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Petr Klima passed away. He was on the Detroit squad from 90-95 then in the 98-99 season. But, in 1990 he scored a triple OT game winner that eventually led to Edmonton’s hoisting of the cup, a moment that I’m sure fans are playing through blurry eyes up north. Basically just missed a cup on both sides in Detroit, but a remind of another roster name on some very good Detroit squads before they broke through. Sad news and thought it bore a mention.
Bally Sports update - AZ Diamondbacks and Phoenix suns want out of current deal. Bally opened lawsuit. Bally was defaulting on MLB deals and ordered to pay 50% in at least one case. If Coyotes had more of a solid landscape, would probably join other AZ franchises in heading out the door
Well, on Sunday we will find out where Detroit will pick in the first round and how many times. (NYI pick is top 10 protected). If Detroit isn’t knocked back a spot or two, it will be a #9 pick or as far back as 11 if history continues to repeat itself.
For now, today is a focus on who is still on the squad along with a possible “guess… on fillers if needed. With camp in September and Edvinsson’s recovery estimated in the 4 to 6 month range, I’ll gamble on this one and predict him as available. The good news is that shoulder surgery has come a long way and younger players tend to heal up quicker with the right regimen and strict adherence. Maybe put him in a confined space so he doesn’t try out the shoulder too soon. Not “Silence of the Lambs… confined but maybe an ankle tether and a nanny cam.
At Center position we have: Dylan Larkin, Andrew Copp, Marco Kasper, Austin Czarnik, Jonatan Berggren and Michael Rasmussen (to be fair, Berggren isn’t listed as a center but has played the position)
Left shot wingers: Robby Fabbri, Dominik Kubalik, Filip Zadina, Elmer Soderblom (currently listed in GR),
Right shot Wingers: David Perron, Lucas Raymond, Carter Mazur (listed in GR)
Left shot Defense: Ben Chiarot, Olli Maata, Jake Walman,
Right shot Defense: Moritz Seider
Goalies: Ville Husso, Sebastian Cossa
RFAs: Joe Veleno, Matt Luff, Gustav Lindstrom, Pontus Andreasson, Jasper Weatherby, Seth Barton, Wyatt Newpower, Jared McIsaac
UFAs: Pius Suter, Adam Erne, Alex Chiasson, Jordan Oesterle, Robert Hagg, Magnus Hellberg, Mark Pysyk, Alex Nedeljkovic, (GR) Chase Pearson, Danny O’Reagan, Dylan McLaughlin, Viktor Brattstrom
Estimated cap space: $30,633,611
Ok, I’ve said this before and I’ll own it again. I feel like one of Berggren, Veleno or Zadina will have a new home at some point next season. I’d said the same about Svech and Ras and big MR made himself valuable to the team in a depth role as Svech found his way to WPG via free agency and then SJ. Salt of the earth, wish there were more people like him in many ways.
All that said, it felt like the “core age… of the team was lowered as Bertuzzi and Hronek were traded this year. It also took a lot out of the team as a whole. Those guys were well liked as far as I’ve ever heard. Vrana’s departure is convoluted with conjecture and sources enough that you simply have to say “he’s gone… at this point.
So, here’s where I’ll “guess… at. With the current lineup, Larkin centers the top line with Raymond and Perron. I know that’s 2 right shots up there but I like the creativity.
Perron-Larkin-Raymond Fabbri-Copp-Zadina Soderblom-Rasmussen-Kubalik Berggren-Czarnik-Mazur (to start the year, see if he can hang)
This changes if Veleno is extended. Then I’d put him in Mazur’s spot and send CM to GR to start off. The only other 2 RFAs that seem to be NHL considerable are Luff and Lindstrom. If that happens and Berggren is moved, have Veleno, Czarnik and Luff as possible 4th line.
Defense: Walman-Seider Chiarot-UFA to be named Edvinsson- Maata (assuming the minutes are enough to warrant keeping Edvinsson up)
Leave Husso at starter and let Cossa see how he does or see if he needs more time in the minors.
I did have some fun back and forth with Feds91Stammer on this. He gave this suggested list for defense. However, this was pre surgery. Full slack given for none of us really knowing where and when Edvinsson will be available:
Walman-Seider Edvinsson-Maata Chiarot-Shattenkirk
I give full marks to thoughts on getting Shattenkirk to Detroit. I liked him in the original trade to St. Louis that saw Eric Johnson go the other way. He’s definitely got some miles but he’s got some of that Perron like creativity to get open and a good shot that’s tippable. Not Rafalski, but very good. Thanks Feds!
For the rest of you, lay it out! Where is the money best spent? I would love to see Killorn, Shattenkirk, maybe Bertuzzi shows up on Yzerman’s lawn with a boombox in the rain playing “In Your Eyes…? If so, I pray that there’s a ring-ring camera working. Give me your lineups and we’ll do it all over again after free agency and the draft!