Jeremy Laura: Bad news for Detroit, Larkin out for 2 weeks

Maybe it's time to showcase Berggren.

Detroit has a couple of tough games this week with the Avs and LV, but after that, they have a pretty favorable schedule. For their next 8 games, they have two top teams and the rest are bottom feeders that good teams should beat, and beat them they must. Their last 5 games are going to be tough, which is around the time Larkin is due back. They have the Isles, Preds, Caps, Carolina and end the season against the best team in the league in FLA.I think if they need to go 5 and 3 over the next 8 games and if they can win 2 of 3 in their last 5, I'd think they'll squeak in. I hope they don't make a move other than perhaps moving some players Det doesn't really need, like Holl and one of the goalies.

I'm not looking for them to make a run in the playoffs, but the playoff experience will be good for their young players.

Maybe it's time to showcase Berggren.
- AaronR37

Was just talking to someone about that. Assuming Copp will center the bottom or 3rd line Berggren could have a shot. Whatever the beef is, it sounds like a separation may be in the cards. If they get a really good offer they will at least mull it over

Detroit has a couple of tough games this week with the Avs and LV, but after that, they have a pretty favorable schedule. For their next 8 games, they have two top teams and the rest are bottom feeders that good teams should beat, and beat them they must. Their last 5 games are going to be tough, which is around the time Larkin is due back. They have the Isles, Preds, Caps, Carolina and end the season against the best team in the league in FLA.I think if they need to go 5 and 3 over the next 8 games and if they can win 2 of 3 in their last 5, I'd think they'll squeak in. I hope they don't make a move other than perhaps moving some players Det doesn't really need, like Holl and one of the goalies.

I'm not looking for them to make a run in the playoffs, but the playoff experience will be good for their young players.
- bluelineenforcer

I’d love to see them get in. I just don’t know who takes the reins. Larkin, for all the criticism, does push guys. AZ is picking up their play for spoiler and future jobs. The deadline is coming so quick decisions will have to be made. Hoping they don’t make regrettable decisions but who knows? Hronek would have been nice to have on the second line this year

So far, no call ups and Veleno slots in Larkin’s spot

Berggren only has 4 games left until he needs to go on waivers.

Berggren only has 4 games left until he needs to go on waivers.
- DRW1991

Yeah, when LaLonde didn’t even blink after being asked about a callup before he said “no” it was surprising. Usually they take a “spare” when a guy goes down.

Most of you know JB turned down the team offer. If he gets dealt, it would stink, but wouldn’t come out of nowhere. There has been a lot of buzz. Yes there is arbitration but players can hold out. If that’s where things are and IF the player wants a change of scene there are plenty of teams that seem interested.

Yeah, when LaLonde didn’t even blink after being asked about a callup before he said “no” it was surprising. Usually they take a “spare” when a guy goes down.

Most of you know JB turned down the team offer. If he gets dealt, it would stink, but wouldn’t come out of nowhere. There has been a lot of buzz. Yes there is arbitration but players can hold out. If that’s where things are and IF the player wants a change of scene there are plenty of teams that seem interested.
- Jeremy Laura

He’s going to the blues in the yearly Yzerman/armstrong trade. Will involve buch. Berggren will become for the blues what Walman has become for us.

He’s going to the blues in the yearly Yzerman/armstrong trade. Will involve buch. Berggren will become for the blues what Walman has become for us.
- DRW1991

I really think if there was skilled “big” talent Berggren could share a line with he’d be up. Instead he was relegated when Kostin came in and K2 didn’t produce. The FLA game was a rough reminder that there are still teams that can steam roll and score. It isn’t fun losing a guy that can produce and play in the league but something went sour.

On the other side, I think Bert may regret turning down Detroit’s offer last year. The market wasn’t what he’d hoped and I don’t think Toronto has been a lot of fun for him.

And here comes the test: who steps into the breach and clears the way? Who takes the reins and leads by example? Losing Larkin sucks, no doubt. But there are 22 other guys who need to (g)ut-up and play their collective butts off.

If we know JB ain't gonna sign, deal him for a young, heavy-hitting D-dude that brings the heat and can contribute to the score-board. I don't want to lose him, but FLA clearly exposed the weakness that we've known was there all along; we need some heavy pipe-hitters to toughen up the team. Not sure who (we're not getting Hanafin, he wants TBL so everyone else is outta the running), and we do have some kids getting ready to make an impact.

