Jeremy Laura: Larkin talks contracts and season, and a quick thought on Matthews

I wouldn't discount Boston that fast for a top 3 in this division or give Tampa the spot.

Boston has a solid defense and good offense. Their depth at center is iffy but it was last season and they still did well. Even if Swayman doesn't sign soon, i think with that defense, their goalies will still look fine. That's the perk of having a solid defense...something Yzerman has yet to figure out in Detroit with his Chiarot, Petry, Holl ect... blunders.

Tampa didn't just lose Stamkos, they also lost Sergachev. I think Tampa looks weak on offense beyond their first line and their defense also looks weaker with an old McDonaugh replacing Sergachev. Unless they have some prospects i don't know about that come in and surprise (kind of doubt with the amount of picks they have traded away the last few years), it'll be their top line, Hedman and Vasilevskiy that will have to pull them into a playoff spot. Still a very good core of players but the depth lacks still imo.

I wouldn't discount Boston that fast for a top 3 in this division or give Tampa the spot.

Boston has a solid defense and good offense. Their depth at center is iffy but it was last season and they still did well. Even if Swayman doesn't sign soon, i think with that defense, their goalies will still look fine. That's the perk of having a solid defense...something Yzerman has yet to figure out in Detroit with his Chiarot, Petry, Holl ect... blunders.

Tampa didn't just lose Stamkos, they also lost Sergachev. I think Tampa looks weak on offense beyond their first line and their defense also looks weaker with an old McDonaugh replacing Sergachev. Unless they have some prospects i don't know about that come in and surprise (kind of doubt with the amount of picks they have traded away the last few years), it'll be their top line, Hedman and Vasilevskiy that will have to pull them into a playoff spot. Still a very good core of players but the depth lacks still imo.
- dcz28

I think Tampa did suffer some major changes, and Boston does have an amazing system. Boston is showing a little bit of strain in the Swayman situation and I think it’s a toss up between the two on who slips. I could easily be wrong and Boston grabs a top 3 spot. Then you swap in TB battling for a wild card and the overall pic doesn’t change drastically in terms of what Detroit has to accomplish. Ottawa now has the commitment for the new arena and ownership is pressing hard to build a new culture. It’s a fascinating division to step back but in terms of following Detroit a very difficult climb. Progress within will have to be met with regress in the periphery (opinion).

I think Tampa did suffer some major changes, and Boston does have an amazing system. Boston is showing a little bit of strain in the Swayman situation and I think it’s a toss up between the two on who slips. I could easily be wrong and Boston grabs a top 3 spot. Then you swap in TB battling for a wild card and the overall pic doesn’t change drastically in terms of what Detroit has to accomplish. Ottawa now has the commitment for the new arena and ownership is pressing hard to build a new culture. It’s a fascinating division to step back but in terms of following Detroit a very difficult climb. Progress within will have to be met with regress in the periphery (opinion).
- Jeremy Laura

I agree that the top 3 spot in the division doesn't matter because the Wings basically have no shot at it although i think the top 3 stay that way with Tampa fighting for a WC spot.

The Metro division i see one change with Devils taking the Islanders spot and them fighting with Tampa, Detroit, Ottawa, Washington, Pittsburgh and Buffalo for the two WC spots. Feels like whichever team doesn't suffer key injuries and has players that perform up to standards or better will get those two spots.

Yes, with Seider not being in country and missing nearly a week of training camp just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It was a me, me, me move.

Wings still have work to get a more reliable RD on the 2nd pairing. Fowler may work but will be costly and the Ducks would need to retain at least $2M! Hopefully Holl got better over the summer.

Yes, with Seider not being in country and missing nearly a week of training camp just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It was a me, me, me move.

Wings still have work to get a more reliable RD on the 2nd pairing. Fowler may work but will be costly and the Ducks would need to retain at least $2M! Hopefully Holl got better over the summer.
- HenryHockey

I can understand and play “agent’s advocate” as we see retired players play serious hard ball. Unfortunately what we’re seeing (it feels) is a decision that could negatively impact the player ultimately. My wife and I were talking about seeing players around Traverse City while contracts were being finished up in the past. They wanted to get on the ice ASAP. (Just a couple, nothing major). Both Raymond and Seider could easily have set up shop in the U.S. homes and just held out there. This is speculative and clear opinion. I want players to be taken care of and get the best they can get. I don’t think you sacrifice that being in the same country as the team and not having to take a long flight, make your adjustments etc.

The whole team for me is, well, wait and see. That’s not optimism, it’s personal pragmatism. It speaks to uncertainty and questions. It would be a boost to see a young player over perform in preseason and possibly an early season look. A move to get a Dman to stabilize feels like a really good idea. I’m not there, I haven’t seen the practices. Just trying to be frank but not be heavy handed. There are too many rabbit holes to look down right now for my own personal taste.

I agree that the top 3 spot in the division doesn't matter because the Wings basically have no shot at it although i think the top 3 stay that way with Tampa fighting for a WC spot.

The Metro division i see one change with Devils taking the Islanders spot and them fighting with Tampa, Detroit, Ottawa, Washington, Pittsburgh and Buffalo for the two WC spots. Feels like whichever team doesn't suffer key injuries and has players that perform up to standards or better will get those two spots.
- dcz28

It’s a very good and well iterated sentiment. We know what Washington is chasing, but there is a lot of pride on the line. New Jersey underperformed, Pittsburgh is right on that verge of what we lived through as hall of fame players wind down. There were so many moving parts over the summer that I almost have to reacquaint myself with all the shifts. For the West, I think a lot of eyes are on Nashville. I didn’t want to see Stamkos in a different jersey. Just as an outsider he truly loved being a Bolt. I think he felt disrespected and Barry Trotz saw a unique opportunity. There are other story lines being played out for different teams still as we head into pre season. A lot of moving parts.