Jeremy Laura: Raymond becomes first 19 year old Wing to score 3 since Yzerman

Trading Hronek makes absolutely no sense to me. No right now atleast. What could be coming back better be quite impressive.

Trading Hronek makes absolutely no sense to me. No right now atleast. What could be coming back better be quite impressive.
- mplackitt

I agree. Scratching him makes about as much sense. Just trying to figure out insanity

Hronek and Rasmussen for a useful center.

Trading Hronek makes absolutely no sense to me. No right now atleast. What could be coming back better be quite impressive.
- mplackitt

I think Hronek might be our most valuable trade asset, actually. I think there may be teams out there willing to overpay for him.

I don't think he's especially good. Decent second pair guy is his ceiling IMO, and now that Seider is here it won't be long until he's firmly slotted into that role here. But he's 23, cost controlled for two more years after this one, still an RFA on expiry, puts up decent boxcar stats. That could potentially fetch a very nice return from a team who still thinks he can be a serviceable first pair guy.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think the Wings have to trade him. But if Yzerman has another Mantha-esque surprise big trade up his sleeve, Hronek seems like the most likely candidate to go, IMO.

I think Hronek might be our most valuable trade asset, actually. I think there may be teams out there willing to overpay for him.

I don't think he's especially good. Decent second pair guy is his ceiling IMO, and now that Seider is here it won't be long until he's firmly slotted into that role here. But he's 23, cost controlled for two more years after this one, still an RFA on expiry, puts up decent boxcar stats. That could potentially fetch a very nice return from a team who still thinks he can be a serviceable first pair guy.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think the Wings have to trade him. But if Yzerman has another Mantha-esque surprise big trade up his sleeve, Hronek seems like the most likely candidate to go, IMO.
- Sven22

Maybe he and Berrgren and McIsaac goes to Toronto for Marner and Petrazelli

I wonder how many “Raymond” jerseys are going to sell by Christmas

Ok, just a weird moment. Last year, GMS said that Yzerman told them that Larkin, Seider and Raymond were untouchable. Those three combined for the hat trick goal. Yzerman’s Captain, his first Red Wings first round pick and his 2nd first round pick for this team. Maybe means nothing at all. Just a moment I had

Not the prettiest goals, but it got the job done. Pretty fun game to watch, obviously i'm happy for Raymond, and hope it's a sign of a bright future.

One more thought before I sign off. A huge thank you to Theo Fox. His write up for the pregame was very special, and I want to put one of his quotes here in the comments.

Lucas Raymond is going to be an electrifying talent as a prolific scorer for the Wings in years to come. He will complement the power forwards and industrious centers like Tyler Bertuzzi and Dylan Larkin.

Theo wrote that beautifully. I’m a little embarrassed to admit that his contribution may well have been the best part of my post. Both he and Karine Hains went out of their way to do something special for the past 2 pregame write ups. Throw a little love their way when you get a chance

Not the prettiest goals, but it got the job done. Pretty fun game to watch, obviously i'm happy for Raymond, and hope it's a sign of a bright future.
- Datsyuks_Dangle

Weird, weird stuff happened on that ice tonight. Traditional photography may reveal orbs and spirit lines as the puck did things that cannot be explained. The late great Harold Ramis would have run some tests, as he would have been nearby in his ‘busting days

One more thought before I sign off. A huge thank you to Theo Fox. His write up for the pregame was very special, and I want to put one of his quotes here in the comments.

Lucas Raymond is going to be an electrifying talent as a prolific scorer for the Wings in years to come. He will complement the power forwards and industrious centers like Tyler Bertuzzi and Dylan Larkin.

Theo wrote that beautifully. I’m a little embarrassed to admit that his contribution may well have been the best part of my post. Both he and Karine Hains went out of their way to do something special for the past 2 pregame write ups. Throw a little love their way when you get a chance
- Jeremy Laura

Maybe do a little digging regarding the Hronek benching, please Jeremy? There HAS TO be more to this than meets the eye. Any further information would be much appreciated. Thanks again for all you do.

Maybe do a little digging regarding the Hronek benching, please Jeremy? There HAS TO be more to this than meets the eye. Any further information would be much appreciated. Thanks again for all you do.
- todd3066

This is Blashill we're talking about. It could simply be:

1) He wanted to get Stecher in
2) In order to do that, another RD "had" to come out
3) He thinks Seider and Lindstrom have been better than Hronek so far (which is not an outrageous take; as hard as I am on Lindstrom he's been okay to start the year)

Still, going from 23 minutes per night to 0 is pretty brutal.