So, on whom can we rely? The Cat can play more defensively. Kane's a silent leader, shows his leadership on-ice. Mo Sides is THE defensive leader (even the myriad pod casts I listen to say he's one of the top d-dudes in the league), may need to speak more. Perron. Maatta (look, he's a very reliable guy for this team). Compher. We have the guys to LEAD. We don't have the offensive out-put, however.

This is about depth. We're deep, for sure. Let's see how this plays out....

And here comes the test: who steps into the breach and clears the way? Who takes the reins and leads by example? Losing Larkin sucks, no doubt. But there are 22 other guys who need to (g)ut-up and play their collective butts off.

If we know JB ain't gonna sign, deal him for a young, heavy-hitting D-dude that brings the heat and can contribute to the score-board. I don't want to lose him, but FLA clearly exposed the weakness that we've known was there all along; we need some heavy pipe-hitters to toughen up the team. Not sure who (we're not getting Hanafin, he wants TBL so everyone else is outta the running), and we do have some kids getting ready to make an impact.

So, on whom can we rely? The Cat can play more defensively. Kane's a silent leader, shows his leadership on-ice. Mo Sides is THE defensive leader (even the myriad pod casts I listen to say he's one of the top d-dudes in the league), may need to speak more. Perron. Maatta (look, he's a very reliable guy for this team). Compher. We have the guys to LEAD. We don't have the offensive out-put, however.

This is about depth. We're deep, for sure. Let's see how this plays out....
- mcmastermike1968

I’ve heard (never seen first hand) Perron is really good in the room. Kane has matured a lot and seems like he could step in. Mo is more “coveted” than I thought. He’s getting a lot of love, also “criticized” by some for playing 25+ minutes (ummmm, isn’t that what you want from top D?). Man I wish we had someone like Hyman or Reinhart. A friend told me he’d heard (I can’t confirm so not official “rumor” for me) that Toronto was looking to make a potential d man deal w Detroit. Seems unlikely in the chase but curious to see if that’s being discussed and what the pieces are.

Another coach gone. What’s the over/under on vacancies after the season?

I’ve heard (never seen first hand) Perron is really good in the room. Kane has matured a lot and seems like he could step in. Mo is more “coveted” than I thought. He’s getting a lot of love, also “criticized” by some for playing 25+ minutes (ummmm, isn’t that what you want from top D?). Man I wish we had someone like Hyman or Reinhart. A friend told me he’d heard (I can’t confirm so not official “rumor” for me) that Toronto was looking to make a potential d man deal w Detroit. Seems unlikely in the chase but curious to see if that’s being discussed and what the pieces are.
- Jeremy Laura

Holl

Holl
- HenryHockey

Could you imagine being able to undo that commitment? I feel like a horrible person saying that. It’s a human being. Just a contract that would be nice to be free of.

I could never GM. You have to break that line and humans are “assets”. I just don’t have the stomach for it. You get hooked on the person as a fan, and you watch a person have to leave their family and spend months crashing at someone else’s place or in a hotel. When you see a huge athlete in tears because they can’t see their kids it’s a gut punch.

Holl
- HenryHockey

I'd agree, right off the bat. However, I'm wondering if Ghost is available instead.... There are several folks I'd not mind seeing traded, but we kinda have a middle-of-the-road RHD in Holl. I'd rather keep Ghost. Peach's Kid is a RHD.... Friedman & Marek seem to think Holl's the main D-dude being shopped. They also alluded to trying to clear out cap space going into the summer,most-likely to get Mo 8x8.5m+ (My guess...) and Rayzor his 5x6m+ (same, my guess...).

The suspense is KILLING me!!!

Could you imagine being able to undo that commitment? I feel like a horrible person saying that. It’s a human being. Just a contract that would be nice to be free of.

I could never GM. You have to break that line and humans are “assets”. I just don’t have the stomach for it. You get hooked on the person as a fan, and you watch a person have to leave their family and spend months crashing at someone else’s place or in a hotel. When you see a huge athlete in tears because they can’t see their kids it’s a gut punch.
- Jeremy Laura

I can tell you (as can Blue and a few others...) being away from Family is simply THE single-most devastating thing to experience. It's horrible. Watching Larkin try to keep from breaking down when Little Bert was traded....I turned the TV off. And ypu're spot-on, Jeremy; these are PEOPLE. Any move is so very hard when a Family is separated.

