Lalonde is fired! NOW what do you do with this team for the rest of the season?

[Steve Yzerlland]

Conflicted honestly. On one hand I want us to go on a tear and make the playoffs and on the other I want a top 5 pick. I just hope we aren't bad enough to miss the playoffs but too good to win the lottery... (which is what I fully expect to happen btw). I wish we hired McLellan at the end of the year.

 

[Our Lady Peace]

I'm torn between if;

1) Yzerman ponies up and makes a splash to shore up roster holes like a Top6 W and/or Top4 D

...I will want this team to push for playoffs. Remains to be seen what TM can do for this squad, but I'll stay optimistic since he's been around

2) Yzerman stays put and rides out a bad year for a top 4 pick

As TM is signed to a multi-year deal, maybe Yzerman has spoken of the plan for this season to bottom out. Maybe he sells veteran assets and starts influxing youth from GR. This team is one Larkin/Raymond/Seider/Edvinsson injury from dropping like flies again, so my hunch is to just ride out this tank

 

[Run the Jewels]

I'm torn between if;

1) Yzerman ponies up and makes a splash to shore up roster holes like a Top6 W and/or Top4 D

...I will want this team to push for playoffs. Remains to be seen what TM can do for this squad, but I'll stay optimistic since he's been around

2) Yzerman stays put and rides out a bad year for a top 4 pick

As TM is signed to a multi-year deal, maybe Yzerman has spoken of the plan for this season to bottom out. Maybe he sells veteran assets and starts influxing youth from GR. This team is one Larkin/Raymond/Seider/Edvinsson injury from dropping like flies again, so my hunch is to just ride out this tank

Yzerman said he expected to compete for a wild card spot this season, so I don't get the impression he's looking to tank. Everything from his presser suggests he made the move to replace Lalonde because he knows the team should be playing better.

 

[Peter Tosh]

-Make it clear that playoff push is expected, push players to elevate their game
-Hockey trade for a long term top 4 LD. Give the team a couple of games to evaluate if Berggren, Raz and Veleno lifts under McLellan or not. If not, they are on the block.
-Try Danielson and Lombardi when injuries occur

 

[Our Lady Peace]

Yzerman said he expected to compete for a wild card spot this season, so I don't get the impression he's looking to tank. Everything from his presser suggests he made the move to replace Lalonde because he knows the team should be playing better.

Agreed, I just really wanted to land a guy like Cam Fowler. Would be perfect on our 2nd pair. The middling Blues beat us to that. SY needs to get on his horse and make a couple rash moves in glaring weaknesses if he wants to stick to his plans of competing for a wildcard

 

[Holden Caufield]

He needs to make a decent sized hockey trade to add to the core of the NHL roster.

The current roster probably only has 4 core pieces (Larkin, Raymond, Seider and Ed). DeBrincat would be borderline.

But sadly about 16 rostered players are completely expendable. Either aging, vastly overpriced or league average players that would not be missed.

 

[stillwater]

just out of curiosity, which part do you not concur with?

Sure.

Not convinced Cossa is ready to even be an NHL backup and I think Lyon can bounce back. So I'd try to hang on to him.

I have a soft spot for Patrick Kane. I've watched him for a long time and think he's incredible. Know his start has been slow ... but I expect him to be a leader now that Lalonde is gone.

If he continues to struggle ... maybe it's time to hang them up. But, I believe he's got a lot left. Just a matter of finding the right inspiration.

The other 3 you mentioned can go anytime.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I'm torn between if;

1) Yzerman ponies up and makes a splash to shore up roster holes like a Top6 W and/or Top4 D

...I will want this team to push for playoffs. Remains to be seen what TM can do for this squad, but I'll stay optimistic since he's been around

2) Yzerman stays put and rides out a bad year for a top 4 pick

As TM is signed to a multi-year deal, maybe Yzerman has spoken of the plan for this season to bottom out. Maybe he sells veteran assets and starts influxing youth from GR. This team is one Larkin/Raymond/Seider/Edvinsson injury from dropping like flies again, so my hunch is to just ride out this tank

I think if Yzerman wants to show this core he believes in them then he needs to make some roster moves to make it better. A coaching change is a start, but there's a lot of flaws on this roster.

