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He should be on the first line, but not because he's a first line player. In order for Homer to be effective, he has to player with linemates who will handle to puck most of the time. Dats and Flip/Z can do that. Also, Data has said that he likes playing with Homer because he opens the ice. Homer on the fourth line wouldn't work because he isn't fast enough or good enough defensively. He should play first line because that's where he makes a positive impact. I see Homer playing first line, but Cleary, Abby, etc. will likely be double shifted in his place a few times a game.

And if they don't, he'll only have his tens and tens of millions of dollars for succor.

As others have stated, Holmstrom almost has to play with Datsyuk or he's useless at even strength. Unfortunately, his skating and passing is so bad that there are far better options on the first line. Obviously though Homer still has a ton of value on the power play. My guess is Babcock goes with Datsyuk and Zetterberg apart more often than not, which I prefer at this point because hopefully they can each individually make their own respective wingers better. Franzen - Datsyuk - Holmstrom Cleary - Zetterberg - Bertuzzi Hudler - Filppula - Eaves Abdelkader (Miller) - Helm - Mursak

I feel like Hudler could probably put up about 70 points playing with Datsyuk on the 1st line.. Just kidding. I have to think Holmstrom will get some first line minutes barring any moves before the season. But I could see it ending up being a rotation for most of the season unless someone really steps up and fills the role.

I feel should and could are two different things here. Can he play the top line with Z and D? Of course, but at this point with moves Holland has made it is obvious that torch passing time is among the older generation of Wings so I suspect he will see a lot less time and as some have said a PP specialist.

You got negged because tinfoil hat conspiracy theory gobbledegook doesn't belong in General Discussion, and it has nothing to do with the thread's subject matter, IMO. Go start a thread about it in the WC or in Political Discussion if it's something that you think is worth conversating over.

Your posts make me laugh. So funny. As for Crosby's "GREAT" character what do you say about other players in the league saying the same thing that has been said here about how he acts or conducts himself?

it's pretty pathetic that some of you would wish to see one of the best point producers and most talented players in the nhl never step on the ice again just because you're still bitter about a SCF loss a few years ago. all this talk about his "character" make it seem like he's sean avery. get a grip. also, LOL at maltby "not being a ******". talk about homer-goggles at their worst.

Modano is the only possible suspect, as Harold mentioned, and he's no longer on the team. Homer sucks defensively, Hudler is no star in his own zone, Bertuzzi is mediocre. But those guys all work hard in the defensive zone. They just aren't as good at it as guys like Dats, Z, Helm, or Flip. Franzen knows what to do to play defense; it used to be his job. He just doesn't do it. Brunnstrom's best year by the age of 26, with top-six ice time, was 29 points in 55 games, or pace for 43 points. Hudler scored 37 in 73 last year, which included a huge scoring slump. Brunnstrom played top six in Dallas, Hudler has always been third line or below in Detroit. Brunnstrom is also consistently criticized by every scouting report for failure to backcheck, inconsistency, etc. Hudler's performance last season was, effectively, as good or better than anything Brunnstrom has EVER produced. And it is being called terrible. If you prefer Brunnstrom, that's fine, but you are also welcome to the unfortunate results of such a choice. Of course, the fact that Brunnstrom's ceiling closely matches a year that was very disappointing by Hudler standards, and has people calling for a 'bounce-back' year, tells me all that needs to be said.

too bold! It took Nick 20 years to get one!

Franzen has scored 72 goals and 135 points in 174 games over the past three seasons. That's an average of 24 goals and 21 assists in 58 games each season. Or, for an 82 game season, it works out to 34 goals and 30 assists. But over his six seasons, Franzen has played 395 games, an average of 66 games. He's in his early 30s and is fairly injury prone, he is very streaky, and his work ethic on the defensive side of the puck is worse than any other player on the team; this is particularly sad given the fact that he started his career as a defensive center.