These guys know it's a business. Just like finding a new job....but without having a say in it. I trust what The Captain's doing. Some moves are harder to accept than others (Holl, prime example), but if he could ve flipped for a 3d, I'd do cheetah-flips.....

I can tell you (as can Blue and a few others...) being away from Family is simply THE single-most devastating thing to experience. It's horrible. Watching Larkin try to keep from breaking down when Little Bert was traded....I turned the TV off. And ypu're spot-on, Jeremy; these are PEOPLE. Any move is so very hard when a Family is separated.

These guys know it's a business. Just like finding a new job....but without having a say in it. I trust what The Captain's doing. Some moves are harder to accept than others (Holl, prime example), but if he could ve flipped for a 3d, I'd do cheetah-flips.....
- mcmastermike1968

I watched some documentaries on musicians, athletes, etc. B.B. King holds the touring record for doing 365 days in a year. Went through marriages, broke himself night in and night out. Was almost 50 when he really hit mainstream. U2 actually boosted him in a huge way. But looking at that life, my God that’s an insane schedule. And to do it for so long before the “big break”. I knew one hockey player who owned 3 homes because they’d been with several teams in a short time period. They tried to keep the family with them, but it got insane to try and sell off real estate and have some sort of normalcy. It was an eye opener. The price tag is a lot higher than I ever thought to chase that dream and it ends in a second for many (if not most). Just, gone.

For the contract, absolutely. There are a couple that I would be glad to see moved and hoping that some forwards in the pipeline are at camp ready to grab a spot. Would really like to see Sprong extended too.

I'd agree, right off the bat. However, I'm wondering if Ghost is available instead.... There are several folks I'd not mind seeing traded, but we kinda have a middle-of-the-road RHD in Holl. I'd rather keep Ghost. Peach's Kid is a RHD.... Friedman & Marek seem to think Holl's the main D-dude being shopped. They also alluded to trying to clear out cap space going into the summer,most-likely to get Mo 8x8.5m+ (My guess...) and Rayzor his 5x6m+ (same, my guess...).

The suspense is KILLING me!!!
- mcmastermike1968

Yeah, Raymond upped his dollars a little but I think we all assumed Seider was going to get paid. I really enjoy watching him play the game. He looks lean but man he get in the thick of it. Already doing some of the “little things” that just belie his age.

I like Ghost. I’d like to see him stay. Haven’t heard anything specific but you assume someone has at least asked. Having Dmen and a power play guy in the stable is pretty valuable for those deep runs. Really curious and would love to be a fly on the wall for those trade talks and the morning staff meetings.

I'd agree, right off the bat. However, I'm wondering if Ghost is available instead.... There are several folks I'd not mind seeing traded, but we kinda have a middle-of-the-road RHD in Holl. I'd rather keep Ghost. Peach's Kid is a RHD.... Friedman & Marek seem to think Holl's the main D-dude being shopped. They also alluded to trying to clear out cap space going into the summer,most-likely to get Mo 8x8.5m+ (My guess...) and Rayzor his 5x6m+ (same, my guess...).

The suspense is KILLING me!!!
- mcmastermike1968

As much as Gostisbehere fits the typical Toronto D profile as more of a puck mover, I would have to think they are only focused on RHD at this point which would mean Holl or Petry.

As much as Gostisbehere fits the typical Toronto D profile as more of a puck mover, I would have to think they are only focused on RHD at this point which would mean Holl or Petry.
- Diller

It's definitely interesting though because I don't think a Holl reunion would be well-received by their fanbase or media

There's no way Holl would ever go back to Toronto. Whether it's deserved or not I'm not sure... but most Leaf fans would not ever want him back.

There's no way Holl would ever go back to Toronto. Whether it's deserved or not I'm not sure... but most Leaf fans would not ever want him back.
- Vladdie_Kon1

Stranger things have happened, but I’m with you; Holl to Tronno’s a non-starter. Heck, we’re going to have to either retain 50% or add Berggren (if not both) just get someone to take Holl. The more I’m reading notes & rumors, the more I think Ghost which sucks offensively. I really like Peach’s Kid, but he may be another one (who wants a 36y/o d-dude without a sweetener??).

