New New Prospects Thread

[town123 242]

Nah it's preseason even though Finnie looked solid last night.   I'd agree with your earlier sentiment that Mazur and/or Danielson get first dibs with long leashes while Finnie simmers in GR.   I also think you're too optimistic believing this team will make a jump this year.   We're one injury away from being bottom 10 again and I still don't like our D.     

Could be that I'm too negative.

[Jimmybigrigs69 530]

3 hours ago, town123 said:

Nah it's preseason even though Finnie looked solid last night.   I'd agree with your earlier sentiment that Mazur and/or Danielson get first dibs with long leashes while Finnie simmers in GR.   I also think you're too optimistic believing this team will make a jump this year.   We're one injury away from being bottom 10 again and I still don't like our D.     

Could be that I'm too negative.

I've only watched Finnie play once, but I feel like if he gets sent down I will kill everyone on this board and then myself. 

[kipwinger 8,801]

5 hours ago, town123 said:

Nah it's preseason even though Finnie looked solid last night.   I'd agree with your earlier sentiment that Mazur and/or Danielson get first dibs with long leashes while Finnie simmers in GR.   I also think you're too optimistic believing this team will make a jump this year.   We're one injury away from being bottom 10 again and I still don't like our D.     

Could be that I'm too negative.

 

To me it's finally a matter of depth. We have a serious injury at center, we're finally in a position where we've got competent depth. Larkin goes down and Kasper goes up to 1C, with Copp/Compher then filling in at 2C, and  Danielson getting the call up to be the 3C until Larkin is healthy. Same on the wings. Power winger goes down with injury, MBN comes up. Skill winger goes down with injury, Lombardi comes up. Same at goalie.

Even a Seider injury wouldn't hurt us as bad as it would have the last two years because Edvinsson can handle the minutes/matchups as long as it's short term. Though any long term Seider injury would ultimately sink us.

A year ago we had Veleno, Christian Fischer, and Tyler Motte playing regular minutes on our 3rd and 4th lines. We didn't have a decent goalie. We didn't have a solution at 2C, and Edvinsson was a rookie. Even then we were in the playoff hunt all season long. I think we're better and I think if we win more divisional games we may even make it. If we win 25% more games against Ottawa, Montreal, Buffalo, and Boston than we did a year ago we're in. That's not unrealistic.

 

 

Edited September 24 by kipwinger

[town123 242]

1 hour ago, kipwinger said:

 

To me it's finally a matter of depth. We have a serious injury at center, we're finally in a position where we've got competent depth. Larkin goes down and Kasper goes up to 1C, with Copp/Compher then filling in at 2C, and  Danielson getting the call up to be the 3C until Larkin is healthy. Same on the wings. Power winger goes down with injury, MBN comes up. Skill winger goes down with injury, Lombardi comes up. Same at goalie.

Even a Seider injury wouldn't hurt us as bad as it would have the last two years because Edvinsson can handle the minutes/matchups as long as it's short term. Though any long term Seider injury would ultimately sink us.

A year ago we had Veleno, Christian Fischer, and Tyler Motte playing regular minutes on our 3rd and 4th lines. We didn't have a decent goalie. We didn't have a solution at 2C, and Edvinsson was a rookie. Even then we were in the playoff hunt all season long. I think we're better and I think if we win more divisional games we may even make it. If we win 25% more games against Ottawa, Montreal, Buffalo, and Boston than we did a year ago we're in. That's not unrealistic.

 

 

Fine.   Your reasoned arguments win the day.   (other than Seider or Ed going down)

[Jimmybigrigs69 530]

With Danielson, Finnie, Mazur, and Lombardi knocking... id be prepping to ship out Berggren and Ras b4 Xmas if they dont preform. Especially with MBN and Buchnelikov coming quickly down the pipe as well. 

It's gonna suck watching Mason Applebottom and James Van-Dutchboi fill out the bottom 6 with the forwards we have waiting.

[Jimmybigrigs69 530]

My bold ranking of our prospects. This is based on percieved career potential or long term outlook, not current NHL readiness:

1. ASP - RHD - far too talented not to be #1. Prime Erik Karlsson potential.

2. Augustine - G - one of the most dominant NCAA goalies to ever play in that league. True elite potential.

3. MBN - RW - raw tools undeniable. Big strong quick and talented. Potential beast powerforward.

4. Buchnelikov - LW - extremely fast and crafty scoring forward. Definite top6 potential. 

5. Plante - C - underrated in his age group. Plays a foot taller than he is. Top6 possible.

6. Finnie - C/W - late bloomer that gets significantly better each time he touches the ice. Does everything. Top6 possible. 

