Jeremy Laura: Guelph Line nets 2 in 2nd period as, Wings sail to 6-3 win

Nice win tonight! Good to see you on it so early after the game Jeremy!

With Bergeron out, Marchand suspended for 6, and Rask retired, Boston is at a new low. A Bruin losing streak along with a Wing winning streak would make a very interesting stretch run!!!

And if they finish well and make it to the play-offs, or come close.....It would do much to attract FA's to Detroit!!

With Bergeron out, Marchand suspended for 6, and Rask retired, Boston is at a new low. A Bruin losing streak along with a Wing winning streak would make a very interesting stretch run!!!

And if they finish well and make it to the play-offs, or come close.....It would do much to attract FA's to Detroit!!

- HenryHockey

Well this, plus it breeds a winning culture. #1 picks are nice and all, but intentionally losing doesn't help a franchises culture. That's why you never really see and team in sports win titles when they tank.

I'd much rather the wins finish 5 points out of a playoff spot than intentionally lose.

With Bergeron out, Marchand suspended for 6, and Rask retired, Boston is at a new low. A Bruin losing streak along with a Wing winning streak would make a very interesting stretch run!!!

And if they finish well and make it to the play-offs, or come close.....It would do much to attract FA's to Detroit!!

- HenryHockey

I appreciate your optimism but the Wings are not going to make this a race. They are just not that good and they have an extremely tough schedule the rest of the way.

Right now The Athletic's standings projection model puts the playoff cutline in the East at 101 points (Washington). For the Wings to finish with 101 points they'd need to play .780 hockey the rest of the way, which is a 128-point pace over 82 games.

The Wings have progressed a lot this year, and they are fun to watch again, but I think it's fair to say that they're not going to suddenly turn into the late-70s Montreal Canadiens for the next 34 games.

A little winning streak from us combined with a little losing streak from one of WAS/BOS/NYR isn't going to cut it. One of those leading teams really has to completely crater, as in play like a lottery team the rest of the way, and the Wings would still have an uphill battle to sneak in.

I appreciate your optimism but the Wings are not going to make this a race. They are just not that good and they have an extremely tough schedule the rest of the way.

Right now The Athletic's standings projection model puts the playoff cutline in the East at 101 points (Washington). For the Wings to finish with 101 points they'd need to play .780 hockey the rest of the way, which is a 128-point pace over 82 games.

The Wings have progressed a lot this year, and they are fun to watch again, but I think it's fair to say that they're not going to suddenly turn into the late-70s Montreal Canadiens for the next 34 games.

A little winning streak from us combined with a little losing streak from one of WAS/BOS/NYR isn't going to cut it. One of those leading teams really has to completely crater, as in play like a lottery team the rest of the way, and the Wings would still have an uphill battle to sneak in.
- Sven22

The realistic objective then is to finish well! To show that Detroit is on the upswing and to be able to attract quality players that want to be a part of this team.

Well this, plus it breeds a winning culture. #1 picks are nice and all, but intentionally losing doesn't help a franchises culture. That's why you never really see and team in sports win titles when they tank.

I'd much rather the wins finish 5 points out of a playoff spot than intentionally lose.
- Oilers4Life14

When did the Wings intentionally lose? How has our culture been hurt by intentionally losing? I'll answer for you...we lost because the team wasn't very good. Nobody tanked. One year Buffalo was playing 4th string goalies and scratching healthy players. That's tanking. We never did. Good insight.

With Bergeron out, Marchand suspended for 6, and Rask retired, Boston is at a new low. A Bruin losing streak along with a Wing winning streak would make a very interesting stretch run!!!

And if they finish well and make it to the play-offs, or come close.....It would do much to attract FA's to Detroit!!

- HenryHockey

How does sneaking into a playoff spot because say Boston implodes help attract free agents? That decision is going to be based on money, lifestyle, respect for Yzerman and the coaching staff, reputation of the franchise, and then yes, the likelihood of winning. Whether we make the playoffs or not, any free agent will already be aware of the pieces in place. Ok, you have Larkin. I like that. Bert, Vrana . So a bit of talent there. Raymond looks good. This Seider guy looks for real. A few exciting picks on the way. So it's obvious what stage your franchise is in. Rebuilding. Improving. But not even close to being a true contender. So if I sign where do I fit? But pretty naive to think that missing by 5 points versus sneaking in by 2 points and getting demolished is going to make any difference. Frankly you might even have some very astute free agents concerned that we didn't bottom long enough. You had a few top picks. You whiffed on Rasmussen and Zadina. Now you are already back to a bubble team. So no other top picks coming. If I want to win a Cup I might be better off signing elsewhere.

