Bob Duff: Sulak signing a no-risk propostion Red Wings opt to roll dice on Czech free agent defenseman Libor Sulak, who they feel could develop into an NHLer.

Patient? LOL dude is already 23...

I think he could start now on our blue line

I think he could start now on our blue line
- datswho

And I could play in the bottom 6 forwards.

It seems the Detroit organization constantly develop players in the minors until they are senior citizen seasoned. Then the ones they have brought up, are either total failures like Kindl, Lebda, Ericksson, Ferrero. Or, they are sent back to the minors to season, the Detroit Red Wing way to ferment into old age.

While numerous other teams, too many to name, play their young talent in the first three years of their new careers, with a proven success rate.

It seems the Detroit organization constantly develop players in the minors until they are senior citizen seasoned. Then the ones they have brought up, are either total failures like Kindl, Lebda, Ericksson, Ferrero. Or, they are sent back to the minors to season, the Detroit Red Wing way to ferment into old age.

While numerous other teams, too many to name, play their young talent in the first three years of their new careers, with a proven success rate.
- GeoffY

Holland doesn't understand peak performance age curves or how to maximize ELC value.

I think he could start now on our blue line
- datswho

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=outlandish

Well he could potentially play in two years? Let him develope ,for two years!At twenty 25 thats a prime age, who knows but like he said it a low risk!

Well he could potentially play in two years? Let him develope ,for two years!At twenty 25 thats a prime age, who knows but like he said it a low risk!
- MR.Hunter

Well, the point is that if you haven't developed the skills to play at the NHL level until you're already at (or even past) your physical prime, it probably means:

1) Even at your best, you're probably not going to be better than a replacement-level player
2) You're only even going to be that good for a couple of years, probably less than five

I'm not discounting the fact that some players might be "late bloomers," but a 23-year-old playing in Austria who hasn't really gotten noticed by anyone until just this year is not promising. It may be "low risk," but the odds that the reward will be any greater than "future AHL depth guy" seem pretty remote. But I guess we'll see.

Needs more Swedes.

I'm stoked to see the Griffins play Syracuse on home ice Saturday. Did see the Syracuse Crunch led the AHL in penalty minutes by a good margin. Don't know much about that team yet.

Speaking of "prospects" I have to admit adding McIlrath to the Griffins has been a great addition. He's filled a void the Griffins have needed and had a big impact on this team. The knock against him is his skating (which he could still improve)... but he's big, tough and sticks up for his teammates. He was leading the team in plus +12 in the playoffs (4 assists also I think I read). I'd like to see him get a 2-way contract. Of course, Holland won't ever give him a shot despite the fact he's still relatively young (25). He was a top ten pick in the draft so people must have seen something in him. Just my 2 cents.

Also think Tangradi could help the Wings... at least on the 4th line. Still can't see why he's never even had a look in Detroit. Seems like a big, tough power forward with some good hands (leads the Griffins in playoff points) could help the Wings in some aspect. Hard to believe he isn't at least as good as any of the wings crappy 4th line players.

this org. cannot draft/develop defenseman worth a damn, that I know.

Hey everybody wake up in here. The GR Griffins are up 2-0 in the Calder Cup finals... Now that's worth some good discussion surely

This Griffins team is a well oiled machine and very entertaining to watch as they roll 4 good lines. Special teams have been fantastic all playoffs. Todd Nelson and coaching staff... take a bow. Then come to Detroit.

Watch them for free on AHL.com.... can't beat the price ! Password is FINALS17

Hey everybody wake up in here. The GR Griffins are up 2-0 in the Calder Cup finals... Now that's worth some good discussion surely

This Griffins team is a well oiled machine and very entertaining to watch as they roll 4 good lines. Special teams have been fantastic all playoffs. Todd Nelson and coaching staff... take a bow. Then come to Detroit.

Watch them for free on AHL.com.... can't beat the price ! Password is FINALS17
- Vladdie_Kon1

I was at the double OT game on Saturday. Had an awesome time but to be honest the Griffins were very lucky to get out of there with a win. Game was fairly even and had a lot of back-and-forth through three periods, but the Griffins spent pretty much the entire first OT period and most of the second hemmed into their own zone. It was clear that the Crunch had more jump as the game went on, but somehow GR found a way to win it.

