ZADOROZNY: Legwand Trade Might Push Wings into Playoffs

by Chris Zadorozny Leave a Comment March 6, 2014

(@Zads07)

Now that the “Christmas Morning” effect of the NHL trade deadline has worn off, many people have calmed down enough to evaluate the moves made by their teams.

Around 2:30 p.m. on March 5, the Legwand trade began to pick up steam, which coincided with a few other players/problems on the Red Wings roster.

About an hour earlier, Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland appeared on TSN TradeCentre, talking with TSN Insider James Duthieabout his plans for the deadline. He indicated during the interview that he had hoped to get something done, but hearing back about Pavel Datsyuk and Darren Helm before the deadline was going to indicate his moves.

Clearly Holland didn’t like news that came from the teams’ physicians, as he sought out to acquired a center, instead of a defenseman; the biggest need before the injury news.

Datsyuk will be out of for the next three weeks, Helm is battling concussion symptoms, Henrik Zetterberg is out until at least mid-April, and Stephen Weiss is behind schedule in his recovery.

It was a panic move, but let’s take a step back and try to analyze what happened.

The trade talk for Legwand started to heat up around 2:50 p.m., and wasn’t completed until a few minutes after the 3 p.m. deadline (note: if teams are working on a trade that started before the 3 p.m. deadline, all they have to do is let the NHL Head Offices know via e-mail).

David Legwand was officially a Red Wing at 3:15 p.m. The return for Legwand didn’t squeak out until about 15 minutes later. The price was right-wing Patrick Eaves, prospect Calle Jarnkrok, and a 3rd-round pick in 2015 (that 3rd-round pick becomes a 2nd-round pick if the Red Wings make the playoffs this season).

Now, some fans are upset that Eaves is gone, but you have to remember that Eaves had been asking for a trade since last year. He hasn’t been happy with his playing time and was in the last year of his contract.

The 29-year old has been at best a third line winger, usually a fourth-line winger, depending on the injuries. His average time on the ice as been just above 10 minutes. With the influx of young players taking those roster spots, it’s tough to crack the lineup when you only have 74-goals in a 439 game career.

Jarnkrok was a highly regarded prospect for the Red Wings and an untouchable at last year’s deadline. In fact, when the Red Wings were calling on forwards at the deadline, the Calgary Flames wanted Jarnkrok in a trade for Jarome Iginla, but the Red Wings ultimately said no.

Fast-forward almost a year, and Jarnkrok was easily expendable in this trade, for a 33-year old center.

Now, before you say, “well, he was going to be great in Detroit,” remember, most prospects aren’t guarnteed everyday NHL players, let along superstars. Most Red Wings fans aren’t aware that Jarnkrok has been contemplating  returning to Sweden at the end of the AHL season; according to Red Wings European scout Hakan Andersson.

Jarnkrok was also down on the depth chart as a young center, with a few players that rank above him. Joakim Andersson, Riley Sheahan, Luke Glendening, and Cory Emmerton are all rated above him (for good reason, as two are currently on the Red Wings roster).

He became expendable with Andersson, Sheahan, Glendening, and Emmerton, along with Landon Ferraro (rated slightly below him at center), all ranking above him at the center position.

Finally, the 3rd-round pick will become a 2nd-round pick if the Red Wings make the playoffs this season. There’s no way of knowing what place in the draft that will be, but with the next two drafts being loaded with prospects, especially 2015 (If you aren’t familiar with Connor McDavid, now might be a good time), the Red Wings will survive, especially with their stockpile of prospects in Grand Rapids.

So let’s take a look at David Legwand. The 33-year old Grosse Pointe native is having a homecoming of sorts. The first ever draft pick of the Nashville Predators will now be playing for his hometown team and will center the first line center as Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Weiss remain out with injuries. Legwand has averaged more than 40 points a season during 14 year career in the NHL.

Legwand has also plays a lot of minutes, averaging just over 17 minutes a game this season. He currently has 10 goals and 30 points for the Predators in a tough Central Division of the Western Conference. But, he’s bringing over those 40 points, and now becomes the second highest point-producing player on the Red Wings, something Detroit has been needing badly. Zetterberg leads the team with 48 points this year.

Since Legwand is from Grosse Pointe and an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, there’s an increased possibility he could re-sign with the Red Wings this off-season. Both parties have shown some mutual interest in the past, but nothing has come to fruition. Playing for his hometown team down the stretch could be a motivating factor to stay come July 1.

