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Detroit needs some positive energy in the room. Thursday, February 4th, will be three weeks since the season started on January 14th for Detroit. Detroit will have played its 11th game. 10 games in Detroit is 2-6-2 and the crew looks down at times on the bench. The team will play every other day in February (starting tomorrow) and have 2 back to backs in weeks 3 and 4 (two days off after the first, but only one off after Chicago). After two more games at the beginning of March, Detroit will finally have 4 days off. The games listed are both home and away. Start processing the amount of traveling, running around, and it feels insane.
The reality of two straight months of games every other day after almost a year off of competing is going to take its toll. Where it will get really interesting is if games have to be rescheduled. The season is packed tight at this point. Bumps and bruises are taking their toll, and some fresh wind would certainly do a lot to encourage this team. Thankfully some gusts are coming this way.
Detroit’s list of COVID absences is down to three. Missing from today’s release are Robby Fabbri and Adam Erne. While Zadina, Merrill and Gagner are still on at this point, it’s a good sign that time is slowly moving by. While most of us are waiting to see Zadina back up and running, these two are still a nice boost.
Robby Fabbri is like sunshine bottled inside of a human being. Somehow, he’s always smiling and upbeat. Even when he was in St Louis and on perpetual IR, the kid (I’m in my mid 40s, so still a kid) just made you smile with his attitude. That is welcome.
I’ve been tough on Adam Erne, I’ll admit. When he was first brought on board last year, it felt like Abdelkader 2.0. However, he has a lot of heart. If he’s the player/person I think he is, watching teammates being manhandled on the ice injected a healthy injection of vinegar and urea into his system. We need both guys. One to bring the sunshine, and one to wield a sledgehammer.
When things are rough, small favors feel like miracles. The second line will get a nice boost. If its Fabbri, Ryan and Mantha or if Mantha is shipped back to the Larkin line and Namestnikov gets a look, it’s still got a nice ring to it. Hopefully Bertuzzi is feeling better and Larkin is healing up as well. I shudder to think of how many ice baths and electroshock muscle treatments these guys are already facing right now. A stronger second line can give Larkin a little bit of breathing room. His beautiful backhand tally last time was a reminder of what this kid can still do when he has a little time and space. Off note, say one for the New Jersey Devils. They have 14 players on that protocol list. Yeah, no love lost, but that is going to be brutal.
So, who is out? Rasmussen was assigned to GR while McIlrath was brought up to the taxi squad. At this point (and not to offend anyone) I wouldn’t mind seeing DM in on the third pair and Staal given a night off. Probably won’t happen, just my opinion. I don’t know if these are “paper transactions” or if there is a real shot at seeing another fresh face in the lineup. Smith had some good looks and I hope he continues to have the opportunity. My default is to let Nielsen or Filppula sit. Hirose has had some good shifts, but also some head shakers. Glendening leads the entire league in faceoff percentage at a gaudy 66.19. Ahead of Jordan Staal and Patrice Bergeron. When the PK is getting the puck out, it’s usually Glenny at the helm making it happen.
The Tampa Bay series is one I have Detroit being swept in. Whether that’s going 0-8 or 0-5-3 I’m not certain. Detroit still manages to have a lot of 1 point games with this team. But, coming off of their first win and understanding the urgency to win every game early, TB will have more swagger and urgency than ever. This is a firsthand glimpse of what Yzerman helped to create ,and that is encouraging.
In my over active mind, I’m always curious as to what the GM back and forth is like when Tampa and Detroit meet. New protocols may make it tougher to share a cup of coffee, but I’m always curious as to what deals have been and could be discussed. Any contending team has taken notice of Bobby Ryan. In honestly, I want this guy to stay around for a long time. Selfishly, I love his energy. Realistically, if he had the chance to win another cup I’d have to cheer him on and let him go.
Tampa needs to offload money at some point. They’re just going to have to attach a high draft pick and/or prospect to whatever deal they put together. I still think (God help me) that on the right deal Johnson could be positive depth for Detroit. Having gone through waivers and not being grabbed makes negotiations a heck of a lot easier on the receiving team.
My final thoughts today, there are still multiple players available. DeAngelo cleared waivers. 30 teams just said, “thanks but no thanks” to a right shot defenseman that had a pretty good season last year. In reading the articles that have come out, it sounds like NYR painted themselves in a corner. “If your name ends up in another negative article or tweet you’re off the team” were the words said before this last scuffle. It sounds like the severity of it was greatly exaggerated, but it was strike three. DeAngelo has been sent home to wait. No AHL or taxi squad, just go home.
NYR is a high stakes gambling organization. Pay the most for free agents, go hard after the collegiate UFAs, load the roster up and inevitably have to buy out or ship off the mistakes of the past. Players are smitten with the organizational pitch and the bright lights of broadway. Along with those amenities comes the insane pressure of that market. You can’t sneeze without 5 or 6 writers picking it up and spinning it.
DeAngelo is know on a ticking clock of losing value. However, I was sure that Drouin couldn’t get a cup of coffee but Yzerman turned that kid into a very good defenseman in return. Who knows what New York will get.
As for the other names floating, Montreal has said that Mete isn’t going anywhere. If history tells us anything, that means he’ll be gone in a month or less. Sam Bennet managed to make an entire organization angry when his agent (Darren Farris) got his client’s desire to move on turned into a headline. If you’re a player and you want your team to hate your agent, get this guy’s number.
Vince Dunn has more quietly hit the airwaves as being potentially available. That is one deal I wouldn’t mind seeing Yzerman get done. Any injection the blue line gets in Detroit to the positive is exciting. I’m really excited to see Seider join the ranks, but the highly touted defenseman just suffered a potentially season ending injury in the SHL. Details are still vague, but it doesn’t sound good. Hopefully he can gain a full recovery and be ready for training camp.
So, let’s get to it. Give me your predictions for Tampa Bay tomorrow, and what available players are you keeping an eye on? Hopefully Zadina will be back on the roster too along with Gagner and Merrill. Better days may yet be ahead.
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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