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Wings bounce back vs Isles
It’s a good time to try a little more catch up. I’ve gone on, ad nauseum, about my transitioning from the blog while a replacement is being worked on. In gratitude to Eric, Ek, and all of you I’m doing the very best I can to try and at least let the Wings blog stay somewhat relevant.
I hate not being able to watch the games. This year, more often than not, it seems like something good is happening. The kids are still clicking. Raymond has 28 points in 31 games. Seider has 21 points in 31 games. These rookies are just awesome to watch. Seider’s assist on Bertuzzi’s first tally last night was just a treat to watch on the playback. Intercepts the puck in the neutral zone, holds the line for an onside tag, skates in and slips a backhand pass through a defender’s skates. Good grief kid.
The top line is doing what you want to see. Larkin, Bertuzzi and Raymond are the goals and overall points leaders. 37 goals and 78 points before the halfway point. I’d “predicted” (guessed is a better term, hoped maybe even more appropriate) that the top line would hit 70 goals. That was with Vrana. They have 51 games to get 33 more and the pace is good. Seider sneaks on the leader board as tied for most assists. With Raymond. Boy the rookies just keep popping up.
The inspiration for this catch up post, however, is Dylan Larkin. One of my favorite board guys, Gergeswillems, had an old quote about Malkin. “Malkin wants to be the man” was on his profile. The quote came from a bit of speculation regarding Malkin wanting the reins in Pitt (brought up on a Hockeybuzz youtube ep). Larkin, for sure, wants to be the man in Detroit. He’s been given the “C”, but continues to strive to show that he deserves it. Now at 15 goals and 29 points in 27 games played. He had his first career hat trick. Yes, one of the goals was an empty net but not in the traditional sense… his speed and dogged determination was the key ingredient for all 3 tallies. Beats the goalie to a rebound, fresh off the bench skates in hard for number 2. The third goal, he makes a “magnetic puck” grab with a spin move in the neutral zone and blasts down the ice. I wish I’d been there, or able to see it live as it happened. You can watch all three goals up top.
So, Larkin’s three game goal streak has him with 5 goals and 2 assists. I’d written last time that I believe in the captain as a top center. That point will be argued fervently. I feel that if we can find another center near or at his capabilities the center position would be incredibly strong. His back check and work ethic for these lean years continues to impress. I believe he’s been shackled trying to carry the team, but this year has more support. Keep in mind, it’s just my opinion. And possibly one of the least missed things about me when the shift is finally complete! I’m often wrong, but I’ll at least try to be honest about how I feel.
As the season nears the halfway mark, Detroit is still in the playoff picture. What a huge improvement. Yzerman has really given the fans and players a lot to celebrate. Raymond has played 55 fewer games than first overall pick Lafreniere and only 1 less point. (Lafreniere has 18 goals and 11 assists in 86 games). He has 16 fewer points than Stutzle in 50 fewer games. 7 fewer goals (Stutzle has 17 goals in 81 games played). That’s not bad at all. The rookie is 3rd overall in points from that first round of 2020, and this is his first NHL season. 28 points for Raymond, 29 for Lafreniere (86 games) 44 points for Stutzle (81 games). A 3 spot fall turned out pretty good.
I hope all of you are getting a chance to celebrate and enjoy this turn around. If you would have told me by year 3 that Yzerman’s first two first round picks would be on the roster and leading in point categories, I would have wrongly disagreed. If AZ is really serious about moving Chycrun, shy of those 2 rookies and a first round pick (I’d keep Larkin too), I’d open the rest of the roster. Chycrun on a line with Seider, dream come true.
My Christmas wish trade is still Boeser. A scenario with he and OEL coming to Detroit wouldn’t be a bad thing. Probably won’t happen, but it’s a good time of the year for wishes. Speaking of, if you’re as much of a sap as I am, my Christmas wish for all of you is a better 2022. You’ve all been an enormous blessing in my life, and I pray that some of that would be returned to you.
Some of my previous posts:
Wings bounce back vs Isles
AHL journeyman embarrasses Wings
streak stopped by Preds
The Winged Wheel season 3 ep 5 
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