Are roster changes coming? Todd McLellan hints at possible shakeup
Today on Lockd on Red Wings, are changes coming to the roster? Todd Mcllen hints at a possible shakeup. You’re Locked on Red Wings, your daily podcast on the Detroit Red Wings, part of the Locked On Network, your team every day. Welcome back to the Locked On Red Wings podcast. We are your hosts, Brian Fiser and Scotty Bentley, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. And you can catch us wherever you listen to your podcasts. Scotty, on today’s episode, Todd McClullen said something interesting yesterday and it’s circulating around Redwing social media in that the reason they brought up Nate Danielson is because they wanted to see what they had in him because he was playing well in Grand Rapids before they make any decisions on players. And that has Redwing social media kind of in a buzz because what does that mean, right? Does that hint at something as drastic as trades coming or is it something more simple? We’ll discuss all the possibilities here on this episode before getting back into Nate Danielson, talking about his debut more at length and what our expectations of him are now that he’s with the team, assuming that he’s here for more than just that one uh quick uh highlight game, you know, to take a peek at him. So, before we get to that, got to let you guys know today’s episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Download the FanDuel app now by visiting FanDuel.com and win $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins. All right, Scotty. As I previously mentioned, Todd Mlullen in the postgame media availability was asked about Nate Danielson and he said, “We wanted to see what we had in him before we made any possible decisions about other players.” when you heard that right when after I sent that, you may have heard it before that, but I sent you the link with the clip from Red Wings prospects on social media. You know, what is your first knee-jerk reaction to that kind of honestly bold statement for the head coach to be making? Yeah, I mean, first off, I appreciate it. Um, I I think we’ve talked a lot about Mlelen’s forwardness and his his bluntness, I guess. Bluntness. And yeah, I I think that this I mean certainly falls into that category, but I think that a statement like this is one to again kind of challenge the players and and he’s he has not shied away from doing that. We have seen even after the first game of the season, the Wings were 0 and one and he was like, “Don’t you guys get tired of just losing all the time?” It’s like, well, they’re 0 and one, but like then they went off and and, you know, went on a fivegame win streak. So, I I I think it’s a problem if the team constantly needs to be like threatened or publicly shamed to be playing good hockey, but in the same breath, it’s it’s not something that he has shied away from either. So, I I certainly welcome it. I I don’t think that that is a threat for like wholesale, you know, massive changes, but I think it is kind of a a nudge to the young players, the rookies, and to maybe some of the depth options that aren’t producing right now. Um, we we’ve already talked a lot about Michael Rasmusen. I mean, he got healthy last game, so I think that he probably falls into that conversation. Berrren maybe as well. Although I I think we we’ve both agreed that he’s looked, you know, fine so far this season. We we talked about ASP last week and his shortcomings so far in his NHL career. Like I I think all of those guys kind of fall I mean certainly, you know, comp for comp. All of those guys are are somewhat under that uh umbrella for a comment like that. Now, that doesn’t mean that all of them are going to get, you know, cut or or like demoted or traded or something, but I think it is kind of a a means to be like, hey, you know, no one’s job is safe. And ultimately, if you don’t produce, you don’t play. And that that’s the the bluntness, I guess, that I appreciate about Mlen and and I think that’s the point, at least from my perspective, that he’s trying to get across. I agree with that in the especially the regards that I appreciate the candidness. I there are only and I say that with the caveat that there are only so many times you can publicly call out your team and yell at them in pra practice and get the reaction that you want before it begins to fall on deaf ears. Right? So you can only rattle the cage so many times, right? You you want to keep that in your back pocket for bad times. So, the fact that it’s had to happen two, three times already this season to get the team going is definitely something that is of concern and we will be watching as things move on. But at the same time, I really respect the way he handles doing that as well. Some coaches will go out there and they will publicly embarrass their players to an extent that it’s over the line. Mlullen will say like, “I think this player played poorly today and they’re going to hear it from me in the locker room.” And I think he handles it in a way that’s honest and tells the people what he’s seeing in an honest fashion, but is respectful to the players. I don’t think any player can watch what he says to the media and go, I can’t dis I I can’t disagree with that cuz he’s being truthful, but he’s being respectful in that as well. And I thought the way that he handled this was respectful as well. And you’re right. I think there is an element of rattling the cage here. I think he’s he’s threatening his players to a degree, right? He’s putting them on notice, I think, is the better way of putting it. He’s putting them on notice that, yeah, we’re calling up these young guys because, and he said it, the team’s not scoring. And so, we’re seeing what