Carman

Posted this in another thread, might as well post it in a thread named after the player aswell. Just my perspective on Helm, and what he might be capable of. I'm not saying Helm will turn into a 80+ point player, but he does have a gift that very few players have with that speed. That is something you cannot teach, another thing is offensive instincts and he is getting plenty of opportunities which is something that is in itself impressive in his current role. I wouldn't write him totally off in terms of his potential. Scoring touch/shooting can be worked on and he is still young. I don't believe it's totally senseless to have a realistic expectation of not being surprised to see him suddenly breakout. He was a decent scorer in juniors and always seemed to be a late-bloomer so who knows. Either he will be a top-notch checking forward, or become a pretty good secondary scorer either way the Wing's have a great young player that will help the team for a long time to come.

I've watched a pretty good portion of Kindl's games so far this year. He would certainly be a improvement over Lebda, but for future considerations it would be in Kindl's best intrest to continue to play first line minutes in GR and do his best to improve his defensive issues. He has games were he looks amazing, and then the next game has turnovers + blown coverages. At the start of the season he was very mediocre the last 5-6 games though he has picked up his game. Janik has been very impressive so far this year and I think would be a better option for what the Wing's need in a 6th Dman. Kindl is better served being the main defenseman in GR and improve on consitency because when he does get called up eventually he is going to be expected to play a more prominent role then 6th-7th D.

I'm not saying Helm will turn into a 80+ point player, but he does have a gift that very few players have with that speed. That is something you cannot teach, another thing is offensive instincts and he is getting plenty of opportunities which is something that is in itself impressive in his current role. I wouldn't write him totally off in terms of his potential. Scoring touch/shooting can be worked on and he is still young. I don't believe it's totally senseless to have a realistic expectation of not being surprised to see him suddenly breakout. He was a decent scorer in juniors and always seemed to be a late-bloomer so who knows. Either he will be a top-notch checking forward, or become a pretty good secondary scorer either way the Wing's have a great young player that will help the team for a long time to come.

Phew hopefully it just stays as an MCL. I can deal with him being out a little over a month, but if would of been his ACL his career could of been in jeopardy. This is very good news considering the circumstances. Let's hope it stays the same after the MRI.

We won a shootout. We won a shoot out? WE WON A SHOOT OUT!!! Nice job Eurotwins. Let's all hope for the best news about Kronwall. We got our 2 points.

Bad turnover by Leino. Weak goal on Howard. Let's go Wings cannot lose this game.

Really nothing can happen in this game that will make me feel better about Kronwall. Just win the damn game and get out of there without anymore injuries. No use gooning it up and cheap shotting ourselves and risk letting Montreal back into the game. Then we lose Kronwall and the game. I'm devastated about losing Kronwall, this was shaping up to be his breakout season and to hurt the same knee he had trouble with in the past on a dirty play is horrible.

If they are giving suspensions over hits to the head that knee to knee needs to be one as well. His knee was way out, and it was completely intentional. Dirty dirty play by a s***ty player. Hopefully Kronwall just has a Charley Horse. f*** Laraque.

So you are blaming Holland? It's 1/4 through the season and you are blaming Holland. ... Anyways good night, good luck making a Holland dart board to help you get through November loses.

Exactly, so what is the point of this post? The Wing's don't have many options if they have any at all. I'm having trouble finding a discussion point.

Yeah, actually I thought his stats were worse then they actually are. He's going to be just fine. I really think the Wing's should just stay pat and things will work out. Well, guys Holland completely messed up with signing Bertuzzi. Might as well fire Holland for that absurd signing. I mean come on. What do you hope to accomplish here?

Ok fair enough, I agree with experimenting with the lines especially with Abby. I was mostly posting in regard for your comment about Bertuzzi as a "wasted signing". That's all.

Thing is Bertuzzi is one of the best forechecking/backcheck, hitting, shot taking forwards on the team. And you are saying stats are useless? The first line certainly doesn't "stink", they are versing the others teams top players on most shifts. I don't even know how to logically point out the flaws in your argument. You want to put Datsyuk with 4th liners? You want to break up the Helm line? Pretty much you want to dismantle whatever is actually working on this team?

Eaves for the Free Agents. And Helmer for the rookies. Absolutely love those two.

