Jeremy Laura: Bertuzzi’s 3 points put him at a ppg, top line scored 44 goals in 38 gms

So I looked back at that article just to refresh my memory. You said 70 goals. I said it seemed a bit optimistic and went with 66 goals. One poster (Feds91Stammer) said Larkin and Bert will be lucky to hit 20. Not one person used the term clowns or called your prediction a joke.

Great article JL. Nothing like a win at home.

Thanks Jeremy! I really appreciate your work and love for the game and our beloved Red Wings. Every article seems like a gift! I pray for your search for a pain free existence. I believe every article you are able to put together gives you and the reader a better day. Thank you so much for any effort you are able to give your loyal readers!
Godspeed!

One of the very few times I've seen Blashill actually mix the lines up and get results. Nice to see some secondary scoring from Rasmussen and Fabbri... long overdue. Rasmussen has worked hard to improve his game... especially his skating. Faceoff % was 50% average for this season last I checked. He just needs to get more snarl in his game and plant himself in front of the other team's goalie more often.

Oh... and look at that... Raymond with a goal and assist. But since he's so overrated on this blog by us Wings fans it probably doesn't mean anything. I mean... you'd have to be crazy and a total homer fan to even think he's one of the best rookies in the NHL (insert sarcasm).

Been watching Berggren play downtown at the Van Andel in GR... this kid looks like an excellent prospect. He's got all the tools from what I can see. Great stickhandler, good on the PP. Good hockey sense. He'll certainly get his chance to prove he belongs in Detroit. Definitely the best prospect in GR right now from what I can tell. He's got 23 points in 29 games this season. He's 21 years old... so we'll see how it goes.

We definitely appreciate your blogs Jeremy... hope you start feeling better.

I like that Gagner, Smith, Valeno line.

From the eye test, they have the puck in the offensive end more than the defensive end. Plus playing with Gagner, I'm sure the two young players will learn a lot.

One of the very few times I've seen Blashill actually mix the lines up and get results. Nice to see some secondary scoring from Rasmussen and Fabbri... long overdue. Rasmussen has worked hard to improve his game... especially his skating. Faceoff % was 50% average for this season last I checked. He just needs to get more snarl in his game and plant himself in front of the other team's goalie more often.

Oh... and look at that... Raymond with a goal and assist. But since he's so overrated on this blog by us Wings fans it probably doesn't mean anything. I mean... you'd have to be crazy and a total homer fan to even think he's one of the best rookies in the NHL (insert sarcasm).

Been watching Berggren play downtown at the Van Andel in GR... this kid looks like an excellent prospect. He's got all the tools from what I can see. Great stickhandler, good on the PP. Good hockey sense. He'll certainly get his chance to prove he belongs in Detroit. Definitely the best prospect in GR right now from what I can tell. He's got 23 points in 29 games this season. He's 21 years old... so we'll see how it goes.

We definitely appreciate your blogs Jeremy... hope you start feeling better.
- Vladdie_Kon1

People can think Raymond is one of the top rookies. That's not what was said though. People stated we had THE top 2 rookies, like it was fact. Raymond has been invisible for most of the last month. Nice to see him produce again. Still doesn't change the fact that other rookies like Zegras and Lundell are having more impressive seasons - remember they are learning to play center. Like while you are trying to make some point about Raymond...Lundell scored 2 goals last night, took 8 shots on net, had 3 takeaways, and spent over 3 minutes on the PK. Last 9 games he has 4 goals, 11 points, +9. If we drafted him over Raymond there would be nonstop articles about whether he's going to be better than Larkin or how we're set with a great 1-2. Doesn't make me a bad fan to recognize how good other players are. Again, circle back after the Calder. Zegras, Lundell, and Seider deserve votes over him.

People can think Raymond is one of the top rookies. That's not what was said though. People stated we had THE top 2 rookies, like it was fact. Raymond has been invisible for most of the last month. Nice to see him produce again. Still doesn't change the fact that other rookies like Zegras and Lundell are having more impressive seasons - remember they are learning to play center. Like while you are trying to make some point about Raymond...Lundell scored 2 goals last night, took 8 shots on net, had 3 takeaways, and spent over 3 minutes on the PK. Last 9 games he has 4 goals, 11 points, +9. If we drafted him over Raymond there would be nonstop articles about whether he's going to be better than Larkin or how we're set with a great 1-2. Doesn't make me a bad fan to recognize how good other players are. Again, circle back after the Calder. Zegras, Lundell, and Seider deserve votes over him.
- HockeyBuzzed

Yes. Rookies sometimes struggle. Statistically, Raymond is having the best season for a rookie and quite honestly, the position the forward plays doesn't matter in the slightest.

