Jeremy Laura: More Detroit Red Wing trade thoughts, plus thoughts on 4 nations

Looking at all options right now... I just don't see a good fit in terms of a trade for Yzerman. We'd all love a legit top tier center for the second line... but I'm skeptical there's a good fit in terms of a trade. I'm not convinced Cozens is a viable trade since Buffalo wants real NHL young talent coming back to replace him. We need to build from within... parting with any of the top talented prospects of Wallinder, Tuistomo, Danielson, Buchelnikov, etc. should not even be on the table unless Yzerman miraculously gets some crazy deal that simply is too good to pass up. I doubt that will happen. This team still needs to get a lot younger... we need to keep our top prospects. Especially on defense.

Was at the Griffins game last Wednesday and was happy to see Lombardi and Mazur back in the lineup. Lombardi got an assist I think. Griffins really need to get their offense back in high gear. They're in a serious slump (lost 5 of their last 6). Soderblom isn't coming back to GR... so getting Lombardi back from injury will hopefully help. I'll be at Sunday's game too.

Jerad McCann may be available. He could be a viable 2C. 2 more years at $5M and only 28 yo.
I would love to get this guy, but it will be very costly!
Probably Kasper or Danielson and a 1st and the salary I would like to give would be Veleno. It could be a big hit to the future for a few years of McCann.

Looking at all options right now... I just don't see a good fit in terms of a trade for Yzerman. We'd all love a legit top tier center for the second line... but I'm skeptical there's a good fit in terms of a trade. I'm not convinced Cozens is a viable trade since Buffalo wants real NHL young talent coming back to replace him. We need to build from within... parting with any of the top talented prospects of Wallinder, Tuistomo, Danielson, Buchelnikov, etc. should not even be on the table unless Yzerman miraculously gets some crazy deal that simply is too good to pass up. I doubt that will happen. This team still needs to get a lot younger... we need to keep our top prospects. Especially on defense.

Was at the Griffins game last Wednesday and was happy to see Lombardi and Mazur back in the lineup. Lombardi got an assist I think. Griffins really need to get their offense back in high gear. They're in a serious slump (lost 5 of their last 6). Soderblom isn't coming back to GR... so getting Lombardi back from injury will hopefully help. Will be at Sunday's game too.
- Vladdie_Kon1

I think you and I are on the same page. If Lombardi can stay healthy I feel like Kasper next season should have a shot at the 2c role with Lombardi taking a spot on the wing. I want to see Tuomisto come up for a look. The market just doesn’t make sense with value vs. return. Kasper has been a really nice surprise on the wing. Soderblom is going to be a bottom 6 guy. Mazur they wanted last year in Detroit. Physical, probably another bottom 6. With ASP, Wallinder, Buium etc all making progress it will have to be a perfect deal. Calgary waived a once coveted Dman yesterday who can still work teh power play but skating not what it was.

Today @ 9:33 AM ET
Looking at all options right now... I just don't see a good fit in terms of a trade for Yzerman. We'd all love a legit top tier center for the second line... but I'm skeptical there's a good fit in terms of a trade. I'm not convinced Cozens is a viable trade since Buffalo wants real NHL young talent coming back to replace him. We need to build from within... parting with any of the top talented prospects of Wallinder, Tuistomo, Danielson, Buchelnikov, etc. should not even be on the table unless Yzerman miraculously gets some crazy deal that simply is too good to pass up. I doubt that will happen. This team still needs to get a lot younger... we need to keep our top prospects. Especially on defense.