we have in these players so we can make decisions on other players who aren’t contributing. He does not care. And this is another thing that I respect so much. He does not care if you’re a veteran or a rookie. He doesn’t play favorites. If you’re not producing, he will sit you. And nothing is more clear than that than with Michael Rasmusen, who is a he’s been around since what, 2018 is when he made his NHL debut. Might have been 2019. He’s in his seventh NHL season. Even though he’s still young, right? He’s younger than Dylan Larkin. He’s 26, I believe. But he’s not he hasn’t been contributing this year. And honestly, he’s probably off to the slowest start of his career with the puck and off the puck. His off puck impacts are as bad as ever with the exception of the penalty kill. But the last game he played, he made a a mental error that led to a playoff penalty kill, a power play goal against because he didn’t cover the late guy. He got caught puck watching. So, he’s been put on notice. So is Jonathan Barager. And this is a guy who’s been on notice for a while, right, Scotty? He is. And to his credit, he is trying really hard, but you know, results have to matter and the results just haven’t been coming for Jonathan Baragan. Um, so yeah, he’s putting his team on notice to let them know like, yeah, we want to know what these young guys can provide. Now, my followup here, and you kind of already answered it, is how real do you think this threat is? Do you think that changes are coming to this group? I I think to an extent that’s on the table, but again I I think there’s varying degrees of, you know, changes to be made. Again, you know, if they lose their next two games, they’re not going to like trade Larkin. Like there’s a there’s there’s a a I don’t know. It’s it’s on a kind of like a spectrum. It’s like, okay, like, yeah, changes can be made, but I think it’s more targeted toward like the fringe roster guys anyways. And and I mean Mlen said it, you know, we’ve talked about it a lot like they just aren’t scoring and they have to find a group of guys that is not only capable of playing the style that they want to play and and implementing that system correctly, which even in the losses lately they have been doing, but that system only works if you can actually put the puck in the net. And results have to matter, right? Exactly. And so it’s Yeah. Like I I think it’s uh it’s again a situation where like the top six is not going anywhere. They’re not going to trade into like a rebuild just because they lose their next couple of games. But I I do think that if the scoring continues to to falter that again, guys like Ras Muen, guys like Baragrren, um I mean really take your pick of any of those depth guys I think is probably in the conversation. ASP is certainly in that conversation as a guy who was brought up in order to not score goals necessarily directly, but like impact the offense and just kind of hasn’t um really any of the defenseman that find themselves on the bottom pair. Uh any forward in the bottom six outside of Danielson, I think is probably like we can even I love how you’re essentially listing off the entire roster at this point. a lot. It’s It’s one of those situations where it’s it’s it’s not all of those names, but it’s any of those names. Does that make sense? Like, no, it it’s not all of that is not going to to change, but anybody in that group, I feel like, can be kind of the victim of that. So, it’s all of those squares are rectangles, but not all of those rectangles are squares. So, yeah, man. Yeah. Scotty, why don’t we head to break? I personally think the threat is real and I I want to list you off. You’ve said it right within varying degrees. I have three categorized degrees in my head to in which this threat could be tears if you will. Tears, right? Um so we’ll talk about that in segment two and then we’ll talk more about Nate Danielson in segment three. Stay tuned to locked on Red Wings. The NBA is back and there’s no better place to get in on the action than FanDuel. the official sports betting partner of the NBA. Even if you miss the start of the game or want to ride the hot hand, FanDuel has live bets on everything from who will score next to fourth quarter comebacks. Plus, you can even combine your live bets into a same game parlay for a shot at a bigger payout. It keeps every game exciting, especially when your team is making the late push. Right now, FanDuel is giving new customers $300 in bonus bets when your first $5 bet wins. So go to vanuel.com to sign up and play your game with FanDuel, the official sports betting partner of the NBA. Segment two, locked on Red Wings podcast. All right, Scotty. So like you said, the threat is real to varying degrees. In my head when I was thinking about this episode, I was trying to think of how he could have meant it, right? Because it was a it was one sentence by Todd Mlen. we are extrapolating to try and parse through and figure out what he means. Like, let’s be real about this for a second. It could mean nothing. Nothing could happen. But the when I’m trying to think of the the the severity of impact a sentence like that could have in real real results, real things that could happen, the first thing I think of is somebody’s getting sent down. Like that could be the first thing that happens or just scratches continue. But I feel like it’s got to be more than a scratch if you’re saying we want to see what we had in this guy before we make player decisions because you’ve already made the decision and scratching two guys by just bringing him up. Yeah. So I feel like more has to be on the way in regards to maybe player gets brought sent down to bring up an extra defenseman or something of that caliber