Jeremy Laura: Wings beat Golden Knights for the first time on home ice

Fabbri starting to look like a real hidden gem that Yzerman found. That setup with Mantha on the game winner was pretty. Let's see if he can keep producing. Heck you'd have to wait about 6 years in between Holland's crappy trades... Starting to see the real difference between the old regime (Holland & Co.) compared to Yzerman. Glad Holland is no longer running the show.

Fabbri starting to look like a real hidden gem that Yzerman found. That setup with Mantha on the game winner was pretty. Let's see if he can keep producing. Heck you'd have to wait about 6 years in between Holland's crappy trades... Starting to see the real difference between the old regime (Holland & Co.) compared to Yzerman. Glad Holland is no longer running the show.
- Vladdie_Kon1

I’ll give Holland credit for some of the more recent drafts picks. Mantha, Larkin, Hronek, Zadina, Veleno, Bertuzzi. He brought some really good pieces in. Fabbri looks so comfortable already. Perlini had some good shifts too, including setting up AAs power play goal (would have been the “3rd” assist). Good zone entry and puck movement.

That last goal was something special. From the time he was drafted, GMs were trying to get Mantha in a lowball trade. He was called a “bust” by some over anxious fans. Letting him develop has really started to pay off in a big way

I’ll give Holland credit for some of the more recent drafts picks. Mantha, Larkin, Hronek, Zadina, Veleno, Bertuzzi. He brought some really good pieces in. Fabbri looks so comfortable already. Perlini had some good shifts too, including setting up AAs power play goal (would have been the “3rd” assist). Good zone entry and puck movement.

That last goal was something special. From the time he was drafted, GMs were trying to get Mantha in a lowball trade. He was called a “bust” by some over anxious fans. Letting him develop has really started to pay off in a big way
- Jeremy Laura

Somewhat relatedly I remember being furious with Holland for picking Bertuzzi. It was way off the board (I think he wasn't projected to go until maybe even the fifth or sixth round IIRC). I didn't think he had any offensive upside and Holland was stupid to pick a grinder that high just because of his name and his "attitude."

I still don't know if they really saw something in him or they just got lucky, but either way I'm very happy to have been wrong.

Somewhat relatedly I remember being furious with Holland for picking Bertuzzi. It was way off the board (I think he wasn't projected to go until maybe even the fifth or sixth round IIRC). I didn't think he had any offensive upside and Holland was stupid to pick a grinder that high just because of his name and his "attitude."

I still don't know if they really saw something in him or they just got lucky, but either way I'm very happy to have been wrong.
- Sven22

I was shocked as well. From piecing things together, Kris Draper was scouting Guelph and a lot of the more “local” junior teams. His input was incredibly valuable. Together they took what Tyler was doing and did a few projections based on skill set and work ethic. They acquired the extra second round pick to grab him.

Projecting young talent is incredibly hard. The addition of Draper to the scouting staff and Horcoff and Cleary to development have been invaluable for this. All 3 guys had to alter their game and saw other players who weren’t able to. There is some common characteristics in players that are willing to accept tougher roles. Very impressive stuff from these former players

I'm loving the trades Yzerman has made thus far, and loving that there is actually good Red Wings material to read on here.

I'm really interested to see if Yzerman is able to unload any of the bad deals Holland left him.

I'm loving the trades Yzerman has made thus far, and loving that there is actually good Red Wings material to read on here.

I'm really interested to see if Yzerman is able to unload any of the bad deals Holland left him.
- DRW1991

Thanks! A lot of those contracts are coming up soon. Ericsson, Green, Daley, Howard all expire this year. Helm next year. Abby’s no trade clause is now modified as is Nielsen. Most of the players on the team are either RFA or UFA this year or next. That’s a lot of possible turnover.

Could Stevie Y manage to swing a deal to get rid of Abby, Franz, Daley and one no on talks about, Dekeyser. That’s close to 20 million is overpaid players that just don’t produce at the rate of pay. It started with Ericsson when we started handing out 4 + million a year on bums and those 4 should be the first to go. Package some mid-rounds picks to avoid eating any salary.

I’ll take the losing for this year but they should start to improve here shortly and will need money for a true # 1 defensemen and goalie.

Go Wings.

Could Stevie Y manage to swing a deal to get rid of Abby, Franz, Daley and one no on talks about, Dekeyser. That’s close to 20 million is overpaid players that just don’t produce at the rate of pay. It started with Ericsson when we started handing out 4 + million a year on bums and those 4 should be the first to go. Package some mid-rounds picks to avoid eating any salary.

I’ll take the losing for this year but they should start to improve here shortly and will need money for a true # 1 defensemen and goalie.

Go Wings.
- Manthamania

Daley is done after this year. If he doesn’t get dealt he’ll still be off the books. Dekeyser has been, when healthy, much better for us this year. Abby and Nielsen, not really sure. Abby has a modified no trade that’s kicking in. Both he and Nielsen could be moved, but would require eating salary. A lot of money coming off the books this year. No reason to eat salary during this part of a rebuild. Relegate to 3rd and 4th line duty at this point seems to be the plan

Givani Smith just called up from GR. Looks like he'll be up at least 3 weeks since Abdelkader just injured his wrist / hand with a blocked shot. Glad to see Smith get the call-up. He's earned it. He adds some size and sandpaper to a team that needs it. And he sticks up for his teammates. He doesn't back down from anyone. I've noticed his play has improved a ton. Guys gotta keep their head up when he's on the ice now and his puck-handling is much improved with that long reach of his.

He's got 7 points in 10 games for GR so far. What's interesting is he's getting time on both the penalty kill and the power play in GR. So it looks like Coach Simon has more confidence in him.

Givani Smith just called up from GR. Looks like he'll be up at least 3 weeks since Abdelkader just injured his wrist / hand with a blocked shot. Glad to see Smith get the call-up. He's earned it. He adds some size and sandpaper to a team that needs it. And he sticks up for his teammates. He doesn't back down from anyone. I've noticed his play has improved a ton. Guys gotta keep their head up when he's on the ice now and his puck-handling is much improved with that long reach of his.

He's got 7 points in 10 games for GR so far. What's interesting is he's getting time on both the penalty kill and the power play in GR. So it looks like Coach Simon has more confidence in him.
- Vladdie_Kon1

I absolutely agree. He has worked really hard on his overall game. He makes space for teammates and plays hard. I love seeing GS developing into a more complete player. He’s got a great attitude. The kind of player you root for to succeed. Hope he adopted that kitten!