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I wouldn't really say he has been injury prone considering he hasn't missed more then 2 games in a season since 09-10 and hasn't missed more then 8 games since 06-07. Ya he has had back issues in the past, but almost every year he has still been almost a point per game even if he was battling through back pain.

Dang title getting truncated...why have the field accept more characters when it'll just cut them off. Thought it would be nice to have some kind of pre-event discussion regarding the Hockeytown Winter Festival and Winter Classic. I hope to cover a lot of info in here, with stuff I've learned over the past month or so, including what I got in the mail, from the Detroit Red Wings Box office. I'm prepared (I actually have too many) I blanked out the bar-codes Winter Classic - Michigan Stadium Schedule January 1st, 2014 -- NBC, Postgame: FSD Game Starts: 1pm Gates Open: 10am No Re-entry, even with ticket, except for cases involving an emergency. Live Cam http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=500909 General Info and Map Official Gameday Guide (same one that they sent to me in the picture) Various Links: Prohibited Items They really are stressing: No bags or purses of any kind Full list of items: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=633254 along with all policies: http://redwings.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=79817 Ticket Info I was told during a discussion regarding transferring/selling tickets with the Red Wings box office that only official hard tickets will be accepted at the gates for the Winter Classic. This was why those that used the Red Wings ticket manager system you could not print or transfer the Winter Classic tickets. So these tickets will be like the ones sent out (see picture) or the basic "boring" ones Ticketmaster prints (like my OHL/AHL tickets) as they only had the hard copy option (per juiceman). I would be wary of anyone selling tickets that aren't actual hard tickets. Tickets sent out by the Red Wings box office started arriving Dec 2nd to customers. Tickets are being sold through the Ticketmaster Ticket Exchange site (TIckets Now), information regarding this is also supported through the Red Wings box office...as they sent out a notice for it. Scan of ticket (back): Mobile App http://www.winterclassic14.com More information can be found here (specifically at the bottom): http://www.nhl.com/ice/event.htm?location=/winterclassic/2014/microsite Hockeytown Winter Festival - Comerica Park Schedule Open Skates and various events: Dec 14-26 Great Lakes Invitational (Day 1): Dec 27 -- FSD PLUS MSU vs MTU @ 3:30pm WMU vs UM @ 7pm Gates Open: 2:30pm Great Lakes Invitational (Day 2): Dec 28 -- FSD (Tape delay for Championship game) Consolation Game @ 3:30pm Championship Game @ 7pm Gates Open: 2:30pm OHL Doubleheader: Dec 29 Windsor Spitfires vs Saginaw Spirit @ 1:30pm London Knights vs Plymouth Whalers @ 5pm Gates Open: 12:30pm AHL Game: Dec 30 -- FSD Toronto Marlies vs Grand Rapids Griffins @ 5pm Gates Open: 4pm Alumni Showdown Double Header -- FSD Game 1 @ 1pm Game 2 @ 3:30pm Gates Open: 12pm Re-entry is allowed for all games. Live Cam http://redwings.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=93923 General Info and Map Fan Guide: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_PX4ibG6pMlLVVuRnhHSlQ2Vmc There will be free autographs each day, at 3 different booths, leading up to the alumni game (no autographs that day)...in the Fan Zone They don't have a specific schedule or who listed yet. They will have an open skate on a synthetic ice rink for each event day, in the Fan Zone. Coke Zero Fan Zone Free to those with a ticket for that day's event. $5 per person for all others, per day. Re-entry is allowed Hours Dec 27: 1pm-10pm Dec 28: 1pm-10pm Dec 29: 11am-8pm Dec 30: 1pm-8pm Dec 31: 11am-4pm Blue Info Sheet: Prohibited Items Pretty standard list of items that aren't permitted for any sporting event. Bags and purses are allowed, but will be inspected. Items and polices here: http://redwings.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=79817 Ticket Info Part of the discussion as mentioned earlier was that tickets to all these games can be transferred via web, along with being able to reprint the ticket. The Red Wings box office says that when the ticket is reprinted (through their system) it generates a new barcode, so the old one becomes void. They said you can then sell them through the Ticketmaster Ticket Exchange site (TIckets Now) since it's all tied to their system. GLI/Alumni games - scan (back): More information can be found here: http://redwings.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=93007 Clothing Recommendations I went to the previous Red Wings Winter Classic at Wrigley in Chicago. Believe me, it gets very cold with a slight breeze. Baseball parks are a little more open and not really designed to block the wind (as much compared to football stadiums). My brother and I had on 4 layers, which included heavy winter coat and snow pants, and we could still feel it (temp was in the upper teens). It was still fun, but if I had on anything less it probably would have affected my enjoyment. Long underwear, wool socks and snow boots can go a long way; we dressed pretty much like we were going snowmobiling. So come prepared, and try to get a gauge on what works best at other games prior to the Winter Classic...since you can't leave once you're inside. Hope to continue updating this as new information comes up (mods feel free to as well).