has to be the minimum. So, I look at then, okay, who is the easiest players to be sent down? And I look at the rookies, right, Finny and ASP. While that is a possibility, I don’t think that is what’s going to happen. I actually think that while that’s the easiest roster change to make, it’s might be the least likely because EMTT Finny has not been the problem. Going nowhere. Yeah. Right. His production may have been have fallen off lately, but it’s not from lack of effort. like he is in dangerous situations time and time again. How many times the last two games has he been on oddman rushes or put himself in the slot? We talked about the game what two two games ago where he had five shot attempts and all were scoring chances. He gets those on net. He’s going to start scoring again. Like I’m not concerned about Finny with the way he’s been playing. E even I mean one of my like favorite things I I I say on you know the Tiger show all the time too is like an organization will tell you how they feel about a player if you just listen and like he is he he has still played top line every game like that there would be some rumblings of like oh like maybe Finn’s gonna move down or whatever like they’re they’re not going to demote a topline guy that literally has not wavered at all in his deployment or production Great. And then to add to that, who did they have on the second power play unit all day yesterday or two days ago? It was ASP, Finny, and Nate Danielson. And Mlullen praised them in postgame that they were more productive on the power play despite the zero goals in the top unit that couldn’t even enter the zone. And so I think all three rookies are safe. ASP metrically, he’s struggling. He is having a rough time. But we brought it up last week like who do you replace him with that’s going to be better? Like I’d rather ASP be here, struggle in those minutes, and make progress as an NHL player than have Justin Hull and Eric Gustoson up on the NHL roster who are struggling in those minutes and have nowhere to go, right? Like it’s going to be we already know what we have in those players. ASP is only going to get better and adjust to the NHL level if he’s playing NHL. how he may end up getting more sheltered deployments going forward and might get basically he might be on the second pair but get more closer to third pair minutes as they try to ease up on his deployment uh and get more power play time but I I don’t think he’s a candidate to get sent down either just because I don’t think there’s anyone who’s going to be better than him that can be called up and I’d rather see him develop at the NHL level. So those two right away what they may be the easiest to be sent down but I think they might be the least likely. So then you turn your attention to okay the two healthy scratches Michael Rasmusen and Jonathan Baragrren when it comes to those two guys they have got to clear waivers Scotty do you believe that they if placed on waivers would clear waivers? Um, yeah, honestly I I mean I I think Barrren probably has a better shot than Ras Muen, but he even like Ras Muen, the only reason that’s more of a an if is because of like the contract like he’s not just on, you know, like a league minimum or whatever. Like he signed a deal um however long that was ago already. So, I don’t know. It it I I think that there’s a there’s it’s certainly not a guarantee, but I I think that there is maybe you don’t want to risk losing Michael Rasmusen to your organization. I’m not sure the Wings are going to be put in a position where they’re like, “Oh, we can’t afford to lose Bren.” Yeah. And so here’s the thing is I I think there’s less of a chance that Rasmusen gets picked up than Berin just simply because he’s got two years remaining at a 3.2 and he’s not producing at the NHL level. So, there are he may because there are are also teams that could use the extra depth help and he could provide assistance on that. But I personally am not willing to put either of those guys on waiverss because if you’re going to put them on waiverss at that point, try to trade them because I think that you can deal them for something. It won’t be a lot. They haven’t, right? I I think they have been with Barren for two years now. Well, so you’re not going to get anything for him, right? So, which means that he probably clears waiverss. Like I I don’t know. I I I really have a hard time believing. I mean, and then even if he does, like I I don’t think like the way organization would be like heartbroken about it. Well, just cuz a team’s not willing to give you assets for a player doesn’t mean they wouldn’t be willing to take them off for free off waiverss. You know what I mean? Like that’s a little different. I’m just saying like again he he’s this isn’t like oh they tried to trade him for like a couple of weeks over the summer. Like they literally have been open to trading him for years allegedly. Reportedly, right? So I don’t know. I I I So what what do you think the most likely situation is then? Do you think that or do they just keep they they don’t need to make a move. They have 23 people on the roster now. Do you think they just keep scratching two guys every game? Yeah, I think they keep scratching two guys until the the Mlen comment is to me more has more legs to it or is more substantial if there’s someone in the AHL that is actively like, “Oh, wow. We got to get that dude on the roster.” They’re not just going to send someone down just to do it. They’re not just like, “Oh, we just like want to whatever, like send a message or like do this with no corresponding, you know, move the other way.” Like, no, they they have the roster space. They’ll just keep it if if if necessary. But I I think depending on your