The one knock on Legwand has been his battle with lower body injuries in recent years. He’s missed 32 games in 2006 with a knee injury and 15 games in 2008 to a foot injury. It’s not the worst health report in the world, but it’s not the best either.

So, was this a smart move made by Kenny Holland? Well, it really depends on how you look at it. This certainly wasn’t a move for the future, because they dealt away one of their former top prospects and a draft pick, but considering the depth, there was some flexibility to make this move. Was this a move for the present and now? Very much so. The 22-year consecutive playoff streak is on the line and Red Wings general manager Ken Holland wants to keep that going. The Red Wings are in an interesting situation. They find themselves in the midst of a tug-of-war.

The Red Wings don’t really have an identity. They are stuck between being a contender (loads of talent, injuries have hampered team all year) and rebuilding (lots of young players filling in for the injured veterans).

When you’re trying to gauge which team will show up on any given, night, it’s more than likely that the young, rebuilding team shows up. But, when this Red Wings team is healthy (if they ever get healthy), they have the talent to compete with just about anyone in the Eastern Conference.

The Legwand trade was for the here and now, not the future, but there’s no reason to panic because a young, skilled player was traded. The way that Kenny Holland runs this team, and his young prospects, the Red Wings will be fine in the future.

The stockpile of prospects that Detroit has been stockpiling in Grand Rapids, Toledo, throughout North America and Europe took a small dent on Wednesday, not the gaping gash that some fans tend to believe.

Legwand will fit right into this team, wearing number 17, centering Gustav Nyquist and Johan Franzen for the next few weeks. His point production on the top line could go up, and when the Red Wings become healthy down the stretch, and into the playoffs, the veteran presence of Legwand will be a welcome addition to the Red Wings locker room. Year 23 is no longer in jeopardy with Legwand in the mix.

To read the original post that appeared online on Sports Radio Detroit on March 6, 2014, go to www.sportsradiodetroit.com

ZADOROZNY: Red Wings Defensive Trade Options

by Chris Zadorozny (@Zads07)

Happy New Year Red Wings fans. It’s time to put 2013 behind us and hope that injuries to Wings players are a thing of the past. It’s been an up and down season so far for Detroit, but maybe the New Year will provide an added boost in the second half of the season.

One thing is for sure though; the Red Wings defense is sorely lacking a veteran leader other than Niklas Kronwall. Jonathan Ericsson is currently the number two defenseman on the team, but he’s injured. Danny DeKeyser has the ability to become a top-four, if not the top defenseman on this team, but so far, he’s been injury prone.

Jakub Kindl and Brian Lashoff won’t be any better than top four material, and that’s pushing, especially for Lashoff. Smith and Quincey, well, let’s just say the Red Wings have had better.

So what will the Red Wings do leading up to the trade deadline? Thaey have to move players if they want to stay under the cap. So far, injuries have helped in that fashion this year.

As of Saturday, January 4, 2014, the Red Wings are 17^th in the league in scoring, averaging 2.57 goals per game. They are 16^th in the league in allowing goals per game, averaging 2.69 goals allowed. They are also in the top half of the league in shots, averaging just over 30 shots per game. The Wings are also holding opposing teams to just 28 shots per game, good for 21^st in the league.

Now, that’s pretty good, but if you look at the plus/minus in the league, you may or may not be surprised at what comes up.

Captain Henrik Zetterberg is among the best. He ranks in the top 30, with a plus 15 (Pittsburgh’s Chris Kunitz has a plus 23.) He’s the only Red Wing in the top 80. Daniel Alfredsson comes in at 87 with a plus 8.

Among the bottom dwellers, Edmonton’s Nail Yakupov has a -25, the worst in the league. You don’t have to look far to see the first Red Wing. Defenseman Kyle Quincey has a -14, good for 20^th worst in the league. Up next, forward Todd Bertuzzi with a -14, good for 27^th worst. Then, defenseman Jakub Kindl with a -11, 48^th worst in the league. Forward Joakim Andersson squeezes himself just outside the bottom 50, with a -10 as well, but ranked 51^st worst.

Quincey has played 42 games thus far, not including the one against Dallas on Saturday night. With his -14 rating, he’s been on the ice for 3 goals, every single game this season. Now, I know the Wings haven’t given up 3 goals each game he’s been in, but it’s a stat that’s tough to stomach.

