Mark Spizzirri: How Anthony Mantha might land in Detroit sooner than we think

Nitpicking, but... In both scenarios Nyquist would play LW, and Franzen would play RW (both of their preferred positions).

To touch-up on the Red Wings' recent bad signings... Honestly, Dan Cleary isn't that big of a deal. He was bad for the majority of last season, and he'd be the first to admit it. However, it isn't as detrimental to the team and system that most would make it out to be. He's a dedicated and respected veteran amongst the players and management, and the loyalty aspect the organization has applied to the signing is a phenomenal reason that Detroit may be the most respected operation in hockey. Detroit takes care of their players. Sometimes in good standing, and rarely (which may/likely be in this case) in bad. Now, Quincey... Don't get me started. IMO one of the worst defensemen in the entire league. A raise..? I can't even attempt to talk about this without almost puking my guts out. I have e-mailed the Red Wings to inform them that I will attend 0 games that Kyle Quincey dresses for. I have also suggested all of my friends and family to do the same. Enough on that topic.

At this point I am doubting that we re-sign Alfredsson. And with that in mind, I am expecting a line-up that consists of the following (FWIW, I don't see any situation that Mantha makes the team out of training camp/pre-season):

Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Abdelkader
Nyquist - Weiss - Franzen
Tatar - Helm - Jurco
Miller - Sheahan - Glendening
Cleary & Andersson

Kronwall - Ericsson
DeKeyser - Quincey (Kill Me)
Smith - Lashoff
Howard - Gustavsson
Kindl

If this team is remotely healthy, IMO, we will make the playoffs in the 5-8 slot. And don't kid yourselves, truly anything can happen if you attend the dance, especially if you tailor the team (by trading Andersson/Quincey/Kindl) to success during the season's trials. The continued playoff experience alone will benefit all of the young players that this team is carrying and continuing to develop. As much as I loathe and hate "KFQ" (as a player), I am still a fan of this team.

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Mantha
Franzen-Weiss-Nyquist
Tatar-Sheahan-Jurco
Abdelkader-Helm-Miller

Good God.

Besides Weiss, I absolutely love that lineup.

(frank)ing Wings!

I hate (love) you, Ken Holland.

So jealous about you guys having Mantha. Talk about continuing that golden standard of draft and development.

Good God.

Besides Weiss, I absolutely love that lineup.

(frank)ing Wings!

I hate (love) you, Ken Holland.
- grand-magus

Meh. Few more years and they lose two hall of famers and a bunch of old turds. Let's see what Nyquist does this year.

Assuming Im not forgetting any obscure rules that would prevent it, I think the Wings would be willing to waive one of the 4th liners if Mantha shows that he deserves to be on the roster, with Andersson being the most probable.

Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Abdelkader
Nyquist - Weiss - Franzen
Tatar - Helm - Jurco
Miller - Sheahan - Glendening
Cleary & Andersson

Kronwall - Ericsson
DeKeyser - Quincey (Kill Me)
Smith - Lashoff
Howard - Gustavsson
Kindl

Is Weiss even guaranteed to start the season on the active roster? I haven't heard anything about him being healthy and ready to go. I have a hard time stomaching the idea of Sheahan playing on the 4th line because I thought he did a great job on the 3rd line with Nyquist/Tatar/Jurco.

I think your lines look pretty good but I doubt that Lashoff will be in the starting lineup over Kindl. They need Kindl in there to perform well and become decent trade bait for a team looking for a 5-6 guy. If Detroit ends up trading for a defenseman mid-season you've got to think Kindl is the guy they'd like to part with. Smith has too much potential and Kindl has that cap hit.

When you look at it on paper, Detroit has a good lineup. They should be able to compete for a 2-3 spot in their division and once you do that anything can happen. You've just got to avoid playing Boston in the first round of the playoffs again. Staying healthy will be key and sadly Detroit has quite a few players that have gained a reputation for being injury prone.

Assuming Im not forgetting any obscure rules that would prevent it, I think the Wings would be willing to waive one of the 4th liners if Mantha shows that he deserves to be on the roster, with Andersson being the most probable.
- ajhill4594

I've always thought that Andersson would have some trade value if he became available. He's a serviceable 3/4 C that plenty of teams out there could use. Even if it's just a late draft pick it'd be better than nothing. And we all know how well the Wings do with their late round draft picks.

Nitpicking, but... In both scenarios Nyquist would play LW, and Franzen would play RW (both of their preferred positions).

