Confirmed with Link: Red Wings sign F Daniel Sprong (1 yr, 2M)

[GMR]

Sprong has never been in a legit NHL fight. He's average NHL size and has played the 4th line on multiple teams, but he's never been known for any physicality aside from beating up a much smaller F1 driver while drunk.

I wouldn't be surprised if the front office said something to him after that incident came to light.

Well, Cole Caufield is kind of small.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

There is no way this kid plays above the third line for any extended period of time. The shot and hands are nice but he is really, really soft and has no interest in the game if he doesn't have the puck. The Zebra isn't changing his stripes at this point.

 

[Rolo Tomassi]

Sprong has been a pleasant surprise, thus far. I hope he carries this play into the regular season.

 

[Gniwder]

Well, Cole Caufield is kind of small.

LOL. Beating up a smaller skill player has consequences that Sprong isn't willing to pay.

 

[NickH8]

I agree that they honeymoon is going to wear off. He's your typical not good at defense 3rd line scorer. That's not to say I think he's a bad signing or he's disappointing. That's because I expect exactly that. He'll be a nice threat to have on the depth chart.

 

[jaster]

There is no way this kid plays above the third line for any extended period of time. The shot and hands are nice but he is really, really soft and has no interest in the game if he doesn't have the puck. The Zebra isn't changing his stripes at this point.

Henkka gonna GETCHYA!

 

[Oddbob]

I don't think there is any honeymoon period yet. He hasn't played games in the regular season, much like anyone else that did well in the preseason. Preseason means very little as every team is playing at best, half their legit roster and half guys who are not NHL players or goalies. Pretty much seems to be regular that home games teams load up their game roster in preseason and road games they play a weaker roster which means many times the guys who did well are doing so against junior players or AHL level players.

Also, virtually all vets who know they are on the team are not playing anywhere near their full potential as that is a good way to get hurt in meaningless games. I remember guys like Hasek and Hull said vets want at most 1 or 2 at the very highest amount of preseason games just to shake off the rust. Vets don't care about preseason and nor should they. Preseason is only important for those that aren't locks, or youngsters trying to earn their way onto the team, so you can't definitively say, well this youngster outplayed that vet, because the young player is going full tilt and the vet is just shaking off rust.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

Henkka gonna GETCHYA!

the truth will set you free, Jaster... the truth will set you free

 

[MilesNewton]

Always thought of Sprong as a problem child, heard he was a selfish player not sure if he has matured but home he can be productive.

 

[RRhoads]

Always thought of Sprong as a problem child, heard he was a selfish player not sure if he has matured but home he can be productive.

Thwre has to be some reason why he has played with so many clubs.

 

[Gniwder]

Thwre has to be some reason why he has played with so many clubs.

The coaches seem to hate him for whatever reason. He's been healthy scratched every season. He might have played well in preseason, but that bar incident doesn't reflect well. Kinda reminds me of Semin a bit..... less talent and not quite as much of a headcase, but there's definitely something off about him in terms of personality.

If he scores a few goals, good for him, but I'm no counting on him being part of Stevie's long term plan. I thought he was the Fabbri insurance plan, but looks like Burger is now.

 

[sprongshowhky]

Thwre has to be some reason why he has played with so many clubs.

Idk this narritive is getting kind of old though. He has done nothing but produce wherever he has played. You can also make a case for every team that has gotten rid of him would've been better off with him on the cheaps ie Pittsburgh, Anaheim (more fwd depth now) and Washington.

Thats what happens though when the you go through a few teams in your early 20s, you aren't the shinny prospect and they haven't had much skin in the game to develop you therefore you're a trade asset.

 

[dtown77]

I just want him to stay healthy

 

[Frk It]

The coaches seem to hate him for whatever reason. He's been healthy scratched every season. He might have played well in preseason, but that bar incident doesn't reflect well. Kinda reminds me of Semin a bit..... less talent and not quite as much of a headcase, but there's definitely something off about him in terms of personality.

If he scores a few goals, good for him, but I'm no counting on him being part of Stevie's long term plan. I thought he was the Fabbri insurance plan, but looks like Burger is now.

The “for some reason” is because he’s purely a 1 way player, has been since Juniors. NHL coaches do not like one way wingers unless they are superstars and force their hand to be played more.

I would think we would get this having had Vrana, Vanek, Hudler, Mantha, AA, etc all scratched on this team despite having clear offensive ability.

 

[GMR]

What if more Formula 1 drivers come forward with stories of being assaulted by Sprong?

 

[jaster]

The “for some reason” is because he’s purely a 1 way player, has been since Juniors. NHL coaches do not like one way wingers unless they are superstars and force their hand to be played more.

