheck. Ultimately I'm not too concerned if either/both of them play center, but I'm my fantasyland where we have Johansen as a 2C Veleno seems like the natural choice to move to the wing.

Not the worst idea at all. I guess I just like Ras' size on the forecheck, and less responsibility by not being center he can create more havoc in front of the net. My biggest concern with Ras at center is his puck skills only. Even in his draft year he only had 3 assists 5v5 the entire season. But he was a pp machine. 

In the end, Ras and Veleno def have their pros and cons list when it comes to being that third line center. Good problem to have when injuries strike. 

[kipwinger 8,524]

3 minutes ago, marcaractac said:

Not the worst idea at all. I guess I just like Ras' size on the forecheck, and less responsibility by not being center he can create more havoc in front of the net. My biggest concern with Ras at center is his puck skills only. Even in his draft year he only had 3 assists 5v5 the entire season. But he was a pp machine. 

In the end, Ras and Veleno def have their pros and cons list when it comes to being that third line center. Good problem to have when injuries strike. 

I'd honestly be thrilled with both at center if they could be good enough defensively to lighten some of the load for Larkin. With more favorable usage I don't think it's unrealistic that Larkin could get back to a 60-70 point center. That's not amazing or anything, but if you add in offense from Raymond, Zadina, Vrana, Bert, (maybe) Berggren it might be more than enough assuming we keep playing really tight team defense.

I'm not in love with the idea of not having a genuinely gifted offensive center, but I look at St. Louis and Tampa the last two years as models for how it "could" work if we decided to go that route.

[marcaractac 3,963]

1 minute ago, kipwinger said:

I'd honestly be thrilled with both at center if they could be good enough defensively to lighten some of the load for Larkin. With more favorable usage I don't think it's unrealistic that Larkin could get back to a 60-70 point center. That's not amazing or anything, but if you add in offense from Raymond, Zadina, Vrana, Bert, (maybe) Berggren it might be more than enough assuming we keep playing really tight team defense.

I'm not in love with the idea of not having a genuinely gifted offensive center, but I look at St. Louis and Tampa the last two years as models for how it "could" work if we decided to go that route.

Very true. Not to mention, if we don't have a crazy high end offensive center who demands 10+ million per year down the road, we have the cap flexibility to focus on depth rather than giving up too much cap on too few guys. I'd rather have a bunch of 6-8 mil players than a few 10-11 mil players. 

[Gniwder 168]

Rasmussen is about to displace as Larkin as 1C permanently.

Remember that I told you first.

Like with most things.

[marcaractac 3,963]

4 minutes ago, Gniwder said:

Rasmussen is about to displace as Larkin as 1C permanently.

Remember that I told you first.

Like with most things.

Filth and lies. 3C or winger

[Gniwder 168]

6 minutes ago, marcaractac said:

Filth and lies. 3C or winger

Lol bookmark this thread

I don't even see Larkin staying here for much longer. 40 pt pace is shameful and he needs to stop shneefing shneef.

He's Detroit's Mike Richards and he will join his Jeff Carter (Mantha) soon.

[kipwinger 8,524]

2 minutes ago, Gniwder said:

Lol bookmark this thread

I don't even see Larkin staying here for much longer. 40 pt pace is shameful and he needs to stop shneefing shneef.

He's Detroit's Mike Richards and he will join his Jeff Carter (Mantha) soon.

C'mon, I know that Larkin and Mantha have a beautiful budding bromance but it's not even close to this level...

 

[marcaractac 3,963]

4 minutes ago, Gniwder said:

Lol bookmark this thread

I don't even see Larkin staying here for much longer. 40 pt pace is shameful and he needs to stop shneefing shneef.

He's Detroit's Mike Richards and he will join his Jeff Carter (Mantha) soon.

Larkin literally plays the toughest minutes in the entire league. His scoring climbs back to his 70 points per season when he has help down the middle (Not from Ras). Ras in his place would be lucky to score 20 points per season. #notmycenter

Ras would be a 1C if he had the offensive gifts. He does not. His idea spot as a center is 3C and a pp net front specialist. I like the guy, but a 1C he is not nor ever will be.  

[The 91 of Ryans 3,014]

18 minutes ago, Gniwder said:

Lol bookmark this thread

I don't even see Larkin staying here for much longer. 40 pt pace is shameful and he needs to stop shneefing shneef.

He's Detroit's Mike Richards and he will join his Jeff Carter (Mantha) soon.

- the cups 

10 minutes ago, marcaractac said:

Larkin literally plays the toughest minutes in the entire league. His scoring climbs back to his 70 points per season when he has help down the middle (Not from Ras). Ras in his place would be lucky to score 20 points per season. #notmycenter

Ras would be a 1C if he had the offensive gifts. He does not. His idea spot as a center is 3C and a pp net front specialist. I like the guy, but a 1C he is not nor ever will be.  

.........talking about Rasmussen like he's not mutating on a daily basis. The Ras growth has been exponential. 

Edited May 10, 2021 by The 91 of Ryans

[Gniwder 168]

10 minutes ago, marcaractac said:

Larkin literally plays the toughest minutes in the entire league. His scoring climbs back to his 70 points per season when he has help down the middle (Not from Ras). Ras in his place would be lucky to score 20 points per season. #notmycenter

Ras would be a 1C if he had the offensive gifts. He does not. His idea spot as a center is 3C and a pp net front specialist. I like the guy, but a 1C he is not nor ever will be.  

Every 1C plays the toughest minutes. Larkin has proved time and time again he's not capable of this task. He needs support because he's not nearly cable enough on his own.

Last I checked Ras is the 1C. The rassists are rising.

 

[kipwinger 8,524]

Ras is going to be the "number one center" in the same way that Messier was with the Oilers. He's going to do all the hard work while Larkin racks up the points. Everyone will gush over 70 point Larkin and behind closed doors Larkin will be buying Ras fancy dinners and cases of beer (by that time Ras should have legendary beer drinking abilities to rival Andre the Giant) for his immense efforts. We'll win 5 or 6 Cups, Larkin will go down as one of Detroit's greatest Captains, and on the day his number is hung from the rafters of the brand new, state of the art, Jeff Blashill Memorial Arena, his speech will begin thusly: "This night really belongs to one man, another man, a real man. He was my champion, my protector, my hero. He's a man I shall never be, but can truly never forget".

At the time of the speech Michael Rasmussen will be bedding all of his six or seven big boned wives in a log cabin he built in Montana.

[mackel 681]

Is today the day, the long awaited day, where we fire Blashill...  please God, please!

[kipwinger 8,524]

2 minutes ago, mackel said:

Is today the day, the long awaited day, where we fire Blashill...  please God, please!

This is going to be so bittersweet for you. Yzerman is going to let Blashill go, and then hire Lane Lambert (Blashill 2.0). We'll lose every game 1-0. The defense will be glorious.