If they ride it out then Yzerman is banking on free agents again, and the 2025 UFA class is mostly garbage. So he needs to flip the bad players for picks, and hope that he can use those surplus picks for good players at either the TDL or the draft (where the cost is much lower).

Yzerman needs to take the initiative and be very aggressive in upgrading this roster, whether this season or the off-season. That means offer-sheeting RFAs, making trades and moving prospects if we have to.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

Copp and Compher aren't underperforming, they're playing at, or near career averages. They were just signed with unrealistic expectations. They're both 3rd liners and both on the wrong side of their primes. Pretty much all the other names are dudes that are past their prime and its not weird that they would see declining production/level of play.

I disagree about Compher. His play has really dropped off this season. To the point where I wonder if he's playing hurt or has just been demoralized under Lalonde.

 

[lilidk]

Exactly. It's like Dylan figures the Red Wing world wants to see that he's suffering.

The Wings could always cut back on his media availability. Doesn't always have to be him.

Bring Copp instead

 

[Gniwder]

It's gonna take Todd a month to evaluate the players and decide which ones to keep and which ones to jettison. He's gonna set himself up for next season. Players that struggle to play the system will go first, so maybe we finally get rid of Chiarot. I think he's tradeable with $1M retention.

 

[AlwaysSunnyInDetroit]

Sure.

Not convinced Cossa is ready to even be an NHL backup and I think Lyon can bounce back. So I'd try to hang on to him.

I have a soft spot for Patrick Kane. I've watched him for a long time and think he's incredible. Know his start has been slow ... but I expect him to be a leader now that Lalonde is gone.

If he continues to struggle ... maybe it's time to hang them up. But, I believe he's got a lot left. Just a matter of finding the right inspiration.

The other 3 you mentioned can go anytime.

that's funny. i actually think cossa is our most nhl ready prospect. i agree that lyon is a good bounce back candidate, but who knows what his comtract demand will be

i could be talked into bringing kane back in a 3rd line/mentor role, but i think the best thing for everyone would be for him to light it up the rest of the year, trade him for a 1st hopefully, let him chase probably the last cup of his career and re-sign him in the offseason

 

[Ezekial]

Down 5-0 going into the third with the leafs


Fire Todd

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

Lalonde is Laldone. McClellan is now the coach and will bring with him a new structure.

The roster makeup still has a lot of holes but I think we're going to see McClellan give young guys like Rasmussen, Veleno, Kasper and maybe even AlJo bigger roles. I'd also expect some GRG callups.

What *I* would do;
Trade Gustafsson as soon as possible. Future considerations or a conditional 6th or 7th round pick. Chicago, San Jose, maybe NYI, or BUF?
Trade Tarasenko with retention to maybe get a 2nd or 3rd for him. There has to be a team that is a middle of the pack playoff team that could use a vet for their 3rd line.
Trade Kane with retention. He's not getting a 1st anymore but a 2nd + a B prospect or a bottom 6er? He could be useful to a contender like DAL, EDM, VGK, NJD, FLA.
Trade Copp. With retention if you have to. Move an asset if you have to, but the guy needs to go. He's possibly the slowest skater in the NHL and an offensive black hole. He's years ahead of his timeline to become the next Frans Nielsen.
Trade Husso and/or Lyon closer to the TDL. Bring up Cossa and see what he's made of.

Put feelers out to other trade partners for players that can improve the middle of the lineup;
Look at pending RFAs like Alexander Romanov (LD) that would be a pretty awesome partner for one of Seider or Axel Sandin Pelikka. NYI have to pay Dobson big soon and will need to make sacrifices. Would they want a 2nd + Buium or Wallinder or AlJo?
Consider moving the team's 1st in 2025 (with top 5 protection) for young, immediate help. Who are some 2019 to 2021 draftees that could be of use? Cozens? McTavish?
Look at pending UFAs that have some life left in the tank. Jason Zucker would be a fixture on the 2nd line this year to replace some of the dead weight like Tank and Kane, but he plays a game that would be fine for the 3rd line next year and beyond.
Look for a guy that can reliably play a shutdown/PK role. David Savard, Luke Schenn, or someone like that. Give Seider less PK time and more ES/PP time as a result.
Bring up Soderblom. He genuinely looked better in the NHL 2 years ago than he has in the AHL.

