Jeremy Laura: Detroit Red Wings represented well by Larkin and Raymond at 4 Nations

I am in support of the tourney. At least until we lose someone to a major injury… but in all seriousness, that game last night was one of the most entertaining games I’ve seen in ages. Loving it. Was nice to see Larkin get a lot more TOI this game.

I am in support of the tourney. At least until we lose someone to a major injury… but in all seriousness, that game last night was one of the most entertaining games I’ve seen in ages. Loving it. Was nice to see Larkin get a lot more TOI this game.
- Ryan_Nicklaus89

There is some great hockey being played, for sure. Fans will, ultimately, cast the vote with eyeballs.

It was a fantastic game to enjoy, and I hope the upcoming series between the CBJ and the Wings is just as fun and fantastic...

... And I also hope the CBJ leaves Ohio Stadium with 4 points from those two games as well.

Enjoyed the highlights... thanks for posting those ! Raymond is turning into a star in this league. He just seems to keep getting better.

On thing I'm noticing more and more... he has the same type of skill and hockey I.Q where he's good enough to create his own time and space to either shoot or make an awesome pass to setup a goal. Reminds me of Datsyuk... small but very fast and skilled player with great hockey IQ.

Buchelnikov is a prospect that you can see glimpses of that in some of his highlight goals and assists. Hope they get him here in GR soon.

Enjoyed the highlights... thanks for posting those ! Raymond is turning into a star in this league. He just seems to keep getting better.

On thing I'm noticing more and more... he has the same type of skill and hockey I.Q where he's good enough to create his own time and space to either shoot or make an awesome pass to setup a goal. Reminds me of Datsyuk... small but very fast and skilled player with great hockey IQ.

Buchelnikov is a prospect that you can see glimpses of that in some of his highlight goals and assists. Hope they get him here in GR soon.
- Vladdie_Kon1

His ability to weave in and out and create double coverage reminds me a bit of Marner as well. I am keeping an eye on Buchelnikov and reached out a couple of weeks ago. Never heard back but communicating with the KHL is a different beast entirely. You get to see this more than I do, but a healthy Lombardi would be a welcome addition. Move Kasper to center line 2 (similar with what they did with Larkin) and put Lombardi on the wing. Really hoping to see : ASP, Augustine, Buchelnikov all get to US ice.

I may be misinterpreting some of your comments but:

https://x.com/thefourthpe.../1891263321262715130?s=46

Last night’s #4Nations  game between the U.S. and Canada averaged 4.4 million viewers in the U.S. on ABC, according to Nielsen fast national data. It peaked at 5.2 million. Most-viewed non-Stanley Cup Final hockey telecast since 2019.

I think this speaks pretty favorably for continuing these types of tournaments in the future. I’ve read a few comments from American players on the significance of playing for their country and how high they regard these games.

I may be misinterpreting some of your comments but:

https://x.com/thefourthpe.../1891263321262715130?s=46

Last night’s #4Nations  game between the U.S. and Canada averaged 4.4 million viewers in the U.S. on ABC, according to Nielsen fast national data. It peaked at 5.2 million. Most-viewed non-Stanley Cup Final hockey telecast since 2019.

I think this speaks pretty favorably for continuing these types of tournaments in the future. I’ve read a few comments from American players on the significance of playing for their country and how high they regard these games.
- streaks

That is great news, but wait for the actual breakdown. This is why they do a fast release. The 30 day report will break down: out of home viewing (a stat that they have insanely tried to describe), average minutes watched, and households watching. In Streaming you get this in real time. The best example was a record set by the TNT pregame show. It outdrew the game that it preceded (will try and find the article). Then the minutes watched came out. 5 to 10. If you don’t change the channel, they immediately count it as a view before the specs come out. The Super Bowl came out with views of 126 million this year, and the stadium didn’t sell out. Last year was 100 million. But they added Tubi (free) and included the out of home. Want the sport to be as big as possible, but they’re playing with viewership by adding things that most people don’t wait for and by the time they come out it’s too late. Overall, every major sport but one has had a net loss in the past year. The WNBA got a boost with the new players. Again, hoping those numbers hold up, but have to wait a month for the stats.

I may be misinterpreting some of your comments but:

https://x.com/thefourthpe.../1891263321262715130?s=46

Last night’s #4Nations  game between the U.S. and Canada averaged 4.4 million viewers in the U.S. on ABC, according to Nielsen fast national data. It peaked at 5.2 million. Most-viewed non-Stanley Cup Final hockey telecast since 2019.

I think this speaks pretty favorably for continuing these types of tournaments in the future. I’ve read a few comments from American players on the significance of playing for their country and how high they regard these games.
- streaks

For what it’s worth, the NYT via MSN is saying that peak viewership was at 10:45 with 5.2 million but again, the full breakdown will take about 28 days. Will do a separate post. Thank you so much for chiming in with this. Very good to get as much info as possible.

