Jeremy Laura: The waiting game(s) - rest versus rust for Detroit

No one should be surprised that Boston is still one of the best teams in the NHL.

I made this point repeatedly in the offseason but what people didn't seem to grasp is that Boston was SO far ahead of everyone else last year that they could decline significantly and still win the division.

The Bruins were pegged last year as a team on the decline, and they are. They're on pace for 117 points this year. They had 135 last year.

An 18 point year over year decline would kill almost any other team. Boston could do it and still win the division. Yeah they are definitely worse without Bergeron and Krejci, but they still have Pastrnak, McAvoy, Marchand, Lindholm, Swayman/Ullmark...

NYI gets a coaching bump and then fades fast. They won last night against a demoralized team on a back to back.
Tampa shops for a LD with LTIR dollars from Sergachev, $8.5 million can get a LD and some more depth. They will be looking at Hannifin, Chychrun, Proverov,or Fabbro. Maybe bring back McDonough!! They could conceivably get Hannifin at half salary and have nearly $6M to shop for other players! But the cupboard will be very bare for the future!!!!!!
I am hoping Pittsburgh sells Guentzel. I think he should go to the Canes for Bunting and Drury. It could help both teams. But the best scenario for me would be they hold on to Jake and still miss the play-offs.
Trono looks close to gaining a RD to replace Klinger. It does not look like Tanev, unless they relent to the Flames demands for a 1st. There is a wild trade rumor out there:
The proposed deal reportedly involves the Blues sending defenseman Colton Parayko and forward Samuel Blais to Toronto, in exchange for a package comprising forward Ryan Reaves, center Calle Järnkrok, promising defensive prospect Topi Niemelä, and a 2024 first-round pick, according to Rob Ellis.
I will believe it when I see it. Parayko has reportedly said he would only waive his NTC for the Oilers...he is a Western Canada native.

NYI gets a coaching bump and then fades fast. They won last night against a demoralized team on a back to back.
Tampa shops for a LD with LTIR dollars from Sergachev, $8.5 million can get a LD and some more depth. They will be looking at Hannifin, Chychrun, Proverov,or Fabbro. Maybe bring back McDonough!! They could conceivably get Hannifin at half salary and have nearly $6M to shop for other players! But the cupboard will be very bare for the future!!!!!!
I am hoping Pittsburgh sells Guentzel. I think he should go to the Canes for Bunting and Drury. It could help both teams. But the best scenario for me would be they hold on to Jake and still miss the play-offs.
Trono looks close to gaining a RD to replace Klinger. It does not look like Tanev, unless they relent to the Flames demands for a 1st. There is a wild trade rumor out there:
The proposed deal reportedly involves the Blues sending defenseman Colton Parayko and forward Samuel Blais to Toronto, in exchange for a package comprising forward Ryan Reaves, center Calle Järnkrok, promising defensive prospect Topi Niemelä, and a 2024 first-round pick, according to Rob Ellis.
I will believe it when I see it. Parayko has reportedly said he would only waive his NTC for the Oilers...he is a Western Canada native.
- HenryHockey

I would like the CBA to address miracles next time around. I.E. - a team has someone on LTIR that miraculously heals up as soon as the salary cap is gone. It’s a bad joke that just doesn’t end.

I think the boys come out and play hard and more importantly continue playing for each other with the goal being playoffs..... they are healthy and have something to prove..... let's go red wings.... just hopefully Husso has a short leash when he does get a start...he could gash the teams confidence...

Since TB is low on futures, maybe they have to do a trade like :
Cerelli and a 2nd for Jenner and Proverov.
Cerilli would be the best player in the trade, so I don't think CBJ would balk at that. And he is much younger than Jenner. Oh, and his NTC does not kick in till this summer.

I think the boys come out and play hard and more importantly continue playing for each other with the goal being playoffs..... they are healthy and have something to prove..... let's go red wings.... just hopefully Husso has a short leash when he does get a start...he could gash the teams confidence...
- angryagain

A short leash or a choke collar? Definitely want the guys healthy and just go for it. Sort of that ideal timing of “still rebuilding, but it’s going well”. The conversation seems to change quickly.

Very cool to see the guys hanging w/families and the fun times. They seem to genuinely have come together as the season goes on.

“Per a government source, an Arizona Coyotes land deal in North Phoenix could be wrapped up in 3 months.

The 100 acres is right at the corner of the 101 and Scottsdale Road.”

@CraigSMorgan has the latest: youtu.be/oD4mIA2r8l4

The Detroit Red Wings have emerged as potential suitors for defenseman Jakob Chychrun from the Ottawa Senators as the NHL trade deadline looms.

Here we go again!

Detroit needs a RD, and yes he can play RD but is more effective at LD. The Sens have him at RD and see this and will shop for another RD. It is too bad for Jacob as he goes thru the rumor mill again when he wants to stay in Ottawa.....HIS HOME!