They've definitely been fun to watch, but they also have to step up their game if they want to close out the series in Syracuse (or at least come home with two chances to win it).

I was at the double OT game on Saturday. Had an awesome time but to be honest the Griffins were very lucky to get out of there with a win. Game was fairly even and had a lot of back-and-forth through three periods, but the Griffins spent pretty much the entire first OT period and most of the second hemmed into their own zone. It was clear that the Crunch had more jump as the game went on, but somehow GR found a way to win it.

They've definitely been fun to watch, but they also have to step up their game if they want to close out the series in Syracuse (or at least come home with two chances to win it).
- Sven22

Yes, I was at that game too. The Crunch had way more jump and energy in that first OT. Griffins looked flat and out of gas. Coreau bailed them out the entire first OT. Griffins were lucky to get out of that first OT alive. Somehow they still found a way to win. Agreed, it's only going to get tougher in Syracuse.

Really wish the Wings would give Tangradi a good long look in Detroit. Wings have needed a big, tough power forward with good hands for years. He can't be worse than anybody on Detroit's crappy 4th line. Nosek has earned a look too... The further this team goes in the playoffs the more it reminds everyone that Holland has almost completely handcuffed the team with terrible long term contracts to mediocre players and there isn't room for the prospects / rookies to get a shot. Or I should say he won't give them a shot. I'm guessing maybe one or two defenseman will be brought to Detroit... and that's it. Despite the fact the team has almost no depth.

What's really scary is Holland actually thinks his team (or any team) could go on one those "Cinderalla story" deep playoff runs like Nashville or other teams in the past. Won't ever happen with the current roster. He's delusional. It takes actual depth / talent up and down the roster to pull that off.

Yes, I was at that game too. The Crunch had way more jump and energy in that first OT. Griffins looked flat and out of gas. Coreau bailed them out the entire first OT. Griffins were lucky to get out of that first OT alive. Somehow they still found a way to win. Agreed, it's only going to get tougher in Syracuse.

Really wish the Wings would give Tangradi a good long look in Detroit. Wings have needed a big, tough power forward with good hands for years. He can't be worse than anybody on Detroit's crappy 4th line. Nosek has earned a look too... The further this team goes in the playoffs the more it reminds everyone that Holland has almost completely handcuffed the team with terrible long term contracts to mediocre players and there isn't room for the prospects / rookies to get a shot. Or I should say he won't give them a shot. I'm guessing maybe one or two defenseman will be brought to Detroit... and that's it. Despite the fact the team has almost no depth.

What's really scary is Holland actually thinks his team (or any team) could go on one those "Cinderalla story" deep playoff runs like Nashville or other teams in the past. Won't ever happen with the current roster. He's delusional. It takes actual depth / talent up and down the roster to pull that off.
- Vladdie_Kon1

The thing about Tangradi is that he's 28 years old and has already had plenty of long looks in the NHL -- 144 games between Pittsburgh, Winnipeg, Montreal, and Detroit. He's got all of 5 goals to show for it. By contrast, Drew Miller had 5 goals in 55 games this year, and Drew Miller sucks.

Love Tangradi on the Griffins, and his two seasons in Grand Rapids have probably been his best as a pro. Would he be any worse than the garbage we've got running out on our fourth line anyway? Maybe not. But even at best Tangradi is going to be a fringe NHLer. If we're going to have to play fringe NHLers in the bottom six anyway, I'd rather give that time to a younger guy with a bit more upside and potentially more of a useful career ahead of him. No offense to Tangradi, of course, who has been a solid AHLer.

Nosek intrigues me as a 4C for next season. Would definitely rather have him there than Glendening. Not sure whether he has the wheels or hands to climb higher than that though.

The thing about Tangradi is that he's 28 years old and has already had plenty of long looks in the NHL -- 144 games between Pittsburgh, Winnipeg, Montreal, and Detroit. He's got all of 5 goals to show for it. By contrast, Drew Miller had 5 goals in 55 games this year, and Drew Miller sucks.

Love Tangradi on the Griffins, and his two seasons in Grand Rapids have probably been his best as a pro. Would he be any worse than the garbage we've got running out on our fourth line anyway? Maybe not. But even at best Tangradi is going to be a fringe NHLer. If we're going to have to play fringe NHLers in the bottom six anyway, I'd rather give that time to a younger guy with a bit more upside and potentially more of a useful career ahead of him. No offense to Tangradi, of course, who has been a solid AHLer.

