Jeremy Laura: Detroit loses 4-2, speedy up and down affair showed glimpses of hope.

Not having the option of the Wings feed (I live in the Dallas area), I don’t know if they said why Vrana was out sick last night.....but I like what I am seeing from him. Tonight he showed he was trying and creating on multiple shifts in a row. I don’t think he deserves any criticism at this point, but more time to see what he is going to bring to the ice.

Unlike Panik. He doesn’t look like he cares or is trying. The one Stars goal he did nothing to try and tie up the player or the players stick (iirc it was their 4th goal). If he is noticeable, it’s not for anything good.

My main complaint at this point is Blashill. I don’t understand why he is playing some of the players he is, while letting the kids sit. This is the time to let them play, sitting on the taxi squad is helping their development how? Another example, tonight he doesn’t call a timeout or pull Bernier (who has not been the same since returning from injury) early after 2 quick goals, but then you are going to pull the goalie with over 4 minutes to go? Why? The man leaves me scratching my head on some of his decisions


In regards to Larkin, from what I saw on the Stars feed, he was cross checked to the head by Benn. Don’t know if the Wings feeds focused on it, if they did....can someone clue me in on what was said/shown? Stars feeds didn’t say anything or replay it.

I haven't seen what happened to Larkin but I have him in my Yahoo pool which I'm in the semi finals of....any chance of him back tomorrow or shut I chop him?

Not having the option of the Wings feed (I live in the Dallas area), I don’t know if they said why Vrana was out sick last night.....but I like what I am seeing from him. Tonight he showed he was trying and creating on multiple shifts in a row. I don’t think he deserves any criticism at this point, but more time to see what he is going to bring to the ice.

Unlike Panik. He doesn’t look like he cares or is trying. The one Stars goal he did nothing to try and tie up the player or the players stick (iirc it was their 4th goal). If he is noticeable, it’s not for anything good.

My main complaint at this point is Blashill. I don’t understand why he is playing some of the players he is, while letting the kids sit. This is the time to let them play, sitting on the taxi squad is helping their development how? Another example, tonight he doesn’t call a timeout or pull Bernier (who has not been the same since returning from injury) early after 2 quick goals, but then you are going to pull the goalie with over 4 minutes to go? Why? The man leaves me scratching my head on some of his decisions


In regards to Larkin, from what I saw on the Stars feed, he was cross checked to the head by Benn. Don’t know if the Wings feeds focused on it, if they did....can someone clue me in on what was said/shown? Stars feeds didn’t say anything or replay it.
- Bren4Wings

With Vrana, it’s not a criticism. It’s just the assessment of the player. He has elite speed, but his creation is all on the rush. It’s a huge adjustment. 4 shots on goal in 3 games isn’t close to what he needs to do. Washington is a rush formation team. He’s going to have to change and it’s a tough change. The giveaways are concerning.

He can make the shift, but I do think his production will be overall lower in this style. Detroit can’t run and gun, and that’s JVs sweet spot.

I haven't seen what happened to Larkin but I have him in my Yahoo pool which I'm in the semi finals of....any chance of him back tomorrow or shut I chop him?
- MattStrat

Probably won’t know until tomorrow. Travel day after 2 straight game days.

In regards to Vrana I think the biggest concern will always be if he wants to be seen or if he wants to be invisisble. He is hot or cold imo and the fact he is not playing with Backstrom means he will need to be better to pickup goals. It was the norm for him to go on hot streaks and then dissapear for whatever reason. I like the guy and his skills are undeniable. I am hoping he can hook up with Larkin and form a part of a solid #1 line in Detroit. There is a possibility that he may just need the responsibility of being a go to player. In Washington he was always behind Ovi, Backstrom, Oshie, Wilson and Kuznetsov. Good luck to Vrana who I own in both my fantasy keeper leagues, haha

In regards to Vrana I think the biggest concern will always be if he wants to be seen or if he wants to be invisisble. He is hot or cold imo and the fact he is not playing with Backstrom means he will need to be better to pickup goals. It was the norm for him to go on hot streaks and then dissapear for whatever reason. I like the guy and his skills are undeniable. I am hoping he can hook up with Larkin and form a part of a solid #1 line in Detroit. There is a possibility that he may just need the responsibility of being a go to player. In Washington he was always behind Ovi, Backstrom, Oshie, Wilson and Kuznetsov. Good luck to Vrana who I own in both my fantasy keeper leagues, haha
- joegreif17

I think you’re on it. He’s going to have to adjust to the cycle game, but he needs a center that can skate with him. I have no problem with a line of Larkin/Vrana/Bertuzzi next year. I want the best for this kid, to be sure. He may also be able to cycle at the net front. His speed is elite. I think he’s quicker than Athanasiou, he just exploded down the ice on the Filppula goal. His mechanics look almost perfect. It’s just a new system. Backstrom may be one of the best assist guys in a generation. His feeds are filthy. Zadina can make good feeds, but no one here is going to come close to Nick B.

Thank you so much for laying that down. I really appreciate hearing from someone who’s kept a really close eye on him. I love his extension on his skating wrist shot as well. There’s a place for him, it’s going to take adjustments from Vrana and his linemates to build the right chemistry. Assuming he extends, next camp should be really valuable to him.

Thanks for the comment Jeremy, we can always hope he can take his game to an elite level. I was a big Red Wing fan going back to Howe, Delvecchio, Ullman to name a few. I am old as dirt, lol