Jeremy Laura: Vrana scores in debut, Stecher dynamite as Wings beat ‘Hawks 4-1

1st!
Great win and fantastic effort!
LGRW!!!

I think they coulda gave that goal to Helmer though. Hawks caused the goalie and net crash. Helm either stone hands it or get's robbed by the ref! Guy can't get a break!

Vrana looked fine to me. He's def. a different player then Mantha (smaller and faster) you can see how he will create opportunities with his speed.

Let's just hope the torture and pain of being on a bottom dwelling team doesn't effect Vrana too much. He will finish the season out no problem, the question will be who the coach next season. Cuz if its Blashill I am worried. We need a fresh voice, someone who actually has a plan, a system, a clue.

Let me the 1st to say it: “Dang, McM...5-2, huh?!?!? THAT was waaaay off!” There. Did it for ya’ll.
This game was an epic effort. I said earlier that there had to be players (and a coach or 2) checking out the looking-glass to figure out what they need to do to help right the ship. Tonight it all came together...after the 1st anyway. The 2d was a straight-up beat-down. Stetcher’s awesome. That kid simply blasted a shot that may well have broken the goalie’s hand if he caught it. Put a hole straight through his chest. Vrana...ok, ok, ok; kid’s got some chops. Could very well work out. I said I’d give it time, and I am. Stetcher’s second??? Lordy. Sweet as a Christmas cookie!! Ras...listen, that guy’s put it all together this year and made a name for himself. Zadina’s un-seen/-spoken/-noticed dirty work??? Who’d have thunk it? The good tonight FAR out-weighed the bad. Next year looks good if Seider & Veleno get some GR time to develop.

Tonight was an “in yer FACE” game. I missed most of the 3d...seems my cat & ferret had a fight, ferret’s at the emergency vet now, looks like his eye has been injured. Sheesh. Life stinks sometimes. I did record the game (THANK YOU CENTER ICE!!!) so I can watch the 3d when I get home.

Good vibes in HockeyTown. Still have to say, the coaching staff needs an over-haul. Big time. Blash just isn’t what we want or need behind the bench. He was awesome in GR, but that’s not translating to the NHL. Whether it’s his methods of coaching, his system, his mannerisms, or lack of relating to players...just ain’t working. Doesn’t help when you’re notorious for throwing players under the bus. Regardless, we need new life behind the bench. Soon. Toxicity leads to damaged relationships. And that’s what’s happened here. It’s time. Let him do well to catch on someplace else, then bring in an ass-kicker for next season. It’s time.

On to Saturday! Well done, lads. Well. Done.

Vrana looked fine to me. He's def. a different player then Mantha (smaller and faster) you can see how he will create opportunities with his speed.
- wingz4life

He struggled in the D zone a bit, but it’s a completely different system. His speed is his equalizer. I think you put that together very well.

I’m not putting a ton of stock in these 12 games for either Vrana or Mantha. Detroit is all adrenaline/positive right now. Washington is in full playoff push. After training camp we’ll see how they do moving forward. The biggest part of the deal, the draft picks, it’s just going to be a few years til we know for sure. Vrana has arbitration going into is RFA status. Hopefully they’ll get something together quick

also, Rasmussen is going to be a solid player for them moving forward. He is still only 21, I think hes only going to get better..

Last night to say the least was entertaining, we saw a lot of smiles on the bench when Vrana did his victory lap.
I have a feeling the Wings may not give up on Blashill, not trying to be funny here.

Last night to say the least was entertaining, we saw a lot of smiles on the bench when Vrana did his victory lap.
I have a feeling the Wings may not give up on Blashill, not trying to be funny here.
- Tee56

I expect Blashill will be back next season.

Guys we are almost out of the bottom five (points percentage-wise). Just one point behind Columbus, with the tiebreaker.

Guys we are almost out of the bottom five (points percentage-wise). Just one point behind Columbus, with the tiebreaker.
- Sven22

It’s all pride now.

It’s all pride now.
- Tee56

Yeah. There have definitely been some stinker games this season but overall I am very happy with the progress.

Last season they had 39 points in 71 games when the season shut down. This year, they have 38 so far in 45.

Before the season started I predicted the Red Wings would be the most improved team in the entire NHL and would still finish bottom five. There's a good chance they'll exceed that prediction, and that's with Bertuzzi out most of the year and down years for Larkin and Mantha to boot.

Guys we are almost out of the bottom five (points percentage-wise). Just one point behind Columbus, with the tiebreaker.
- Sven22

Wings would have fared better if they had a week off during their COVID outbreak, like the other teams were allowed. Just sayin'

Wings would have fared better if they had a week off during their COVID outbreak, like the other teams were allowed. Just sayin'

- HenryHockey

Like Bettman would do something to benefit the Red Wings. Better chance of air conditioning hell.