Bob Duff: Showing the new kids around the block The Detroit Red Wings plan to indoctrinate the players at their development camp this week into what they'll need to do in order to become NHLers.

Multiple sources confirmed that 26-year-old goalie Robin Lehner made an in-person visit to Detroit on Tuesday, meeting with Red Wings management and coaches. Lehner has been the Sabres starting goalie but became an unrestricted free agent when the Sabres declined to give him a qualifying offer....

The Red Wings have also spoken with the representatives for Carter Hutton and Jonathan Bernier among others....

An NHL source confirmed that the Red Wings have spoken with the Valtteri Filppula camp on the possibility of a return to Detroit. At least part of the interest is because of Filppula’s versatility. He can play both on the wing and at center, which becomes important if the Red Wings get bad news on the Henrik Zetterberg front.

According to multiple sources, the organization is prepared for the possibility that captain Henrik Zetterberg doesn’t return this coming season.

Multiple sources confirmed that 26-year-old goalie Robin Lehner made an in-person visit to Detroit on Tuesday, meeting with Red Wings management and coaches. Lehner has been the Sabres starting goalie but became an unrestricted free agent when the Sabres declined to give him a qualifying offer....

The Red Wings have also spoken with the representatives for Carter Hutton and Jonathan Bernier among others....

An NHL source confirmed that the Red Wings have spoken with the Valtteri Filppula camp on the possibility of a return to Detroit. At least part of the interest is because of Filppula’s versatility. He can play both on the wing and at center, which becomes important if the Red Wings get bad news on the Henrik Zetterberg front.

According to multiple sources, the organization is prepared for the possibility that captain Henrik Zetterberg doesn’t return this coming season.
- wingz4life

First off, suck it, Duff. Your blog sucks. You had two great ones and back to Garth level of crap.

Second, I’m great with Lehner, Hutton, or a Bernier with us on a low term, short length deal as a show me contract. Howard is old, Coreau and McCollum aren’t NHL caliber for any spot ever.

I’d welcome back Filpulla if we move out Nyquist.

And (frank) this team if Zeke walks before this season.

#LoseForHughes

Lehner is probably the best UFA goalie available, although his numbers were a little down last year. That's not really saying much, but at minimum I'm pretty confident he's as good or better than Howard, plus he's 7 years younger. If the rate is reasonable I wouldn't be opposed to bringing him in on, say a 3-year deal. If there's a bidding war that brings his ask too high (on dollars or term), then I think I'd rather go after a pure backup on a cheapo deal (like, say, the other guy who played goal in Buffalo last year, Chad Johnson).

As for Filppula, eh ... we could do a lot worse, frankly. Basically he's another Frans Nielsen. They're the same age, their career goal and assist rates are virtually identical, they both can play the second PP or second PK unit without looking out of place. Both guys are obviously declining hard but if demand for Filp is low and he's available for a couple mill on a one or maaaybe two year deal?

I mean, I'd rather do that than, say, bring back Vanek, who can only play one role (PP specialist / limited minutes getting caved in at even strength) and is the textbook definition of a one-dimensional player. There are a lot of moving parts and unknowns about which of the young players are going to step up and make the team; at least with Filppula you can put him anywhere on the second or third line (center, wing, whatever) and give him a minute per game apiece on PP and PK and he won't be a complete dumpster fire.

Even though he's not that good, he's well rounded and versatile enough that you can fit him around your other pieces, rather than having to fit other pieces around him (like you would have to with Vanek). Plus by all accounts he's well liked and respected as a team player.

If we're going to bring in at least one stopgap FA forward (which we might need anyway, especially if Nike and/or AA get moved or if it keeps Witkowski out of the NHL permanently) ... like I said, we could do a lot worse.

How have I not heard about the possibility of Zetts not coming back? All reports i have read say he is healthy and ready for the season?

Lehner is probably the best UFA goalie available, although his numbers were a little down last year. That's not really saying much, but at minimum I'm pretty confident he's as good or better than Howard, plus he's 7 years younger. If the rate is reasonable I wouldn't be opposed to bringing him in on, say a 3-year deal. If there's a bidding war that brings his ask too high (on dollars or term), then I think I'd rather go after a pure backup on a cheapo deal (like, say, the other guy who played goal in Buffalo last year, Chad Johnson).

As for Filppula, eh ... we could do a lot worse, frankly. Basically he's another Frans Nielsen. They're the same age, their career goal and assist rates are virtually identical, they both can play the second PP or second PK unit without looking out of place. Both guys are obviously declining hard but if demand for Filp is low and he's available for a couple mill on a one or maaaybe two year deal?

I mean, I'd rather do that than, say, bring back Vanek, who can only play one role (PP specialist / limited minutes getting caved in at even strength) and is the textbook definition of a one-dimensional player. There are a lot of moving parts and unknowns about which of the young players are going to step up and make the team; at least with Filppula you can put him anywhere on the second or third line (center, wing, whatever) and give him a minute per game apiece on PP and PK and he won't be a complete dumpster fire.

Even though he's not that good, he's well rounded and versatile enough that you can fit him around your other pieces, rather than having to fit other pieces around him (like you would have to with Vanek). Plus by all accounts he's well liked and respected as a team player.

