Jeremy Laura: 8 games left, 2 points out. Is it more stressful to be close?

Here’s a link with the Olympic results mentioned:

https://olympics.com/en/o...ta-1996/results/wrestling

i dont think they will make it.

I expect the Wings to lose against Tampa and the Rangers. They will need to win the next 3 games against Buffalo, Washington and the Pens. Hoping Leafs might sit out some stars since i don't think they will be able to move up in the standings so they might have a chance at points. They finish off with back to back games against the Habs and they need to win both.


That Larkin injury in March really set the Wings back. As i said at the start of the season, the Wings can't afford to lose Larkin or Seider since they have nobody that can step up and play the minutes or produce with any decency. This is something that has to be addressed in the off-season. Maybe Kasper or Danielson can help at center so i don't expect Yzerman to do much there. On the right side defense they have nobody and that has to be addressed. ASP is likely a year or two away from being able to play with the Wings imo so they need someone to solidify that right side behind Seider until then.

Also needs to add some physicality and toughness to this lineup so they don't fold when things get tough, physical and there is no time and space for them to make plays. Wings struggle mightily when teams take time and space away from them in all zones and play them physical.

i dont think they will make it.
- wingz4life

I think you’re in good company. What I am wondering in terms of fan reaction, is it harder to be as close as they are or would it be harder for them to be further back (mentally).

I expect the Wings to lose against Tampa and the Rangers. They will need to win the next 3 games against Buffalo, Washington and the Pens. Hoping Leafs might sit out some stars since i don't think they will be able to move up in the standings so they might have a chance at points. They finish off with back to back games against the Habs and they need to win both.


That Larkin injury in March really set the Wings back. As i said at the start of the season, the Wings can't afford to lose Larkin or Seider since they have nobody that can step up and play the minutes or produce with any decency. This is something that has to be addressed in the off-season. Maybe Kasper or Danielson can help at center so i don't expect Yzerman to do much there. On the right side defense they have nobody and that has to be addressed. ASP is likely a year or two away from being able to play with the Wings imo so they need someone to solidify that right side behind Seider until then.

Also needs to add some physicality and toughness to this lineup so they don't fold when things get tough, physical and there is no time and space for them to make plays. Wings struggle mightily when teams take time and space away from them in all zones and play them physical.
- dcz28

Holl and Kostin were last year’s attempt at physicality. Didn’t work out. If Danielson or Kasper are good to go, is there still too much drop off at center? Obviously we’ll see what the office thinks over the next couple months

Walman back in tonight. Maata out, Edvinsson staying in

Holl and Kostin were last year’s attempt at physicality. Didn’t work out. If Danielson or Kasper are good to go, is there still too much drop off at center? Obviously we’ll see what the office thinks over the next couple months
- Jeremy Laura

Kostin i kind of get but Holl was never known as physical or tough...he's just big but not even that big for a guy that tall. Athanasioux ragdolled Holl a few years ago and Holl pretty much lost the few fights he has been in. I really don't understand why Yzerman signed him at all other than being tall and RH. They needed a Gudas or Luke Schenn type of stay at home, physical defenseman or a solid two way defenseman not Holl or Petry.


If Kasper and Danielson aren't ready for full time duty with the Wings next season, at least they might be ready for some call ups incase of injuries. We already know none of the other centers on the team can step up and play in the top 6 if needed and actually produce. Those two might not either but at least they might be options.

Kostin i kind of get but Holl was never known as physical or tough...he's just big but not even that big for a guy that tall. Athanasioux ragdolled Holl a few years ago and Holl pretty much lost the few fights he has been in. I really don't understand why Yzerman signed him at all other than being tall and RH. They needed a Gudas or Luke Schenn type of stay at home, physical defenseman or a solid two way defenseman not Holl or Petry.


If Kasper and Danielson aren't ready for full time duty with the Wings next season, at least they might be ready for some call ups incase of injuries. We already know none of the other centers on the team can step up and play in the top 6 if needed and actually produce. Those two might not either but at least they might be options.
- dcz28

Still wish kostin got a better chance to play this year, liked that pickup at the time and he looked good in playoffs for Edmonton.

