Jeremy Laura: Detroit stays at 15 in the draft lottery.

Jeremy Laura: Detroit stays at 15 in the draft lottery.
- Jeremy Laura

Hawks stay at 2. I thought we were going to get “Detroited” and bumped down to 4?

Hawks stay at 2. I thought we were going to get “Detroited” and bumped down to 4?
- Chief4Feathers

I’m not sure if anyone was trolling you with that, I definitely didn’t think that would be the case. Detroit’s lottery issues caused a near hour of Yzerman supposedly giving some fairly visceral perspective at a GMs meeting.

It's baffling why fans/media haven't demanded a live draft. That just kills any speculation about it being rigged. Put 1,000 balls into a glass barrell based on the draft odds. Have some 8-year old local hockey kid put on a blindfold and grab one ball. The end.

I’m not sure if anyone was trolling you with that, I definitely didn’t think that would be the case. Detroit’s lottery issues caused a near hour of Yzerman supposedly giving some fairly visceral perspective at a GMs meeting.
- Jeremy Laura

No trolling. I just remember a year or two when Detroit seemed to always move down - not up - when the lottery balls finished their bounces.

It's baffling why fans/media haven't demanded a live draft. That just kills any speculation about it being rigged. Put 1,000 balls into a glass barrell based on the draft odds. Have some 8-year old local hockey kid put on a blindfold and grab one ball. The end.
- HockeyBuzzed

Not exactly transparent…

No trolling. I just remember a year or two when Detroit seemed to always move down - not up - when the lottery balls finished their bounces.
- Chief4Feathers

Ah, gotcha. I saw Chicago extended Reichel. In that first series that kid blew me away. He could find spots and pick shots. Was a nightmare to GR when he had the puck in the O zone.

Ah, gotcha. I saw Chicago extended Reichel. In that first series that kid blew me away. He could find spots and pick shots. Was a nightmare to GR when he had the puck in the O zone.
- Jeremy Laura

He had an up and down year - figuratively and literally. Couldn’t find the back of the net for a long stretch this season and then was sent down to the AHL. Came back toward the later part of the season and his play was better.

A two-year, $1.2M AAV seems about right - hopefully he can build off of this year.

He had an up and down year - figuratively and literally. Couldn’t find the back of the net for a long stretch this season and then was sent down to the AHL. Came back toward the later part of the season and his play was better.

A two-year, $1.2M AAV seems about right - hopefully he can build off of this year.
- Chief4Feathers

Berggren and 15OA for Reichel and 20OA

Berggren and 15OA for Reichel and 20OA
- Feds91Stammer

Wings are out of Chicago products and need a reboot!

Wings are out of Chicago products and need a reboot!
- HenryHockey

Seider needs a German buddy on the team.

Would definitely make Oktoberfest more interesting, and Mo wouldn't feel so alone!

It's baffling why fans/media haven't demanded a live draft. That just kills any speculation about it being rigged. Put 1,000 balls into a glass barrell based on the draft odds. Have some 8-year old local hockey kid put on a blindfold and grab one ball. The end.
- HockeyBuzzed

Like an idiot, I watched it. Wife's dealing with some medical issues, so she flipped when I blew up at the "draft" results...... gave her "the Vapors".... The whole lottery thing is a waste of time. Like you point out, the conspiracy theorists gain traction because it's not a transparent action. And what was the deal with the Sphere? I mean, it was cool, but I missed the intent....maybe because I was in my rage place. TOTAL waste of time.

Going to be interested to see what your thoughts are for potential picks.

Berggren and 15OA for Reichel and 20OA
- Feds91Stammer

In your opinion, is Berggren gone?

In your opinion, is Berggren gone?
- mcmastermike1968

Based on his trade request and Yzermans track record I feel it’s more likely he’s gone that it is he returns.

Based on his trade request and Yzermans track record I feel it’s more likely he’s gone that it is he returns.
- Feds91Stammer

Yeah, tend to agree with that.....