A lot of negativities(for a reason) are discussing on the forum lately,but what about this guy? Hitting,blocking,playing responsible for 20+ minutes every game and still manage to have 11 points in 12 games on a team with the scoring issues. Well done Nick Junior,your mentor #5 must be proud of you.

I figured I'd write up another one of these. Note that personnel formerly with the team but currently residing in Grand Rapids are not included, nor are temporary call-ups from same. Opinions welcome (of course). Forwards Justin Abdelkader: B+. Abdelkader was inexplicably exiled to the 4th line soon after the season began, his ice time being superseded by players who were arguably less deserving. He has recently been elevated to the 2nd line with Helm and Alfredsson, and has developed solid chemistry with them both. Whatever else might be said, Abdelkader has done well in the role given to him. He plays physically, retrieves pucks, mucks in the corners and along the boards, plays admirable defensive hockey, and contributes satisfactorily on offense. He has recently been given more time on the penalty kill (replacing Cleary in that rotation), and has done very well in that capacity. Daniel Alfredsson: B+. Alfredsson brings hard work, leadership, and excellent two-way play to the table. His play has been lacking only in consistency---he has had the tendency thus far to disappear for a few games at a time---and goal-scoring; most of his production thus far has come in the form of helpers. Joakim Andersson: B+. Andersson is neither flashy nor quick, but he's not expected to be. He performs admirably as a defensive center, chips in on offense here and there, is a mainstay on a very successful penalty-killing unit, and has done excellently in the face-off circle. Todd Bertuzzi: B-. Bertuzzi gives his all in every game, and it's undeniable that he still possesses a great deal of talent. Unfortunately, his body is less and less cooperative, and he's no longer capable of producing offense on his own. Daniel Cleary: F. Two realities prevail with regards to Cleary. First is that he has contributed tremendously to this organization throughout the majority of his stay therein. In addition to his contributions on the score sheet, he has been an exemplary model of hard work, grit, and selflessness. Second is that his body is now a wreck, rendering him incapable of effective play on the ice. This is evident in his performance thus far, and Babcock appears to have finally accepted it as well; Cleary's ice time has been tremendously reduced in the past five games. Hopefully Cleary will see the light also; and it'd be great to see him given another role in the organization after he retires. Pavel Datsyuk: A. The reasons are self-evident. Datsyuk continues to dazzle and impress in all areas of his game. Darren Helm: A. Earlier in the season, I heard famous Red Wings hater Eddie Olczyk define Helm as a difference-maker and express belief that the Wings would very likely have defeated the Blackhawks last postseason had Helm been in the lineup. For once, I agree with Mr. Flintstone. Upon returning to the lineup, Helm promptly reminded all why he is such an integral piece of this organization. His sudden aptitude in scoring goals is a very pleasant surprise; after only 14 games, he's tied for 3rd in goal scoring on the team. Johan Franzen: B. Whatever the reason for which Franzen took time off recently, it has worked. His first 13 games were dismal; in his 10 since returning to the lineup, he has racked up 13 points, five of which were goals, and has been part of the team's most successful line during that period. More, he's working hard on the ice. When he's on his game, the Mule can be a dominating presence. Hopefully his current level of play will persist. Drew Miller: C+. Miller had a poor start. While his work on the penalty kill was very solid, he was atrocious at even strength. Fortunately, his play in the latter situation has begun to improve. Miller's play is very important for the performance of the bottom six; hopefully he'll continue his upward progress. Gustav Nyquist: A. Normally, a player who has played only six games would not garner any grade. Nyquist, however, has performed brilliantly since being called up, and has played a very substantial role in the team's success over its past six games. He is an excellent passer, has an impressive ability to find the open spots on the ice, possesses a deceptively accurate shot, and is second only to Datsyuk in his ability to steal pucks from the opposition. He has thus far been part of an extremely effective line alongside Zetterberg and Franzen, and has more than justified the decision to give him a permanent spot on the team. Mikael Samuelsson: