Jeremy Laura: Red Wings prospects tough playoff debut, Yzerman wants to retain Kane

Kane is going to be a key contributor for this next season. It's realistic to expect some performance decline starting around now, especially given the hip, but he's held strong. Like I said before, he's still an insane puck-handler and distributor so he's a must-retain, to me. As we transition some of the kids into more important roles, he'll be invaluable to their growth - just need to look at Kasper.....

The GRG deal......sometimes a leader just needs to let the team figure it out. I'm sure a couple of things were/will be said, but then I'd tell the vets to do what they're getting paid for: FIX THIS NOW. Walk out. Close the door. Keep everyone away as the room is destroyed, egos are soothed, and the team re-sets itself.

Kane is going to be a key contributor for this next season. It's realistic to expect some performance decline starting around now, especially given the hip, but he's held strong. Like I said before, he's still an insane puck-handler and distributor so he's a must-retain, to me. As we transition some of the kids into more important roles, he'll be invaluable to their growth - just need to look at Kasper.....

The GRG deal......sometimes a leader just needs to let the team figure it out. I'm sure a couple of things were/will be said, but then I'd tell the vets to do what they're getting paid for: FIX THIS NOW. Walk out. Close the door. Keep everyone away as the room is destroyed, egos are soothed, and the team re-sets itself.
- mcmastermike1968

I agree on both. I think Kane really inspired Kasper to add even more creativity to his play. Kasper plays a lot more ruggedly in the corners than I expected when he was drafted. He’ll dog pile to get a puck. For leadership, there is that interesting balance. Even though the coach was a player (and Lashoff had been part of GR for big off seasons) there is something different about the player hierarchy and what players can say to each other “in the trenches” as opposed to how coaches can communicate. Finding that balance is so critical for a strong room and a team whose internal demands meet or exceed the demands of the coaches. Nice drop in, always appreciated!

I agree on both. I think Kane really inspired Kasper to add even more creativity to his play. Kasper plays a lot more ruggedly in the corners than I expected when he was drafted. He’ll dog pile to get a puck. For leadership, there is that interesting balance. Even though the coach was a player (and Lashoff had been part of GR for big off seasons) there is something different about the player hierarchy and what players can say to each other “in the trenches” as opposed to how coaches can communicate. Finding that balance is so critical for a strong room and a team whose internal demands meet or exceed the demands of the coaches. Nice drop in, always appreciated!
- Jeremy Laura

Regardless of what happens otherwise, I'd REALLY like to see the actions completed on the folks we need to re-sign to open up what the budget could look like in UFA.....

Regardless of what happens otherwise, I'd REALLY like to see the actions completed on the folks we need to re-sign to open up what the budget could look like in UFA.....
- mcmastermike1968

I’m wondering more now if Ekblad may be available. Another suspension and was in rumor mill before.

I’m wondering more now if Ekblad may be available. Another suspension and was in rumor mill before.
- Jeremy Laura

I mean, listen....the guy carries the mail. It's like he Tiger Williams or Wendel Clark.....I'd set the rules, the sign him.

Kinda feel like I''m one of the Deltas in Animal House...."Ok, Larry Kroger?"... ".....we need the dues..." Seriously, take a flyer on the guy.

I mean, listen....the guy carries the mail. It's like he Tiger Williams or Wendel Clark.....I'd set the rules, the sign him.

Kinda feel like I''m one of the Deltas in Animal House...."Ok, Larry Kroger?"... ".....we need the dues..." Seriously, take a flyer on the guy.
- mcmastermike1968

He adds, and I’m all for that. Trouba had a similar edge and would occasionally throw a “chicken wing”. If AE wanted to come to Detroit, I’d be good with that.

Referring to Yzerman’s comments about adding a winger for the Larkin/Raymond line, if this is an UFA, who would you estimate it could be?

Referring to Yzerman’s comments about adding a winger for the Larkin/Raymond line, if this is an UFA, who would you estimate it could be?
- NC_Scott

I think so many people would want to swing for Marner but I can’t see that ever happening. IF he leaves Toronto he could write his own ticket. Honesty makes me think Lombardi may get a chance on the wing. Though he’s a center, Sam Bennett has a lot in the tank this post season. Some fans had wanted Boeser a while back. I honestly just think the D is so rough that money needs to be there (whether by trade for cap space or acquisition). Kasper turned out to be really good on that wing. Lombardi could be very similar. Not a great answer I know but the team needs to keep goals out of the net and the PK was awful. Get a top 3 or 4 D if u can

I think so many people would want to swing for Marner but I can’t see that ever happening. IF he leaves Toronto he could write his own ticket. Honesty makes me think Lombardi may get a chance on the wing. Though he’s a center, Sam Bennett has a lot in the tank this post season. Some fans had wanted Boeser a while back. I honestly just think the D is so rough that money needs to be there (whether by trade for cap space or acquisition). Kasper turned out to be really good on that wing. Lombardi could be very similar. Not a great answer I know but the team needs to keep goals out of the net and the PK was awful. Get a top 3 or 4 D if u can
- Jeremy Laura

Boeser's gonna demand a cpl of sheets, for sure. Not sure he'd be worth what he wants (reading north of $9.5m...). Bennett's projected to be around $6.5m. IF we go for a F, I'd go for Bennet, $6.8x4. But I think our kids can/will show...Lombardi or Mazur.....

I'm 100% in for a dang D-dude. We are soooo hurting for a good D-dude. We have GOT fix the back-end.....

Boeser's gonna demand a cpl of sheets, for sure. Not sure he'd be worth what he wants (reading north of $9.5m...). Bennett's projected to be around $6.5m. IF we go for a F, I'd go for Bennet, $6.8x4. But I think our kids can/will show...Lombardi or Mazur.....

I'm 100% in for a dang D-dude. We are soooo hurting for a good D-dude. We have GOT fix the back-end.....
- mcmastermike1968

What PHR thinks of as a huge ask for Bennet seems pretty reasonable. He’s all over the ice in the post season and punches up. You’re right on the guesstimate pricing for Boeser. It sucks that Mazur was hurt on his first shift. Lombardi reminds me so much of Kasper, but again the injury issue. MBN (and most of the team to be fair) really struggled again on North American ice the other night. He’s supposed to be a physical presence. But I’m 100% in the camp, if you’re gonna spend, spend on the blue line. Yeah the goalies need to makes saves but they are hung out to dry more than a beach towel. I did like glimpses of Seider and Edvinsson in the final stretch. If they’re going to go with that (very young) they’d better have someone like an Ekblad in their sites for Johansson to play with. Holl, buyout or waive him. Chiarot can duke it out with Tuomisto and Wallinder for the bottom pair. I want to see ASP but he needs a stay at home partner (opinion as always) If he gets the nod at the beginning of the season.