7. Kiiskinen - RW - hardworking talent. Likely middle6. 

8. Lombardi - C - nifty playmaker. Likely middle6.

9. Danielson - C - steady twoway forward. Likely middle6. 

10. Bear - LW - very early to know, but appears to have at least middle6 upside.

11. Cossa - G - #1 potential exists, but seems to be more of a Howard than a Price.

12. Mazur - RW - hardworking talent. Middle6 likely. 

What concerns me is not a single Dman besides ASP made my top12. With Ed + Mo + ASP this isn't too concerning, as our top3 D seem to be our best players. But it would be nice to get some good cheap young plug n play Dman who can boost that group over the top. Buium and Wallinder arent much more exciting to me than AJo.

Goalie future seems set.

Forward future seems set, however we dont have much in terms of legit superstar talent. The group seems more like a plethora of hardworking win by commitee guys. 

[kipwinger 8,801]

2 hours ago, Jimmybigrigs69 said:

My bold ranking of our prospects. This is based on percieved career potential or long term outlook, not current NHL readiness:

1. ASP - RHD - far too talented not to be #1. Prime Erik Karlsson potential.

2. Augustine - G - one of the most dominant NCAA goalies to ever play in that league. True elite potential.

3. MBN - RW - raw tools undeniable. Big strong quick and talented. Potential beast powerforward.

4. Buchnelikov - LW - extremely fast and crafty scoring forward. Definite top6 potential. 

5. Plante - C - underrated in his age group. Plays a foot taller than he is. Top6 possible.

6. Finnie - C/W - late bloomer that gets significantly better each time he touches the ice. Does everything. Top6 possible. 

7. Kiiskinen - RW - hardworking talent. Likely middle6. 

8. Lombardi - C - nifty playmaker. Likely middle6.

9. Danielson - C - steady twoway forward. Likely middle6. 

10. Bear - LW - very early to know, but appears to have at least middle6 upside.

11. Cossa - G - #1 potential exists, but seems to be more of a Howard than a Price.

12. Mazur - RW - hardworking talent. Middle6 likely. 

What concerns me is not a single Dman besides ASP made my top12. With Ed + Mo + ASP this isn't too concerning, as our top3 D seem to be our best players. But it would be nice to get some good cheap young plug n play Dman who can boost that group over the top. Buium and Wallinder arent much more exciting to me than AJo.

Goalie future seems set.

Forward future seems set, however we dont have much in terms of legit superstar talent. The group seems more like a plethora of hardworking win by commitee guys. 

I'm genuinely not worried about this team at all. I think we're about to be a powerhouse. In particular the defense. We've got 3 out of 4 pieces that should add up to an elite top four. In two years our defense looks like:

Edvinsson-Seider

Free Agent-ASP

Wallinder/Buium/Aljo - Anton Johansson (or help from outside the org)

 

Edited September 25 by kipwinger

[mackel 783]

6 hours ago, Jimmybigrigs69 said:

My bold ranking of our prospects. This is based on percieved career potential or long term outlook, not current NHL readiness:

1. ASP - RHD - far too talented not to be #1. Prime Erik Karlsson potential.

2. Augustine - G - one of the most dominant NCAA goalies to ever play in that league. True elite potential.

3. MBN - RW - raw tools undeniable. Big strong quick and talented. Potential beast powerforward.

4. Buchnelikov - LW - extremely fast and crafty scoring forward. Definite top6 potential. 

5. Plante - C - underrated in his age group. Plays a foot taller than he is. Top6 possible.

6. Finnie - C/W - late bloomer that gets significantly better each time he touches the ice. Does everything. Top6 possible. 

7. Kiiskinen - RW - hardworking talent. Likely middle6. 

8. Lombardi - C - nifty playmaker. Likely middle6.

9. Danielson - C - steady twoway forward. Likely middle6. 

10. Bear - LW - very early to know, but appears to have at least middle6 upside.

11. Cossa - G - #1 potential exists, but seems to be more of a Howard than a Price.

12. Mazur - RW - hardworking talent. Middle6 likely. 

What concerns me is not a single Dman besides ASP made my top12. With Ed + Mo + ASP this isn't too concerning, as our top3 D seem to be our best players. But it would be nice to get some good cheap young plug n play Dman who can boost that group over the top. Buium and Wallinder arent much more exciting to me than AJo.

Goalie future seems set.

Forward future seems set, however we dont have much in terms of legit superstar talent. The group seems more like a plethora of hardworking win by commitee guys. 

ASP looks lost... I hope a season in GR helps, but I've pumped the breaks on his ranking.

[kipwinger 8,801]

7 minutes ago, mackel said:

ASP looks lost... I hope a season in GR helps, but I've pumped the breaks on his ranking.

I see what you see, but I wouldn't call it "lost". He's exactly as billed with the puck on his stick. In the pre-season opener he started hanging onto pucks in the o-zone and you could tell he was ready to make plays. He's still learning the NA game in the defensive zone, which has been rough, but that was always going to happen. I don't think it's unexpectedly bad or anything.

[town123 242]

Who might be on the waiver wire soon.... fun read

 

https://archive.is/lCdYt

[kipwinger 8,801]

Loving me some MBN so far this preseason. That guy’s a wrecking ball. He’s a poor man’s Ovechkin. 

[mackel 783]

53 minutes ago, kipwinger said:

Loving me some MBN so far this preseason. That guy’s a wrecking ball. He’s a poor man’s Ovechkin. 

Yea we need 2 rookies on this team... Finnie and MBN... send Burgers and Compher to GR or Siberia. 

[Jimmybigrigs69 530]

On 9/25/2025 at 12:17 PM, kipwinger said:

I see what you see, but I wouldn't call it "lost". He's exactly as billed with the puck on his stick. In the pre-season opener he started hanging onto pucks in the o-zone and you could tell he was ready to make plays. He's still learning the NA game in the defensive zone, which has been rough, but that was always going to happen. I don't think it's unexpectedly bad or anything.

This basically.

ASP is compared to Karlsson for a reason. Wings will try to turn him into a Rafalski, but until then a good coach will deploy him 60-70% of the time in the Ozone.

18 hours ago, kipwinger said:

Loving me some MBN so far this preseason. That guy’s a wrecking ball. He’s a poor man’s Ovechkin. 

Why I ranked at 3 behind only Aug and ASP. His raw attributes give him extreme upside. If he can play smart he has the toolbox to better than most every other player.

[kipwinger 8,801]

12 minutes ago, Jimmybigrigs69 said:

This basically.

ASP is compared to Karlsson for a reason. Wings will try to turn him into a Rafalski, but until then a good coach will deploy him 60-70% of the time in the Ozone.

Why I ranked at 3 behind only Aug and ASP. His raw attributes give him extreme upside. If he can play smart he has the toolbox to better than most every other player.

And play smart he has. Kid looks like a natural at even strength and on the powerplay. I don’t see him make plays where I’m thinking “that’ll never work in the NHL/North America”. He makes the next logical play all the time. I think he could genuinely slot in on our top line LW right now without missing a beat. He’s going to be a good one. Ditto for Danielson, Finnie, and Lombardi. 

[Jimmybigrigs69 530]

Too soon plan:

Between Xmas and TDL, acquire Mario Ferraro LHD off the Sharks. Send them Berggren and Ras in exchange. They will value the long contract and RFA control these players have. Ferraro isnt someone theyre going to want to pay at this point - but we will. 

Allow JVR and Kane to walk in UFA, as well as all our UFA Dmen = Chia, Holl, Gus, Hamonic

I love Kane, but he'll be a 37 year old purely offensive player. He no longer fits into the mold of what this team is becoming.

Next year:

Finnie - Larkin - Raymond

Dcat - Kasper - Soderblom

Mazur - Copp - Appleton

Lombardi - Compher - Danielson

Edvinsson - Seider

Ferraro - ASP

Johansson - Bernard Docker

Gibson

Cossa

Finnie has displayed his chemistry with Larks and Ray. And each time this kid plays a single min on the ice he gets 100 times better. Gift him that role... the do everything puck retreiver for Larks and Ray.

Kasper and Dcat can hold down a 2nd line. Soderblom is the giant enigmatic x-factor that would add added dimension to that line.

3rd line = shutdown line. 

4th line = 2 kids and an old goat. JTC will keep them honest. Danny will provide added defense, and Lombardi and depth scoring element.

At D: Ferraro is a shut down Dman who could play well on any of our pairings.

 

[town123 242]

11 minutes ago, Jimmybigrigs69 said:

Too soon plan:

Between Xmas and TDL, acquire Mario Ferraro LHD off the Sharks. Send them Berggren and Ras in exchange. They will value the long contract and RFA control these players have. Ferraro isnt someone theyre going to want to pay at this point - but we will. 

Allow JVR and Kane to walk in UFA, as well as all our UFA Dmen = Chia, Holl, Gus, Hamonic

I love Kane, but he'll be a 37 year old purely offensive player. He no longer fits into the mold of what this team is becoming.

Next year:

Finnie - Larkin - Raymond

Dcat - Kasper - Soderblom

Mazur - Copp - Appleton

Lombardi - Compher - Danielson

Edvinsson - Seider

Ferraro - ASP

Johansson - Bernard Docker

Gibson

Cossa

Finnie has displayed his chemistry with Larks and Ray. And each time this kid plays a single min on the ice he gets 100 times better. Gift him that role... the do everything puck retreiver for Larks and Ray.

Kasper and Dcat can hold down a 2nd line. Soderblom is the giant enigmatic x-factor that would add added dimension to that line.

3rd line = shutdown line. 

4th line = 2 kids and an old goat. JTC will keep them honest. Danny will provide added defense, and Lombardi and depth scoring element.

At D: Ferraro is a shut down Dman who could play well on any of our pairings.

 

I'll assume you meant to put MBN with Kasper and DCat

[town123 242]

Now that's a skinny lineup.  The whose who of maybe not making the team?

  Compher be like; 'welp I'm still getting paid.'   Berggren be like; 'welp can you trade me then?'

Edited September 26 by town123

[mackel 783]

56 minutes ago, town123 said:

Now that's a skinny lineup.  The whose who of maybe not making the team?

  Compher be like; 'welp I'm still getting paid.'   Berggren be like; 'welp can you trade me then?'

Yeah but Finnie is in that game... :-(

[town123 242]

14 hours ago, mackel said:

Yeah but Finnie is in that game... :-(

Finnie's line was probably the best imo and he would be the only guy to stay in Detroit.   Nobody really looked great other than Gibson.   Beargrin looked weak, Elmer was maybe the 2nd best forward.   Bear played responsible and Nate a step behind.

[mackel 783]

5 minutes ago, town123 said:

Finnie's line was probably the best imo and he would be the only guy to stay in Detroit.   Nobody really looked great other than Gibson.   Beargrin looked weak, Elmer was maybe the 2nd best forward.   Bear played responsible and Nate a step behind.

At a minimum I think they should keep Finnie for a few regular season games until JVR gets up to speed.

[town123 242]

1 hour ago, mackel said:

At a minimum I think they should keep Finnie for a few regular season games until JVR gets up to speed.

I think JVR would slow that line down too much.  I could be wrong.

[kipwinger 8,801]

48 minutes ago, town123 said:

I think JVR would slow that line down too much.  I could be wrong.

I've had this worry too. Same with Sodorblom. If we are truly trying to ice the best possible lineup I think it's gotta be MBN or Finnie. Then make JVR-Compher-Sodorblom a heavy 3rd line.

[mackel 783]

37 minutes ago, kipwinger said:

I've had this worry too. Same with Sodorblom. If we are truly trying to ice the best possible lineup I think it's gotta be MBN or Finnie. Then make JVR-Compher-Sodorblom a heavy 3rd line.

I'm sure they'll not want the optics of him being with his expecting wife to be a *thing*. So he'll probably waltz back into a top-6 roll.

What's up with Talbot... has he been in any preseason action? I've not seen or heard a thing about him. Just Gibson, Cossa and Postava.

[kipwinger 8,801]

5 minutes ago, mackel said:

I'm sure they'll not want the optics of him being with his expecting wife to be a *thing*. So he'll probably waltz back into a top-6 roll.

What's up with Talbot... has he been in any preseason action? I've not seen or heard a thing about him. Just Gibson, Cossa and Postava.

Talbot played the first half of the 2nd preseason game. He split time with Postava. He looked fine, but had a VERY light workload.

[Jimmybigrigs69 530]

Emmitt Finnie