I wonder how the multi year moves this year leading to long bouts of healthy scratches is going to impact future free agents, have to think they'd lean to take other offers if it's a toss up.

Next Season the Defense will be:

Walman-Seider
Edvinsson-Chiarot(he;s a pylon but he is here due to his contract)
Petery/Maata/?/?

Next Season the Defense will be:

Walman-Seider
Edvinsson-Chiarot(he;s a pylon but he is here due to his contract)
Petery/Maata/?/?
- wingz4life

If Yzerman brings back that defense next season they will struggle again and probably be much worst if they lose some of the offensive depth because they still won't be good defensively. Bringing in another goalie won't make a difference either until the defense is much improved.

If that is Yzerman's plan for next season, they likely will be out of the playoff picture by the trade deadline and looking at a lottery pick...even more so if Larkin or Seider miss significant time with injuries.

Still wish kostin got a better chance to play this year, liked that pickup at the time and he looked good in playoffs for Edmonton.

I wonder how the multi year moves this year leading to long bouts of healthy scratches is going to impact future free agents, have to think they'd lean to take other offers if it's a toss up.
- tmanv

Playoff standouts can be such a gamble. Copp was similarly favored but signed as he needed a major surgery (with term). It feels like there are players who seem to break out but return to previous form. I also wonder if the GM and coach are on the same page with all the signings. As for the multi year deals, Holl and Copp are the more concerning. Though Copp did some really good defensive work, it doesn’t feel like that place in the lineup is what Detroit was looking for.

On free agents, I think there may be some bargains to be had later in the summer. Even if the cap goes up 4m (4.25) clubs are shying away from signing bonuses and there isn’t a ton of wiggle room even at that boost. One agent said there were 22 fewer players in the league due to cap issues. Teams going with fewer than the maximum allowed.

Still wish kostin got a better chance to play this year, liked that pickup at the time and he looked good in playoffs for Edmonton.

I wonder how the multi year moves this year leading to long bouts of healthy scratches is going to impact future free agents, have to think they'd lean to take other offers if it's a toss up.
- tmanv

I'm not really sure if it will affect them much at all. Sure Kostin and Holl were scratched a lot and Kostin even moved out because of it but Ghost, Kane, Fischer, Lyon, Compher and even Sprong until recently were played a lot or at least not scratched.

Players still have to perform to stay in the lineup and UFA signings should not expect to always play if they are not playing well just because they were recently signed.

Next Season the Defense will be:

Walman-Seider
Edvinsson-Chiarot(he;s a pylon but he is here due to his contract)
Petery/Maata/?/?
- wingz4life

I honestly wonder if Yzerman won’t try to work with a cap floor (ish) team. Edvinsson being left up this season with Maata as a scratch is interesting to be sure. I have to think there’s discussions regarding the right side and what can be done

Playoff standouts can be such a gamble. Copp was similarly favored but signed as he needed a major surgery (with term). It feels like there are players who seem to break out but return to previous form. I also wonder if the GM and coach are on the same page with all the signings. As for the multi year deals, Holl and Copp are the more concerning. Though Copp did some really good defensive work, it doesn’t feel like that place in the lineup is what Detroit was looking for.

On free agents, I think there may be some bargains to be had later in the summer. Even if the cap goes up 4m (4.25) clubs are shying away from signing bonuses and there isn’t a ton of wiggle room even at that boost. One agent said there were 22 fewer players in the league due to cap issues. Teams going with fewer than the maximum allowed.
- Jeremy Laura

Easy way to avoid bad signings in the UFA market is not to sign and pay players for a career year but pay them for what they have been in their career up to that career year when they become a UFA. Copp was a 3rd liner for the Jets that averaged 20 to 30 something points per season. He was never a 2nd line center and shouldn't have been paid like one or expected to now be some offensive player that gets 40 to 60 points.

