Jeremy Laura: Final thoughts after camp - rest the top line in preseason

Any news on the injury Vrana suffered on his first day? I have never been a fan of the head coach but I trust Stevie Y on this. This team will be in trouble if we can not get two scoring lines and goaltending will be in the spotlight. Ned will not be looking at the same D structure and may be in for a rough ride, will have to wait and see.

Any news on the injury Vrana suffered on his first day? I have never been a fan of the head coach but I trust Stevie Y on this. This team will be in trouble if we can not get two scoring lines and goaltending will be in the spotlight. Ned will not be looking at the same D structure and may be in for a rough ride, will have to wait and see.
- joegreif17

He was heading to a shoulder specialist today. That was announced yesterday. Doesn’t instill me with great confidence. We’ll see what they say, but usually they can get MRI and scans on site and make a determination. Even if we just lost one or two guys. But last year we ended up losing Larkin, Bertuzzi, Fabbri, Ryan and Zadina for different amounts of time. We’ve already had Larkin and Vrana down in the preseason now.

Keep in mind it's not a bad thing to be in on the Shane Wright sweepstakes. Prematurely early yes but if things go south this season fingers crossed. I know luck isn't on our side but pretty sure this coming draft is a good one.

Great blog as usual. I couldn’t agree more with you on what I would like to see out of these glorified scrimmages. It’s time for the coaching staff to show they can install systems that are more complicated than what most AAA U15 teams run. There is enough talent that we should see improvement and move on from hockey 101.
As for the core players, please rest them and get them ready without playing in these meaningless games. Let the young guns play a ton, maybe a couple surprise us all and force their way into the line up. New season, greater expectations but still no post season!!!

Keep in mind it's not a bad thing to be in on the Shane Wright sweepstakes. Prematurely early yes but if things go south this season fingers crossed. I know luck isn't on our side but pretty sure this coming draft is a good one.
- TheSeer

Absolutely. I joke that Arizona and Buffalo are intent on winning this one. The West Coast is wide open too. Anaheim is full rebuild, L.A. could break down. San Jose has a mess in the locker room. In my opinion the East just has way more teams actually trying to make a go of it.

Great blog as usual. I couldn’t agree more with you on what I would like to see out of these glorified scrimmages. It’s time for the coaching staff to show they can install systems that are more complicated than what most AAA U15 teams run. There is enough talent that we should see improvement and move on from hockey 101.
As for the core players, please rest them and get them ready without playing in these meaningless games. Let the young guns play a ton, maybe a couple surprise us all and force their way into the line up. New season, greater expectations but still no post season!!!
- Goalie Dad

Thanks for that, and I agree. I’d rather Larkin and Bertuzzi keep hitting the weight room for preventative conditioning this pre season. Blashill said he’ll probably keep Larkin out for the first several games. I watched a former wrestler (USA and WWE) talk about overdoing it. He broke his neck 5 times. Now he can’t move it to the right or left basically. Just way overdid things without healing properly. We don’t need these guys on the table all season because they came out too hard too soon. The kids should be hungry to soak up all the ice time they can. Take a job, or prove that you’re the first call up. Make someone go on waivers. I love seeing guys jump ahead in line if they can do it.

Absolutely. I joke that Arizona and Buffalo are intent on winning this one. The West Coast is wide open too. Anaheim is full rebuild, L.A. could break down. San Jose has a mess in the locker room. In my opinion the East just has way more teams actually trying to make a go of it.
- Jeremy Laura

The points will be much easier for the west coast teams to obtain even if they are awful. Detroit and Buffalo will be battling it out against super talented east coast teams. My hope is the product passes the eye test and we get better and still manage to contend for the Shane Wright sweepstakes. That would change the rebuild timeline by years.

The points will be much easier for the west coast teams to obtain even if they are awful. Detroit and Buffalo will be battling it out against super talented east coast teams. My hope is the product passes the eye test and we get better and still manage to contend for the Shane Wright sweepstakes. That would change the rebuild timeline by years.
- Goalie Dad

I wouldn’t hate it. Not at all

The points will be much easier for the west coast teams to obtain even if they are awful. Detroit and Buffalo will be battling it out against super talented east coast teams. My hope is the product passes the eye test and we get better and still manage to contend for the Shane Wright sweepstakes. That would change the rebuild timeline by years.
- Goalie Dad

Buffalo should be the runaway basement feeder unless the Wings have a rash of veteran industries. If Buffalo wins the top pick AGAIN we’ll know something is up, but it’s looking like 2nd or 3rd picks in 22 and 23 will be like a top pick in most drafts.

Buffalo should be the runaway basement feeder unless the Wings have a rash of veteran industries. If Buffalo wins the top pick AGAIN we’ll know something is up, but it’s looking like 2nd or 3rd picks in 22 and 23 will be like a top pick in most drafts.
- bluelineenforcer

Will Owen even sign in Buffalo? They should be worried about that.

Will Owen even sign in Buffalo? They should be worried about that.
- DRW1991

Good point.

Didn't Stone get hurt by a puck to the ear? So sit all the good players in case that happens again?

Keep in mind it's not a bad thing to be in on the Shane Wright sweepstakes. Prematurely early yes but if things go south this season fingers crossed. I know luck isn't on our side but pretty sure this coming draft is a good one.

I guess we could trade Greiss for Kostinen and a prospect or a high pick, make him our starter and tank for the right to pick Shane Wright.

Didn't Stone get hurt by a puck to the ear? So sit all the good players in case that happens again?
- HockeyBuzzed

Yeah, his was a freak accident. The other 4 (2 were ejections) not so much. I can’t remember if he put in those ear inserts like Crosby did or not. It’s a weird injury, but if the puck hits the “hole” right it can burst the drum. My point was to sit top line/injury prone guys in Detroit. In particular two that just had major surgeries. Weird injuries happen, but there’s also guys (McIlrath) trying to get noticed for their “physical” play. Once the minor league and tryouts are flushed out, the game smooths out a bit.

I always wonder why guys don’t automatically use some of the “extra” protection. Ear covers, wrist covers, ankle protectors etc. some swear it messes up their strides or throws them off.

Will Owen even sign in Buffalo? They should be worried about that.
- DRW1991

How many clubs have had first overall picks that were both defensemen? And also had 2 2nd overall picks that were centers and were traded away? What a bizarre mess

Good grief, just caught a little of Canucks/flames. Tanner Pearson just had a beautiful rip to make it 4-2. OEL looks happier

Good grief, just caught a little of Canucks/flames. Tanner Pearson just had a beautiful rip to make it 4-2. OEL looks happier
- Jeremy Laura

I see Cholo got 2 assists on the PP in the Kracks' win over the Nucks.

I see Cholo got 2 assists on the PP in the Kracks' win over the Nucks.

- HenryHockey

Lack of offensive skills were never Cholo's problem. His issue is lack of ability/willingness to defend.

Lack of offensive skills were never Cholo's problem. His issue is lack of ability/willingness to defend.
- todd3066

Yeah, well I get a feeling the Krack will trade one of their vets rather then send Cholo down through waivers. This is a a do or die season for the lad and he is playing close to home.

Yeah, well I get a feeling the Krack will trade one of their vets rather then send Cholo down through waivers. This is a a do or die season for the lad and he is playing close to home.
- HenryHockey

He's a good kid, just needs to jump in the water and start swimming. Hope he fares well......