Jeremy Laura: Andersson staying in Sweden, who will step up to take the left side?

Andersson? Albert Johansson change his name??

Andersson? Albert Johansson change his name??
- HenryHockey

Oh good grief, thanks H2. My spell check keeps changing names on me based on past posts. On it

Andersson? Albert Johansson change his name??
- HenryHockey

I fixed it everywhere but in the title before I published. Yeesh

LD, Check into Nate Schmidt, Hampus Lindholm, Ben Chariot, Yandle, Nick Leddy, These teams may have protection and /or cap problems and deals can be made along with taking one of them.
My FA LD's would be Hjalmarsson, maybe Ryan Murray, Alec Martinez, Ian Cole, Nemeth, or even Brendan Smith on a 1 x $1M deal

EDIT: I forgot to mention Vince Dunn in the 1st sentence. He would be a worthwhile add to the Wings left side and St. Louis might not wish to lose him to the Krack for nothing, then again they might make the deal with the Krack to take him.......

I fixed it everywhere but in the title before I published. Yeesh
- Jeremy Laura

Still a damn fine read!

Still a damn fine read!
- HenryHockey

Thanks brother!

LD, Check into Nate Schmidt, Hampus Lindholm, Ben Chariot, Yandle, Nick Leddy, These teams may have protection and /or cap problems and deals can be made along with taking one of them.
My FA LD's would be Hjalmarsson, maybe Ryan Murray, Alec Martinez, Ian Cole, Nemeth, or even Brendan Smith on a 1 x $1M deal
- HenryHockey

For sure some good stop gap options. Murray interesting. A few of you really like Schmidt. NJ looking hard at Risto so Murray may not be back. Who knows

Something I found humorous:
On the 1st page of the Rangers' blog I happened to jokingly mention ADA ... Then the majority of them commented on ADA and his fate for the next several pages, when Gerald Gallant was the real news! I was accused of trolling them!

Sign Oleksiak for a couple of seasons until some prospects are ready to challenge for spots. He is #1 on my list of LD UFAs for the Wings. Likely won't cost a lot and could probably keep the deal to 3 years or less.

As for trades, Werenski would be near the top of the list but he likely won't get traded unless he requests a trade or tells them when the time comes he won't re-sign with them. Dunn could be an option if the Blues have backed away from their asking price. Would be nice to pry Nicolas Hague from Vegas but that is very unlikely...same with Kevin Bahl from the Devils.

Something I found humorous:
On the 1st page of the Rangers' blog I happened to jokingly mention ADA ... Then the majority of them commented on ADA and his fate for the next several pages, when Gerald Gallant was the real news! I was accused of trolling them!
- HenryHockey

Ok, there is some hilarity/irony there

Sign Oleksiak for a couple of seasons until some prospects are ready to challenge for spots. He is #1 on my list of LD UFAs for the Wings. Likely won't cost a lot and could probably keep the deal to 3 years or less.

As for trades, Werenski would be near the top of the list but he likely won't get traded unless he requests a trade or tells them when the time comes he won't re-sign with them. Dunn could be an option if the Blues have backed away from their asking price. Would be nice to pry Nicolas Hague from Vegas but that is very unlikely...same with Kevin Bahl from the Devils.
- dcz28

I do like Dunn, for sure. And the price could be more reasonable. Oleksiak, for sure is a big boy. Good experience in Pitt and Dallas. I wouldn’t have minded grabbing Ghost off of waivers last year.

Thanks for dropping that in

Sign Oleksiak for a couple of seasons until some prospects are ready to challenge for spots. He is #1 on my list of LD UFAs for the Wings. Likely won't cost a lot and could probably keep the deal to 3 years or less.

As for trades, Werenski would be near the top of the list but he likely won't get traded unless he requests a trade or tells them when the time comes he won't re-sign with them. Dunn could be an option if the Blues have backed away from their asking price. Would be nice to pry Nicolas Hague from Vegas but that is very unlikely...same with Kevin Bahl from the Devils.
- dcz28

I'd like to see Oly come over, good D-Man & fills the void for a "#1" LD", for now. We'd still need to have guys step up and switch for the back 2 slots. I'm not sure Werenski would approve a trade to Detroit, but isn't he a MI guy? Might be worth a shot, but he's on his last few years v Oly's what, 24 yrs old? Some good names to consider, though. Good thoughts!