I didn't mind seeing Zadina on the top line last night. Veleno played an excellent game last night along with Seider who went beast mode on one of those penalty kills. What else is new for Mo. Thought it was an all around decent game for the Wings and a nice road win for once. Philly is let's just say searching for an identity at this point. Interesting stretch of games and a tough ones for the Wings coming up soon.

With Bergeron out, Marchand suspended for 6, and Rask retired, Boston is at a new low. A Bruin losing streak along with a Wing winning streak would make a very interesting stretch run!!!

And if they finish well and make it to the play-offs, or come close.....It would do much to attract FA's to Detroit!!

- HenryHockey

It would take the hockey world by storm if the Wings got in, for sure. I think it's a long shot based upon current points/standings, games in-hand, and schedule, but it's SO refreshing to be able to think: REALLY?!?! It shows that there are good things on the horizon.

My concern is that IF we snuck in, how would that impact the draft seedings? If we got in and were summarily dismantled, how would that impact the players? Make no mistake, it would be SO refreshing to make it, but the long-term affects may negate the benefits of making it. Tough call, maybe.

I read through some articles over the past few days just to get a feel for what the prognosticators think/feel. I get the sense that the better draw for a UFA would be the culture. We're all arm-chair GMs, for sure, but Lordy Gordie it would put a real burr in the saddle of those who think the Wings are forever finished


We need the enthusiasm, though H. Fans need to be excited and let the atmosphere grow in spite of the haters

I appreciate your optimism but the Wings are not going to make this a race. They are just not that good and they have an extremely tough schedule the rest of the way.

Right now The Athletic's standings projection model puts the playoff cutline in the East at 101 points (Washington). For the Wings to finish with 101 points they'd need to play .780 hockey the rest of the way, which is a 128-point pace over 82 games.

The Wings have progressed a lot this year, and they are fun to watch again, but I think it's fair to say that they're not going to suddenly turn into the late-70s Montreal Canadiens for the next 34 games.

A little winning streak from us combined with a little losing streak from one of WAS/BOS/NYR isn't going to cut it. One of those leading teams really has to completely crater, as in play like a lottery team the rest of the way, and the Wings would still have an uphill battle to sneak in.
- Sven22

WOW!! Those are staggering numbers

I know I said that the race was close a couple of weeks ago, and I liked what I saw (I still do like what I see; SO much more competitive in many games.....but the wheels fall off in so many others ). You, and a few others have really laid out thread-bare what it would take. Shocking and almost too much of an ask. Like I said above, I wonder about the affects on the player's mentality. H is optimistic, and I think we need more of that in the fan-base. Then you break his (and MY) heart with numbers (pokin' fun, not hammering you, my friend!!!).

I'm content with playing the season out and not making the SCPO. But how cool would it be to see the Wings go on a run and just blow the doors off the league and the nay-sayers

When did the Wings intentionally lose? How has our culture been hurt by intentionally losing? I'll answer for you...we lost because the team wasn't very good. Nobody tanked. One year Buffalo was playing 4th string goalies and scratching healthy players. That's tanking. We never did. Good insight.
- HockeyBuzzed

Easy, there Francis. Don't think he was saying the Wings are intentionally losing/tanking. Don't be so quick to jump on someone, dude.

My read is that he's using hypotheticals. Good Lord..........

Well this, plus it breeds a winning culture. #1 picks are nice and all, but intentionally losing doesn't help a franchises culture. That's why you never really see and team in sports win titles when they tank.

I'd much rather the wins finish 5 points out of a playoff spot than intentionally lose.
- Oilers4Life14

To that point, look at what happened to BUF......they almost assuredly blew out their shorts and are still paying a heavy price. NOT saying BUF tanked, but playing they way they did (and using Denis Lemieux as their goalie.....Slap Shot reference.....) sure indicate the wheels fell off for some reason....

I didn't mind seeing Zadina on the top line last night. Veleno played an excellent game last night along with Seider who went beast mode on one of those penalty kills. What else is new for Mo. Thought it was an all around decent game for the Wings and a nice road win for once. Philly is let's just say searching for an identity at this point. Interesting stretch of games and a tough ones for the Wings coming up soon.
- TheSeer

Mornin'. I watched the game with my DIL (a newly minted Wing's fan!!!). She was over the moon that the game went so well. I had to remind her that PHL is on a huge downward slope, best players are hurt/broken, etc... her scowl toward me said it all


Zadina is SUCH an enigma right now. Snake-bit, no puck-luck, call it what you will; he's having a really hard time netting the puck. The thing that kills me is that he's had SO many good looks and been SO close on sooo many shots. Something needs to change for him, whether it's his mind-set or whatever..... He's got a lot of talent and potential....hard call. I think he's going to start hitting the back of the net sooner or later. The reality is, it's not like he's costing us our SCPO shot, so there's time to figure it out.

