Datsyerberger

Getting waived off the Wild? Ouch.

Hopefully he's as pissed as he sounds. Ozzie plays well when he's pissed.

Kronwall's got nothin' until he's in a Dr. Ramani commercial.

You're forgetting the main reason Williams would be in the lineup: 2nd PP unit. He works fine to throw some offense on the 3rd line.. Cleary-Helm-Williams looks good, to me.

...Williams?

Apparently, they do produce quite well together, for what limited time we've had that luxury. See above. Our scoring depth at wing isn't as solid this year; playing one of them on the wing is more profitable than giving one reduced time as a 2nd line center, particularly since Flip is a more than capable 2nd line center. This is further compounded on in that Helm is useful beyond 4th line center minutes, for which we have quite ample players. Putting Z at 2nd line C stretches our scoring depth at wings whereas our depth at center is fine. Dats - * - Holmstrom Bertuzzi - * - Franzen Cleary - * - Eaves/Williams is a more more desirable set of wingers than: Bert - * - Holmstrom Franzen - * - Williams Cleary - * - Eaves Bert, while he's been exemplary in his role, is not the sort of guy you want to see logging minutes as a first line winger out of anything but necessity. Likewise, playing both Franzen and Homer on the same line is a waste of front-of-net talent, so nothing looks good about reversing that. And on waste, Flip at #3 and Helm at #4 is a waste. The depth of this team is actually reduced with Z and Dats on different lines. It reduces our scoring capability on the wing (which is where we took our biggest lost in comparison to last year, injuries aside).

Well, let's see... Holmstrom (at time of injury) is our leading goalscorer, 7/15 of which has come on the PP. On the PP, as you say, he plays with Dats and Z (provided both are healthy). Now, seeing that our leading PP goalscorer is getting his goals with said combination... yea, that line's broke. Or maybe, just maybe, our PP troubles have to do with at first having 1/2 of said combination out (Zetterberg), and then when he returns, other 1/2 of that combination out (Holmstrom), with our 2nd PP unit missing it's QB (Kronwall), it's other possible point-man (Ericsson or Williams), a 30 goal scorer (Franzen), until just recently, a playmaker (Flip). Hmmmm, let's see here. I wonder. Now that your entirely too refutable statement has been shown the door, let's please direct our attention to the fact that until recently, we haven't had a capable 2nd line center, necessitating the split of Dats and Z. As of late, we have had said 2nd line center (as well as the ability to play Dats and Z together more), resulting in more offense (Such as scoring 3 goals against one of the top 2 strongest defensive team's in the league).

Bert's been the 'best' signing. Eaves has been the most pleasant surprise. Miller isn't a signee, but was a very nice acquisition. May's been about what was expected, Williams remains to be seen.

With the depth we have at center, there's no reason not to run Flip as 2nd line center (both for developmental reasons and for ice time relevant to his skill level). Likewise, there's no reason not to have Helm taking 3rd line center minutes with the performance he's had. Not only are these two players fit for the ice time, but they need be given the chance to develop into their roles. We don't have the offensive depth at wing this year to justify putting a playmaker like Flip as a 3rd line center. Finally, breaking up the chemistry of Dats and Z is something that should only be done out of necessity (e.g. Flip being out). Dats - Z - Homer If it ain't broke... Franzen - Flip - Bert Flip surrounded by two large guys capable of putting the puck in the net. Cleary - Helm - Williams/Eaves This line is fast. Also, Williams and Eaves both have good shots, Helm and Cleary both will drive the net. Not a lot of playmaking, here, but this is the sort of line that gets goals through forcing turnovers and banging away at the puck. * - Draper - Williams/Eaves * = Pick one of: Miller May Maltby Leino Miller's been solid, so I'd put him in. Picking who to sit vs teams we need May is gonna suck.

The year Lidstrom retires is the year the Wings finally need an exceptional goaltender during the regular season. Let's hope Howard continues to be that guy.

Hopefully something good comes of this bad situation and the NA hockey leagues (especially the nHL) finally start tightening down harder on headshots (including on star players. Yea, I know, that'll be the day).

Losing Lidstrom is going to be a huge blow to this team no matter how much salary it 'frees up'. He's still worth every penny of 7.45m this season.

It actually says 'spin-o-rama' somewhere in the NHL rulebook? That's AWESOME!

Maybe he sold his soul to... Nevermind.

Bush league.

Which team do you WANT to win? This is a tough one. I'm pretty unbiased, but I'd like to see one of the teams considered a little more of an outside chance (USA, Czech, Slovakia, Finland) have a really solid run of hockey and take gold, just up the Russia 'lol high end' and Canada 'lol we could have 3 olympic teams' talk. That's not to say I'll mind if either of those teams win, either. I'll enjoy the treat of hopefully good hockey. Which team do you think WILL win? Canada. Coaching, depth, and management. Which team do you think will be a suprise? If you can consider them a surprise, USA. They've got a roster full of meat and potatoes sort of players. which team do you think will ultimately choke? Russia. WJC and other affairs have left me concerned about their ability to play a good system and maintain cohesion. I hope they prove me wrong.

Because the spotlight of criticism is already on someone else and not him. Kovalchuk isn't one to care for a lot of media attention.

Nope, Kovalchuk doesn't want to play for a Canadian team, anyhow. 8m on the Bolts or another team like that on the way up? I could see that. Kovalchuk - Lecavalier - St Louis Malone - Stamkos - Downie Ouch. That would make the SE as seriously more competitive division (and epic lol if Kovalchuk goes to a division rival besides. Oh, the booing would be glorious...)

I think if I had a choice to throw a period or a semicolon or something into this paragraph I'd be all over it. Anyhow, I see Kovalchuk getting more than 7m. Try more like 8 long term.

Eurotwin or maybe more of a classic sounding name, like.. "Danny-O and the Waive-Offs"

I'm mystified.

Harding's Jockstrap That'd work too.

A 30 goal power forward with solid defense and a 50 point, hard hitting d-man both locked up at good contracts for a UFA? Who thought this up?

Maybe, but it's so misquoted as 4th street no one would have any idea what you were talking about if you said Fort. Edit: Not unless he's trying to get his songs sung in the last minute of home games.

Out On 4th Street That's what I'm feelin'