I do like Dunn, for sure. And the price could be more reasonable. Oleksiak, for sure is a big boy. Good experience in Pitt and Dallas. I wouldn’t have minded grabbing Ghost off of waivers last year.

Thanks for dropping that in
- Jeremy Laura

Because of the paucity of LD on the team & in our system, I'm wondering who would be willing to come to Detroit. Any of Ghost, Dunn, Oly would be awesome gets. But getting someone to agree to come to "detroit" (lower-case "d" intended...) may be a bit of a stretch. Now, that being said, playing for The Captain???? Who WOULDN'T want to sign with Detroit?!?!?!? The reality is, we don't really suck. We have a coaching challenge, which may turn guys off, however. The hope that Gallant would come in this summer has been dashed upon the rocks. Lambert? When? That may be a key in who decides to sign w/The Wings.....

Seeing clarity on what Hamilton is allowed to look for: Sign & Trade approval has been give according to NHL.com.....

Because of the paucity of LD on the team & in our system, I'm wondering who would be willing to come to Detroit. Any of Ghost, Dunn, Oly would be awesome gets. But getting someone to agree to come to "detroit" (lower-case "d" intended...) may be a bit of a stretch. Now, that being said, playing for The Captain???? Who WOULDN'T want to sign with Detroit?!?!?!? The reality is, we don't really suck. We have a coaching challenge, which may turn guys off, however. The hope that Gallant would come in this summer has been dashed upon the rocks. Lambert? When? That may be a key in who decides to sign w/The Wings.....
- mcmastermike1968

We call it a coaching challenge, but for all we know players love Blash. We just hate him because he has been dealt garbage and produced garbage. For some reason the vets who have signed seem to like him. None of the young guys have been outspoken against him.

With Henrique gaining a bit of notoriety in the recent Worlds, and the Ducks not able to cover all their defensemen unless they go to the 8 skater route.... I was wondering if they would deal Linholm with Henrique. Hampus only has 1 yr left on his contract so it would be wise to get some assurances that he would re-sign. But anyway....
Lindholm + Henrique (Ducks retain $1M) for (drum roll) Neilsen + Raz + Cholo +VGK 3rd
I know it looks like a lot of spare parts, but this is a big cap dump for the Ducks and may be by freeing up that space they go after Eichel or Reinhart.
Maybe it has to be modified a bit more:
Lindholm + Henrique (Ducks retain $1.5M) for Raz, Cholo, and Bolts 4th
Wings buy out Neilsen, Henrique Vlady and Veleno compete for 2nd and 3rd line center duties. Lindholm gets #1LD.

We call it a coaching challenge, but for all we know players love Blash. We just hate him because he has been dealt garbage and produced garbage. For some reason the vets who have signed seem to like him. None of the young guys have been outspoken against him.
- DRW1991

That's a fair point, D. Blash was great in GR; lots of wins, great stats, Calder Cups in his past....there's a history of success. So, what's changed in his movement to the Big Club? I'm NOT Team Blash, I just think he's pout-matched. But I read your comments, and those of many others, and wonder: Is it REALLY Blash or is it payers & assistant coaching?

There are so many factors in determining the success of a coach. I just don't know, being honest. Bylsma's gone now, would've thought his knowledge & experiences would've brought some much needed change, and we did see some improvement last season. We have SO many areas that we are short in talent (D-line, Goalies, C, etc...). So is it truly the coach, or is it the culmination of issues resulting in abject failure? If that's the case, why do teams fire coaches/staffs, bring in a new guy, and viola! Team improves and contends for play-offs/championships. If it's always the players/assistants, then coaches would be routinely on the same team for their entire careers. My take is admittedly harsh, but leaders are responsible for what happens or fails to happen on their watch. He took the Wings to the SCPO in his 1st year and lost in the 1st round. Nothing since has even come remotely close to successful. Additionally, he's complained in the past about the players (referencing how the talent wasn't necessarily there to be a contending team, etc...). That's throwing players under the bus. And that CANNOT happen.