opinion of the AHL roster is a lot more where that that kind of stuff comes into play. They’re they’re ob to your point like they’re obviously not going to risk losing Baragin or Ras Muen if they’re not even going to call anyone else up. They’re not just going to do that for fun. So, um yeah, I I think that that is is much more the conversation than like are they just going to do it to do it? No. But if they can do it um if they do it with a corresponding move then then obviously then the the conversation changes. and and my gut keeps telling me like waivers seems like it’s the least likely out of all the options just because I I feel like if you lose Ras Mu the team does get worse from a depth perspective like I don’t know who you can call up that’s a you know one of those depth pieces for sure that’s going to have a better impact than Ras Mus defensive forward that plays special teams yeah like right and I mean at the same time I know you can get guys like that but I mean Carter Mer’s hurt Lombardi doesn’t provide that and he’s hasn’t scored a goal yet, although he is over a point per game, but he looked like he needed still more some seasoning in the AHL during the preseason. So, it’s just like, do you risk losing him? And then on the other hand, how many times have we had the conversation, oh my god, I can’t see this player clearing waivers and the next thing you know, they’ve cleared waiverss. So, it’s I struggle with the This is why I’m not an NHLGM, thank God, because I struggle with which is the most likely situation. I I think honestly they may be shopping. We know that they’ve been trying to shop Gustiffson. Allegedly, reportedly have been trying to shop guys like Gustiffson and Hamik who weren’t playing at the time. Um, could they continue to try and shop other guys like Bergrren and Rasm? Possibly. But it’s just he says something like that and it just sparks an interest and I don’t know if there’s an easy decision to be made here and I think that’s what makes this so interesting. The easy decision is to continue to scratch the players who aren’t performing. But when you say something to the effect of we wanted to see Danielson to before we started making decisions on other players, people are going to start speculating. We’re going to start speculating for sure. So, let us know in the comments what you think that this could mean, if anything at all. Uh, we’re going to head to another break and when we return, we’re going to talk a little bit more about Nate Danielson, who got called up to see what he had. Stay tuned to segment three of Lockdown Red Wings. When I’m hydrated, everything just works better. My focused, my focus, energy, mood, even my skin. That’s why I’m using Drip Drop. It’s doctor-developed hydration that keeps me running at full power, no matter what my day looks like. Drip Drop isn’t your average sports drink. It delivers three times the electrolytes and half the sugar of leading brands using a sciencebacked formula trusted by medical professionals, firefighters, and other over 90% of top college and pro teams. Hydration has become non-negotiable for you. Drip Drop helps me feel sharper, calmer, and honestly just overall better. Right now, DripDrop is offering podcast listeners 20% off your first order. Go to dripdrop.com and use promo code lockedon NHL. That’s drip dripdrop.com. Promo code lockdown NHL for 20% off. Stock up now before the heat hits hard and keep your body and mind performing at best with Drip Drop. Segment three, Lockdown Red Wings podcast. Scotty Nate Danielson made his NHL debut and we talked a little bit about it after the loss to the Chicago Blackhawks because we didn’t give it enough probably love that it deserved because of how that loss went and plus they had lost on Friday. We had two games to recap. I thought Nate Danielson for what it’s worth had a pretty impressive first showing in the NHL and Todd Mlullen said it in the postgame media availability. He probably would have made the team and he was on track to make the team before the injury occurred which means he could have possibly had four rookies. He could have also squeezed another rookie out. We don’t know. That’s just going to go in what history. But he’s here now and he looked good against the Chicago Blackhawks in that 5-1 loss. I want to ask you when it comes to you and because we did this with all the rookies when they debuted at the start of the season like what are your expectations of Nate Danielson going forward assuming he’s still around for a few more games? Yeah, I mean I hope he is. uh you know, you you mentioned the lack of scoring and and kind of the the shakeup that’s needed in the the bottom six. I think Danielson’s the perfect candidate for that. So, I I hope that he’s here to stay. Um I mean, expectations are for him. Honestly, if he can just do something similar to what we saw in Marco Casper’s first year, just the equivalent of that on the third line, then I’m I’m a happy camper. I don’t need him to score 30. I don’t need him to, you know, be some incredible high-end point producer as a rookie. But if he can be solid in the faceoff circle, be just solid on both ends of the ice as a center and man that third line, I I think that that would go a long way in that conversation about improving depth scoring. And I I think that it gives you a little bit more versatility and flexibility in terms of what you can do with your lineup as well. And I guess that’s kind of a captain obvious statement because they literally did that in his first games, right, with Casper moved to the wing and whatnot. So, um yeah, I mean I I I think I don’t have like a specific, you know, he has to produce this amount of points or this amount of goals in x amount of