I don't think the Pens/Red Wings trade makes much sense for either team. Pens just got Smith, and while he needs work defensively, he has potential and hasn't gotten a real chance yet
Just out of curiosity, Why would Yzerman trade his young 3/4 C for a position of strength in Ty Smith? Detroit needs to build up it's RHD depth not it's LHD depth that's probably one of the best in the league. Detroit passes.
Just out of curiosity, Why would Yzerman trade his young 3/4 C for a position of strength in Ty Smith? Detroit needs to build up it's RHD depth not it's LHD depth that's probably one of the best in the league. Detroit passes.
I think you would have benefited from reading the AGM description.
I think you would have benefited from reading the AGM description.
Yeah well Veleno doesn't need a change of scenery, And it sure won't be for a player that we already have an overabundance of. If we move Veleno it would probably be fore RHD depth not LHD depth.
Yeah well Veleno doesn't need a change of scenery, And it sure won't be for a player that we already have an overabundance of. If we move Veleno it would probably be fore RHD depth not LHD depth.
Dude. I literally said I just threw it together. Does that actually sound I gave it any thought? Chill out.
Idk it kinda seems like you just depleted the LHD for no reason
I could have just sent Smith down, but I figured get something for him, but I don't think we really depleted much. Friedman plays the left side well and Rutta can play both sides.
I could have just sent Smith down, but I figured get something for him, but I don't think we really depleted much. Friedman plays the left side well and Rutta can play both sides.
Yeah I mean you do have some versatility for that bottom pair - I just think if Dumo doesn't rebound or gets hurt that's an incredibly shakey left side. And then Dumo's contract is up at the end of the year as well so that's also something you have to think about. Rutta has never really played the left side so it's still up in the air how effective he could be there.
I do like Friedman but he's a 7th defenseman - that's all he's ever been. And he's a righty which is a negative - even if he can play that side it still messes with one timers and things like that. I'm fine with getting rid of one of Smith or POJ. It just seems like you got rid of two young LHD with upside and didn't make the team better in the short term or long term. Sure POJ and Smith might not be amazing - but I would consider going from 4 NHL ready LHD to 2 depleting.
Like if option A is simply send Smith to the AHL and Option B is trade both Smith and POJ - I take Option A all day. Just my thoughts
Yeah I mean you do have some versatility for that bottom pair - I just think if Dumo doesn't rebound or gets hurt that's an incredibly shakey left side. And then Dumo's contract is up at the end of the year as well so that's also something you have to think about. Rutta has never really played the left side so it's still up in the air how effective he could be there.
I do like Friedman but he's a 7th defenseman - that's all he's ever been. And he's a righty which is a negative - even if he can play that side it still messes with one timers and things like that. I'm fine with getting rid of one of Smith or POJ. It just seems like you got rid of two young LHD with upside and didn't make the team better in the short term or long term. Sure POJ and Smith might not be amazing - but I would consider going from 4 NHL ready LHD to 2 depleting.
Like if option A is simply send Smith to the AHL and Option B is trade both Smith and POJ - I take Option A all day. Just my thoughts
I have to vehemently disagree with you on Friedman. He may be a late bloomer, but there's untapped potential there. He's a legit 3rd pairing dman and I stake all my hockey knowledge on that.
I have to vehemently disagree with you on Friedman. He may be a late bloomer, but there's untapped potential there. He's a legit 3rd pairing dman and I stake all my hockey knowledge on that.
Well maybe they should trade him then lol. Legit 3rd pair RHD dman that can play both sides should get a good return
Personally I'd much rather play a young LHD who is just as good, if not better already, and has positive upside than a soon to be 27 year old 6th/7th RHD who still can't crack a healthy lineup. Yes, I know he can play the left side, but there's obvious advantages to the rightly lefty combo.
Either way, even if you want to play Friedman there, I still think trading two LHD leaves you unnecessarily weak on the left side and with a lack of depth. It's the Pens, we know someone is going to get hurt lol. And it doesn't really make the team better in the short or long term
Personally I'd much rather play a young LHD who is just as good, if not better already, and has positive upside than a soon to be 27 year old 6th/7th RHD who still can't crack a healthy lineup. Yes, I know he can play the left side, but there's obvious advantages to the rightly lefty combo.
Either way, even if you want to play Friedman there, I still think trading two LHD leaves you unnecessarily weak on the left side and with a lack of depth. It's the Pens, we know someone is going to get hurt lol. And it doesn't really make the team better in the short or long term
I'm fine with sending Smith down instead of trading him, but the part that irks me is how people get stuck in small-minded thinking. There are late bloomers in the NHL and some players who just because of certain circumstances don't really get the opportunity to show what they have and Friedman is one of those guys. Staying stuck in that mindset is just bad.
I'm fine with sending Smith down instead of trading him, but the part that irks me is how people get stuck in small-minded thinking. There are late bloomers in the NHL and some players who just because of certain circumstances don't really get the opportunity to show what they have and Friedman is one of those guys. Staying stuck in that mindset is just bad.
That would definitely be a better move, It's not about being small minded though - and I'm not stuck in that mindset - it's about being rational. I like Friedman - but I wouldn't call Friedman a late bloomer. He's already going to be 27 this year and he still hasn't bloomed. It's not like he's Bunting and had some amazing year.
I would much rather give the opportunity to Smith or POJ who, not only are lefties, but have an equal if not higher floor and a much higher upside. I just can't see any reason you would keep Friedman over POJ or Smith - especially Smith. Honestly, Ruhwedel deserves to play over him too.
That would definitely be a better move, It's not about being small minded though - and I'm not stuck in that mindset - it's about being rational. I like Friedman - but I wouldn't call Friedman a late bloomer. He's already going to be 27 this year and he still hasn't bloomed. It's not like he's Bunting and had some amazing year.
I would much rather give the opportunity to Smith or POJ who, not only are lefties, but have an equal if not higher floor and a much higher upside. I just can't see any reason you would keep Friedman over POJ or Smith - especially Smith. Honestly, Ruhwedel deserves to play over him too.
Except that Friedman is blooming. He was looking better and better as he played. Fringe players like him have to work harder to get noticed and even in this pre-season he's look even better. He moves the puck well, defends well, has a good shot, plays physical and even passes well.
Sure, giving someone like Smith a chance to develop is great, but this team isn't in the waiting business right now. They're in the winning business and even Hextall and Sullivan have said, they're making decisions based on which players give them the best chance of winning. Right now? That's not Smith until he proves otherwise. He has a couple more games to earn his keep, but my bet is POJ gets shipped out and Smith gets sent down if he doesn't show any improvement in the next couple of games.