D-. Samuelsson's lack of importance to this team is illustrated in the almost complete lack of expectations any fan of this team seems to have of him. Babcock seems to have written him off even before the season began, and Samuelsson's play has done nothing to suggest that this was an incorrect decision. The best that can be said about him is that the opposition rarely scores while he's on the ice; he ranks first on the team in that category. That said, he is played exclusively against the opposition's 4th line, so this is not altogether impressive, and he hasn't scored a goal since the first game of the season. Tomas Tatar: B+. While his defensive play needs work, Tatar continues to demonstrate why he was last year's playoff MVP in the AHL. He's enormously agile, has tremendous control over the puck, and ranks amongst the fastest players on the team. He's almost certain to develop into an important role in the organization as his career progresses. Stephen Weiss: D. “Disappointing” best sums up Weiss's play thus far. He has done precisely nothing to justify his salary, and currently inhabits the 4th line. Worse, he has shown no signs of improvement. While he does well defensively, that's not nearly enough. He faces a possible buyout this summer if his dismal level of play continues. Henrik Zetterberg: A. As with Datsyuk, this is self-evident. Hank has been an exemplary leader and superb on the ice. Defensemen Danny DeKeyser: A-. Despite his youth and relative inexperience, DeKeyser is perfectly capable of playing acceptably on the first pairing. He can be played effectively in all situations, and has even shown a degree of capacity on the power play. While he has the occasional foible in his play, he's improving steadily, and has been very impressive. Look for him to be a mainstay on defense moving forward. Jonathan Ericsson: A-. Ericsson's play over the past two seasons has certainly justified his new, long-term contract. He has developed from a boneheaded, mistake-prone youngster into a very solid shutdown defenseman with puck-moving upside. If he ever learns to use that enormous slap shot of his, watch out. Jakub Kindl: C+. Kindl's improvement last season has not persisted. He continues to make inexplicable errors on defense, and suddenly seems unable to get shots through to the opposing goalie. He needs to be better, plain and simple. Inconsistency has always been his greatest drawback. Niklas Kronwall: A-. While not as spectacular as a certain ex-Red Wing caused us to expect our #1 defenseman to be, Kronwall has nonetheless been solid. He performs well in all situations, and ranks amongst the league's best defensemen in scoring. Brian Lashoff: B. Lashoff performs capably as a third-pairing defenseman on the third pairing and on the penalty kill. He is by no means flashy, and is generally invisible. This is perfectly fine for a bottom-pairing shutdown defenseman. Kyle Quincey: F. Quincey has been patently horrendous, and is matched only by Cleary in ineffectiveness on the ice. But whereas Cleary's troubles stem from physical incapacity, Quincey's arise from his stupidity and atrocious situational awareness. More, he continues to be absolutely worthless on offense. Nobody could ever have dreamed that he'd be so terrible. And given the blithe, unconcerned look that he always presents during his frequent trips to the penalty box, and his seemingly total disinterest in improving upon his thus far dismal play, it's difficult to judge if he really cares that he's playing so awfully. Brendan Smith: C. Smith has been frustrating. He makes his substantial talent evident on some occasions, and plays terribly on others. Unfortunately, the latter are thus far more common than the former. If he can consistently play up to his level of ability, he'll be a very valuable commodity. If he maintains his enigmatic play, he'll continue to be a source of problems. It's all up to him. Whatever the case, he's been far from good enough thus far. Goaltenders Jimmy Howard: B-. Howard has, in a word, been unsatisfactory. His play began strong and then tapered off abruptly. While it is certainly true that he has often been given very little offensive support, it's also true that he has let in numerous questionable goals. It's very important to the team that he return to his usual level of performance. Jonas Gustavvson: A. Gustavsson's work with Jim Bedard appears to have paid great dividends. Far from the hectic, ineffective style he practiced in Toronto, Gustavsson now plays calmly and with solid technique. While he still lets in the occasional bad goal, he more often makes excellent saves, and has yet to lose a game in regulation. He has undoubtedly been the team's greatest surprise thus far.