I have a feeling that as long as those four guys are healthy (Hronek, Seider, Stecher, Lindstrom) this is going to be a constant source of frustration and irritation. Even though I think the obvious decision here would be to sit Lindstrom, all four of them are better than Staal and much better than DeKeyser.

Maybe do a little digging regarding the Hronek benching, please Jeremy? There HAS TO be more to this than meets the eye. Any further information would be much appreciated. Thanks again for all you do.
- todd3066

Not that I agree with the scratching but Hronek was easily the worst D in the first 4 games.

He’s really nothing special.

Not that I agree with the scratching but Hronek was easily the worst D in the first 4 games.

He’s really nothing special.
- Feds91Stammer

I was only half-kidding in the last blog when I said the Wings should experiment with playing Hronek at forward.

Trading Hronek makes absolutely no sense to me. No right now atleast. What could be coming back better be quite impressive.
- mplackitt

I'm not a conspiracy theorist by any means, BUT: Eichle's on the market, Buffalo is DYING for some D, we have Stecher (I know, NOT a Hronek-calibre player.....), we are in desperate need for a 1C down the orad, Eichle won't play this season (I'm a neck-surgery guy, am looking at the same procedure Jack is, Doc's are laughing when I tell them Eichle wants to play this season....).

Who knows. Maybe, maybe not.

I agree with Feds... Hronek is not somebody I'd be upset over being traded.... if Stevie can bring a return and the package going includes Hronek then so be it..... congrats to Raymond, what a great night...

I was only half-kidding in the last blog when I said the Wings should experiment with playing Hronek at forward.
- Sven22

I don’t think he has the puck skills for that either. I like the idea of moving him whil other GMs still see “high end” upside.

I don’t think he has the puck skills for that either. I like the idea of moving him whil other GMs still see “high end” upside.
- Feds91Stammer

Come to think of it, it would be a good time to trade him as his value is perceived to be high. I wonder if this conversation happened when Tatar was traded???? But Hronek won't fetch a 1st, 2nd and a 3rd......

Come to think of it, it would be a good time to trade him as his value is perceived to be high. I wonder if this conversation happened when Tatar was traded???? But Hronek won't fetch a 1st, 2nd and a 3rd......

- HenryHockey

Yzerman got Bishop for Conacher and Sergachev for Drouin. I would expect a Hronek trade to be in that category. It’s a trade for a more unknown that the average fan has no knowledge of and gets mad at the trade. It would just need to work out as well as those 2 did.

I don’t think he has the puck skills for that either. I like the idea of moving him whil other GMs still see “high end” upside.
- Feds91Stammer

Lack of puck skills didn't stop Luke Witkowski or Brendan Smith!

(Okay, bad examples.)

Come to think of it, it would be a good time to trade him as his value is perceived to be high. I wonder if this conversation happened when Tatar was traded???? But Hronek won't fetch a 1st, 2nd and a 3rd......

- HenryHockey

Gotta think of what team needs a RD and a shake-up.......Vegas needs a shake-up but not a RD, unless they get rid of salary on the deal.....Toronto needs a RD and a shake up, but who goes? Buffalo, but I don't wanna go there, and why send Hronek to hell, he is not that sinful. Montreal, what about Montreal? Vancouver might like to have Hronek.....Be nice to have Boeser!

Gotta think of what team needs a RD and a shake-up.......Vegas needs a shake-up but not a RD, unless they get rid of salary on the deal.....Toronto needs a RD and a shake up, but who goes? Buffalo, but I don't wanna go there, and why send Hronek to hell, he is not that sinful. Montreal, what about Montreal? Vancouver might like to have Hronek.....Be nice to have Boeser!
- HenryHockey

You’re not going to get a name that excites you imo. It would likely be someone that you could stash in GR for the season.

You’re not going to get a name that excites you imo. It would likely be someone that you could stash in GR for the season.
- Feds91Stammer

Yeah I looked ad the AZ roster as well, but getting Timmons or Soderstom would not sit well.....both can be sent down. Soderstom and a 2nd for Hronek? Then there is Barrett Hayden, hmmm Wings could use a C, for sure! Hayden has had a slow start. Hayden for Hronek, ...I think there would be more to this

You’re not going to get a name that excites you imo. It would likely be someone that you could stash in GR for the season.
- Feds91Stammer

been looking at comments since I offered Eichel....after reading your comments, I think you may very well be onto something. Whilst I may be fond of acquiring someone like Eichel (sounds good on paper....), the reality is that whomever we may get wouldn't need to be hitting their stride for another couple of years when the Wings could be challenging for the SCPO.

Good call!