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Click the link above to hear some thoughts on Pierre McGuire on Filip Zadina, Trevor Daley and Mike Green. (That portion starts at 8:30). Essentially, McGuire lays out that Zadina is a one dimensional player that could possibly score 25-30 goals per year. He compliments Zadina’s shot, and we’ve seen a bit of that on display in Detroit. His one timer from the right circle on the power plays is a really nice hit, and seems to be getting stronger.
An interesting tidbit at around the 11:30 mark is that Trevor Daley has let management know he wouldn’t mind being dealt to a contender. The veteran defenseman has had several injuries to deal with and is in the last year of his contract. His prorated salary (with some retention) should be interesting to teams in the thick of it looking for depth. I’m not sure what value comes back, a 3rd or 4th pick and another expiring contract? Mike Green is also mentioned as a d-man who still holds value in the league. Also on an expiring contract, Green has a better shot and could provide power play depth. I’d expect a similar return, unless GMs get silly.
On the plus side, when asked about Detroit’s rebuild compared to Tampa Bay, McGuire said he thinks is only slightly behind where Tampa was when Yzerman took over there. I would debate that to a degree, but I appreciate the sentiment. Of note PM stated that Seider looks ready for “Prime Time… and the Jared McIsaac looks like he’s really close as well. Veleno could use another year in the minors (per McGuire) but the skill set is there. The part where you need to plug your ears is “And if they win the lottery...…. We need to keep that on the back burner so we can pretend not to be crushed when a team that barely misses the playoffs walks away with Lafreniere. Push those hopes deep down until they lay next to all the other shattered dreams that can only be addressed with therapy, denial, or becoming a bounty hunter.
Back to Zadina for a moment, I do take some issue with the “one dimensional… play. #11 has had some really nice moments of puck retrieval in the neutral zone and signs of a greatly improved backcheck. I don’t expect him to become a Selke candidate, but I do see a high commitment to skating and puck protection. Those, combined with his shot, will make him a valuable piece of the future.
Zadina’s two goal night against Minnesota was a strange one. However, upon his return to Grand Rapids for the weekend he scored twice and notched an assist in a 4-3 win. His first goal was that beautiful one timer. Grip it and rip it. The second was a deflection while heading toward the net. Well done on both. It seems to have instilled a sense that Zadina may well be moving on from the AHL at just 20 years old. You can read about his game here Zadina returns to Grand Rapids
Overall, there are good things happening at the base level in Detroit. I have continued concerns about injuries for Mantha. When he’s healthy, he is a force on the ice. The last injury was, certainly, a freakish one. His conditioning has been much better, and I expect a good summer out of him again. The beauty of the science of strength training is training to avoid injuries. McIsaac has also been bitten far too much by the injury bug. His brief time back shows he has the tools if he can stay healthy. Jonatan Berggren is injured and will miss the rest of his season too. Pretty much the trend throughout Detroit’s system this year.
A final note, noticeably absent from trade chatter has been Athanasiou. Early in the season and up through December it seemed a given that he was moving on. However, a difficult season performance ways as well as injuries have not been on A.A.s side. If he and his agent look to a one year “prove it… deal, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise. Bertuzzi has certainly garnered his raise that is coming. Fabbri, I hope, will fit in nicely as well. Starting 20/21 with Larkin, Bertuzzi, Mantha, Athanasiou, Fabbri and Zadina could be a decent step forward. Rasmussen and Svechnikov will have to take jobs and earn their spots. Givanni Smith seems to have come forward a great deal as well. Hirose and Kuffner will have to “prove it… in camp. And, whoever Detroit’s first pick is this summer, they could well be considered to start in the big leagues. All of a sudden, you can piece together 2 good lines, a pretty good line, and a line of expiring contracts on the forward side.
If Daley is moved, I wish him all the best. He’s given a lot for this team at a time when he’s been banged up. He’s taken young guys in who needed a place to stay, and continues to mentor as a pro who’s won it all. He’s the type of voice that will be missed if and when he moves on.
Thanks for taking some time to stop by. I hope you enjoyed these couple of updates. The race to the bottom will resume in just a couple of days. Please take some time to comment on your thoughts as trade deadline approaches.
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