Some of you guys are making it sound like Weiss started the season on the 4th line with Cleary and Sammy. I can never remember the stats site that shows linemates but he spent time with better linemates to start the season and earned his way down the lineup. This is a guy Babcock expected to put up 50 points. 28 games into the season he has 3.

First off I am suddenly more thankful than ever for Alfie. Obviously it sucks that Z is out but thankfully we have another great captain sitting in the room. Secondly as has been talked about we need Weiss to prove what he's worth. End of that story. Thirdly we need Howie to start playing like the Howie we saw at the end of last year if we're going to have any chance. Even with Pav and Z out we're not a terrible team, we're just not going to score as much. We need our goalies to steal a game or two. We'll be a mediocre hockey team while Pav, Z and DK are out, but if the guys we have left can put it together, imagine how good we'll be when they're back. Blessing in disguise boys.

Well, that depends on how you look at it. Let's look at some other #19 overall picks in comparison to Kindl.... 2010 - Nick Bjugstad - 32 GP, 4 G, 7 A 2009 - Chris Kreider - 44 GP, 8 G, 11 A 2008 - Luca Sbisa - 245 GP, 8 G, 43 A 2007 - Logan McMillan - 0 GP, 0 G, 0 A 2006 - Mark Mitera - 0 GP, 0 G, 0 A 2005 - Jakub Kindl - 175 GP, 8 G, 32 A 2004 - Lauri Korpikoski - 354 GP, 57 G, 63 A 2003 - Ryan Getzlaf - 582 GP, 165 G, 387 A 2002 - Jakub Kories - 0 GP, 0 G, 0 A 2001 - Shaone Morrisonn - 480 GP, 11 G, 64 A 2000 - Krys Kolanos - 149 GP, 20 G, 22 A 1999 - Kirill Safronov - 35 GP, 2 G, 2 A I know he's the highest Red Wings draft pick since Martin Lapointe in 1991 or whatever, so he seems like a really high draft pick that totally hasn't met expectations since he took a while to develop and doesn't light the world on fire. But, when viewed with a wider gaze, he isn't Getzlaf (obviously), but neither does he seem to be "a disappointment to say the least" "as a 1st round pick 19th overall." That's just my opinion, though.

