Red Wings

[chemiclord]

That’s so true chemi. Yzerman did the same in Tampa and he left that place a complete shit show. The Tigers and Lightning are spitting images of each other

oh wait.. forget it

I look at the Red Wings rebuild so far, and I'm seeing a nigh exact replica of the Tigers, not the Lightning. Keep everyone focused on the future and nebulous promises of investment "when the time is right," then never actually have the time be right. It's straight out of Chris Illitch's "austerity for you, money for me" playbook.

I don't mind the trade, it was a really good return. The Wings have a lot of picks and Mantha really wasn't producing to the level of the contract Yzerman signed him to. The time horizon of competing gets pushed back if we have to wait for these draft picks turn into men, maybe until 2027. The 10 year horizon.

Sure, in a vacuum, it's a great haul for a player who isn't going to be a superstar. As part of a larger picture, it just another example of what Chris Illitch loves to do with his teams.

[froot loops]

I'm sure Yzerman has a plan and I trust him far more than Al Avila but if we are to believe we can expect nothing in free agency or trades it's going to be a long time before they can compete. If draft picks take four or five years to become men, then it was wise to trade Mantha as he would be in his early 30s before they could compete.

[froot loops]

This is more than Chris Ilitch thing though, the stockpile picks spans cities and sports. The NBA is full of teams stockpiling picks. At least in the NFL, rookie picks can contribute to Super Bowl teams and do.

[jaadam4]

Maybe but this smells like an Yzerman thing. Mantha has been really sporadic with his play and he’s been called out many times for not playing for long stretches.

The sad thing is that he could be a seriously damned good PF and a perineal all star but he’s been stuck on a bad team. I’ll be curious to see how he does going from “worst to first”.

I’ve always looked at Mantha like we were wasting his best years but I never thought we’d actually trade him.

[froot loops]

I was thinking maybe they should have seen how many picks they could get for Dylan Larkin.

[chemiclord]

I was thinking maybe they should have seen how many picks they could get for Dylan Larkin.

Why not? Yzerman can push the window back to 2030 and give himself a damn DECADE of cover!

[Whitley]

Wings are currently 13-15-4 since their 2-8-2 start and are 5-3-2 in their last 10. And swept the 2 game series with Carolina.

[Tom]

Trading Larkin should be looked into at some point. It would definitely bring something back in return.

[froot loops]

Definitely

[jaadam4]

I can’t tell if you guys are serious or not. Larkin is a skilled hometown kid that plays his ass off and is 24 years old. Mantha is 2 years older and sporadic with his compete level.

I wasn’t overly excited about the trade as draft picks in the NHL largely don’t pan out, take forever if they do and I like
Mantha. After looking at the numbers we added a 1st and 2nd rounder and a player that’s put up almost identical numbers that Mantha has in Vrana.

[jaadam4]

Granted you can’t teach size. Vrana isn’t a smurf but Mantha has great size. Mantha really fits the Capitals style of play, I think he’ll do well there.

Maybe this is a kick in the pants to Rasmussen for him to set up as well. I haven’t seen him flash once since we drafted him.

[Tom]

I’m serious. I like Larkin but I don’t think he’s on an Yzerman, Fedorov, Zetterberg, or Datsyuk level of talent. If dealing him can improve the team, you have to investigate it. In fairness to Larkin, it’s not like he has another star to play with so maybe it’s unfair to judge him like that. But so far, he’s just a “pretty good” player. I hope he turns into something special.

[chemiclord]

I’m serious. I like Larkin but I don’t think he’s on an Yzerman, Fedorov, Zetterberg, or Datsyuk level of talent. If dealing him can improve the team, you have to investigate it. In fairness to Larkin, it’s not like he has another star to play with so maybe it’s unfair to judge him like that. But so far, he’s just a “pretty good” player. I hope he turns into something special.

So... what year ARE you planning to have a contender? Or are you just gonna trade every good young player for draft picks as they develop?

[Tom]

I don’t know. Yzerman didn’t do much his first two years here. Odds are, this team won’t be contending for a Cup while Larkin is in his prime years. Maybe you move him. I’m just saying it’s a possibility. If you do trade him this off-season or the next, it’s not like you’ve derailed the 97 Wings.

[WingsFan]

I’m serious. I like Larkin but I don’t think he’s on an Yzerman, Fedorov, Zetterberg, or Datsyuk level of talent. If dealing him can improve the team, you have to investigate it.

Those are all HOF players, there is no comparison really at all. Larkin is a good player, local kid - that's it. he isn't strong on the puck, his stick handling isn't great and makes a ton of turnovers. Maybe harsh with no stars around him, Mantha always seemed lazy to me, though he can put the puck in the net, he should do well in Washington. Half the people didn't listen (or forgot) when Yzerman was hired, about stressing over and over its going to take time. Holland left him in a hole the size of the Grand Canyon. I was thinking 5 years, then Covid hit, now nothing is certain. He has done a great job, but rebuilding in a pandemic is dauting. I have in-laws in Hamilton and Ontario is basically in lockdown.