Jeremy Laura: Stepping back, pre season expectations in the final stretch

Hi Jeremy,

I write a yearly article in early October about where I think the Red Wings will finish in "Inside Hockey". Obviously Kane was not part of the team then. Anyway I predicted they would not make the playoffs. Unfortunately it looks like I may be right unless things change quickly.

As far as I can see, there may be only one critical re-signing, and that would be Kane. I think he could attract other UFA's that Stevie may wish to sign. Right side defense and in goal along with 2nd line C. are the critical positions to fill. Lyon will slip back to BU or 3rd string, he is clearly over his head as a #1. Husso needs to be traded or bought out, and bring in Elvis, Kahkonen, or Ullmark. Buy out Holl or Petry and/or Kick the tires on Pesce, Tyler Myers under$3M x 2 and/or another younger RD, Broberg or Boqvist. Centers could be Henrique, Wennberg, Duchene on very short contracts, hopefully one of the yutes are ready to come up. One winger to pursue might be Necas from the Canes, he could be available if they re-sign Turbo and especially Jake.
Just suggestions, so don't get bombastic..........

From an eyeball perspective most of this season has been an improvement. Not as many blow outs and the on ice performance looks like real hockey at times, unlike the last 3-4 years. There is a ton of room for commitment, physicality and competitive improvements. What I don’t see is in game coaching adjustments as well as in season adjustments other than the defensive adjustment that led to the long winning streak. Where are the in game timeouts and the but chewings or benching? Two seasons in a row of late season collapses can not be tolerated. On paper this team has more talent than any team over the last six years and they still can’t get the job done. Look at this year’s roster compare it to three years ago and ask yourself is it the coach, the systems or the players?

Hi Jeremy,

I write a yearly article in early October about where I think the Red Wings will finish in "Inside Hockey". Obviously Kane was not part of the team then. Anyway I predicted they would not make the playoffs. Unfortunately it looks like I may be right unless things change quickly.
- Bigfrog

Yeah, I predicted the same. Hoped for forward movement but said playoffs would be “gravy”. Then the season had some fantastic moments and i was happy to look like I’d be wrong. There’s still time, but things have to turn around in a big way and other teams have to have some trouble. I tried to tap into how things felt in the early fall last night after the game. Just took a lot of reflection and ended up remembering going to training camping in summer of 2009. I got to talk to Jiri Fischer about his health and rehab. Was such a different team at the time. Long journey nearly 15 years back.

As far as I can see, there may be only one critical re-signing, and that would be Kane. I think he could attract other UFA's that Stevie may wish to sign. Right side defense and in goal along with 2nd line C. are the critical positions to fill. Lyon will slip back to BU or 3rd string, he is clearly over his head as a #1. Husso needs to be traded or bought out, and bring in Elvis, Kahkonen, or Ullmark. Buy out Holl or Petry and/or Kick the tires on Pesce, Tyler Myers under$3M x 2 and/or another younger RD, Broberg or Boqvist. Centers could be Henrique, Wennberg, Duchene on very short contracts, hopefully one of the yutes are ready to come up. One winger to pursue might be Necas from the Canes, he could be available if they re-sign Turbo and especially Jake.
Just suggestions, so don't get bombastic..........
- HenryHockey

I think Kane is really going to be up in the air. Very interested to see how Mazur, Edvinsson, Sandin-Pelikka and Kasper look after the summer. The goalie situation, man. It seems like we find the guy that will hold things down while the pipeline develops and the next season they fall off. Pesce is a fascinating name. I’m also curious to see if Chycrun is moved. Yzerman has seemed fairly non committal regarding free agents in the post TDL call. I have to think that the center position is going to be at least revisited in pre free agency meetings

From an eyeball perspective most of this season has been an improvement. Not as many blow outs and the on ice performance looks like real hockey at times, unlike the last 3-4 years. There is a ton of room for commitment, physicality and competitive improvements. What I don’t see is in game coaching adjustments as well as in season adjustments other than the defensive adjustment that led to the long winning streak. Where are the in game timeouts and the but chewings or benching? Two seasons in a row of late season collapses can not be tolerated. On paper this team has more talent than any team over the last six years and they still can’t get the job done. Look at this year’s roster compare it to three years ago and ask yourself is it the coach, the systems or the players?
- Goalie Dad

I like the point about the in game adjustment. Some coaches use timeouts incredibly well. From what we’re allowed to view of in between period talks, the coaches get a highlight reel from the video coach and then do a lightning fast recap. We can can only speculate on that part but in game it would be a boost to see the coach take more control.

