Another topic that seems fair enough and then you realise that the OP is largely motivated by slagging off the GM in a manner based on the frustration of years past rather than the scope of the topic.
Yes, it's incredibly frustrating that Green got injured at the worst possibly time for the wings and simulaniously went from being the trade block's #1 d-man to being pushed down by the surprising availability of both McD and Karlsson. But NO-ONE could have predicted that combined outcome before Jan, and apart from a v brief EDM rumour there was no suggestion of anyone sniffing around Green prior to that point, despite the adamant position that he should have gone last summer. To whom? And for what? No evidence anywhere that anyone wanted to take on that salary as most teams that knew they were competitive in advance lacked the cap space.
As for ratings...based on expectations
KH: B- . I understand all his moves since last summer, but all were uninspiring, bar the return for Tatar, which was a nice surprise. Seems to have overseen the successful integration of Lil Bert onto the roster...perhaps could have seen more of our GR D-men, but none have massively pulled up trees at AHL level, and I support keeping Hronek down for the moment.
Blash: C- - sometimes it looks like the team are making his style work pretty well for their talent level, but sometimes it just looks an incoherent mess designed to expose our flaws. Also his line combos fluctuate similarly. Credit for putting lil Bert with Z though as that didn't seem obvious. And for Ericsson and Daley being together. Given where we are at, I don't feel particularly strongly about his immediate future, but need to see an improvement to see him as longer term viable.
Larkin: A+
Massive bounce back and step forward. The growth in his Alround game and addressing prior weakness has been a joy to see. Might never be a real 1C, but undoubtedly our most important player going forward.
Z: B+
Another slight step backwards, and his leadership has been questioned at times, but for a 37 year old with a lot of miles on the clock playing an array of mostly meh linemates, I don't think anyone should be less than pleased with him.
Bertuzzi: B
A perfect illustration that intensity and smarts can achieve more than skill and size alone. Looked lost at first, though not as bad as last year, but has gelled really well with the captain, and seems smart enough to gel reasonably well with any linemates. For a rookie season for someone projected as a 3rd liner, we have to be pleased. He may have been given an easier ride than many, but his PPG is better than a lot of other guys on the team. Needs to get stronger and quicker if possible.
Mantha: C
So much natural talent & pretty productive, but he's far floatier than Franzen ever was. Occasionally just takes over a period, and is always dangerous, but hasn't taken a significant step since last year. I expected 10 more points this season.
Nyquist: C-
Has actually played better than at many points over the previous two seasons, but one can't ignore the diminishing returns. 40 points for a small winger at almost $5 is just a poor return by anyone's criteria. One of those guys who often looks like a 60 point player, but then at times you forget he's even on the ice. Has the first 1/2 of next season to save his wings career methinks, but would probably be a chief beneficiary if someone like Rasmussen comes up.
Athanasiou: C -
Along with Mantha, the most frustrating player on the team. Lack's the big Man's smarts, but when he's on, just like last year, he can just take over a game. But equally you can a week without noticing him at all. Could be a 50 point winger on a better team, but its hard to see him getting the salary he seemingly wants on this team. Still, 16 goals for a middle six winger isn't disastrous.
Abdelkader: C
At Christmas I would have given him a B, but over the last 3 months his effectiveness and output have both dropped off. He's had the season you'd expect. At present he is maybe *just* worth his contract. We'll all be surprised if that remains the case.
Helm: C+
On a team with poor offence, he's probably exceeded his point expectations, and remained pretty good at the things he's good at. Not the relentless forechecker of yesteryear, but has been one of our few players whose output is actually above his career average.
Nielsen: C
Good in his role, not worth his contract, and especially not on this team. If Larkin hadn't kicked on, he'd be getting more minutes and points, but although a very good 3rd line centre in terms of lacking major weaknesses, he's just not worth his contract to us. That said, him and Helm worked well together, and if their contracts make both hard to move, the fact they are good together is important.
Booth: C+
Arrived with almost zero expectations. Surpassed that. Were he the 13th forward on a better team, it'd be worth bringing him back on his salary, but essentially its one and done for the hometown boy.
Frk: C
Performed similarly as expected. Can he kick on or is he as good as we're gonna get? Worth persevering with for one more year, as that shot is a real rarity on this team. I'd imagine he'd be happy if Rasmussen makes the roster.
Glendening: C+
11 goals from a 4th line center who has missed games is no mean feat, particularly when he is such an overtly defensive player. Not as good on the PK as expected or hoped, particularly as the season went on, but more in the positive than negative column.
Svech: D+
Appalling time in GR for much of it, but did ok when called up.
Witkowski: B-
Better hockey player than expected, but semi-irrelevant
Ericsson: B-
A better season than we've seen in a while, and bar the last month was actually pretty good.
Green: C
Have resisted marking him down for injury! Output and performance par for the course for his time in Detroit. Promised more, but another who just couldn't put up points mid-season.
Kronwall: C+
Better than I and many expected, but defensively is at the low point of his career, despite his passing remaining a strength. Slightly miraculous to get so many games out of him, so credit to his warrior spirit.
Daley: D+
Worked well with Ericsson, but brought a lot less offence in the first 1/2 of the season than expected. His contract is fair, so can't complain too much.
Dekeyser: C-
Better in recent months, but was poor again for the first 1/2 of the season. If his salary was $2.5-3, he'd be a lot more popular. At least his game seems to have stabilised after an extended downturn
Jensen: D+
After promise last season, he failed to build, and at times looked worse. His retaining an NHL career is depending on him being cheap. Occasionally shows flashes of the player he was in his final year in college, but I think he is what he is at this stage.
Oullet: C-
Actually played a little better than last year, but got less games. Similar career position to Jensen. If they don't improve over the coming season, they'll be gone after it.
Howard: C-
No one expected him to maintain his hot start, but without that hot start, his numbers would be horrible. At least did go through a run of stealing games for us, which hasn't been his MO for parts of his career.
Coreau: D-
Even worse than last time, and though hung out to dry at times, seems to have a lot of holes in that big frame
These grades are based on expectations, and reflect the paucity of our roster. The wings of 10 years ago with this level of performance would have got much lower grades.
