Detroit vs Carolina - March 14/2025

[LongTimeDRWF]

Something tells me that if we're wondering why we're not in the playoffs, those first three months under Lalonde probably has more to do with it than anything else.

Yep, to date since Todd, the wings are 0.594 in point %, so they would be around 78 points if it was for the season to date....might have still been a challenge to make to the post season with the schedule that is left, but certainly a much better spot than where they are.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

Not to be a Debby downer, but unless this team goes on one hell of a run, this season is panning out to be an overall disappointment and this offseason will be a crucial one for Yzerman before everyone starts turning their pitch forks towards him.

For a lot of the fanbase the turning on him happened this year. We are pretty damn committed to the draft and develop strategy at this point and I don’t think he is in trouble with anyone that matters. There will be a lot of heat this summer and moving forward with the fanbase though in my opinion.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

Something tells me that if we're wondering why we're not in the playoffs, those first three months under Lalonde probably has more to do with it than anything else.

A lot of this board was pleading with him to move on from Lalonde in early November though too. Stevie pulled the trigger late on that in my opinion.

 

[Winger98]

This is a good statement.

Though the team going 1-7 in the past 8 games does not help either.

Some guys are looking pretty checked out again. This team needs an emotional leader. David Perron was that last year for them, another vocal guy in the room to help lift the moral. But at the end of the day, if the core group just doesn’t have it in them, then that’s a different story.

Lots of young promising prospects on the way, but this season was supposed to be extended into the post season otherwise it was a failure. So far we are on track for that failure.

You can argue individually we were able to watch Kasper flourish and became a solid NHL player with some offensive upside to be tapped into. Big Ed and AlJo are fine top 4 NHLers too.

Overall team success is important though, the other young prospects aren’t going to come in with super star/generational talent, they will require proper mentorship from veteran players to show them the ropes.

Does that mean we are waiting another 3-4 years to make the playoffs?

Nobody wants to join a losing team in free agency unless it’s for a severe overpay, or unless they are from the state of Michigan.

Not to be a Debby downer, but unless this team goes on one hell of a run, this season is panning out to be an overall disappointment and this offseason will be a crucial one for Yzerman before everyone starts turning their pitch forks towards him.

Our recent skid doesn't help, but we knew this chunk of our schedule was going to be brutal and that we needed to do better in the first half of the season. We didn't, and it's a small miracle we're this close to the playoffs now.

I disagree we look checked out, though. I think at least half the games we've lost we were the better team. We hit a few fewer posts, or our goalies come up with one more save, and our record is entirely different.

Personally, though, I do agree that not making the playoffs is a bit of a disappointment. I don't think that means we're still 3-4 years from making them, though. We were a tiebreaker from making them last year, we're still technically in the hunt this year. I don't see why we can't make them next year.

As you say, though, this offseason is crucial. I don't doubt we'll pursue some UFA, but I'm hoping we see some trades, too. The positive is that Yzerman seemed really unhappy in the TDL press conference. I don't think there will be a lack of effort to make moves this summer.

 

[LongTimeDRWF]

This is a good statement.

Though the team going 1-7 in the past 8 games does not help either.

Some guys are looking pretty checked out again. This team needs an emotional leader. David Perron was that last year for them, another vocal guy in the room to help lift the moral. But at the end of the day, if the core group just doesn’t have it in them, then that’s a different story.

Lots of young promising prospects on the way, but this season was supposed to be extended into the post season otherwise it was a failure. So far we are on track for that failure.

You can argue individually we were able to watch Kasper flourish and became a solid NHL player with some offensive upside to be tapped into. Big Ed and AlJo are fine top 4 NHLers too.

Overall team success is important though, the other young prospects aren’t going to come in with super star/generational talent, they will require proper mentorship from veteran players to show them the ropes.

Does that mean we are waiting another 3-4 years to make the playoffs?

Nobody wants to join a losing team in free agency unless it’s for a severe overpay, or unless they are from the state of Michigan.

Not to be a Debby downer, but unless this team goes on one hell of a run, this season is panning out to be an overall disappointment and this offseason will be a crucial one for Yzerman before everyone starts turning their pitch forks towards him.

Yeah, even with the past 8 game crash, the wings with their Todd pt% would be around 97 points for the full season...mind you, still 16 games to play, but it will still be disappointing, as SY had indicated that playoffs would be a realistic goal this year at the start of the season.

They are not out of it yet, unless the Rags (I expect that they will pull off a Panthers comeback like a few years ago and make a long playoff run after getting WC2 the last day of the season) or someone else goes on a real tear, looking at all of the schedules for the WC contenders, 90-91 points might enough to claim the last spot this year.

