LGR4GM

Detroit continues to have a big glaring issue. Yzerman drafts high floor, low ceiling players and he also adds the same types in UFA. It would be like if you replaced Josh Allen with Baker Mayfield, sure the Bills would make the playoffs because the rest of the team is decent but you will never win a Superbowl because you just don't have that extra gear, there is not an upper level to achieve. I think Detroit is similar to Buffalo and both teams could learn from one another. Buffalo swings for talent a lot in the first round, but where I agree with Perrault is that Buffalo does not prioritize motor/drive/grit enough in their picks. I think since the Benson pick that may have changed as Wahlberg, Ziemer, Strbak, and McCarthy are all guys that give honest efforts every shift. I also think Buffalo could have been more aggressive in UFA because they need a couple more high floor low ceiling players. My main point is I don't view Detroit is a successful rebuild to this point. They haven't made the playoffs and unless the coach bump never fades they are going to finish probably just above Buffalo this year.

Detroit must be better!?!? You said and I quote: "you mocked the Yzerplan. You were wrong, but of course you will never admit it." just last year, so there is no way that they are just the same as Buffalo with more effort? That can't be possible, you said I was wrong and the Yzerplan was better! How can they not be better then? I don't understand! OMG I am so confused.

If we get Schaefer, he's best suited going back to Jr's. He won't be 18 until September.

You're good. This place exists to bring this stuff up. Even as bombastic as I come across, I learn stuff from every counter point made.

I looked up the percentage. Both McLeod and Krebs have a better win %

Peyton Krebs and Ryan McLeod, both are higher

I think Owen Power will be a top of the line #2 defender on a team. I think that process will take another 3-5 years. I do find it interesting that with Benson, "he's a 3rd liner" and that's that but Power we should allow to grow. Just mentioning the juxtaposition.

My favorite part was in OT when he simply waltzed up ice and was easily stripped from behind allowing a nice scoring opportunity against. He needs to play with way more pace and urgency.

Yea, and ppl told me for years Sam Reinhart wasn't that good. Zach Benson is 8th for goals scored this season for players 20 and under. That's out of 35 ppl including someone he is currently tied with who I bet you think is a good shooter, Kulich. Benson may not have Kulich's shot but his shot is good enough and his skills around the net high enough for him to get quite a few goals. Benson is 12th in total points this season for players 20 and under. Again, there are 35ppl on that list. He's 1 of only 4 players that are 19 or younger in the NHL. Bedard and Celebrini are first overall picks and the other is Will Smith. Smith btw has a -13 and only 1 more goal and 1 more point than Benson. Zach Benson really only needs 2 things, time and better coaches/teams.

Victor Eklund has an older brother in the NHL, former 7th overall pick and San Jose Shark William Eklund. William is on pace for 59pts in 77games in what is his sophomore NHL season.

Zach Benson will be a top 6 forward in the NHL. You can bank on that. Y'all are just too obsessed with his shot (which is better than many give him credit for) and the fact he's super young and not 6'3". Zach Benson drives play, he drives it. We need more drivers which Adams cannot identify and cannot get when he does. I'll say it again, he is the 4th youngest NHL player this year, he plays on a bad team, and importantly this: Benson doesn't look as good as he could because he's 19 and his teammates literally aren't good enough to benefit from what he creates. Zach Benson is going to be a top line player in the NHL. I have very little doubts. If he was on a team where players actually went into the slot he would have double the number of assists right now.

lol... just lolz

The Bills will have to beat the Broncos first obviously but I think the Ravens are terrifying for just about anyone. Idk how you stop Lamar throwing or running and then you add in having to stop Henry too... that team might be unbeatable in the postseason.

Honestly I would bring of Kozak and maybe even give Novikov a game. I also think Isak Rosen deserves a look more than Wahlberg. A bunch of people have brought up Savoie and his AHL numbers recently and they are almost the exact same as Rosen's. Just food for thought.

So you want to be here? Quick, someone text Kevyn Adams, he'll get you right into the lineup.

Well Quinn is getting 3x2 at best. Peterka maybe 4x2 or something so you we have lots of money. Byram, 6x5? I ain't going much higher than that. Basically I am not worried about the cap because you can always trade someone and Buffalo technically has another 8mil coming off the cap with Zucker and Greenway UFAs. He plays almost exactly how he did in college. He uses his reach to get pucks and move them up ice but his physical game is meh at best.

Michael Misa (#77) highlights for the first half-ish of the season.

Not that this stat is well kept but Hockey Ref has Byram at 39giveaways and 13takeaways and Power at 37giveaways and 15takeaways If I am being completely honest here... I might consider moving both depending on the return I can get. Edit: Btw, Dahlin has 40gives and 14takes

Ask and you shall receive:

Please no. Anton Wahlberg is younger than Benson. If there's one guy other than Helenius at forward we need to develop proper, it's Wahlberg. Let him stay in Rochester after a nice WJC.

Think Jack Hughes but with a better attention in the defensive end while giving up some of the flash offensively. Only saw bits and pieces of the gold game and some other highlights but Hagens is still a solid player who can transition the puck, use his hands to buy time, and has a solid shot. He's very smart too. That said, from what I've read and seen, I don't think he pulled away from the other 3 top guys, he more or less just maintained his lead on them. I'm very annoyed Misa wasn't at the tournament but Canada is dumb. That all said, we'll get mid season aka January rankings and analysis in the next week or so and it's really the first rankings we can take any stock in. I'd expect some combo of Hagens, Misa, Schaefer, and Martone for most of everyone's top 4.

The scoring on Peterka's first goal was changed. It's now Tuchs goal with JJP getting the primary assist.

Numbers tonight make the McLeod line look legit. They were very good.