General Manager Ken Holland was desperate when the Wings traded for Quincey. They lost a lot of talent, and needed a quick fix. As it turns out, the trade was probably a present mistake, but indirectly a good one for the future (the Wings traded down to get Anthony Mantha) and as long as Holland can fix it now, or at least by the trade deadline, it won’t seem so bad.

Quincey has got to go, but who would replace him? Really, anyone at this point is an upgrade, but the Wings really need a solid, veteran defenseman on the back-end. Kronwall is in his 9^th year in the NHL (all with the Wings), and he’ll be turning 33 on January 12.

He probably has a few more good years left in him before DeKeyser takes the helm (hopefully no longer injury-prone). Before that happens though, the Wings sorely need another veteran defenseman, and they have some options.

The best option on the table is Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Ron Hainsey. The Hurricanes are trying to revamp their team as they look to battle for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and they just traded away defenseman Tim Gleason to the Toronto Maple Leafs for John-Michael Liles.

Hainsey is the only player to have played in all 39 games for Carolina so far this season. He doesn’t have the scoring touch (3 goals, 7 assists), but he racks up over 20 minutes of ice time each game on average. He’s in his 10^th year in the league, and is the same age as Kronwall.

Another couple of options include Dallas’ Stephane Robidas, Vancouver’s Alex Edler, New York Rangers’ Michael Del Zotto or Dan Girardi, and Winnipeg’s Dustin Byfuglien.

Any of the options above are do-able, it’s just a matter of making the deal. Carolina and New York are more apt to trade, as Del Zotto is on the block, but he’s a younger defenseman. Will Holland look to gamble on a young defenseman, or will he choose the veteran route and try for Hainsey or Edler?

Only time will tell, and maybe injuries.

To read the original post that appeared online on January 6, 2014, on Sports Radio Detroit, go to www.sportsradiodetroit.com

ZADS: Red Wings already up against the cap

by: Chris Zadorozny (@Zads07)

The NHL season is now officially two months old and the Detroit Red Wings have already had their ups and downs.

The Red Wings started out strong, but up until the last couple of weeks, were on a losing streak, trying to find their scoring touch. The injury bug has hit the Red Wings hard and now, are just $31,000 under the salary cap.

This isn’t something fans are accustomed to each year. Heading into the first weekend of December, the Red Wings are without Pavel Datsyuk (concussion), Henrik Zetterberg (back), Todd Bertuzzi (shoulder) and Danny DeKeyser (shoulder).

 

The roster has changed a bit since opening night, due to injuries, a forward-heavy roster and some uninspired play over the course of three-to-four week period.

Gone are Patrick Eaves and Jordin Tootoo, who were sent to Grand Rapids in mid-November. Brought up to replace these two, Gustav Nyquist, and Darren Helm, who returned in early November from a back injury.

With the mounting injuries, the Wings were forced call up defensemen Adam Almqvist and Xavier Ouellet, along with forwards Luke Glendening, Tomas Tatar and goalie Petr Mrazek.

Cory Emmerton was also lost in the shuffle. He was sent down in mid-October, but is now back up because of injuries.

With Ken Holland’s back against the wall, there’s mounting pressure to make a move to relieve some of the salary cap pressure.. Once Danny DeKeyser comes off of injured reserve, the Red Wings won’t have enough room to bring him back without going over the cap.

The next few weeks will really tell Red Wings fans if this team is for real. Life without Datsyuk and Zetterberg, at least for at least a few more games will also show this team can survive without their top two leaders.

To read the original post on Sports Radio Detroit, on December 4, 2013, go to www.sportsradiodetroit.com

ZADS: Red Wings October Review

by Chris Zadorozny (@Zads07)

It’s been almost a month into the season, and we’ve now got a pretty good look at the revamped Detroit Red Wings lineup. The team started out hot, winning six of their first eight games. Since defeating the Colorado Avalanche, who at the time was undefeated, the Red Wings lost four straight.

IHead Coach Mike Babcock has since shuffled the lines that originally started the season. Justin Abdelkader has moved from the first line, to the second line, to the third line, back to the second line.

The supposed great second line of Stephen Weiss, Johan Franzen and Daniel Alfredsson has pretty much been all but broken up. Despite having some chemistry, the line wasn’t producing goals and this line has been completely revamped.

On defense, there have been a couple of injuries, and the young squad has played quite well, but the injuries soon caught up to the young players. Niklas Kronwall, was hit from behind in the win over the Avalanche and was diagnosed with a concussion, and came back faster than most people thought.

 

His partner, Jonathan Ericsson was just one game later and is still out for another two weeks. Brendan Smith and Kyle Quincey have all but been the worst pairing the Red Wings have had in a long time.

