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I'll be at the game tonight. LGW!

How was that celebration about him? He grabbed the Winged Wheel- to me this symbolizes he was extremely excited to score his first NHL goal with the Wings team.

Most Americans that don't watch hockey probably want fighting removed. However, I doubt that removing fighting will bring these people to the games. Even if fighting is removed, it would still happen as it does in the Euro leagues (just much less). Therefore, I am not sure if it would bring these fan in to the game as much as hoped. Personally, I would hate for fighting to be removed. There are so many dangerous things that can happen in hockey- ran from behind, two-handed with a stick (both have happened to me), etc- that the semi self-policing nature of the sport is very attractive to me.

To me, that is spreading the Wings' talent too thin. IMO the Wings have one of the top lines in the league with ZDH. Franzen-Flip-Bert would be a top line for some teams in the league (replace Bert or Flip with a better player and it could be most teams top line), and Huds-Abby-Cleary is almost on par with every second line in the league. IMO the above (what Babcock did) is like having a 1a,1b,2b line setup and yours is more closely a 2a,2a,2a setup. The results may be similar on paper but the Wings' third line usually gets a lot less time than the first and second and I think that would under-utilize Mule and Flip. I see what you mean now. I would agree that Eaves is a better all-around player while Asham is likely a better fourth liner (if he PKs well). Surprisingly, Asham has posted one 30+ point season and ~five 20+ point seasons. I don't agree with this. Can Eaves be a play on a second line and not look out of place? Yes. However, being the third piece on a line with two better players is a spot many NHLers can fill. Outside of most team's top five players, there are a few players who can play that sixth spot. It usually comes down to chemistry.

I agree. Eaves is a good player having a hot-streak but I don't think he has the skill to be put above Cleary, Franzen, Flip, Modano, etc. I would still be against this. Who would you bump down to the fourth line in Eaves' place? It would be between Abby and Eaves for who would play on the third line with Flip and Huds. Assuming Abby is a competent winger, I think it would be a toss up as to which would play on the third. IMO Homer and Eaves aren't good enough playmakers to both be on the first line. However, I think this team (even pre-Modano) has enough depth at center to keep Dats and Z together. I do agree that Eaves is one of the better fourth liners in the league, but it is hard to compare since most teams have a very different fourth line. IMO Asham is just as good of a fourth liner (Eaves is a better second or third though) because of his style. I think Eaves is having a great year thus far. I don't agree with the posters saying that he is a second line player. Can he play on the second with two other skilled players? Yes, but so can 95% of the team.

Tardif should get the next callup IMO. With our two best defensive forwards out (Dats and Z) I am not sure that iFlip would be a wise decision. I don't mean to imply that he cannot play competent D, but I believe Tardif would be a better choice.

Slovakia scores. I hope that play doesn't reflect too poorly on Callahan. Jurco was his man, but the USA D didn't try to pick him up after he left Callahan. Shore with an awesome goal just now. 5-1 USA. EDIT- It looks like they were having Callahan playing center during that goal against. I'm not sure if he has much experience at center as he usually plays RW.

Willing? Yes. Allowed to? Probably not. USA is already down one player for this game (they have 11 forwards), and the don't need to loose another one. Also, Callahan was a scratch last game and he is likely looking to earn a more permanent spot on the roster. Callahan just had a good offensive shift. It looks like he is getting more accustomed to the IIHF style as the game progresses.

From the IIHF website. "A 5 minute major for roughing plus an Automatic Game Misconduct or a Match penalty." The game is more chippy than I expected. Someone needs to teach Brown to fall on the goalie there when he is getting mauled after the whistle in the crease. I'd be surprised to see Callahan fight in the tournament, but I wonder what he would have done if he was on the ice after the hit against D'Amigo earlier.

Callahan just had a good offensive shift- he almost had an assist. He was pushed down after the whistle and you could see him laughing at the 'tough' Slovakian player.

He's been on the ice for two short shifts (that I've noticed) and hasn't been very noticeable. USA is controlling the play, but has been sloppy as a team IMO.

Dirty elbow there.

Go USA!

According to the pregame TSN Boxscore Callahan is in tonight. The game can be found on myp2p and is starting now.

I don't think blaming either player is correct in the scenario. You cannot ask Stuart to hesitate on a shot in order to protect Cleary- do you think coach would have been happy? Also, Cleary clearly jumped to avoid the shot. Therefore, he exposed his feet when the original shot would have likely hit his breezers. Neither player is at fault here. It's upsetting to see Cleary go down, but I'm excited to see what Mursak can bring. I would love to see him on a line with Abby (after a few games on the fourth likely) due to their history together in GR.

Someone will be called up before Dats returns. There will likely be another (small) injury before then. Also, Draper or Hudler may warrant a game or two off during the next month or so. The Wings will probably wait until that happens though. With Modano on LTIR there should be cash available- I haven't checked to be sure though.

Does anyone in this thread actually think the Wings are going to call someone up for the second line? In these situations the player called up usually starts on the fourth line and then works his way up. IMO Mursak and/or Tardif deserve the call-up the most and I hope they split the time. I. Flip is also at a disadvantage because of Hudler- the two likely cannot play together because of their slow speed. Mursak fits in with Helm and Eaves well because of his speed, and Tardif is a solid physical forward that likely wouldn't mind sitting some games in exchange for being up with the Wings. Both of these guys have paid their dues in GR.

I think Mursak is going to be called up. He has been in the AHL longer and has earned it (not to say I. Flip hasn't).

Hudler to Toronto for Rosehill and a second over the summer would be a good trade IMO if Murdak and/or I. Flip are ready to produce in the NHL.

I think it is because they have Brown and Orr. Rosehill isn't as good of a player as Brown and not as good of a fighter as Orr. Therefore, he only plays when either are out. Winchester- Crombeem- Janssen is another very tough line. While none is a top-5 HW, each can hold their own against almost anyone in the NHL.

Gillies- Konopka- Martin is my vote for the toughest line. I don't know if the Leafs have played this line this year, but Orr- Brown- Rosehill would be very tough as well.

Who are you trading or cutting for this to happen? There isn't enough room on the roster for all of them.

As one of the most pro-toughness/enforcer posters on this site, I have to say that this is disgusting. Brawls are fine with me when they have a purpose, but this was just a lot of intent to injure. The Vityaz players continually punching a prone opponent is too much. There was no adherence to any sort of code in any of these fights. I don't mind players fighting/seeking retribution/brawling but this is too much. There is a thin line when it comes to hockey brawls, but this is way beyond appropriate regardless of the situation. These are acceptable to me, but the Vitaz brawl is just inappropriate. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLbTz-HDyGw

What else could he do to impress you? The WHL is probably the best league for Callahan to be playing in. The OHL has more skill (top-10 picks) but the WHL is perfect for a gritty player like Callahan. To say that the Q is the best CHL league is totally unfounded. I don't see why Callahan can't score 15+ goals in the NHL. Helm scored at a similar pace during his WHL career, and he is capable of 15 goals. Callahan's progression has also been impressive. He was a fourth-line walk on two years ago, and now he is playing on Kelowna's top line and being invited to the US camp.

In two years a great third line for the Wings would be Mursak- Abby- Tatar. I don't know why they haven't been playing the two together more.