This team was up 10 points on all the teams trying to catch them. By allowing other teams to catch them and for them to be playing so utterly bad is unacceptable someone has to be blamed. No nhl team with any heart pride and respect plays this way for there fanbase. People need to stop making excuses for the crap we are watching on ice. No matter what the preseason predictions were. The reality was we were 10 points up and controlled our own destiny even playing 500 hockey would have got us there. Lalonde is the worst coach in the nhl and this team just proves it

I think Kane is really going to be up in the air. Very interested to see how Mazur, Edvinsson, Sandin-Pelikka and Kasper look after the summer. The goalie situation, man. It seems like we find the guy that will hold things down while the pipeline develops and the next season they fall off. Pesce is a fascinating name. I’m also curious to see if Chycrun is moved. Yzerman has seemed fairly non committal regarding free agents in the post TDL call. I have to think that the center position is going to be at least revisited in pre free agency meetings
- Jeremy Laura

Edvinsson should be on the team next season unless he looks like crap in training camp/pre-season. ASP might need a year to adjust to N.A ice, speed of the game and physicality like many Euro players need to so i'm not counting on him being in the lineup next season.

Might as well just re-sign Ghost and give up nothing instead of wasting assets on Chychrun. They play the same way, all offense no defense. The only plus Chychrun has over Ghost is age (he has more size but doesn't use it) but he will want way more money after next season and isn't worth it. Wings need at least one solid defenseman on the right side that can also provide some physicality. This team can't have Petry or Holl playing top 4 anymore.

As for centers, i don't see Yzerman getting anyone for the top 6 unless a younger solid top 6 offensive center becomes available for a trade. I see Yzerman just waiting for Kasper or Danielson to come in instead of wasting more money on centers that really move the needle and in decline on the UFA market.

Edvinsson should be on the team next season unless he looks like crap in training camp/pre-season. ASP might need a year to adjust to N.A ice, speed of the game and physicality like many Euro players need to so i'm not counting on him being in the lineup next season.

Might as well just re-sign Ghost and give up nothing instead of wasting assets on Chychrun. They play the same way, all offense no defense. The only plus Chychrun has over Ghost is age (he has more size but doesn't use it) but he will want way more money after next season and isn't worth it. Wings need at least one solid defenseman on the right side that can also provide some physicality. This team can't have Petry or Holl playing top 4 anymore.

As for centers, i don't see Yzerman getting anyone for the top 6 unless a younger solid top 6 offensive center becomes available for a trade. I see Yzerman just waiting for Kasper or Danielson to come in instead of wasting more money on centers that really move the needle and in decline on the UFA market.
- dcz28

I hate to go “fan boy”, but Danielson and Sandin Pelikka are both players I want to see in the fall. I chatted with one guy who has always had good information and Eddy seems to be in the plans as long as he doesn’t fall off. His skating is smooth and he leans into his wrister really nicely. With. Big frame you can get that deceptive snap at an angle. I agree on a center. A top 6 would have to fall into their lap.

There are one or two college players (non Wings) one that plays for U of M that’s said he’s going to UFA. So he’s had several years to put on some weight. Interesting to see if any of those collegiate players choose Detroit. Kasper has a good shot and seems to have found some room in the second half. Good size as well. Would like to see he and Danielson push hard for a spot

Hi Jeremy,
I was listening to a local Detroit sports show today. They said something that got me thinking and was wondering what your thoughts were. They basically said that if the Wings don't make the playoffs this year that Yzerman should be on the hot seat but probably won't be because of who he is and what he did in the past as a player. That people can't look past that and will give Yzerman a pass with this team where as most other if not all other GM's would not get the same leeway. They said being in year 5 as GM this team should be further along then they are and not having these long losing streaks and getting beat like they have especially against teams like Coyotes.

