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The Columbus Blue Jackets need more seasoning

Embed from Getty Images One of the youngest teams in the NHL is nearing championship level. Work still needs to be put in. Also, dues must be paid first.

For the first time in Columbus Blue Jackets franchise history the team has made the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs. Lead by head coach John Tortorella, the team is closing in on being a consistent playoff team.

Tortorella, not too long ago was out of the league. His brashness, blunt honesty, and temper lead to his downfall. He then took over for the struggling but talented young Blue Jackets. He is just what the doctor ordered.

A locker room that lacked discipline and a strong leader would be in for a rude awakening give Torts history. But, that never happened. John Tortorella, had and has changed. According to players he’s still brutally honest. But, his players both current and former love him. Unlike what the media says.

 

He has come to Columbus and has done a fantasic job. There is no way around it. He continues  to be the stabilizer for the young Columbus Blue Jackets. Yet, there is plenty of work that needs to be done. The team will once again face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2018 NHL playoffs.

I think they will meet the same fate as last seasons team that lost to the eventual Stanley Cup champs. That is in no way a bad thing. Dues must be paid. Respect must be earned. The best thing for a young team is get to the playoffs and get beat. That will help them to get mentally tough until they take down the mighty Penguins.

Columbus, is loaded with talent. From the amazing Artemi Panarin and Cam Atkinson. To perhaps the best defensive pairing in the league Seth Jones and Zach Werenski not to mention promising rookie Pierre- Luc- Dubois. The Blue Jackets time is coming.

 

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Detroit Red Wings Anthony Mantha finds consistency

Embed from Getty Images He drove his coach crazy. He drove fans crazy. It probably safe to say he drove his general manager (Ken Holland) crazy. Anthony Mantha lacked consistency and I dare say confidence last season.

Scoring 17 goals, yet missing so many opportunities for more goals. He also had big lapses in his defensive game and was benched at least two different times during the season.
This season has seen Mantha, more focused and more mature. Standing with 24 goals is nice. But, there is more. Anthony has greatly improved his passing and his defense has been stellar.
I do not believe it is a coincidence that young center Dylan Larkin has found his game and taken to playing center and suddenly Anthony Mantha has found his game.
Mantha and Larkin. Larkin and Mantha. They form a really good duo on Detroit’s second line. They will be on the first line down the road.
They have great chemistry together and give the Detroit Red Wings a bright future as two staples in the Wings rebuild. It will be a lot of fun watching these two grow and continue to get better and better.
This years NHL draft is one of the best in recent years will help Detroit speed up the rebuild.
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Detroit Lions to move up, down or stay put?

Embed from Getty Images Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn, has gone on record as saying he would like to acquire more draft picks. With team needs at offensive guard, running back and defensive end he should have his pick in a deep draft at those positions.

I believe the Detroit Lions should stay put. Unless they have fallen in love with a prospect during the 2018 NFL combine. In my opinion there are only 2 offensive guards worth drafting in the first round. There is one clear cut defensive end available. This is a running back deep draft.
Unless Bob Quinn is prepared to give up multiple draft picks to move up the team should stay right where they are. I believe Quinn tipped his hat when he said he would like to attain more draft picks.
The Lions could get more draft picks moving up they would lose picks as it generally costs too much to move up in the draft.
I also, believe staying put gives Detroit the opportunity to draft a player who can step in and help immediately. Detroit Lions fans probably will not know what will happen until draft day. Bob Quinn generally drafts well.
The the anticipation is what draws us in.
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Detroit Tigers prospect Gregory Soto

Embed from Getty Images The rebuilding Tigers have a late bloomer and he just so happens to be a left hander. Did I mention he is also a power pitcher?

Gregory Soto, his fastball touches 95 mph and has incredible movement on it. It almost acts like a slide. Soto, also throws a slider. He is a big power arm.
The Detroit Tigers have long coveted big thick bodied power arms in the organization. Soto fits that bill. He was signed as and 18 year old and had a rough start leading many to believe he would eventually wind up in the bullpen.
Alas last season Soto put it all together in Grand Rapids, with the West Michigan Whitecaps. Gregory finished the season 10-1 with a 2.25 era. He needs to cut back on the walls. But he is making good progress.
It is easy to see Gregory Soto as part of the future Detroit Tigers pitching staff. With all the right handed power pitchers the organization has Soto is a good asset to have. As left handed power pitcher are hard to come by.
I am very excited to see how he preforms and progresses this season. I am hoping he takes another step forward. The Detroit Tigers are as well.
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Detroit Red Wings Dylan Larkin takes flight

Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Red Wings, have to be pleasantly surprised by just how fast Dylan Larkin has taken to center. And is just what the rebuilding Red Wings need.

 
He came to Motown in a flurry. His rookie season saw him become both and NHL all star and NHL rookie of the year. Then the switch came and numbers dropped.
 
There was no “sophomore slump” last season for Dylan Larkin. There was however a position change, and growing plains. Larkin drafted as a right wing out of the University of Michigan.
 
He was asked to switch to center and agreed. Last season was a big undertaking. But, based on this seasons results Larkin has not only taken to the position but thrived.
 
He has learned proper puck distribution. As well as when to shoot the puck himself. His defense has been an eye opening part of his game.
 
In a relatively short time, Dylan Larkin has become a true first line center. He is a strong candidate to become the Red Wings next captain.
 
