Jeremy Laura: One strong period not enough for Wings to beat Penguins

The tank continues.

The tank continues.
- RafiDRW

Tanks for the memories?

there is a lot of talent on the team and injuries are taking a toll. but i still cannot understand why there are not better #s in the win column. The coach has been there 5 years. is that too long? they do not seem to have quit on him. but the goals for #s are down significantly. is that just bad luck?

Abdelkader-no goals, perlinni-no goals, erne-no goals,nielsen-no goals, filppula has 3 goals and a -27, athanasiou has 5 goals and a -33, mike green has 1 goal in 23 games?? Bertuzzi's shooting percentage is 16.4% and fabbri is 20%. i just dont think thats sustainable. someone else needs to step up.

there is a lot of talent on the team and injuries are taking a toll. but i still cannot understand why there are not better #s in the win column. The coach has been there 5 years. is that too long? they do not seem to have quit on him. but the goals for #s are down significantly. is that just bad luck?

Abdelkader-no goals, perlinni-no goals, erne-no goals,nielsen-no goals, filppula has 3 goals and a -27, athanasiou has 5 goals and a -33, mike green has 1 goal in 23 games?? Bertuzzi's shooting percentage is 16.4% and fabbri is 20%. i just dont think thats sustainable. someone else needs to step up.
- i'mjustafan

In part, look at goals against. When you’re giving up 4 per game it’s tough to get momentum. This team needs a goalie to bail them out and they don’t have that right now. Just a lot of time spent in their own zone kills the forecheck and momentum

there is a lot of talent on the team and injuries are taking a toll. but i still cannot understand why there are not better #s in the win column. The coach has been there 5 years. is that too long? they do not seem to have quit on him. but the goals for #s are down significantly. is that just bad luck?

Abdelkader-no goals, perlinni-no goals, erne-no goals,nielsen-no goals, filppula has 3 goals and a -27, athanasiou has 5 goals and a -33, mike green has 1 goal in 23 games?? Bertuzzi's shooting percentage is 16.4% and fabbri is 20%. i just dont think thats sustainable. someone else needs to step up.
- i'mjustafan

That is part of the problem...they don't have a lot of talent. They lack a true #2 offensive center for a 2nd line, the defense is bad with Hronek being the best and only bright spot so far, their goalies are average to below average on most nights and the coaching strategies and line combos are simply horrible. Add all these things up and you get the poop show we have now.

Yzerman knew this season was going to be trash which is why they are/were trying to keep a lot of the top prospects in the AHL and probably the main reason Blashill hasn't been fired already. Wings need a Lafreniere or Byfield from this draft but that still won't fill all the holes they have. I expect them to be a bit better next season once they start bringing in some of those top prospects full time, get rid of some of the vets that are dead weight and hire a coach that has a clue on how to best use what he has (putting players in the best situation to succeed) and puts in place a system that makes sense.

That is part of the problem...they don't have a lot of talent. They lack a true #2 offensive center for a 2nd line, the defense is bad with Hronek being the best and only bright spot so far, their goalies are average to below average on most nights and the coaching strategies and line combos are simply horrible. Add all these things up and you get the poop show we have now.

Yzerman knew this season was going to be trash which is why they are/were trying to keep a lot of the top prospects in the AHL and probably the main reason Blashill hasn't been fired already. Wings need a Lafreniere or Byfield from this draft but that still won't fill all the holes they have. I expect them to be a bit better next season once they start bringing in some of those top prospects full time, get rid of some of the vets that are dead weight and hire a coach that has a clue on how to best use what he has (putting players in the best situation to succeed) and puts in place a system that makes sense.
- dcz28

A lot of issues for sure. I do believe Veleno will get there as a center but still a while out. Berggren shows some promise as well. If he stays, Rasmussen is a good 3rd line option. Daley, Green, Ericsson all done this year

A lot of issues for sure. I do believe Veleno will get there as a center but still a while out. Berggren shows some promise as well. If he stays, Rasmussen is a good 3rd line option. Daley, Green, Ericsson all done this year
- Jeremy Laura

Yeah Veleno might need another season in the AHL based on how this one is going so far. It doesn't look like the Wings will have that 2nd line center for next season unless they draft Byfield or another center and they are NHL ready right away. Yzerman could always make a trade for one or sign one if they don't draft one. Not sure i want another season of Filppula as the 2nd line center especially if the Wings end up drafting Laferiere.

Defense will likely improve as those 3 vets leave and some of the kids get better. They can't really be much worst as those vets get worst every year. Yzerman could also sign someone to give some of the prospects more time like a Torrey Krug or something which would also fit the age group of Larkin, Mantha and company.


Goalie well i think there will be lots of options to sign someone to replace Howard and challenge Bernier for the starter role.

Yeah Veleno might need another season in the AHL based on how this one is going so far. It doesn't look like the Wings will have that 2nd line center for next season unless they draft Byfield or another center and they are NHL ready right away. Yzerman could always make a trade for one or sign one if they don't draft one. Not sure i want another season of Filppula as the 2nd line center especially if the Wings end up drafting Laferiere.

Defense will likely improve as those 3 vets leave and some of the kids get better. They can't really be much worst as those vets get worst every year. Yzerman could also sign someone to give some of the prospects more time like a Torrey Krug or something which would also fit the age group of Larkin, Mantha and company.


Goalie well i think there will be lots of options to sign someone to replace Howard and challenge Bernier for the starter role.
- dcz28

I’d love Krug. I think he’ll end up taking a discount to stay with the Bruins though. That team manages to get guys to give up $ for a chance to play together and try to win. I’m curious to see Comrie get a few games in. Jared McIsaac needs some time to be healthy but will be playing for Canada coming up here. Seider may well make the jump. Lindstrom shows flashes. I honestly thought Yzerman would bring Tyler Johnson over. He’s a bit older but could be a good fit.

Griffins just signed Eric Tangradi for the the rest of the season. He got a goal in his first game back. I'd like Detroit to give him a call-up just to see what he can do and to shake things up. He's a big, tough power forward with a very good offensive upside. This is an excellent depth signing for Grand Rapids and the Wings.

They lack a true #2 offensive center for the second line.

Honestly, Larkin is a #2 offensively.

[Tangradi is] a big, tough power forward with a very good offensive upside.

Tangradi is 30. He has no upside. Some guys are just destined to be good minor leaguers who just don't have the chops to do much in the NHL, and Tangradi is one of those guys.

Honestly, Larkin is a #2 offensively.



Tangradi is 30. He has no upside. Some guys are just destined to be good minor leaguers who just don't have the chops to do much in the NHL, and Tangradi is one of those guys.
- Sven22

I agree Tangradi isn't going to get better given his current age. But I still think he could contribute offensively on the 4th line in Detroit (or be a decent stop-gap in case of injuries). Why not give him a few games? The Wing's 4th liners are crap anyhow.. I can't recall if he's ever even gotten a call-up. I do agree he's probably destined to stay in the AHL (unless he can prove otherwise).

Honestly, Larkin is a #2 offensively.



Tangradi is 30. He has no upside. Some guys are just destined to be good minor leaguers who just don't have the chops to do much in the NHL, and Tangradi is one of those guys.
- Sven22

I disagree on Larkin as a #2. At 23 he was the Wings first 30 goal scorer in a decade. He will continue to advance and seems very impressive. Tangradi though I do agree with. He’s a stabilizing force for AHL kids. With them hitting a rough slide it was easy to see why he would be a welcome voice