Jeremy Laura: Bally’s Finale - it’s finally almost over. Dallas leaves the platform

Thanks Jeremy.

Thanks Jeremy.
- HenryHockey

Always glad. I was sent an email regarding Chicago saying that NBC sports was still the broadcast home of the Blackhawks. The Chicago Sun Times printed an article on the 3rd that the Chicago Sports Network is the new home of the Bulls, Whitesox and Blackhawks citing the issue with Diamond (Bally). If the broadcasts were shown on NBCsports, they were still owned and provided by Diamond until the separation as NBC left the negotiations with the NHL as a Regional Sports Provider and made way for the current ESPN/Bally’s deals. There is a paywall, but here is the link: https://chicago.suntimes....awks-beginning-in-october

Does anyone know the status of Daniel Sprong ? Has he signed anywhere yet ? He was one of the players I wanted to re-sign in Detroit.

Does anyone know the status of Daniel Sprong ? Has he signed anywhere yet ? He was one of the players I wanted to re-sign in Detroit.
- Vladdie_Kon1

Cap friendly hasn’t been pulled yet. Still saying UFA

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/daniel-sprong

Does anyone know the status of Daniel Sprong ? Has he signed anywhere yet ? He was one of the players I wanted to re-sign in Detroit.
- Vladdie_Kon1

Not signed and i don't think he would come back to the Wings with Fester healthy scratching him a lot at the end of the season. If not for that i believe he would have re-signed with the Wings but not after that.

Not signed and i don't think he would come back to the Wings with Fester healthy scratching him a lot at the end of the season. If not for that i believe he would have re-signed with the Wings but not after that.
- dcz28

He was also allegedly looking for more $ on the open market. As with Husso, someone needs to step in and let him make someone else a scratch if he has interest in coming back IMO

Not signed and i don't think he would come back to the Wings with Fester healthy scratching him a lot at the end of the season. If not for that i believe he would have re-signed with the Wings but not after that.
- dcz28

Yeah... I forgot about that stupid decision by LaLonde to scratch him when they were losing and not scoring goals. Scratching one of your most efficient shooters made no sense at all. Not a fan of LaLonde at this point. Sprong was one of the reasons the Wings were in the top 10 in scoring all season. I'm curiuos if Yzerman even made an attempt to re-sign him. I'm sure he's long gone now and will get more money & term elsewhere.

He was definitely a solid ROI, for scoring...great shot, crashed the net, did something to piss off Newsie. He wasn't solid definsively but that may well haveen due to a lack of a team defensive scheme.....He was worth the $$, if only he was a better 2-way bubba....

This whole dang broatcast stuff.....if the league is trying to expand its fan-base, how's about they consider accessibility vs screwing over the fans they have now.....angering.

Yeah... I forgot about that stupid decision by LaLonde to scratch him when they were losing and not scoring goals. Scratching one of your most efficient shooters made no sense at all. Not a fan of LaLonde at this point. Sprong was one of the reasons the Wings were in the top 10 in scoring all season. I'm curiuos if Yzerman even made an attempt to re-sign him. I'm sure he's long gone now and will get more money & term elsewhere.
- Vladdie_Kon1

It seems Sprong let his man score too often in his last few games. He is a defensive lability.

He was definitely a solid ROI, for scoring...great shot, crashed the net, did something to piss off Newsie. He wasn't solid definsively but that may well haveen due to a lack of a team defensive scheme.....He was worth the $$, if only he was a better 2-way bubba....

This whole dang broatcast stuff.....if the league is trying to expand its fan-base, how's about they consider accessibility vs screwing over the fans they have now.....angering.
- mcmastermike1968

I don’t think the league understood who or what Bally’s was. It took me months last year to figure it out before the bankruptcy was in full swing. The real irony? Had Disney just kept those markets they would have had all of Fox Sports along with the ESPN deal but they way overpaid for Fox (70 Billion) to get some Marvel Properties, the Simpsons, and part of Hulu. I’m making a call tomorrow that I expect to get hung up on, but hoping I can get some info quick

It seems Sprong let his man score too often in his last few games. He is a defensive lability.
- HenryHockey

He did have some “oopsies’ and what very little I know of LaLonde (all second hand) there were a couple of disagreements.

