Jeremy Laura: Detroit Red Wings face Champion Panthers, will they be ready?

I just saw the team's schedule for the rest of the season... toughest in the NHL. After seeing that I'm not optimistic they'll make the playoffs given the current logjam of teams trying to grab the last two wildcard spots. Really need to get Lyon back in the lineup... no more call-ups for Husso unless it's an emergency. Husso still cannot stop a breakaway goal to save his life. Getting Husso's 4.8 million salary off the books at the end of the season will help our salary cap. I think Cossa will be ready for backup duty in Detroit next season (at least give him the opportunity).

Still hoping Yzerman can find a top tier 2nd line center without giving away the farm. Not sure yet who's going to be available as a free agent later on. At this point I think filling the void on defense will probably come from within the organization unless we get lucky. Yzerman needs to start working the phones as teams drop out of playoff contention and teams finally get serious about a rebuild.

I just saw the team's schedule for the rest of the season... toughest in the NHL. After seeing that I'm not optimistic they'll make the playoffs given the current logjam of teams trying to grab the last two wildcard spots. Really need to get Lyon back in the lineup... no more call-ups for Husso unless it's an emergency. Husso still cannot stop a breakaway goal to save his life. Getting Husso's 4.8 million salary off the books at the end of the season will help our salary cap. I think Cossa will be ready for backup duty in Detroit next season (at least give him the opportunity).

Still hoping Yzerman can find a top tier 2nd line center without giving away the farm. Not sure yet who's going to be available as a free agent later on. At this point I think filling the void on defense will probably come from within the organization unless we get lucky. Yzerman needs to start working the phones as teams drop out of playoff contention and teams finally get serious about a rebuild.
- Vladdie_Kon1

It’s at least reported that he’s been trying to get a deal for Cozens but so have an about 5 or 6 other teams. We have ASP who should be coming over, they want to try Danielson again at center in camp, Lombardi, Soderblom, Augustine, Cossa all getting looks. Mazur needs to be healthy but they wanted him last year. Definitely need pieces and would love to jettison some dead weight. Pitt now talking sell, NYR may be doing some business, Nashville way underperformed their expectations so far. There are deals but what prices and pieces does Detroit have that other teams want and the team wouldn’t miss? The schedule is brutal ahead to be sure.

McLellan just instituted a common, faster, but responsible system that encourages aggression over positioning and collapsing. It's pretty much what LaLonde did towards the end of last season that resulted in the hot streak, only to return to his "gum up the lanes and hope for a lucky bounce" system. Another component of it on O is it encourages shots from outside as opposed to the slot, because shots from the slot come at a higher risk. The shots from the slot are way up under McLellan. As I had mentioned on posts last year, LaLonde utilized a system that's used when you're grossly outmatched by a far superior team. It's ultra conservative and the purpose is to keep the game close and hope for a few lucky bounces. He abandoned it for a while last season but went right back to it to start this season.

They will be better, they will be faster, and they will score more, but their D core is in really bad shape. They have 2 first line D and a bunch of 3rd and 4th pairing D. They aren't going to make the playoffs for a few years, but they should be a lot more fun to watch and they should stay above 500.

McLellan just instituted a common, faster, but responsible system that encourages aggression over positioning and collapsing. It's pretty much what LaLonde did towards the end of last season that resulted in the hot streak, only to return to his "gum up the lanes and hope for a lucky bounce" system. Another component of it on O is it encourages shots from outside as opposed to the slot, because shots from the slot come at a higher risk. The shots from the slot are way up under McLellan. As I had mentioned on posts last year, LaLonde utilized a system that's used when you're grossly outmatched by a far superior team. It's ultra conservative and the purpose is to keep the game close and hope for a few lucky bounces. He abandoned it for a while last season but went right back to it to start this season.

