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Eaves and Abby 2- Ballard 0

I know if that was Abby you would have called it. Just keeping you honest Good backchecking by Mursak and Modano there. Also, good for E stepping in after the save by Howard.

Did Eaves just get punked?

FWIW his shifts with the first have been better than Miller's. Aside from getting caught in their own zone last shift, the Abby, Huds, Mursak line has looked good.

Lame.

Good to see Stuart without the chin protector.

As long as you admit you're holding a grudge. He had a great first. He was creating with the Z line, and with Mursak and Huds. His hit on Ballard was decent too. I think you need to accept that he'll only fight when challenged (by someone in his weight class). It sucks, but I had to come to that realization after the first 42 games this year. He's better at playing a gritty style than everyone else on the team (except for maybe E), so I'll take what I can get. At least he hits a lot. I don't ***** about him too much since no one else on the team is standing up for their teammates. I'll call him out if he declines a fight he should accept, but otherwise he's no worse than any other Wings player. On most other teams, he would be the 3rd/4th/5th toughest player, and would likely play tougher with someone having his back.

Where was he punked? He nailed Ballard, and the video only showed him grabbing Ballard's stick afterward. Later, Ballard was cross-checking him while Abby was on the ground with the refs there. Will you admit that you don't like Abby? Better yet, why don't the Wings trade him- would you be happy without his 160 hits this season?

Ballard doesn't seem to happy that Abby nailed him. I could also see Mursak going- he seems willing to stick up for himself and his teammates.

Mursak, Abby, and Flip say sit down Vancouver.

Mursak is awesome. He and Tatar should be big for this franchise moving forward. They seem to be good friends too.

Glad we managed to field a full team for this game. LGW

...not. Unfortunately, the kid isn't getting his chance tonight. http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2011/03/red_wings_chris_osgood_on_long.html I use Eave's stick (got it from his Carolina days), so I'd naturally be the first choice.

I'm also available to go tonight, just in case. I'll even be a punching bag for a Canuck if the Wings need some momentum.

On the largest level there are the following divisions: NCAA DI NCAA DIII ACHA DI ACHA DII ACHA DIII The leagues are in relative skill level order. ACHA hockey is not NCAA regulated, but they (generally) have the same rules. However, it should be noted that there is some skill overlap. I know that top ACHA DI teams are competitive with the bottom half of the NCAA DIII schools.

Agree. We're about three months early with our discussion. We can't judge Modano until the playoffs are over. Thus far, he has been streaky (if you can call it that). If he can keep playing well through the playoffs, he will likely return. However, if he slows down (since he hasn't been back from injury for a while) it may be time for him to hang them up.

I see more where you are coming from now. To me, until Emmerton makes the NHL (full-time) he isn't an important asset right now, but I can see why you value him. I said it about Ritola and I'll say it about Emmerton- I don't think he has a future with the Wings, but I'd be more than happy to be proven wrong if he earns it. I really like Boll too- he brings it every night. Konopka hasn't looked at 'stupid' this year, but he's also playing with a tougher team (probably doesn't feel like he always has to retaliate). I mention Rosehill because you aren't going to see Boll, Konopka, or Prust type players accepting a 14th forward spot. Usually these spots are relegated to lesser-skilled enforcers, and I don't see the Wings wanting a prospect sitting in the press-box 30+ games a year. Of the fighters willing to take a 14th forward spot, Rosehill is probably the most skilled. Haley has also impressed me in his time up with the Isles, but I'm not sold on his skating. Also, I think Callahan will need a mentor when he enters the NHL in a few years. While this is further away, I think it is important. I think I can please us both (with a lot of ifs). If Drapes and Modano retire, and Miller isn't re-signed we have (lines not important). ZDH Franzen-Flip-Bert Cleary-Abby-Huds Eaves-Helm-Mursak Emmerton/Rosehill If Drapes and/or Modano doesn't retire and Miller is re-signed, we might both be unhappy (loose Emmerton and don't get a gritty guy).

