Bob Duff: Center, defense, top draft want list Expect the Detroit Red Wings to select a center or a defenseman at No. 9 during Friday's first round of the NHL entry draft.

Draft the (frank)ing best player available regardless of position.

start the rebuild and get kenny out of here is at the top of my draft list.

Bring Malkin to Detroit to be The Man.

start the rebuild and get kenny out of here is at the top of my draft list.
- wingz4life

Peep my location.

Peep my location.
- Feds91Stammer

ur talking next year, no way kenny is having this team finish that low. going to do everything he can to try to make the playoffs. good thing is that he painted himself in a corner with poopty drafting and bad contracts.

ur talking next year, no way kenny is having this team finish that low. going to do everything he can to try to make the playoffs. good thing is that he painted himself in a corner with poopty drafting and bad contracts.
- wingz4life

How are they going to be any better than last season? Lucky OT and SO wings kept them out of the bottom 3.

How are they going to be any better than last season? Lucky OT and SO wings kept them out of the bottom 3.
- Feds91Stammer

Detroit still won't be the worst team in the east.

How are they going to be any better than last season? Lucky OT and SO wings kept them out of the bottom 3.
- Feds91Stammer

Honestly? Goaltending.

Last year they got a collective .906 out of Mrazek, Howard, and Coreau. If they could get .915 this year (which is what they got out of Mrazek and Howard in 2015-16) that alone would save them 23 goals over 82 games, everything else being equal.

I mean, they'd still be terrible (the Wings were -46 as a team once you factor out the "goals" awarded for winning shootouts) but probably not terrible enough to be in the absolute dregs of the league.

Honestly? Goaltending.

Last year they got a collective .906 out of Mrazek, Howard, and Coreau. If they could get .915 this year (which is what they got out of Mrazek and Howard in 2015-16) that alone would save them 23 goals over 82 games, everything else being equal.

I mean, they'd still be terrible (the Wings were -46 as a team once you factor out the "goals" awarded for winning shootouts) but probably not terrible enough to be in the absolute dregs of the league.
- Sven22

They had the 5th worst 5v5 HDCF% and their PDO was a .996 so looking at sv% + sh% it isn't like they were unlucky. They are a bad team and they aren't making coaching changes or major roster changes.

How are they going to be any better than last season? Lucky OT and SO wings kept them out of the bottom 3.
- Feds91Stammer

they arent but they arent going to be that much worse in order to get dahlen/svech.

another issue with getting evgeni's brother. andrei plays the same position (RW).

They had the 5th worst 5v5 HDCF% and their PDO was a .996 so looking at sv% + sh% it isn't like they were unlucky. They are a bad team and they aren't making coaching changes or major roster changes.
- Feds91Stammer

5-on-5 PDO was 996, but all situations was down at 987 despite the fact that the Wings had more PP time than PK time. You'll get no argument from me that they fully earned their even strength crappiness, but I think maybe they got a little unlucky on special teams. And if Mrazek has a nice bounce-back year you'd think they could bat a little above 1000 with neutral luck.

Either way, it's kind of sad that we've been reduced to arguing over whether Detroit is the third or fifth worst team in the NHL.

5-on-5 PDO was 996, but all situations was down at 987 despite the fact that the Wings had more PP time than PK time. You'll get no argument from me that they fully earned their even strength crappiness, but I think maybe they got a little unlucky on special teams. And if Mrazek has a nice bounce-back year you'd think they could bat a little above 1000 with neutral luck.

Either way, it's kind of sad that we've been reduced to arguing over whether Detroit is the third or fifth worst team in the NHL.
- Sven22

its actually fun how bad the team is but yet they have little to no cap space. Bad contracts are just one reason why kenny needs to go now.

Pettersson is not really a reach though, one of the most talented players from the draft. Would be a good selection but I guess the need at Defense is higher. Yikes.

Pettersson is not really a reach though, one of the most talented players from the draft. Would be a good selection but I guess the need at Defense is higher. Yikes.
- DutchSenators

At 9 I want Liljegren or Glass. Otherwise I want to trade down a few spots and still try to get Petersson or Brannstrom.

That is the craziest part. The insanely high payroll for a dumpster fire of a team. Worse, it'll take years to get out of this.

At 9 I want Liljegren or Glass. Otherwise I want to trade down a few spots and still try to get Petersson or Brannstrom.
- Feds91Stammer

If Glass is available for sure. Not sure about Liljegren at 9, may be a tad high.

-can delete, double

If Glass is available for sure. Not sure about Liljegren at 9, may be a tad high.
- DutchSenators

I'm not going to hold getting mono against Liljegren. Definitely wouldn't pass on a guy that started the year so highly touted for something like that especially after having a similar rating change happen to Chychrun who I thought they should have taken last year.

I'm not going to hold getting mono against Liljegren. Definitely wouldn't pass on a guy that started the year so highly touted for something like that especially after having a similar rating change happen to Chychrun who I thought they should have taken last year.
- Feds91Stammer

The difference is that Chychrun did not fell in the mock drafts but only in the real draft. Liljegren is falling rapidly in the mock drafts (and scouting reports) as well. I still think he should be taken around 14-18 but 9 might be a bit too high. Problem is that if you trade down from 9 to 14 you're not sure if you could grab him. So if you really want him, I guess picking him up at 9 isn't bad.

Draft Makar, Heiskanen, or Liljegren plz.

I can't believe how far Valimaki has fallen in most draft rankings.

another issue with getting evgeni's brother. andrei plays the same position (RW).
- wingz4life

Andrei played center in Russia and during Russia's recent WJs.

He has the talent and IQ to play center as a pro.

Evgeny also played center, prior to joining the Quebec league.

If anyone hasn't seen some of Andrei's highlights against Sweden... I suggest you look them up (available on HFBoards). Absolutely embarrassed them.

Sorry Feds

RIP Feds