Lalonde... obviously they aren't this good but they definitely weren't as bad as they were earlier. Lalonde system not only sucked and was boring, but it didn't suit a large part of our roster. Also think a few of the forwards pretty clearly stopped giving Lalonde maximum effort
Unbelievably archaic that a game between teams from Michigan and Washington is blacked out in a state 2000 miles away
The Athletic's top NHLers and prospects under 23 list is out. Six Wings in the top fifty-seven: Tier 2: NHL All-Star 9. Lucas Raymond Raymond has been the leader on Detroit's offense this season and one of the best U23 forwards in the league overall in the first half. He's a dynamic player with the puck. He has special puck skills, with the ability to make high-skill maneuvers in tight areas at a high rate. He combines that skill with excellent offensive IQ and vision. He sees plays other players don't, and has a unique ability to hold onto pucks for an extra second to let lanes develop. He had a good shot and with how many plays he makes he can run a PP1 in the NHL. Raymond isn't that big, but he works hard and even added PK duty for the Red Wings this season. He's not that fast, but he's very elusive and has good edges. He's a budding star forward. Tier 4: Top of the lineup player 36: Nate Danielson Danielson's first pro season has been a familiar story. He looks like an impactful all-around player, who logs a lot of minutes and creates a lot of chances, but doesn't score in big amounts. His numbers aren't amazing for where I have him projected, but I've seen enough offense from this player to think he's going to score in the NHL. He has excellent one-on-one skills, he skates well, and his ability to create chances in transition will make him dangerous as a pro. He's both a strong passer and shooter who can make a lot of things happen inside the offensive zone. Danielson is also a diligent two-way center. I get the concerns about his production, but when I've watched the player I think his skill is legit. If he's Detroit's second-line center of the future he can be a heck of a 2C. Tier 5: Bubble top and middle of the lineup player 40. Simon Edvinsson Edvinsson has emerged as a top-four defenseman for Detroit this season. Edvinsson is a rare package of size, mobility and skill. You don't find big men who can one-on-one opponents often like he can. He's huge and competes well, showing the ability to close on checks with his length and body. He skates pucks up ice well and retrieves them well. There will be a minor debate on whether Edvinsson will ever be a top-end point producer. I don't see a true playmaker in his game but the sum of the parts should still add up to a good top-four D. 44. Marco Kasper Kasper has played most of the year up with the Red Wings, getting a regular shift with them as a 20-year-old. Kasper is a good skater with solid puck skills, vision and finishing ability but the pure offense in his game is not what gets you excited about him, The strengths of his game are his work ethic and physicality. His motor is outstanding, he plays in traffic, gets to the net and has an edge to his game. He projects as a two-way top-six forward who may not score a ton in the NHL but his coach will be able to trust him in any situation. 45. Alex Sandin Pellikka Sandin Pellikka has had a monster start to his SHL season, putting up a ton of offense for Skelleftea while logging big minutes. He was also named the top defenseman at the World Juniors. Sandin Pellikka is a highly skilled and poised defenseman. He looks calm and intelligent with the puck, making a lot of great plays, and has the soft touch of a power-play QB. Sandin Pellikka can beat teams with his skill, but also his shot, as he has a bullet one-timer from the left circle. He's not that big, but he's mobile and plays hard, not shying away from physical play and will lean into guys. He projects as a top-four defenseman who could run a first-unit power play in the NHL. 57. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard Brandsegg-Nygard has been solid in the SHL this season, showing a well-rounded style of play that can help teams win. He's not a flashy player, but MBN has the skill and speed to create offense in transition and play at an NHL pace. He has a great shot and is often a threat to score from mid-distance. His frame is average-sized, but he plays hard and has a lot of physicality in his game. He thinks the game well and sees plays develop, but I don't think his playmaking is his main asset. MBN has the potential to be a hardworking second-line winger that coaches will love. Tier 6: Middle of the lineup player 134. Sebastian Cossa No profile
As always, hockey prospect projections and skill grades are absolutely inscrutable, and goalie ratings are somehow worse. For instance, Cossa is a "middle of the lineup player," but is the 3rd best goalie on the list behind Askarov (42) and Zavragin (69). Having more than 10% of the top 57 is good, but not having a skater listed between 58 and 139 isn't great.
Next 4 games will show if this was just a New Coach bender. I assume we'll get fisted 0-3-1. At Florida At Tampa At Dallas At Philadelphia
One thing I’ve noticed with Kasper playing wing on the top line is that he’s much more comfortable in the OZ. His ability to retrieve pucks is not quite to the level of Perron but it’s close. It’s added an element we were definitely missing.
These last periods are a good dose of reality. The defense and goaltending are really screeching back down to Earth.
Husso in net tonight? Why not call up Cossa at this point and give him 10-15 games and get him ready for a role for next season. If he sucks, then we need to get 2 goalies.
Depending on the model of your choice, our 5 v 5 offensive expected goals is bottom five in the league. At a minimum we should be considering calling up Soderblom, who has actually been quite good the last 10-15 games, to try and provide a bottom six spark.
If you ask for every player in the organization to be moved in some manner, you’re bound to have it happen eventually.