You're also talking about the Cadler when there is still over half a season left to play. Things could change. Zegras and Lundell may run into the same wall Raymond did.

Yes. Rookies sometimes struggle. Statistically, Raymond is having the best season for a rookie and quite honestly, the position the forward plays doesn't matter in the slightest.

You're also talking about the Cadler when there is still over half a season left to play. Things could change. Zegras and Lundell may run into the same wall Raymond did.
- Oilers4Life14

The position doesn't matter? Much easier to learn the ropes as a winger. Playing centre is far more challenging. Why do so many centre's break in on the wing? Oh well. You know better.

The position doesn't matter? Much easier to learn the ropes as a winger. Playing centre is far more challenging. Why do so many centre's break in on the wing? Oh well. You know better.
- HockeyBuzzed

For cadler voting? Absolutely not. Go look at the two finalists for the 2012 Cadler and tell me that voters give a poop if you're a winger or a centre.

For cadler voting? Absolutely not. Go look at the two finalists for the 2012 Cadler and tell me that voters give a poop if you're a winger or a centre.
- Oilers4Life14

I like how you've called it "Cadler" three times now. Good stuff.

And so just because in 2012 voters favored Landeskog over RNH this is somehow proof that playing center isn't taken into consideration? Is it possible, even for a moment, that voters thought...RNH had a great year, playing a difficult position...but Landeskog had a far more complete year. He led the Avs in scoring, took 100+ more shots than RNH, had a ton of hits.

Weak Cadler logic.

I like how you've called it "Cadler" three times now. Good stuff.
- HockeyBuzzed

I mean, my mistake obviously, but it goes to show how terrible your argument is. You have to move the goalpost to incorrect spelling.

I mean, my mistake obviously, but it goes to show how terrible your argument is. You have to move the goalpost to incorrect spelling.
- Oilers4Life14

See edit above. Whatever Cadler. Wake me up when Raymond isn't even a nominee. Unless someone gets injured this is between Zegras, Lundell, and Seider. Bye Cadler.

I like how you've called it "Cadler" three times now. Good stuff.

And so just because in 2012 voters favored Landeskog over RNH this is somehow proof that playing center isn't taken into consideration? Is it possible, even for a moment, that voters thought...RNH had a great year, playing a difficult position...but Landeskog had a far more complete year. He led the Avs in scoring, took 100+ more shots than RNH, had a ton of hits.

Weak Cadler logic.
- HockeyBuzzed

Look at their games played.

Landeskog played 82 games and had 52 points

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins played 62 games and had 52 points

One was a center, the other a left winger.

Not sure what shots or hits have to do with "being a more complete player"

Look at their games played.

Landeskog played 82 games and had 52 points

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins played 62 games and had 52 points

One was a center, the other a left winger.

Not sure what shots or hits have to do with "being a more complete player"
- Oilers4Life14

Yes Cadler. I'm aware RNH got hurt and missed games. So you don't see the value of a guy like Landeskog that was a physical force, going into the dirty areas, firing tons of pucks on net? Glad you're not voting for the Cadler. Sounds like you are bitter that RNH got robbed 9 years ago. As I said, I'm pretty confident that actual Cadler voters look beyond points and will take into consideration things like center versus wing, physical presence versus perimeter player, 5 on 5 versus PP, etc...Once it's all done Raymond likely isn't a top 3 Finalist. Hope that doesn't haunt you for the next 9 years...

So I looked back at that article just to refresh my memory. You said 70 goals. I said it seemed a bit optimistic and went with 66 goals. One poster (Feds91Stammer) said Larkin and Bert will be lucky to hit 20. Not one person used the term clowns or called your prediction a joke.
- HockeyBuzzed

You know what, you’re completely right. I mixed in some info from an inbox message that had nothing to do with it.

When I step back and see the group with 44 goals on that top line, that is shocking. That has been far past where I thought they could perform. Praying Vrana is healthy and strong when he comes back. 2 lines that can really attack at high speed would be something

I like that Gagner, Smith, Valeno line.