I was at the book signing tonight and I'm very glad that my friend went to get our wrist bands and purchase the books at lunch time. They sold out of the book, ran out of the stock from the warehouse and the place was crazy with wing fans. Dmac was very funny, talked to every person in line (we were the 93rd people to get signed) and is probably still signing books in the parking lot. He took pictures with everyone and generally was a very nice guy. He told the guy in front of me that he thinks the alumni game will be fun but he's not put on skates in over a year. He also said that while Drapes has a workout plan for the game, that he and Maltby would probably down some beers and go. I didn't ask him to sign my book "thanks for last night" but I was tempted. I asked him if my friend and I could "oreo" him for a picture and he laughed and said that was discussed in chapter 14. He grabbed the mic at one point and called the next group of numbers and told everyone that their order was ready for pick up. I have some pics if anyone is interested. He looked really good. Felt even better, lol. He's a nice solid hunk of guy. Ahem from a female's perspective, lol.

There are degrees of herniated discs, as well like any injury it depends on what age you get them at. Obviously this isn't Zetterberg's first back injury. I'm also going to assume Zetterberg's doctors are of a different class than your father/co-workers.

I might be in the minority here, but I think Chara is one of the most overrated defensman in the league.

This blows. Going to my first live Wings game next Thursday. Haven't been to a live Wings game since the trips with the old man back at the Joe over 25 years ago. The St. Pete Times forum will be without Hank, DD, Stamkos, & maybe Pavs. At least I'll get to see Cleary, Emmerton, & Sammy in person If I was to somehow bump into "The Captain" it would make up for this slight by the Hockey Gods.

Someone hasn't been watching Smith closely since his return to the lineup. The kid looks like he's finally "getting it." He's going nowhere.

Quincey is a free agent and won't be resigned. Kindl should be dealt. Smith will be a wing for a long time unless there's a deal we can't refuse. I'm starting to really like Smith.

Well when he goes as far as joking about it afterwards, it's kind of hard to forgive a guy that doesn't seem too sorry in the first place.

Emmerton. Odd choice. I guess he's a center, but what about Glendening, Eaves or Tootoo? Any one of those guys has more of a future with this club than Emmerton.

Kindl is going nowhere? Why exactly? He's pretty much the perfect spare part to throw in as a bonus on a trade. Agreed.

Well, now that Emmerton is being recalled, Babs should have no choice but to put Weiss in Z's spot and not mess with chemistry. It's never good to be without your 2 best players, but this is make or break time for Weiss in the the season as long as Babs does the right (and OBVIOUS) thing.

@DetroitRedWings: UPDATE: The #RedWings have recalled Cory Emmerton from @griffinshockey. WWWHHHYYYYYY

Time to give Darren Helm an A. He deserves it.

Alfie had the A once Pavel went down. The other A will probably go to another veteran player. I'm honestly thinking Cleary. He was brought back for his "veteran leadership and work ethic". That's what someone wears a letter to do. It would make the most use of his strengths (or- for you who don't like him- let him do something worthwhile to account for being the sum total of all the evil in the hockey world not named Crosby sucked into the vortex of ill that is Cleary and his contract). It would also be a nice tribute to him for all that he has given to the team over the years. Hopefully Z or Pavel will return soon and it will be temporary. You meant to make cowen a possessive, right?

People are saying higher up is better (which the ticket prices reflect) but I disagree. I think the higher seats you can see the whole ice, but it's so far away you can't see anything. I'd rather be close to the action and not see much than far away and see the ice. My seats are row 12. Browse some of the pictures from the Big Chill and decide what is best for you. https://www.google.com/search?q=big+chill+michigan&safe=off&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=NhOeUrPvMKfK2wWf_oBw&ved=0CDkQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=847#q=big+chill+big+house&safe=off&tbm=isch In other words, I'd rather sit here: Than here:

i have had a herniated disc ever since the army. pretty much turned me into a involuntary whimp. pretty much nothing else kills a mans ability to be a man. the doctor even told me i should never lift more than lbs 30 which pretty much means i can't lift anything. These news could really suck. i hold faith that he is in better share than i ever was. hope that helps

Will the real Stephen Weiss please stand up?

This is awful But now is the time for Weiss to start producing.

Maybe we will get a peek into the reclusive world of Mike Ilitch.