Combined the two have a -17 on the season so far, racking up almost 20 minutes each per night on average.

There isn’t much depth in Grand Rapids for the Red Wings, but Xavier Ouellet was called up and showed some promise, playing 17:15 in a 1-0 shootout loss against the San Jose Sharks.

In net, Jimmy Howard has had one bad game in the nine games he’s played in so far, and backup Jonas Gustavsson was phenomenal while Howard was hurt. There is seemingly no problem in net for the Red Wings, as even the top goaltenders in the league have off-nights.

The defensive core is going to need to improve, but with only 12 games gone by, there is not even a hint that it’s panic time in Hockeytown. It’s early; this team has a lot of veterans that know how to win.

Goals will come eventually, and with the leadership on this team, a road trip should prove that this team has what it takes to win.

To read the original post that appeared on Sports Radio Detroit, on November 2, 2013, go to www.sportsradiodetroit.com

ZADS: Detroit Red Wings Season Preview

by Chris Zadorozny (@Zads07)

For the first time in two years, we’ll have hockey in October. After last year’s shortened NHL season, a full 82-game schedule is out, filled with outdoor games, the Winter Classic, and even a break in the action for the Sochi Olympics.

After last year’s disappointing Game 7 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in overtime, the Detroit Red Wings are poised for a dramatic rebound in the Eastern Conference.

There are some question marks coming into the new season, but there are also some great new things that fans should be looking forward to.

Let’s recap the offseason first. In the early hours of the opening day of free agency, the Detroit Red Wings signed longtime Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson to a 1-year deal worth $5.5 million. Later that day, they signed their second-line center, former Florida Panther Stephen Weiss to a 5-year deal, worth $24.5 million ($4.9/year).

Once Weiss signed, it was clear that forward Valtteri Filppula wasn’t going to come back, so he signed a similar deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Nearly 10 days later, the Red Wings re-signed defenseman Brendan Smith to a 2-year deal worth $2.525 million.

In August, the Red Wings locked up both Joakim Andersson to a 2-year deal worth $1.465 million and Gustav Nyquist to 2-year, 2-way deal. Finally, the last signing of the summer for the Wings was re-signing veteran forward Daniel Cleary to a one-year contract worth $1.75 million.

Oh, and we can’t forget about Swiss forward Damien Brunner who was up and down last year for the Wings. He signed a 2-year deal worth $5 million with the New Jersey Devils after he was invited to their camp on a tryout.

Also leaving the Wings was defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo who was bought out of his remaining year on his contract.

What’s the new lineup going to look like? Well, here’s what it will most likely look like to start the season. Once injuries subside in late-October to early-November, we could see even more changes.

 

Forwards

Abdelkader-Datsyuk-Zetterberg

Franzen-Weiss-Alfredsson

Cleary-Andersson-Bertuzzi

Miller-Emmerton-Samuelsson

Tatar

Defense

Kronwall-Ericsson

Quincey-Smith

DeKeyser-Kindl

Lashoff

Goaltenders

Howard

Mrazek

Injuries

Helm (LTIR), Eaves (LTIR), Tootoo, Gustavsson

            Forward Darren Helm was placed on long-term injured reserve with complications with his back, so he’ll be out for a while. In fact, his career could be in jeopardy. Patrick Eaves is also on long-term injured reserve with a sprained knee. He’s expected to be out another three weeks. Jordin Tootoo (shoulder) and Jonas Gustavsson (groin) are all on short-term injured reserve.

For those of you wondering where Gutsav Nyquist is, he’s back with the Grand Rapids Griffins. He was sent down because he signed a two-way deal, which means he can be sent down to the minors without being exposed on waivers.

There are some new roster changes for the Red Wings this year. Moving to the Eastern Conference will definitely help as the Wings prepare for their stretch run at the end of the season.

The less travel to the west could result in a few more wins, and will work in their favor with an older squad. What should fans expect though in the new Atlantic Division? New rivalries with the Bruins, Maple Leafs, Canadiens, and Senators will eventually overtake the rivalry with the Blackhawks and Avalanche of the old days.

As the Wings look to open up the season at home against the Sabres, fans will get their first glimpse of the new Detroit Red Wings, the new Eastern Conference, and the renewed expectations of competing for yet another Stanley Cup.

To read the original post that appeared on Sports Radio Detroit, on October 2, 2013, go to www.sportsradiodetroit.com