Man I could have sworn Detroit had more picks than this, but I guess not.

Raymond will be in GR and Bobby Ryan will be signed.

I know, but we can dream right?!

I can imagine a world with both Ryan and Raymond in the lineup. I think Raymond is still a long shot (though, if he keeps this up based on his training camp reports and his play last night, he'll never touch GR), but you could see Ryan pushed to the 3rd line, with Namestnikov the odd man out (he has trade value too), or Namestnikov pushed to the 4th line, and Smith is on the bench (based on the reports, Rowney is ahead of Smith in the pecking order now anyway).

When Vrana gets back is when the mess happens. If Raymond makes it and shows he belongs, someone needs to move out of the top 6 (Raymond will only play in the top 6). By then though (January-ish), we are close to the TDL, so you could see Namestnikov, Fabbri and Gagner moved out around the TDL (and potentially Ryan).

Noway is Yzerman signing Bobby Ryan just to healthy scratch him most nights, he will be the heir apparent to take over for Vrana until he returns in 4 months or so.

i wouldn't bet on that. i mean they def will sign ryan, but i wouldnt discount raymond as a regular yet.

With the way he's played so far, he's really making it hard to not give him a roster spot, that's for sure

yeah, he's looking really good so far. his skating might be an issue and he's only 19, but i think he has a strong argument for a top 6 spot next year, especially with the red wings scoring problems, and vrana being out.

I always worry about the effects on long term development and maturity of having such a young guy in the NHL... if he keeps playing the way he has though, what does that say to him to send him down? It basically invalidates his results, so it's a really tough call, as an organization....