Make move for young D-man, Bowen Byram & Martin Kaut plume future for Mantha & a D-man (Stecher) ?
- Tee56

Oooohhh I'd love to get Byram. But Sakic isn't doing that. He basically gave away Ian Cole for nothing (Pateryn who just cleared waivers) just so he could make room for Byram.

Yup, ANY trade involving Mantha would have to have a return that would cause the stars to fall (and I ain't talkn' about the Dallas Stars). The return would have to be immense.

Mantha's dealing with confidence issues. And you're absolutely correct, G: That's on him, not the coaching staff. Once he clicks, I think (just like Namestnikv & Brome') once it clicks, there's gonna be hell to pay. He can do SO many things, but when you look at how many games he's missed AND being put a the "Line-o-Matic" blender that encourages disjointedness, he's got his work cut out for him.

There was a time when Detroit’s power play was feared. Wings are still missing basics and where’s Mantha been?
- Tee56

I'm of the opinion that Detroit's woes on the powerplay are less about personnel (although that certainly is part of the problem) and more about strategy and tactics.

They always seem to be running some kind of sloppy umbrella system where one guy is always parked on the doorstep, never taking a step out to create any space or passing options, basically giving up their man advantage across the rest of the ice.

This makes it stupid easy for the PK to keep the Wings on the outside, take away everything but the "safe" outlet, and prevent any kind of cross-ice pass through the slot that would get the goalie moving from side to side or create shots from closer in.

So you end up with, if you're lucky, 20-30 seconds of possession concluded with Hronek (or whoever) firing a Hail Mary from just inside the blue line and praying that it gets through traffic somehow.

That kind of powerplay might work if you've got Lidstrom taking the point shot and Holmstrom providing the screen. But your "net front" guy had better (A) be utterly fearless, (B) have absolutely perfect positioning, and (C) have elite puck tipping skills, or else he's basically useless most of the time.

GM Rutherford resigns

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...-gm-due-personal-reasons/

I'm of the opinion that Detroit's woes on the powerplay are less about personnel (although that certainly is part of the problem) and more about strategy and tactics.

They always seem to be running some kind of sloppy umbrella system where one guy is always parked on the doorstep, never taking a step out to create any space or passing options, basically giving up their man advantage across the rest of the ice.

This makes it stupid easy for the PK to keep the Wings on the outside, take away everything but the "safe" outlet, and prevent any kind of cross-ice pass through the slot that would get the goalie moving from side to side or create shots from closer in.

So you end up with, if you're lucky, 20-30 seconds of possession concluded with Hronek (or whoever) firing a Hail Mary from just inside the blue line and praying that it gets through traffic somehow.

That kind of powerplay might work if you've got Lidstrom taking the point shot and Holmstrom providing the screen. But your "net front" guy had better (A) be utterly fearless, (B) have absolutely perfect positioning, and (C) have elite puck tipping skills, or else he's basically useless most of the time.
- Sven22

Thank you for that, it proves a point Wings lack Coaching. Who’s watching the practice? Who’s correcting the mistakes? Even Midget Majors run better systems.

GANG: Interesting read on Victor Mete being a scratch in EVERY MTL game thus far, and the potential for him to be discussed in trade talks.

MTL hasn't lost in regulation this year & gained 10 out of 12 possible points. The line up has stayed the same (if it ain't broke, don't fix it....hmmmm, where has THAT been discussed here?!?!?!? ).

What would The Captain offer for Mete in a trade w/MTL?!?!?!

I say DK & Merrill, maybe Stecher. No one will take Staal.

THOGUHTS???

GANG: Interesting read on Victor Mete being a scratch in EVERY MTL game thus far, and the potential for him to be discussed in trade talks.

MTL hasn't lost in regulation this year & gained 10 out of 12 possible points. The line up has stayed the same (if it ain't broke, don't fix it....hmmmm, where has THAT been discussed here?!?!?!? ).

What would The Captain offer for Mete in a trade w/MTL?!?!?!

I say DK & Merrill, maybe Stecher. No one will take Staal.

THOGUHTS???
- mcmastermike1968

Maybe Svech & Cholo??