games, but um if he can just be that reliable third line center, then I’m I’m very very pleased. And I I think again looking at the whole organization I think there’s a legitimate argument he gives you the best odds of that. So I think you should just keep him up the rest of the season even if he gets off to like a slow something really. I think short term he’s already kind of given me what I wanted which is just more improved center depth. Uh he Larkin get is your your 1C now. You know, Casper got demoted to three leftwing three uh for the Detroit Red Wings because he’s been struggling in the faceoff dot with the Detroit Red Wings start to a cold season. Actually, Marco Casper is he he’s waivers exempt still. You don’t think he’s a candidate to be sent down, do you? When we’re talking about the Todd Mlen comment, who Marco Casper, he’s still waiver exempt. He could be sent down without going through waivers and he struggled to start the season. Yeah, I I think that just puts you in a very similar spot. Like you’re you’re going to do that and then I don’t know that that just feels counterproductive for depth purposes. You’re going to do that and and who who is going to play more in in lie of him getting, you know, demoted and who’s going to be that reliable? I don’t know. I just I I I just wanted to bring it up because that we were I mentioned his name and it dawned on me. I was like he could be a guy who gets sent down because he’s struggling. But I also would struggle to believe because he’s like the other guys where I don’t think he’s playing terrible. He just can’t finish. But that’s how he got into this situation to begin with. So anyways, I digress. I apologize. I got us off topic immediately. No, no. I I anyone is is worth a conversation. Really? Seriously. I mean, we didn’t even talk about the defense and how maybe waving a guy to call up an extra defender to shake up the decor could be an option. Who knows? Well, right now you’re healthy two forwards. I mean, that like Yeah, I don’t know. You can send a forward down, call up a defenseman, carry eight. There’s there’s options. Um, anyways, Nate Danielson, he gives you that added forward depth, right? You have Larkin, Comfort, Danielson, Cop, and Casper as your center depth. Casper gets right. Right. Okay, if he can get right, you have Lark and Casper, Danielson, and then Copper Confrer on your 4C. That gives you the type of forward depth that’ll I would want to believe would help the bottom six figure out the scoring issue. It knocks Michael Rasmus out of center back to wing where he plays better. It knocks Cop or Coner off of center um or vice versa, whatever you want. in this situation right now. Conference playing up on line two, which I don’t think he had a bad game centering Casper and Ka, I’m sorry, Kane and Debrink at all besides the lack of finishing, but again, that’s the whole team. We we’ve already discussed they dominated that game at five on five and I thought that Cop playing 4C was a really good center for the fourth line. So immediately in the short term, Danielson’s already given me what I wanted and the additional forward depth to make every line a little bit better cuz it worked. they just couldn’t score. So, I mean, I guess you could argue then that it didn’t work, but they had the puck like the whole game. They had 45 shots. Yeah. Well, I guess that’s my point is like if you do make a change and you swap a forward for a forward, you would only do that if the person that is being replaced you think could put the puck in the back of the net more. And I am not sure there’s a a glowing candidate uh for that that’s currently on the NHL roster or even kind of knocking on the door. Uh you know I would love you know Mer to be a third or fourth line guy but he’s hurt. Um so it is what it is. Long term, I hope that Danielson for the rest of the season, assuming he’s here, right? This on the assumption that he’s sticking around just can solidify that third line and bring some scoring to that third line because the bottom six, like everyone, but especially the bottom six, the goals that we have come have come mostly from the top six throughout the season. Dinka got hot. Uh Larkin’s been pretty hot. Raymond has a couple had a couple stretches here and there. Uh, so if Danielson can provide a little bit of an offensive spark to the bottom six while playing a very cerebral two-way center game, which he’s very well known to do, either directly through goals himself on that line or indirectly by making the fourth line better by having him knock a guy down there, then long-term, that would be absolutely the long-term goal. I I don’t I’m not going to assign a point mark for him because I think that’s unfair because we don’t know what he’s going to be. But I just I need him to be an effective thirdline center at least for this season to help provide an some some offensive spark for the bottom six. Yeah, agreed. And I have faith that he can do that too because I think that Nate Danielson’s just fully NHL already. Agreed. Scotty, you have anything else you want to mention today? I don’t think so, man. You look good today. Thank you. You like my hat? But I think yes, I do. Um, no. I think that’s it. Few days off will uh hopefully be good for for the boys. They’ve had a pretty um rigorous schedule up to this point. So, um yeah, hopefully the the losing streak can can stop here, the losing skid, but we uh we still got a few more days and we’ll preview that, you know, on whatever Wednesday, whenever we pre Thursday. We’ll preview it. We’ll record on Wednesday. Whatever. Yeah, we’re good. We ball. We do ball. We’ll be back with a new episode tomorrow. Stay tuned for that. Same time, same place. It’s your team every day.
