Jeremy Laura: McIsaac overseas, Red Wings reset for Vancouver, quiet on the trade front

McIsaac has been a consistent healthy scratch all season in GR. The significant time off for his shoulder injury was over 3 years ago beginning in Sept of 2020. Time to move on, this is the last move before unqualifying him. It is doubtful he can even be an AHL player let alone an NHL player right now.

McIsaac has bee a consistent healthy scratch all season in GR. The significant time off for his shoulder injury was over 3 years ago beginning in Sept of 2020. Time to move on, this is the last move before unqualifying him. It is doubtful he can even be an AHL player let alone an NHL player right now.
- HenryHockey

I’ve only had one good friend who was an AHL/ECHL player. Never made the bigs. (Played for the Stingrays and Checkers). One time he told me what it was like the day he realized the journey was over. We never talked about it again. This guy was easily 6’2” 250 and solid as a rock. But he was broken. That dream doesn’t go away easily.

As for McIsaac, either mentally or physically he wasn’t the same after being shelved in Europe. I think he only has 15 games in GR this year. It sucks for the human being, and a GM has to make those decisions all the time. Not fun being the boss some days

I’ve only had one good friend who was an AHL/ECHL player. Never made the bigs. (Played for the Stingrays and Checkers). One time he told me what it was like the day he realized the journey was over. We never talked about it again. This guy was easily 6’2” 250 and solid as a rock. But he was broken. That dream doesn’t go away easily.

As for McIsaac, either mentally or physically he wasn’t the same after being shelved in Europe. I think he only has 15 games in GR this year. It sucks for the human being, and a GM has to make those decisions all the time. Not fun being the boss some days

One of the things I always told my son was when it's over, he'll spend the rest of his life missing it, so enjoy every minute of it. Today, all his best friends are his hockey buddies, and they all miss the competitive games...it will never be the same. Most of them played ACHA but now that's over too. I remember his last competitive game in midgets, it was MAHA states, we made it to the championship and the winner went to nationals and for the losers, their competitive careers were over. We ended up losing but what was so sad to me was how many parents seemed to be more engrossed with Facebook on their phones than soaking up the ending to countless hours at the rink.

Every one of those young adults will tell you today that they would give anything to have another shot at moving on to a higher level, instead they took the game for granted as did most of us. Some of them had the talent to play at higher levels but didn't have the drive or work ethic. I suspect for all of them, if they had a chance to do it all again, they would have put in the work. Every player drafted by an NHL team has the ability to play at that level, the question is, do they have the heart to do what it takes to make it to that level. Sadly, most players squander that opportunity.

One of the things I always told my son was when it's over, he'll spend the rest of his life missing it, so enjoy every minute of it. Today, all his best friends are his hockey buddies, and they all miss the competitive games...it will never be the same. Most of them played ACHA but now that's over too. I remember his last competitive game in midgets, it was MAHA states, we made it to the championship and the winner went to nationals and for the losers, their competitive careers were over. We ended up losing but what was so sad to me was how many parents seemed to be more engrossed with Facebook on their phones than soaking up the ending to countless hours at the rink.

Every one of those young adults will tell you today that they would give anything to have another shot at moving on to a higher level, instead they took the game for granted as did most of us. Some of them had the talent to play at higher levels but didn't have the drive or work ethic. I suspect for all of them, if they had a chance to do it all again, they would have put in the work. Every player drafted by an NHL team has the ability to play at that level, the question is, do they have the heart to do what it takes to make it to that level. Sadly, most players squander that opportunity.
- bluelineenforcer

I can say that, in the music world, i was lucky to be from a small school. Graduating class of about 110. So, you could pick your sport or passion and put in the work to be the best (or at least amongst the best) in a very small category. Then one summer I went to Cedar Point and decided to cool off in Frontier Town. Everyone doing the “stage show” was from the university I was at. I realized we’d all be battling for every cruise ship, side show etc so I altered course. But, the friends I made going all over the state and to different parts of the country were the best I’d ever had. Some I haven’t spoken to in over 20 years. Before shutdown, my former drummer did a tour opening for 3rd Eye Blind. My path didn’t go that way but it’s not at much fun as I thought. He opened for Bon Jovi in Detroit, has hung out and jammed with amazing talent. But those days when we were kids, man, nothing will every be like that again.

Not to change the subject, but did you notice Kane’s sick saucer passes against the oilers? Are you kidding me!???

Not to change the subject, but did you notice Kane’s sick saucer passes against the oilers? Are you kidding me!???
- NC_Scott

Debrincat’s power play goal was a fantastic Time Machine. Pass right through the crease and perfectly behind the net minder. Those are tough games when you get someone going like that and the team gets overwhelmed. Still, hoping we see some of those moments tonight.

Kane also has a ridiculous drop pass. Can get the puck to act like it’s glued to the ice but fool the defender into staying with him. One of the best USA players ever to lace ‘em up. Trying to imagine a Team USA where Matthews, Kane, both Hulls, Modano and Chelios were all in their prime at the same moment. That would be something to see.