stevkrause

If only a guy like Yashin had his work ethic and outlook... He'll probably never be more than a fringe NHL'er, but you got to love the guys spirit and outlook on life... http://www.mlive.com/griffins/index.ssf/2010/10/veteran_derek_meech_calls_retu.html

Exactly... I find it astonishing that Lebda has a 1.5 mil contract and Meech is AHL bound and Lilja is out of work... Meech will never be a top 4 guy in this league, but has shown that he could be a bottom pairing/spare part on an NHL team... he's nothing more than a plug, but a good plug... and a lot of teams could use that depth, especially with the work ethic he brings and positive attitude

lets not get carried away...

Well, they were going to need to at minimum short term IR someone to allow Maltby to play (probably Draper anyway) as we already have a 23 man roster, but I'd be fine with short term IR'ing Draper anyway and having Miller be a healthy scratch for tonight for Malts, for sure... I don't see Draper getting into game action in the next 7 days anyway, so, comeeeee onnnnnnnnn comeeeee onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

I want us to win every game and thus, ice the best team possible night in and night out, however, Maltby has been an absolute warrior for us and I think it would be poetic for him to be able to play in one last home opener, followed by a retirement immediately following the game - I would prefer he report to GR and give us a chance to use him as a call up, but you can't blame the guy one bit for not wanting to, especially after the career he had... If I were Bert, I might just wake up tomorrow with "my back being incredibly tight for some reason" What's everyone elses thoughts on this?

um.......... what playoffs did you watch last season?!?! Maltby did not play last season in the playoffs, his last game was an unceremonious one, as he later went on IR for his shoulder and was done for the season... no one knew that would be his last game and he should be sent off properly...

That's kinda my thought, I don't want him taking a roster spot anymore, but I would like to have him play one last game tonight for a proper send off...

same here... I still think Bert should have a mysterious game time "spasm"

well, so much for that - bummer... http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2010/10/todd_bertuzzi_will_play_tonigh.html

7:30 can not get here fast enough...

My wife and I take a yearly road trip to GR for a Griffins game (and we hit up the John Ball Zoo, a couple bars, etc...) and I got to say, I absolutely love that city, everything from the layout, to the feel and everything in between... plus, the residents seem to REALLY support their Grifs, which has to take some of the sting out of being demoted, when you get to go to a great situation...

That's not the same as PLAYING in one last game, plus, if it's discussed ahead of time, you know he's going to play his ASS off, probably better than any of our 4th liners in the first place... bump Cleary to the 2nd line, bump Eaves up to the 3rd line with Huds and Modano and roll Miller-Helm-Maltby as the fourth... I'd rather see Maltby go out right, by playing in one final game, rather than by going on IR to end a season... also, Bert gets another day of rest to go Saturday and be 100% healthy... For an organization that has been so classy and done the right thing for so long, I think it's only right that Maltby play tonight, announces retirement RIGHT after the game and takes the scouting gig in the front office starting Saturday - With all he has given to this city, organization and furthermore, team (as was already touched on earlier in the thread, he didn't have to go on IR last year and we KNOW that was to help the team) - It's only right that he get a proper send off That's just my opinion of the matter...

Agreed... or they could have gone wildcard and named Pavelski... the guy is a proven leader...

From his body language during his interview tonight between the 2nd and 3rd periods and Babs dodging the question about him specifically, PLUS Babs comments about Miller already having the roster spot... I'm VERY confident the decision has already been made and Ritola's time with the Wings is over... that's just my gut feeling though

Agreed 100% - If anything, we should just be grateful that we have such an embarrassment of riches and such tough choices to make - If anything it just goes to show how great of a job our brass does in the first place... keep in mind, all this is over a 4th round pick (a good one at that, but 4th rd pick nonetheless) whereas we have a 7th and 6th respectively, which are 2 of the most dominant, 2-way forwards in the game... if getting that means losing a quality player here and there because we have TOO much talent, I'll GLADLY take that. IN HOLLAND WE TRUST. Pavel says: I trust mine team to Dr. Holland, you should too.

There are already those problems with concerts at the State (Fillmore) and games at Comerica, Lions, etc... it causes a lot of traffice, but it can be done and it's good for the city... extra people = extra revenue, plus, generally speaking, the fan bases of basketball and hockey don't always exactly overlap...

Meech could be a good call up in an emergency for depth purposes, so I hope he stays in the organization (unless a trade can be worked out) until at least after the ASG...

I would imagine (and hope) that any NHL level GM would put in his due diligence and at bare minimum call a veteran player who's played basically his entire career in one city and has a family and roots in that city, to at bare minimum give him a heads up that he plans on putting in a claim on him, to see where he's at mentally...

That is more or less correct, with just the one change on the 4th line in bold

No prob at all, I'm always glad to share my knowledge of overly specific NHL rules (that someone who doesn't have an over the top hockey sickness like me) with all, haha It's actually part of the new CBA...

After Nov 1st, it goes off of current standings... wow, didn't take you ANY time to update that picture, did it? haha Keep in mind too, the jury is still VERY up in the air about Leino and Quincy needed back surgery and was waived the year we won a Stanley Cup... Just be glad we have the problem of worrying about who we'll keep, as opposed to who we need... In Holland We Trust.

Don't forget, he's a right handed shot too...

last years standings... there were only 5 teams with less points(wins as a tie break) then them, so they're 6th in the order prior to Nov 1st

Meech will probably never be anything more than a fringe NHL'er/plug, but the guy does go into it with a lot of heart and never *******, so in that aspect, he is a good soldier for sure... I have a feeling he'll play in GR for a good part of the season and then a team decimated with injuries will trade for him for depth (low draft pick/future considerations, etc...)

Prior to November 1st, waiver wire priority goes off the previous seasons standing, so they actually are pretty high on the order right now... Just checked and they're 6th on the order... so, that's pretty dang high...