So salty, do you need a hug?
- Udogs

Salty lol. I just call em how I see em.

The interesting guy for me is Virtanen who is just 24 and has gradually improved over the past 3 years. A right hand shot that would add a physical dimension in our top 9 forwards. Kind of has a Dan Cleary untapped potential feel to him. The asking price could be reasonable. I like Dumba but the asking price there could be very steep. Plus they may end up with Jamie Drysdale and would have a real glut of RH defenders. I guess there is nothing wrong with that if some can play the left side.

In what world would Virtanen be better than Zadina?
- Feds91Stammer

Fair point

The interesting guy for me is Virtanen who is just 24 and has gradually improved over the past 3 years. A right hand shot that would add a physical dimension in our top 9 forwards. Kind of has a Dan Cleary untapped potential feel to him. The asking price could be reasonable. I like Dumba but the asking price there could be very steep. Plus they may end up with Jamie Drysdale and would have a real glut of RH defenders. I guess there is nothing wrong with that if some can play the left side.
- RW19

Virtanen could be a fantastic get. Even if RW draft Drysdale, Yzerman May not want him jumping into a bizarre condensed season. Still, with Hronek and Seider the rside is looking better. Total toss up

The interesting guy for me is Virtanen who is just 24 and has gradually improved over the past 3 years. A right hand shot that would add a physical dimension in our top 9 forwards. Kind of has a Dan Cleary untapped potential feel to him. The asking price could be reasonable. I like Dumba but the asking price there could be very steep. Plus they may end up with Jamie Drysdale and would have a real glut of RH defenders. I guess there is nothing wrong with that if some can play the left side.
- RW19

i dont remember much of clearys potential but i still feel confident in saying virtanen is not him. virtanens untapped potential is untapped largely because of whats between the ears. hes got all the physical tools you want but he cannot process the game, lacks creativity, and doesnt have the worth ethic needed to compensate for his lower hockey-iq.

we all thought that the playoffs would bring out his best because he could really focus and understand the importance of every shift but he still was lackluster. i hope the 18-18-36 lets vancouver recoup some value for a former top pick but honestly just want the cap space/roster spot

i dont remember much of clearys potential but i still feel confident in saying virtanen is not him. virtanens untapped potential is untapped largely because of whats between the ears. hes got all the physical tools you want but he cannot process the game, lacks creativity, and doesnt have the worth ethic needed to compensate for his lower hockey-iq.

we all thought that the playoffs would bring out his best because he could really focus and understand the importance of every shift but he still was lackluster. i hope the 18-18-36 lets vancouver recoup some value for a former top pick but honestly just want the cap space/roster spot
- johnnykarate

That is one of the more interesting assessments I’ve heard. Do you think it’s a matter of maturity? Confidence? I really appreciate what you’ve laid out here. Not a perspective I would have on my own.

That is one of the more interesting assessments I’ve heard. Do you think it’s a matter of maturity? Confidence? I really appreciate what you’ve laid out here. Not a perspective I would have on my own.
- Jeremy Laura

maturity was part of it to begin with. he was a teenage playing for his hometown team and biggest ticket in town so you could reasonably see why he might be a little distracted. but looking back at his whl days he was always bigger and faster than the rest his age so he was a big rush guy and that doesnt easily translate to the nhl against stronger and smarter defensemen.

he just seems comfortable with where he is so ive wondered if a change of scenery would be the kick to have him focus up and lose that air of indifference. my dream was for him to be a lethal and tenacious pk weapon but hes just not wired for it. id have even settled for a (legal) raffi torres wrecking ball to cause some havoc in the bottom 6

maturity was part of it to begin with. he was a teenage playing for his hometown team and biggest ticket in town so you could reasonably see why he might be a little distracted. but looking back at his whl days he was always bigger and faster than the rest his age so he was a big rush guy and that doesnt easily translate to the nhl against stronger and smarter defensemen.

he just seems comfortable with where he is so ive wondered if a change of scenery would be the kick to have him focus up and lose that air of indifference. my dream was for him to be a lethal and tenacious pk weapon but hes just not wired for it. id have even settled for a (legal) raffi torres wrecking ball to cause some havoc in the bottom 6
- johnnykarate

