Author: brian wallace

Detroit sports fan for life!!
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Detroit Red Wings: Ken Holland’s demise was a lie

Embed from Getty Images Heading in year two of a rebuild the Detroit Red Wings, needed a solid draft to speed the process up. As the media and fan base had Detroit general manager Ken Holland with one foot out the door. Holland struck back.

Ken Holland, a very proud man. He should be his work as Detroit Red Wings general manager is both legendary and Hall of Fame worthy. Holland, had a few bad years that is no secret. While many thought his best days were behind him the 2018 NHL draft showed everyone Holland is still one of the very best general managers in sports.

Yes the Red Wings, were given two first round draft gifts in the form of Filip Zadina (forward) and Joe Veleno (center.) Then came day two of the draft and Holland reminded Red Wings nation, he’s still got what it takes.

In desperate need of defense starting in round two Holland rolled up his sleeves and went to work. The Red Wings, drafted Jared Mclsaac who at 6′ 1″ is one of the taller Wings defense prospects. Very good skater. Very solid two way player who can quarterback the power play.  Ken Holland stole this pick. Mclsaac was first round talent.

Also in the second round the Red Wings, took another forward Jonatan Berggren from Sweden. He is fast and has a nice shot but will need to add weight before he is Motown bound.

In the third round Ken Holland, and the Red Wings, selected Alec Regula. A player from the Detroit area. At 6′ 4″ he is a towering defenseman. For his size he is mobile and is great passing the puck. He needs to work on not being hesitant with the puck. Grand Rapids bound for sure to sure up his game. The wait will be worth it.

Next defensman Seth Barton, was the Detroit, target in the draft. His game is close to Chicago Blackhawks defender Brent Seabrook’s.  After just turing 18 Barton is headed to college to play and develop his game.

The Detroit Red Wings, thanks in large part to general manager Ken Holland were the big winner at this years draft. Obtaining help for right now and in a few years. The Detroit Red Wings, draft has now  sped up the rebuild Knocking at least two years off the table.

Red Wings, fans should be rejoicing.

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Detroit Red Wings: draft profile Joe Veleno

Embed from Getty Images Much the same way Filip Zadina fell in the Detroit Red Wings, lap. So did center Joe Veleno. He was viewed as a lottery pick. Yet Joe Veleno, fell all the way to number 30. The Detroit Red Wings, with their second first round draft pick ended his fall.

The 6′ 1″ Quebec native has a quick first step. He is blessed with fantastic  acceleration. Joe Veleno’s skating sets him apart. He is strong on the puck and is viewed and projects as a line two center.

Veleno, is more of a playmaker than a goal scorer. He has great vision and is able to get the puck to teammates in tough areas. He uses his blinding speed to open up passing lanes. Most likely headed to the Grand Rapids Griffins, Joe needs to add muscle and get power behind his shots.

He is not afraid to help out on defense. Solid on the backcheck. And a willingness to block shots make Joe Veleno, a very good pick.

His game will remind some of Edmonton Oilers Ryan Nugent- Hopkins. As he puts in the work and his game evolves to what scouts say he is going to be and the Detroit Red Wings and the Wings, fan base hopes he is going to be Joe Veleno should be in Motown within two year.

 

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Detroit Red Wings: draft profile Filip Zadina

Embed from Getty Images As the Detroit Red Wings, entered the 2018 NHL draft they had two areas that needed addressed. Center and defense. Thanks to the Arizona Coyotes, Detroit was handed a gift.

How often does an elite goal scorer get past the top 5 picks? Not often. Red Wings general manager Ken Holland, in a pre- draft interview said he was looking for the best player available. When the Arizona Coyotes, reached for center  Barrett Hayton. Holland struck.

Yes, the Red Wings need defense. While Quinn Hughes was still on the draft board and two other elite defensmen were also there for the picking. Ken Holland made the right pick.

Filip Zadina, from the  Czech republic. A 6′ 0″  superb two way player. A guy who can and does score from anywhere on the ice. His puck handling is other worldly. He does not get shoved around on the boards.

Zadina, projects as a winger but he also has the ability to play center. Thought to be gone in the first 3 picks Filip Zadina, landed in the Wings lap. It was a no brainer of a pick.

Filip Zadina, is the kind of player that makes it just fine they skipped over defensive help for. I am going to say it. Zadina, should be, better be at Little Caesars arena come October. There is no reason he should spend any time in the lower levels.