They will be better, they will be faster, and they will score more, but their D core is in really bad shape. They have 2 first line D and a bunch of 3rd and 4th pairing D. They aren't going to make the playoffs for a few years, but they should be a lot more fun to watch and they should stay above 500.
- bluelineenforcer

I'm hoping that Pellika will turn into the next Rafalski for the Wings... similar size and offensive skillset for a defenseman. The Wings have never replaced the likes of Rafalski since he left. Only problem is that Pellika is behind the 8 ball in terms of playing North American hockey. I'm optimisitic... but I need to see him produce in the AHL and NHL before I'm completely sold on him. Time will tell.

I'm hoping that Pellika will turn into the next Rafalski for the Wings... similar size and offensive skillset for a defenseman. The Wings have never replaced the likes of Rafalski since he left. Only problem is that Pellika is behind the 8 ball in terms of playing North American hockey. I'm optimisitic... but I need to see him produce in the AHL and NHL before I'm completely sold on him. Time will tell.
- Vladdie_Kon1

Agree on concerns, but apparently they built some NA spec rinks over in Sweden(?) MBN said they do work on those at times. You’re dead on about Rafalski. I got to see his last couple training camps. He and Holmstrom and Lidstrom were magic. His shot was so flat and tippable and the “swap” from right to left with Nick was butter during the power play. ASP’s shot reminds me a lot more of Raymond than of Rafalski, and he goes in deep during the power play. Would like to see more blue line work and definitely response to physicality. At 19, soon 20 I still feel good about his development in Sweden. Just want to see this be the last season of it.

Agree on concerns, but apparently they built some NA spec rinks over in Sweden(?) MBN said they do work on those at times. You’re dead on about Rafalski. I got to see his last couple training camps. He and Holmstrom and Lidstrom were magic. His shot was so flat and tippable and the “swap” from right to left with Nick was butter during the power play. ASP’s shot reminds me a lot more of Raymond than of Rafalski, and he goes in deep during the power play. Would like to see more blue line work and definitely response to physicality. At 19, soon 20 I still feel good about his development in Sweden. Just want to see this be the last season of it.
- Jeremy Laura

Gents...Raymond jumped straight from the SHL to the NHL and did fantastic. Seider played 49 games on a NA rink, then spent the next season in the SHL, and straight to the NHL. Stutzle went from DEL to NHL, Lundell went from Liiga to NHL, and many, many others. I don't think it's as big of a deal as it used to be.

Yes, it's a bigger adjustment for Defenseman, but Dahlin, Boqvist, Ristolainen, Lindholm, Brodin and others made the jump with little to no AHL experience. He'll need some time, but with the trajectory is on right now, it wouldn't shock me if he was brought up after half a season or less in the A.

Gents...Raymond jumped straight from the SHL to the NHL and did fantastic. Seider played 49 games on a NA rink, then spent the next season in the SHL, and straight to the NHL. Stutzle went from DEL to NHL, Lundell went from Liiga to NHL, and many, many others. I don't think it's as big of a deal as it used to be.

Yes, it's a bigger adjustment for Defenseman, but Dahlin, Boqvist, Ristolainen, Lindholm, Brodin and others made the jump with little to no AHL experience. He'll need some time, but with the trajectory is on right now, it wouldn't shock me if he was brought up after half a season or less in the A.
- bluelineenforcer

I’m trying to keep myself calm on this kid, but he could make it out of camp. We got something special in Seider and Raymond. ASP looks like another something very special. Just don’t want to go all in but good this kid seems like he could be another gem. If Augustine and Cossa can keep a solid trajectory there is something special brewing. Just trying to hold myself back a bit from going full “fan boy”

Jeremy, it is also reported that DRW has asked about Ryan Lindgren. I don't think he will cost more than a 2nd, but will be a FA in July, and is also injury prone. But he is the type of D-man that is needed, but can he stay healthy???? If they get him, Chiarot can move to the RS and Holl can sit.

Jeremy, it is also reported that DRW has asked about Ryan Lindgren. I don't think he will cost more than a 2nd, but will be a FA in July, and is also injury prone. But he is the type of D-man that is needed, but can he stay healthy???? If they get him, Chiarot can move to the RS and Holl can sit.
- HenryHockey

I have no idea. The right player at the right price for what Detroit needs is going to be a tough get.