Was at the Griffins game last Wednesday and was happy to see Lombardi and Mazur back in the lineup. Lombardi got an assist I think. Griffins really need to get their offense back in high gear. They're in a serious slump (lost 5 of their last 6). Soderblom isn't coming back to GR... so getting Lombardi back from injury will hopefully help. Will be at Sunday's game too.

have been catching up on Winged Wheel and Chiclets pods...... LOTS of trade talk, etc... Those I've listened to are saying essentially the same thing as you: DO NOT mortgage the future. We have the #2-rated prospect pool in the NHL (some sites have us lower) which means there's going to be some kids making the move to the Big Club. Growing our own talent is always best - they learn the culture, are immersed in the organization, etc.... At some point, I think we may need to entertain a trade for a viable 1/2C. G is set, MIGHT need to look at a D-dude but Johansson's been a revelation and you have ASP, Tooey, et. al., making great strides in development in GR. I'm not a fan of what's available in UFA, nothing that an organization will will completely turn around if a player's signed. The ONLY one I'd even remotely consider making a move for would be Zegras. He's got another gear, but something's not clicking for him in CA......Todd Mac has shown he can get player to elevate their game. I'd take a run at him. I'm NOT willing to drop a truck-load for Marner (he's not a solid defensive F anyway....decent, but meh ). Chychrun's another one I'd like to see come in, but where would he play? Don't want to break up Eddy & Al Jo - that's a really good pairing. He's NOT a 3D kinda guy.....would be beastly to have him and Mo as our 1D Pairing...... I'd write a check for him.

Those are the only 2 that REALLY get me going. Cozens would be nice, but I agree the cost may be too prohibitive. Like to get Lyon on a 3yr deal so he can mentor Cossa in 2yrs or so (probably less, honestly). I just don't see the need to tear down what's been so deliberately built from the foundation upward.

Today @ 9:33 AM ET
Looking at all options right now... I just don't see a good fit in terms of a trade for Yzerman. We'd all love a legit top tier center for the second line... but I'm skeptical there's a good fit in terms of a trade. I'm not convinced Cozens is a viable trade since Buffalo wants real NHL young talent coming back to replace him. We need to build from within... parting with any of the top talented prospects of Wallinder, Tuistomo, Danielson, Buchelnikov, etc. should not even be on the table unless Yzerman miraculously gets some crazy deal that simply is too good to pass up. I doubt that will happen. This team still needs to get a lot younger... we need to keep our top prospects. Especially on defense.

Was at the Griffins game last Wednesday and was happy to see Lombardi and Mazur back in the lineup. Lombardi got an assist I think. Griffins really need to get their offense back in high gear. They're in a serious slump (lost 5 of their last 6). Soderblom isn't coming back to GR... so getting Lombardi back from injury will hopefully help. Will be at Sunday's game too.

have been catching up on Winged Wheel and Chiclets pods...... LOTS of trade talk, etc... Those I've listened to are saying essentially the same thing as you: DO NOT mortgage the future. We have the #2-rated prospect pool in the NHL (some sites have us lower) which means there's going to be some kids making the move to the Big Club. Growing our own talent is always best - they learn the culture, are immersed in the organization, etc.... At some point, I think we may need to entertain a trade for a viable 1/2C. G is set, MIGHT need to look at a D-dude but Johansson's been a revelation and you have ASP, Tooey, et. al., making great strides in development in GR. I'm not a fan of what's available in UFA, nothing that an organization will will completely turn around if a player's signed. The ONLY one I'd even remotely consider making a move for would be Zegras. He's got another gear, but something's not clicking for him in CA......Todd Mac has shown he can get player to elevate their game. I'd take a run at him. I'm NOT willing to drop a truck-load for Marner (he's not a solid defensive F anyway....decent, but meh ). Chychrun's another one I'd like to see come in, but where would he play? Don't want to break up Eddy & Al Jo - that's a really good pairing. He's NOT a 3D kinda guy.....would be beastly to have him and Mo as our 1D Pairing...... I'd write a check for him.

Those are the only 2 that REALLY get me going. Cozens would be nice, but I agree the cost may be too prohibitive. Like to get Lyon on a 3yr deal so he can mentor Cossa in 2yrs or so (probably less, honestly). I just don't see the need to tear down what's been so deliberately built from the foundation upward.
- mcmastermike1968

I think we have some very good things coming through the pipeline as you well stated. At some point it will be time to make those deals, but not when just getting into the post season is the goal (opinion)

Jerad McCann may be available. He could be a viable 2C. 2 more years at $5M and only 28 yo.
I would love to get this guy, but it will be very costly!
Probably Kasper or Danielson and a 1st and the salary I would like to give would be Veleno. It could be a big hit to the future for a few years of McCann.
- HenryHockey

You’re absolutely right. Developmental took a step in the right direction. Kasper has been a nice add. I believe Lombardi (healthy) will be that type of add as well. Danielson can make plays but has to get #s. It may have been Hockeybuzzed who had concern about jr scoring #s for Danielson. He has the tools, just too much deferral. Very good with retrieval and movement (opinion)

Personal note: thanks to all who have popped in! I know there was a hiccup yesterday but bless you all for making the trek back!

