Jeremy Laura: Zadina and Kotkaniemi, taking a couple days off

both KK and Galchenyuk were brought in the NHL the same year they where drafted...both are busts or trending that way (KK), MTL rushed these two 3rd OA centers and it blew up in their face, and yet, i think they have not learned anything and if they pick 3rd again they will rush that player as well.

Meanwhile Zadina been baking in the minors and should turn out better than KK.

both KK and Galchenyuk were brought in the NHL the same year they where drafted...both are busts or trending that way (KK), MTL rushed these two 3rd OA centers and it blew up in their face, and yet, i think they have not learned anything and if they pick 3rd again they will rush that player as well.

Meanwhile Zadina been baking in the minors and should turn out better than KK.
- Mithos

I think you’re onto something. So much happens between 18 and 19 growth wise. Most players probably better off with one year still to develop.

both KK and Galchenyuk were brought in the NHL the same year they where drafted...both are busts or trending that way (KK), MTL rushed these two 3rd OA centers and it blew up in their face, and yet, i think they have not learned anything and if they pick 3rd again they will rush that player as well.

Meanwhile Zadina been baking in the minors and should turn out better than KK.
- Mithos

They had no business drafting KK that high. He was a bottom half of the draft player rushed into the NHL because they were so desperate for a franchise center. Zadina isn't poop hot either though.

They had no business drafting KK that high. He was a bottom half of the draft player rushed into the NHL because they were so desperate for a franchise center. Zadina isn't poop hot either though.
- GPHawksfan

Still, if the need was a C from that draft, it's not like there were any better options. They reached for the position that they wanted, but now it certainly doesn't make any sense for them to match that crazy offer sheet. If KK was projected as a bottom half of that draft guy, take the picks, draft in the bottom half, the 3rd rounder is a bonus.

As sad as it makes me that I won't have daily intelligent reading from you J, you totally deserve the break. Enjoy the time off, hopefully the weather can calm down for you. Your simply fantastic as a blogger. Look forward to you refreshed and your takes on the upcoming camp, season, and what else may come the way of the Wings.

Still, if the need was a C from that draft, it's not like there were any better options. They reached for the position that they wanted, but now it certainly doesn't make any sense for them to match that crazy offer sheet. If KK was projected as a bottom half of that draft guy, take the picks, draft in the bottom half, the 3rd rounder is a bonus.
- Beergu

I like the take. Thanks for that

As sad as it makes me that I won't have daily intelligent reading from you J, you totally deserve the break. Enjoy the time off, hopefully the weather can calm down for you. Your simply fantastic as a blogger. Look forward to you refreshed and your takes on the upcoming camp, season, and what else may come the way of the Wings.
- mplackitt

Thank you so much for that. Made me smile, and made my day.

Thank you so much for that. Made me smile, and made my day.
- Jeremy Laura

I know you bloggers can take a lot of garbage for reporting and sharing your take. And far and away your my favorite to read and follow, and thats not just as a Wings fan. So I personally feel you should know your appreciated for everything you do, go threw, and put up with. I also have followed you long enough to know about your personal health struggles. And as someone with his own struggles, mental health in my case, I want you to know your supported, appreciated, and respected. Really glad I could make you smile, and your day. I know what that can mean to a person. Enjoy the break, looking forward to everything you put forth in the future, and especially what Stevie and the Wings are headed for. 38 years old, I've been a fan since I was 9, saw 4 cups, which no one else my age can say they have. I knew this rebuild was a matter of time, just overwhelmed that Y is the man to lead us to the promise land once again.

Interesting read on KK v Zads. For those who think Zads is washed-up all ready, it's WAAAAY too early to come to that conclusion.

KK is under pressure because of the fact that Les Habitants have been contending for Lord Stanley's Cup. Zads has yet to be in that position. But Detroit, Montreal, Toronto all are really hard markets to play in. Zads added another level to his game last year, and I think that's something that KK has yet to fully inculcate. I truly think that both will be premier players over time. It'll just take time. Will not be surprised to see KK go to The Canes, being honest. Agree that they should take the draft choices, go for Dvorak, and run.

Life's not been fair nor predictable over these past couple of years. Your blog has been that breath of fresh air. Been ups n downs, but I routinely see regulars deal with differences, and new folks pop in and express their pleasure for what you do. Everyone deserves a break, routinely. So take a breath, recharge those batteries.......see ya on the high ground!!!!

Zadina's two way game was vastly improved last year. He 100% committed to upping his defensive game. If he wants to start scoring more, which I think he will be given that chance, I expect that to slip. Looking back at the draft, Holland made the right choice.

Also, the kid only has two penalty minutes in his career. His career totals are essentially one full NHL season. 15g 22a

If that was his "rookie" season people would be very happy with it. Those numbers mock KKs rookie season and everyone loved him. Give Zadina some decent line mates for a whole season and see what he can do.

Zadina's two way game was vastly improved last year. He 100% committed to upping his defensive game. If he wants to start scoring more, which I think he will be given that chance, I expect that to slip. Looking back at the draft, Holland made the right choice.

