Jeremy Laura: The final stretch - Detroit winding down a character building season

A ton of improvement this year, can't wait to see some of the new young guys next year.

Would love to see them target Hamilton in free agency and somehow find a true goal scorer.

Also, with Ovi dinged up still. There is a chance that Washington pick could be a top 20 pick.

A ton of improvement this year, can't wait to see some of the new young guys next year.

Would love to see them target Hamilton in free agency and somehow find a true goal scorer.

Also, with Ovi dinged up still. There is a chance that Washington pick could be a top 20 pick.
- DRW1991

I’d love Hamilton. I think he will get paid (probably outside what Yzerman wants to spend, but you never know). I really wouldn’t mind getting Merrill back. Yeah, I’d love a top left side D, but i have no problem at all with 2 right shot D on a line. We’ve had a ton of lefty only lines!

I’d love Hamilton. I think he will get paid (probably outside what Yzerman wants to spend, but you never know). I really wouldn’t mind getting Merrill back. Yeah, I’d love a top left side D, but i have no problem at all with 2 right shot D on a line. We’ve had a ton of lefty only lines!
- Jeremy Laura

Hands off, Laura.

Hands off, Laura.
- BINGO!

I don’t blame you there. If the money is right I’m sure he’ll stay. Way closer to winning and a ton of top talent

I don’t blame you there. If the money is right I’m sure he’ll stay. Way closer to winning and a ton of top talent
- Jeremy Laura

he keeps saying he wants to stay, and ownership keeps saying they want to keep him, so with Hamilton and Svechnikov up for new contracts it's time for Tom Dundon to put his money where his mouth is.

he keeps saying he wants to stay, and ownership keeps saying they want to keep him, so with Hamilton and Svechnikov up for new contracts it's time for Tom Dundon to put his money where his mouth is.
- BINGO!

TD is learning some hard lessons. His approach with Aho didn’t do him any favors. Between those deals and Brind’amour it’s going to get expensive, but worth doing right.

TD is learning some hard lessons. His approach with Aho didn’t do him any favors. Between those deals and Brind’amour it’s going to get expensive, but worth doing right.
- Jeremy Laura

I don't think he was expecting Brind'amour to hold out on a contract to make sure that all the support staff got deals too.

He talked about hiring Rod because he wanted the job but didn't need the paycheque. Well, he still doesn't, and now he's a Jack Adams candidate and he has a ton of leverage. Double edged sword.

EDIT:

And just like that, Friedman reports that Brind'amour has a verbal agreement in place to stay on as Canes coach. And they're working on extensions for the rest of the staff before they put pen to paper.

I’d love Hamilton. I think he will get paid (probably outside what Yzerman wants to spend, but you never know). I really wouldn’t mind getting Merrill back. Yeah, I’d love a top left side D, but i have no problem at all with 2 right shot D on a line. We’ve had a ton of lefty only lines!
- Jeremy Laura

Would enjoy seeing Dougie pull into LCA and take his place amongst the stars, but his asking price will be astronomical. Now, we MIGHT have the $$$ to do that, but then we'd have to convince the player that Detroit is the place to be. Given the improvement this year v last, could be a bit of an easier sell, but the "super-stars" wants cups/rings, not waiting for 2-3 years to sniff the play-offs. So, with that all considered, I'd say Dougie's not in our future.

Would LOVE to see Merrill back as well. He was pretty solid. Even if it's for a year or 2, that bides time between now and when we can start expecting SCPO runs, and the "kids" get settled in and hitting their stride. In the interim, guys like Merrill are a very asset to have on the back-end!!

I don't think he was expecting Brind'amour to hold out on a contract to make sure that all the support staff got deals too.

He talked about hiring Rod because he wanted the job but didn't need the paycheque. Well, he still doesn't, and now he's a Jack Adams candidate and he has a ton of leverage. Double edged sword.

EDIT:

And just like that, Friedman reports that Brind'amour has a verbal agreement in place to stay on as Canes coach. And they're working on extensions for the rest of the staff before they put pen to paper.
- BINGO!

Not surprised, never thought he'd go anywhere else. Raleigh is his home....

Would enjoy seeing Dougie pull into LCA and take his place amongst the stars, but his asking price will be astronomical. Now, we MIGHT have the $$$ to do that, but then we'd have to convince the player that Detroit is the place to be. Given the improvement this year v last, could be a bit of an easier sell, but the "super-stars" wants cups/rings, not waiting for 2-3 years to sniff the play-offs. So, with that all considered, I'd say Dougie's not in our future.

Would LOVE to see Merrill back as well. He was pretty solid. Even if it's for a year or 2, that bides time between now and when we can start expecting SCPO runs, and the "kids" get settled in and hitting their stride. In the interim, guys like Merrill are a very asset to have on the back-end!!
- mcmastermike1968

Yeah, not yet time to throw down big UFA $$$ Hamilton could probably write his own deal in a thin market. Agree on Merrill. He just really settled things down in the d zone.

What will be most interesting is how Stevie approaches UFAs this summer. Does he keep handing out 1-yr deals for guys like Goligoski or Vatanen who he can flip at the deadline or does he start to sign guys who will demand term like Barrie or Adam Larsson, Montour, etc..