A first line of Filip Zadina, Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha is enough to make coaches restless at night. It is also enough to bring smiles to Detroit Red Wings fans.

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Detroit Pistons: the draft

Embed from Getty Images With no wiggle room for free agents. The Detroit Pistons, needed to look to the 2018 NBA draft for depth and roster help. Not having a first round draft pick. Detroit, did well.

When the Detroit Pistons traded for Blake Griffin, back in January they gave their first round draft pick in the deal. So basically the drafted Griffin.  Now new Pistons head coach Dwane Casey, has two new tools to use.

Detroit, traded two future second round picks and used one to draft Khyri Thomas from the university of Creighton. Both an offensive and defensive force. The 6′ 3″ Thomas is exactly what the Pistons, both were looking for and needed.

While at Creighton, he averaged 15.1 points while shooting a very good 53.8 success rate. He is very good off the dribble and very quick. He has a reputation of being an above average two way player. It seems the Pistons may have stolen this pick.

Detroit, then used their pick at number 42 to draft Miami Hurricanes two guard Bruce Brown. It is a pick that is somewhat risky as Brown, was injured and missed half the season.

The assumption must be the Detroit Pistons, were good with the medical reports. At 6′ 5″ Bruce Brown adds both depth and a 15.0 average off the bench. Defense he is extremely solid. It could be Detroit, plans on sending Brown to the G league and let him play himself back into shape.

Then allowing coach Casey to do what he does best and is known for. Developing young players and maximizing their talents.

Detroit Pistons, fans should like what the team has done in the draft. Getting a steal in Thomas and getting future guard help in Bruce.

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Father’s Day 2018

Embed from Getty Images As a father has compassion on his children, the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. Psalm 103:13

If Mother’s are the staple of who we are. Father’s are the backbone. It is a gift from God to be a father.

Some father’s are involved. Some father’s are more distant. Some father’s are absent. But they all give us lessons to make us grow.

I have been blessed with a great father who leads by example. Even when I did not always get it. I got it. He gave me the space to grow and understand.

Beyond my father, I have been grateful for my wife’s father. We have shared many laughs and disagreements over the years. But, there has always been respect.

Even now as he struggles with his memory. To honor the man is, was and still is important. It is important because my children are watching. Something that is not lost on me.

The same way I watched my father and learned. In the same vein as my father who paved the way and lead by example. I hope to be the example of the grace I saw. Sometimes it pays to watch and learn.

It is Father’s Day.It is a time to reflect on the lessons taught and learned. And it is a day to watch baseball. And to remember what a gift it is to be in the position of being a father.

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Detroit Lions: How imroved will the run game be?

Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Lions, have not been in the top half of the NFL since Hall Fame running back Barry Sanders, graced the Detroit backfield. 2018 has Detroit with a new coach, new running backs. What does it mean?

Veteran running LeGarrette Blount and rookie Kerryon Johnson, join the attempt to kick start the worst running attack in the NFL. Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia, has stated many times he wants a balanced offense.

Coach Patrica, has also adopted the New England Patriots, “Do your job” slogan.  That seems simple enough. But it is almost to basic. If everyone is focused and blocking the player lined up against them. If running backs are focused on hitting the designed running lane and not improvising. Better results are sure to follow.

The Detroit Lions, have not had a running back break 100 yards in a games since 2014 in the person of Reggie Bush.  Needless to say that is a long time. It is a long time the Lions have been toothless (pun intended) to the point of being dead last in every rushing stat.

Matt Patrica, is dead right. The same way a team can not win if defenders are not tackling. The same way a team will have a mixed bag of results mostly bad if the offense is not balanced.

An improved offensive line is a good start. But, the rest is up to the tailback. Whoever’s number is called on a certain down must “do your job.”

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Detroit Lions: Matt Patrica’s way or the highway

Embed from Getty Images Several media outlets say Detroit Lions, head coach Matt Patrica is causing a stir in mini camp. When players do not do the simple things the coaches ask they run. A lot.

Some think Patrica, could lose the team. Others say it is a slap on the hand. I say it is the coach. It is his team, his way. Why does there need to be drama behind running?

Should Matt Patrica, reward rebellious players who can not do the simple things? What does that look like in key times of a game? Order, structure and boundaries are needed. Even for grown men. Especially grown men with ego’s.

I believe Detroit Lions, players, front office, fans and media are getting a look at what it is like with a New England Patriots, practice and mini camp. Structured.