Enjoyed the highlights... thanks for posting those ! Raymond is turning into a star in this league. He just seems to keep getting better.

On thing I'm noticing more and more... he has the same type of skill and hockey I.Q where he's good enough to create his own time and space to either shoot or make an awesome pass to setup a goal. Reminds me of Datsyuk... small but very fast and skilled player with great hockey IQ.

Buchelnikov is a prospect that you can see glimpses of that in some of his highlight goals and assists. Hope they get him here in GR soon.
- Vladdie_Kon1

I forgot to say “thank you”. Compiling the goals has become something I wanted to add to the post game. Still tweaking format stuff but letting me know you enjoyed seeing them means a lot.

His ability to weave in and out and create double coverage reminds me a bit of Marner as well. I am keeping an eye on Buchelnikov and reached out a couple of weeks ago. Never heard back but communicating with the KHL is a different beast entirely. You get to see this more than I do, but a healthy Lombardi would be a welcome addition. Move Kasper to center line 2 (similar with what they did with Larkin) and put Lombardi on the wing. Really hoping to see : ASP, Augustine, Buchelnikov all get to US ice.
- Jeremy Laura

Griffins are in a tailspin the last two weeks... lost 5 of their last 6 games. Just aren't scoring enough goals to win games. Offense has gone cold. Mazur is finally healthy again and putting up points. I think the team really misses Lombardi (still injured last I knew) and Soderblom. Griffins need to get their mojo back and start scoring goals again. Would be interesting to see Lombardi get a call up if he was healthy.

Agree on Kasper. Might be time to try him centering the second line and see what happens. Not sure who's the best fit to replace him on the top line though. Have to do some more auditions to sees who's the best fit with Larkin & Raymond.

Griffins are in a tailspin the last two weeks... lost 5 of their last 6 games. Just aren't scoring enough goals to win games. Offense has gone cold. Mazur is finally healthy again and putting up points. I think the team really misses Lombardi (still injured last I knew) and Soderblom. Griffins need to get their mojo back and start scoring goals again. Would be interesting to see Lombardi get a call up if he was healthy.

Agree on Kasper. Might be time to try him centering the second line and see what happens. Not sure who's the best fit to replace him on the top line though. Have to do some more auditions to sees who's the best fit with Larkin & Raymond.
- Vladdie_Kon1

Those two are cooking. Kasper has been a really complementary piece on that line. I can’t imagine trying to skate w Larkin and Raymond. Very creative and plenty of speed. Teams have a couple weeks to decide on sell, buy or stay. Have only really heard Cozens on the radar but he’s on a lot of radars.

Those two are cooking. Kasper has been a really complementary piece on that line. I can’t imagine trying to skate w Larkin and Raymond. Very creative and plenty of speed. Teams have a couple weeks to decide on sell, buy or stay. Have only really heard Cozens on the radar but he’s on a lot of radars.
- Jeremy Laura

The Tigers didn't go on a tear last fall because they were loaded with talent, they went on a tear because their team came together, and they played for each other. It was a beautiful thing to watch. I'm glad they didn't go out and replace a bunch of players with high profile FAs, because that'll make them basically start from scratch in creating a new culture within the locker room. They needed to compliment and strengthen their team, while protecting the attitude that generated so much success.

I feel the same way about the Wings pre-deadline. They have been the hottest team in the league since the coaching change. How often do you see trade deadline acquisitions truly taking any team to the next level? Look at the Wings glory years. In the 96/97 season, Larry Murphy was a great addition, but he didn't move the needle. The next year, Macoun and Mirinov didn't change the team. While Chelios helped the next year, Wendell Clark, Ulf Samuelson and Bill Ranford added nothing. The next, Todd Gill...nothing. The next Juri Slegr...nothing. Does anyone remember Robert Lang or David Lewand?

In fact, in the 16 seasons between 93/94 and 08/09, they made over 25 TDL moves, and I'd say Fetisov, Murphy, Chelios, Bertuzzi and Stuart were the only players that made them better. That's not a very good success rate. The trades are expensive both financially and from a player asset perspective. The team is hot right now, let them cook and don't trade the future away for a handful of games in a season that even if they make the playoffs, they aren't competing for the Cup. Especially if the player they add isn't going to be a long-term part of the team.

The Tigers didn't go on a tear last fall because they were loaded with talent, they went on a tear because their team came together, and they played for each other. It was a beautiful thing to watch. I'm glad they didn't go out and replace a bunch of players with high profile FAs, because that'll make them basically start from scratch in creating a new culture within the locker room. They needed to compliment and strengthen their team, while protecting the attitude that generated so much success.