Well, that's what I would do. What about YOU?

Trade for Olivier. Extend if he wants to stay.

Romanov will cost more than you think, no offence .They paid a bit to get him.

The trade part; Detroit can only retain on 3 players at one time. Which is what you said, but that's unrealistic.

One thing you didn't talk about is the buy-out window.

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

It's gonna take Todd a month to evaluate the players and decide which ones to keep and which ones to jettison. He's gonna set himself up for next season. Players that struggle to play the system will go first, so maybe we finally get rid of Chiarot. I think he's tradeable with $1M retention.

That would be his opinion.

Because "He" doesn't have the power to choose his team.

 

[Gniwder]

That would be his opinion.

Because "He" doesn't have the power to choose his team.

Coaches have a huge influence on the team, why do you think Stevie traded Walman? Didn't re-sign Sprong? Burger stuck in GR last season? Kasper promoted this season?

You probably also don't remember Mrs Blashill making the decision on Ray his rookie year....

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

Coaches have a huge influence on the team, why do you think Stevie traded Walman? Didn't re-sign Sprong? Burger stuck in GR last season? Kasper promoted this season?

You probably also don't remember Mrs Blashill making the decision on Ray his rookie year....

Just responding to the line of "He's gonna set himself for next season". Influence yes, but not his choice.

 

[Gniwder]

Just responding to the line of "He's gonna set himself for next season". Influence yes, but not his choice.

He's got 100% control on expiring contracts like Kane, Fischer, Motte, and Petry. A GM isn't going to re-sign a player a coach doesn't want. That never happens.

Also, by setting up for next season, I meant establishing a system and deciding where players fit in. I think they'll be at least one trade or buyout in the offseason based on Todd's decisions.

 

[Oddbob]

To me this season is what it is at this point.

1 - I sell off the vets that are pending UFAs starting now until the deadline.
2 - Wait until July 1st, buy out Copp (No need to wasted picks getting rid of him as the buyout isn't bad)
3 - Bring a couple of youngsters as we deal the vets out. Some of them can be put in sink or swim mode.
4 - Give Cossa 2-3 actual starts just to see where he is at between now and end of season.
5 - Actually give Kasper a shot with Larkin and Raymond instead of the low end linemates non sense
6- Tell Ras you want him more playing like a power forward type and not the defensive kind of guy that Blash and Lalonde have made him be. If he still isn't doing much then get rid of him

Not sure why anyone thinks this team will or can make the playoffs. If we hadn't won 5 or 6 games we didn't deserve we would be basement level right now. We have been outplayed in all but 5 or 6 games this whole season and have been badly outplayed at times by SJ, LA, ANA, and Mtl. I would rather finish lower and get a better pick, based on how this season has gone.

I wanted playoffs at the beginning of the season (didn't expect it) but having seen our play, we need a better pick more than pushing for a playoff spot that won't happen. Before the Leafs game we were 8 pts back of WC2 and a number of the teams in that range have games at hand and tie breaker advantage which makes that 8 pts even larger of a gap.

Unless Steve makes a major move from now til the deadline, this seasons outcome is what it is.

The multiyear deal to me is evidence that Yzerman understands the rebuild has stalled or is failing and knows he needs to retool over the next season and a half. The team is still lacking major concrete pieces that a team needs to contend and this is as good as time as ever to try to solidify the team over the long term.

Umm, all coaches get multi year deals.

 

[Run the Jewels]

That would be his opinion.

Because "He" doesn't have the power to choose his team.

Yzerman gave Lalonde that power, why wouldn't he do it for a coach he knows and respects? In his presser he said he has his own ideas on structure and play but you have to let your coaches do what they want. He's not going to backseat drive and he shouldn't IMO.