“Per a government source, an Arizona Coyotes land deal in North Phoenix could be wrapped up in 3 months.

The 100 acres is right at the corner of the 101 and Scottsdale Road.”

@CraigSMorgan has the latest: youtu.be/oD4mIA2r8l4
- HenryHockey

This may be their last shot. They missed 2 deadlines and had 2 failed stadium proposals. Even with the land the same owner who abandoned the last arena is going to ask for another one? The NHLPA squeezed this, and it buys just enough time to get a new owner or potentially grab the land in Salt Lake or New Mexico

The Detroit Red Wings have emerged as potential suitors for defenseman Jakob Chychrun from the Ottawa Senators as the NHL trade deadline looms.

Here we go again!

Detroit needs a RD, and yes he can play RD but is more effective at LD. The Sens have him at RD and see this and will shop for another RD. It is too bad for Jacob as he goes thru the rumor mill again when he wants to stay in Ottawa.....HIS HOME!
- HenryHockey

I’ve made no secret that I would like to see Chycrun in Detroit. I have a feeling a few people in Ottawa want a fresh start

Interesting perspective as on this board and others you hear pretty much everything. This is from over on PHR:

he Detroit Red Wings season has gone as well as they could have hoped for. The team hasn’t had overwhelming success, but they are in the heat of the Eastern Conference Wild Card race and are averaging their highest goals-per-game total since the 2008-09 season.


Not going to comment, just interested to hear what you all think

The NHLPA needs to stay on top of the disaster that is the Coyotes. Having an nhl team playing in a 4600 seat arena for a season is 1 thing, expecting them to play 5 or 6 seasons in that facility, is another.
Consider that as about 69 million in lost Hockey Related Revenue, which half would be going to the players through an increase in the cap. Basically just over 1 million per team in extra cap dollars, because Bettman wants to keep his pet project in the desert.

Lyon is getting the start Saturday. Glad LaLonde has gotten the memo the starter should be Lyon's job to lose. Use Reimer as the backup if needed. Nice to see the whole team healthy again. Will be some tough choices on who to sit. Just keep Holl on the bench would be my recommendation.

Gotta love that 4th line of Fabbri - Veleno - Sprong. Gotta be one of the best 4th lines in the NHL. It could be a difference maker in some of these tough close games. Sprong in particular creates his own space with his shot / speed / creativity. As good as any 4th liner in the league.

Wings gotta roll 4 lines and use their speed against the Canucks and take away time and space to have a chance to win. Lyon will need to have a really strong game.

The NHLPA needs to stay on top of the disaster that is the Coyotes. Having an nhl team playing in a 4600 seat arena for a season is 1 thing, expecting them to play 5 or 6 seasons in that facility, is another.
Consider that as about 69 million in lost Hockey Related Revenue, which half would be going to the players through an increase in the cap. Basically just over 1 million per team in extra cap dollars, because Bettman wants to keep his pet project in the desert.
- Reubenkincade

One of the things I can’t get over, is there any team with more ownership groups in as short a time span? The league was running them at one point, multiple arenas where the NHL talks about the ROI to get the bond $. So not only is HRR messed up, how much money has been spent on this team by the towns they’ve played in where arenas were built? Even if they get a green light, you still need an interim place to play and advertisers. I don’t think the next city council meetings are going to be as much fun as usual…

Lyon is getting the start Saturday. Glad LaLonde has gotten the memo the starter should be Lyon's job to lose. Use Reimer as the backup if needed. Nice to see the whole team healthy again. Will be some tough choices on who to sit. Just keep Holl on the bench would be my recommendation.

Gotta love that 4th line of Fabbri - Veleno - Sprong. Gotta be one of the best 4th lines in the NHL. It could be a difference maker in some of these tough close games. Sprong in particular creates his own space with his shot / speed / creativity. As good as any 4th liner in the league.

Wings gotta roll 4 lines and use their speed against the Canucks and take away time and space to have a chance to win. Lyon will need to have a really strong game.
- Vladdie_Kon1

You nailed it. Be ready and roll. This has been a while off and you don’t have a period to “find your legs”. Very glad as well for Lyon. From odd man out to first man up. It will probably be in a book at some point.

First, can we all celebrate the fact we are having a much different conversation this February? I love it. I often feel a team is as good as their goalie’s confidence. I like how Lyon eats the puck, and makes enough stops to keep the team in the game. He isn’t a top goalie, but his make up is exactly what our teams needs. My son is a junior goalie so I’m always watching how our goalies play. I noticed that husso was not stopping breakaways, prior to his injury. It takes a lot of swagger to mentally beat a shooter when it’s just you and them. Husso may be healthy, but can he play good enough to inspire confidence that we are going to win the game? We’ve had so many third period come back wins this year. If I’m Lalonde, I’m playing Lyon 4/5ths of the starts, resting on back2backs.

