The old geezer
Registered User
- Feb 10, 2007
- 715
- 0
What was once promised as only being a retooling has clearly become a full rebuild.
The first major deal came with the trade of local hockey god Niklas Lidstrom. With only likely a year left in his HFNHL career it did not make sense for pending UFA Lidstrom or the Wings to resign. As a result his rights were dealt to Ottawa for a 2010 1st (Calgary’s) and a second.
The acquired 2nd rounder was dealt away to Philly one day in advance of the draft for prospects Alexander Avtsyn and Luca
i.
Avtsyn (or Avtsin depending on where you look) is a highly skilled Russian but is untested against grittier competition, though he is hardly small and soft at 6’2â€and 200lbs. Avtsyn has signed to come over and is said to be willing to spend a year in the AHL.
i (pronounced koon-tee) will continue to play in the Swiss-A for now.
The next significant roster move came earlier this week when both Todd Bertuzzi and Daniel Briere were traded to Washington. In return Detroit received prospects Brett MacLean and Adam Henrique.
My expectations are somewhat modest for Henrique but I do hope he can develop into a solid north/south grinding 3rd line winger at the pro level.
MacLean was the key to this deal for GM Niece. While being well aware that his skating issues may limit his pro potential my gut just said do it. MacLean’s upside is likely that of a 2nd line winger who provides secondary scoring the other intangibles he brings are much needed in a Detroit system that is somewhat small and soft.
The gambling continued on draft day as with the 1st rounder Detriot selected Ryan Spooner. Spooner has been falling on many draft lists due to his size and some sub par performances partially attributable to injuries. In the end GM Niece saw too much in the package that reminded him of Giroux in his draft year to pass on. In a post draft interview he admitted to having been conflicted on which of Spooner, Brock Nelson, and Justin Faulk he was going to select.
In the second round the Wings went with what they felt was a slightly safer pick in Michael Bournival. Bournival has 3rd line checking/defensive specialist written all over him. He is also a great face off guy and has a great 3 zone work ethic.
Originally without a 3rd round pick Detroit saw a guy falling they were intrigued by. The Wings had unsuccessfully shopped O’Brien in the 2nd round to try but when their guy started falling to the 3rd the Wings were able to reach a trade agreement for O’Brien for the necessary draft pick. The selection of Maxim Kitsyn stunned on-looking GM’s leaving them silent.
The scare of the ‘Russian factor’ was in full effect on day one of the HFNHL draft as witnessed by Tarasenko falling to 18th, Kuzentsov 23rd, Kabanov 36th, and Kitsyn 69th. All later than the average projected positions for these guys to get selected.
There has been rumblings Kitsyn may agree to come to the CHL this year, after declining to do so last year, but at this point it is merely speculation. In Kitsyn the Wings get a guy who has great offensive instincts and a Russian who is at least attempting to help out defensively. Only time will tell if it was a worthy gamble.
Finally the Wings may not be done yet as they’ve received a couple of expressions of interest in Kimmo Timonen.
Stay tuned for further news.
The first major deal came with the trade of local hockey god Niklas Lidstrom. With only likely a year left in his HFNHL career it did not make sense for pending UFA Lidstrom or the Wings to resign. As a result his rights were dealt to Ottawa for a 2010 1st (Calgary’s) and a second.
The acquired 2nd rounder was dealt away to Philly one day in advance of the draft for prospects Alexander Avtsyn and Luca
i.Avtsyn (or Avtsin depending on where you look) is a highly skilled Russian but is untested against grittier competition, though he is hardly small and soft at 6’2â€and 200lbs. Avtsyn has signed to come over and is said to be willing to spend a year in the AHL.
i (pronounced koon-tee) will continue to play in the Swiss-A for now.The next significant roster move came earlier this week when both Todd Bertuzzi and Daniel Briere were traded to Washington. In return Detroit received prospects Brett MacLean and Adam Henrique.
My expectations are somewhat modest for Henrique but I do hope he can develop into a solid north/south grinding 3rd line winger at the pro level.
MacLean was the key to this deal for GM Niece. While being well aware that his skating issues may limit his pro potential my gut just said do it. MacLean’s upside is likely that of a 2nd line winger who provides secondary scoring the other intangibles he brings are much needed in a Detroit system that is somewhat small and soft.
The gambling continued on draft day as with the 1st rounder Detriot selected Ryan Spooner. Spooner has been falling on many draft lists due to his size and some sub par performances partially attributable to injuries. In the end GM Niece saw too much in the package that reminded him of Giroux in his draft year to pass on. In a post draft interview he admitted to having been conflicted on which of Spooner, Brock Nelson, and Justin Faulk he was going to select.
In the second round the Wings went with what they felt was a slightly safer pick in Michael Bournival. Bournival has 3rd line checking/defensive specialist written all over him. He is also a great face off guy and has a great 3 zone work ethic.
Originally without a 3rd round pick Detroit saw a guy falling they were intrigued by. The Wings had unsuccessfully shopped O’Brien in the 2nd round to try but when their guy started falling to the 3rd the Wings were able to reach a trade agreement for O’Brien for the necessary draft pick. The selection of Maxim Kitsyn stunned on-looking GM’s leaving them silent.
The scare of the ‘Russian factor’ was in full effect on day one of the HFNHL draft as witnessed by Tarasenko falling to 18th, Kuzentsov 23rd, Kabanov 36th, and Kitsyn 69th. All later than the average projected positions for these guys to get selected.
There has been rumblings Kitsyn may agree to come to the CHL this year, after declining to do so last year, but at this point it is merely speculation. In Kitsyn the Wings get a guy who has great offensive instincts and a Russian who is at least attempting to help out defensively. Only time will tell if it was a worthy gamble.
Finally the Wings may not be done yet as they’ve received a couple of expressions of interest in Kimmo Timonen.
Stay tuned for further news.
