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I agree, there is no one on our forward roster that I would bump for this kid. I look forward to seeing him play though. Maybe we will get him in a couple years for a bag of chips.

Might as well have these GDT's for now since Detroit's offseason was apparently scheduled between games.

He's played 4 games of a 246 game contract, lets wait until at least 5% of the contract is played out before we decide its value

He is EASILY one of our 11 best forwards when everyone is healthy (let alone top 12)... the fact he's been a healty scratch at ALL is a problem... I love the way Miller and Emmerton have been playing and they've both shown they deserve to play, so it's a difficult situation, but Eaves flat out should never be a healthy scratch... I'll go one further that he needs to see PP time, yes, I said it. Babs wants another R handed shot on the point for the PP - problem solved. He is too good to not play.

I'd say Lids has to be shooting w/ Homer in front of the net. His shot is by far the most consistent and accurate. Homer will be most effective with that.

I'm glad that the Wings are trying new things - that was the whole point of the new, young assistant coaches. Likely it was one of their ideas, and no, it's not really working. But I like that the Wings are trying to be innovative. It might not work now, but we're still winning games, so I'm fine with them experimenting. Some different looks may serve us well in the playoffs, especially if we find some new things during the year that really click for the players.

Mike Commodore has played 0 regular season games this year and he automagically gets placed ahead of Ericsson on the depth chart? An Ericsson who is currently at a +5. Commodore got cut from CBJ....I'm going to have to say it again, he got cut from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sure, he's looked ok in PS and Detroit is fairly successful with reclamation projects, but c'mon. I guess the masses just need someone to focus on and hate, and with Hudler playing pretty well so far they have no one else to turn to.

Yea, a great season despite the disappointing end. If you told me at the beginining of the season we would have made it to game 6 in the ALCS I would have been super happy with that. That means we did a lot of good things to get there and we did. Illitch has said he is looking to add another big bat during the off season. I have no idea who that could be but my guess is maybe a 2nd or 3rd baseman. That's about the only hole we need to fill once Boesch comes back and now that we have Young. We'll see though, it was a good season none the less. Now time for the Lions and Wings to give this city something to cheer about.

Besides it not really being fair to judge Ericsson after four games, I disagree with the notion that Ericsson has been bad so far. Certainly room for improvement, but how many of us were scared to watch when we saw Ericsson and Kindl together before the first game? That pairing has done quite well so far. I kind of look at it this way with Ericsson: if I don't notice him during a game, that's usually a positive. If he kills penalties, keeps working in his own zone and doesn't excessively turn the puck over, I am just fine with him as a third pairing d-man.

Kindl is the one that is anchoring the duo IMO so no... he is not at $3M per year level yet.

Wow. we made it a whole 4 games before this thread popped up. So you're asking if he's worth it 4 games into a three year contract?

Here's to another 30 page fighting thread!

I don't think he really pounded him. He got all helmet and missed when the helmet was off.

Yes, that's exactly what I've said, you understood me perfectly. 19 fighters.

Because I enjoyed watching Red Wings hockey in the late 90s? Why does it bother people on this forum so much when anyone suggests that having a skilled team that is still capable of hitting and fighting is enjoyable? I'll be the first to admit that I'd much rather watch the 97-98 roster than the current lineup. It's not necessarily plausible anymore, but that doesn't mean that I'm going to suddenly forget that this team used to be made up of players who stood up for each other and yet were very successful. And, it's not like Hudler and this random guy will be the only softies on the team. I'm not trying to start another ridiculous "need moar fighters" debate, I'm just saying, I like watching a skilled yet physical team and this guy is even smaller than Hudler.

A quick couple of points after a quick jaunt around the "Internets" 1)He plays for Modo in the Swedish Elite League - where his two year stat totals were: 90gp, 35g, 69asst, 104p. The SEL is often considered to be the most conservative and defensive oriented league in the world. The gaudy offensive numbers of the Q, WHL, KHL, etc often are not reflective of a players abilities in the SEL. To provide some level of perspective - Zetterberg's stat line in 2005 was 50gp, 19g, 31assts, 50pts. The following season in 2006, he had 85 points for the Red Wings. I am by no way implying that he will be Henrik Zetterberg, however his numbers are misleading. HIs SEL pedigree follows a long line of "point per game" future NHL stars like Forsberg, Backstrom, Sedin, Sedin, Alfredsson, etc. and actually his collective stats thus far are as good if not better than many of them. He was awarded "Most Point in the League (SEL)" in 2009, and was additionally awarded "Best Norweigan Player" in 2008. 2) According to Elite Prospects - Strengths - Fantastic technical skills and great passing ability. Can finish with ablomb. A magician who can do spectacular things with the puck. Great vision and can man the power play point. Defensively responsible and doesn't mind heavy traffic. Weaknesses - Size and strength. Not a great physical player http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10881〈=en Zuccarello Aasen has often been overlooked due to his short stature and size. In fact, there are already those on this boards who do not want him solely based upon his physical size. However, he has no concern over physical play and will play through traffic. The Red Wings have had a propensity to draft and acquire undersized players who lacked "ideal" NHL size for their position - many of which who have developed into key contributors (Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Hudler, etc.). Additionally, it's not as if there hasn't been a precedent of a 5'7", underweight, playmaking Right Winger who plays with offensive flair who aggressively plows into heavy traffic (cough Theo Fluery cough). Christ, there is a laundry list of undersized players who have thrived in the NHL (regardless of players like Pronger) - St. Louis, Gionta, Kapenan, etc. 3) Steve Yzerman has raved about this kid and I for one, would not question Steve Yzerman about...well, anything really. 4) The Red Wings appear to have the inside track on securing him. The Red Wings have shown the most interest in his play (alongside Chicago, Dallas, and the Thrashers). The Thrashers are irrelevant, Dallas would be a poor fit for him, and Chicago will not be able to afford offering anything above a basic entry level contract as they are well over the cap for next year. http://www.google.com/translate?sl=sv&tl=en&u=http://www.hockeysverige.se/news_show_detroit-ar-hetast-for-mats.html?id=9550181 5) His nickname is the "Wizard Hobbit" - Sweet Tap-Dancing Christ - that alone is worth a 2 year deal. After all of this - why wouldn't the Red Wings offer him a contract? It allows them to secure another prospect without the cost of a draft pick or at the expense of any current players. It is all upside. Best case scenario - we secure a potential top six forward. Worst case - we have a tradable asset at next year's deadline.

Midget? Are you kidding me? He is 170 cm tall (not gonna use the american s***ty system of feet and inches), that is not a midget. He is fast and great with the puck. It would be great signing!

He seems OK. Eliteprospects.com says that he's also "defensively responsible and doesn't mind heavy traffic." What I like him best is that he's so small that he would drive people nuts here.

yeah, another small soft euro, no thanks. Already go tatar coming up quick and hudler maybe coming back eventually. zuccarella or whatever is moot, wings already learned there lesson with leino. WONT HAPPEN

You need to move on... if you haven't noticed by now the league has completely changed. Having a skilled team is MORE VALUABLE to me then having 19 fighters on the team.

100% not going to happen.

Wow, you're a wise one!

Ericsson needs to learn how to use his shot in a real game, and how to make an accurate pass at game speed. He has the physical tools right now to be a pretty good point man if he can learn how to put it together; he has not been able to do so in several years of development. At his age, you don't "develop" anymore. Either he'll learn or he won't.

just keeping everyone updated. no need to get upset.