This team is soft. Not in the run the guy through the boards sense, but in the compete sense. Part of that will be addressed through systems, but guys who are too old, slow, or have no hockey sense aren't going to last long, IMO.

 

[Shaman464]

To me this season is what it is at this point.

1 - I sell off the vets that are pending UFAs starting now until the deadline.
2 - Wait until July 1st, buy out Copp (No need to wasted picks getting rid of him as the buyout isn't bad)
3 - Bring a couple of youngsters as we deal the vets out. Some of them can be put in sink or swim mode.
4 - Give Cossa 2-3 actual starts just to see where he is at between now and end of season.
5 - Actually give Kasper a shot with Larkin and Raymond instead of the low end linemates non sense
6- Tell Ras you want him more playing like a power forward type and not the defensive kind of guy that Blash and Lalonde have made him be. If he still isn't doing much then get rid of him

Not sure why anyone thinks this team will or can make the playoffs. If we hadn't won 5 or 6 games we didn't deserve we would be basement level right now. We have been outplayed in all but 5 or 6 games this whole season and have been badly outplayed at times by SJ, LA, ANA, and Mtl. I would rather finish lower and get a better pick, based on how this season has gone.

I wanted playoffs at the beginning of the season (didn't expect it) but having seen our play, we need a better pick more than pushing for a playoff spot that won't happen. Before the Leafs game we were 8 pts back of WC2 and a number of the teams in that range have games at hand and tie breaker advantage which makes that 8 pts even larger of a gap.

Unless Steve makes a major move from now til the deadline, this seasons outcome is what it is.



Umm, all coaches get multi year deals.

McLellan’s last contract was literally a 1 year contract. And a lot of mid season coaches are brought on as interim until they prove their worth or get replaced.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

McLellan’s last contract was literally a 1 year contract. And a lot of mid season coaches are brought on as interim until they prove their worth or get replaced.

An established coach like McLellan would not take a coaching job as an interim without some kind of longer deal. He has over 15 years experience as an NHL head coach.

He still can be fired at any time.

 

[jkutswings]

Yzerman needs to take the initiative and be very aggressive in upgrading this roster, whether this season or the off-season. That means offer-sheeting RFAs, making trades and moving prospects if we have to.

Very much this.

It's totally acceptable that kids should not crack the roster until they're ready.
It's totally unacceptable to fill half your NHL roster with bags of crap in the meantime.

1) Sell off everybody you can that isn't in your long term plans.
2) Give to get. Staple some draft picks to whatever assets you have outside your non-negotiables and shake this thing up with an influx of actual NHL-level talent.
3) Skip free agency. Learn the lesson that the K-Mart blue light special is a lot more sizzle than steak and walk past the bargain bin.

Starting next season by having cut the dead weight, coming away with even 1-2 above average NHL players, and adding another kid or two would make a world of difference...and be a much more watchable product, win or lose.

I'm glad they made the coaching change. But assuming the above suggestions don't begin to happen soon, I doubt that I watch more than a handful of games the rest of this season - the team just isn't giving fans much reason to care at the moment.

 

[ElProfessor]

1. Trade Kane ASAP. He's the worst "veteran leader" ever. He's selfish. He pouts. He gives zero effort on defense. He plays like his body is a rental car without insurance. He's great on the PP -- and could ruin our top-5 pick. He'll actually return a little value.

2. Trade Lyon ASAP. He'll also return a little value. Probably the best way to guarantee a top-5 pick is to give Husso half the rest of our games. I'd say trade Talbot too...but I'd like him to mentor Cossa next season.

3. Trade Tarasenko ASAP. He's the worst "veteran leader" ever next to Kane. He was fine on a SC team last season. His reputation might not be completely ruined. I would give up as much as a 3rd to get rid of him.

4. Trade Rasmussen ASAP. He supposedly has trade value. I'd be happy to get rid of his contract for nothing...if we can get anything, even better. He's not a huge negative...or a horrible contract. But I'd rather have any $1M/yr player we can get any summer on the roster than him. Someone who actually plays a consistent physical game and can kill penalties effectively.

