Jeremy Laura: Wings shut out in forgettable contest vs. Isles

A really good roster on paper, It's entirely possible that Yzerman hired the wrong head coach.

A really good roster on paper, It's entirely possible that Yzerman hired the wrong head coach.
- Shady1962

I can tell you that what you just said is repeated at least every other write up. I’m not saying that’s where I’m at, but many people are. I think we are in an incredibly talented division and it will take a lot to measure up. My opinion, but not the most popular I hear

I agree with shady I guarantee if Trotz was the coach wings are 15 points better right now. First off why change roster from last night Second for some reason Kublik is back on 4 line and for example when they pulled goalie tonight Copp is out there and Kublik on bench .Third Copp is being played lots of minutes underserved. If Zadina was given that many minutes per game for as how many games Copp has played I believe Zadina stats would be better.

I'm at the point where I think I can say without being bashed too much that Bertuzzi has been just awful. I don't know what his deal has been, he's fanning on so many shots, overplaying, and has been a missing piece that could have them higher in the standings right now. The back to back injuries were bad luck, but he should have gotten rolling by now, Larkin and Raymond need their 1st line winger back.

I'm finding myself a lot less frustrated with LaLonde decisions this season than I had with Blashill the previous couple, but I think a lot of us were growing tired of him by that time and that could have been bias while wanting him replaced. There are still some obvious lineup decisions that I don't like, Erne and Suter should be locked on the 4th line. I'd rather have Elmer back up over either. Thankfully Berggren seems to have earned his spot.

I want to see what happens at the deadline honestly, to give us a better idea of where they think the team is at right now.

I agree with shady I guarantee if Trotz was the coach wings are 15 points better right now. First off why change roster from last night Second for some reason Kublik is back on 4 line and for example when they pulled goalie tonight Copp is out there and Kublik on bench .Third Copp is being played lots of minutes underserved. If Zadina was given that many minutes per game for as how many games Copp has played I believe Zadina stats would be better.
- saintdog19

Trotz is a fantastic coach and players that have been on his rosters seem to love what he brings.

Trotz is a fantastic coach and players that have been on his rosters seem to love what he brings.
- Jeremy Laura

Except for Barzal, he was a factor in Trotz being fired.
I think Barry is waiting for Poile's job.

Trotz is a fantastic coach and players that have been on his rosters seem to love what he brings.
- Jeremy Laura

Meh, like most coaches he has a shelf life. I don’t think there’s too many players that want to play in that kind of structure long term at least.

Take aways from last night:
1. DRW needs an ELITE C and D. We've all said that.
2. Buccigross stated that The Captain tabled $8m x 8, Larkin countered with $9(+)m x7. I laughed so hard, I peed myself. No one knows. The point here; rumors are heating up....which leads to:
3. In order to move anyone, a SCPO-contending team requires a facilitating team for most TDL moves. Flat-Cap combined with what Jeremy wrote indicates contracts may be harder to come by, smaller, and cap-strapped teams will need a dance partner.
4. The East is flat-out a beast of a conference to play in. If we want to even remotely sniff the SCPO, drastic moves need to be made. Bert, Ras, Zadina, Ned.....these guys may be moving, maybe Hronek? Hypothesizing, but I love reading thoughts from the posters here.....

We need ELITE players, we don't have any right now (some are boarder-line but need a few more years to develop & become elite...). Mo Sides has those tools....Larkin can be elite if he has a supporting cast....

Bottom Line: we're nowhere near the calibre of team to sustain a deep SCPO run, and we need to accept the fact that we're going to lose a fan-favourite (or more) to get to that level.

Take aways from last night:
1. DRW needs an ELITE C and D. We've all said that.
2. Buccigross stated that The Captain tabled $8m x 8, Larkin countered with $9(+)m x7. I laughed so hard, I peed myself. No one knows. The point here; rumors are heating up....which leads to:
3. In order to move anyone, a SCPO-contending team requires a facilitating team for most TDL moves. Flat-Cap combined with what Jeremy wrote indicates contracts may be harder to come by, smaller, and cap-strapped teams will need a dance partner.
4. The East is flat-out a beast of a conference to play in. If we want to even remotely sniff the SCPO, drastic moves need to be made. Bert, Ras, Zadina, Ned.....these guys may be moving, maybe Hronek? Hypothesizing, but I love reading thoughts from the posters here.....

We need ELITE players, we don't have any right now (some are boarder-line but need a few more years to develop & become elite...). Mo Sides has those tools....Larkin can be elite if he has a supporting cast....