To reach that they need to get back to playing f____g hockey and stop the brain farts, good teams make you pay for mistakes.

We'll see what the wings are made of...they need to wing all 6 home games and go 5-5-0 on the road to hit 90 points...anything better, really improves their chances. If less, then...Nuff Said!

 

[Winger98]

A lot of this board was pleading with him to move on from Lalonde in early November though too. Stevie pulled the trigger late on that in my opinion.

I was pretty surprised we didn't move on from Lalonde in November. There were some losses there that I thought if they didn't can him for, he was good for the year. Then he just kept getting worse.

 

[better Red than Dead]

The thing with Mrazek has always been when he’s hit he looks like a Vezina Trophy finalist and when he’s not he can’t stop a beach ball. So hopefully we are getting him when he’s hot

 

[JoesuffP]

Mrazek was great and especially on the PK which is critical. I also like he gets the faceoffs more often the little things are important like that when we get hemmed in. I think the first line getting hot is all that’s holding them back from going on a run. Just holding onto the puck longer and getting off shots quicker. They look dynamic but nothing is getting to the net if they were creating chances I say just wait but they may need a spark from a new winger. I almost go with Tank there. Ras you can tell he either has it or he doesn’t in his opening shift. Nothing worse than a lethargic Ras game holding down the top line it infuriates me. Last night was a good Ras game, Johanssen stood out, Mrazek and the 2nd line was awesome. Love Kasper man I’m noticing zetterberg now too with his board work. Bad game from Seider blowing that coverage is pewee and that was a big goal expect more from him and Soderblom just looked absolutely gassed all game. Enough of Berger sitting for Shine like it was fun and all but c’mon

 

[1878rgw]

They look dynamic but nothing is getting to the net if they were creating chances I say just wait but they may need a spark from a new winger.

I can't see that dynamic, I see a puck fumbling Raymond, Larkin runs around with the puck and both are unable to use the third man no difference between Kasper, Söderblom or Rasmussen since the 4 nations.

 

[Steve Yzerlland]

Mrazek deserved better. I would start him indefinitely.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

I wish I could be making $5 million a year to do absolutely nothing like Compher. Another great signing.

It's troubling how much he's fallen off this season. Especially now with Copp out.

4 wins 12 losses on faceoffs last night. He and Larkin have been struggling to win faceoffs these last 5 or 6 games.

 

[SoupGuru]

I was pretty surprised we didn't move on from Lalonde in November. There were some losses there that I thought if they didn't can him for, he was good for the year. Then he just kept getting worse.

Like, what if Yzerman knows? Maybe he was sitting there thinking "This team has some issues that go beyond the coach. Swapping him out isn't going to solve those problems. The team needs to gain experience and grow. Everytime they fail to step up when they really need to will surely leave such a bad taste in their mouth and they'll eventually find a way to overcome it. Lalonde isn't really the problem but he can't seem to figure it out either."

And then it got to the point where he had to make the change and was likely as surprised as is when they went on a tear. But now maybe it's back to: maybe the coach isn't the real problem.

 

[cvaicunas]

Mrazek was great and especially on the PK which is critical. I also like he gets the faceoffs more often the little things are important like that when we get hemmed in. I think the first line getting hot is all that’s holding them back from going on a run. Just holding onto the puck longer and getting off shots quicker. They look dynamic but nothing is getting to the net if they were creating chances I say just wait but they may need a spark from a new winger. I almost go with Tank there. Ras you can tell he either has it or he doesn’t in his opening shift. Nothing worse than a lethargic Ras game holding down the top line it infuriates me. Last night was a good Ras game, Johanssen stood out, Mrazek and the 2nd line was awesome. Love Kasper man I’m noticing zetterberg now too with his board work. Bad game from Seider blowing that coverage is pewee and that was a big goal expect more from him and Soderblom just looked absolutely gassed all game. Enough of Berger sitting for Shine like it was fun and all but c’mon

In my opinion Tank has gotten enough chances, it's just not working here for him. And moving him to the LW, regardless of line mates, is unlikely to open up his game. I for one, have been waiting for the kids to finally make the jump. I'm ok with them having inconsistent games, let Soder stay on the top line and see how things progress. I like Shine staying in, for whatever reason, no coach has trusted Burgers with much. He's not good enough to elevate the players on the lower lines, so in lieu of having more offensively gifted 4th liners, I would rather we lean into a heavier game. Shine, Watson, anyone who can help toughen the team up.