from Emily Kaplan of ESPN,
We're two weeks away from the NHL trade deadline, which means conversations are dialed up and trades can happen at any moment. Here's the latest on what I'm hearing on discussions going on around the league.
STEVE YZERMAN IS perhaps the most secretive general manager in the league. He won't even publicly (and for all I know privately) put a timeframe on the Red Wings' rebuild. However, in talking to sources around the league, it sounds like Yzerman is focused on making the playoffs this season, capitalizing on a strong first half.
Coach Derek Lalonde had told me what a gut punch it was for the players at this time last season when management decided yet again to collect for the future, trading away Tyler Bertuzzi, Filip Hronek, Oskar Sundqvist and Jakub Vrana. I was surprised, then, a few weeks ago when I heard that David Perron, a pending UFA and an emotional leader in the locker room, was potentially on the move. I do think there were legitimate discussions about trading Perron, but they have since quieted. In fact, I believe a contract extension for Perron could be in play either right before or after the March 8 deadline. If it doesn't get done, don't be surprised if they re-engage over the summer on a potential new contract in Detroit. That said, Yzerman has been listening to offers on his defensemen.
more teams, more names...
In previous years charting the teams 5x5 performance always shows a predictable correlation to regular season final standings, and to a lesser extent playoff success because in a short series upsets are common in the NHL. No Presidents Trophy winner has won the Stanley Cup in ten years.
If 5x5 efficiency has any correlation to standings there will be a trend of plots from the lower left to the upper right. 5x5 GF divided by GA ratio is shown on the horizontal X axis, with standings points up the Y axis. There is rarely a huge number, and 1.3 is high for any season.
If a team sits in the upper left quadrant, that is high points but a low 5x5 ratio, some other aspect of the team is outstanding. If a team sits below and to the right of the trend line, their play should have put them higher in the standings but they are lacking in some important factor, such as goal tending or very poor special teams.
The Eastern Conference is plotted below. The trend holds, with some outliers.
Tampa Bay has a very poor 5x5 rating of .84, yet sits in a Wild Card position. They are probably propped up by the #1 Power Play at a ridiculous 30%. If this is not sustained we could see TB drop in the standings. Pittsburgh on the other hand has excellent 5x5 play, but sits out of the playoffs. One reason could be the basement Power Play at 14%. With games in hand, Pittsburgh could be a sleeper to climb back into the playoff picture. Buffalo, who many predicted to be in the Atlantic top 3, should be competitive in the standings, but have a bottom third team save percentage and the #27 Power Play.
I havent figured out the New York Rangers success yet. Winners of 9 in a row they have given up 113 goals and scored 117 in 5x5 play, which doesnt explain their success.
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It's been a long time coming, but Wings fans are finally in my favorite part of sports- the climb to the top. I first became a DRW fan in the early 90s, and to me there is nothing better than anticipating every game, every point and every series that ultimately ends up with lifting the Cup. (Usually over multiple seaaons) Am I crazy to plan my weeks around a team that is 2500 miles away?
Speaking of long distance wings fans.... Anybody heard from Herm lately?
I'd rather see them re-sign Sprong or Kane over Perron. Perron seems to take dumb penalties as often as he scores clutch goals. Sprong on the other hand is much more consistent. Kane is still elite with the puck and a future hall of famer. Ghost is great too if they could ever get rid of Holl.
Not sure what to do with Perron, but just keeping him for the year and letting him walk is also a possibility.
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