5. Shop Veleno. Don't NEED to get rid of him. But he may have some value to someone. And same deal as Rasmussen...I'd rather have any $1M/yr player we can get any summer on the roster than him...someone physical who can kill penalties.

6. Shop Chiarot. Don't NEED to get rid of him either. It wouldn't be horrible to pay him 3.5M to be a 3rd pair D next season. But he might have value to someone...would be nice to move his salary for free if we can.

7. Fix The Pro Scouting. Hire a new pro scouting director. Hire some new pro scouts. Relieve some old ones. Whatever's been going on with our free agent evaluations CANNOT continue one more off-season, or the Yzerplan WILL fail.

8. Shop Compher and Copp. I'd be willing to give up a 2nd to get rid of either. Don't think we'll be able to find a dance partner. But you've got to try.

9. Shop Holl and Gustafsson. I'd be willing to give up a 3rd to get rid of either. Possible we find someone?

10. Put Kasper and Johansson on the 2nd line. Kasper looks incredible to me; just needs some linemates and the points will start to come. Johansson I think is already the 3rd best dman on the team.

11. Get the kids up for a taste when their seasons are over. Mazur, Danielson, Wallinder. Cossa for some starts (if the defense isn't Horrific). ASP. Lombardi. Maybe MBN. Maybe Soderblom.

 

[Oddbob]

1. Trade Kane ASAP. He's the worst "veteran leader" ever. He's selfish. He pouts. He gives zero effort on defense. He plays like his body is a rental car without insurance. He's great on the PP -- and could ruin our top-5 pick. He'll actually return a little value.

2. Trade Lyon ASAP. He'll also return a little value. Probably the best way to guarantee a top-5 pick is to give Husso half the rest of our games. I'd say trade Talbot too...but I'd like him to mentor Cossa next season.

3. Trade Tarasenko ASAP. He's the worst "veteran leader" ever next to Kane. He was fine on a SC team last season. His reputation might not be completely ruined. I would give up as much as a 3rd to get rid of him.

4. Trade Rasmussen ASAP. He supposedly has trade value. I'd be happy to get rid of his contract for nothing...if we can get anything, even better. He's not a huge negative...or a horrible contract. But I'd rather have any $1M/yr player we can get any summer on the roster than him. Someone who actually plays a consistent physical game and can kill penalties effectively.

5. Shop Veleno. Don't NEED to get rid of him. But he may have some value to someone. And same deal as Rasmussen...I'd rather have any $1M/yr player we can get any summer on the roster than him...someone physical who can kill penalties.

6. Shop Chiarot. Don't NEED to get rid of him either. It wouldn't be horrible to pay him 3.5M to be a 3rd pair D next season. But he might have value to someone...would be nice to move his salary for free if we can.

7. Fix The Pro Scouting. Hire a new pro scouting director. Hire some new pro scouts. Relieve some old ones. Whatever's been going on with our free agent evaluations CANNOT continue one more off-season, or the Yzerplan WILL fail.

8. Shop Compher and Copp. I'd be willing to give up a 2nd to get rid of either. Don't think we'll be able to find a dance partner. But you've got to try.

9. Shop Holl and Gustafsson. I'd be willing to give up a 3rd to get rid of either. Possible we find someone?

10. Put Kasper and Johansson on the 2nd line. Kasper looks incredible to me; just needs some linemates and the points will start to come. Johansson I think is already the 3rd best dman on the team.

11. Get the kids up for a taste when their seasons are over. Mazur, Danielson, Wallinder. Cossa for some starts (if the defense isn't Horrific). ASP. Lombardi. Maybe MBN. Maybe Soderblom.

Disagree heavy on Johansson. He has looked like he can't handle more than (10-12 minutes) spot duty. He is very nonphysical and much too soft to cover net front and he is nothing special anywhere else. Not sure why they talked so highly of him, as I haven't seen anything yet that makes him anything more than a better skating Gus Lindstrom.