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49 comments
My guess is they're going to trade hammock bergeron Casper Angelica what's a Calvary for a first round pick. There are two generational talent defenseman coming up next draft. They will probably bring nygard backup
Chiarot, Copp, Compher, Rasmussen need to go
How often do you get to play with your idol.. having Danielson with Patrick Kane is only going to make him a super superstar
The N HL trade freeze is on between December 20-27th. I would certainly want a trade sooner than later. We could certainly have multiple trades before the March trade deadline. Ras, Berggren Compher are possibilities to be moved. I am not convinced that Finnie will stay with the Wings for the year and could be sent down. ASP could also be a possibility of being sent down to GR
27 should be healthied for the rest of jis contract unless he is traded first
Biggest question is it just a few bottom 6 changed in and out or is it a big splash type move that uses up some of the future resources..
Wings are not making the playoffs. No way. And Gibson is horrible. Why do we continue to bullshit ourselves?
I guess the sophomore slump applies to Kasper. That is a bit surprising. In the end, the game is about putting the puck in the opponent's net and other than Larkin this team can't shoot straight. Simple.
Cat kasper kane was the best line thru training camp and preseason. Kane missed 9 straight games and that line struggled aside from a few decent games with appleton. Kane cames back and they get 1 game together b4 kasper gets bumped down to 3rd line winger. Let kane get back into nhl game speed and let the line gel again b4 we start demoting our best option at 2c. We've all witnessed the jt compher experience, the guys been worthless for 2 years now.
ASP ??? Why are include him in Todds comments? As long as ASP has not been able to prove himself on PP1 I think you should stop your ASP slander.
Kasper sent down? What are u smoking??
I keep hearing about every other player on this Wings team except Mo Seider. Mo Seider may be what fans call a beast and a defensive specialist, but that's all he is. A player like Seider is only good to have on your team IF and ONLY IF you have a finesse OFFENSIVELY defenseman run the offense at the opposing blue line. Can't remember how many times I've called these podcasters out on this, but Mo Seider DOES NOT know how to run an offense on this team, at least on 5 on 5, nor does he know how to quarterback the team offense effectively when he's on the ice during a POWER PLAY. I HAVE BEEN CALLING OUT THESE PODCASTERS for protecting Seider who virtually plays a monolithic style of hockey on the ice—- he IS NOT a well rounded defenseman. Seider LACKS the skills of an effective offensive defenseman. Seider's style of play rubs off negatively on the players around him. I can't care less what the rest of the followers on this platform will think and say after I post this thread. If they and these podcasters can't see that players like Mo Seider are actually NO A GOOD FIT for this team unless he is there strictly for defensive purposes, I don't know what to tell you. You have to have offensive minded defensemen on your team if you want to have momentum and a better chance to win games. Mo Seider is not the type of player to give a team offensive momentum to win. Seider is not a good puck handler, nor is he great on his feet when he's on the ice and has a blow out. Seider is no way like a Nick Lidstrom (Wings), Cal Makar(Aves), Bobby Orr (Bruins), Chris Pronger (Blues), or even Denis Potvin (Islanders), at least not yet. I was hoping I'd be wrong about Seider but his style of play has proven me right, and these 2 podcasters continue to tow the line that Seider is all but indispensable. They are in denial. Seider IS NOT an offensive defenseman in any aspect of the word. The Wings need offensive defensemen to run their 5 on 5's and power plays. When the Wings are on a POWER PLAY, Seider rarely ever takes the initiative to effectively run the offense. He's either too timid and cautious about screwing up, or he just doesn't have the talent. Take your pick. Sandin-Pelikka looks SO, SO, SO MUCH BETTER OUT THERE than Seider when he is gelling with other players trying to set up in the offensive zone. I said it before and I'll say it again, over and over and over. The Wings made 2 mistakes with Seider: (1) select him too quickly in the first round and (2) pay him nearly $9 mil a year with a horrific return on investment since he's a monolithic style hockey player. Seider's presence on the ice is not as intimidating as he used to be, or at least he isn't as consistent about being intimidating on the ice. Seider just isn't a good fit with this team if this team won't have offensive defensemen on the ice. Because of Seider's monolithic style of play on the ice, he should take a back seat or flank a true offensive defenseman when he is on the ice. Somebody like Seider CANNOT get the Wings to have momentum on offense. If I can trade him for Cal Makar, I would do it in a heartbeat. Although it isn't only Mo Seider who isn't providing the impetus on his line to score, the Wings organization has places him very high on their list to be a franchise player. I think the Wings organization is mistaken and I'm quite confident that, although he plays nearly 1/2 the game on the ice, what you will get from Mo Seider is what you've seen him do on the ice time and time again, especially when the Wings are slumping. Seider is not the kind of player the Wings need to provide that spark. Just how much longer will these podcasters and Seider's followers continue to think he's indispensable? He is not, and bc I've seen him often enough already on the ice with a malaise about his style of play on offense tells me that the Wings will not be happy with him likely sooner than later. The Wings just can't blame everybody else on the team and not have Seider take any responsibility. Seider is, or was supposed to have been, a leader on this squad, but he doesn't have the skills to be a leader when the Wings need offense…. These podcasters need to open their eyes to what's really going on with this club. And Seider is one problem of sorts that they have….
