Jeremy Laura: Larkin talks contracts and season, and a quick thought on Matthews

I wouldn't discount Boston that fast for a top 3 in this division or give Tampa the spot.

Boston has a solid defense and good offense. Their depth at center is iffy but it was last season and they still did well. Even if Swayman doesn't sign soon, i think with that defense, their goalies will still look fine. That's the perk of having a solid defense...something Yzerman has yet to figure out in Detroit with his Chiarot, Petry, Holl ect... blunders.

Tampa didn't just lose Stamkos, they also lost Sergachev. I think Tampa looks weak on offense beyond their first line and their defense also looks weaker with an old McDonaugh replacing Sergachev. Unless they have some prospects i don't know about that come in and surprise (kind of doubt with the amount of picks they have traded away the last few years), it'll be their top line, Hedman and Vasilevskiy that will have to pull them into a playoff spot. Still a very good core of players but the depth lacks still imo.

I wouldn't discount Boston that fast for a top 3 in this division or give Tampa the spot.

Boston has a solid defense and good offense. Their depth at center is iffy but it was last season and they still did well. Even if Swayman doesn't sign soon, i think with that defense, their goalies will still look fine. That's the perk of having a solid defense...something Yzerman has yet to figure out in Detroit with his Chiarot, Petry, Holl ect... blunders.

Tampa didn't just lose Stamkos, they also lost Sergachev. I think Tampa looks weak on offense beyond their first line and their defense also looks weaker with an old McDonaugh replacing Sergachev. Unless they have some prospects i don't know about that come in and surprise (kind of doubt with the amount of picks they have traded away the last few years), it'll be their top line, Hedman and Vasilevskiy that will have to pull them into a playoff spot. Still a very good core of players but the depth lacks still imo.
- dcz28

I think Tampa did suffer some major changes, and Boston does have an amazing system. Boston is showing a little bit of strain in the Swayman situation and I think it’s a toss up between the two on who slips. I could easily be wrong and Boston grabs a top 3 spot. Then you swap in TB battling for a wild card and the overall pic doesn’t change drastically in terms of what Detroit has to accomplish. Ottawa now has the commitment for the new arena and ownership is pressing hard to build a new culture. It’s a fascinating division to step back but in terms of following Detroit a very difficult climb. Progress within will have to be met with regress in the periphery (opinion).

I think Tampa did suffer some major changes, and Boston does have an amazing system. Boston is showing a little bit of strain in the Swayman situation and I think it’s a toss up between the two on who slips. I could easily be wrong and Boston grabs a top 3 spot. Then you swap in TB battling for a wild card and the overall pic doesn’t change drastically in terms of what Detroit has to accomplish. Ottawa now has the commitment for the new arena and ownership is pressing hard to build a new culture. It’s a fascinating division to step back but in terms of following Detroit a very difficult climb. Progress within will have to be met with regress in the periphery (opinion).
- Jeremy Laura

I agree that the top 3 spot in the division doesn't matter because the Wings basically have no shot at it although i think the top 3 stay that way with Tampa fighting for a WC spot.

The Metro division i see one change with Devils taking the Islanders spot and them fighting with Tampa, Detroit, Ottawa, Washington, Pittsburgh and Buffalo for the two WC spots. Feels like whichever team doesn't suffer key injuries and has players that perform up to standards or better will get those two spots.

Yes, with Seider not being in country and missing nearly a week of training camp just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It was a me, me, me move.

Wings still have work to get a more reliable RD on the 2nd pairing. Fowler may work but will be costly and the Ducks would need to retain at least $2M! Hopefully Holl got better over the summer.