Nosek intrigues me as a 4C for next season. Would definitely rather have him there than Glendening. Not sure whether he has the wheels or hands to climb higher than that though.
- Sven22

My ideal lines for next season:

Tatar - Zetterberg - Mantha
Nyquist - Larkin - Athanasiou
Svechnikov - Nielsen - Helm/Abdelkader (hoping LV takes one of them)
Nosek - Sheahan - Bertuzzi
Glendening

My ideal lines for next season:

Tatar - Zetterberg - Mantha
Nyquist - Larkin - Athanasiou
Svechnikov - Nielsen - Helm/Abdelkader (hoping LV takes one of them)
Nosek - Sheahan - Bertuzzi
Glendening
- Feds91Stammer

I would imagine that if the Red Wings try to make a trade this summer (lol) to either improve the defense or cut their salary, Nyquist would probably be on the way out, no? I mean, it's not like I'm trying to get rid of the guy (he is one of our best players, for better or worse), but considering how screwed the Wings are capwise, he seems like their only player who meets the following conditions:

(1) Make a big enough chunk of money that trading him would provide significant cap relief, and

(2) Is actually good enough that a half decent GM might actually want him and be willing to give up an actual useful asset in return.

He also has an NTC that kicks in July 1, so if they want to move him, now is really the time.

I would imagine that if the Red Wings try to make a trade this summer (lol) to either improve the defense or cut their salary, Nyquist would probably be on the way out, no? I mean, it's not like I'm trying to get rid of the guy (he is one of our best players, for better or worse), but considering how screwed the Wings are capwise, he seems like their only player who meets the following conditions:

(1) Make a big enough chunk of money that trading him would provide significant cap relief, and

(2) Is actually good enough that a half decent GM might actually want him and be willing to give up an actual useful asset in return.

He also has an NTC that kicks in July 1, so if they want to move him, now is really the time.
- Sven22

Now is not the time for trades unless it is for futures. No point in moving Nyquist/Tatar to "improve" the defense and add to the logjam.

The thing about Tangradi is that he's 28 years old and has already had plenty of long looks in the NHL -- 144 games between Pittsburgh, Winnipeg, Montreal, and Detroit. He's got all of 5 goals to show for it. By contrast, Drew Miller had 5 goals in 55 games this year, and Drew Miller sucks.

Love Tangradi on the Griffins, and his two seasons in Grand Rapids have probably been his best as a pro. Would he be any worse than the garbage we've got running out on our fourth line anyway? Maybe not. But even at best Tangradi is going to be a fringe NHLer. If we're going to have to play fringe NHLers in the bottom six anyway, I'd rather give that time to a younger guy with a bit more upside and potentially more of a useful career ahead of him. No offense to Tangradi, of course, who has been a solid AHLer.

Nosek intrigues me as a 4C for next season. Would definitely rather have him there than Glendening. Not sure whether he has the wheels or hands to climb higher than that though.
- Sven22

Yeah... I know Tangradi has been around the block with those NHL teams and hasn't been able to take a roster spot. After seeing him play so well in GR it tends to get a fan's hopes up. He's been great for the Griffins...

And yes... I'd take Nosek over "hands of stone" Glendening all day long. Nosek has good size and he's in his prime right now at age 25. Heck... that's the typical age of ANY prospect coming to Detroit out of GR with bonehead Holland managing the show. Svechnikov is by far their best prospect in GR I'd say... and is probably good enough to make the team next season. BUT... Holland will probably keep him in GR until he is out of waiver options like every good prospect (and in his early to mid-twenties). I am curious to see what the Wings will do with Frk who's a UFA at the end of season along with McIllrath (he's been great for the Griffins too...).

Now is not the time for trades unless it is for futures. No point in moving Nyquist/Tatar to "improve" the defense and add to the logjam.
- Feds91Stammer

They could also try and get a power forward / tough winger with good size to add to the team. This team has never filled the void of Shanahan and needs some sandpaper to be harder to play against. I am sick of seeing other teams not paying any price whenever they take a cheap shot at Larkin / Zetterberg / etc...