I’ve said before, and I’m sticking to it that Yzerman isn’t going to be active with the deadline. Maybe he picks up a depth player for a low draft pick. However, I think we are going to see Tampa and Pittsburgh make some moves. Tampa is still elite. I think the games they missed with Vassy during early season is what really hurt their place in the standings now. The pens are desperate, because they can’t miss the playoffs two years in a row with their roster. Look at EK’s stats. I honestly think we might see a dismantling of the pens soon. Why the heck with JG want out? He has made a living playing with Crosby. I think they realize the end might be near. Crazy question… do you think they’d ever try and trade Sid? If so, to whom? I’m sure he has a NTC, but like Borque, sometimes you realize a change might equal one last cup.

First, can we all celebrate the fact we are having a much different conversation this February? I love it. I often feel a team is as good as their goalie’s confidence. I like how Lyon eats the puck, and makes enough stops to keep the team in the game. He isn’t a top goalie, but his make up is exactly what our teams needs. My son is a junior goalie so I’m always watching how our goalies play. I noticed that husso was not stopping breakaways, prior to his injury. It takes a lot of swagger to mentally beat a shooter when it’s just you and them. Husso may be healthy, but can he play good enough to inspire confidence that we are going to win the game? We’ve had so many third period come back wins this year. If I’m Lalonde, I’m playing Lyon 4/5ths of the starts, resting on back2backs.

I’ve said before, and I’m sticking to it that Yzerman isn’t going to be active with the deadline. Maybe he picks up a depth player for a low draft pick. However, I think we are going to see Tampa and Pittsburgh make some moves. Tampa is still elite. I think the games they missed with Vassy during early season is what really hurt their place in the standings now. The pens are desperate, because they can’t miss the playoffs two years in a row with their roster. Look at EK’s stats. I honestly think we might see a dismantling of the pens soon. Why the heck with JG want out? He has made a living playing with Crosby. I think they realize the end might be near. Crazy question… do you think they’d ever try and trade Sid? If so, to whom? I’m sure he has a NTC, but like Borque, sometimes you realize a change might equal one last cup.
- NC_Scott

I’d said a few years ago to my friend (Chicago fan, but has a PhD so what do you do?) that I could see Kane moving on but Toews would rather hang them up than move on. Unfortunately Toews got very ill but I see Crosby as a “one team guy”. If he didn’t have 3 cups, maybe a different story. But, the Pens have to sell tix. They sent Crosby to deliver season tix a few years ago and fans still get a thrill with that. I think Malkin would move on and if Guentzel moves on for sure things are going to change. Then it’s balance getting people to come and embracing the rebuild.

Definitely exciting for Wings. Hoping everyone feels great tomorrow!

I can’t stop seeing Letang score on his own net on the PP, and Geno lifting up his hand. That’s probably going to be the theme shot for their year

I can’t stop seeing Letang score on his own net on the PP, and Geno lifting up his hand. That’s probably going to be the theme shot for their year

Wouldn’t that be funny if Toews signed with Detroit?? Never would have guessed in a million years Kane, Debrincat and Toews would be on our squad. You know it’s crossed HIS mind. #NHLUFARumorMill

Totally agree with others in here Lyon must play a big majority of our games resting on back to backs.

Great input across the board, as usual. Truly enjoy reading the insights y'all have.

Re PITT: Ownership's at a breaking point as are the players. EK was/is a nightmare for them. Falling apart, soon to be dismantled. The Kid retires & takes either a fron-office or coaching job by then end of next year (I think sooner than later).

The Captain's not rolling the dice this season. We have to literally crush it out of the gate tonight to remain in the hunt. TAM is still a tough team, BOS is beyond words. Time to "let the big dogs eat!" Lyon's the clear #1. MAY see a minor move or 2, but as many have said, this IS a good team.

Tronno's a dumpster-fire. Unsustainable business model and will be torn down. OTT may be sneaky good, they are when they get rolling. ChickenRun's gonna be dealt, I feel like the Wings are interested but NOT desperate.

Want to see what the boys look lile tonight. Kane truly seems happy. We'd do well to bring him back....great mentor and chemistry guy. But I'm not even gonna hazard a SWAG about the off-season, need to see hiw we finish and who risies to the task at hand; those are the guys who are going to stay. Leaders are made in times of struggle......who on this team is ready to lead??

I can’t stop seeing Letang score on his own net on the PP, and Geno lifting up his hand. That’s probably going to be the theme shot for their year
- NC_Scott

I really liked Toews. He grew into an incredible leader. I think his heart issues are pretty rough though. I don’t that he won’t be wearing a tie instead of pads in the next year or so.

I can’t stop seeing Letang score on his own net on the PP, and Geno lifting up his hand. That’s probably going to be the theme shot for their year
- NC_Scott

They probably see that when they blink. Definitely at least in a nightmare