Based on Yzerman’s post draft presser, and supplemented by Bulan’s recent article, it does feel as if we are going to go 13 and 8 to start next season. I would say our pre-FA depth chart currently stands at: Bertuzzi - Larkin - Fabbri Zadina - Rasmussen - Vrana Namestikov - Veleno - Erne Smith - Open - Open Nielsen Leddy - Seider DeKeyser - Hronek Stall - Stetcher Open - Lindstron Nedelijkovic Greiss - We have no right handed shooting forwards, which is probably only an issue on the PP. I think that puts Raymond in play to make the team with a great camp, but it’s highly unlikely. I think that fact makes Gagner likely to return. - I assumed this entire time that Glendening would return, but I feel like he’s going to get great offers elsewhere. With that being the case, I don’t think he will return. I think we bring in Riley Nash short term to replace Glendening on the fourth line. - Mike Reilly is my dream FA signing because he can step in to replace Leddy if trade him. 4x4 would be a great deal, but I don’t think we go that aggressive, especially because it means benching DeKeyser, which I don’t think we would do. As a result, I think we sign someone like Michael Del Zotto cheap for depth. - We should trade Bertuzzi. I don’t know that it happens this Summer, but a breakup seems inevitable.
Any wings memorabilia collectors, Wings currently having a flash sale with proceeds benefiting the Red Wings Foundation. Authentic Larkin signed jersey is $150. Funny because an authentic jersey from NHL.com is $225. Cheaper to buy it signed at the moment. Grabbed one to throw in my man cave with my Hasek, Stafford and Verlander signed jerseys https://hockeytowncares.com/Dylan-Larkin-71-Autographed-Adidas-Authentic-Jersey-p367055819
His number were even worse than the eye test last year. Whatever I guess, that was a spot I thought we may upgrade.
Depending on what he's looking for, Pius Suter is a guy I might take a gamble on now that Chicago didn't offer sheet him. Throw him at 2nd line center and allow Fabbri to go back to wing.
Erne’s deal probably gets done before Wednesday. I assume Vrana and Hronek push on until closer to September, and I think Bert gets traded.
Don't think we move Bertuzzi. Would be selling low coming off injury and I think we would have done it before draft. Possibly at deadline, but I dont see it now.
The issue is what contract do you give him coming off a back surgery where no one can say how he’ll be impacted? One year pushes him to UFA, and I don’t see him taking 2-3 years. Likewise, I don’t see Yzerman giving him a long term deal. If there is enough interest to get a few teams involved, I say extract what you can now and let the contract be someone else’s problem.
The difference in the NHL compared to MLB is that teams still pay at the deadline for rentals, though. Even if he's headed for UFA, if he's healthy at the deadline compared to today's uncertainty, isn't he likely bringing back more at that point?
I am going off memory now, but it’s been a while since a UFA rental got much more than a second round pick at the deadline. Foglino got a one back but he also could play center. As weird as it sounds, I actually think there is a better chance of getting a higher return now. There is clearly interest from multiple teams, and chances are those teams can get him now with an extension. If you get him at the deadline, he’s almost assuredly going to test the market, which brings down the cost. It’s a classic bird in hand situation.
Fair enough. I guess if I was another team and we were willing to deal him now, I'm not sure why I would give up much of anything for him.
NHL teams are obsessed with cost certainty more than almost anything else. If you’re trading for Bertuzzi, you likely want him more than just this season. I assume if we traded him in the next few weeks, we would give whatever team wants him a chance to work out an extension to increase the return. And one thing to remember is Yzerman wouldn’t give Bertuzzi the deal his camp wanted coming off back to back 20 goal seasons. Zero chance Steve gives him what he wants now coming off back surgery. I think there are some teams that would make that move though.
Boston didn’t qualify Nick Ritchie, which is surprising. If we do move on from Bertuzzi, I would love to sign Ritchie to replace some of what Bert brings. Plus, Ritchie can fight, which is a plus for this team with Mo likely causing a lot of shit.
I'm not sure how DeToxRox ever got married, given his affinity for moving on from existing personnel.
In fairness I want to keep Vrana. I just don’t see a reason in keeping Bertuzzi, as much as I like him.
Your hipster love of Vrana will wear off like is has for every other player, coach and front office person in Detroit.
remember when we traded a prospect and 2nd rounder for a rental of David Legwand at the deadline to sneak in as an 8 seed? Lol.
Remember when we didn't want Kyle Quincy and let him go on waivers. And then decided to trade a 1st that turned into Vasilevsky to get him back?
If it was made by Ken Holland’s Total Dive Pizza and Licorice Sticks Food Truck in New Ferndale you'd love it for roughly 2 months until the normies discovered it.
We re-signed Hirose and Criscuolo today. Neither guy will sniff the big club, but both are top 6 AHL guys which will help Berggren and Raymond.
I still have fond memories of seeing someone with a Kyle Quincey jersey on at a bar after a game and mouthing to a buddy quite loudly “who the fuck has a Kyle Quincey jersey?” Turns out it was his wife. Oops.
Speaking of obscure jerseys, I probably have the most obscure red wings jersey there is. I was really into enforcers in High School and when Daryl Bootland got called up I was at a game trying to convince my dad he had some potential to make it on the big club. We went to a game around my birthday where he got in a fight and scored a goal and I jokingly rubbed it in that night that Bootland scored. He got me a Bootland red wings jersey for Christmas as a joke because of it. Fast forward one year and I went to a griffins game with my grandpa and wore it and the team did an autograph signing after and Bootland was back down and I think that was the first jersey he had ever seen anyone have. Honestly I'm not even sure where that jersey is right now.
So glad we didn't take on Tyler Johnson contract for only a 2nd. Glad we will also stop hearing about that rumor
There is always a GM or two willing to bail out teams. Our cap space is still important but I’m giving up on getting a major asset back.
We have zero right handed shot forwards, and Gagner was not bad last season. I also don’t think he will be what stops Raymond or Berggren from making the roster.
Literally who cares what hand Glendening is? He ain’t playing on the PP and he ain’t putting the puck in the net.