I've been reading all of the reports that we are shopping Mrazek over Howard, and quite a few people have expressed the desire...but I don't think I agree. I figure with the year that Mrazek has had we could re-sign him to similar money as he's making now and let him have the crease full time. It's not like next year has any expectations. I also think Howard would net a whole lot more than Mrazek. The team that seems to be the most obvious partner is NYI. They need a goalie, have a some A level prospects, especially on D. I guess it's the term and dollar amount that makes people think we can't move Jimmy. Am I missing something?
The issue is that Howard, much like nearly every other player on our team, has a No Trade Clause. Plus Howard has another year left on his deal at over 5 mil. Mrazek is playing better but he’s been very inconsistent. Mrazek expires at the end of the year though which makes him more desirable. Plus it’s easier for us to eat salary with him than Howard. I would prefer to ride Mrazek until the deadline and then see what shakes out. To bring him back next year though it’ll cost a minimum of 4 mil. That makes it more unlikely that he is here long term as well.
Also I am beginning to focus more on the draft. Assuming we don’t win the lottery, we are likely going to be in a position to land a winger or an undersized, but skilled, D. I am biased but I really like Hughes. Boqvist seems good too but Hughes provides a different dimension with his puck carrying skills. I really, really like Brady Tkachuk as well. The idea of putting out a top six of: Tkachuk - Larkin - Mantha AA - Rasmussen - Bertuzzi would be fun to watch. The problem is you still lack D and that top six would have a high floor but a low ceiling. It’ll be interesting to see how it all shakes out.
Also once we inevitably move Green, I’m wondering if we call up Hronek. He’s really turned it up in GR and he’s the only puck moving D close to being ready. My hope is we can get anything for XO, though I’d waive him if we can’t, so that Hronek and Hicketts can get called up. Let Kronwall and Jensen split games to finish the year, but keep the rookies in a prominent role. Also it doesn’t seem crazy to think that both Rasmussen and Cholowski could make the team out of camp next year. It’s unlikely, but it isn’t crazy.
Yep, exactly what I was thinking. Would be fantastic cause we would hopefully be far less likely to waste these next few years of Larkin, mantha, AA, etc
I can’t fathom any deal that would get that done. Basically our entire draft and probably a future first. Not even sure that gets it done.
I’d be content with staying at 5 and taking Brady Tkachuk. He’d immediately become a fan favourite and hated by everyone else in the Atlantic Division
I’d LOVE Brady, could you imagine him and Bert wreaking havoc? Also, just checked CapFriendly and it’s a modified NTC (didn’t realize he even had one, good catch DeToxRox) you think he’d waive it to avoid dealing with a rebuild and have a shot at the cup? Who would you want in return? Pulock? Toews? Vande Sompel? Dal Colle?
I think Howard would waive his NTC to go to the Islanders. He’s a NY guy. I don’t think we would get much for him though because the goalie market is soft. There is no demand. I think we could get a second or maybe a third and fifth. I might just be pessimistic though.
Mrazek is going to pitch another shutout tonight which will then lead to the Wings reeling off 8 wins in a row. No need to blow up the rooster now.
We were up 5-2 and then Bert got a 5 minute match penalty for a terribly dumb slash (assisted by a nice embellishment by Clutterbuck) and now it’s 5-5.
Also I think Rasmussen could be an Anders Lee type player with his proclivity on the PP. That would be fantastic.
Nyquist is so dumb. Hopefully this leads to a total meltdown and we lose everything from here on out.
Green suffered what Custance is calling a stinger on Thursday. He’s out tonight and probably tomorrow as well. My guess is he could go tonight but the team won’t take any chances prior to the deadline.
As far as Mrazek goes, he was definitely one of the biggest disappointments I can remember. I don’t really blame it all on him either, as the team botched how they handled him along the way. That said, Mrazek was given the ball several times but he never ran with it. He has #1 goalie potential but he has to fix the mental part of the game.