Everything I’ve seen & heard indicates getting rid of salary, which surely portends to Mo & Rayzor re-signing….

I can tell you (as can Blue and a few others...) being away from Family is simply THE single-most devastating thing to experience. It's horrible. Watching Larkin try to keep from breaking down when Little Bert was traded....I turned the TV off. And ypu're spot-on, Jeremy; these are PEOPLE. Any move is so very hard when a Family is separated.

These guys know it's a business. Just like finding a new job....but without having a say in it. I trust what The Captain's doing. Some moves are harder to accept than others (Holl, prime example), but if he could ve flipped for a 3d, I'd do cheetah-flips.....
- mcmastermike1968

I agree Mike. Professional athletes are disposable assets, just like we were. Teams will get what they can from them, while they can, and when they've served their useful purpose, they're shown the door. This is most prevalent in the NFL due to the short careers, and teams don't, and can't, care about what happens to them after they're gone. It's why the VA is such a disaster. The primary focus has to be on the current fighting force. They have the VA because they kind of have to, but it's at the bottom of the priority list for the DOD.

It's easy for fans to remove the humanity from the players. At some point, you realize that as people, our value to our employers is about the same as the hole that's left after pulling our finger out of a glass of water. I spent two full years trying to get the job I wanted in the service. Then I busted my butt for another 10 trying to keep and perfect my job, while putting my job first over my family. When it was time to retire, it was just "bye" and someone else was there to take my job. The train rolls on and that's how it has to be.

As players get older, they recognize this, but it's still very hard. There are players on the team I'm not a fan of, or players who aren't a good fit, or the game has mostly passed them by, but I recognize that they know this too and it probably eats away at them every day. I also recognize that not all players are signed for their on-ice performance. There are dudes who are really good at working with younger players. There are dudes who are great at building a good locker room and that's what I always try to keep in mind. I don't think Yzerman signed Holl because he was going to escalate the team to the next level, I suspect he signed him for reasons we'll probably never know, but I guarantee Holl knows what a lot of the fans think of him.

I agree Mike. Professional athletes are disposable assets, just like we were. Teams will get what they can from them, while they can, and when they've served their useful purpose, they're shown the door. This is most prevalent in the NFL due to the short careers, and teams don't, and can't, care about what happens to them after they're gone. It's why the VA is such a disaster. The primary focus has to be on the current fighting force. They have the VA because they kind of have to, but it's at the bottom of the priority list for the DOD.

It's easy for fans to remove the humanity from the players. At some point, you realize that as people, our value to our employers is about the same as the hole that's left after pulling our finger out of a glass of water. I spent two full years trying to get the job I wanted in the service. Then I busted my butt for another 10 trying to keep and perfect my job, while putting my job first over my family. When it was time to retire, it was just "bye" and someone else was there to take my job. The train rolls on and that's how it has to be.

As players get older, they recognize this, but it's still very hard. There are players on the team I'm not a fan of, or players who aren't a good fit, or the game has mostly passed them by, but I recognize that they know this too and it probably eats away at them every day. I also recognize that not all players are signed for their on-ice performance. There are dudes who are really good at working with younger players. There are dudes who are great at building a good locker room and that's what I always try to keep in mind. I don't think Yzerman signed Holl because he was going to escalate the team to the next level, I suspect he signed him for reasons we'll probably never know, but I guarantee Holl knows what a lot of the fans think of him.
- bluelineenforcer

Very true statement, my friend. And that's sad. I could rant forever about society being about instant gratification, etc... but I'd be wasting my battery-life :| The "What have you done for me, lately?" mentality..... But, I will say that the change in the team is palpable. They just seems to support each other so much more than before, seems a tighter team than in seasons past. And it shows on-ice as well. Now, there's still a ways to go, but.....

Building culture, as you well know, isn't easy. And add in the pressure of a traditionally winning team and demanding fan-base...I'd say The Captain's done more, WAY more, than just add guys who can score. When Holl's played, he's been right there with his teammates, physical when needed,doing & saying the right things. Just hasn't worked out. That happens. I don't dislike the guy, everyone swings n misses every now n then. But, yeah...we're all replaceable, I reckon. But the culture we leave behind helps define us, pro athletes as well.....