Bottom Line: we're nowhere near the calibre of team to sustain a deep SCPO run, and we need to accept the fact that we're going to lose a fan-favourite (or more) to get to that level.
- mcmastermike1968

I would be comfortable with 8 x 7. I agree, have to let some players go. The roster on paper looked good in the beginning, but injuries really made a difference. Raymond was a good draft pick but we really needed a center, which is why that 3rd pick that year was a massive loss. What ever NJ, NY and Chicago promised Bettman to get gifted high draft picks, we need to consider that approach.

Meh, like most coaches he has a shelf life. I don’t think there’s too many players that want to play in that kind of structure long term at least.
- Cptmjl

My reasoning on this is that, pre protocol, there would be a line of former players from visiting teams waiting outside his office just to check in. Wherever he goes, players who’ve worked with him seem to go out of their way just to say hello. A lot of ex coaches get the opposite

I would be comfortable with 8 x 7. I agree, have to let some players go. The roster on paper looked good in the beginning, but injuries really made a difference. Raymond was a good draft pick but we really needed a center, which is why that 3rd pick that year was a massive loss. What ever NJ, NY and Chicago promised Bettman to get gifted high draft picks, we need to consider that approach.
- down_in_a_hole

I think Larkin deserves RNH money, 5.75 tops. PPG RNH is better, RNH is just as good defensively, plays power play and penalty kill. Larkin is a 2nd line center at best. I really like Larkin but he should't even be close to 9 or 10 a year.

I think Larkin deserves RNH money, 5.75 tops. PPG RNH is better, RNH is just as good defensively, plays power play and penalty kill. Larkin is a 2nd line center at best. I really like Larkin but he should't even be close to 9 or 10 a year.
- ShooterMcGavin

8 x $8M is on the table according to H. St.James . He is worth that. And I really can't take you too serious when you difigure the Magic Man's portrait!

I agree with shady I guarantee if Trotz was the coach wings are 15 points better right now. First off why change roster from last night Second for some reason Kublik is back on 4 line and for example when they pulled goalie tonight Copp is out there and Kublik on bench .Third Copp is being played lots of minutes underserved. If Zadina was given that many minutes per game for as how many games Copp has played I believe Zadina stats would be better.
- saintdog19

I definitely feel the frustration when it comes to LaLonde's lineup choices and where he's putting some players. Kubalik should on the first line and stay there. Erne and Sutter shouldn't be anywhere except the 4th line unless injuries are a factor. Rasmussen is doing better now playing the wing... but he still shouldn't be on the 2nd line IMO... keep him in the bottom 6 where he belongs. Putting Sundquist on the 4th line is just plain stupid... he's too good a player. I could go on with this rant... but you get the idea. I don't expect LaLonde to be Scotty Bowman when it comes to line juggling... but good grief some of his decisions just don't make any sense to me. Trotz was the coach I really hoped they could land when they finally canned Blashill... but it didn't happen.

I definitely feel the frustration when it comes to LaLonde's lineup choices and where he's putting some players. Kubalik should on the first line and stay there. Erne and Sutter shouldn't be anywhere except the 4th line unless injuries are a factor. Rasmussen is doing better now playing the wing... but he still shouldn't be on the 2nd line IMO... keep him in the bottom 6 where he belongs. Putting Sundquist on the 4th line is just plain stupid... he's too good a player. I could go on with this rant... but you get the idea. I don't expect LaLonde to be Scotty Bowman when it comes to line juggling... but good grief some of his decisions just don't make any sense to me. Trotz was the coach I really hoped they could land when they finally canned Blashill... but it didn't happen.
- Vladdie_Kon1

But Vladdie, when it comes near the TDL you must give the players you wish to showcase some more icetime! How are you going to trade plyers that you hardly use?

But Vladdie, when it comes near the TDL you must give the players you wish to showcase some more icetime! How are you going to trade plyers that you hardly use?
- HenryHockey

I agree it's necessary to showcase the players whom you want to trade / unload... but still frustrating not seeing the best team on the ice managed in a way that will most likely win. So it's a catch 22. I think seeing bad asset management by Blashill and even Babcock to some extent just left a bad taste. I started seeing some of these weird line combinations early on in the season that left me scratching my head a bit.

Rumors of Bert to TOR for a package including Sandin.....EK's got this as an "e3" but Jason Thompson had the fewest errors of any Tiger's 1st baseman in 30 years, so take the rumor with a grain of salt 🤣🤣🤣

What's the deal with all of these DRW rumors flying around?!?!? We all know the sources are swinging for the fences, especially any source in DRW offices, so either teams seeking DRW assets or pure balogna (spelled properly, you're welcome...)