Veleno.....people need to realize this is his first full NHL season. He's going to grow into the game and his body. When he does, he could be awesome. Like I said with Zadina; he's got time, and he ain't costing us our SCPO run!

Raymond was dazzling. His play creation, moves with the puck, stick-handling....the kid's legit. I was on the fence when he started the season on the Big Club; I felt he might need some time in GR maybe....or he was going to blow the roof off the place. He's not blown the roof off the place, but his numbers are really solid. And he's still in the discussion for ROY (amongst a bunch of really good kids...). He seems to be cultivating his fore-check as well. He needs a bit more meat on his bines for that, if that's the route he's given....I think he's more of a play-maker/scoring threat v an overly physical player...but he still needs to bulk up a bit.

Mo is a beast. He's learning the physical game and adding that to his list of capabilities. He eats minutes, runs a decent PP, is awesome on break-aways, good stick-handler....I love me some Raymond, make no mistake, but I think Mo is going to be the better long-term player. Mick & Ken had a good discussion about ROY last night. If voters looked at overall impact on the team, Mo may be the clear favorite....it's tough to say what voters are thinking, though. But his impact on the back-end has been immense, his impact on the team has been immeasurable. Way too early to state one kid is THE ROY.....

Easy, there Francis. Don't think he was saying the Wings are intentionally losing/tanking. Don't be so quick to jump on someone, dude.

My read is that he's using hypotheticals. Good Lord..........

- mcmastermike1968

He said he'd rather see the Wings miss by 5 points than intentionally lose. So implying that intentionally losing is an actual option on the table. It isn't. It's ridiculous. We've never done it and most teams haven't either.

Is there a deal to be made with VGK to help (cough, cough) with their cap situation? Eichel is getting closer to returning and so is Martinez. They would need to clear about $4M in cap space.
Some have suggested taking Dadonov and a 2nd and retaining half his salary and flipping him for 2 2nds. Maybe Dadonov will agree to Detroit if he knows that Stevie will flip him to a contender. (He has a 10 team no-trade clause)
Be nice if Martinez would agree to come here. He would be a good placeholder for 2 more years....and he has a 16 team no-trade clause.
If they trade Riley Smith...well he wouldn't be traded here....
I think Dadonov would be their perfect cap dump....

Edmonton Oilers Fire Dave Tippett

Edmonton Oilers Fire Dave Tippett
- HenryHockey

I nominate Jeff Blashill for new EDM coach!

Is there a deal to be made with VGK to help (cough, cough) with their cap situation? Eichel is getting closer to returning and so is Martinez. They would need to clear about $4M in cap space.
Some have suggested taking Dadonov and a 2nd and retaining half his salary and flipping him for 2 2nds. Maybe Dadonov will agree to Detroit if he knows that Stevie will flip him to a contender. (He has a 10 team no-trade clause)
Be nice if Martinez would agree to come here. He would be a good placeholder for 2 more years....and he has a 16 team no-trade clause.
If they trade Riley Smith...well he wouldn't be traded here....
I think Dadonov would be their perfect cap dump....
- HenryHockey

VGK is in Cap Purgatory. Dad would be nice, but we're in more desperate need of C & D help.....Janmark or Stephenson? Deals to be had....watch the LTIR roster light up for them

He said he'd rather see the Wings miss by 5 points than intentionally lose. So implying that intentionally losing is an actual option on the table. It isn't. It's ridiculous. We've never done it and most teams haven't either.
- HockeyBuzzed

I think it's well understood that players don't lose intentionally, and generally speaking coaches don't either. They always want to win regardless of the circumstances. Tanking happens at the GM level and above, by intentionally depriving the roster of sufficient talent to compete despite their best efforts.

You know this, I know this, and 99+ percent of hockey fans know this. And this is most likely what the original poster meant, although it could have been stated more clearly.