Please explain why you were in favor of Boll and Prust, but not Konopka and Rosehill. Prior to this season, Prust's best season was 9 points. On a ppg basis, Rosehill is on pace to at least match that. Also, Konopka already has 9 points, and he has played much of the year with Trevor Gillies. Konopka is also one of the league's best in FO% and a great PK'er. He sounds exactly like somebody the Wings would want on their fourth line. Konopka had great scoring in the AHL, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him with 15-20 points on the Wings. Rosehill isn't as skilled (but not much worse than Boll IMO), but we are talking about someone who would be a 14th forward. He can skate well, hit well, and fight well. Prust and Boll aren't unique players, and that's why I brought them up. I don't think everyone here has watched 10+ Isles games or 10+ Leafs/Marlies games to judge Rosehill or Konopka, but most on here probably know Prust and Boll. I don't think Ritola's inner-ear problems were why he was cut from the Wings. He just didn't do enough to beat out Miller, Eaves, Helm, or Abby. Draper's spot was secure. Because of that, I don't see how Emmerton will beat out Miller, Eaves, Helm, or Abby next year. There just isn't room unless the Wings make a move (trade or not re-signing Miller and/or Eaves). If they do make a move, see my suggestion for a gritty player. Here is the link to the article about Ritola being placed on waivers. http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2010/10/red_wings_place_mattias_ritola.html I never said the Wings shouldn't resign Salei. I suggested they shop a bit, but I am fine with him sticking around. There are always a few good players who fall through the cracks. I don't think the Wings should be content. I'd like to see them shop a bit knowing they don't have to make any moves. IMO this is the best position to be in. I'm not asking for the Wings to overpay for anyone, but I'd take Konopka at <700k any day of the week. I'd also take Rosehill at 500k (league minimum- I'm not sure if it will go up) to be the 14th forward. I won't be devastated if the Wings have essentially the same roster next year, but I think they should make an attempt at a gritty guy.

It was apparent that you were talking about this coming off-season. I also knew that Prust isn't availible- if you search, you will see that I was talking about Prust a lot last off-season before he was re-signed by NYR. The example is not useless because Prust is not a rare player. His 'break-out' year this year isn't ordinary, but his skill set is relatively common. Off the top of my head, Rosehill and Konopka have contracts ending this year. After the playoffs this year, I'm sure there will be a long list compiled by Newfy, Bring Back..., myself, etc of available gritty players. If you search, you will see this was done last summer, multiple times. If this Wings don't see Emmerton in their future, than his development is a sunk cost. While I actually like Emmerton, his skill-set is redundant on the Wings. He could be one of the players on next years team, but he will have to beat out a lot of other players. IMO he will likely be re-signed and sent down to GR (or traded) after camp. He's Ritola 2.0- good enough for most teams, but redundant on the Wings (has a chance at camp). I agree that not everyone fits on the Wings, but Emmerton's 2 NHL games are hardly a confirmation that he fits into the NHL system. If Brad May and Aaron Downey managed to fit in, I would not be worried about any Boll, Prust, Konopka type player fitting in. Most players like this are great locker room guys, and they rarely cause problems internally (excluding Carcillo).

He wouldn't have blown it if Abby was fighting everyone on the other team like he's supposed to. But seriously, Helm's compete level is amazing. He is awesome.

Losing Salei is not a huge deal IMO. I'd be very happy if he hung them up on good terms to be with his family. However, a player of his caliber should be relatively easy to find. If the Wings are still trying to develop E, I would be fine with Janik being the 7th defensemen. Otherwise, signing a solid 6th/7th dman should be easy. Exelby is just one player to comes to mind.

Saying that you don't want to resign a player is not disrespect, it is an opinion. I don't think anyone in this thread is trying to discredit anything Modano has done during his career. He is one of the greatest American born players ever. People probably expected at least 10 goals from Modano since he has been on the third line. To date, he isn't on pace to score 10 goals if his stats are altered to reflect an 82 game season. Therefore, the posters suggesting Modano shouldn't be resigned have evidence to back-up that he isn't producing. He will be 41 next season, so I don't think it's realistic to expect an improvement in his conditioning, skating, etc. I love Modano as much as anyone, but sometimes you have to hang them up. Like Chelios, he could be a great mentor on another team, but IMO his main attribute is his experience and the Wings are stacked when it comes to experience.

No one available? Did you make the same statement last year when Prust was available? IMO Prust fills more of what the Wings' need than Emmerton. There are many similar players available this off-season too. Right now, the Wings have an excess of skilled 4th liners and a deficiency of gritty 4th liners. It's not that I don't like Emmerton, but we also have Miller, Eaves, Abby, Helm, Draper, and Mursak. One of these players will likely be on the third line while the others will fight for fourth line spots. According to capgeek, Emmerton isn't signed for next year. http://www.capgeek.com/players/display.php?id=1207 I'd like the Wings to shop the UFA D market, but I am fine with Janik or Salei on the back-end. How is not resigning Salei and bringing someone else in wasting money? That makes no sense.

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All of the players mentioned in that post are better skaters/players than Downey was. Therefore, I don't think it is ridiculous to think that the Wings' may sign one of them. However, any move is likely more based on roster space than need. The Wings' essentially had 13 forwards before Modano, and therefore trying to sign one of these players wasn't a possibility (due to Modano's decision time). Weber would cost 8+ million and FOUR first round draft picks (required by the CBA for signing a RFA to a 5+ mill contract). Getting Suter in two years is more likely and more feasible. For how this franchise values draft picks, I don't see them letting four first round picks go for Weber. I'm not saying it isn't worth it, but it is unlikely.