From the eye test, they have the puck in the offensive end more than the defensive end. Plus playing with Gagner, I'm sure the two young players will learn a lot.
- Oilers4Life14

Gagner is such a fantastic pro. Those are the kind of lines you need in the post season when everyone else is tied up. They make good plays. Neither Veleno or Zadina have played up to their billing, but they’re playing

People can think Raymond is one of the top rookies. That's not what was said though. People stated we had THE top 2 rookies, like it was fact. Raymond has been invisible for most of the last month. Nice to see him produce again. Still doesn't change the fact that other rookies like Zegras and Lundell are having more impressive seasons - remember they are learning to play center. Like while you are trying to make some point about Raymond...Lundell scored 2 goals last night, took 8 shots on net, had 3 takeaways, and spent over 3 minutes on the PK. Last 9 games he has 4 goals, 11 points, +9. If we drafted him over Raymond there would be nonstop articles about whether he's going to be better than Larkin or how we're set with a great 1-2. Doesn't make me a bad fan to recognize how good other players are. Again, circle back after the Calder. Zegras, Lundell, and Seider deserve votes over him.
- HockeyBuzzed

Nobody cares about your dumbass opinions and your rants... it's gotten pretty old on this blog. Go back to your Oilers blog.

Gagner is such a fantastic pro. Those are the kind of lines you need in the post season when everyone else is tied up. They make good plays. Neither Veleno or Zadina have played up to their billing, but they’re playing
- Jeremy Laura

Honestly, you could probably include Gagner as a player that didn't live up to that hype. While I'd disagree, he was picked 6th overall and never scored more than 20 goals or put up more than 50 points.

Yet he some how stays around.

He's definitely someone I could see sticking around in hockey after he retires as a player.

Nobody cares about your dumbass opinions and your rants... it's gotten pretty old on this blog. Go back to your Oilers blog.

- Vladdie_Kon1

no don't do that

Yes Cadler. I'm aware RNH got hurt and missed games. So you don't see the value of a guy like Landeskog that was a physical force, going into the dirty areas, firing tons of pucks on net? Glad you're not voting for the Cadler. Sounds like you are bitter that RNH got robbed 9 years ago. As I said, I'm pretty confident that actual Cadler voters look beyond points and will take into consideration things like center versus wing, physical presence versus perimeter player, 5 on 5 versus PP, etc...Once it's all done Raymond likely isn't a top 3 Finalist. Hope that doesn't haunt you for the next 9 years...
- HockeyBuzzed

Trust me, I was over RNH not winning the Cadler awhile ago. I brought it up to point out how little voters care about the position.

Raymond not being a top 3 nominee is a bold statement this early in the season when he's already a favourite.

Would y'all trade a protected first (say top 7) for Jacob Chychrun?

Would y'all trade a protected first (say top 7) for Jacob Chychrun?
- Oilers4Life14

I don't see Stevie Y doing that. Even though Chychrun is still young at 23 and he would definitely upgrade our awful defense to some degree. I think Stevie would rather pick his prospect and develop him since we're in a rebuild.

The good news is that Edvinsson should hopefully be playing in North America next season... either in Grand Rapids or hopefully Detroit if he can prove he's good enough like Seider or Raymond (that would be best case scenario). I like that Yzerman took Edvinsson at #6 in the draft... I think he's going to be a very solid NHL defenseman. Hakan Andersson (arguably the best European scout in the NHL for the last 25 years) heavily scouted him and pushed really hard for Yzerman to pick him.

Trust me, I was over RNH not winning the Cadler awhile ago. I brought it up to point out how little voters care about the position.

Raymond not being a top 3 nominee is a bold statement this early in the season when he's already a favourite.
- Oilers4Life14

Why don't I point out a bunch of times when centers win the Cadler over wingers. I'll ignore all other factors and declare myself correct. Easy.

As for my bold prediction on Raymond...it may seem bold, but if you truly understand the sport you would see that Seider, Zegras, and Lundell are much more impressive. Assuming they stay healthy let's reconvene when the votes are published. Then see who is smartest.

I don't see Stevie Y doing that. Even though Chychrun is still young at 23 and he would definitely upgrade our awful defense to some degree. I think Stevie would rather pick his prospect and develop him since we're in a rebuild.

The good news is that Edvinsson should hopefully be playing in North America next season... either in Grand Rapids or hopefully Detroit if he can prove he's good enough like Seider or Raymond (that would be best case scenario). I like that Yzerman took Edvinsson at #6 in the draft... I think he's going to be a very solid NHL defenseman. Hakan Andersson (arguably the best European scout in the NHL for the last 25 years) heavily scouted him and pushed really hard for Yzerman to pick him.
- Vladdie_Kon1

Well my thinking is, you never know what you'll get with a prospect until 2-3 years, even longer for defensive prospects (usually). The issue with Edmonton is that even with McDavid, it is a losing culture. You have to be truly proactive when rebuilding, you can't just tank.

Granted, the Wings will have a ton of money to make a run at some decent players that can fix holes and it wouldn't be a terrible idea to keep the pick.

The European scouting is what really set the Wings apart when they had their long run of playoff appearances. As you probably know, most teams were scared of taking Europeans, whereas the Wings were able to find diamonds late in rounds because of that great scouting network.