Rumors of Bert to TOR for a package including Sandin
.....EK's got this as an "e3" but Jason Thompson had the fewest errors of any Tiger's 1st baseman in 30 years, so take the rumor with a grain of salt 🤣🤣🤣

What's the deal with all of these DRW rumors flying around?!?!? We all know the sources are swinging for the fences, especially any source in DRW offices, so either teams seeking DRW assets or pure balogna (spelled properly, you're welcome...)
- mcmastermike1968

Ek on the glue again?

Ek on the glue again?
- Leafsmart

Yeaaahhh.....often need the comic relief.

Now, I would suspect Bert's on the table, but that's just conjecture. The posters just excoriate his "rumors"!!

Isles blog is not too happy with getting the biggest fish in Horvat. Lou really did not give up that much to get him. Gonna be interesting if this move gets them into the big dance! I am glad Stevie did not get him! If Lou can sign him, more power to him, but he may be more costly than Barzal's contract!

Isles blog is not too happy with getting the biggest fish in Horvat. Lou really did not give up that much to get him. Gonna be interesting if this move gets them into the big dance! I am glad Stevie did not get him! If Lou can sign him, more power to him, but he may be more costly than Barzal's contract!
- HenryHockey

Honestly the Islanders getting Horvat feels like a "Ken Holland during the last few years of the playoff streak" move. Horvat obviously makes NYI better, and maybe he'll help them sneak back into the playoffs. But he doesn't exactly make them a contender, they're one of the oldest teams in the league, the cupboard was already almost empty and they just traded away their best prospect (who isn't even that great a prospect to begin with). And by the end of the year Horvat either walks for nothing or gets signed to an expensive long-term deal he can't live up to on a team heading in the wrong direction.

I'm glad the Wings didn't get Horvat. I don't think we're there yet, not for a few more years. To give up prospects for any older player at this point doesn't make sense to me, especially one looking for a long-term deal. Was Horvat going to help the Wings get to the playoffs? Doubtful, so what's the point in paying a premium to get him? I still think we're 4 or more years away from having a legit playoff team. Get all these young kids in their mid-20's, then start adding pieces. We still need a lot of prospects, and we still need a star player. If you look at their top 12 prospects right now, eight of them are goalies or defensemen. They need C's and they need goal scorers. Can Kasper be a #1 C? I sure hope so. Can Mazur or Buchelnikov become consistent goal scorers? I sure hope so. Can Lombardi become one of the steals of last year's draft? I sure hope so. The Wings only had one player in the U20 World Juniors last month. They need more high-end prospects, then they can start adding pieces to the puzzle.

Look at the top 10 teams right now, they average having 3 players with at least a point per game. Eight of them have at least one bonified star player and one star defenseman. The Wings have none of those. Stay the course, keep adding prospects, it's a numbers game and they're bound to get lucky on a few.

Horvat is also a UFA this summer. I'm not sure Lou Lamoriello can get Horvat signed. I would guess Horvat tests free agency. Ring ring paging Mr. Yzerman.

I'm glad the Wings didn't get Horvat. I don't think we're there yet, not for a few more years. To give up prospects for any older player at this point doesn't make sense to me, especially one looking for a long-term deal. Was Horvat going to help the Wings get to the playoffs? Doubtful, so what's the point in paying a premium to get him? I still think we're 4 or more years away from having a legit playoff team. Get all these young kids in their mid-20's, then start adding pieces. We still need a lot of prospects, and we still need a star player. If you look at their top 12 prospects right now, eight of them are goalies or defensemen. They need C's and they need goal scorers. Can Kasper be a #1 C? I sure hope so. Can Mazur or Buchelnikov become consistent goal scorers? I sure hope so. Can Lombardi become one of the steals of last year's draft? I sure hope so. The Wings only had one player in the U20 World Juniors last month. They need more high-end prospects, then they can start adding pieces to the puzzle.

Look at the top 10 teams right now, they average having 3 players with at least a point per game. Eight of them have at least one bonified star player and one star defenseman. The Wings have none of those. Stay the course, keep adding prospects, it's a numbers game and they're bound to get lucky on a few.
- bluelineenforcer

Kasper is coming along great and has a very similar point production that Raymond had the year after the draft in the same SHL league. Plus the added caveat that Kasper is better defensively! A very smart, hardworking and overly eager learner. Lombardi is about 1.25 pts per game in Jr. So those are are future hopes for center.