Send link for I ❤ my wife hat please
I am hoping McClellan is speaking specifically to those, including Mo Seider, who hasn't and continues to do squat in the offensive zone to quarterback the Wings on offense. Seider is the wrong fit for this team. The Wings need a defenseman who is OFFENSIVELY aggressive, like a Cal Makar. Seider may only benefit the Wings when they're in the lead, and honestly, in the past, Seider has done the opposite in previous seasons when the Wings were ahead of tied in games. These PODCASTERS are blind about Seider's style of play.
Brian Fisher is foolish as a podcaster, and Scott Bentley isn't much better.
The criticisms from these podcasters on Rasmussen and Berggren is just the tip of the iceburg on this organization 's problems. Why can't Podcasters Fisher and Bentley get themselves to admit that Mo Seider can't run an offense? Their commentary should fall on deaf ears no doubt, bc you can bring in forwards more talented to Rasmussen and Berggren, and still get little to no offense of they're playing on Mo Seider's line. For the umpteenth time, it's MUCH better to have an offensive minded defenseman than somebody like Mo Seider, who can't run an offense on the ice and demonstrates his timidity on the power play. Everybody knows that those forwards are part of the problem, but the problem extends to those like Seider who isn't a well rounded player either.
No..losing streak will continue guys unfortunately 😢
Honestly, my wish is that this was some kind of attempt to partly showcase JT Compher at 2C for a trade while at the same time get a look at his right handed two way center replacement…
Been saying this for several seasons now, having BOTH of Copp & Compher in this lineup is pretty redundant, even more obvious when they played together since they basically are the same player and you NEED diffrent pieces to gel together, like a set up playmaker (like Kane) with a finnisher/goal scorer (like Cat) or a smaller skilled guy (like ASP) paired with bigger physical defensive responible guy (like Chiarot) to even it out, yin & yang type if thing… Copp & Compher together will bring slim to none zero offense and there is not really room for both of them on seperate lines in the bottom six moving forward… But easier said then done to find takers for.
With that said, I think the easiest move would be to try either Danielson or Finnie (he have played C his entire career before NHL) as 2C if you deem Kasper is having his sophmore slump. I don't want nor see the point of having Compher as you're 2C again, since it's been tried a thousend times now it seems and he is basically just doing cardio on that line, not a fit with higher hockey IQ players… He is a 4th line C that got overpaid after a career year when he masked himself as a 2C (just like Copp) and somehow, someway they need to move on from atleast one of then. Forget the contracts (we have loads of cap space), it's about moving forward and get rid of passengers on this team… If I had to choose i'd keep Copp over Compher.
Bergrren, Copp, Comoher, Rasmussen are keeping this team down.
Let’s get some more mediocrity on this team so we miss the playoffs for an entire decade 😂
That’s a statement a coach who is frustrated makes and a GM who is lost ! Or maybe a coach that just isn’t getting through !
Get a GOALIE !
I’d love a guy in nils hoglander on the redwings he’s small . But physically can get you 15-25 goals every year
Ive said it since game 4, we need a shooter, we can dance all around the ice, get opportunities, but nobody can put it away consistently. Idk if its some kinda slump, if the Hockey gods are just saying "No, you shall not get 'The Bounce'". But if we can get someone that can consistently put it in the back of the net, then i feel itll help the others.
I wont say names but aside from Raymond, larkin, cat, kane, Kasper, finnie, and danielson they can replace or move on from the rest of their forwards. I wont mention the vets because they'll be gone soon enough but soderblom has been ineffective and id actually put berger in for him and see what happens, you have to give danielson another shot and id just let him play the season out in the bottom 6 because the other guys dont bring enough.
