Quoting: Thetypicalleafsfann
Honestly I didn't see people rate the wings so low 7th in the Atlantic is definitely to low I had them 5th I just don't see path forward I'm not as high on their prospects as most. As for hronek don't think he'll get 8, just typical tactics from an agent trying to get the best deal
Most experts picked the four playoff teams from the Atlantic in, TOR/BOS/TB/FLA. Buffalo seemed most likely to supplant one of the big four if it were to happen, followed by OTT having a slight edge on Detroit, followed by MTL. Reason being that the Wings are in a "stop-gap" part of the rebuild, having to overpay free agents due to Holland running the team into the ground.
You can have your opinion on them, and that's fine. Everyone has their thoughts on other teams. To say they aren't moving in the right direction is baseless though, considering what Yzerman inherited and what he has built.
INHERITED A TEAM: 17-49
FOLLOWING YEAR: 19-27
FOLLOWING YEAR: 32-40
FOLLOWING YEAR: 35-37
THIS YEAR: 41-32
Say what you want about the prospects, but it is undeniable they have quality future NHL players (albeit no guaranteed stars outside of ASP and possibly Buch). Would have been nice to not have the worst lottery luck, but I would still prefer Raymond to Laffy (when Detroit should have drafted 1 overall and it was rumored SY really wanted Stutzle).
- Danielson (200ft player C who even Bedard said was the toughest to play against)
- Kasper (200ft player C with mean streak and offensive upside in secondary capacity)
- Edvinsson / ASP / Wallinder / AL Johansson / Buium / ANT Johansson (only a fraction of the prospects on the back end. Not all will pan out, but considering this about half, statistics show at least several will be as advertised).
- Cossa / Augustine both developing very nicely with Cossa setting franchise records and getting better every day whereas Trey has already racked up the NCAA awards.
- Winger is the weakest aspect of the prospect pipeline, with Soderblom / Berggren / Mazur being the top three.
If the worst contract on the team is Holl / Chiarot, not many fans are too worried about the future lol