I personally agree with them. From friends to people who post on sites like these or call into radio shows a lot of Wing fans want to put blame on everyone else but Yzerman. Not saying it's all his fault by any means but at some point he's has to take some responsibility for the team he's built to this point. I'll admit I liked what Yzerman did to try to start to build the team back up with getting a ton of picks and hoping you hit on some and use some as capital but it just hasn't worked out quite as good or fast I'm sure he hoped it would. Anyway, your thoughts. Thanks

Hi Jeremy,
I was listening to a local Detroit sports show today. They said something that got me thinking and was wondering what your thoughts were. They basically said that if the Wings don't make the playoffs this year that Yzerman should be on the hot seat but probably won't be because of who he is and what he did in the past as a player. That people can't look past that and will give Yzerman a pass with this team where as most other if not all other GM's would not get the same leeway. They said being in year 5 as GM this team should be further along then they are and not having these long losing streaks and getting beat like they have especially against teams like Coyotes.

I personally agree with them. From friends to people who post on sites like these or call into radio shows a lot of Wing fans want to put blame on everyone else but Yzerman. Not saying it's all his fault by any means but at some point he's has to take some responsibility for the team he's built to this point. I'll admit I liked what Yzerman did to try to start to build the team back up with getting a ton of picks and hoping you hit on some and use some as capital but it just hasn't worked out quite as good or fast I'm sure he hoped it would. Anyway, your thoughts. Thanks
- Guins6687

Stevie is good for another season or two. This summer should be more telling then what is going on now. Lalonde probably got a 3 yr deal, if the Wings hit a 10-12 game winless skid, his seat could be very hot. But by then the damage is done. o what is to be gained by firing him? It could happen and they have Tangey or Bougner be interim coach til summer/spring. It could happen in the summer. But they are till rebuilding.......The RD after Seider is not good defensively. and the goalie situation is bad with them relying on an AHL goalie to prop them up.

I hate to go “fan boy”, but Danielson and Sandin Pelikka are both players I want to see in the fall. I chatted with one guy who has always had good information and Eddy seems to be in the plans as long as he doesn’t fall off. His skating is smooth and he leans into his wrister really nicely. With. Big frame you can get that deceptive snap at an angle. I agree on a center. A top 6 would have to fall into their lap.

There are one or two college players (non Wings) one that plays for U of M that’s said he’s going to UFA. So he’s had several years to put on some weight. Interesting to see if any of those collegiate players choose Detroit. Kasper has a good shot and seems to have found some room in the second half. Good size as well. Would like to see he and Danielson push hard for a spot
- Jeremy Laura

I like your take on Ghost, but they need someone to play 2nd pairing that is good defensively and get rid of Petry and Holl. FA's are Demelo, Matt Roy, Tyler Myers, Alex Carriere, are the ones I think are worth looking into. Ghost, if signed can play 3rd pair and be the PP specialist then.

I hate to go “fan boy”, but Danielson and Sandin Pelikka are both players I want to see in the fall. I chatted with one guy who has always had good information and Eddy seems to be in the plans as long as he doesn’t fall off. His skating is smooth and he leans into his wrister really nicely. With. Big frame you can get that deceptive snap at an angle. I agree on a center. A top 6 would have to fall into their lap.

There are one or two college players (non Wings) one that plays for U of M that’s said he’s going to UFA. So he’s had several years to put on some weight. Interesting to see if any of those collegiate players choose Detroit. Kasper has a good shot and seems to have found some room in the second half. Good size as well. Would like to see he and Danielson push hard for a spot
- Jeremy Laura

Ya need to let go of the Chychrun man-crush! He loves it in Ottawa. He may be playing the RS there, but he is better on the LS. He would have the same problem here as he has in Ottawa, plus being unhappy here because Ottawa is his home.
Danny and ASP are projected as what DC has said. Asp is unlikely to be up next season other than a cup of coffee. I suspect Danny could push for a spot, let's hope it is not over crowded......