hooon

Looks good, I think I'm in. Time to defend my title!!! Question: I could probably find out with a little poking around, but are you allowed to change your choices after you've submitted them, as long as its before the gametime deadline? Thanks to all of those who are putting this together!

I have been pretty vocal in the past about his disappointments last season. But, honestly, I kind of liked what I saw from Hudler this preseason. He was skating much harder, was doing a better job holding on to the puck, and made a few sweet passes that I saw. He didn't dazzle or light it up offensively, but he looked like he was working hard. I really hope it works out for him this season, to be honest.

With Brunner on board and news that Holmstrom will be a 4th line PP specialist: Hudler-Datsyuk-Cleary Flip-Z-Franzen Bertuzzi-Helm-Brunnstrom Holmstrom-Abby-Eaves Miller/Emmerton If we need goals late: Z-Pavs-Homer Franzen-Flip-Hudler Bertuzzi-Abby-Cleary Eaves-Helm-Brunnstrom

Diving<Headshots<Bananas<Matt Cooke

Very nice! At 600k, this is pretty much a no risk situation. I was thinking it would be more like 800k, so this could turn out to be a great steal. Now lets hope he continues to work hard and try to earn a spot and minutes. I think he needs to bulk up a little and work on his D game a tad. I have high hopes for him now!

Brunnstrom got smoked a few times tonight, but I thought he was still skating hard and trying to make some chances. Really the game was just so thoroughly dominated by Helm that it was hard to notice anyone else.

Helm had an unbelievable game. He looked like a 1st line superstar tonight. I actually thought Hudler skated hard and made some nice plays. Not Brunnstrom's best game, but he skated hard, not nearly as bad as the announcers implied. Ericsson really looked horrible every time the puck was near him. He gave the puck away countless times, couldn't hold the puck in the zone on offense. He was just brutal. Conklin made some big stops, but should NOT try to play the puck.

Great little unselfish play there by Eaves. Way to go Tatar!

Atta boy Eaves!

HELMER!

HELM AND ABBY!

Cleary is not out for 6 weeks. He has an injury that might take 6 weeks before he is back to 100%. He is expected to play opening night or shortly thereafter.

I was comparing it to Vladdy's hipcheck, I never said Brendan couldn't get lower in general. I just said that comparing it to the Vladdy hit was a little irrelevant because it would be physically impossible for Brendan to get THAT low on a person who is 5 foot 10.

I'm not sold on those situations being too similar. Brendan Smith is no Vladdy. And Ben Smith is no Claude. Also, how is a 6 foot 2 defensemen supposed to get low enough on a 5 foot 10 inch forward to upend him like that? Smith didn't really play it that wrong, it was an unfortunate incident, but Ben Smith put himself in the position for his head to get hit, instead of just taking the initial check which would have been body on body. I always enjoy that video, though.

Unfortunately, I've seen interviews with Bettman where he has denied ever promising anyone a move to the Eastern conference, and I'm not sure a verbal "promise" to Jimmy D will hold up too long. Ultimately, Bettman will probably realign the divisions in accordance with what's best for the overall NHL, not just one team who has been hoping to move for a while. I'd love to be in the East, but in the scheme of things it really does make more sense for certain other teams to go east over us. Just my two cents, not trying to rain on any parades.

Did Shanny not take that idiotic toe drag into consideration at all?

Yeah, no need for any Cleary hate. For what he brings to the team he is more than worth his cap hit. Can't even believe someone could see it any other way. His scoring alone is worth is 3mil/year, not to mention everything else he brings on the defensive side of the game. Not to mention that he can play on any line in any situation. He'll never be a superstar but is everything we need.

If Cleary and Stuart are back I like something like this: Hudler-Datsyuk-Cleary Flip-Z-Mule Bert-Helm-Brunnstrom Homer-Abby-Eaves Lids-White Kronwall-Stuart Ericsson-Kindl Commodore

If there's no Cleary or Stuart: Flip-Datsyuk-Hudler Franzen-Zetterberg-Holmstrom Bertuzzi-Helm-Brunnstrom Miller-Abby-Eaves Emmerton (I'd love Nyquist but not gonna happen) Lidstrom-White Kronwall-Ericsson Kindl-Janik Commodore

There's usually more nasty hits in the preseason because of guys getting a little over-excited, trying to make the team. What's surprising about this year is the amount of established NHLers that are involved in some of these altercations. I just have to say that Shanny is doing an excellent job so far. He stepped into a very thankless task, and is doing the best job possible. He makes his decisions rationally and carefully, and doesn't operate under the cloak of secrecy that the old regime did. The videos are great.

So... Mursak Cleary Stuart Commodore and Datsyuk are all hurt already in one way or another? Yikes. Get well soon, boys.

Kane at center? Should be interesting.

I'll be at this game tonight at the UC. Kind of wish we had a few more starters in the lineup, this could get brutal. Especially since the majority of the Hawks "fans" at the game will completely fail to comprehend that none of the Wings starters are playing, and will inevitably think that tonight's game alone is proof that the Wings are old and slow and derpity derp derp. Then again... if the Wings happen to have a great game and take control of the scoreboard, I'll have no problem pointing out to the crowd that non of our starters are playing!

I agree with all of this. I like Miller, but he is just so redundant. Everything he brings to the team is either matched or exceeded by other players in the lineup. He doesn't have any untapped potential that I'm aware of, and therefore has reached his peak playing level. I was a little puzzled at the re-signing of him, especially when we have so many "over-ripe" prospects lurking in the minors. With Mursak absent for a while, I believe it will be Brunnstrom and Emmerton, and would be pleased. I just hope this doesn't stunt Mursak's development significantly. It must be weird starting your rookie season 2 or 3 months after the season has begun, missing out on team chemistry, etc. When he comes back, he'll likely have to re-earn a spot from whomever his replace will be.

I hear what you're saying, but simply having good hands in a shootout situation doesn't make someone a great goal scorer from game to game. I've been quite happy with Bert's production the past two season, its no more than I expected. Personally I wish he would go to the net more often like he used to before the lockout and spend a little less time cycling the outside boards.