Jeremy Laura: Wings still in wild card spot despite the week off

Berggren would be a great trade piece for a better D man. However the prices are so high this TDL that I believe Y balks at getting any meaningful upgrades and just gets some cheap depth pieces.
I am sure Y is monitoring the disconnect that Voronkov and Jiricek had with CBJ. Although Voronkov has been given more ice-time since his outburst of dipleasure to the media and CBJ has benefitted on the score sheet. Where Jiricek is languishing in the AHL because of the log jam at RD.

Berggren would be a great trade piece for a better D man. However the prices are so high this TDL that I believe Y balks at getting any meaningful upgrades and just gets some cheap depth pieces.
I am sure Y is monitoring the disconnect that Voronkov and Jiricek had with CBJ. Although Voronkov has been given more ice-time since his outburst of dipleasure to the media and CBJ has benefitted on the score sheet. Where Jiricek is languishing in the AHL because of the log jam at RD.
- HenryHockey

I agree on the market. The ridiculous prices are going to kill deals. There may be some 11th hour deals but it seems more likely that deals get done around the draft unless there’s a huge shift in perceived value.

Interestingly, at least one Avs player is saying that the deadline needs to be moved up. The need for “chemistry” is something cited by critics of the late cut off date

I posted this way too late in the comments a couple of blogs ago so I'll just repost here with a few modifications.

On Berggren:

In terms of production and role within a lineup I tend to think of Berggren as basically another Fabbri.

- Middle six offense (second line in a pinch, but third line in a healthy lineup)
- Second unit powerplay
- Poor defensively
- Doesn't kill penalties
- Doesn't take faceoffs

In a vacuum, Berggren is probably a "better" player than Veleno, Fischer, Kostin, arguably Copp or Rasmussen. The question is where do you fit him in a lineup?

All those guys bring something to the bottom six that Berggren doesn't or can't. Copp, Veleno, and Rasmussen all (to varying degrees) can play center and the PK. Fischer is decent defensively. Kostin is also decent defensively and obviously adds a physical element.

Don't get me wrong, it's good to have one or two offensive-minded guys to give your bottom six a bit of a scoring threat and Berggren could probably play that kind of role competently. The problem for him is that Sprong already plays that role excellently. Plus there's Fabbri, too. Throw Berggren in and now that's half your bottom six made up of guys who can't defend, which is not a good mix.

I can definitely see Berggren sticking around and being a useful middle six piece in the years to come but I also feel like his value in a lineup is highly situational / dependent on the mix of players already there.

I don't believe Berggren goes anywhere.... Stevie may look to move on from Fabbri and if Perron is resigned, hopefully, he will return on a diminished role... Kostin has proven to not fit in and frankly looks outclassed on the ice, had big hopes for him but it's doubtful he returns... pending on the boys performance prior to the deadline will determine the Kane roster spot, again I hope he returns... we haven't had a player capable of slowing down the game since Lidstrom and Larionov... would love Kane to return... that said, if Fabbri and Kostin are moved there will be a roster spot for Berggren... of course, I, like many here are hoping Sprong is resigned, preferably prior to seasons end... but again, he holds another roster spot which I hope he keeps... if he choose free agency then once again, Berggren is needed.... so yeah, I think Stevie holds on to him unless an unbelievable deal comes about...he simply can't fit on the roster as it stands....

I posted this way too late in the comments a couple of blogs ago so I'll just repost here with a few modifications.

On Berggren:

In terms of production and role within a lineup I tend to think of Berggren as basically another Fabbri.

- Middle six offense (second line in a pinch, but third line in a healthy lineup)
- Second unit powerplay
- Poor defensively
- Doesn't kill penalties
- Doesn't take faceoffs

In a vacuum, Berggren is probably a "better" player than Veleno, Fischer, Kostin, arguably Copp or Rasmussen. The question is where do you fit him in a lineup?

All those guys bring something to the bottom six that Berggren doesn't or can't. Copp, Veleno, and Rasmussen all (to varying degrees) can play center and the PK. Fischer is decent defensively. Kostin is also decent defensively and obviously adds a physical element.

Don't get me wrong, it's good to have one or two offensive-minded guys to give your bottom six a bit of a scoring threat and Berggren could probably play that kind of role competently. The problem for him is that Sprong already plays that role excellently. Plus there's Fabbri, too. Throw Berggren in and now that's half your bottom six made up of guys who can't defend, which is not a good mix.

I can definitely see Berggren sticking around and being a useful middle six piece in the years to come but I also feel like his value in a lineup is highly situational / dependent on the mix of players already there.
- Sven22

I think you’ve done well to lay that all out. As with a few others, I want to see Danielson in camp. Mazur too. It really may come down to Berggren being willing to roll with his assignment.

I agree on the market. The ridiculous prices are going to kill deals. There may be some 11th hour deals but it seems more likely that deals get done around the draft unless there’s a huge shift in perceived value.

Interestingly, at least one Avs player is saying that the deadline needs to be moved up. The need for “chemistry” is something cited by critics of the late cut off date
- Jeremy Laura

I think Berggren goes this summer in a package for a young C or RD. I don't think he is a Stevie type of player. His stock is fairly high right now but the TDL market is too expensive, and some salary would have to go with him right now, which might make the trade even more expensive.