To touch-up on the Red Wings' recent bad signings... Honestly, Dan Cleary isn't that big of a deal. He was bad for the majority of last season, and he'd be the first to admit it. However, it isn't as detrimental to the team and system that most would make it out to be. He's a dedicated and respected veteran amongst the players and management, and the loyalty aspect the organization has applied to the signing is a phenomenal reason that Detroit may be the most respected operation in hockey. Detroit takes care of their players. Sometimes in good standing, and rarely (which may/likely be in this case) in bad. Now, Quincey... Don't get me started. IMO one of the worst defensemen in the entire league. A raise..? I can't even attempt to talk about this without almost puking my guts out. I have e-mailed the Red Wings to inform them that I will attend 0 games that Kyle Quincey dresses for. I have also suggested all of my friends and family to do the same. Enough on that topic.

At this point I am doubting that we re-sign Alfredsson. And with that in mind, I am expecting a line-up that consists of the following (FWIW, I don't see any situation that Mantha makes the team out of training camp/pre-season):

Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Abdelkader
Nyquist - Weiss - Franzen
Tatar - Helm - Jurco
Miller - Sheahan - Glendening
Cleary & Andersson

Kronwall - Ericsson
DeKeyser - Quincey (Kill Me)
Smith - Lashoff
Howard - Gustavsson
Kindl

If this team is remotely healthy, IMO, we will make the playoffs in the 5-8 slot. And don't kid yourselves, truly anything can happen if you attend the dance, especially if you tailor the team (by trading Andersson/Quincey/Kindl) to success during the season's trials. The continued playoff experience alone will benefit all of the young players that this team is carrying and continuing to develop. As much as I loathe and hate "KFQ" (as a player), I am still a fan of this team.
- TwoPieceFeed

I think the bolded is the key for Detroit. I don't see them winning a cup in the next couple of years, but getting to the playoffs and getting that experience will be extremely valuable in the future when this "new" team comes into it's own. The talent is there with the young guys, and they are playing with some great veterans who can help them in becoming great NHL players. The more time they can spend in the playoffs, the more they are getting ready to be a force in the future when Dats and Z are gone.

Is Weiss even guaranteed to start the season on the active roster? I haven't heard anything about him being healthy and ready to go. I have a hard time stomaching the idea of Sheahan playing on the 4th line because I thought he did a great job on the 3rd line with Nyquist/Tatar/Jurco.
- RedDog18

http://www.mlive.com/redw...say_stephen_weiss_he.html

Yeah, looks like Weiss is ready.

I kinda hope they don't bring back Alfredsson so that Mantha has a legit chance.

Mark - in both of your scenarios, you have Helm as 4th line center. Do you think that regardless of the team that gets assembled - he is destined to man the 4th line? Seems like he would be better suited on the 3rd..?

Although, i do love the demotion of Abdelkater to 4th line regardless. not a big fan.

I kinda hope they don't bring back Alfredsson so that Mantha has a legit chance.
- houseofcards74

I'd have to agree with the author.... Going from the Q to the NHL is a transition most rookies would have a tough time succeeding at, and on top of that having to play against the oppositions top O and D lines. A year(or even partial) in the AHL would serve him well.

come on we all know Cleary will be here and Alfredsson too.

This squeezes out younger players. (Jurco and Mantha).

forwards arent the problem anyway.

its the defense.

I'd have to agree with the author.... Going from the Q to the NHL is a transition most rookies would have a tough time succeeding at, and on top of that having to play against the oppositions top O and D lines. A year(or even partial) in the AHL would serve him well.
- nikel

Agreed I'm alright with him in GR a year.

come on we all know Cleary will be here and Alfredsson too.

This squeezes out younger players. (Jurco and Mantha).

forwards arent the problem anyway.

its the defense.
- Jurco_28

i bet money alfie doesnt come back to detroit.

Here is my ideal lineup:

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Mantha
Nyquist-Weiss-Jurco
Franzen-Sheahan-Tatar
Miller-Helm-Abdelkader

Glendening-Andersson-Cleary :expose one to waivers and bury them.
First call up: Pulkkinen

Kronwall-Smith
DeKeyser-Ericsson
Quincey-Kindl
Lashoff
First call up: Marchenko

Howard-Gustavsson-Mrazek

I like the idea of playing Mantha with Zetterberg and Datsyuk to protect him defensively while he learns on the job. Also I like splitting up Weiss and Franzen to protect them by surrounding them with more speed. With a deeper top 9 it should be time to lighten the load on Zetterberg and Datsyuk minutes wise to keep them fresh and healthy all season. On D I though Smith made huge strides at the end of the season when playing with Kronwall so I would like to see them together again. I think Kindl can return to form if he gets a chance to play with a more consistent partner. Ideally Lashoff won't play a single game, he literally brings nothing to the table.

the forwards arent the problem.

the defense is the same (frank)ing group as last season

the forwards arent the problem.

the defense is the same (frank)ing group as last season
- Jurco_28

Offense is actually the problem:

All situations: 5th best corsi against and 22nd corsi for. Need to generate more scoring chances to score more goals. Score more goals, win more games.