If we're going to bring in at least one stopgap FA forward (which we might need anyway, especially if Nike and/or AA get moved or if it keeps Witkowski out of the NHL permanently) ... like I said, we could do a lot worse.
- Sven22

Lehners GSAA numbers have never been good. If he is looked at anything other than a backup it is a mistake.

How have I not heard about the possibility of Zetts not coming back? All reports i have read say he is healthy and ready for the season?
- KillerBert44

I haven't seen it anywhere either.

#FakeNews

Lehner is probably the best UFA goalie available, although his numbers were a little down last year. That's not really saying much, but at minimum I'm pretty confident he's as good or better than Howard, plus he's 7 years younger. If the rate is reasonable I wouldn't be opposed to bringing him in on, say a 3-year deal. If there's a bidding war that brings his ask too high (on dollars or term), then I think I'd rather go after a pure backup on a cheapo deal (like, say, the other guy who played goal in Buffalo last year, Chad Johnson).

As for Filppula, eh ... we could do a lot worse, frankly. Basically he's another Frans Nielsen. They're the same age, their career goal and assist rates are virtually identical, they both can play the second PP or second PK unit without looking out of place. Both guys are obviously declining hard but if demand for Filp is low and he's available for a couple mill on a one or maaaybe two year deal?

I mean, I'd rather do that than, say, bring back Vanek, who can only play one role (PP specialist / limited minutes getting caved in at even strength) and is the textbook definition of a one-dimensional player. There are a lot of moving parts and unknowns about which of the young players are going to step up and make the team; at least with Filppula you can put him anywhere on the second or third line (center, wing, whatever) and give him a minute per game apiece on PP and PK and he won't be a complete dumpster fire.

Even though he's not that good, he's well rounded and versatile enough that you can fit him around your other pieces, rather than having to fit other pieces around him (like you would have to with Vanek). Plus by all accounts he's well liked and respected as a team player.

If we're going to bring in at least one stopgap FA forward (which we might need anyway, especially if Nike and/or AA get moved or if it keeps Witkowski out of the NHL permanently) ... like I said, we could do a lot worse.
- Sven22

I like everything you wrote in this post.

One question regarding Vanek v. Filppula, on a one year deal who would have more value at the trade deadline?

I view both Vanek and Filppula as potential rentals that would get moved at TDL. If this is the case I applaud Holland because let's be honest, we're not going to be very good for the next few years and we need as many draft picks as possible during this rebuild.

I like everything you wrote in this post.

One question regarding Vanek v. Filppula, on a one year deal who would have more value at the trade deadline?

I view both Vanek and Filppula as potential rentals that would get moved at TDL. If this is the case I applaud Holland because let's be honest, we're not going to be very good for the next few years and we need as many draft picks as possible during this rebuild.
- RedDog18

Both likely only return mid round picks at best. If Nyquist and or AA are moved I would be fine with one of them.

Lehners GSAA numbers have never been good. If he is looked at anything other than a backup it is a mistake.
- Feds91Stammer

To be fair, if any of the UFA goalies currently available are looked at as anything other than a backup it's probably a mistake.

It's very possible I'm overrating Lehner and it's true I haven't had time to really dig deep into his contextual numbers, but my surface level impression is "roughly league average." I have no hopes that he'd have any role other than backup on a legitimately rebuilt, good team.

But:

- Howard is already no better than average, certainly not getting any better and no guarantee to stay beyond next year.

- There's no one in the system who is a solid lock to be NHL starter material anytime within the next 2-3 years, if ever.

- There's no guarantee a legitimately good starter is even going to become realistically available as a free agent any time in the next few years.

Would two or three years of Lehner as a platoon partner be the worst thing while the team figures out how they're somehow going to either develop or trade for a legit starter?

To be fair, if any of the UFA goalies currently available are looked at as anything other than a backup it's probably a mistake.

It's very possible I'm overrating Lehner and it's true I haven't had time to really dig deep into his contextual numbers, but my surface level impression is "roughly league average." I have no hopes that he'd have any role other than backup on a legitimately rebuilt, good team.

But:

- Howard is already no better than average, certainly not getting any better and no guarantee to stay beyond next year.

- There's no one in the system who is a solid lock to be NHL starter material anytime within the next 2-3 years, if ever.

- There's no guarantee a legitimately good starter is even going to become realistically available as a free agent any time in the next few years.

Would two or three years of Lehner as a platoon partner be the worst thing while the team figures out how they're somehow going to either develop or trade for a legit starter?
- Sven22

This is all fair.

I haven't seen it anywhere either.

#FakeNews
- Feds91Stammer

That is from the athletics Craig Custance. Is it true? I don’t know. What is it based on? I also don’t know other than Z’s history of back problems. The athletic does seem fairly plugged in though....

I agree with sven’s Assessment. We need a halfway decent goalie for at least 2 years. Likely 3-4. Could do worse than Lehner, plus he may go nuts at any given time! Awesome

https://youtu.be/q3ZFCmoBWlE

Watch that!!! Lol. A collection of Lehner losing his poop

I agree on Filppula too. Not as one dimensional as vanek. A point I hadn’t considered