Someone brought up an interesting idea that I haven’t really thought about. With Veleno filing for arb and Berggren now “in the fold”, is Detroit done making deals or are either of those names being bandied about? Yzerman sounded done at the presser but it’s a long summer

Yeah... I forgot about that stupid decision by LaLonde to scratch him when they were losing and not scoring goals. Scratching one of your most efficient shooters made no sense at all. Not a fan of LaLonde at this point. Sprong was one of the reasons the Wings were in the top 10 in scoring all season. I'm curiuos if Yzerman even made an attempt to re-sign him. I'm sure he's long gone now and will get more money & term elsewhere.
- Vladdie_Kon1

I'm sure he was looking for more money and term but so far that didn't happen and isn't likely to happen now although he is one of the few remaining with the potential to score 20 goals.

I would imagine he would take most deals from other teams over whatever the Wings offer if he think he might get a chance at possibly getting a bigger role. That won't happen with the Wings he's just going to end up on the 4th line again while he watches Debrincat get all the prime ice time and not get benched for not scoring for long stretches of the season and play no defense at all. If i were him that would piss me off. I would rather go somewhere else where the coach might actually give me a chance or at least not treat me to a different standard to the other guys on the team.

He did have some “oopsies’ and what very little I know of LaLonde (all second hand) there were a couple of disagreements.

Someone brought up an interesting idea that I haven’t really thought about. With Veleno filing for arb and Berggren now “in the fold”, is Detroit done making deals or are either of those names being bandied about? Yzerman sounded done at the presser but it’s a long summer
- Jeremy Laura

Yzerman is probably done unless something falls into his lap. He needs to get Seider and Raymond signed at this point because he missed the boat on improving this crappy defense. The only notable trades that are being rumored (or were) Laine and Ehlers have gone quiet and the Wings top 6 is set at wing. Trouba isn't moving and i haven't heard of any decent RHD being rumored for trade.

I'm ok with the forward depth for the most part although i still think they lack grit and physicality there. The defense and a RHD should have been priority #1 this off-season along with getting Mo and Ray signed but nothing has been done with any of those. Goalies i don't care because it doesn't matter with that defense unless you have an elite goalie.

Is Steve Yzerman Losing His Shine?

Yes.

Yzerman is probably done unless something falls into his lap. He needs to get Seider and Raymond signed at this point because he missed the boat on improving this crappy defense. The only notable trades that are being rumored (or were) Laine and Ehlers have gone quiet and the Wings top 6 is set at wing. Trouba isn't moving and i haven't heard of any decent RHD being rumored for trade.

I'm ok with the forward depth for the most part although i still think they lack grit and physicality there. The defense and a RHD should have been priority #1 this off-season along with getting Mo and Ray signed but nothing has been done with any of those. Goalies i don't care because it doesn't matter with that defense unless you have an elite goalie.
- dcz28

I’m going out on a limb to say he’s not “done”. Edvinsson and Johansson are getting the opportunity in Detroit. With no pick higher than 4 (pushed back from 1 by the lotto) Seider and Raymond were both looking ready at 19 to be in the league. Seider was going that direction but went to Sweden for the shut down. The entire team had to be torn down and rebuilt. Are there bad deals? Absolutely. Are they also in the division that has 3 of the past 5 or 6 Stanley cups and 5 appearances by those Florida teams in the finals? One of which he built? Toronto perennially racks up goals in the regular season and will for the foreseeable future. Last season we saw positive movement in nearly every category, the big focus being goals scored. Now goals against have to go down. Yes, the defense is a priority and needs to be. How many “game changers” were available within the presumed budget while they negotiate Raymond and Seider? They tried for one “big name” but I don’t know who it was. Talbot, to me, is an upgrade on Reimer and Lyon seems to be ahead of Husso who had too much given to him until they finally shelved him. Tarasenko is an upgrade on the 2nd line (opinion) as Perron slows down and Fabbri was shipped out. I actually feel there were steps made in the right direction.

Yzerman is probably done unless something falls into his lap. He needs to get Seider and Raymond signed at this point because he missed the boat on improving this crappy defense. The only notable trades that are being rumored (or were) Laine and Ehlers have gone quiet and the Wings top 6 is set at wing. Trouba isn't moving and i haven't heard of any decent RHD being rumored for trade.

