Jeremy Laura: Vrana and Erne file for arbitration

Erne was drafted 8 years ago and he scored 20 pts. For only the second time In his career. He owes the Red Wings money as far as I'm concerned. Vrana will surely win his arbitration.

Erne was drafted 8 years ago and he scored 20 pts. For only the second time In his career. He owes the Red Wings money as far as I'm concerned. Vrana will surely win his arbitration.
- Shady1962

Arbitrator still usually falls between the 2 asks. I could see him getting 5m on a 1 or 2 yr (maybe 5.5?) if it goes that far. Hopefully they can all figure it out.

Vrana i expect to get something like Mantha for 4 or 5 years or Yzerman to go short term 4.5mil to 5mil maybe.

Hronek i expect a 3 to 5 year deal in between 4mil to 5.5mil.

Erne i expect a short term 1 or 2 year deal around 1mil to 1.5mil.


I still wonder if Yzerman is going to do something about the 2nd line center position. I don't have much faith in Suter being able to get the job done and he won't have Kane and DeBrincat to help his point totals. If Yzerman doesn't get someone else i still see this team as a lottery team...maybe not bottom 5 but not that far off.

Vrana i expect to get something like Mantha for 4 or 5 years or Yzerman to go short term 4.5mil to 5mil maybe.

Hronek i expect a 3 to 5 year deal in between 4mil to 5.5mil.

Erne i expect a short term 1 or 2 year deal around 1mil to 1.5mil.


I still wonder if Yzerman is going to do something about the 2nd line center position. I don't have much faith in Suter being able to get the job done and he won't have Kane and DeBrincat to help his point totals. If Yzerman doesn't get someone else i still see this team as a lottery team...maybe not bottom 5 but not that far off.
- dcz28

If you think a 2C makes this team a non lottery team then good for you and your optimism.

If you think a 2C makes this team a non lottery team then good for you and your optimism.
- DRW1991

It obviously depends on the 2C. A good playmaking 2C would help the 2nd line wingers produce more offense and take some heat off Larkin to maybe allow his line to produce better too. They might still end up a lottery team but it wouldn't be close to the bottom 5. Without one they will still be close to a bottom 5 lottery team and maybe even in the bottom 5.

Realistically we need a number 1c. I love Larkin as much as the next guy, but let's be real. He really is suited to be a 2c. Honestly do we really have any actual 1st line players? Typically atleast 2 outta 3 forwards are superstars, or extremely close to it. I'm just being realistic here. And with that thinking I have no problem being a lottery team, let's go get Shane Wright!!! I believe Bettman and the Wings ownership and The Captain have an agreement that they take the lumps in the draft lottery that they have, just so they can get Wright. I know crazy conspiracy theory by me. I can wish though can't I???

It makes me irrationally annoyed that Friedman posted WIN NASH CAL instead of WPG NSH CGY.

I don't see Erne getting over 2 mil, i'd think top end would be around 1.75 which i'd be fine with. He showed a lot of heart, and when his confidence is up, he can produce. Vrana is fine at 5.5, I feel like he's going to produce enough to justify that, and he will be more consistent than Mantha was.

Excited for the season, I know there is a way to go, but a lot of new blood on the team and getting to see Seider play has me very interested.

I keep seeing Brock Boeser's name out there in the rumors. I wonder if a Bert for Boeser trade would be possible.....Brock has a$5.875 cap hit, and is 24 and an RFA next year. Vancouver could use the $1.1M savings for signing Quinn and Petey.
Bert and the Caps 2nd for Brock

Realistically we need a number 1c. I love Larkin as much as the next guy, but let's be real. He really is suited to be a 2c. Honestly do we really have any actual 1st line players? Typically atleast 2 outta 3 forwards are superstars, or extremely close to it. I'm just being realistic here. And with that thinking I have no problem being a lottery team, let's go get Shane Wright!!! I believe Bettman and the Wings ownership and The Captain have an agreement that they take the lumps in the draft lottery that they have, just so they can get Wright. I know crazy conspiracy theory by me. I can wish though can't I???
- mplackitt

Yes Wings need a 1C but unless they trade for Eichel (which would set the rebuild back with that asking price), there are none to be had. The Wings will have to draft one. Short term they might be able to trade for a decent 2C. They can go with what they have now but i think this will hurt the offensive production of the forwards and the defense.

If they traded for someone like lets say Kuznetsov from the Caps, that would give them a much better balanced offense. Give the 2nd line wingers a playmaking center to help them produce better and take heat off Larkin a bit. They would still be a lottery team but they wouldn't have to try to win games 1-0 or 2-1 all the time.