Matt and Zack fend off for themselves and try their best to make sense of the weekends activities around the hockey world.

Red Wings News:

• World Championships Update after 6-7 games

o Kubalik: 8 goals 4 assists

o Raymond: 2 goals 5 assists

o Berggren: 2 goals 4 assists

o Veleno: 2 goals 3 assists

o Maatta: 0 goals 5 assists

o Mazur: 1 goal 2 assists

o Seider: 1 goal 2 assists

• Joe Veleno has been given a 5 game suspension from the World Championships after stomping on Nino Niederreiter’s leg in Sunday’s matchup between Canada & Switzerland

Around the league news:

• The East and West Conference Finals continue

o Both the Panthers and Golden Knights lead their series by 2 in the first 2 games

• Toronto Maple Leafs and Kyle Dubas part ways

o The Shannahan Presser definitely did more harm than anything.

o Dubas used his family as a pawn to make Shannahan wait a week, to then ask for more money 1-2mil per year more

o While Dubas did sort of put this roster in “Cap Hell” Shanahan truly let his ego get the best of him, and lost one of the better hockey GMs in the league over a few mil.

Let’s play a game:

• I am going to go over a list of our RFA’s and UFA’s, and I want you to either send em to the streets or offer them a contract.

• If you were Steve Yzerman, who are you bringing back?

• If offered a contract, specify the cost and length of the offer.

Draft Prospect Profile:

• Ryan Leonard

o 5’11” 181lbs right handed winger (maybe a center)

o Will most likely play in the NHL as a top 6 player and play on the top line

o Currently plays with the USNTDP u18

o 94pts in 57 games this season (51 goals, 43 assists) & 17pts in 7 games in the WJC-18 tournament and won gold (8 goals, 9 assists)

o Ranked anywhere as high as 6th and as low as 25th in majority of mocks

o Stengths: Physical, Competitive, Skating and shot (overall great 2-way player)

o Improve: Puck Control and Awareness

o When it comes to his skating, he has great acceleration, balance and is tough to get off the puck. He might not be the fastest skater, but has a great burst when he has or goes after the puck for a breakaway

o I call his shot “the wicked wrister of the west” he just knows how to bury the puck with a hard shot and is very accurate with it. LOVES TO ATTACK THE NET!

o When it comes to passing, he makes the simple plays and not the flashy ones like will smith. While he may have a strong shot, he isn’t afraid to give his teammates a chance to bury one home

o His puck control is actually better than you might think and sometimes seems to be overshadowed by his linemates. Its not the smoothest edges in the draft, but he knows how to make it work for him. One thing GMs will love is his puck protection and ability to keep the puck deep in the offensive zone

o Needs to stop puck watching at times.

o Overall, He will be an amazing top 6 forward that plays an astounding 2-way game on the ice. I believe he will be taken in the top 10 and is a top 10 talent. Would not be shocked if he is selected before the Red Wings pick at 9