I don't believe Berggren goes anywhere.... Stevie may look to move on from Fabbri and if Perron is resigned, hopefully, he will return on a diminished role... Kostin has proven to not fit in and frankly looks outclassed on the ice, had big hopes for him but it's doubtful he returns... pending on the boys performance prior to the deadline will determine the Kane roster spot, again I hope he returns... we haven't had a player capable of slowing down the game since Lidstrom and Larionov... would love Kane to return... that said, if Fabbri and Kostin are moved there will be a roster spot for Berggren... of course, I, like many here are hoping Sprong is resigned, preferably prior to seasons end... but again, he holds another roster spot which I hope he keeps... if he choose free agency then once again, Berggren is needed.... so yeah, I think Stevie holds on to him unless an unbelievable deal comes about...he simply can't fit on the roster as it stands....
- angryagain

At some point Perron and Fabbri are going to age out. It’s just going to be all about the fit. The 3rd line was really pitching in on back check, if Berggren can roll with wherever they put him he’s probably a reasonable cap hit on his next deal an has upside. The question I’m waiting to find out is if the player is doing a “tell me my slot and if I don’t like it…”. There would be plenty of options. It’s wait and see time but I don’t see value in just letting that player go. It would have to be a combination of issues and the right offer.

On Wings wild card spot: I'm nervous.

If you give any consideration to public projection models, there are some discrepancies but they pretty much think:

-BOS, FLA, CAR, NYR near locks

-High to very high confidence that TOR, TB, and (to a somewhat lesser degree) PIT finish strong and get in semi-comfortably

-Dogfight between DET, PHI, NJ, possibly NYI for probably last WC spot. (Dom's model at the Athletic has all four teams projected within a single point of each other at the end of the season.)

Personally, I feel like the models are overrating TB and PIT slightly, definitely overrating NYI. PHI and NJ I can't really figure out. To be honest, I'm not sure I've figured out DET yet either.

These next three games against the two hottest teams in the league could be pretty pivotal. If the Wings can get at least 3 points that status quo is probably maintained. If they get blanked or only pick up an OTL ... I think I would start to feel a lot more pessimistic about catching TB or holding off enough of the trailing teams. PIT and NJ in particular seem like potential sleeping giants to me.

On Wings wild card spot: I'm nervous.

If you give any consideration to public projection models, there are some discrepancies but they pretty much think:

-BOS, FLA, CAR, NYR near locks

-High to very high confidence that TOR, TB, and (to a somewhat lesser degree) PIT finish strong and get in semi-comfortably

-Dogfight between DET, PHI, NJ, possibly NYI for probably last WC spot. (Dom's model at the Athletic has all four teams projected within a single point of each other at the end of the season.)

Personally, I feel like the models are overrating TB and PIT slightly, definitely overrating NYI. PHI and NJ I can't really figure out. To be honest, I'm not sure I've figured out DET yet either.

These next three games against the two hottest teams in the league could be pretty pivotal. If the Wings can get at least 3 points that status quo is probably maintained. If they get blanked or only pick up an OTL ... I think I would start to feel a lot more pessimistic about catching TB or holding off enough of the trailing teams. PIT and NJ in particular seem like potential sleeping giants to me.
- Sven22

This is part of the confustication at the NHL network and others. The Isles were supposed to be much better. TB and Toronto should both have more breathing room. Pitt has “noise” and that’s not always great. Ownership/management shouldn’t float potential trades as motivation to get the team to step up.

February will be the stamp on the season, for sure. This extra time off has me a little nervous. It is fun to watch people scramble on the day to day though. I have some screenshot DMs of fans saying, “rebuild done” for their respective teams. Just watching it play out. Getting to the post season would be a huge step forward for Detroit, but it would also cost someone on another team or two their job. You don’t want to see that, but teams are trying to get ahead with a trade or staff change or (fill in the blank). Neither of the new owners for Ottawa or Pitt seem to be on the happy side right now

I am all for seeing the management staffs on both Ottawa and Pittsburgh being VERY unhappy! I relish for both to go golfing in April!

I am all for seeing the management staffs on both Ottawa and Pittsburgh being VERY unhappy! I relish for both to go golfing in April!
- HenryHockey

What I don’t like is the new owners being angry. The Ottawa sale almost blew up because the real debt (around 500 mil) wasn’t mentioned until late term discovery. You just saw Ryan Reynolds at games and generated hype and he walked away when that was pointed out. Snoop Dogg was also part of a group. The ownership deal for Ottawa came by taking someone who owned part of another franchise, having them sell part of that stake and then setting it up. What was promised during the hype up? A new stadium. First thing the new owner said was it wouldn’t happen if it didn’t make sense. Pittsburgh owner being sour doesn’t help and AZ is a disaster. The league needs happy owners but have 2 that are not happy, one that is embarrassing the league, and multiple bond issues that as soon as they were passed didn’t pay for themselves or didn’t fulfill promises. You want happy owners to step in and inject money. Bettman is making bad deals lately

What I don’t like is the new owners being angry. The Ottawa sale almost blew up because the real debt (around 500 mil) wasn’t mentioned until late term discovery. You just saw Ryan Reynolds at games and generated hype and he walked away when that was pointed out. Snoop Dogg was also part of a group. The ownership deal for Ottawa came by taking someone who owned part of another franchise, having them sell part of that stake and then setting it up. What was promised during the hype up? A new stadium. First thing the new owner said was it wouldn’t happen if it didn’t make sense. Pittsburgh owner being sour doesn’t help and AZ is a disaster. The league needs happy owners but have 2 that are not happy, one that is embarrassing the league, and multiple bond issues that as soon as they were passed didn’t pay for themselves or didn’t fulfill promises. You want happy owners to step in and inject money. Bettman is making bad deals lately
- Jeremy Laura

I am talking strictly about on ice results not their particular financials. I dislike these two teams and love to see them have losing records.