Lidstrom for life

As a Michigan fan who goes to Michigan State I am going to reply to both parts of this post. First in regard to Nichol, I think he should be MSUs QB. When I was a sophmore in high school my home town of St Johns played against Lowell in the state championship game, (fun fact: our quarterback was Andy Schmitt who is now the QB at Eastern Michigan) and Nichol was playing for Lowell, Lowell won the game and Nichol was flat out awesome. I also went to the spring game at MSU this year (no, not as a spy) and I thought that Nichol was clearly the better of the two quarterbacks. I think his athletic ability would be a huge benefit for MSU especially early in the season since they don't have a clear #1 running back yet. If Nichol plays and a quality running back emerges MSU has a serious chance at atleast a share of the big ten title (due in large part to not playing OSU and getting Penn State and Iowa at home). If they can find a way to win at Illinois it could be a special season. As far as the Rich Rod thing, I don't think he is on a short lease...yet. Although Michigans AD did jokingly say that if they have another 3-8 season they will both be putting their houses up for sale. It is true that a lot of players have left the program because they don't like the practice style/workouts etc but the same thing happened when Bo took over. I think any true Michigan fans have to realize that the obstacles last years team had to overcome were insane (Hart, Henne, Long etc graduating, Mallett and Boren transferring, several other players leaving the team because they didn't like the new system/style, and lots and lots of injuries) Further, Michigan still managed to land a top 10 recruting class which took a lot of the heat off in my opinion. I think Rich Rod has one more "free pass" season before he has to start worrying about job security, although there will be plenty of upset Michigan fans if there is no bowl game again this year.

That is sweet! About a month ago I was in Traverse City and I saw Steve Yzerman at a restaurant, I didn't go talk to him but it was still the coolest thing ever.

I think that sounds really cool. There are a lot of things you could do.

Kindl # 1 Helm....#10? http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/1137...pects_fall2009/

Even so, if Helm is only the 10th best prospect the Wings currently have that makes me feel pretty good about the future

USA with Sweden a very, very close second.

I just have to say thanks for posting this. Knowing my favorite spartan was kicked out of my favorite bar just made my day!

If he stays healthy and plays with Datsyuk then yes I think he will.

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Datsyuk Franzen-Filppula-Datsyuk Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Zetterberg Datsyuk-Datsyuk-Datsyuk But seriously, the lines are going to change so much its not even worth trying to guess. The only thing I can say with certainty is that the opening game line up will likely be: Frazen-Zetterberg-Holmstrom Lidstrom-Kronwall For anyone thats confused, that would be due to the fact that they are playing in Sweden.

Williams, assuming he matches his 47 from last season. I love Helm and I am excited about Eaves but I doubt either of them goes much over the 30 point range (which is ok because thats not their role on this team) As excited as I am about Leino I think if we can get a 20 goal 20 assist season from him that would be fantastic so for now I am saying Williams. Although if Leino impresses in camp and gets put on the 2nd line with Filpula and Franzen to start the year he could exceed that but unfortunately he will probably be on the 3rd line most of the year.

I am not really disagreeing with you but the "better line mate" argument is flawed because playing on the top line also means you are playing against the other teams best defenseman, whereas on the 3rd line Hudler was playing the majority of his minutes against the other teams 2nd and 3rd defensive pairs making it much easier to score. Remember also that Hudler started last season playing with Franzen and Zetterberg but he couldn't handle being in the top 6 so Babcock moved him down.

He called Leino the best player he ever sent to the minors.

I'm going to be optimistic about this so....YAY!! I have no problem bringing Bertuzzi on board, my biggest concern is: will this cost Helm a roster spot? Cause then I would be pissed.

Agreed.

Kid Rock?!

Great stuff. I especially love the match game!

I think I didn't make myself clear enough in earlier posts. I think Chicago will be good, I think they could even win the central I am just saying without Hossa they are not the 2nd best team in the league so in a power rankings which lists who the best team is right now they should not be in the top 5. You might be right, I definately could be understimating their defense BUT they lost the leading point scorer off last seasons team and a solid center in Pahlsson so you think they will be solid offensively if (and I realize its still an if) Kane is out at the begining of the season? They would have a good not great top line of Versteeg-Toews-Ladd and then a second line of Bolland-Sharp-Byfuglien thats not exactly scary, especially for a team with a below average goalie. Now when Hossa and Kane are both in the line up they will have a very good top 6 but again I am talking about the begining of the season.

I was going to respond but this guy did it for me, thanks man! Also Ryan and Teemu (sp)? are scary good fowards to have as 3rd and 4th options AND in that Pronger trade they did pick up Lupul, a 25 year old 50 point scorer. With Hossa, yes Chicago has a better offense, without Hossa I am not so sure. Again I am not saying Chicago is going to have a bad season or that they aren't capable of beating the wings. I am saying that right now without Hossa there is no way they are the 2nd best team in the NHL.

Washington took the stanley cup champs to 7 games. Anaheim is much better than Chicago: Hiller is WAY better than Huet, even with losing Pronger they have a better defense than Chicago and even though I hate them I would take Getzlaf/Perry over Toews/Kane anyday. Don't forget too that Chicago lost Havlat who led the team in points last year and his replacment will miss the begining of the season. Even if Kane isn't suspended they won't have a great offense until Hossa gets back.

for the START OF THE SEASON when Chicago is WITHOUT HOSSA and possibly Kane I would say: Pittsburgh, Detroit, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington and Anaheim should all easily be ahead of them. I would probably also have Vancouver, San Jose, and Calgary ahead of them at this point. Granted that will change when Hossa comes back but for now I would have them about 10. Huet is not a very good goalie, they have an above average defense, and when they get everyone back they have a very good offense but take away the best two wingers from any team and the offense isn't going to be very good. (I am operating under the assumption that Kane will be suspended for at least the first couple of games?)

I believe he plays for Maine, Patrick Eaves played for Boston College if that counts for anything.

I know, they will be good, perhaps my LOL was to long. Its just that how can you have them #2 right now in a power ranking when Hossa will not be there at the start, Kane could be suspended for the begining of the season, and Huet is the starting goalie...

Chicago #2? LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

I was very happy to see that, but I am kind of suprised its the two Boston teams playing each other, I though maybe they would want to include another part of the country in the events and considering the winter classic is on NBC I am really suprised they didn't somehow get Notre Dame involved, if there is one team NBC loves more than the Penguins its the Irish.

I agree, the guy makes some good points, but saying "f***wits" makes you sound like a 12 year old trying to be cool.