Part of the problem with their play right now is that they dont have enough guys going to the net, as soon as a forward turns to take a shot their should be a forward in front of the goalie, can't win games on the perimeter, no matter how many shots you have, unless your playing against the wings. 😂
I don’t think McClellan can say things like this and not back it up. Either guys are going to bounce back or I expect a move or two to set the tone that they mean it.
Its just a growing pain we will still make the playoffs
Personally, i"d like to see ASP instead of Seider on the top power play line. At least give it a try. Seider has bobbled the puck quite a bit.
Johansson looked really good on the second power play unit, try him on the first instead of Seider.
If you are going to lose games you might as well do it with the young guys and let them gain NHL experience.
I do not believe that either Raz or Bergreen would clear waivers. Both players have valuye. Raz has been one of my favorite p[layers even though he has not been getting the job done. I would be surprised if they haven't been try to trade Begreen and probably Compher and Copp. I don't agree with some fans that have been taking issue wiuth Seider, Other than Larkin there is no player on this roster who does as much and works as hard. Thank you guys. Ray L
Kasper is on the bubble, Coach keeps saying "I think there is more in Kasper". Like you say, Kasper is still waivers exempt so he could be sent down for a wake up call.
I was thinking that you had 2 & 3 C covered with Kasper and Danielson. I don’t think Kasper should be considered a lock at 2C. Danielson put up really good numbers offensively after he went to a better team and was awesome his first preseason and camp. I think he should get some time to try out 2C as well. See who the better fit is. I think you have two guys that are 2C capable which is a good problem to have. I would try and get Berggren going putting him up in place of Finnie. A Kasper Finnie Appleton line could overpower or outplay other teams depth lines. A hybrid line. Copp Compher JVR/Soderblom. Ras I would try to move and Soderblom I am not sold on.
Seems pretty clear to me McLellan was talking about Ras. He has only one goal this year, and that was an empty netter. He also isn't physical, and often looks like he's slow or behind the play. Shut down the top line and Kane, and we're not scoring, and that's a problem. We need depth production, and if calling up Danielson lights a fire under them, I'm here for it.
Why does Finnie get to stay in due to his effort, regardless of his production, but that doesn't matter for Berggren? He gets fewer minutes with worse players but still gets benched after McLellan says good things about him. I just don't get what they want from the guy anymore. Try him on the top lines, seriously.
If holl or gustaffson is on this team we are tanking lol
Asp need be pp1 sider bad shot
"Who is the most likely candidates?" or Who ARE the most likely candidates?
The time for more words has passed. If the players don't respond (looking at your Rasmussen and most of the bottom 6) then it's time to call guys up from GR.
I think Mcllelllens comments indicate that all options are on the table. Regarding trades there is going to be difficulty in the current environment to trade because of the parity perceived across the league. No team is anxious to do anything because they haven't seen a trade is necessary for the success of the team. All teams seem to be still in the race for playoff consideration.
Berg would not clear waivers. He has value. I bet the offers that Steve Y is getting for him is laughable and yall would be pissed if he accepted those offers and gave him away for a 7th round pick or consideration
I do wonder if Compher was slotted into the 2nd line to showcase him for a potential trade. Though with that contract married to that kind of production, I can't see any takers. Hopefully Danielson is ready to be the team's go to right-handed center. Seems like he is.
"A decision on other players" could simply mean moving ras to the wing.
Though i hope we see a big shake up
McLellen's "aren't you sick of losing?" comment was based on years past. Not one game. Give me a break. If you didn't know he was talking about past habits, you have no right to be on any podcast about the Wings…
Don’t Finnie and ASP have to hit waivers too since they’ve played ten games? They aren’t getting sent down, nor should they at this point
i mean this is what you people wanted. start letting the young guys into the lineup and big surprise, theres ups and downs. guess what, as a fan you have to continue to be patient. now that they are on the bubble there should be more urgency, the first 15 games they sat in a playoff spot. lots of season left to play so everyone calm the f down.
I think the leash is getting short. Probably because McLellan and the coaching staff have had to repeat over and over how the mistakes can rectified and how the offense can be improved—- and it’s not being executed ! It must really cheese McLellan off at this point
With some players, I don’t think they have the talent to do so unfortunately. Regardless, it’s likely a team that would be benefit from any meaningful trades near term.
MBN should be 4th line winger because of his ability to shoot alone
Trades. Lots of them! Bring up the youth.