Well, when you start coaching the Red Wing's you can make that decision. I'll side with Babcock knowing what's best for his team.

In your original post you went no where near including Holmstrom in the struggles of the first line. The first line is struggling because of skating, I think we both agree. But there is no way you can have Maltby/Abby/Miller/May play the first line minutes that Babcock has Bertuzzi and Homer playing. Not to mention both have infinitely more experience than all the other options. You also call Bertuzzi a wasted signing. Which is a complete joke if you want to be taken seriously. 9 points in 20 games. 2nd in shots, 3rd forward in hits. That's damn good production for that salary. Pretty much I'm refering to calling Bertuzzi a wasted signing. I agree that the line probably should try Abby on the wing throughout the game to see what happens.

Nah, I don't illicit much emotion while on the internet sorry. You seem to have a keen insight on whether or not people show emotion or not. I read your post thoroughly. It was your "breaking point", that's a pretty significant thing to say about someone. You cite 3 different subjective negative situations involving Bertuzzi completely disregarding a few of the positive things he has done. For a 1.5 million salary 9 points in 20 games is fine. Especially when he is hitting and playing physical which has has done the past few games. Your post was completely void of any sensible points or information. Now if you want I'll supply you with something that can be used against Bertuzzi. He is -5 and the active player with the worst +/-. That's not good.

Yep the guy who has the 3rd most hits on the team and 2nd most shots is playing with no emotion. How about you interview him, and take him out for a date before you judge whether or not his is playing with emotion. What a ridiculous allegation to say a player isn't playing with emotion. Would have no basis for this assumption, and you would be lucky if Bertuzzi even acknowledged you in an everyday situation. He isn't playing well, but he is NOT the reason we are losing. Why must people try to blame something. Blame Raflaski for the direct turnover if you have to blame anything. Or Osgood on the weak OT goal. Or helm for missing 2 BREAKAWAYS. Or Lidstrom for only having 7 points. There are many issues that are contributing to our losses. Having someone take bad shoots, and iffy decision making should be the least of your worries.

Who do you suggest? Can't reasonably break up the 2nd and 3rd lines. Also you say we need shots? Bertuzzi just so happens to be 2nd on the team in shots behind Zetterberg. Out of Abby-Maltby-May-Miller-Meech-Bertuzzi who would be the best option? The only one I can see is Abby, but Babock rather have the experience. And the coach that just so happens to have a Stanley Cup and coaching Team Canada agrees. Bertuzzi is the best option at the moment. Stop looking for something to blame, and enjoy that this team is the most respected and successful NHL team in the past 20 years. Honestly Bertuzzi is not the reason we are losing, if the main reason we are losing games is by him missing scoring chances then we are in a lot worse shape than you are even suggesting.

Datsyuk has been on a cold streak since before the playoffs last year. He has been stuck with Holmstrom for practically the whole length of his struggles. Until Datsyuk starts producing I'm blaming Holmstrom for everything that goes wrong.

Not his fault he is put in a situation he shouldn't be in. I'm not arguing he probably shouldn't be on the first line. But he is certainly not even close to being one of our worst players. And you mention cycling on the first line. Holmstrom is the one ruining offensive zone pressure right now(obviously he is just playing the same way he usually does). Bertuzzi is at least creating and getting chances. The optimal first line set-up is not going to work with Bertuzzi and Holmstrom on the first line. One of them need to go down. Bertuzzi would probably be the better option, but Datsyuk has been snake bit all season and the one constant factor is he is always playing with Holmstrom... Just my observation.

Are you kidding me? Most of the game is played without the puck. The problem is your logic.

Bertuzzi is playing great. Hitting, backchecking, forechecking. He is just awful with the puck. Holmstrom was far far far worse tonight.

Homer could at least forecheck before, he is slower then ever. Now that he isn't getting lucky around the net he is literally contributing nothing but creating a PK situation for the Red Wing's when he is on the ice. Bertuzzi is actually backchecking, winning battles on the forecheck, hitting, and playing at least respectable defensive hockey. Offensively he is atrocious, but playing without the puck he couldn't be doing much better.

Rather trade Holmstrom. Can get more for him + don't have to deal with his liabilities.