The only way Mantha has any chance of making the team to start the season is if a couple of forwards get injured in camp or pre-season. If everyone is healthy he has 0 chances. Same thing with Jurco and I believe he would get the first chance if an injury happens.

Alfie will be signed and my guess is they are waiting for Holland to sign DeKeyser and Tatar first to know how much they can give Alfie with what is left. Holland likely thought he could sign both DeKeyser and Tatar for peanuts but their agents are likely asking for more after Holland gave Quincey and Cleary those stupid contracts. Seriously if you were their agents, would you really sign for half of what those guys got when both Dekeyser and Tatar are better than them? At least Holland got Sheahan signed before giving that gift contract to Cleary.

This is what I expect to see to start the season:

Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Abdelkader
Nyquist - Weiss - Franzen
Tatar - Helm - Alfredsson
Miller - Glendening - Cleary
Andersson, Sheahan

Kronwall - Ericsson
Quincey - DeKeyser
Lashoff - Smith
Kindl

Howard
Gus

What I would like to see (with what they will have):

Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Jurco
Nyquist - Weiss - Franzen
Tatar - Sheahan - Alfie
Miller - Helm - Abdelkader
Callahan, Andersson

Kronwall - Ericsson
Smith - DeKeyser
Quincey - Marchenko
Kindl

Howard
Mrazek

The only way Mantha has any chance of making the team to start the season is if a couple of forwards get injured in camp or pre-season. If everyone is healthy he has 0 chances. Same thing with Jurco and I believe he would get the first chance if an injury happens.

Alfie will be signed and my guess is they are waiting for Holland to sign DeKeyser and Tatar first to know how much they can give Alfie with what is left. Holland likely thought he could sign both DeKeyser and Tatar for peanuts but their agents are likely asking for more after Holland gave Quincey and Cleary those stupid contracts. Seriously if you were their agents, would you really sign for half of what those guys got when both Dekeyser and Tatar are better than them? At least Holland got Sheahan signed before giving that gift contract to Cleary.

This is what I expect to see to start the season:

Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Abdelkader
Nyquist - Weiss - Franzen
Tatar - Helm - Alfredsson
Miller - Glendening - Cleary
Andersson, Sheahan

Kronwall - Ericsson
Quincey - DeKeyser
Lashoff - Smith
Kindl

Howard
Gus

What I would like to see (with what they will have):

Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Jurco
Nyquist - Weiss - Franzen
Tatar - Sheahan - Alfie
Miller - Helm - Abdelkader
Callahan, Andersson

Kronwall - Ericsson
Smith - DeKeyser
Quincey - Marchenko
Kindl

Howard
Mrazek
- dcz28

Bet your spot on with this part.

Bet your spot on with this part.
- digitalbath

You guys are all wrong.
Federov - Yzerman - Stamkos
Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Nyquist
Holmstrom - Helm - Howe
Koslov - Delvechio - Larinov

Lidstrom - Raflski
Stuart - Konstaninov
Quincey - Schneider

Vernon
Legace

Edit: I've been drinking..

You guys are all wrong.
Federov - Yzerman - Stamkos
Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Nyquist
Holmstrom - Helm - Howe
Koslov - Delvechio - Larinov

Lidstrom - Raflski
Stuart - Konstaninov
Quincey - Schneider

Vernon
Legace

Edit: I've been drinking..
- YzermanIsTheMan

Its like the red wings all stars? but with stamkos... but then also with quincey?? hilarious, and strange

Dan Cleary - Luke Glendening - Mikael Samuelsson
Todd Bertuzzi - Robert Lang - Tomas Sandstrom
Ville Leino - Tomas Kopecky - Jason Williams
Brent Gilchrist - Cory Emmerton - Mark Mowers
Boyd Devereaux

Uwe Krupp - Derian Hatcher
Brett Lebda - Anders Eriksson
Maxim Kuznetsov - Jason Woolley
Andreas Lilja - Drunk Larry Murphy

Bill Ranford
Norm Maracle

Its like the red wings all stars? but with stamkos... but then also with quincey?? hilarious, and strange
- digitalbath

If we are paying Quincey 4.25 million, the kid deserves a spot. Lol.