Jeremy Laura: Career AHL journeyman embarrasses Wings in St. Louis

Jeremy... you've been a great blogger for us. Wishing you the best no matter where your journey takes you. You breathed life back into this Red Wings blog and I've always enjoyed stopping by to banter with my fellow Wings fans. Cheers.

Best of God's blessing to you and it saddens me so very much to know how much you are suffering. I have enjoyed your friendship and writing in the several months I have subscribed here. At least you share a something with Johan Frazen. I only wish you had access to Johan Franzen's doctors as well.
I apologize in advance for trying to bring some levity to your very serious malady.
May God give you His comfort and a recipe for some sort of recovery from all your pain and heartache.

Jeremy,
I am a die hard Flyers fan but have read every one of your posts because I enjoyed them in general and particularly your insights in what is going on in Detroit. You love hockey like so many of us do. I will miss your blogs and hope for the time when you are able to rejoin the discussion. God bless and know that the hockey universe cares.

Don't ever give up Jeremy. I look forward to your eventual return. God's speed

Thank you J, may the strength of the hockey world be behind you, be well.

Your right hockey is the best game and our common bond.

Take care of yourself Jeremy. I appreciate you and the work you've done over the last few years. Hoping we'll see you back here with a clean bill of health soon.

After watching the Wings embarrass themselves again last night... I'd say Edvinsson can't get here fast enough. Hope he can jump into the NHL as quick as Seider and Raymond. I still think Edvinsson was a great pick by Stevie. Thanks goodness we got a top pick defenseman coming. Hakan Andersson really wanted that kid... so I have confidence in the selection.

The Wings defense is just terrible... Ned can't bail them out every night. I think both Staal and Dekeyser were both out last night. I'm not at all optimistic against the Avs tonight.

Jeremy,

Having you struggle through your injuries, and seeing the impacts it's had on you, is hard on all of us. Knowing some of what you're struggling with, I admire your desire to fight through the pain. But the cost is always too high; that comes from direct experience. You know when it's time.

It's painful to see you step aside, but I know you take the decision with a heavy heart. We support you, completely. Heal, Jeremy. There's nothing in life more important than your health.

You have my contact info, my friend. You can call me ANY time. I'm always going to be there for you. See you on the high ground.

Oh yeah; the Wings sucked last night. It is what it is, brighter days ahead.

I really hope things get better for you Jeremy and you get back to being able to enjoy all the little things in life again soon. You did a great job with the blog and got a lot of fans back on here.

After watching the Wings embarrass themselves again last night... I'd say Edvinsson can't get here fast enough. Hope he can jump into the NHL as quick as Seider and Raymond. I still think Edvinsson was a great pick by Stevie. Thanks goodness we got a top pick defenseman coming. Hakan Andersson really wanted that kid... so I have confidence in the selection.

The Wings defense is just terrible... Ned can't bail them out every night. I think both Staal and Dekeyser were both out last night. I'm not at all optimistic against the Avs tonight.
- Vladdie_Kon1

DeKeyser played both the Preds and Blues games. As a result, Seider (poor soul paired with him for both games) was a -2 against the Preds and a -3 against the Blues. I wish Blashill got his eyesight checked so he could see what we all do and what the stats show...DeKeyser is sinking whoever he is paired with (and that is mainly Seider). I would rather see Witkowski instead of DeKeyser. If he insists on playing DeKeyser, at least put him on the 3rd pair and keep him the hell away from Seider. Why make things harder for Seider by putting DeKeyser with him. He played much better paired with Oesterle (or anybody else for that matter).


How could Blashill not see that the team was better when DeKeyser was out and have bombed since he came back into the lineup. It's not all on DeKeyser for the losses to the Preds and Blues but he sure as hell ain't helping anything.

DeKeyser played both the Preds and Blues games. As a result, Seider (poor soul paired with him for both games) was a -2 against the Preds and a -3 against the Blues. I wish Blashill got his eyesight checked so he could see what we all do and what the stats show...DeKeyser is sinking whoever he is paired with (and that is mainly Seider). I would rather see Witkowski instead of DeKeyser. If he insists on playing DeKeyser, at least put him on the 3rd pair and keep him the hell away from Seider. Why make things harder for Seider by putting DeKeyser with him. He played much better paired with Oesterle (or anybody else for that matter).