I believe Dylan Larkin can be a modern day Steve Yzerman for Detroit. He has that skill set and resiliency. He will lead the next great Detroit Red Wing teams.
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The District Detroit a glorious start

Embed from Getty Images When the area in downtown Detroit was mapped out that makes up the District Detroit it was with an eye on the future. A future that has the big picture in mind.

Ford Field, Comerica Park, Little Caesar’s Arena the Fox Theater anchor the wonder area that makes up
The District. With plenty of place to choose for a pre-game meal or after if you choose.
It is clean and the vision from the Ilitch family, Tom Gores and Dan Gilbert has the District primed for bigger things than just sporting events.
There is a business school opening soon and others being planned. Mercifully, for the city of Detroit it sounds like it’s only the beginning.
The downtrodden city is on its way up. I’m hoping the project goes on forever. Keeping people in jobs. Keeping the city up to date with perhaps some cutting edge revolutionary endeavors the great people of Detroit have yet to hear about.
Right now the District Detroit has started to pump life back in the great city.
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Detroit Red Wings prospect profile Filip Hronek

Embed from Getty Images Filip Hronek, is a 6’ 0” defenseman currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings minor league affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins. His game should have fans drooling with anticipation.

The first two player prospects we looked at (Joe Hicketts and Vili Saarijarvi) are on the shorter yet more than capable side. I really like the coming defensive prospect the RedWings have.
Yesterday, we looked at bigger Dennis Cholowski. In that same type of puck moving goal scoring vein is where we find Hronek. Who is also more than able to quarterback a power play unit. Something the Red Wings have always coveted in the blueliners.
Filip Hronek is a fast, solid skater with excellent footwork he may also be the Red Wings most agile defensemen. and is quick to the puck.
He will be a solid addition to the Detroit defensive unit. But first he needs to bulk up and put on a few more pounds. Gain more knowledge of the zones.
Filip Hronek, is seen as a top four pairing defenseman. Who will be able to help out on the power play. He just needs a bit more seasoning. That said he is almost ready to go and help the Winged Wheels.
The Detroit Red Wings future is bright with the defensive prospects they have. Wings fans need to exercise patience. That will lead to being rewarded very soon.
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Detroit Tigers prospect profile Isaac Paredes

In a pinch me moment last season the Detroit Tigers began a rebuild that has been years in the making and will take years to complete. Too me one player stood out in last seasons trade frenzy.

Don’t get me wrong. I thought the Detroit Tigers did very well in the Justin Verlander trade. But, for me the best prospect they gained was a 19 year old short stop front the Chicago Cubs.
Isaac Paredes, came to the Tigers and was thought to be a secondary player as the team also netted third baseman Jaimer Candelario. Who is a very solid player.
For me the real prize is Paredes. The kid can flat out hit. Not for power so much. But man alive he can drive the ball in the gap. The ball jumps off his bat.
Isaac has a thick frame and it is difficult to see him at short stop when he arrives in Motown. To me he is much better suited for second base. And his glove work and his work ethic show he can be above average at the position.
His first year of American baseball found in in Grand Rapids with the Whitecaps. He has graduated and will begin this season in high A ball with the Lakeland Flying Tigers.
I would not be surprised and almost expect Isaac Paredes will be in Erie with the Seawolves at some point this season.
He is absolutely part of the Detroit Tigers long term plans. Fans should be excited. I know I am.
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Detroit Lions prepping for the NFL draft

One God given ability I have is to be able to look at a team and see what needs they have. The Detroit Lions have needs. But, perhaps in a different order than fans think.

Lions fans know the surface needs of the team. Running back, offensive guard, center, linebacker depth. Tight end. Those are the main needs fans routinely mention.
For me, it starts at center. New head coach Matt Patricia has stated he prefers to build from the ball out. To me that speaks volumes as to draft direction.
I am certainly not saying the Detroit Lions will draft a center with their first round draft pick. But it would not shock me if they pick one in round two. As it is a glaring need.
Graham Glasgow, should in my opinion stay at right guard. Even though he went through the dreaded “sophomore slump.” He is still a very capable, very solid guard.
Wesley Johnson, was recently signed as a free agent from the New York Jets. He is not seen as a long term solution. Making this a critical draft need.
The Detroit running game has been abysmal to say the least. For the rest of the offensive line to produce it starts at center.
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Detroit Pistons the frustrating part

As the Detroit Pistons are marred in mediocrity, the fans are left with frustrations. That must change.

As I have documented Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy’s failures is does go deeper than that.
The roster does have talent. I dare say there is enough talent to be a playoff caliber team. Below .500 does not just happen because of one person. Like winning a championship it’s a team effort.
The Pistons starting five are solid. When the team traded for Blake Griffin he added even more consistent scoring. Andre Drummond in my opinion takes lapses that hurt the team. The big guy should be averaging more than 15 points per game.
To me the biggest issue the team has is the bench. Players that make up the Detroit Pistons bench are weak scorers. And do not give the Pistons quality minutes when they are on the court.
Compared to other top teams who’s bench players average nearly double digit scoring the Pistons lag well behind.
That said a coach and his staff should be able to work and, or mask the weaknesses for the betterment of the entire team.
That is yet another obstacle the Detroit Pistons face when the NBA offseason begins. It has to start with whoever is going to coach the team.
The Pistons also must pick the kind of team they want to be. Physical like the old Bad Boy’s teams? Or other. That is what is meant when a team must decide what direction they want to go.