I'm ok with the forward depth for the most part although i still think they lack grit and physicality there. The defense and a RHD should have been priority #1 this off-season along with getting Mo and Ray signed but nothing has been done with any of those. Goalies i don't care because it doesn't matter with that defense unless you have an elite goalie.
- dcz28

Rasmussen, Veleno, and a 1st for Ehlers and McGroarty would be perfect.

Is Steve Yzerman Losing His Shine?

Yes.
- wingz4life

I just read that article. The entire premise starts of ignoring 2 things. 1 - Yzerman was suspended for that last year because he wouldn’t extend. After he built the team, they sent him home where he got his brother to go scout with him. Including scouting Seider.

2 - Stamkos and Hedman weren’t waiting for Yzerman and Team Canada? Yeah those teams are loaded. Saying that Buffalo, Ottawa and Montreal are all better in talent acquisition (notice not performance) ignores a lot of details. I wasn’t going to bring that article up but it had some glaring omissions and convenient forgetting of detail.

I’m going out on a limb to say he’s not “done”. Edvinsson and Johansson are getting the opportunity in Detroit. With no pick higher than 4 (pushed back from 1 by the lotto) Seider and Raymond were both looking ready at 19 to be in the league. Seider was going that direction but went to Sweden for the shut down. The entire team had to be torn down and rebuilt. Are there bad deals? Absolutely. Are they also in the division that has 3 of the past 5 or 6 Stanley cups and 5 appearances by those Florida teams in the finals? One of which he built? Toronto perennially racks up goals in the regular season and will for the foreseeable future. Last season we saw positive movement in nearly every category, the big focus being goals scored. Now goals against have to go down. Yes, the defense is a priority and needs to be. How many “game changers” were available within the presumed budget while they negotiate Raymond and Seider? They tried for one “big name” but I don’t know who it was. Talbot, to me, is an upgrade on Reimer and Lyon seems to be ahead of Husso who had too much given to him until they finally shelved him. Tarasenko is an upgrade on the 2nd line (opinion) as Perron slows down and Fabbri was shipped out. I actually feel there were steps made in the right direction.
- Jeremy Laura

It seems all the moves made were lateral moves or slight upgrades. The only things that would be better is hopefully a full season of Kane, and Husso being shelved. IF Seider and Raymond have even better seasons, that may be all the difference DRW's need. The D is not better, and needs serious attention. The thing is that it will take about 98 pts to get into the play-offs, not the 91 Detroit had last season. More moves are necessary.

Rasmussen, Veleno, and a 1st for Ehlers and McGroarty would be perfect.
- Feds91Stammer

You sure hate Ras! I would not send anyone to Whinny! (Except Holl, but I am sure that is on his no-trade list!)

I’m going out on a limb to say he’s not “done”. Edvinsson and Johansson are getting the opportunity in Detroit. With no pick higher than 4 (pushed back from 1 by the lotto) Seider and Raymond were both looking ready at 19 to be in the league. Seider was going that direction but went to Sweden for the shut down. The entire team had to be torn down and rebuilt. Are there bad deals? Absolutely. Are they also in the division that has 3 of the past 5 or 6 Stanley cups and 5 appearances by those Florida teams in the finals? One of which he built? Toronto perennially racks up goals in the regular season and will for the foreseeable future. Last season we saw positive movement in nearly every category, the big focus being goals scored. Now goals against have to go down. Yes, the defense is a priority and needs to be. How many “game changers” were available within the presumed budget while they negotiate Raymond and Seider? They tried for one “big name” but I don’t know who it was. Talbot, to me, is an upgrade on Reimer and Lyon seems to be ahead of Husso who had too much given to him until they finally shelved him. Tarasenko is an upgrade on the 2nd line (opinion) as Perron slows down and Fabbri was shipped out. I actually feel there were steps made in the right direction.
- Jeremy Laura

I would disagree on them being better than last season. They lost some offense at forward and on defense. They aren't improved on defense imo unless Edvinsson can come in a be a solid top 4 LD right off the bat, they are going to be worst.

Talbot Reimer is a wash at best. He's going to implode behind that defense just like every other goalie the past 3 or 4 years. Start off hot and then implode from having to stand on their heads every single game because the team can't play defense.