That has not been a word that has necessarily been associated with the Detroit Lions, very often over the years. Yet Patrica, is placing a premium on listening and obeying and the Detroit media is saying he is in danger of losing  his players 

Too me that is laughable. If they are grown men. Which they are. Then take the kid gloves off and change the culture. What is wrong with a new direction? The old way did not produce anything more than a playoff game once in a great while.

In the meantime, the “Patriot way” has produced in an epic fashion. Division titles, playoff births and let us not leave out Super Bowl appearances and victories.

Detroit, media should settle down. They should allow this to play out. They may be surprised by the results. If the Detroit Lions, do not achieve those results then tell people they feel it is a result of a coach telling his player to run a lap for failing to comply.

 

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Detroit Red Wings: draft should mimic the Detroit Tigers

Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Red Wings, need to get better in a few key areas. Much like the Detroit Tigers, the Wings can use the plethora  of early draft picks to begin aiding those areas.

Fresh off the 2018 MLB draft. The Detroit Tigers did a masterful job of hitting all the team needs. Pitchers. Check. Infielders. Check. Bats. Check. Left handed hitters. Check.

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland, would be wise in using the same sort of checklist in the June 22-23 NHL draft. Because of past trades Detroit, is in prime position. Two first round picks, one second, four third, two fourth. The Detroit Red Wings can do well.

Ken Holland, has returned to his roots. Once a great NHL scout before he took over as Red Wings general manager. Holland, himself has set out to view talent. This is a good thing for the organization.

The team has needs at forward, defense and special teams. This years draft is deep with talent. Many scouts and general managers say there is NHL ready talent through the first three rounds. Because the NHL is a young mans game this is good news for rebuilding teams.

Still Ken Holland, should follow the Detroit Tigers and Tigers general manager Al Avila’s blueprint. He should identify exactly the needs of his team and throw “best player on the board” out the window.

When a team has needs that is what must be addressed. Only playoff teams (because they select in the bottom half of the draft) should take the best player available.

Much like the Detroit Tigers, who picked first throughout the 2018 MLB draft. The Detroit Red Wings, will pick near the top in all rounds of the 2018 NHL draft. This is where the Red Wings can take a big step forward in the rebuilding process.

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Detroit Pistons: head coach before new general manager?

Embed from Getty Images In the good old days owner brought in a new general manager and allowed them to hire the coach they wanted. Tom Gores owner of the Detroit Pistons, does not seem to want that approach.

It seems as if the Pistons have narrowed the head coaching position to Dwane Casey, (formerly of the Toronto Raptor) and Ime Udoka, (assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs.)

Dwane Casey, has been called a very good communicator with players. While Ime Udoka, is an up and coming coach from the great Gregg Popovich tree. It seems both would be solid choices.

There is one small detail not really being talked about. The Detroit Pistons, still need a general manager. That is usually how it works. Almost never is a head coach hired before the general manager.

There could be a few reasons Gores, has not hired one as of yet.  Perhaps he simply has not found his guy. Or perhaps he is waiting for a member of the Cleveland Cavilers or Golden State Warriors to speak with after the 2018 NBA Finals.

The general manager, is the person who brings in his guy. That way it is all on his shoulders in wins and in losses. Both Casey and Udoka are hot names this off season.

It is possible that Tom Gores, thought one of the coaches would be snatched up and he would like to secure one of them. That would mean the person brought in as general manager would have to agree to the coach they had no part of hiring.

It should be interesting to see how this plays out in the coming days and possibly weeks. I would think there will be a new person calling the shots before the 2018 NBA draft.

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Detroit Tigers: draft pick Kody Clemens

Embed from Getty Images Needing a dependable second baseman. The Detroit Tigers, got a gift when the son of MLB legend Roger Clemens fell to them in the third round. He projects as a very good middle infielder.

Kody Clemens, from the Texas Longhorns, began his college playing days at third base. Late in the 2016 season he under went Tommy John surgery. Texas moved him to second base. As they say the rest is history.

Due to a loss in arm strength after surgery Clemens, took off at second base. More comfortable Kody’s offense took off. He was named Big12 player of the year.

He is lacks range but that should not hurt him. He projects as an everyday second baseman. He plays with great energy. He can pull the ball or go the other way.

For a second baseman he has pop. He projects as a 20 homerun player.  Al Avila, really nailed this draft for the Detroit Tigers. He went for game changing players. He found them.

This has been the best Tigers draft in years. The first five players taken by the team all project as future all-stars. Suddenly, the Detroit rebuild is not all that bad. There is a bright light at the end of the tunnel.