SO, do I think Blash is the guy? No. Do I think we have a sub-standard roster? Yes. I remember when Scottie came over; a complete change in team dynamic, and you know the rest. So I think a new leader can, and will, result in change. It's inevitable (I was part of it in the Army for 30+ years, and have empirical data to support this assertion) that if we get a new coach/staff, some things will change. My take has been, and will remain, trying to improve the team will involve a change in leadership. The sooner, the better because it'll result in players being interested in playing for the Wings. Maybe that change is already in place with The Captain being brought in (heck of a good last season, sooooo......). Maybe we need a change in coaching. I just think it's inevitable that Blash is going to go, and it'll be a result of poor performance from the team.

That's a fair point, D. Blash was great in GR; lots of wins, great stats, Calder Cups in his past....there's a history of success. So, what's changed in his movement to the Big Club? I'm NOT Team Blash, I just think he's pout-matched. But I read your comments, and those of many others, and wonder: Is it REALLY Blash or is it payers & assistant coaching?

There are so many factors in determining the success of a coach. I just don't know, being honest. Bylsma's gone now, would've thought his knowledge & experiences would've brought some much needed change, and we did see some improvement last season. We have SO many areas that we are short in talent (D-line, Goalies, C, etc...). So is it truly the coach, or is it the culmination of issues resulting in abject failure? If that's the case, why do teams fire coaches/staffs, bring in a new guy, and viola! Team improves and contends for play-offs/championships. If it's always the players/assistants, then coaches would be routinely on the same team for their entire careers. My take is admittedly harsh, but leaders are responsible for what happens or fails to happen on their watch. He took the Wings to the SCPO in his 1st year and lost in the 1st round. Nothing since has even come remotely close to successful. Additionally, he's complained in the past about the players (referencing how the talent wasn't necessarily there to be a contending team, etc...). That's throwing players under the bus. And that CANNOT happen.

SO, do I think Blash is the guy? No. Do I think we have a sub-standard roster? Yes. I remember when Scottie came over; a complete change in team dynamic, and you know the rest. So I think a new leader can, and will, result in change. It's inevitable (I was part of it in the Army for 30+ years, and have empirical data to support this assertion) that if we get a new coach/staff, some things will change. My take has been, and will remain, trying to improve the team will involve a change in leadership. The sooner, the better because it'll result in players being interested in playing for the Wings. Maybe that change is already in place with The Captain being brought in (heck of a good last season, sooooo......). Maybe we need a change in coaching. I just think it's inevitable that Blash is going to go, and it'll be a result of poor performance from the team.
- mcmastermike1968

All valid points. I think you put a coach with a ton of potential in a spot meant to fail and the frustration gets to you. It is unacceptable to back the bus over players, but was it also some shots at Holland for not doing him any favors? There were nights he was dressing 1-2 lines that didn't belong in the NHL, not just 4th liners.

All valid points. I think you put a coach with a ton of potential in a spot meant to fail and the frustration gets to you. It is unacceptable to back the bus over players, but was it also some shots at Holland for not doing him any favors? There were nights he was dressing 1-2 lines that didn't belong in the NHL, not just 4th liners.
- DRW1991

GREAT call, brother. Kenny was of a bygone era, and saddled the team with many sub-par players, and overwhelming burdensome contracts (Abdelkader & Neilsen, for example. Again, I'm not Team Blash, but he really was dealt a bad hand. The reality is, the sub-par players/playing started under Babcock - that dude is a 1st round departure magnet (even in Toronto he failed miserably....). A good GM could've read the tea-leaves much earlier than Holland is capable of, and would've made some serious changes much sooner. Babs was brutal....and not as successful as he could've been. And Detroit paid (and continues to pay) for that.

Holland was horrible in his later years in Detroit. And I blame him extensively for where we fell to. I get loyalty, but Abbey was NOT worth that contract. The writing was on the walls a long time ago. So, yes, Blash got a raw deal. And he's shown to be a good coach, but much like a player who doesn't fit into a system being dealt, I think Blash my be better served leading another team.

VERY good insights, D. I've enjoyed our banter, and you've definitely helped me see things more holistically.

Yzerman could address the left side in the draft. I think a deal with Seattle could be made. I think more picks and some pro bodies is what an expansion team needs.

Could offer Washington's 1st a 2nd and a 3rd,plus Panik and Hicketts for the 2nd pick in the 2021 draft.Yzerman than can use the 2nd on a D and the 6th on a goalie.

Or

Trade both 1st rounders plus Panik for the 2nd pick.
Giving up a player would be considered Seattle's expansion pick from Detroit.