Leaderboard

Don't forget about 3-on-3 play in OT. Hopefully the Wings can win more of those than they lose. One potential advantage Detroit has over a lot of other teams is that Blashill gained experience with this last year in GRs. Something many coaches in the league can't say.

Yeah, he'd cup check them into shape

Starts tonight for the Wings at 7:30 Wings Lines for Game 1: Mantha-Larkin-Nastasiuk Bertuzzi-Athanasiou-Svechnikov Polei-Nosek-Verrier Betz-Turgeon-Etchegary Stanton-Saarijavi Hicketts-Lemcke Prochno-Russo Paterson Holy depth up front!

Here is the scoreboard: http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/scoreboard.html?leagueid=505 You will able to follow play by play when the game starts

Gee. I wonder who this backup goalie will be.

I believe this team is a lock to finish top 3 in the Atlantic Division, baring major injuries to key players. I see the Wings and Lightning fighting neck and neck for number 1, and Montreal finishing number 3. There is a huge drop off after those 3 teams, and I wouldn't be surprised if all 5 of Toronto, Ottawa, Boston, Buffalo and Florida miss the playoffs this season, with the Metro Division taking up the two mild card spots. My projection for the East looks something like this... Atlantic 1. Tampa 2. Detroit 3. Montreal Metropolitan 1. New York R. 2. Pittsburgh 3. Washington Wild Card 1. Columbus 2. New York I. I expect a pretty seamless transition from Babcock to Blashill, and a rejuvenated group under a new coach. Their coaching styles are very similar, but by all accounts the way they treat the players is night and day, which should make a huge difference. I think Datsyuk and Zetterberg can maintain the level they played last season, hovering at around a point per game pace or slightly under. The question isn't how they'll play when they're healthy, it's how many games they'll be healthy for. Nyquist and Tatar should continue to develop into key players for this organization, putting up 60+ points each. I expect all three of Sheahan, Jurco and Pulkkinen to surprise a lot of people this season, all eclipsing the 40 point plateau. We have an extremely deep forward group, and I think we will see major improvements on the back end as well. I wouldn't be surprised to see DeKeyser - Green emerge as the number one pair by Christmas. I think our power-play will be lethal again this season, and will only improve with the additions of Green and Pulkkinen (used properly). We have two really good goaltenders that should push each other all season. I think this team is legit and they will finally be able to prove it in the post season. Anything short of 2nd in the division and Conference Final will be a disappointment to me...

Green on the wall could be deadly

I'd say getting the #2 spot in our division (TB getting #1), and getting to the 2nd or 3rd round would be my expectation for this team. Unlike last year, this is a year where I believe our ceiling and floor are quite a ways apart. I think last year I said I saw them getting between #5 seed and #7 seed and they got #6. This year is different, I see our ceiling being #1 in the conference as if the kids keep getting better, our vets don't take a decline, we stay healthy, our goalies play like they are capable, and they take to Blashill, the Wings will be a force. Though it will be hard to get more points then the NYR if they also stay healthy. Our floor is we don't make the playoffs, the reason why I say that is because of Blashill. With Babcock we had a constant, we knew what we were going to get. With Blashill he could take our guys to the next level, or he could just not click with the team, it happens all the time with coaches. What makes me feel alot better is that he has already coached and won with 75% of our roster, so I really doubt that will happen, but I cant be naive enough to think its impossible. My prediction though is #2 in our division, a first round win against Montreal, second round win against TB, a third round loss to the NYR.

Wasn't our PP the best in the league last year? Or am I just being stupid?

I'm partially serious with my other post, I really have high hopes this year. I like our team and expect good things this season. I think the most improved will be Smith, Jurco & Pulk (perhaps Kindl)

While I have no doubt mistakes will be made, I feel like there will be less this year. Our puck possession should improve a lot, which automatically eliminates some. It will be great if Quincey can keep building off of his season and we see an improvement from Smith under a new coach. Fingers crossed!

"positive surprise"

Trade away players at the deadline Accept missing the playoffs Never give up hope winning the lottery Keep losing for the next 40 years after this season It will be fun to do a total rebuild The first letter of every line

Finish top 1-2 in the EC, deep run, possible cup, Blash wins the Adams and order is restored to the NHL with the Wings on top again.

Brad Richards is Babcock's future 4th line winger. David Legwand and Stephen Weiss beckon he join them.

Bitchin'

Gotta think he wanted to go to Buffalo for some reason. Otherwise every GM for a contending team would have cleared the decks for the guy. I would have traded B. Smith a month ago if I new that I could have Cody Franson for 3.3 at 2 years. Kronner-E Dekeyser-Green Quincey-Franson Yes please. Brendan can go turn the puck over for Toronto if Babs loves his compete level that much.

I would think a settlement is likely. If he's not guilty, she's going to take the settlement and run. If he's guilty, she may well rather end it with something than face a jury and have to recount the most horrific thing that's ever happened to her, knowing that in such a high-profile case people will be glued to every word. If I were in her shoes (assuming he's guilty), I'd take the money. Justice would not be served, but if you find yourself in that situation, sometimes your own peace comes before the greater good. At least he's been exposed and other women will be warned.

Things also tend to get disgusting for the victim in these situations, so while I don't *agree* with her settling if Kane is in fact guilty, I certainly *understand* it.

Red, White, and Green: