Richdg

Didn't see this posted anywhere, so I will add some quotes.

"We would like to get more scoring, a little bigger, a little grittier"

"All 5 of the young guys that played this year will be in Detroit. Lashoff, tatar, Nyquist, Andersson, and Dekeyser" were the names he mentioned. But then he later back tracked a bit. Said "all the young guys will be pushing for time in training camp".

"we will be looking to add some guys via UFA, maybe not top line guys but secondary support type players."

"We have 5 UFA's, some we would like to keep, some we will part ways with. Cleary, Filppula, Miller, White, and Brunner are all UFA's".

Here we are heading into the long holiday weekend. The sun is shining, and the Wings are still playing! Heck, we are 1 more win from another series! Truely awesome and shocking. Couldn't be happier!

The effort, the coaching, and Howard are the reasons why. Time to give all of those some serious love. No this is not the most talented team in the NHL. in fact the hawks are one of the most talented teams. ut we are out working them and out thinking them, thus we have a 3-1 lead. Babcock has once again shown he is the best coach in the business. He can coach a laoded AS team or a blue collar team that is lacking high end talent. Doesn't matter, he wins.

Jimmy is showing that he is truely one of the best in the game today. never to high, never to low, just goes out and does his job, and does it well. Showing he is worth every penny of his new contract.

This team has goen into the house money area. We are already further than anyone could have expected, and looks like we are not yet done. this is when things get fun. with nothing to lose, there is no pressure. With no pressure, guys play better and have fun. That is when teams become truely dangerous.

What a great year this has turned out to be! If it last for 1 more game or 15 more games, we as Wings fans have NOTHING to complain about.

For those that haven't seen it, and based on the channel it is on I would bet most, This saturday night at 9pm EST on the Hallmark Channel the are premiering: Mr. Hockey: The Gordie Howe Story. Set your DVR's and watch it. I would bet that being the Hallmark Channel it is going to be very very PG. But we should support the effort to tell the story of Mr Hockey!

(the voice of Gary Thorn)

Welcome to downtown Detroit for game 1 of the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals. The first of many in new Little Ceasers arena. This finals features the Western Conference champs Anahiem Ducks and the Eastern Conference champions Detroit Red Wings. now for the introductions.

For the anahiem ducks....who cares......

Now for the Detroit Red Wings. Starting at LW, the season hits leader and penaty minutes leader, coming in at 6-5/235 pounds: Mike-The Left Bower-Mckee! At center, the regular season goal scoring leader measuring in at 6-3/210 pounds: Anthony-Crimson Death-Mantha! At RW, season totals of 25 goals and 150 penalty minutes, tilting the scales at 235, standing 6-5: Mike-The Right Bower-McCarron! At right defense, the current Norris Trophy winner, coming in at 6-4/215 pounds: Ryan-The Sniper-Sproul! On the Left D, The Captain. Standing in at 6-3/215: Danny-The Flying Dutchman-DeKeyser! In the crease, the grumpy old man. The league MVP: Jimmy Howard!

Back to the present. Let the draft games begin! Some thoughts.

1. Of the lineup I just mentioned for the future, we already have 2/3's of it. Just need Mantha and McCarron in this years draft.

2. If we make the playoffs or not, we will most likely be picking bewtween 12th and 16th. Baring a major change between now and next weekend.

3. Most of the many many draft links have Mantha going between 12th and 22nd. Right were we will be picking. We need big tall goal scorers. Mantha is that player. he is 6-3/180ish, shoots lefthanded, and scored 50 goals this season as a leftwing.

4. We strongly need to add RHed shooters and size. McCarron is currently 6-5/227, RHed, and is from Detroit. Most of the sites have him going between 40 and 55. In other words, where we pick in the second round.maybe the 3rd, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Big American Forwards that can skate, score, and play physical go fast. Grabbing McCarron in the second might be more important than Mantha in the first. There are a few other options in the first that also fit the bill. but not so much in the second.

5. This is a deep draft. Lots of potential 20+ gola scoring power forwards available. The key to how good our draft is, may very well be the 3rd and 4th rounds. Who we get in these 2 rounds will be the deciding factor between a good draft and a great draft.

More thoughts and ideas for the draft later.

In an odd turn of events, RW fans can be interested in both. Not saying this is good or bad, but we do have a interest in both, for the first time in about 20 years. If we make the PO's our streak continues. but if we miss the PO's, by even 1 point, we have a chance (slim) at the #1 overall pick. TBH, I like it. You don't have to tank a season if you are a borderline team to have a chance. yes your chance improves greatly if you are really bad, but there is no reason to force your team to lose. The negative is, teams play harder untill the end. Which may hurt us.