One of my favorite “adaptive” players that I’ve ever met is Patrick Eaves. Drafted as a scorer (20 goals his first year in Ottawa I think) he found himself falling down the depth chart. He made a decision to be the hardest working guy. At the Red Wings training camps, he’d go to EVERY special teams meeting. Even when he wasn’t part of those teams. He became a sponge and changed his game to whatever the team needed. A humble guy, I hate that his career has been cut short. Babcock gets his share of criticism, but he told his son to follow Eaves around. That’s the type of player you want to be. It’s always incredible to see anyone willing to learn and change for the better of the whole. I hope Virtanen doesn’t lose out on this amazing opportunity that so few players ever experience. It’s a massive privilege and it goes by so quickly.

Thank you. Your passion and insight have really given me some more to think about with this young player. I really appreciate it!

One of my favorite “adaptive” players that I’ve ever met is Patrick Eaves. Drafted as a scorer (20 goals his first year in Ottawa I think) he found himself falling down the depth chart. He made a decision to be the hardest working guy. At the Red Wings training camps, he’d go to EVERY special teams meeting. Even when he wasn’t part of those teams. He became a sponge and changed his game to whatever the team needed. A humble guy, I hate that his career has been cut short. Babcock gets his share of criticism, but he told his son to follow Eaves around. That’s the type of player you want to be. It’s always incredible to see anyone willing to learn and change for the better of the whole. I hope Virtanen doesn’t lose out on this amazing opportunity that so few players ever experience. It’s a massive privilege and it goes by so quickly.

Thank you. Your passion and insight have really given me some more to think about with this young player. I really appreciate it!
- Jeremy Laura

you can always control your work ethic. those who leave it all on the ice every night are easy to watch and to root for

you can always control your work ethic. those who leave it all on the ice every night are easy to watch and to root for
- johnnykarate

Very well said.

[quote=johnnykarate]i dont remember much of clearys potential but i still feel confident in saying virtanen is not him. virtanens untapped potential is untapped largely because of whats between the ears. hes got all the physical tools you want but he cannot process the game, lacks creativity, and doesnt have the worth ethic needed to compensate for his lower hockey-iq."

From what I saw in the playoffs (I'm in Ottawa so watched regardless of interest) i see him as a guy that is not a leader, but more of a guy that needs a specific role. In Vancouver the draft status will haunt him forever. In Detroit he could be a grinder, a forechecker, a guy that retrieves pucks & keeps it simple. That is the transformation Cleary went through. High draft pick bust, followed by no expectation resuscitation in Detroit once he was given a specific role. Can it work again? I think it beats having Erne/Nielsen/Abby/Svech in your top 9.

By the way Jeremy glad you reconsidered. Don't let the (fill in your own term) win

[quote=johnnykarate]i dont remember much of clearys potential but i still feel confident in saying virtanen is not him. virtanens untapped potential is untapped largely because of whats between the ears. hes got all the physical tools you want but he cannot process the game, lacks creativity, and doesnt have the worth ethic needed to compensate for his lower hockey-iq."

From what I saw in the playoffs (I'm in Ottawa so watched regardless of interest) i see him as a guy that is not a leader, but more of a guy that needs a specific role. In Vancouver the draft status will haunt him forever. In Detroit he could be a grinder, a forechecker, a guy that retrieves pucks & keeps it simple. That is the transformation Cleary went through. High draft pick bust, followed by no expectation resuscitation in Detroit once he was given a specific role. Can it work again? I think it beats having Erne/Nielsen/Abby/Svech in your top 9.
- RW19

By the way Jeremy glad you reconsidered. Don't let the (fill in your own term) win
- RW19

Thanks RW! Day at a time

[quote=johnnykarate]i dont remember much of clearys potential but i still feel confident in saying virtanen is not him. virtanens untapped potential is untapped largely because of whats between the ears. hes got all the physical tools you want but he cannot process the game, lacks creativity, and doesnt have the worth ethic needed to compensate for his lower hockey-iq."

