Follow me on Twitter Follow @TheJeremyLaura
The state of the team From GM Steve Yzerman along with Blashill’s concerns about a long layoff for the players were the topic on my previous post. Since then, there have been speculations that the next season could start as late as January. That would be a near 11 month layoff for the unlucky 7, and regardless of player experience, that feels like far too long. If that is the case, expect several from Detroit, Buffalo, New Jersey, Ottawa, San Jose, L.A. and Anaheim to look at overseas playing, if only for the first part of the season. The last lockout saw some interesting destinations, including Scotland for Drew Miller.
While the state of the playoffs as well as beginning next season remain in flux, there is still going to be a draft at some point. Once the playoffs are over, the league will do some version of the event (whether full blown, virtual or somewhere in between) and Detroit will have a brand spanking new prospect guaranteed to be in the first four selections. I’d asked you all to come up with your scenarios and have marked down your picks. Here is some video scouting for what you’ve all come up with.
There is solidarity concerning Alexis Lafreniere as the first overall. If Detroit selects first (and doesn’t trade the pick as some readers pondered) the player described as “franchise changing… and even “sizzling… by the media outlets is sure to be hailed as the saving grace this franchise desperately needs. Comparisons to Sidney Crosby are not doled out lightly, and yet they exist here. I personally feel that Yzerman would never trade down and would gladly welcome the 6’1… left wing phenom into the fold.