Jerad McCann may be available. He could be a viable 2C. 2 more years at $5M and only 28 yo.
I would love to get this guy, but it will be very costly!
Probably Kasper or Danielson and a 1st and the salary I would like to give would be Veleno. It could be a big hit to the future for a few years of McCann.
- HenryHockey

Lankinen just extended 5 years x 22.5m with 8.5m in bonuses. I don’t know that Detroit would have matched that extension if we’d swapped goalies.

You’re absolutely right. Developmental took a step in the right direction. Kasper has been a nice add. I believe Lombardi (healthy) will be that type of add as well. Danielson can make plays but has to get #s. It may have been Hockeybuzzed who had concern about jr scoring #s for Danielson. He has the tools, just too much deferral. Very good with retrieval and movement (opinion)
- Jeremy Laura

Danielson got a nice goal Wednesday night and was long overdue for one. Hoping it will break him out of his scoring slump. He's been my biggest disappointment this year of all the top prospects. He's a good playmaker / passer... but I haven't seen the scoring touch I was hoping for. It's only his first year in the AHL and he's still young... so it's too early to throw in the towel yet. Have to wait and see how things go for him. I'm still optimistic because I think he has all the tools to be a good NHL player.

Danielson got a nice goal Wednesday night and was long overdue for one. Hoping it will break him out of his scoring slump. He's been my biggest disappointment this year of all the top prospects. He's a good playmaker / passer... but I haven't seen the scoring touch I was hoping for. It's only his first year in the AHL and he's still young... so it's too early to throw in the towel yet. Have to wait and see how things go for him. I'm still optimistic because I think he has all the tools to be a good NHL player.
- Vladdie_Kon1

At no point did I even suggest throwing in the towel. What I said is that he has the tools and skills, needs to defer less. His puck handling and recovery are very high end. Just as he took off late last year after a trade (and no, I don’t want him traded) he has the ability to “level up” and a valuable skill set. There was a genuine hope that he would jump the line in the preseason, and as he continues to put it together I expect another significant move forward. Grand Rapids was a big jump from Portland, especially facing Milwaukee last year. He’s making plays, I love watching him puck handle. Just needs to get that little bit of “selfishness” at times but is an exciting prospect. I felt like I made that clear, but apologize if I didn’t

At no point did I even suggest throwing in the towel. What I said is that he has the tools and skills, needs to defer less. His puck handling and recovery are very high end. Just as he took off late last year after a trade (and no, I don’t want him traded) he has the ability to “level up” and a valuable skill set. There was a genuine hope that he would jump the line in the preseason, and as he continues to put it together I expect another significant move forward. Grand Rapids was a big jump from Portland, especially facing Milwaukee last year. He’s making plays, I love watching him puck handle. Just needs to get that little bit of “selfishness” at times but is an exciting prospect. I felt like I made that clear, but apologize if I didn’t
- Jeremy Laura

Oh no... I didn't mean to infer that you had given up on him or thrown in the towel... Just wanted to share my current observations on him. He's still a blue chip prospect by all accounts. He's just in the midst of a scoring slump. So I'm hoping he will turn it around soon. The team really needs him to get his mojo back.

Oh no... I didn't mean to infer that you had given up on him or thrown in the towel... Just wanted to share my current observations on him. He's still a blue chip prospect by all accounts. He's just in the midst of a scoring slump. So I'm hoping he will turn it around soon. The team really needs him to get his mojo back.
- Vladdie_Kon1

Ok, thank you so much. I felt like kind of a jerk with my reply. You’re part of my west side hockey posse and love hearing from you!