Based on his trade request and Yzermans track record I feel it’s more likely he’s gone that it is he returns.
- Feds91Stammer

+1. There seems to be more than one scenario that have indicated some sort of gap. Whatever happened before the season and during the season soured JB. Shame, he had all 3 GWG in round 1 for Grand Rapids but for whatever reason this seems headed to a parting of ways

Seider needs a German buddy on the team.
- Feds91Stammer

Stützle would be nice, would he settle for an Austrian in Marco Rossi?

"15. Liam Greentree, LW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Height: Six-foot-two Weight: 211 pounds

Greentree is a safe bet who plays a power-forward role with elevated skill, especially in the goal-scoring realm."

I think Liam would fit the Yzerplan!
and just across the river!

"20. Michael Hage, C, Chicago Steel (USHL)
Height: Six-foot-one Weight: 190 pounds

Hage had a huge bounce-back season resulting in 1.39 points per game. He moves well and is involved in the play. When engaged, he is a threat whenever he comes over the boards."

Can always use a C!

"22. Adam Jiricek, D, HC Plzen (Extraliiga)
Height: Six-foot-two Weight: 178 pounds

Jiricek's size and two-way ability certainly tantalize scouts but he hasn’t played since the world juniors and several other defencemen have progressed more."

Me likes!

In your opinion, is Berggren gone?

One of the things dynasty years players will tell you is Detroit only wanted guys who wanted to be there and bought into the system. I think with Yzerman, if you request a trade, you're gone. In Zadina's case, he had no value, JB does. I don't know exactly when his agent requested a trade, but from that day forward, I suspect he was no longer part of the plans. I think he's a legit 40 to 50 point NHL caliber player, and Detroit will want a return based on that. It may be in more picks (unlikely), or it may be in a few prospects, or he may bundle him in for a bigger trade, but he will not be giving him away for nothing.

As far as this year's draft, I really hope they don't pick the "safe" player. This is a deep draft and I hope they go for the high risk / high reward player. In 2021, Edvisson was the safe pick, Wyatt Johnson is turning into an elite forward. In 2022, Kasper was the safe pick, Time will tell which high risk / high reward players pan out, same goes for the safe pick of Danielson last year. I recognize that they need to develop NHL caliber players, and the safe pick is tempting. Couldn't ask anything more from Seider, but Zegras and Caulfield were those risk players in that draft. In 2020, Raymond was the right pick and you can't argue with either one of them, but it would be nice to have a Caulfield type player or two.

Based on his trade request and Yzermans track record I feel it’s more likely he’s gone that it is he returns.
- Feds91Stammer

When did Berggren request a trade ? Good grief... I didn't even hear about that. I just knew he was unhappy about being in GR this season. I understand his frustration... but I would think Yzerman assured him he'd have a roster spot for sure next season. It's a shame both sides can't make this work... I'd like to keep him in Detroit. If he's really that unhappy and not willing to work with Yzerman then good riddance. I won't miss him anymore than Bertuzzi's overvalued / overpaid sorry a$$

When did Berggren request a trade ? Good grief... I didn't even hear about that. I just knew he was unhappy about being in GR this season. I understand his frustration... but I would think Yzerman assured him he'd have a roster spot for sure next season. It's a shame both sides can't make this work... I'd like to keep him in Detroit. If he's really that unhappy and not willing to work with Yzerman then good riddance. I won't miss him anymore than Bertuzzi's overvalued / overpaid sorry a$$
- Vladdie_Kon1

To my knowledge it was back in December and I don’t really fault him either. Also Bertuzzi didn’t want to leave. That was another Yzerman decision. Yzerman is a bit of a Richard and if you’re not one of his guys he will let you go no problem.