How could Blashill not see that the team was better when DeKeyser was out and have bombed since he came back into the lineup. It's not all on DeKeyser for the losses to the Preds and Blues but he sure as hell ain't helping anything.
- dcz28

Maybe NO ONE else will play with Danny Deke??

DeKeyser played both the Preds and Blues games. As a result, Seider (poor soul paired with him for both games) was a -2 against the Preds and a -3 against the Blues. I wish Blashill got his eyesight checked so he could see what we all do and what the stats show...DeKeyser is sinking whoever he is paired with (and that is mainly Seider). I would rather see Witkowski instead of DeKeyser. If he insists on playing DeKeyser, at least put him on the 3rd pair and keep him the hell away from Seider. Why make things harder for Seider by putting DeKeyser with him. He played much better paired with Oesterle (or anybody else for that matter).


How could Blashill not see that the team was better when DeKeyser was out and have bombed since he came back into the lineup. It's not all on DeKeyser for the losses to the Preds and Blues but he sure as hell ain't helping anything.
- dcz28

DK has lost his effectiveness. He was decent, in the beginning, but injuries have completely derailed any effectiveness. He is really an anchor on the d-line. Wasn't aware of the statistical deviations for Mo Sides with & without DK. THAT should be the major selling point to trade the old model in for the new.

I watched last night's game, Mo needs to be with a SOLID d-man....and DK ain't it for sure. You could see his game elevate away from DK; plainly visible. Sadly, I think Blash will ride the DK train until it derails again.....

Maybe NO ONE else will play with Danny Deke??

- HenryHockey

Maybe, but I think it's more a matter of who has no choice nor voice in it. Mo takes a serious hit when he's w/DK. You could see the difference in play when DK wasn't on the ice.... it's that glaring......

DeKeyser played both the Preds and Blues games. As a result, Seider (poor soul paired with him for both games) was a -2 against the Preds and a -3 against the Blues. I wish Blashill got his eyesight checked so he could see what we all do and what the stats show...DeKeyser is sinking whoever he is paired with (and that is mainly Seider). I would rather see Witkowski instead of DeKeyser. If he insists on playing DeKeyser, at least put him on the 3rd pair and keep him the hell away from Seider. Why make things harder for Seider by putting DeKeyser with him. He played much better paired with Oesterle (or anybody else for that matter).


How could Blashill not see that the team was better when DeKeyser was out and have bombed since he came back into the lineup. It's not all on DeKeyser for the losses to the Preds and Blues but he sure as hell ain't helping anything.
- dcz28

Yeah... agree that Dekyser needs to just sit. Team is worse off when he's on the ice. Wonder if Stetcher is going to get back from his injury anytime soon. Would certainly help if he could get back in the lineup.

As I predicted the Wings were down 2-0 after the first period last night.
It won't shock me if Greiss gets lit up tonight for 5 goals (assuming he starts tonight). I am hoping this is Blashill's last year as coach. But I don't think Stevie will pull the trigger until somebody he really likes comes available and when there's more talent / depth in the lineup.

Yeah... agree that Dekyser needs to just sit. Team is worse off when he's on the ice. Wonder if Stetcher is going to get back from his injury anytime soon. Would certainly help if he could get back in the lineup.

As I predicted the Wings were down 2-0 after the first period last night.
It won't shock me if Greiss gets lit up tonight for 5 goals (assuming he starts tonight). I am hoping this is Blashill's last year as coach. But I don't think Stevie will pull the trigger until somebody he really likes comes available and when there's more talent / depth in the lineup.
- Vladdie_Kon1

Blash really had no choice in playing Danny last night with Staal out. He is a better skater than Whitter and Lashoff. Deke did play 5 minutes less than Seider.

Del Zotto is on waivers. Do the Wings need a LD that bad to take a chance on him? He has another year left at $2M per.

