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I'm starting this thread with the purpose of having someplace to discuss the team's season in overview. I want to leave the GDT (if we're still doing that) for game by game commentary. But this, I hope, will allow us to contextualize our season. We can compare what we are saying at game 45 to what we were saying at game 15 and see what's changing as the season plays out. And the main thing I want to start with is the play of the kids. Much has been made of Lalonde's coaching, and a lot of the criticism is deserved, but since early in the season he's been giving a lot of big, important, minutes to Edvinsson, Kasper, and Berggren. Less so for Johansson, but the Maatta trade should change that a bit. And from a fan standpoint it's hard to be mad at the results. These guys aren't playing like superstars (although I'd argue Edvinsson is close already), but they've been really really good. Kasper is still a long way off from turning 21 and he's out there taking faceoffs (and winning them) against Syndey Crosby. Berggren has been making things happen all over the ice, but particularly in the offensive zone where his stats don't really tell the story of how good he's been at creating scoring opportunities for the Wings. And then there's Edvinsson. This guy is unreal. Watch how many plays he kills in the defensive zone with a simple poke check (his reach is insane) or by simply pinning his weight into a forward along the boards. He's got two fewer points than Seider (without powerplay time) and he's shouldering the same defensive matchups at even strength. He's still got things to learn (like not taking late penalties) but it's beginning to look like we've got another of the top young defenders in the league. And importantly, he's a defender that should be able to hang with bigger, tougher, playoff-type teams. If Lalonde really is coaching for the future, then by mid-season I'd like to see: 1. Marco's line seeing their ice time start creeping up at even strength (they're currently our 2nd best forward line) 2. Berggren getting top powerplay looks when guys like Kane, Raymond, Dcat, deal with injuries. 3. Edvinsson taking over the 2nd powerplay unit (Seider to the 1st) 4. Johansson as an everyday 3rd pair defender.

PSA: BEWARE THE MICHIGANDER The "Michigander" is a dangerous race of subhumans hailing from a little known area north of Canada. After destroying their own homeland with "the auto industry" they have quickly spread across the rest of America like a cancerous plague, seeking to infiltrate and destroy the home stadiums of others. Be vigilant. They could be anyone anywhere. Your neighbor. A coworker. The busk boy at your favorite restaurant. That stripper that you are pretty sure likes you. Basically anyone with a crumby job that and/or lacks class COULD BE A DANGEROUS SPAWN OF THE HAND STATE. They may appear to be just normal trashy Americans at first... DO NOT BE FOOLED. THE LIVES OF YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR FOOTBALL TEAMS SEASON DEPEND ON IT. Know how to recognize the signs: 1. They have an unnatural aversion to salt water. Prefering "the lake" to an actual nice ocean beach. 2. They call soda "pop" and NEVER throw the "pop cans" away, prefering to horde the trash like a filthy gypsy. 3. Terrible sense of direction. When told to make a left, the Michigander will typically turn right... then later pull a U-turn, to eventually end up driving left. 4. When playing cards they are confused why jacks are not high. 5. Much of their pocket change is Canadian currency. 6. They call summer "construction season" 7. They have no real views on anything, and their politics change wildly and seemingly at random. Often supporting candidates for flippant reasons like "he seems like a guy i could have beer with" or "i don't like him cause he looks like my step dad greg". "But I live all the way down in Houston Texas, surely I'm safe from Michiganders down here" WRONG. No distance is safe.The Michigander is naturally mobile and was bred to travel long distances with ease. Look for key phrases like "You're flying? Why? It's only 40 hours. Just drive." If you do encounter one in the wild, do not tell them their team sucks. They know their team sucks, and are thus impervious to that aggression. Instead, assume a non-aggressive posture, and chant clearly and loudly "OHIO IS A NICE PLACE OHIO IS A NICE PLACE". The Michigander is naturally disgusted by anything Ohio, and should recoil once this phrase uttered. Using that technique you may just survive the encounter with your life and record preserved.

Lombardi was in the middle of everything today in a big win for GR. Danielson looked like a star too. Feeling pretty good about the farm right now.