Take Sam Reinhart from Florida. He isn't playing as a center, he gets 40 to 60 points on average before this season where he is set to become a UFA and scores 50 goals and likely over 90 points. You give that guy big money for that career year and expect him to be a a top center on top of it and you are asking for disappointment for the team signing him and expecting him to fill that role. Might still be a pretty good signing if you don't expect him to be a center and pay him like a 40 to 60 points players. I said the same thing about DeBrincat before they traded for him that he would be lucky to even hit 30 goals with the Wings when people kept saying how he was a 40 goal scorer. Even with Kane feeding him, he still won't hit 30 goals unless he catches on absolute fire for the last 8 games and stops fumbling the puck every time he touches it.

Easy way to avoid bad signings in the UFA market is not to sign and pay players for a career year but pay them for what they have been in their career up to that career year when they become a UFA. Copp was a 3rd liner for the Jets that averaged 20 to 30 something points per season. He was never a 2nd line center and shouldn't have been paid like one or expected to now be some offensive player that gets 40 to 60 points.

Take Sam Reinhart from Florida. He isn't playing as a center, he gets 40 to 60 points on average before this season where he is set to become a UFA and scores 50 goals and likely over 90 points. You give that guy big money for that career year and expect him to be a a top center on top of it and you are asking for disappointment for the team signing him and expecting him to fill that role. Might still be a pretty good signing if you don't expect him to be a center and pay him like a 40 to 60 points players. I said the same thing about DeBrincat before they traded for him that he would be lucky to even hit 30 goals with the Wings when people kept saying how he was a 40 goal scorer. Even with Kane feeding him, he still won't hit 30 goals unless he catches on absolute fire for the last 8 games and stops fumbling the puck every time he touches it.
- dcz28

2 things you said really jumped out (in a good way). The career year/playoff run. Going from Buffalo to Florida you are surrounded with a completely different cast and in a completely different role. I’ll have to go back, but as much as i loved LaPointe, I think he only hit 30 goals once and it was a contract year. Ended up in Boston. The playoffs. When you hear someone who honestly thinks “The Grind Line” should be in the hall of fame, it’s best just not to respond. They will kill you and make you into meatloaf. Yes, that line was part of a winning team and had an important role. McCarty clinched a cup with a beautiful goal, not necessarily a regular part of his repertoire.

On Debrincat, I wrote a bit on this. He is having so much trouble with the puck lately. I’ve heard of players “clenching their sticks” etc. I’ve also heard that the tracking pucks feel a little different and new batches come throughout the year (still better than the laser pucks 20 years ago). I don’t know how you calm yourself down but players get inside their own heads. I still like the player, just seems to be fighting himself all game long. Hopefully he does the Gretzky trick. If you eat healthy before every game, grab a big greasy burger just once and change it up.

Just enjoying the ride this year. Definitely been some ups & downs but before the season I figured them to be out of the playoff race by the trade deadline so this is just gravy. Would love to see them get a taste of the playoffs but highly doubt that happens this year. At least going deeper into the season may give them some perspective on what's needed to make the dance next year. Excited to see what changes will be made before next season, should be a few.

2 things you said really jumped out (in a good way). The career year/playoff run. Going from Buffalo to Florida you are surrounded with a completely different cast and in a completely different role. I’ll have to go back, but as much as i loved LaPointe, I think he only hit 30 goals once and it was a contract year. Ended up in Boston. The playoffs. When you hear someone who honestly thinks “The Grind Line” should be in the hall of fame, it’s best just not to respond. They will kill you and make you into meatloaf. Yes, that line was part of a winning team and had an important role. McCarty clinched a cup with a beautiful goal, not necessarily a regular part of his repertoire.

On Debrincat, I wrote a bit on this. He is having so much trouble with the puck lately. I’ve heard of players “clenching their sticks” etc. I’ve also heard that the tracking pucks feel a little different and new batches come throughout the year (still better than the laser pucks 20 years ago). I don’t know how you calm yourself down but players get inside their own heads. I still like the player, just seems to be fighting himself all game long. Hopefully he does the Gretzky trick. If you eat healthy before every game, grab a big greasy burger just once and change it up.
- Jeremy Laura

Exactly, in Florida Reinhart isn't expected to be a center like he was in Buffalo and has Barkov to play with. If the Wings signed him this summer and expected him to be a center on top of putting up that many points, they would end up disappointed. If he had no chemistry with Larkin as his center then what? Wings would have an overpaid winger/center that can't hope to produce for what he is being paid for.