I think Yzerman was banking on Trouba being traded to him but when that got destroyed he was already behind on the UFAs since most of the top RHD already had their deals pretty much set even before July 1st even started. Former GM Neil Smith came out and said that all teams negotiate with UFAs before July 1st through a 3rd party so that's why deals pop off right from 12pm on July 1st.

It seems all the moves made were lateral moves or slight upgrades. The only things that would be better is hopefully a full season of Kane, and Husso being shelved. IF Seider and Raymond have even better seasons, that may be all the difference DRW's need. The D is not better, and needs serious attention. The thing is that it will take about 98 pts to get into the play-offs, not the 91 Detroit had last season. More moves are necessary.
- HenryHockey

I don’t think Tarasenko or Talbot are “slight” improvements. Can Raymond hit 30 again? I don’t know. Seider was getting 25 minutes per night as a 22 year old. I think it’s safe to say he is still growing. Just getting Husso out of the “de facto” starter position with Lyon and Talbot could be an improvement. In terms of points, yes that’s a very good point. I think there may also be a legitimate in season massive separation between spots 1 and 2 and spots 3 and wild card. Teams are declining in the Eastern Conference and the point differential may be closer to 95 to get in a wild card spot. The teams that are at the top in scoring during the regular season will likely stay there. I don’t know if Boston has a runaway start to the season, but Toronto and Florida certainly have regular season dominance in scoring. Tampa is going to be interesting. Took a swing with Guentzel but also lost a very good defenseman (who was injured). Detroit took an overall step forward in scoring and it will be interesting to see if that can be sustained and if even .3 to .5 goals against can be shaved off. That could make for a very different scenario as well.

I would disagree on them being better than last season. They lost some offense at forward and on defense. They aren't improved on defense imo unless Edvinsson can come in a be a solid top 4 LD right off the bat, they are going to be worst.

Talbot Reimer is a wash at best. He's going to implode behind that defense just like every other goalie the past 3 or 4 years. Start off hot and then implode from having to stand on their heads every single game because the team can't play defense.

I think Yzerman was banking on Trouba being traded to him but when that got destroyed he was already behind on the UFAs since most of the top RHD already had their deals pretty much set even before July 1st even started. Former GM Neil Smith came out and said that all teams negotiate with UFAs before July 1st through a 3rd party so that's why deals pop off right from 12pm on July 1st.
- dcz28

I respect where you’re coming from. Tarasenko, to me, along with a full season of Kane is a boost for the top 6. Perron is slowing down, Fabbri has “the bug” unfortunately. There is a presumed addition of Berggren at this point. The goals Fabbri, Perron and Sprong added can be touched on by Tarasenko, Berggren and 25-30 more games from Kane. Edvinsson didn’t look “out of place” in his extended time in Detroit and is certainly a better/faster skater than what the 2nd pairing was seeing before him. At this point, we are speculating as best we can. I think the coach makes poor decisions on personnel, but the office seems pretty unhappy with Husso. I don’t think Reimer and Talbot is lateral but that is, again, opinion. Camp will play itself out and we’ll see what the team looks like in the pre season and season. If I’m wrong, I’ll own it and give you and others props. There is plenty of criticism regarding Yzerman right now and it can’t be waived off. However, I do think some of it is overblown and some of his picks and development don’t get enough credit.

To publicly state Reimer/Talbot is "a wash at best" makes it painfully obvious you are unfamiliar with one or both.

To publicly state Reimer/Talbot is "a wash at best" makes it painfully obvious you are unfamiliar with one or both.
- todd3066

Nope saw plenty of them both. Look at Talbot with Ottawa (same type of crappy defense) and you will see what kind of numbers you can expect from him with the Wings. 2.93 GAA and a .898 S% sounds familiar to you? Look at his numbers with the Oilers. Wings don't have a Wild or Kings defense or team defense and he's going to see a lot more of the top Eastern teams. He's also injury prone and getting older at 37.

He does decent with strong playoff caliber teams but not so well with teams that are below average especially defensively. We'll see how long you will be signing this tune. I have as much fait in Talbot as i do in Husso. Lyon will likely be their #1 again unless he has a bad season.