One of the things dynasty years players will tell you is Detroit only wanted guys who wanted to be there and bought into the system. I think with Yzerman, if you request a trade, you're gone. In Zadina's case, he had no value, JB does. I don't know exactly when his agent requested a trade, but from that day forward, I suspect he was no longer part of the plans. I think he's a legit 40 to 50 point NHL caliber player, and Detroit will want a return based on that. It may be in more picks (unlikely), or it may be in a few prospects, or he may bundle him in for a bigger trade, but he will not be giving him away for nothing.

As far as this year's draft, I really hope they don't pick the "safe" player. This is a deep draft and I hope they go for the high risk / high reward player. In 2021, Edvisson was the safe pick, Wyatt Johnson is turning into an elite forward. In 2022, Kasper was the safe pick, Time will tell which high risk / high reward players pan out, same goes for the safe pick of Danielson last year. I recognize that they need to develop NHL caliber players, and the safe pick is tempting. Couldn't ask anything more from Seider, but Zegras and Caulfield were those risk players in that draft. In 2020, Raymond was the right pick and you can't argue with either one of them, but it would be nice to have a Caulfield type player or two.
- bluelineenforcer

WHOLLY agree with all of the above. Now, here's the thing for me:

Yzerman is looking to build a dynastic type team, depth in the NHL, stocked cupboard in the "A", studs abound in the "E". He's been hit-n-miss on drafting, I think we all can agree...for whatever reason. So, how does he go about building that depth across the board? When I look at some of the moves, I'm not overly upset about Hronek going away, right now. Folks can say "Look at what he's doing now that he's gone..."but he didn't have the talent around him with the Wings. Got a pretty nice haul for him, no doubt. I think there's a *chance* to get ahold of Zegras....if we package everything just right, we COULD land him. The cost would be kinda high, I'd imagine. Would feel safe in saying JB would be part of that deal. But I don't know if I'd empty the cupboard for the immediate gratification only to have it all squashed in 3-4yrs and have to start all over again. I dunno, but your point above is pretty spot-on; gotta get wild n crazy to build a power-house team....and to the points below, some of the guys may not fit in with Yzerman's vision and they're gonna go. I think loyalty is a big thing with Yzerman, so if someone seems on the fence, they're gonna pack their bags, HOPEFULLY for a good return.

I'm not sure what to think about Bert. I liked him, still do; gritty, in-your-face style of play, rough on the fore-check, etc... But I don't think he'd be a long-term, foundational kinda guy; same with Hronek. Even now, he's showing a decent return, but nothing to write home about, honestly.

There's been some moves that really made me wonder. We got dorked a the draft for several years, but I can't say Danielson was the wrong guy, or that Kasper isn't going to be a stud, I just don't know. I do know that 2 choices most folks threw up over (Mo & Raymond) are turning out to be pretty solid choices, but I think there could've been some guys who maybe would've been better..... But what about in the timeline for contention? May take a bit longer for, say, Danielson to become a powerful player, but he hits his stride right at the time we push deeper into the SCPO so his use to us is a bit longer.... Again, just hypothesizing. I ain't no grand GM and none of us know what's being said on draft boards, but yeah, it's time to get a little bit crazy and go after someone with more of an up-side vs safe, gonna take a while to develop players.....

To my knowledge it was back in December and I don’t really fault him either. Also Bertuzzi didn’t want to leave. That was another Yzerman decision. Yzerman is a bit of a Richard and if you’re not one of his guys he will let you go no problem.
- Feds91Stammer

Was it ever confirmed he asked for a trade? I don't deny he may have, or that he's frustrated with the offer laid out for him, etc... but if he's not going to be a vital cog in the HockeyTown machine, I say roll the dice and see what kind of haul we could get for him.....

Was it ever confirmed he asked for a trade? I don't deny he may have, or that he's frustrated with the offer laid out for him, etc... but if he's not going to be a vital cog in the HockeyTown machine, I say roll the dice and see what kind of haul we could get for him.....
- mcmastermike1968

If I ever claim to have any info just know it comes from someone very involved with the prospects in GR.