Del Zotto is on waivers. Do the Wings need a LD that bad to take a chance on him? He has another year left at $2M per.
- HenryHockey

At this point Del Zotto is a #7-level D. Granted that's still an upgrade for this roster, but the extra year on the deal makes it a hard no for me. If it was just for this season, he'd be a little closer to the "meh" side of no.

At this point Del Zotto is a #7-level D. Granted that's still an upgrade for this roster, but the extra year on the deal makes it a hard no for me. If it was just for this season, he'd be a little closer to the "meh" side of no.
- Sven22

So well put. Yeah, I see him as a stop gap for the rest of this season and am sure the Wings can do better than him for the next season.

Blash really had no choice in playing Danny last night with Staal out. He is a better skater than Whitter and Lashoff. Deke did play 5 minutes less than Seider.
- HenryHockey

Even if he did have to play him, the choice to play him with Mo is a bad one. DeKeyser should be a 3rd pair injury replacement at best. I still would prefer Witkowski in the lineup over him...at least Witkowski will hit and fight.

Yeah... agree that Dekyser needs to just sit. Team is worse off when he's on the ice. Wonder if Stetcher is going to get back from his injury anytime soon. Would certainly help if he could get back in the lineup.

As I predicted the Wings were down 2-0 after the first period last night.
It won't shock me if Greiss gets lit up tonight for 5 goals (assuming he starts tonight). I am hoping this is Blashill's last year as coach. But I don't think Stevie will pull the trigger until somebody he really likes comes available and when there's more talent / depth in the lineup.
- Vladdie_Kon1

Last thing i heard was that Stetcher would be out until after the Olympic break if i remember correctly.

Best thing would be to trade DeKeyser and take him away from Blashill but nobody is taking that contract even with salary retained. Maybe Yzerman could con Holland into taking him but the Wings would need to take salary back and Holland is a trade deadline dealer so it would likely wait until then.

Hi Jeremy,
You will be missed. You did a great job.

I wonder if the Avs are still shopping for a scoring forward and to rid themselves of Girard’s cap hit? If so, why not trade for Girard. Byram’s injury has stalled this move, but if a puck-moving D is given to replace Girard and a scoring forward, would Sakic make the trade???
So, I summit that Stevie give the Avs Leddy(1/2 salary retained down to $2.75M cap hit) and Zadina for Girard and his $5M x 5 more years contract.
The Wings need help at LD, the Avs clear the cap hit, get an affordable puck-moving rental D that will give them more cap flexibility next year and get a middle six scoring forward with a lot of upside (but is currently snake-bit in Detroit)
Girard may not be the perfect Yzerman defender, but bigger bodies are on the way for next year.

I wonder if the Avs are still shopping for a scoring forward and to rid themselves of Girard’s cap hit? If so, why not trade for Girard. Byram’s injury has stalled this move, but if a puck-moving D is given to replace Girard and a scoring forward, would Sakic make the trade???
So, I summit that Stevie give the Avs Leddy(1/2 salary retained down to $2.75M cap hit) and Zadina for Girard and his $5M x 5 more years contract.
The Wings need help at LD, the Avs clear the cap hit, get an affordable puck-moving rental D that will give them more cap flexibility next year and get a middle six scoring forward with a lot of upside (but is currently snake-bit in Detroit)
Girard may not be the perfect Yzerman defender, but bigger bodies are on the way for next year.
- HenryHockey

On second thought: Let's not give up on Zadina yet, so:
Leddy (50% salary) and Nemestnikov(50%salary) for Girard
Nemy is having a good year and would be considered a scoring forward and is a penalty killer and shut down forward as well.

On second thought: Let's not give up on Zadina yet, so:
Leddy (50% salary) and Nemestnikov(50%salary) for Girard
Nemy is having a good year and would be considered a scoring forward and is a penalty killer and shut down forward as well.
- HenryHockey

I have a hard time seeing Sakic trading a young defenseman signed long term for two 30 year old rentals. They probably would want Bertuzzi (can't see Yzerman doing a straight swap on that), Fabbri (Wings would have to add more unless an extension is worked out). Zadina might interest them but he's not exactly being much of a scoring winger right now. I could see them wanting Namestnikov back but not for Girard. Maybe for a mid round pick and someone (maybe Ryan Murray) just to make the salary cap work.