I didn't mind seeing Zadina on the top line last night. Veleno played an excellent game last night along with Seider who went beast mode on one of those penalty kills. What else is new for Mo. Thought it was an all around decent game for the Wings and a nice road win for once. Philly is let's just say searching for an identity at this point. Interesting stretch of games and a tough ones for the Wings coming up soon.
- TheSeer

I also liked him on the top line. People give him such a hard time and label him a bust. Coming into this year he had 86games 15 goals and 22 assists. Essentially one full season and 37 points, not terrible by any means. Especially when you consider the circumstances with covid. In those 86 games, on some really really bad teams he managed only a -22 and a whopping 2 PIM.

Now whatever is going on with him this year I am not sure. I feel he plays a decent defensive game but is actually a -22, if it continue will be a little worse than his career mark. He even managed to double his penalty minute total. His 14 points are disappointing but he is skating with Erne, AKA Abby 2.0. Not fair to anyone not named Datsyuk. Keep him on that top line, maybe he starts getting some puck luck and his confidence back.

I think it's well understood that players don't lose intentionally, and generally speaking coaches don't either. They always want to win regardless of the circumstances. Tanking happens at the GM level and above, by intentionally depriving the roster of sufficient talent to compete despite their best efforts.

You know this, I know this, and 99+ percent of hockey fans know this. And this is most likely what the original poster meant, although it could have been stated more clearly.
- Sven22

You know this. I know this. And about 50% of casual fans are totally naive about this. Even in our case...what's Yzerman going to do? Trade a few UFAs. That's not tanking. Our UFAs are all spare parts anyway. If we were in a situation where you sell of your top 5 or 6 players and only get picks back, then yeah, sounds like a tank. But for this roster it's not even a possibility. So why mention it, unless you didn't understand the concept.

Well this, plus it breeds a winning culture. #1 picks are nice and all, but intentionally losing doesn't help a franchises culture. That's why you never really see and team in sports win titles when they tank.

I'd much rather the wins finish 5 points out of a playoff spot than intentionally lose.
- Oilers4Life14

If you're not familiar with the concept, you should look up Gold drafting.

Basic concept is that, instead of automatically giving the best draft picks to the teams that finish at the bottom of standings (with maybe a lottery thrown in to mix it up) you earn "Gold points" for standings points you earn after you've been eliminated (or declare yourself eliminated). The team with the most Gold points picks first, second most picks second, etc.

The worst teams will still get the best odds at top-5 picks (because they're eliminated far earlier than mediocre teams, and thus have many more games to accumulate Gold points) but they're still incentivized to win as much as possible down the stretch, rather than lose.

Nice win today... Gotta like seeing Zadina scoring again. Hope he can keep it up. He's been way overdue the last 4 or 5 games with all the quality chances he's had.

That second line with Bertuzzi, Fabbri and Suter is looking really good. Bertuzzi has energized that line and made a huge difference. It will be interesting to see how long Blashill will keep it together. Any talk of Larkin not being a true #1 center for this team has been put to rest... it's been fun seeing him having his best year of his career. Getting Stecher back will help this team defensively... to some degree. Greiss had a good game. The remaining schedule looks pretty brutal with a lot of playoff teams... but it will be interesting to see how much fight is left in this team and how well they match up.

Nice win today... Gotta like seeing Zadina scoring again. Hope he can keep it up. He's been way overdue the last 4 or 5 games with all the quality chances he's had.

That second line with Bertuzzi, Fabbri and Suter is looking really good. Bertuzzi has energized that line and made a huge difference. It will be interesting to see how long Blashill will keep it together. Any talk of Larkin not being a true #1 center for this team has been put to rest... it's been fun seeing him having his best year of his career. Getting Stecher back will help this team defensively... to some degree. Greiss had a good game. The remaining schedule looks pretty brutal with a lot of playoff teams... but it will be interesting to see how much fight is left in this team and how well they match up.
- Vladdie_Kon1

Evnin’, Vlad!

Pretty solid game overall. Philly is a shell of its former self, but good to see Stecher back (maybe DDK rides the pine more?), Zadina’s progressed well on the 1st line. Moving Lil Bert to the 2d has made a big difference in the overall power of the team. Namestnikov’s trying to bring some heat to the 3d line, but Erne’s merely a pair of skates there this year.

The discussions (term used loosely here…) about Larkin being a 1C is fairly settled. He may not be Eichle-worthy, but he’s got to be considered a top C in the league. He’s talented, absorbed the mantle of Leader, and carries this team. When he’s on the ice, he changes the entire flow of the game. Game-Changer.

The Wings could still push for a WC slot. Lots has to go right, but there’s a chance. It’d be cool, BUT….draft position would take a hit. I’m happy with not making it, draft well, develop the kids, maybe pull off a dazzling TDL move, snag a solid UFA C, and keep the rebuild going strong.