I would think we would get this having had Vrana, Vanek, Hudler, Mantha, AA, etc all scratched on this team despite having clear offensive ability.

That this is still a mystery to some folks is, I guess, unsurprising. Unless, like you say, a one-dimensional offensive player is a superstar, these types just aren't as valuable as some people think. And then when they get minimal minutes or get healthy scratched, people conclude there's just something wrong with the coach lol.

It's nice when these guys can provide scoring to a team that needs it, but when they are tilting the ice for the other team for 75% of their minutes, it's a net loss. These guys will always be sheltered and selectively deployed, and fans will always bitch about it. As sure as the sun rises in the east.

 

[norrisnick]

Just gotta spin those wheels and look like you're working by chasing all shift long. Coaches love chasing players...

 

[Detroit Knights]

NOt sure if this was brought up or not, but Lalonde presser today he said something to the tune of:

Got to give Sprong credit, it is obvious why he did not get top minutes in seattle last year because of his defensive play and he told us in the summer that this is something he really wants to work on so he can get more minutes.

If true and with that being said, he really didn't have glaring negatives on defense during preseason, so maybe he got the message that you all have been saying?

 

[Duane Smith]

NOt sure if this was brought up or not, but Lalonde presser today he said something to the tune of:

Got to give Sprong credit, it is obvious why he did not get top minutes in seattle last year because of his defensive play and he told us in the summer that this is something he really wants to work on so he can get more minutes.

If true and with that being said, he really didn't have glaring negatives on defense during preseason, so maybe he got the message that you all have been saying?

Most players don't become good defensive players over a short period of time.....even if they commit to it.

 

[Henkka]

And what's most funny, guy has great defensive stats. Defensive or not. Never weak on defensive statustics.

 

[The Zermanator]

Most players don't become good defensive players over a short period of time.....even if they commit to it.

I mean, a lot of defense is mindfulness and effort/hustle. If a puck carrier is trying to skate around a player, a good defensive player will use his feet to close the distance and try and smother the attacker and generally just jam him up. A lazy defensive player will glide and do a half-assed sweep with their stick and just let the guy skate right by. There’s not some sophisticated thought process going on with the former, it’s just a question of effort. Take a floaty player who’s brain shuts off on the defensive side and have him be engaged and putting in the effort and I think you see some results.

I would never expect Sprong to be a great defender. Someone like Datsyuk who is always analyzing and anticipating and acting rather than reacting. But with proper effort and dedication to improvement, I don’t see why he couldn’t be a competent defender. Hopefully he is sincere in wanting to round himself out as a player, Sprong with even average defense is a really valuable piece.

 

[Frk It]

And what's most funny, guy has great defensive stats. Defensive or not. Never weak on defensive statustics.

The guy who gets heavily sheltered has good analytics? I’m shocked.

 

[sprongshowhky]

I mean, a lot of defense is mindfulness and effort/hustle. If a puck carrier is trying to skate around a player, a good defensive player will use his feet to close the distance and try and smother the attacker and generally just jam him up. A lazy defensive player will glide and do a half-assed sweep with their stick and just let the guy skate right by. There’s not some sophisticated thought process going on with the former, it’s just a question of effort. Take a floaty player who’s brain shuts off on the defensive side and have him be engaged and putting in the effort and I think you see some results.

I would never expect Sprong to be a great defender. Someone like Datsyuk who is always analyzing and anticipating and acting rather than reacting. But with proper effort and dedication to improvement, I don’t see why he couldn’t be a competent defender. Hopefully he is sincere in wanting to round himself out as a player, Sprong with even average defense is a really valuable piece.

Exactly. Average defensively and above average offensively will suffice. and lets be honest, the winger probably has the easiest job or easiest route to being average as he just needs to cover a D, they're not going to put him up against a Morgan Reilly but he can certainly get in the passing lane of a puck moving d's partner.

Edit: Watch this clip from the from 0:18, if he can manage a couple of those, even if they disrupte the flow of the opponents offense and result in a scoring chance or turnover he can be effective.



Edit x2: I'll also be the first to admit he wasn't catching many of those before the start of the decade. Was more passive and opted to put his stick in the lanes after his man received a pass as opposed to reading and reacting

 

[Detroit Knights]

Most players don't become good defensive players over a short period of time.....even if they commit to it.

true, not saying he will. But if he recognizes that this is a main reason why he does not stay on teams, gets healthy scratched, and can't play higher in the lineup, then at least it's good he feels the need to change that, yes?

 

[Baszie]

true, not saying he will. But if he recognizes that this is a main reason why he does not stay on teams, gets healthy scratched, and can't play higher in the lineup, then at least it's good he feels the need to change that, yes?

Last season he didn’t receive a contract from any team and had to go the PTO route, which he called ‘a wake up call’.