I feel the same way about the Wings pre-deadline. They have been the hottest team in the league since the coaching change. How often do you see trade deadline acquisitions truly taking any team to the next level? Look at the Wings glory years. In the 96/97 season, Larry Murphy was a great addition, but he didn't move the needle. The next year, Macoun and Mirinov didn't change the team. While Chelios helped the next year, Wendell Clark, Ulf Samuelson and Bill Ranford added nothing. The next, Todd Gill...nothing. The next Juri Slegr...nothing. Does anyone remember Robert Lang or David Lewand?

In fact, in the 16 seasons between 93/94 and 08/09, they made over 25 TDL moves, and I'd say Fetisov, Murphy, Chelios, Bertuzzi and Stuart were the only players that made them better. That's not a very good success rate. The trades are expensive both financially and from a player asset perspective. The team is hot right now, let them cook and don't trade the future away for a handful of games in a season that even if they make the playoffs, they aren't competing for the Cup. Especially if the player they add isn't going to be a long-term part of the team.
- bluelineenforcer

My original reference was for next season in bringing Lombardi up to play on the wing and moving Kasper to the middle. Lombardi is banged up so it’s not likely. As far as trades go Detroit is in the “no win” window. Either give up picks or NHL ready (near ready) prospects. Unless something shocking comes up. I don’t want the team giving up a ransom just to get in and be out after round 1. Lombardi/Danielson/Kasper may get to a point where one can be moved in a couple years but no idea. MBN not having an inspired year but is also injured

The Tigers didn't go on a tear last fall because they were loaded with talent, they went on a tear because their team came together, and they played for each other. It was a beautiful thing to watch. I'm glad they didn't go out and replace a bunch of players with high profile FAs, because that'll make them basically start from scratch in creating a new culture within the locker room. They needed to compliment and strengthen their team, while protecting the attitude that generated so much success.

I feel the same way about the Wings pre-deadline. They have been the hottest team in the league since the coaching change. How often do you see trade deadline acquisitions truly taking any team to the next level? Look at the Wings glory years. In the 96/97 season, Larry Murphy was a great addition, but he didn't move the needle. The next year, Macoun and Mirinov didn't change the team. While Chelios helped the next year, Wendell Clark, Ulf Samuelson and Bill Ranford added nothing. The next, Todd Gill...nothing. The next Juri Slegr...nothing. Does anyone remember Robert Lang or David Lewand?

In fact, in the 16 seasons between 93/94 and 08/09, they made over 25 TDL moves, and I'd say Fetisov, Murphy, Chelios, Bertuzzi and Stuart were the only players that made them better. That's not a very good success rate. The trades are expensive both financially and from a player asset perspective. The team is hot right now, let them cook and don't trade the future away for a handful of games in a season that even if they make the playoffs, they aren't competing for the Cup. Especially if the player they add isn't going to be a long-term part of the team.
- bluelineenforcer

Great insight. I read an articld several years ago that the success rate of TDL deals was really low (can't remember the % of records that increased or the metrics....).

I mean, if we could get Cuzens (I know I butchered the spelling AGAIN), or a stud RD, maybe. We're not gonna bring in a Hasek type G.... I just don't see what moves we could make that would make us SCF contender without losing picks or some of the kids that could give us the push in another couple of years.....which is what we're going to need.

I'm content with what he have, but I do want to snag a 2C and a stud D.

Mazur & Lombardi could be a viable set, and we have a bunch of kids who are going to make an impact in the near future, and it's gonna be GREAT!!!

Great insight. I read an articld several years ago that the success rate of TDL deals was really low (can't remember the % of records that increased or the metrics....).

I mean, if we could get Cuzens (I know I butchered the spelling AGAIN), or a stud RD, maybe. We're not gonna bring in a Hasek type G.... I just don't see what moves we could make that would make us SCF contender without losing picks or some of the kids that could give us the push in another couple of years.....which is what we're going to need.

I'm content with what he have, but I do want to snag a 2C and a stud D.

Mazur & Lombardi could be a viable set, and we have a bunch of kids who are going to make an impact in the near future, and it's gonna be GREAT!!!
- mcmastermike1968

It sounds bad, but I find myself trying to guess who gets tapped next. Tuomisto and Wallinder would be an interesting call up. Mazur has to stay healthy, Lombardi has to get healthy. Couzins definitely has the attention of many. We’re hitting that interesting stretch where an injury could give a contender a ton of cap space followed by a miraculous healing post TDL. If Detroit has options within the system to get a shot that may be (if needed) the smarter way to go for now in terms of what they would be asked to give up. Now, if an upcoming RFA/UFA makes it clear they don’t want to return…different picture

This doesn't necessarily mean anything significant, but I found it interesting that both Tuomisto (35th, 2019) and Wallinder (32nd, 2020) are currently the highest-drafted players in their draft classes who have still never played a single NHL game (other than Rodion Amirov, who died of cancer at 21).