Just enjoying the ride this year. Definitely been some ups & downs but before the season I figured them to be out of the playoff race by the trade deadline so this is just gravy. Would love to see them get a taste of the playoffs but highly doubt that happens this year. At least going deeper into the season may give them some perspective on what's needed to make the dance next year. Excited to see what changes will be made before next season, should be a few.
- TxWingFan

I heard an interesting quote from Friedman. While he admitted people were saying LaLonde is on a short leash, that’s not what he heard from people closer to Yzerman. Yzerman knew he was still “plugging holes” in some positions this year. Wanted forward motion (and said as much over the summer in terms of goal scoring) but is an incredibly patient person. The fact that Detroit is so close and has gained offensive production are some check marks. Now we can all try and guess what the goal is this summer. We’ve seen programs “rush the rebuild” and end up pretty disappointed. This is over on NHLrumors. Below was the rumored ask on Draisaitl’s new deal. 13.

Exactly, in Florida Reinhart isn't expected to be a center like he was in Buffalo and has Barkov to play with. If the Wings signed him this summer and expected him to be a center on top of putting up that many points, they would end up disappointed. If he had no chemistry with Larkin as his center then what? Wings would have an overpaid winger/center that can't hope to produce for what he is being paid for.
- dcz28

It’s amazing what players accomplish in a contract year sometimes. Back when Leafs Lunch was broadcast from Gretzky’s steak house there was talk about players who get all their scoring in after the team is out of contention. You really do need to look at some peripheral factors sometimes. Doan trolled Abdelkader on a hot mic once. Holy cow. Funny stuff

It’s amazing what players accomplish in a contract year sometimes. Back when Leafs Lunch was broadcast from Gretzky’s steak house there was talk about players who get all their scoring in after the team is out of contention. You really do need to look at some peripheral factors sometimes. Doan trolled Abdelkader on a hot mic once. Holy cow. Funny stuff
- Jeremy Laura

There is also some like Brian Savage i think it was that was Mr October. He use to score in bunches every October pilling in the goals and points like a star player and would fade as October ended and the season went on.

So many teams have been burned by giving big contracts to players having a career year in a contract year. You would think people would know by now to go by career average and not one good year to determine a players value. The only time you can't really do that is with young players finishing up their entry level contracts because they don't have much history to go on so often now they pay on potential but that can burn a team too unless they go bridge deal which also has downfalls that can cost the team a lot more later.

Red Wings tonight:

DeBrincat-Larkin-Kane
Rasmussen-Compher-Raymond
Veleno-Copp-Perron
Fabbri-Czarnik-Fischer

Chiarot-Seider
Edvinsson-Petry
Walman-Gostisbehere

Lyon
Reimer

I heard an interesting quote from Friedman. While he admitted people were saying LaLonde is on a short leash, that’s not what he heard from people closer to Yzerman. Yzerman knew he was still “plugging holes” in some positions this year. Wanted forward motion (and said as much over the summer in terms of goal scoring) but is an incredibly patient person. The fact that Detroit is so close and has gained offensive production are some check marks. Now we can all try and guess what the goal is this summer. We’ve seen programs “rush the rebuild” and end up pretty disappointed. This is over on NHLrumors. Below was the rumored ask on Draisaitl’s new deal. 13.
- Jeremy Laura

https://detroithockeynow....s-berube-lalonde-yzerman/

https://detroithockeynow.com/2024/04/01/could-cup-winner-be-next-coach-of-red-wings-berube-lalonde-yzerman/
- StargateSG1

I wouldn’t mind Berube at all. Apparently Duff has different sources than Friedman. We’ll see how it pans out

https://detroithockeynow.com/2024/04/01/could-cup-winner-be-next-coach-of-red-wings-berube-lalonde-yzerman/
- StargateSG1

shared this in the last thread

Duff has written a despairing article about just how hopeless they are. He has ripped the Wings constantly on social media all of March. Berube may be a good choice, but now is not the time to be so negative and keep bludgeoning this team! You will have plenty of discussion on what to do next in the off season.


https://detroithockeynow....s-berube-lalonde-yzerman/