Also, the kid only has two penalty minutes in his career. His career totals are essentially one full NHL season. 15g 22a

If that was his "rookie" season people would be very happy with it. Those numbers mock KKs rookie season and everyone loved him. Give Zadina some decent line mates for a whole season and see what he can do.
- DRW1991

HOLY CRAP!!! Seriously those are his PIMs????? I was not aware of that. GREAT catch, DRW.

I'm sold that Zads was a great choice, despite my penchant for D-men (I played D in HS & in men's leagues growing up....). Holland did some really good things for the Wings......but there were disasters as well. Zads is going to become a VERY solid 2-way guy, given time. I see him as the face of the Wings for years to come (may even supplant Larkin when he retires as a Wing......).

Wholly unrelated to this blog...........

Does anyone realize that Pearl Jam 10 is 30 years old?!?!?!?!

HOLY CRAP!!! Seriously those are his PIMs????? I was not aware of that. GREAT catch, DRW.

I'm sold that Zads was a great choice, despite my penchant for D-men (I played D in HS & in men's leagues growing up....). Holland did some really good things for the Wings......but there were disasters as well. Zads is going to become a VERY solid 2-way guy, given time. I see him as the face of the Wings for years to come (may even supplant Larkin when he retires as a Wing......).
- mcmastermike1968

I think he has served every bench minor before Vrana though, I feel like I remember him in the box a bit.

I would say that KK was a reach in his draft year though perhaps not a massive one. Consensus had him somewhere around 10th overall and, until the lottery luck landed Carolina Svechnikov, I was really hoping he would still be on the board at 13.

Yeah, he had no business being in the league so early, but he wasn't overwhelmed in year one.

He HAS regressed since then, but it's also worth noting that in his 3 year career, Kotkaniemi has only played 16 or more minutes in a game 21 times. That's 150 NHL games of bottom 6 minutes. A career 30 point per year pace for a teenager playing on the 3rd and 4th lines isn't bad at all.

Riley Sheahan has signed a 1 yr deal worth $.85M with the Krack

I know you bloggers can take a lot of garbage for reporting and sharing your take. And far and away your my favorite to read and follow, and thats not just as a Wings fan. So I personally feel you should know your appreciated for everything you do, go threw, and put up with. I also have followed you long enough to know about your personal health struggles. And as someone with his own struggles, mental health in my case, I want you to know your supported, appreciated, and respected. Really glad I could make you smile, and your day. I know what that can mean to a person. Enjoy the break, looking forward to everything you put forth in the future, and especially what Stevie and the Wings are headed for. 38 years old, I've been a fan since I was 9, saw 4 cups, which no one else my age can say they have. I knew this rebuild was a matter of time, just overwhelmed that Y is the man to lead us to the promise land once again.
- mplackitt

Thanks for that. Huge blessing to read this!

Admittedly a Habs fan. Agree Kotkaniemi was a reach at three. Mid teens probably would have been a bit more honest reflection of his value. Don’t think sniper will ever be his calling card. Two way player with vision. I absolutely hope Bergevin takes the picks. Losing Hamilton may play a role in the Canes upcoming season and if so, the picks aren’t so bad. Or use them for a much needed playmaker. Interesting to see how Carolina is judged on this move in a couple of years

It seems that writers in the modern era are much quicker to give up on players than in the past. I’ve read a few articles in which writers have labeled Zadina a bust, or a disappointment. I’ve seen vast improvement in Zadina’s game, and he appears motivated to continue building his skills and improving on his deficiencies. I look back on eras past at guys like Datsyuk and Zetterberg, who were surrounded on all sides by future hall of fame veterans showing them the ropes. It still took a couple of seasons in the NHL for them to find their A games. Zadina is surrounded by no such supporting cast, and is still progressing nicely, especially in his defensive game. I am by no means suggesting that Zadina will eventually become this era’s Datsyuk or this era’s Zetterberg. Maybe he’ll be a star player, and maybe he won’t. But I think his development up to this point has shown that he’s only getting better. I’m excited to see what he does this season. I have a feeling he’s going to start putting it all together.

It seems that writers in the modern era are much quicker to give up on players than in the past. I’ve read a few articles in which writers have labeled Zadina a bust, or a disappointment. I’ve seen vast improvement in Zadina’s game, and he appears motivated to continue building his skills and improving on his deficiencies. I look back on eras past at guys like Datsyuk and Zetterberg, who were surrounded on all sides by future hall of fame veterans showing them the ropes. It still took a couple of seasons in the NHL for them to find their A games. Zadina is surrounded by no such supporting cast, and is still progressing nicely, especially in his defensive game. I am by no means suggesting that Zadina will eventually become this era’s Datsyuk or this era’s Zetterberg. Maybe he’ll be a star player, and maybe he won’t. But I think his development up to this point has shown that he’s only getting better. I’m excited to see what he does this season. I have a feeling he’s going to start putting it all together.
- danimal6777

A lot of players get the "bust" or "disappointment" label not because they squandered their potential, but because people had unrealistic expectations.

Zadina, I think, is most likely to wind up as a solid but unspectacular second line winger. If you thought he was going to be a perennial all-star sniper, you might call that a bust. But if you look at the historical development of players that tend to get taken in the 5-7 overall range, second line winger is a pretty typical result.

All about expectations.