From what I saw in the playoffs (I'm in Ottawa so watched regardless of interest) i see him as a guy that is not a leader, but more of a guy that needs a specific role. In Vancouver the draft status will haunt him forever. In Detroit he could be a grinder, a forechecker, a guy that retrieves pucks & keeps it simple. That is the transformation Cleary went through. High draft pick bust, followed by no expectation resuscitation in Detroit once he was given a specific role. Can it work again? I think it beats having Erne/Nielsen/Abby/Svech in your top 9.
- RW19

I wouldn't bet on Virtanen changing much for now if ever. Cleary was almost out of NHL options when he got a chance with the Wings so he knew he had to change and do something if he wanted to stay in the NHL. Virtanen is not in this position at this point. Some players are not wired to play a grinding physical game. Remember when Babcock tried to turn Jurco into one? That didn't turn out too well for him.

I don't have a problem if we get him like Fabbri with pretty much no cost but other than that, i would pass and give the younger guys a shot at a roster spot instead. Top 9 has Larkin, Mantha, Bertuzzi, Fabbri that are sure to be in it. Then you have Zadina, Brome, Veleno, Rasmussen, Svetchnikov, Smith and Hirose that can try to earn a spot in the top 9 (aside from Smith those are not players for a 4th line). I also wouldn't mind playing Helm and Filppula in the top 9 to try and pump up their value for the trade deadline. If the Wings draft Rossi at 4th overall i can see him earning a spot in the top 6 right away.

I'm all for trying to improve the team and take a bad contract for a 1st round pick or top prospect but at the same time, there needs to be spots open for the prospects to be able to earn them.

I wouldn't bet on Virtanen changing much for now if ever. Cleary was almost out of NHL options when he got a chance with the Wings so he knew he had to change and do something if he wanted to stay in the NHL. Virtanen is not in this position at this point. Some players are not wired to play a grinding physical game. Remember when Babcock tried to turn Jurco into one? That didn't turn out too well for him.

I don't have a problem if we get him like Fabbri with pretty much no cost but other than that, i would pass and give the younger guys a shot at a roster spot instead. Top 9 has Larkin, Mantha, Bertuzzi, Fabbri that are sure to be in it. Then you have Zadina, Brome, Veleno, Rasmussen, Svetchnikov, Smith and Hirose that can try to earn a spot in the top 9 (aside from Smith those are not players for a 4th line). I also wouldn't mind playing Helm and Filppula in the top 9 to try and pump up their value for the trade deadline. If the Wings draft Rossi at 4th overall i can see him earning a spot in the top 6 right away.

I'm all for trying to improve the team and take a bad contract for a 1st round pick or top prospect but at the same time, there needs to be spots open for the prospects to be able to earn them.
- dcz28

This may be a great chance to speed up the rebuild! Grabbing good NHL players on the cheap that can fill your middle six is a good thing! It could force our bad contracts to the AHL, probably where they should be. It is something the fans and ownership would want to see as the Wings would be more competitive in a quicker time frame. Just don't be the Sabers and get too drunk on all the trades that can be made!

I wouldn't bet on Virtanen changing much for now if ever. Cleary was almost out of NHL options when he got a chance with the Wings so he knew he had to change and do something if he wanted to stay in the NHL. Virtanen is not in this position at this point. Some players are not wired to play a grinding physical game. Remember when Babcock tried to turn Jurco into one? That didn't turn out too well for him.

I don't have a problem if we get him like Fabbri with pretty much no cost but other than that, i would pass and give the younger guys a shot at a roster spot instead. Top 9 has Larkin, Mantha, Bertuzzi, Fabbri that are sure to be in it. Then you have Zadina, Brome, Veleno, Rasmussen, Svetchnikov, Smith and Hirose that can try to earn a spot in the top 9 (aside from Smith those are not players for a 4th line). I also wouldn't mind playing Helm and Filppula in the top 9 to try and pump up their value for the trade deadline. If the Wings draft Rossi at 4th overall i can see him earning a spot in the top 6 right away.

I'm all for trying to improve the team and take a bad contract for a 1st round pick or top prospect but at the same time, there needs to be spots open for the prospects to be able to earn them.
- dcz28

Good memory. Cleary came on a PTO. That is a tough nut to crack. We definitely need to create internal competition. Comfort kills compete

Offer sheet to Cirelli??? Heck, at this point, ANYTHING'S possible

Demko's stock is rising as is his trade value, Virtanen's a really nice get. Throw something up against the wall, whatever sticks is art!!!