GANG: Interesting read on Victor Mete being a scratch in EVERY MTL game thus far, and the potential for him to be discussed in trade talks.

MTL hasn't lost in regulation this year & gained 10 out of 12 possible points. The line up has stayed the same (if it ain't broke, don't fix it....hmmmm, where has THAT been discussed here?!?!?!? ).

What would The Captain offer for Mete in a trade w/MTL?!?!?!

I say DK & Merrill, maybe Stecher. No one will take Staal.

THOGUHTS???
- mcmastermike1968

Habs are maxed out in cap space so we can forget about DD's 5 mil AAV. Mete is a pending RFA making 735,000. I'd offer Cholowski but I don't think his value is very high. Same goes for Svech as he just cleared waivers. Mete is only 22. He's not very big. 5'9 I think? That might be exaggerating. I'm not sure what Bergy would want.

Habs are maxed out in cap space so we can forget about DD's 5 mil AAV. Mete is a pending RFA making 735,000. I'd offer Cholowski but I don't think his value is very high. Same goes for Svech as he just cleared waivers. Mete is only 22. He's not very big. 5'9 I think? That might be exaggerating. I'm not sure what Bergy would want.
- gergeswillems

Just give them Vegas's 3rd at the MOST and waive Biega

Habs are maxed out in cap space so we can forget about DD's 5 mil AAV. Mete is a pending RFA making 735,000. I'd offer Cholowski but I don't think his value is very high. Same goes for Svech as he just cleared waivers. Mete is only 22. He's not very big. 5'9 I think? That might be exaggerating. I'm not sure what Bergy would want.
- gergeswillems

Interesting read....I'm thinking of ANY way to get Cholo and maybe a bloated contract off the books for someone younger, a bit of ability, etc... Of course I didn't factor in salary cap, but DDs salary is a definite limiting factor (legacy from Holland's daze....).

I've watched Mete play, he's got some chops. Wonder if a straight up Cholo for Mete would be doable, throw in Svech as a sweetener & retain some salary?

Just give them Vegas's 3rd at the MOST and waive Biega
- HenryHockey

Yeah, then what to do with someone like Cholo? Would be nice to get something for him, give him the chance to change scenery, etc.... LOVE the idea of waiving Biega, or sending him to GR.....

Interesting read....I'm thinking of ANY way to get Cholo and maybe a bloated contract off the books for someone younger, a bit of ability, etc... Of course I didn't factor in salary cap, but DDs salary is a definite limiting factor (legacy from Holland's daze....).

I've watched Mete play, he's got some chops. Wonder if a straight up Cholo for Mete would be doable, throw in Svech as a sweetener & retain some salary?
- mcmastermike1968

Mete looked good when he first came up but maybe that's because he was playing with Weber. Still he's only 22. Might be worth a look. Teams might be waiting for Bergy to put him on waivers.

Mete looked good when he first came up but maybe that's because he was playing with Weber. Still he's only 22. Might be worth a look. Teams might be waiting for Bergy to put him on waivers.
- gergeswillems

Then Detroit would have 1st dibs!!!
Wonder if Stevie could get him for a 5th if Bergy is forced to waive him....

Penns got Weber!!!!!!

(Yanick Weber)

Penns got Weber!!!!!!

(Yanick Weber)
- HenryHockey

He sucks.

Bowey signed with the Hawks.

Penns got Weber!!!!!!

(Yanick Weber)
- HenryHockey

Jimmy Howard officially retires.....

Jimmy Howard officially retires.....
- mcmastermike1968

Becoming an NHL goalie was a childhood dream and after an incredible 14 years within the Red Wings organization, I’ve decided to say farewell to playing professional hockey and move on to the next chapter. It has been the honor of a lifetime to play and I’m forever thankful to the fans, everyone within the Red Wings organization, my teammates and my family for their ongoing support, loyalty and dedication. As I enter this new chapter in my life, I look forward to spending more time with my family, coaching my son’s hockey team and new opportunities the future will hold.

Hey all, i put up the game day blog. I’m going to be unavailable for the rest of the day, but will catch up later. Have fun!