If you’re a Red Wings fan, and the world knows it, you may have been inundated with questions and input after Yzerman’s tenure defining deal on Monday. As big a deal as it is for those of us who continue to follow the team, it seems to have awakened a whole new era of interest in the rebuilding team. I hope some of you got to enjoy top spot at the water cooler as you gave input and reflection about a club that the hockey universe had brushed aside for a while. Yzerman has made the team exciting by having the biggest and most talked about trade of the deadline this year.
Mantha didn’t have much time to think about his new life. He was taking his pre game nap when the trade happened. He woke up to a text from Yzerman saying, “call me”. My God what a whirlwind. Car service from Carolina to Washington, on the ice the next night and scoring a goal and an assist. Going wide eyed into a locker room full of Stanley Cup winners who expect to compete again. The greatest scorer of a generation (and possibly top 2 ever) welcomes you. You’re looking at Ovechkin, only 5 people in history have scored more goals in the NHL, and only 1 has more power play goals. No time for butterflies, just get out there and play.
Vrana (and Panik) have had a couple days for this to sink in. If you watched Jakub’s morning presser, he looks like he’s had the wind knocked out of him. Just three days ago he was getting ready for a Stanley Cup run. He’s on a team that is the best in a good division, and he’s already got his name on Lord Stanley’s cup. When guys are so young winning their first, the second gets far more special. All of that went away. Now, he’s in a new city (probably in a hotel room) on a team that won’t sniff the post season for a few years (probably). Thank God a teammate came with him to help with the transition. He’ll probably be playing snow golf at some point (it happens, even in April and May sometimes). Vrana doesn’t have a contract for next year. He’s an RFA coming off a down year with 12 games where he wants to try and prove that he’s worthy of dollar and term. Life took a huge turn in almost every possible way.
I do hope Vrana (and Panik) have a solid game tonight. Unfortunately, Chicago has made mincemeat of Detroit several times already. I never would have believed that Detroit would be leading the season series against Carolina but being dominated by Chicago this year. A goal or an assist for Vrana/Panik could go a long way to easing some of the pain o the new reality. Both will be watching the playoffs with a bittersweet disposition, and that has to stink.
So, for fun (and because my medical issues shut me down again) I downloaded the new roster from EA sports and ran a simulation of tonight’s game. The game put Vrana and Panik on a line with Rasmussen, and moved Svechnikov onto the Larkin line. This is interesting. When Yzerman first came to Detroit, he made no secret of not being “impressed” with Rasmussen. Due to the big center’s work ethic, he completely flipped the script. Yzerman mentioned Rasmussen multiple times on the press conference as someone he wants to bring in supporting players for. A line with Vrana makes sense, so kudos to the EA sports guys.
The game was a 4-3 win of Chicago with Panik scoring (Vrana assists) and Svechnikov getting a hat trick. Ok, that’s not likely, but what do you do? Svechnikov has shown impressive jump this year, and may well get a shot at some top minutes. Part of me would like to see a “Czech” line with Vrana, Panik and Zadina. Zadina and Vrana are both speedy (Zadina’s been all over this year) and could make a very nice 2 on 1 rush.
I don’t expect Detroit to win this one, but I do expect to see a lot of jump and energy. Let me know what you’ll be looking for. And, in your mind, what kind of offer should Yzerman table for Vrana at this point? A one year prove it? A 5 year 3.75-4.25? Let me know in the comments.
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