Seriously, I like the idea of a strong YOUNG G, spend some time under the tutelage of Bernie, et. al., hone those skills.....look, all we have is Pickard to come in...or Comrie....no one else has cracked GR yet, at least no one who's made a splash, Nagle had a 92% SV, Larsson was 84% SV; Ya'll SOMETHING'S gotta give. The G market is so fat this year, but the really good young G are at a premium, and DET doesn't have a whole lot other than Svech, Ras, Cholo...hmmmm......

So instead of me continuing to make a fool of myself, I'm screaming at the Hockey Gods to bless us with a HINT of what's to come (Mantha & Bert extended, PLEASE....SOMETHING to show some life). The Captain is KILLING me, I need a ginger-ale, Mickey.

Keep it up, J. Your blogs carry a MUCH higher average of comments than the others I've seen (not read, SEEN). Yer wicked ahhh-sum.

Offer sheet to Cirelli??? Heck, at this point, ANYTHING'S possible

Demko's stock is rising as is his trade value, Virtanen's a really nice get. Throw something up against the wall, whatever sticks is art!!!

Seriously, I like the idea of a strong YOUNG G, spend some time under the tutelage of Bernie, et. al., hone those skills.....look, all we have is Pickard to come in...or Comrie....no one else has cracked GR yet, at least no one who's made a splash, Nagle had a 92% SV, Larsson was 84% SV; Ya'll SOMETHING'S gotta give. The G market is so fat this year, but the really good young G are at a premium, and DET doesn't have a whole lot other than Svech, Ras, Cholo...hmmmm......

So instead of me continuing to make a fool of myself, I'm screaming at the Hockey Gods to bless us with a HINT of what's to come (Mantha & Bert extended, PLEASE....SOMETHING to show some life). The Captain is KILLING me, I need a ginger-ale, Mickey.

Keep it up, J. Your blogs carry a MUCH higher average of comments than the others I've seen (not read, SEEN). Yer wicked ahhh-sum.
- mcmastermike1968

I'd love to get Demko. 👍

What do you think about Carson Soucy? Big D man currently with Minn. Could be a cheap pick up

What do you think about Carson Soucy? Big D man currently with Minn. Could be a cheap pick up
- Tee56

I wouldn't mind the Wings signing Erik Gustafsson myself. 28 years old 6', 197 pounds, left handed that can play both sides. He had 29 points last season with Chicago and Calgary (most of his points in Chicago). The year before with Chicago he had 17 goals, 60 points. He was making 1.2 mil per season on his last contract...not sure what he would be looking for now but could be an under the radar signing with most teams looking at guys like Krug, Pietrangelo ect...If Yzerman made him his primary target for defense, maybe he could avoid a bidding war and sign him up before other big names are off the market.

I wouldn't mind the Wings signing Erik Gustafsson myself. 28 years old 6', 197 pounds, left handed that can play both sides. He had 29 points last season with Chicago and Calgary (most of his points in Chicago). The year before with Chicago he had 17 goals, 60 points. He was making 1.2 mil per season on his last contract...not sure what he would be looking for now but could be an under the radar signing with most teams looking at guys like Krug, Pietrangelo ect...If Yzerman made him his primary target for defense, maybe he could avoid a bidding war and sign him up before other big names are off the market.
- dcz28

If the Wings got him I could use that line from the movie "Grumpy Old Men." When Walter Matthau says to Jack Lemmon...

"Gustafsson ya dumb schweeeeddddeee."

I said this quite a bit when Monster played goal here. Jonas Gustavsson.

If the Wings got him I could use that line from the movie "Grumpy Old Men." When Walter Matthau says to Jack Lemmon...

"Gustafsson ya dumb schweeeeddddeee."

I said this quite a bit when Monster played goal here. Jonas Gustavsson.
- gergeswillems

Haven't thought about that movie in a long time.

What do you think about Carson Soucy? Big D man currently with Minn. Could be a cheap pick up
- Tee56

I like Soucy. Good defensive defenseman. Big (6'5), young (26) and smart. Good suggestion. 👍

I like Soucy. Good defensive defenseman. Big (6'5), young (26) and smart. Good suggestion. 👍
- gergeswillems

Might be a good partner for Hronek in the future. I'm looking for an offensive guy for the left side to pair with Seider. McIsaac could be that guy in the future...another might be Albert Johansson but those guys are more likely a year or more away from the NHL.