It may just be wishful thinking, but I'd like to think that if he got on a team with a different culture and more character, that part of his game would improve. He's already matured a lot in Vancouver, and that's with the Sedin sisters flopping all over the ice as role models. I'd hope that around players like Dats, Z, and Cleary, he'd be less inclined to pull that crap. Especially after having to answer to Babs if he ever got a diving penalty. He's too talented and has to many other great aspects of his game to be pulling that garbage.

what poor ethic, gamesmanship, sportsmanship? My main knock about Crosby in that arena was I'd never heard him credit the other team's players in a loss. And the first couple seasons he did a fair amount of whining and diving. But all that seems to be improving and he's only 24. When asked what player he'd build a team around, he picked Zetterberg for chrissakes. And he's always been gracious about crediting his teammates. So I don't see what's so disgraceful about how he conducts himself, especially compared to other star players like Henrik Sedin, Joe Thorton, and even Ovechkin. Don't get me wrong he's definitely got some quality about him that makes it easy to hate him, screaming like a little girl when he scores. Being generally a goober or something, and mostly just because he's so friggin good, but there's no question he busts his ass out there. I guess that's just a long way of saying that if we're talking about poor sportsmanship, there's plenty of guys I'd pick over Crosby, even if we're just limiting it to star players.

You can look at that list of achievements and then say I'm high for thinking he gets in? Joe Niewendyk was just inducted to the HHOF remember. Who cares that it was 6 years? So if someone had played 15 years and had Crosby's resume, they'd get in no problem? It's not about what's better, the long career or short tremendous career. But for the 6 years he's been in the NHL, Crosby has been consistently one of the league's elite players and racked up a lot of hardware. Hopefully he'll start playing again and the discussion will be irrelevant, but Crosby's going in the HHOF even if he never steps on the ice again. And for those rooting he never plays again, they should really think about what they're saying. If they're sick of hearing of him now, wait til they constantly hear about "what could have been" and "the greatest career cut short."

Maltby was a total ******. The only thing was that he was OUR ******, and we loved him. He was always stirring s***, being a pest, running his mouth, but never actually backed his words by dropping his gloves. I love Maltby, but to say he wasn't a ****** is a dis-service to his career of douchebaggery.

Was he flopping on the ground like he just got shot? That's the easiest way to recognize him.

He's actually played 6 seasons, because he started when he was 18. Rocket Richard Art Ross Pearson Hart Stanley Cup World Jr. Gold Medal Olympic Gold Medal 572 points in 412 games 82 points in 62 playoff games At 24 years old he already has more personal and team achievements than most guys who have ever played the game. He's a lock for the HHOF no matter what happens at this point.

So a team that was good enough to go 7 games with Tampa, let the 2nd best player in the league sit to prove a point? Pure genius.

So the Penguins intentionally sat their star player (who was on a 1.61 PPG pace before his injury) for part of the regular season and playoffs, to make some vague point to the league?

The Wings have won 13 Prince of Wales trophies and 6 Campbell bowls. The Flyers have 4 and 6, and the Blackhawks 2 and 5, respectively. Franzen's career high is 59 and he has only cleared 50 points one other time in his career, being last season. Given his age, injury history, and performance over the past couple of years I would call 50 points a "good" season. A "bad" season based on his past couple years would be 25 or 30 points. Of course this is LGW, where Franzen is expected to put up *another* 40 goal season, despite never having done it before. Also, if you are saying Smith beats out Commodore for the 7th defenseman, he's still in the press box. Which keeps him in Grand Rapids. So I'm going to assume you meant the #6 spot. And given the roles on the team, it's likely Smith would also have to beat out Ericsson or White for time to make the jump directly into the lineup this year.

Karma for all the diving he did/does when he barely gets tapped....now he knows what a real hit feels like! ...besides, he come back and play half the season and they will "give" him another trophy, the Masterson Trophy. Then they will fill the NHL airwaves full of talk about what heart and dedication he has, and how he is the only "true champion" for coming back from his injury. I can see Eddie Olczyk (and Carmen) wiping the jizz off his face already. I have no sympathy for him as a player (as a person I do hope he is ok to live a nice life,) this is what happens when you start believing the hype and think you are bigger than the game...the game stands up at the blueline and knocks you out...Eric Lindros part II... If he comes back, great, but if he is done, I won't lose any sleep over it. They'll trade us Joe Morrow for Jiri Hudler and Jakub Kindl.... (only in my dreams)

Filppula - Datsyuk - Franzen Holmstrom - Zetterberg - Helm Cleary - Hudler - Bertuzzi Eaves - Miller - Abdelkader

No.

As much as i hate him, i love the rivalry and don't want to see such a good players career end this way.

This thread is not geniuous enough without that girl named Carman! Where are you, Carman?