titanium2

Overall I think he's been pretty good. To me, he's just about the new standard for what I hope the Red Wings can have every year from a veteran "3rd pair" defenseman. I think what I like the most about him is that he's been an excellent fit for the Red Wings system. Salei is someone who spent many years as a top four dman and now you can somewhat tell he enjoys not only playing a lesser role for a team like the Wings but also that he enjoys using his experience to provide a luxury for the Red Wings to have as a theoretical third pair defenseman. I don't expect much, if any offense from him but he at least has the ability to keep the flow going as part of the puck possession system. When he has the puck I don't feel as nervous watching him as opposed to Lebda or sometimes Lilja. His pinches still aren't great but I think he's slowly getting better at making wise decisions in that area. Overall I just think he has a great offensive tool set as a third pair dman. He can handle and pass the puck, which is a big reason why he fits in so well and opposing teams have to at least respect his shot from the blue line because he is a threat from back there unlike some of the bottom pair dmen the Wings have had in the past. Defensively I think you always want more from any dman on the team not named Lidstrom. He's got to keep getting better every day. Like I said before, his pinches aren't great. I think he still has to make up his mind on how to defend in front of the net. He does have the ability to sometimes use his stick to tie up players but we've seen many times how he really should have just knocked some guys on their cans. I hope to see him play more physical but just a little bit. So, defensively, not great but still a work in progress like the rest of the team. All in all, I think it's wonderful that the Wings have someone who is a veteran with all-around ability as a #5 or #6 dman and Salei has played that role well. The true test is the playoffs and I think his experience will definitely pay off then.

Helm, Mursak and Filppula should race.

Oh yeah... I went to a Lions game a couple years ago when she used to work for FOX NFL and sat front row right next to the Lions end zone. I don't really like football but I have to say that to watch her from behind as she walked was the only part of that afternoon that made the whole experience worth my time. Mm-mmm...

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=550954&navid=DL|NHL|home Team Lidstrom has the edge in every position except for Left Wing according to this writer.

Now THAT would be an interesting topic. What would the Red Wings look like on paper if the NHL had no salary cap?

Actually now that think of it, both Datsyuk and Zetterberg could've been there. In that case, he probably would've picked Pav first and then hope to get Z in the next round.

He has name power? Not intended to be a smart ass question. I really don't know.

Oh and I forgot... Wouldn't you get tired of hearing "HANTA YO, BABY!!!"? Hamblacheapee. Is that it?

True but I don't want him to be subjected to the way the Griffins are right now. I feel his skating would really limit his ice time on the Griffins and he's a young guy. I don't want him to be a healthy scratch for 40+ games while he could get first line possibly 20 minutes a game you know?

Actually his new nickname is Blue Waffle. It works on so many ways, apparently.

Each league will probably steal the fantasy draft idea from now on.

I think Phil Kessel might have started this Facebook group. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=26160250190

Yeah I'm definitely biased here but Team Lidstrom looks so much better on paper. The game is theirs to lose. If they lose it, it's simply because the insane amount of skill didn't work hard enough, which at an all-star game is very possible.

I don't really blame Kane for not wanting to play with Toews. Kane's probably struggling to get over all those times of getting yelled at for being a lazy ass defensive player.

The game itself won't be very appealing. The draft was pretty cool though. The skills competition will be pretty cool too. Can you get one of him jiggling down the stairs and add some nice insults in it somehow? Haha.

Every individual started with a personal friend/teammate. Staal -- Ward St. Louis -- Stamkos Green -- Ovechkin Kane -- Keith Kesler -- D. Sedin Lidstrom -- H. Sedin... If Zetterberg were to participate, do you think Lidstrom were to pick Z over Henrik Sedin?

It was even funnier watching Phil Kessel jiggle down the stairs. How much does he get paid to at the very least stay in shape?

She divorced him, haha. Sucks to realize you married a moron when it's too late.

Richards-Stamkos-St. Louis Kopitar-Sedin-Eriksson Havlat-Toews-Kane Briere-Duchene-Kessel (Leftover, really. Sorry Duchene) Lidstrom-Weber Keith-Byfuglien Yandle-Burns Thomas Hiller Fleury

Oh jeez...

I actually wanted Backes. Gotta have somebody look after the douchey stuff. Especially with the way Team Staal is built.

Dude... Kessel is meatball.

Just his whole demeanor. It reeks of geek, haha.

Duchene is a geek... Haha.

Well, I mean, you really never know. The All-Star game really is a joke. They don't compete until the game is REALLY on the line. So you don't know how that dynamic will play out.